In Memory of Oliver Tree: The Vape God

 Who Said Cowboys Don’t Cry?

By Mikii B

2/22/22

Last month, we lost one of the greatest artists of our time. The GOAT- Oliver Tree.

In honor of his memory, his family and friends hosted an event in Santa Cruz, in the hometown of the Vape God. There’s not much I can say without crying. Oliver Tree was one of the most influential musicians in my life and I was lucky enough to see him back in 2022, for the Cowboys Don’t Cry Tour. He was and still remains to be, one of the best performers out there. He always gave everything he had and created shows that not only showed the love for his music but his fans too. Every show always had inside jokes he had created with his fans through the internet, BMX, special guest appearances from Little Ricky ZR3 and the return of many of his iconic outfits and characters. My favorite memory I have, and I will never forget, is how he turned the whole venue into a hotbox for “All That” when I saw him in San Francisco. 

Little Ricky ZR3 Special Appearance

I always knew there was something different about me. I never quite fully fit in anywhere. I was always a little more energetic, awkward, happier, depressed, silly, weird, overall stranger than most. I just accepted it, embraced it, and found my way. Eventually I made friends and family with the people who accepted me, for me. But there were days, especially in a post-covid world where even when I was surrounded by my bestest friends that I couldn’t stand myself. It was as if these voices in my head were constantly questioning me,“Why am I so weird?” or “Why can’t I connect with people?” and most times, “What’s wrong with me?” 

My OT doodle

I was getting older, life was changing and becoming harder than I expected. I thought by 20 I’d finally move out, be creative and settle into myself. But all I had was grief for a youth I was never was allowed, unhealed wounds caused by the people I loved most and left feeling why I was never enough. Dragging my feet from my teen years into my twenties… a life I was never ready for. There I was, standing in front of my future, door open and yet so unwilling. The voices that didn’t stop, new environments and situations that were emotionally challenging and a girl who could only do her best to try to understand herself, different and unsettled. I tried changing my hair, changing my clothes, trying on makeup, and losing weight just to fit in and be good enough. Yet, despite my efforts, I still felt different. 

My fan art

Then one day as I was folding clothes at work, one earbud tucked in, listening to a podcast. I found him. Immediately, I was drawn in; the colors, the jokes, the point of his message, he spoke to me. Oliver Tree was on zoom, in a scooter, bandaged up and played his music video for Cash Machine. I went back out to the floor that night and closed the store listening to his album, Ugly is Beautiful. 

Alien Boy and Out of Ordinary were songs that will forever resonate with me on a deeper level. Alien Boy specifically, was a song that made me not feel alone anymore. “When I’m Down” kept me going while I was navigating treacherous waters as I went on an emotional journey. Between the years 21-22, I was focused on attempting to heal my inner child. I started therapy. “Welcome to LA” was the first song I played when I finally bought my first car. Hurt and Jerk, helped me through bad fights I had, had at home. Freaks & Geeks helped me accept the worst parts of myself, the parts that got me kicked out of ballet class and bullied in elementary school. My best friend at the time and I almost died traveling to see him (I wish I was joking). It’s a result of the passion and love we had, not only for his music, but our friendship. 

What I brought home from Dallas

His message of loving and accepting yourself, the beautiful, the ugly, the weird came to me when I needed to hear it the most. The first time I traveled on my own, I went to Dallas for a job. I had gotten a position selling insurance and they had invited me to go visit headquarters. That’s when I knew a life in sales was not for me. But I did get to go to a record store on that trip and saw my first ever Oliver Tree albums in real life. At this point in my story, I had been listening to him for years and I couldn’t imagine leaving them. So I bought them that day and flew back home clutching onto them. I still draw him a lot, he has always kept a covenant spot on my youtube rewind, I simply love him. I do yoga to Sacred Elements. The countless hours spent in my room alone with him when no one was there, is insurmountable. 

me in my Oliver Tree shorts

This last album, like all the others before, came out while I was wrapping up my master’s program. Again, a VERY low point of my life. I should have been excited, but I was only stressed, breaking out and left feeling those feelings of not being good enough again. Ultraman, Deep End and Glow On kept me going. I was excited to see him with my boyfriend in the fall. I finally got my ADHD diagnosis after 27 years, and I was relieved that I am an Alien Girl. 

Oliver was also there for that journey. I played him many times on my radio show. He was there for my longer drives while I did nothing but cry. I wouldn’t have this blog if it wasn’t for him saying, “If you have a dream. If you want to do something with your life. Go do that shit!”

I do at times feel like I won’t know how I’m going to go through life without him to remind me that ugly is beautiful, that I’m a dumbass but people love that, and to glow on. He was truly one of the last artists of our time but I know I am not alone grieving his loss. We're in this together cowboy.

Audiences Want More Original Movie Musicals

How It's Done, Done, Done

 By Mikii B

I’ve been wondering lately, and you can correct me if you believe that I am wrong my friends, but what ever happened to the original movie musical? I’m not talking about how Wicked finally received its movie adaptation or Disney’s newest princess movie. I’m talking about musicals that were created for film. Movies like 1952’s, “Singing in the Rain” with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds or “Meet Me in St. Louis” from 1940, starring the Judy Garland when she was just 21 years old. These films all happened during the Golden Age of Cinema (1920-1960) and it’s estimated that hundreds of musicals were created during this time. Many of which were concepts made for the movies, not the stage. I personally feel like we don’t have that anymore and I am left wondering why? Especially when musicals that hit the box office with unique concepts always have audiences eating them up! We are starving for one-of-a-kind ideas. “K-Pop Demon Hunters” hit Netflix last summer and earned $24.9 million during a special box office run while dominating pop culture and children's birthday parties on a global scale. This year also marks the 10 year anniversary of “La La Land” and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. To celebrate this film’s milestone, fans will be treated to a special theatrical return of the wistful yet nostalgic movie starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. This wouldn’t be the first time “La La Land” returns to theaters for a milestone celebration, yet each time it does, it makes 1 to 5 million upon replay.

However, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” and “La La Land” aren’t the only two movie musicals that have made an impact on the box office and in pop culture within the last ten years. “Sing”, an animated musical that came out the same year as “La La Land” in 2016, went on to conquer theaters. The film has a budget of $75 million dollars and grossed over an impressive $654.5 million, for a singing Gorilla! 3 years later, “Yesterday” would hit theaters. The story follows a man who lives in a world where he is the only one who remembers The Beatles and recreates their songs to find much success. The film was made with a budget only of $25 million and grossed over $154.9 million. The movie was well-received and is now in the works for a stage adaptation. In 2025, “Better Man” was released, which tells the story of musician Robbie Williams. Though it didn’t make over its budget, it was received well by critics earning an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.

All this does is prove, my friends, that we want original musicals. We yearn for them. Though we are sailing away slowly from 2026 and everything that will be released this year has been announced, we can hope that next year we get many more original ideas and songs. Unless you disagree with me and think that we are already there and I am just being greedy asking for more.

Though I still leave you with this my friends, to quote Elphaba, "I'm through accepting limits 'cause someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change, but till I try I'll never know!"

The Master's of the Universe Soundtrack Review

 

The Masters of the Music

By Mikii B 

The Lost Prince of Eternia, He-Man, a beloved icon from the 80s, has finally returned to the big screen after 40 years. It was known that the movie did not do so well at the box office and had received a 67% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie was just recently released onto streaming and has been finding success. As it should be! It has reached #1 on Prime in the U.S., U.K., Italy, and Brazil, surpassing Project Hail Mary. Which is an interesting connection if you really think about it. 

Daniel Pemberton, composer of Project Hail Mary, was also the creative genius that brought to life the score of Masters of the Universe (He-Man). Pemberton is known for staying away from franchises and sequels but there was something in him that wanted this project. Perhaps it was the little boy inside him who couldn’t let go. The one who sat in front of the picture box every early Saturday morning, juicebox in hand and He-Man in the other. Pemberton, in an interview with Variety’s Matt Minton shared that he only agreed to score the film if he was allowed to create a Queen and ABBA inspired soundtrack for Masters of the Universe. Which was, in my opinion, too perfect and Travis Knight, director of the film, seemed to agree. 

This 80s, pop and glam-rock soundtrack was created at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, which often functions as Pemberton’s atelier when he’s working in London. However, this time would be different. This time fate would have him there, as Brain May also happened to have been working on a separate Queen project. Pemberton and May would soon find themselves agreeing to work together on the soundtrack for the 2026, He-Man movie. 

The soundtrack was incredible. It was 35 songs that each pulled you into the fantasy of Eternia. With a beautiful 100-piece choir and 80-piece orchestra, yet it wouldn’t be an 80s soundtrack without an over abundance of synths. The soundtrack is the perfect blend of blockbuster and Saturday mornings. Daniel Pemberton was quoted in the same Variety interview saying, “I wanted a grown man to feel like a small boy again, and I wanted a small boy to feel like a grown man” and that he did. The cherry on top was Brian May and his Red Special Guitar, which was fashioned out of household materials so he can perform as a teen in Queen’s early days.  

Though the soundtrack was incredible and I have Eternia on repeat as I am writing this, the needle drops in this movie had to have been stolen from Amoeba or Twist-N-Shout’s store playlist. They were THAT perfect and so cool. First, we’re given a soft piano rendition of The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry” played by Pemberton himself, leaving us itching for Rob Smith’s heavenly vocals. Shortly after, the tantalizing guitar plucks and hypnotizing drums kick in. Kier Lehman, the music supervisor, and Travis Knight have at last given us what we were left pining for. The song itself holds a mirror to society and this narrative that is instilled in all of us that men shouldn’t be emotional, empathic or cry. Which Adam does not abide by, and never has, even in the cartoons. He in the film, wears cat sweaters and works in HR. His cartoon counterpart teaches the power of friendship and each version never stops wearing pink! Which also happens to be the same color of The Cure album, Three Imaginary Boys, which features the song. A connection I find rather interesting if I can say so myself.The movie later goes on to play The Killer’s “The Man” as Adam has his face in a window, perfectly circled. Which is typically the part when I yell in the theater, “Do you get it? It’s because he’s He-MAN?” and immediately hide myself into the hood of my sweater. Following those two iconic drops are “The Power” by SNAP! and “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes. Unfortunately, if I were to tell you why those were perfect picks, I would be spoiling. So I guess you’ll just have to watch the movie now.

HHN35 and Ozzy Osbourne's Rumored Haunt

Will We Actually Be Invited to the Prince of Darkness' Haunted Kingdom?

By Mikii B

As summer nears its end, many seem to have only one thing on their minds, Universal Studios iconic Halloween event, Halloween Horror Nights. This event is so legendary, it has even built its very own dedicated community of fans over the quarter century, I being one of them. So, with over 1.5 million visitors between both Hollywood and Orlando parks during the horror season, fans are bound to speculate which houses, or better yet- who will be there. 

It has been rumored that the late Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne will have his spirit summoned for the event at Halloween Horror Nights 35. Many have noticed leaks, possible little bread crumbs left for the Horror Hansels and Gory Gretels out there by John Murdy, the HHN king himself. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s done this. In a video uploaded to instagram by theme-park Content Creator, Jake Stewart, he plays a clip of a leaked promo audio that was being heard on Spotify. The radio promotion featured what sounds to be the Crazy Train singer's infamous laugh as the spooky narrator invites guests to walk into the Prince of Darkness’ haunted mansion. Stewart continues the clip by walking towards an unfinished facade of a haunted house at the back of the park that is rumored to be the anticipated Prince of Darkness’ Mansion. 

This wouldn’t be the first time HHN has collaborated with artists to create a haunted house that captures their music and works to be an extension of their art, including the prince himself. In 2013, HHN created Black Sabbath: 13 (3-D), taking inspiration from the lyrics off the 2013 album of the same title. They have also worked with Alice Copper and the Weeknd a number of times to bring terrifying visions to life, or should I say… to death! 

So with all this combined, you can’t blame fans for being so excited. Horror lovers and Metal Heads alike are all eagerly waiting on the edge of their seats for their official invite to the Prince of Darkness’ humble abode. 

Why is Music So Expensive These Days?

 The Art They Are Working So Hard To Keep Us From

By Mikii B

Art is for the people. Art is a reflection of life. Art is vulnerability, connection, and community. Art can start a revolution. And that’s exactly why, my friends, they have worked so hard to keep music away from us. Arguably, music is the most universal, easily digestible and sub-culture forming spirited type of art out there (please note how I did say arguably). 

This connection between music and movements, uprisings, and dare I say it again, communities, is one that has been long documented. From the Call-and-Response and Oral Storytelling of resilience and unity in slave songs, to 1920s, country music that expressed frustrations with the ever-growing pressure from wartime debt and need for strong faith. Following all the way to how folk music skyrocketed in popularity in the 1960s, as a response to civic unrest and united protesting. I will also never fail to take a moment to shine a spotlight on Punk, which has developed a community that often follows a code of strong political beliefs. Music is expression and music has the power to change the world. Which is why a wall has been built, separating humanity from this form of art. This long, lengthy history lesson in a blog aims to explore why music is so expensive these days.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed, we’ve all felt our wallets become lighter and bank accounts get emptier anytime we want to buy another limited edition of the same Taylor Swift album that features a different picture of her in the front cover this time. Or a more universal experience that negatively affects your dopamine rush of going to see your favorite artist, the fight against the Scalper Babies in the Ticketmaster queue. It’s all madness, but the worst thing of all is when you get that email knowing that your monthly access to music is going to get even more expensive. So why is this happening? 

Unfortunately my friends, Superman will not be able to get us out of this situation this time. However, we can still study this phenomenon. In July 2026, Forbes confirmed that Apple Music will be raising its price once again. The last time this happened was in 2020, when the price went from the original launch price of $9.99 (2015) to $10.99 a month. This year Apple Music subscriptions have been increased by one to three dollars. With the streaming service now becoming $11.99 a month for single plans and $19.99 a month for a family plan. Spotify, on the other hand, has infamously been raising its prices steadily for the past 3 years. They have been adding a dollar more each year. In 2022, Spotify was only $9.99 for an individual plan and has slowly crept up to $12.99 a month in 2026. I’ve even felt it with my YouTube family plan going from $23 a month to well over $30 overnight. It’s depressing, and it makes you wonder, “WHY CAPITALISM, WHY?” Apple Music gave Forbes this answer in the same article, stating an increase on licensing fees.

Sure, we can argue that studios have to be more competitive and spend more on fancy production equipment since you can practically build a studio off of whatever you’re reading this on. However, that doesn’t seem to answer the frustration many have had towards companies like Ticketmaster and Live Nation. There’s no denying my friends that these companies have been pricing us out. According to a different Forbes article, ticket prices between 2019 and 2024, have gone up 50%. They also predict that by 2030, ticket prices would have gone up another 7.2%, so say goodbye to your seats at Cher’s 50th farewell tour. Europe has combated this by creating anti-scalper law that was passed back in 2019! Again, I ask, “WHY CAPITALISM, WHY?’ 

In the same article, Forbes does suggest that TikTok has caused many artists to explode in popularity, resulting in an insatiable demand that can lead to dynamic pricing. This is something I’ve lamentably experienced before. My whole life, Pierce the Veil tickets were always so affordable, even when they went on tour with Sleeping With Sirens. Which is crazy to think about, because you knew that going to that show, you would be getting the quintessential performance of King for a Day live. However, it still was affordable. But not in 2023, a ticket that has cost me in the past $50 had gone up to well over $300. Sure, it was a span of like 9 years, but that’s still a big jump. I had a streak where I saw them at least once every year from their return. This was from 2022 to 2024, and each year the price got higher.

My friends these days are looking pretty grim. I would say buy physical media, but the thrift store teens have cleaned up the Goodwill and now all the good stuff is now gone. I do think though, no matter how hard they try, they will never fully take music away from the people. If there is a will, there is a way. Public spaces will always be a great place to share music. Public libraries have an endless catalog of CD’s and in all different genres. Go into a Hot Topic or a record store and sit and listen. Perhaps, if you are so inclined to do so, ask a stranger to share an earbud. We will brace these waves of inflation and tariffs and a world without anti-scalper laws together my friends. We will not only survive, but some day soon, thrive.