REVIEWS
“YDED” by My Name is Staeve reviewed by zoe
Local electronic artist My Name is Staeve calls himself a half muppet half human electronic musician and that...checks out. His March 2025 album “YDED” is this unhinged (yet also like perfectly hinged?) mix of synthwave industrial hip hop drone avant vapor slushwave whatever else he felt like throwing in and it works. He says, about his music, “I want to be the Tom Petty of electronic music. But maybe I'm more the Frank Zappa half puppet/half human electronic musician. I am a son & student of The Frog.”
Anyway, “YDED” kicks off with this sci-fi horror movie sounding intro full of audio jumps and static and burps and alarms and just noise like a little robot’s brain melting in real time. Then you land into “Celebration of the Life of a Funky Deity” which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s got this like easy listening beat to it, like you’re floating through Factory Obscura.
Then things get slower but also somehow more intense?? The title track “YDED” is full of perfectly placed little screams, then track “Leviathan Below” drags you deeper down into the weird and it’s heavy and strange but also kind of beautiful in this broken animatronic way. Then “Imagined Wisdom” hits with haunted toy box, all playful and creepy and crittery.
Then, “The New Amphibian Evangelism” is basically an existential breakdown told through voiceover and swirling sounds and you’re just sitting there like okay sure preach until “You Learn to Live With It” brings the ghost vibes back but then “Traveling the Cosmos with No Anxiety Meds” just launches you into full-on mad scientist chaos mode again.
Then, there’s this stretch near the end with tracks like “Susie Peg Got Married” and “Retire the Number” where the looping and dialogue get really glitchy, and then finally “I Am Alive” kind of pulls it all back together with cymbals and horns and something vaguely orchestral, and it feels like the credits are rolling on a movie that never explained itself and didn’t have to.
“YDED” is somehow both the most brainempty and the most brain-so-full album. It’s weird and messy and theatrical but not in a try-hard way and if you’re gonna follow anyone into that kind of chaos it might as well be Oklahoma’s own half-muppet who worships The Frog.
listen to yded here
Requested Review:
“How to be a Goth: Notes on Undead Style” by
Tish Weinstock
Reviewed
by
Jackalope
Contrary to the title, this book is clear from the first page on saying that there is no one way to be a goth. However, the author does have some suggestions and starting points. Also, while it doesn’t really say anything about it until one of the very last chapters (Chapter XV – “Undead Men: Goths to get out of the grave for”), this book is almost exclusively geared towards women -- especially on the feminine side and presumed straight. It is otherwise a pleasantly sinister romp through the history of what it has meant to be goth or gothic, anecdotes from the author’s personal history, and her suggestions on “cradle to casket” gothic style. Style recommendations are broken apart by age group: teenagers, realizing you’re technically a grown-up now, and those 50 and older. I personally ended up skimming those chapters because Weinstock seems to think any adult can afford designer garb or boutique shopping. What I enjoyed more was the multi-chapter list of 40 Gothic Heroines (fictional and otherwise) plus a fun variety of quotes from fellow creatures of the night on liking black, bats and all the other trimmings. If you stick around to the end, there’s also a recommended starter set of movies, books, music and more.
Content warnings: descriptions including blood, creepy crawlies, latex, & performances or styles that are intentionally provocative or unsettling to some; references to alleged domestic abuse; recommendations for fur and taxidermy.
Ifyou’recuriousaboutanalbum,bookorfilmbutnotsureifyou wanttospendpartofyouronewildandpreciouslifeonit,drop usalineatOklahoma.UMA@gmail.comandwe’lltakealook.
What I did on my summer not-vacation
A whimsical photo essay by
Granny Anarchy
I went to Library Out Loud,
And a few nature walks.
I went on indoor walks and did not Buy any mannequins.
(I deserve a medal for this)
and Metro Zine Fest,
ooh, library books!
I saw a sign,
I INADVERTENTLY saw fireworks, ands(ADVERTENTLY?) aw the moon. the okc thunder parade, a protest, and lots of art.
I went to see Social Distortion at the Diamond Ballroom, and Modest Mouse AT THE cRITERION
I saw pretty things to self-regulate amidst a fast-changing and often alarming newscape.
i purr-sisted,
made some zines,
I found a purple baby,
hid from a tornado,
& tried to remember that there are lovely things to celebrate.
i ate/drank local, and scribbled some ART. and joy at the library.
I celebrated pride.
and I took this PICTURE just for you.
Battle of the Bands*
Local bands compete live on the 46 Star Auditorium stage, with the winner determined by the audience and a panel of amazing judges (including Tyson Meade). th
Artist Alley*
Featuring artists using a variety of media and styles, as well as folks from local nonprofits who can help you find ways to make our part of the world a better place to be.
Monster Pageant*
It’s like a beauty pageant but cool and fabulous and silly. A variety of skill levels welcomed, so feel free to go all-out with cosplay fabrication or simply throw on a monster mask and join in the fun. Contestants will strut their stuff monsterstyle and compete in a variety of fun, silly challenges that require no skill beyond willingness to try. (All genders welcome, competing monsters 12+ with younger monsters welcome in the audience, so your fits need to cover your bits)
Makerspace
Punk-style fabric patches, basic printmaking, zines, button pins, and other gorgeously unique ways to DIY, your way. This will include structured how-to’s with an expert on hand, plus space for crafty makers to freestyle.
89thStreet
VENUES
8911NWesternAve(OKC) 89thstreetokc.com
BeerCityMusicHall 1141NW2nd(OKC) beercitymusichall.com
BlueDoor
2805NMcKinleyAve(OKC) bluedoorokc.com
BlueNote
2408NRobinsonAve(OKC) okcbluenote.com
Bookish
1005NW36thSt(OKC) thebookishshop.com
Criterion
500EastSheridanAve(OKC) criterionokc.com
Core4Brewing
7NLeeAve(OKC) core4brewing.com
DiamondBallroom
8001SEasternAve(OKC) diamondballroom.com
FactoryObscura
25NW9thSt(OKC) factoryobscura.com
GrandRoyale 1749NW16thSt (OKC) instagram.com/grandroyaleokc
JonesAssembly 901WSheridanAve(OKC) thejonesassembly.com
OKCider
705W.SheridanAve(OKC) okciderco.com
Opolis
113NCrawfordAve(Norman) opolis.org
Ponyboy
423NW23rdSt(OKC) ponyboyokc.com
ResonantHead
400SW25thSt,SuiteA(OKC) resonanthead.com
Resonator 325EMainSt(Norman) resonator.space
TheSanctuary 1012NIndianaAve(OKC) facebook.com/thesanctuaryok
51stStreetSpeakeasy 1114NW51stStreet(OKC) 51stspeakeasy.com
TowerTheatre 425NW23rdSt(OKC) towertheatreokc.com
TheVenue 1103NorthVilla(OKC) thevenueokc.com
ZooAmp 2101NE50thSt(OKC) okczooamp.com
JonWolfe@BeerCityMusicHall
Cliffdiver,allinurhead@89 St. th
ErickJaimez,NocheDeVeranoSinTi!,WhattheDance@BeerCity MusicHall SquidPisser,PrimalHominid@89
Kazhaw/KanbatsuandVerandaBandits@GrandRoyale GentlemanDeluxew/GabrialHandcockandTheSickForms
SamLewis@TheBlueDoor
Shameless plug / side note from roadie Zoe I got to fulfill my emo dreams when I did an interview with red jumpsuit apparatus hehe.
TUESDAY
THIS AUGUST, SPOTICUS IS F
TWENTY-TWO
bylapêchepunkette
A fact only the most dedicated Metro groupies could know: Spoticus has official lore. Previously known only as “The Dalmatian,” the rainbowspeckled dog that populates today’s Metro merch was named by a kid from Edmond on August 29, 2003.
Other bits of canon: in devotion to County interests, Spoticus’ favorite color is Thunder Blue. Like any dog, he loves cheddar cheese. And his favorite hangout? ALL NINETEEN Metro Library locations. That’s right, even the 24/7 Library Kiosk at Mitch Park.
In 2025, Spoticus celebrates his Taylor Swift birthday. Here’s some of his birth chart information, if you were wondering:
Sun in Virgo Venus in Virgo
Moon in Libra Mercury in Virgo
Mars in Pisces
Jupiter in Virgo
This dog is Earth dominant and Virgo heavy. With an exalted Mercury, Spoticus excels at communicating. His Libra Moon makes him style conscious and great at representing the Metro brand. His Pisces Mars rounds out his otherwise practical nature and fills him with creative dynamism (and big dreams for next year’s Summer Reading).
***Shameless plug: Spoticus will be having a birthday party at the Bethany Library on Friday, August 29 @ 3:30pm. th
Favorites
Message Board
At Grand Royale reading the zine!
Thought I would share some favorite albums!
Seraph by Mas Ysa
Preacher’s Daughter by Ethel Cain
The Gods We Can Touch by Aurora
Favorite art is anything by Carlos Barboza!
-Casey L.
fav music from a fan
Hi, my name is Amauri, and I love to read your issues, especially to discover underground venues. Some of my favorite albums are Begeerte by wiloos (my fav song from that album is de zon tegemoet), and Island by asunojokei (my favorite song from that album is heavenward). This is my spotify playlist :p
Satisfying Drum Sounds
A playlist about some of my favorite drum sounds. I’m a drummer and wanted to share some love to the drummers out there.
-Nathaniel Lee
Message Board
Oklahoma Film Exchange was formed to preserve cinema, celebrate culture, and create community. Our first step? Save Film Row.
The Film Row screening room, located on the first floor of the former Paramount Film Exchange, is the last of its kind. Despite decades of company mergers, new ownership, and the changes of the ever-evolving film industry, it has been maintained as a screening room.
The current lease for the screening room will lapse August 31, 2025 – the space will be stripped of everything that makes it a theater and leased to whoever can afford it. Members of the Oklahoma Film Exchange have a plan to lease the space for at least two years, with the goal to preserve it as a screening room, create an accessible venue for the arts, and develop a community space for all.
If we do not save the Film Row screening room, we risk losing a beloved piece of Oklahoma history and one of the last places left in the country dedicated to the birth of the film industry. We need the OKC community’ s help in preserving this vital piece of local history and industry. Tell your friends, family, loved ones, Instagram followers, coworkers and m ou can and spread the word.
Core4 Brewing (West Village OKC)
Get ready - the puppets are taking over again!
Join us for another spirited night of short-form puppetry acts for adults. Expect a variety of puppet styles, stories and surprises – from shadow puppetry to sock puppets, marionettes to found object magic. Come early for a good seat and a chance to meet some fellow puppet fiends and felted friends.
AMA, Roadies Edition
What is something or someone more people should know about?
Oh, I have lots of them.
Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942. This resulted in the forced removal of 110,000+ Japanese Americans, most of whom were native-born American citizens. American photographer Dorothea Lange took a photograph o store owned by Japanese Americans March, 1942. The sign had been plac there the day after Pearl Harbor. The (Matsuda) family was moved to an internment camp shortly after the ph was taken. Many Japanese American including “Star Trek” star George Tak were sent to internment camps, losing their homes, jobs, possessions and security in the process. -Granny Anarchy
Three people, all musicians, all March Pisces: Townes VanZandt, Jackson C. Frank and Jeff Hanson. - la pêche punkette
It’s a little dangerous to ask this question of someone who’s neurospicy and nerdy. Like, I once wrote a 60ish-page paper on chewing gum and I’m still not tired of it. I have written & rewritten this answer six times, in completely different directions. So I think I’ll just say: go read something by bell hooks. Maybe throw some Huxlxy, KAYE or SuperKnova into your next playlist. Intentionally listen/read/enjoy more content by nonwhite and/or queer creators. -Jackalope
