Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief: Empress to have Second Baby
Kalistan will join Northern Seleyan Games; Carrie Hill releases Sophomore Album
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 1, 5646


Carrie Hill's sophomore offering "Nevaran Sunset" is declared "Acid Country"

Empress to have Second Baby
Her Imperial Majesty's official spokeswoman, Lady Marian Southern has issued a statement declaring that Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto and His Highness, Emperor-Consort Martin Collins-Ananto are expecting their second child. "Her Imperial Majesty's second pregnancy was confirmed by her personal physician earlier this week," said Lady Southern. "She informed her family, all of whom are quite happy for her, and interested members of her Government. Her Imperial Majesty is in excellent health and spirits, and baby is reportedly progressing just fine."

Lady Southern said Her Imperial Majesty intends to take maternal leave in mid August so she and the Emperor Consort may prepare Cliff House for the new Arrival. "Princess Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis has expressed her intention to move back to Kaliburg along with her husband, Baron Calvin Morrison of Xanadu and take a townhouse in Kaliburg in August. She wishes to be more present in her grandchildren's lives and help the Empress with anything she needs help with. She can also stay close to her philanthropic activities." She said she has received lots of supportive letters from the Royal Family, as well as the peerage.

"Hopefully these next few months won't be too eventful for Her Imperial Majesty or for Kalistan," said Lady Southern. She said Her Imperial Majesty plans to relocate to the Summer residence at Wood House in Eshar County, Odufaray in April and will stay there until Mid August. Meanwhile, Cliff House will undergo new remodeling to make one of the bedrooms into a new nursery adjacent to her and the Consort's bedroom. It is something she wished she had for the Minor Prince Fredrick when he was an infant.

Kalistan will Join the Northern Seleyan Games
Kalistan has become the first nation to officially accept the invitation to join the Northern Seleyan Games in Valruzia. The games, which are set for summer 5650, will include both academic and cerebral contests that will test national teams against one another for glory and national renown. Kalistan has already formed a NSG coordinating Committee, led by Janis Delgado of Sulari.

"Right off the bat," said Delgado, "I can see us competing in Track and field events, rugby 7s, beach volleyball, fencing, Precision firearms events, road cycling and BMX, the Go competition, orienteering, and horse racing. We may be able to enter teams for other events, but these are events we excel at. We wish they would have skateboarding and surfing of course, and Football (northern Seleyan rules) but rugby 7s gets close to that, and we have lots of events we can participate in successfully even without a surfing event."

The Kalistani Committee will work close with the central Valruzian committee to ensure that Kalistanis are completely supported and have the opportunity to show off the skills of Kalistan's athletic community. Kalistan was also a very strong supporter of the Aldegarian Olympics decades ago, and has always enthusiastically participated in international sporting events. This is definitely something that we have been looking forward to: the opportunity to compete internationally. It's kind of like FOMAT: We like the opportunity to compete and are glad we can get the chance.

Carrie Hill releases Sophomore Album
Alt-Country star Carrie Hill who scored a major hit four years ago with her debut album The Love Letter on Plateau Records has finally released her sophomore album also on Plateau. This album, Nevaran Sunset, takes a less conventional, softer and more melodic approach to country and alt-folk than she took on her breakout album. "We aimed at painting a vivid tapestry of vibrant pastels, but in music," said Hill in a recent interview. She noted that during the interim between the last album and this, she was on a tour, a relentless radio interview schedule, and various other promotional events. She also took the time to experience LSD for the first time, leading critics to refer to the music on the album as "acid Country".

"It kind of changed the way I wanted to take my career," said Hill. "At one point I saw this as the thing I was going to do for a living, and everything like this. But after dosing a few times, I realize that my music is my art. I have enough money to not have to chase it anymore: Its really not worth it to work that hard. Instead, what I'd like to do is make art that makes me happy, and makes those I love proud of me, and I really like to make people smile and just be at peace."

The album features a number of very luxuriant, almost atmospheric tracks that are accessible for even people who aren't fully into country music. "I borrowed a lot of the vibrant tones you might find in indie music for this album," said Hill. "It's definitely not your rabble rousing, s--t kicker sort of country. It's more like a 'put the record on and sit down with a mug of warm coffee and cocoa, and just relax and feel it,' type of record, you know?"

You can stream the entire album here, Nevaran Sunset, recorded at and distributed by Plateau Records, and meanwhile, check out a live performance of the album's first single, "Burn it down if it takes all night" which sets the stage for the rest of the album.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIYqhhUNanA]

@TheRepublic