Newsletter: A Cure for Seasonal Depression

All Work and No Play Makes Dorina a Dull Girl! Anyone else mutate into a combination of the Grinch, Krampus, Jack Torrance, and a sprinkle of Bill Murray’s Frank Cross during the holiday season? Looking for a cure for your seasonal depression? Let me cheer you up with some nice recommendations and events coming up that might make you dance like Snoopy to Vince Guaraldi.

First of all, I finally got to see Godzilla Minus One. The original Godzilla theme by Akira Ifukube shows up in a lot of the movies, but the music fits perfectly here. As always, my complaint is too much time spent with the human soap opera, not enough Kaiju. However, I actually cared about the humans this time. Sweet story, adorable kid, and an even more adorable monster looking like a total badass destroying cities. Gojira forever. Have you seen it? What did you think?

I also recommend watching Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the new anime based on the graphic novels. The animation is gorgeous. The new story is unexpected and you get to spend more time with all these incredible characters in a way you’ve never seen them before. BenDavid Grabinski, who co-wrote and helped develop the series, is a nice acquaintance of mine, so I sent him an annoying text that said: “Hey! Really excellent job with the music and well job, in general!” It’s nice to pump up friends making art. Speaking of…

DJ Bruja Radio
How are you liking the new radio show? We still got a couple more episodes in December that I’m excited about: Synth Scores and Guilty Pleasures. Here’s what I’m thinking for January episodes.

1/2 Modern Artists - all my favorites, from Khruangbin to Kali Uchis to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard to Billie Eilish. ALL OF THE GENRES 🙌
1/9 Electronica - Daft Punk, the Chemical Brothers, Moby and all the 90s glory
1/16 Protest Songs - gotta Rage against the machine at some point on this show
1/23 Superhero Music - yes, both Williams & Zimmer’s Superman themes are excellent
1/30 Disco - should we learn the Barry White Dance from Ally McBeal?

YouTube
If the stars allow it, my plan for 2024 is to start interviewing some friends on my YouTube channel. Starting in January, you may see some livestreams with musicians, therapists, journalists, comedians, witches, and more. Be excited and afraid!

What’s going on for Patrons this month?
I’ve had a blast in the Discord with y’all, playing games, doing Moon rituals, and thirsting over Michael Fassbender, so let’s keep doing more of that! Additionally…

Edward Scissorhands Watchalong - December 20
Tim Burton at his best and, honestly, I’m still waiting for Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder to get back together. Happening after a Whirl Girls tribute video Evan Bushkar is putting together, so we can all cry together to Danny Elfman’s beautiful score. Link

Guilty Pleasures Q&A - December 26
Hang with me after my last show of the year! What’s YOUR guilty pleasure song? What do you love or hate about my new radio show? What about this Patreon? Do you think aliens get anxiety? Let’s talk about it.

DJ Bruja New Year’s Eve Party - December 31
No plans for New Year’s? Dance off the New Year’s Eve blues with me as we tell 2023 to f*ck off! You’re welcome to join the stream and dance with me on camera. And if I have too much champagne, I promise to lick the screen at midnight. Link

Hope to see you soon. May some Gremlin carolers bring you good cheer. Your support is the opposite of having to go to the mall during the holidays: the most beautiful, meaningful present. Thank you for being here. I hope you’ll play with me forever and ever and ever…