Goth Babe is a musical project by Griffin Washburn, a California-based musician and producer. The project's music is characterized by dreamy, lo-fi indie-pop soundscapes fused with elements of surf rock and alternative rock. The laid-back and nostalgic vibes of Goth Babe's music create a sonic experience that transports listeners to beachy, sun-soaked locations. Surf Curse, on the other hand, is a duo comprised of Nicholas Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck. Hailing from Reno, Nevada, Surf Curse has gained popularity for its energetic and lo-fi sound, blending elements of surf rock, punk, and indie rock. Their music often features catchy guitar riffs, raw vocals, and introspective lyrics, creating a unique blend of garage rock and surf punk.
Their music often features catchy guitar riffs, raw vocals, and introspective lyrics, creating a unique blend of garage rock and surf punk. Despite their different musical styles and origins, both Goth Babe and Surf Curse share a common thread of creating music that evokes a sense of nostalgia and escapism. They both explore themes of youth, love, and longing, using their music as a vessel to transport listeners to different emotional and physical landscapes.
Book Review of Enchanted to Meet You (Witches of West Harbor #1) by Meg Cabot
I feel like a quirky small town fall vibe, like seeing the front windows of Jessica’s shop all decorated as the cover, would’ve been adorable. The purple and clouds feel like a specific nod to the Taylor Swift song the title makes me sing every time I think about the book, and it’s a bit more general “this is a romance!” than I’d want, but at least the motorcycle ride does make an appearance in the story.
The Deal:
An off-hand remark from Jessica Gold’s dad when she was a child mistakenly led her to believe her mother was a witch, and from there little Jessica became obsessed. As she grew, she learned anyone can be a witch if they practiced hard enough, but a thoughtless love spell in high school ruined her chances of ever being taken “seriously” by the World Council of Witches.
Now Jessica is grown, running her own clothing store where she judiciously applies her magic to help her customers find their perfect fits. She’s not ready for Derrick Winters, a witch affiliated with the WCW, to wander in one day and tell her she’s The Chosen One; the only person who can help the Bringer of Light save the town from certain evil.
Jessica’s arch-nemesis from high-school is still lurking around, Derrick is an eye-candy hunk of distraction, and her business is drowning in orders for the West Harbor Tricentennial Ball (coincidentally also the night shit is supposed to go down). What’s a witch to do?
BFF Charm: Best Witches
I am under the impression that all of Meg Cabot’s protagonists contain a little bit of her personality, and that’s probably why I love them. They’re all a bit snarky, nerdy (they love random facts), usually with little chill, but they’re always kind and upbeat. Jessica loves her work because she likes making people feel good, and she doesn’t hesitate when she finds out who she has to help in order to save her town.
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Derrick starts off tall, Viking, and taciturn, but his hulking figure hides a heart of gold, and he immediately appreciates Jessica for who she is—sa-woon. Cabot’s romances never quite make things sizzle for me, but they generally portray romantic relationships in a healthy, fun way that makes me want to root for the couple.
Talky Talk: Meg Cabot School Of Positivity
Witches, small towns, and Meg Cabot? I couldn’t request this book fast enough. There’s something so comforting and wonderful about her writing, and I don’t mean to say that in a “she’s predictable and boring” kind of way, but…you do know what you’re getting when you pick up one of her books, and I totally love and appreciate that. Everything moves at a snappy pace; there’s usually a good lesson about being true to yourself or sticking up for what’s right; and, there’s emphasis on life-long friendships and adorkable love interests. Enchanted to Meet You had all of that with a side of witchy supernatural-ness. I loved spending time with Jessica and her trivia group, and the Light Bringer was bad-ass. I always feel good after reading a Meg Cabot novel, and this was no exception!
Bonus Factor: Small Towns
For a minute it was like going back to some place like Stars Hollow or Mystic Falls with West Harbor’s Tricentennial Ball coming up and the whole town in a tizzy about it. Sure, in a small town you may have to constantly deal with annoying people, like your love-sick ex and the popular girl from high school he ended up marrying who will just not leave you alone, but there’s also that time you dressed the mayor and random Thursdays wine nights on your porch with your besties you’ve known for decades.
Bonus Factor: Witches
Cabot’s version of witchy magic leans into herbs and potions and things like eating porridge out of a wooden bowl while staring at your intended to make them fall madly in love with you, but also comes from a well-spring inside of you that anyone can tap if they’re in-tune enough with the world and themselves. I dig it.
Bonus Factor: Magical Clothes
How I wish Jessica’s store existed in real life, where you could go and with a few magical tweaks you could find the best clothes to fit your personality and body shape. The real world is so boring.
Relationship Status: LYLAS
Book, you’re my sister from another mister. I love how we can gossip like no time has gone by, and you always hype me up when I’m feeling down. Trivia next week?
Literary Matchmaking
Shadowland (The Mediator #1)
Ninth Key (The Mediator #2)
Reunion (The Mediator #3)
Darkest Hour (The Mediator #4)
Haunted (The Mediator #5)
Twilight (The Mediator #6)
If you’re new to Meg Cabot, a) I’m so excited for you and b) if you want another supernatural-y series from her, one of my favorites is The Mediator series featuring a hot ghost.
Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1)I’ve often thought that Rachel Hawkins writes in a similar kind of style to Meg, and her Hex Hall series features a boarding school and magic AND supernatural creatures.
Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1)Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) by Jessica Spotswood also features a witch having to make a choice against a magical ruling entity.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Avon. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. Enchanted to Meet You is available 9/5/23.
A prickle went down Darcy’s spine as he walked between the stone swords. Hespera trailed a few steps behind him. She disliked being indoors, but he had promised her a new gold chain for her cooperation.
Whether it's the sun-drenched beaches of California or the gritty punk scenes of Reno, both artists invite audiences to immerse themselves in their music and embrace the feelings of freedom and carefreeness that come with it. In conclusion, Goth Babe and Surf Curse are two musical projects that excel in creating sonic experiences that transport listeners to different worlds. Their unique fusion of genre influences and their ability to evoke emotions through their music have made them standout figures within the indie music realm. Whether you're in the mood for dreamy beach vibes or energetic punk-infused tracks, both Goth Babe and Surf Curse have something to offer..
Reviews for "The Gpth Babe Soundtrack: How Surf Curse's Music Sets the Mood"
1. Alice - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Goth Babe" by Surf Curse. The album lacked originality and felt like a watered-down version of other indie surf rock bands. The songwriting was generic and the melodies were forgettable. I was expecting more from a band with such a dedicated following, but unfortunately, this album fell flat for me.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I couldn't stand "Goth Babe" by Surf Curse. The whole album felt monotonous and uninspired. The songs all blended together and there was nothing that stood out or grabbed my attention. It was just a predictable and forgettable listen. I was hoping for something more unique and innovative, but I was sorely disappointed.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Goth Babe" by Surf Curse didn't live up to the hype for me. The production quality was subpar and the vocals often sounded strained and off-key. The lyrics were also quite lackluster and didn't resonate with me on any level. Overall, I found the album to be underwhelming and I couldn't connect with the music.
4. Mike - 1/5 stars - I found "Goth Babe" by Surf Curse to be a complete bore. The songs were repetitive and lacked any sort of energy or excitement. It felt like the band was going through the motions without bringing anything new or interesting to the table. I was expecting a lot more considering the positive reviews, but this album was a major disappointment for me.