Kalistan

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KMI and M7 New Years Eve Concert features New Wave Rock Acts
Anne Jean took the stage at 2am, supported by Port Swedes electronic rock act The Motorists
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 2, 5680


Anne Jean shreds with low lights at Kaliburg National Theater on New Years Day

The Kaliburg New Year's Eve Celebration featured a major all night concert held at the National Theater in Kaliburg. The concert was put on by KMI, ODEN and KRTVN Music 7, and was not only attended by more than 4500 people at the live event, but was broadcast in its entirety on M7 in Kalistan and over KalSat to the world. Radio Kaliburg also carried a live feed for those tuning in on internet radio. The Concert was estimated to have been seen by more than 450 million people world wide.

The show featured current Kalistani acts, meaning that most of the music was coming from either art rock or New Wave of RF genres. 15 musical acts, including ARC's Addisjah, Carly Kaye and Luthori's Moratorium played the show. Others included Anne Jean's current touring band, who played both with her during the Headlining slot and performed their own set earlier in the evening, as well as newly signed RF band Metternich, from Kaliburg, who recently signed with ARC.

Mel King, the lead singer of Metternich, talks about her bands single which they performed at the New Year's Celebration. "The single, I'm a Man, is more aligned with the traditional RF themes. It's quite sex positive, and I think there is still an appetite for that kind of RF in this country too." Metternich utilizes the New Wave aesthetic in their RF dance music, but maintain the older, highly sexualized lyrics that is missing in New Wave. "We're kind of what you might call Retro New Wave," she said with a laugh.

The biggest hit of the opening bands at the concert was The Motorists, who have been Anne Jean's touring band for the last two years. They performed several of their own compositions including their new single off their debut album that is to be released on the 5th Skitrip. The album features far more heavy guitars than synthesizers, though the keyboards are the lead instrument on nearly all the band's songs. The song they closed their set with, which they launched in immediately following the ringing in of the new year, "It's all inside of you" fit the mood of the late night crowd, and was an excellent choice to bring in the new year with.

"We came out of the art rock scene with Anne, but we've gone more in the direction of this new wave thing with our own music," said lead singer Brian Alberto. "Anne was real sweet about helping us meet the right people and get into the studio, and so to pay her back, we agreed to stay her back up band until she decides to take a break." Keyboardist Mark Schneider also plays synths on Anne Jean's new album, her eponymous LP for KMI.

Kaliburg's The Motorists will release their debut album Skitrip on KMI on January 5th

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQq91RgZJyw]
The Motorists' first Single from their new KMI Album Skitrip, played at the National Theater rings in the new year

Kalistan's currently reigning Number 1, Luthori's Moratorium warmed the crowd up with their set which featured their current single "Falling in Love" as well as their debut single, "I Couldn't Get Away", The Crowd went wild for Moratorium, and the entire set was very high energy. "We're really honored to be here to celebrate with you people," said Moratorium's lead singer Martin McGough. "You have welcomed us into your homes, and into your lives, and you all have been so warm to all of us, and we just want to say Thank You to you Kaliburg, and from us and all your friend across the pond, so to speak, from all of Luthori: Happy New Year!"

The Headliner, Kaliburg's Anne Jean, who is the leader of the Art Rock movement in Kalistan, took the stage after two, and opened her set with "Everyone feeling alright? Everyone got enough coke? Alright. Yeah... Alright, its time for some rock up in here!" She then launched into the first song on her new eponymous album, the heavily synthesized barnburner "Running". She played the loudest noisiest music in her repertoire, and gave the audience what they came for. Many who attended said the show was "orgasmic." One fan, who said she only listened to RF and electronic dance music, remarked, "Yeah, seeing it live, I get it. I get what she's doing. And I am definitely going to be putting more of her music in my playlist. I feel like I just spent the last 2 hours tripping nuts."

Anne Jean's set lasted for 45 minutes, and rather than sending a bunch of intoxicated people back by car, KMI and ODEN chartered the City's bus fleet to take intoxicated people home. "Make sure you all stay safe out there, and Happy New Year," said Anne Jean as she closed her set. The National Theater took a reported three hours to finally clear out, while staff finally began replacing the seats this morning.

The Kalistani Republic joins the performers and all people fo good will in wishing All Kalistanis a Happy New Year and a prosperous 5680.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvSCVq0HkRA]
Anne Jean opens her set with "Running", as a bridge between the synthesizer New Wave of the evening and her Art Rock.

@TheRepublic

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New AYIC Director Jacob Maxwell said Kalistani Yeudis should celebrate global heritage
Perhaps this could include Displaying Hulanevek Diamond, suggest Director
Kaliburg, Grant Duchy of Ananto
February 18, 5680


Jacob Maxwell, a professor of Yeudi Scholarship takes helm of AYIC this month

The Yeudi Scholar, Professor Jacob Maxwell has taken the mantle of leadership at the Anantonese Yeudi Interest Committee, and immediately signaled a hopeful change in outlook for the lobbying Group. "A lot of our relationship with the rest of the diaspora was conditioned by a strong sense of Nationalism to our adopted home here in Kalistan," said Maxwell. "Mr. Romero, my predecessor and founder of this organization, was a strong nationalist. And while I too maintain loyalty to the Emperor and Empress, I also don't want that to be the only thing Kalistani Yeudis are known for."

Maxwell, in his first interview, set out a bold vision for the future of the AYIC. "We don't play defensive here in Kalistan," said Maxwell. "We are secure here. We aren't even in a place like Valruzia, which apparently is having a spasm of Yeudi scapegoating, despite their removal of that one guy who asked all the Yeudis to leave Valruzia. Instead, there is no reason that we should not reach out, built constructive links between Seleyan Yeudi communities, and also build bridges to our kin across the ocean in Majatra? The Diaspora is not thriving if it is excluding people, shutting down conversations, and thinking only in terms of our nation."

Maxwell called Yeudis a "global population" who have roots in countries like Kalistan, or Majatra or Amudim, and also have relatives and friends across the globe. "Keeping ourselves shuttered like this, or focused on one nation in particular cuts out a significant amount of the cultural value we bring to our home nations. There are millions of Yeudis in our diaspora world wide, and we have the opportunity to sample each culture that we are from, to share what we learn, to introduce ourselves to new people, and to put our culture on display for the world to appreciate and discover. Our music, our food, our celebrations, and yes, also our days of fasting and lamentation... They are all special to us, trace their roots back thousands and thousands of years, and should make us interesting, not scary, to one another and to the people of the world at large."

Maxwell said that Kalistan could do a better job trying to heal the rifts between the Empire and Amudim. "What is clear is that Amudim also wants to celebrate this culture, our global culture. We can get past who controls the narrative, who gets to say what the Diaspora does. But our Government, the one I love so much, the one 3 Million Kalistani Yeudis love so much, can do something easy to open the door to peace. I would like to visit Amudim someday. Why not take steps to allow me and 3 Million of my co-religionists do that?" He suggested that perhaps the Hulanevek Diamond can be a part of that. "We know its theirs. Our Emperors have kept it safe here in Kalistan, and I am convinced that the Beiteynese appreciate that. But I am sure they would also like to see their cultural heritage too. Hell, it would encourage Yeudis to come here to visit Kalistan and I know this is a priority of our own monarchs. We could call increased cultural tourism a win for Kalistan, if we need to do that."

Maxwell said his selection as leader of AYIC shows that Kalistani Yeudis would like a change in direction between Kalistan and other nations with Yeudi populations. "AYIC is in Kalistan right now," said Maxwell. "Imagine if we could have peace with nations where other Yeudis make up large portions of the population: How amazing would that be for Kalistan?"

For the time being, Maxwell is getting situated in his offices, and is expecting to meet with Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto in informal audience within three months.

@TheRepublic

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1st Fleet doubles patrols off Kizenia as tensions mount in Keris
Foreign Minister decries "Illegitimate" regime in Porteşti
North Anantonese Ocean, Empire of Ananto and Kalistan
June 25, 5680


Aboard KRS 128, Kaliburg-C class Destroyer patrolling just inside international waters near Kizenia

As tensions begin flaring in Keris, following a Kizenian attack on Trigunian shipping, Their Imperial Majesty's Defense Minister has ordered the 1st Regular Navy to increase patrols along the southern coast of Keris. "Our warships are careful to remain in international waters," said Defense Minister, Regular Major Morris Grant. "Our Rules of Engagement center on ensuring safe passage of civilian traffic and containment of any Kizenian conflicts into region to the waters immediately adjacent to Kizenia. Currently there is no immdeiate danger, and the only contacts we've made so far have been with the Kizenian coast guard, which have all ended peacefully. We do, however wish to be proactive, and if this entire thing blows up, we want to be in a place to support our allies in the region quickly and with deadly effectiveness."

Several Kalistani missile frigates attached to the First Navy, stationed permanently at Bozo River Air-Ground Combined Arms Training Center have been called up closer to Kizenia, but remain detatched from the quick response force. "We have these ships on standby should our citizens in the cities of Luncasi and Delatabor along the Southern Coast need to be evacuated in an emergency," said the Major. "If those citizens come under threat, we have an obligation to protect them. Our foreign ministry has asked them to begin considering departure, but to prepare to bug out with a 24 hour notice should the national situation deteriorate, but we've received word that there are still more than 10,000 Kalistani expatriates living and working in Luncasi, and another 3500 in Deltabor."

Their Imperial Majesties' Foreign Minister confirmed the numbers from the Defense Minister, and added, "These Nationals travel back and forth between Kizenia and Kalistan and many Kalistanis have made southern Kizenia home within the last 80 years to practice business in relatively peace, even more so since the Single Party Act was restored, and the liberals were sent from Government once more. Kizenia's monarchy was comparatively liberal and Kalistani liberals sought a place where they could exist in peace, even if it meant expatriation. But these people and their families for the most part retain their citizenship in Kalistan, and travel biennially to the Kalistani embassy in Altea, or travel instead to Kaliburg to renew their expatriate papers, and have done so for decades. Now they find themselves in a state which has, overnight switched to authoritarianism. They haven't had the push yet to return permanently to Kalistan, and if they need to escape, we need to be prepared to help them."

The Foreign Minister added, "Kalistan feels that the new regime in power there lacks legitimacy, as it seized power extra-constitutionally and overthrew the monarchy of that land. We have very sparse details: IBSI is working to ascertain, from elements in country, as well as through diplomatic contacts, what the character of this government is, but they do seem to crack down on the liberties of the people of their nation, and have now attacked the shipping of a neighbor with whom they are currently at peace. We don't necessarily take sides in this spat between Kizenia and Trigunia, but if reports about the activities of the Kizenian government are accurate, it might behoove Kalistan to attempt contact Trigunia for the purpose of offering some limited support."

The Foreign Minister also said that Kalistan and Egelion have spoken, and Kalistan has assured King Artemio Montalivet of Imperial Support on the Continent. "Whatever Kalistan's role will be," said Mr. Greene, "ultimately it will be as a junior partner in any situation: Keris is Keris' concern, and our role in any situation would be as support, to fill in gaps or provide resources where needed. We have made it clear to His Majesty that we are prepared to coordinate our efforts and to follow Egelion's lead in Keris. The situation in Kizenia is a vital concern for Kalistan, certainly, given its proximity to our Empire. But Kizenia is just across the only land border Egelion possesses. So obviously, they will take whatever lead there is to take, should Kizenia instability become a problem for its neighbors. Perhaps they will, however sort it out and restore legitimate government and civil liberties in Kizenia. Should they do this on their own, Kalistan will first make sure that our citizens and their property is safe, and then we will open talks with the Kizenian government."

Both the Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister stressed that there is no open conflict along the southern coast in Kizenia. "Nor is there any official threats against against Kalistani expatriates or property." The recent firing on Trigunian shipping merely increases the tension, and gives Kalistan a reason to increase its alert status. "We're hoping for peaceful resolution," said the Foreign Minister. "Destabilization in the North Anantonese is not good for anyone."

@TheRepublic

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Princess Margaret passes away
Former Top Spy loses battle with ALS
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 20, 5680


Her Highness, the Late Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, in 5676

Her Highness, Princess Margaret-Carolina Nicolette Ananto-DeLaurentis, 67, of Dulnerstaad, has lost her battle with ALS. The disease, which is a progressive degenerative disorder that slowly takes away motor function of the body and slowly leads to vital organs shutting down, has no cure. The Princess has been fighting the disease for the last two and a half years, and finally requested compassionate end of life care from her personal doctors.

"The Princess was experiencing significant difficult breathing in the last couple months," said Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds, speaking for House Ananto. "After consultation with her family and her doctors, she decided that her quality of life was now going to only be worse and decided that it was time. Her Doctors agreed that her prognosis had significantly decreased over the last three months, and that end of life from the disease was less than two months away, and so she wanted it over."

Over her life, Princess Margaret was seen Her Highness, the Princess of the Empire, Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis' closest advisor. After graduating and earning her PhD, Lady Margaret took up a position as director of the IBSI, where she was in a position to provide intelligence and advice directly to the Empress. She was a key figure during the Second Kundrati War, and assisted in maintaining the high level of intelligence gathering and analysis.

As the role of the Empire shifted to a Seleyan focus, the Princess continued to give the Empress information and advice that ultimately strengthened ties with Egelion, Valruzia, Dolgava, Hutori, and Xsampa. After she retired from office more than a decade and a half ago, she took up the role of doting aunt, and shared her love of surfing with her nephew and niece. She also remained in Kaliburg Society, and helped her sister patronize the arts in Kalistan.

The Princess was diagnosed with ALS during the summer of 5678, and was being treated at her home in Dulnerstaad. She spent her time with her husband and children, but Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis also visited on a weekly, and practically relocated to Dulnerstaad this summer. She was a life long fan of the Kaliburg Black Bears, and was able to attend the season opener in Kaliburg this year. During end of life care, she was visited by both the Emperor and the Empress, who sat with the family. The Princess passed away at 8:37pm Kaliburg time. She is survived by her Sister, the Princess of the Empire, her Husband, Matthew Westmoreland, her children Prince Nathan and Princess Allison, 5 grandchildren, her Nephew His Imperial Majesty Fredrick IV Ananto, her niece Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins and several great nieces and nephews. She will be taken to Eveari to be interred in the Ananto Mosoleum.

May Her Highness, Princess Margaret rest in peace.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

The New Wave of RF shows signs of splinters
As Addisjah takes a turn toward Art Rock, new Luthorian band Anthro Syndicate takes Synth to the next level
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
November 12, 5680


Addisjah's follow up Album "The Come Down" is loaded with Art Rock, and even Calypso

The New Wave of RF is a mere two and a half years old, if you consider that the new era was ushered in by Carly Kaye's chart topping "Love" and it seems to have essentially taken over Kalistani radio and clubs. But just as new clubs are opening, and RF show attendance has shown decade and even century highs, the genre shows its first signs of fracturing, as early adopters are spreading further out while new acts are getting deeper into the genre. One example is Addisjah, Port Swede's early reps in the scene. Their follow up album for ARC, The Come Down veers off into left field, keeping its synths enough to stay within the genre, but in a lot of ways abandoning dance for orchestral arrangements, jazz, hip hop and even calypso.

"We never wanted to be considered a New Wave band," said lead singer Diana Randall. "I mean that's not ALL that we wanted to be seen as. I think this band is talented enough that we can try new things. We were pretty impressed by what Anne Jean can do within her genre, and we have always been more of a fan of hers. She does what she wants, and we can too."

Addisjah's fans were mixed on the new direction, with some praising the uniqueness of their record, while others were disappointed. "Well, I head some of the pre-releases," said Luke Memmel of Sulari. "I kind of liked what I heard there: "I'm moving on" was a pretty good tune. It's video was pretty weird, but that band is famous for using a lot of drugs, so I sort of expected that. But I bought the record, and there is all kinds of music on there I wasn't expecting, and honestly, it was more like a let down because I wanted that kind of more dance oriented music, and they have like one song on there which I would even call RF."

The band said that the record is intended to be an experimental record, to stretch the scope of popular music. "We have some great tunes on there," said Randall. "but people who were expecting like 'Tonight Part 2' probably won't like it. We spent some time in Gaduridos, for example, and we heard calypso there, and thought we should be able to hear this on the radio in Kalistan as well, and so we decided to do a calypso track ourself, for example. We covered the Malisindi hit 'Number 1' for this record--Mostly because it is an awesome song, but it also is kind of unexpected from us. We know people will grow to appreciate it." Randal noted there is also a brass and string arrangement for the song, which allows the song to dip its toe into the Art Rock world.

As Addisjah veers away from New Wave, other bands are arriving to take up the flag and drive deeper into the genre. A recent arrival from Luthori, Anthro Syndicate, has taken the next step on their debut record on KMI, the self titled Anthro Syndicate. The record, which received strong reviews from both fans and critics, focuses on the synthesized sound of music itself. "Well, music is not a natural thing, is it?" asked lead singer and songwriter Charles Minor, of Northminster in Luthori. "It's almost completely human produced. Therefore, synthesized. We have analog instruments, but on our record, I think the bass and the voices are the only things that fall into that category. Everything else electronic." Minor added that Carly Kaye was a big influence for the band.

Anthro Syndicate features two twin sisters, Anna and Elizabeth Scoffield, who share lead vocals with Minor. "It creates a very particular sound," said Minor. "Their voices and harmonies are spot on identical, and so I have been able to match mine to theirs but an octave lower, and it creates this weird robotic sound that lends to the synthetic nature of the music we are producing. There aren't a lot of bands making music in the Kalistani music scene that are able to pull this off, and I think it might be the next step in the genre." Minor jokingly calls his band Anthro-Optional.

So far, Anthro-Syndicate have been signed to a development deal with KMI. "We'll see how the first record does," said Minor. "KMI heard our demo and gave us some money to record the record, and of course we won't see a lot of money from that until they recoup their investment, but KMI just has a better distribution than anything we had back home, so we'll stay for a while, see if it works out and maybe make another record sometime." The first single from their debut is called "On That Day."

As the paths of New Wave begin splintering and diverging, you can check out both directions right here. Below is the first release (not quite a single, because it is not being promoted to radio) from Addisjah's followup- ARC's The Come Down called "Number 1" and Anthro Syndicate's first actual single, "On That Day" from their recent KMI Release The Anthro Syndicate:

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAb8Q9X2xAc]
Addisjah's "Number 1" from their new experimental LP, ARC's The Come Down

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqqBs6kkzHE]
Anthro Syndicate's first Kalistani single "On That Day"

@KaliRawkMonthly

[Doc]

FM Henry Greene discusses Kizenia
"Trigunia has declared war, but we have not yet" said FM Greene
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 3, 5681


FM Henry Greene discusses Kizenia on Kaliburg Tonight on KRTVN-1

Their Imperial Majesties' Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Honorable Mr. Henry Greene appeared on Kaliburg Tonight to discuss Kalistani Naval activity south of Kizenia. "As far as we can ascertain, the unprovoked attack on Trigunian shipping has resulted in a war declaration from Trigunia, and low level combat between the two nations including a rocket attack on the southern tip of Trigunia." The Foreign Minister said that any conflict has been contained to the northern part of the country, and the two southern ports where most Kalistani expatriates live remains at peace.

"We are coordinating our naval maneuvers with our Partners in the Kingdom of Egelion, and are continuing to coordinate our foreign policy on Kerisian matters," said FM Greene. "We do not have diplomatic relations with either Trigunia or Kizenia, are sending our messages very publicly to Kizenia, and are working with Egelion. So Their Imperial Majesties are willing to follow their lead in Keris." The Foreign Minister noted that the 1st Fleet remains on high alert along Kizenia's southern coast, but so far Kizenia's activity remains in the North.

The Foreign Minister was asked if Kalistan's posture toward Kizenia means that Kalistan is moving closer to Trigunia, the Foreign Minister said, emphatically, "No. This is not an 'enemy of my enemy' situation. Trigunia has not made any effort whatsoever to communicate with Kaliburg in, probably decades. To be fair, we haven't reached out either. There really isn't much to talk to them about: Their government remains opaque in all ways, they haven't resolved even our latest complaints concerning their laws that allow them to incarcerate sitting monarchs from other nations, nor do they look like they intend to. Whenever their issues are with Kizenia, those are their issues, and this is their war. If we do end up engaging in Keris, it will be something completely separate from Trigunia's thing."

When asked about whether the characterization of Kizania's government as "fascist" is accurate, the Foreign Minister responded, "Kalistan has not ascertained that yet. We do know that the junta overthrew a sitting monarch using extraconstitutional methods, namely a military coup d'état. We aren't sure what has happened to the monarchs that were deposed. We also know that, the military remains control of the junta, who is now using that military to attack Trigunia. We haven't seen much news about anything else in Kizenia and our intelligence assets in country have opted to not ideologically characterize the dictators of Kizenia."

The Foreign Minister insists that Kalistan's mission in Keris remains Kalistani citizens and property. "We would obviously prefer that legitimate government be restored in our neighbors," said Minister Greene. "We do not support governments that come to power through coup. We do not appreciate monarchs being replaced period. It sets a dangerous precedent. Anti-monarchical regimes are incredibly destabilizing, and create large problems for nations region wide. Even in cases with merely nominal monarchies like Trigunia, who maintain even a superficial pretension of a monarchy, we would prefer they keep their monarchy than toss it out completely. The Kizenian monarchy's overthrow is therefore problematic. Whether they are fascist, we don't have evidence one way or another. It is besides the point though: If Kalistani citizens and property are under threat Kalistan has issues with them. If they end up being fascist, that's another reason for us to oppose them."

The Foreign Minister reiterated at the end of the interview that the Kalistani military remains on alert. "While the 1st Regular Fleet remains stationed just outside of Kizenian waters off their south coast, our Army Group North remains on 24 Hour alert to prepare for deployment if needed. Kalistan's military is more than capable of securing our direct interests in Southern Kizenia. At need. But right now, we are looking at supporting Egelion where they go. So, that's where we are at. Until, and if, Egelion makes a move, or if on some off chance Kizenia restores legitimate government, Kalistan will remain on standby. We are committed to peace and stabilization in our region, and will protect Kalistani interests."

The Foreign Minister's remarks were welcomed by the Kalistani Brethrenist Community who has been strongly lobbying the Foreign Ministry for restraint and measured response for the Kizenian situation.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Kalistan joins Egelian War with Kizenia
As Royal Marines secure Luncasi and Delatbor, most aid comes in form of materiel and money
Bozo River CAGTC, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 22, 5681


Elements of North Regular Army Group deploy to southern Kizenia to secure Southern Coast

With most of the fighting going on in the north, elements of the Kalistani Regular Army have landed ashore in the southern port cities of Luncasi and Deltabor in the northern state of Kizenia. Fighting was minimal as Kalistan, joining its allies in battle, met almost no resistance in taking two beachheads to begin providing materiel support to the Egelian war effort. Kalistan quickly secured both cities, and immediately moved north to set up a security perimeter along the southern coast. The initial wave was followed by more ground forces and more than 5000 field aid providers who were deployed from the NSP to the conflict zone to begin setting up field hospitals to aid the Egelian war effort.

"The Empire of Ananto and Kalistan has not declared war on Kizenia," stated Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Erica Donahue. "The military moves we have made are aimed at protecting Kalistani expatriates and investment in Luncasi and Deltabor in southern Kizenia, and capturing the port facilities, such as they are, in Luncasi to provide a secure beachhead for Kalistan to begin shipping war materiel to Egelion. In the capture of these two cities, much of the population, which remains largely isolated from the ongoing conflict to the north, and has a closer affinity for their southern neighbors, given significant interaction between Kalistan and Kizenia in that part of the nation, more or less greeted Kalistan peacefully. The Junta, which has directed significant resources in the north, had largely left the towns ungarrisoned, and Kalistan faced few casualties on the way into both towns."

Kalistani political officers who travelled with the deploying ground units met with civilian authority in the town to guarantee that Kalistan had no intention of altering the civilian political structure of either town. "We expressed to the mayors of both Luncasi and Deltabor that it was our intention to leave the political structure, the police, fire and infrastructure unharmed, and our intention was to bivouac along a security cordon outside of the city. Kalistanis had no intention to treat the cities as occupied, and guaranteed food and medicine deliveries, and to deal with the cities as if they were free, liberated cities outside of control of the junta." In exchange for Kalistan's use of the port in Luncasi, the airstrip outside of Deltabor and free passage throughout the cities, both cities will be permitted self rule, and will not be expected to contribute anything in the way of troops or supplies to the war effort. "We want to limit Kalistan's footprints and any permanent impact along the Southern Coast." Kalistan will also work with the Luncasi City Government to improve the harbor facilities to allow for heavier tonnage directly into the ports.

The Coastal Highway has also come under Imperial control and Deltabor, on the Egelian frontier has been established as a logistics depot. Advance units from Egelion have already met with Kalistanis in the border city. "Kalistan has committed to supporting the Egelion's advance through the country. With Kalistani supplies flowing to the Egelian rear lines, We don't need to ship small arms, ammunition, food or medicine all the way to Egelion just so they can be brought back to Kizenia. We have enough troops to hold the southern coast, combined with our offshore rocket artillery on our frigates, and the deployed Naval Air that we were able to move up when we captured Luncasi."

With Kalistan in control of the southern Coast, and Egelion advancing into central and northern Kizenia and New Endralon, it appears that the junta's time in this world is short. Whether the Junta mounts a counterattack is still up in the air, but Kalistan appears ready and is digging in. It is unclear whether elements of the loyalist military, which have constituted themselves the Freedom and Independence Army, have made contact with either the Kalistani or Egelion forces.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Life in Kalistani occupied Kizenia
"War feels a million miles away," say residents
Luncasi, Kizenia
August 12, 5681


Local resident request information on voter registration in Luncasi

The Kalistani occupation in Southern Kizenia is just about two months old, and the zone remains at peace as Kalistani Regulars continue to coordinate security and logistics operations in support of Egelion military operations further to the north. For the most part, life in both Luncasi and Deltabor remains relatively unchanged, though Kalistani Regular Military patrols on the street have become far more common following two notable incidents in late July aimed at the occupation by supporters of the military junta, including a fire that nearly destroyed the City Hall and a mass shooting at a voter registration drive.

"There has been a slight uptick in politically motivated violence since this zone was liberated," said Colonel Rachel Olivio, who commands the 3rd Bn 10th Artillery Regiment of the Northern Regular Army, and whose unit has been designated as one of 5 provisional MP units to help civil authority police Luncasi. "We've seen more isolated incidents where people are taking shots at both representatives of the reinstated civilian authority, especially within Luncasi, and Kalistani troops moving through the town. These attacks are generally isolated, conducted by snipers and rarely so far have resulted in any casualties or injuries, though the voter registration drive affair did have some non-lethal injuries. So we are stepping up our patrols to maintain a presence on the streets here to help Civilian Authority maintain order, and to show our presence here in town."

The change is meant to be fairly transparent, and not greatly inconvenience the populations of either town. "Our soldiers are working very closely to augment the role of civilian police officers, not necessarily to investigate crime or anything, but to act as security for communities, to report suspicious activities to local authority, who is much more equipped to respond, and to improve trust between the people and the reinstated civilian authority." Col. Olivio noted that until Kalistan's invasion and occupation, the civil authority was nominally considered agents of the Junta. "Trust between the civilians and their civil authorities was damaged by its association with the junta. But we also noted that most of the people that civilians interacted with were career civil servants, and none of the offices in either of these cities were political appointments, so reinstating them was appropriate, and so far the civilian authority have demonstrated dedication to civil service and accomplishing the business of the people of these two cities." They have been very cooperative with Kalistani military imperatives.

Some new issues that the Kalistani Regular Army is experiencing is a newer interaction with loyalists and ex military members associated with the FIA partisan group. "Mayors of both Luncasi and Deltabor have asked us not to permit FIA partisans to occupy these cities, for a couple reasons," said Olivio. "We can't fully vet these arriving militia members to determine who is a loyalist to the ousted monarchy and who is a potential supporter of the current regime who is trying to infiltrate the city." Olivio attributes the isolated political violence in both Luncasi and Deltabor to junta supporters who have gotten into the cities and have used those opportunities to attempt to strike at Kalistanis or southern civilians. "So we are just forcing them to stay outside our lines, and will work with the civilian governments to let those fleeing the conflict in the north through the lines."

Meanwhile, Kalistani regulars who have been added to patrols in Luncasi and Delatabor patrol unarmed, while remaining in contact with specifically designated quick react teams if they end up taking fire. The Quick react teams remain at publicly identified checkpoints and can react to anywhere in either city within five minutes. "The quick react checkpoints are essentially strong points which are designed to be dispatched at need," said Olivio. "They aren't meant to impede traffic or commerce in anyway: Ideally, they would be invisible to the citizens of the town. But in the event that we need to get our units out of tight spots, or if the civilian police need assistance, the Kalistanis can be on the scene in a matter of a couple minutes anywhere in the town. It is part of the goal of maintaining a light footprint in Southern Kizenia, and it meets the requests of the civilian authority."

"We've had nothing but positive interactions with the Kalistanis," said a local Luncasi resident, who merely wanted to be identified as a Kizenian. "We see them all the time in their combat gear, walking through the streets, meeting us and our neighbors, helping where they can. We trust that we can talk to them, ask them questions and they will treat us with respect and dignity. We are happy to call them our guests, and I would even say I'd rather have them here that I would the people who were working with the dictatorship. But as long as the Kalistanis stay, I think we will stay safe. They make the war feel like a million miles away."

Kalistani Regulars will provide security for the upcoming fall elections in both Luncasi and Deltabor which will elect city governments. Most of the current cities' government is expected to remain in place, but Civilian authority thinks it is important to legitimize their administration with elections. "We really don't particularly care whether they have elections or not," said Col Olivio. "Our job is not to come here to establish some sort of democracy. But both City Governments seem to think it is important to hold elections for the various offices, and have asked us to help to ensure that these elections go off without security concerns or violence. So far a lot of people in the towns have expressed desire for elections as well, so we are here to help." Kalistan is also preparing to receive the final shipments of food, medical supplies and war materiel before the window of the season begins closing in late October.

"The war doesn't look anywhere close to over," said Olivio. "But who knows. Maybe Egelion and Trigunia will force the Junta to fall before the Spring season picks back up again. At any rate, we have supply stocks for the entire winter to ensure that if the fighting does continue through the winter, we can keep Egelion supplied until the ports open back up again." Next year, Olivio anticipates that Kalistan will be able to begin deepening the harbor in Luncasi enough to begin receiving larger shipping, a project which has been on and off again for decades, but has now received significant funding from Kalistani investors.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Addisjah's contemporaries The Pundits release Dead in Swedeport on LCR
Alternative Rock band rejects synthesizers for now
Port Swedes, Duchy of Vrassa
September 21, 5681


Eschewing "New Wave" moniker for now, The Pundits skirts line with debut album

Bucking the trend of synthesized music, even on the alternative side of pop music, the Port Swedes rock quartet The Pundits walk a fine line. "No, we are not going to become a New Wave of RF band," said eccentric and reclusive lead singer Donald Erickson. "Yes, we had a vote, but since I write the music, my vote broke the tie..." Erickson said he wanted to do an analog record before his band was pushed into the trendlines in Kalistani music, where New Wave is still going strong.

When asked whether he was concerned that his music wouldn't make it onto the radio, he seemed uninterested. "We make the kind of music we make. If we don't make it on the radio, then we don't make it on the radio. That's how it goes." The seeming nonchalant attitude taken by Erickson reflects his faith in his band's fan base which was, by and large inherited from Addisjah as they moved into more of a pop direction. But Erickson also did not mention that about half the record is definitely electronic.

"Yeah, the back half of the record is almost all synthesized," laughs bassist Diana Mitchell. "And Don is all 'I write the music', but me and Luke (Alonzo, lead guitarist) wrote a quarter of the tracks, including the B-Side on the single. Don can say what he wants, but turns out, he can't play bass or drums or keyboards, so looks like we have some votes too." Mitchell said there is a friendly rivalry between her and Luke on the one side and Erickson and drummer Kyle Schiller on the other that feeds a lot of the band's creativity.

The album is listed as alternative officially, and the band was picked up by LCR, which is primarily a hip hop and punk record. The first single, "Run Run Away" is a bass driven rock and roll track that includes some Canrillaise lyrics. "The song is supposed to sound like stalking and stabbing," said Erickson. "It's like an exploration of the mind of a psycho killer, but also, in a deeper metaphor, its an antiwar song. You know, we're at war, and I think we are making an analogy between someone who is like a serial killer, and a country that is in the middle of fighting a war. It's the same thing."

The B-Side is the electro funk track "My Boyfriend" which is written by Mitchell and Alonzo, and features both Mitchell and guest vocalist Marko Luca from Addisjah. "We had Red Mike Odell as producer on that one," said Mitchell. "He's usually a hip hop producer, and we wanted to do something that you could imagine as a backing track for a rap tune. We left the lyrics sparse and kind of airy, and made sure there is plenty of samply kind of stuff in there too." And Mitchell confirmed that Erickson did indeed play rhythm on the track. "Of course he did," she said. "And he sang on it. He acts like he's against keyboards in public, but its a front."

"Not a front," said Don Erickson, correcting Mitchell. "They have their place. Addisjah used them well on their first record, I think. But we're a rock band, not a club band. So, I want to try to keep the focus on the guitars. And if we do some experimental stuff, its experimental." The A-Side itself debuted at number 62 on the Singles' chart, while the LP has done better, debuting at number 24. In fact, "My Boyfriend" is outperforming "Run Run Away", especially on the Radio 3 Electronica/RF poll, which has the B-Side at number 7 for its first week. While the Radio 3 poll is not as prestigious as the Hot 100 LPs industry chart, or the Radio 1 Top 40 Alternative charts, the Radio 3 poll is certainly one that is being watched now given the New Wave bent of current music.

You can listen to both tracks right here:

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzIuZ-mrIL0]
The Pundits' Lead single "Run Run Away" from their debut album Dead in Swedeport, now out on LCR

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MK_o5KzGm0]
"My Boyfriend" by The Pundits, the B-Side to their Debut Single

@KalistaniRawkMonthly

[Doc]

New Luthorian bands revive sexuality in RF
Kalistanis can't escape guitars, Luthorians keep the sex alive
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 15, 5681


New groups arrive daily to record New Wave of RF albums in Kaliburg, constituting something of a Luthorian Invasion

Historically, Kalistan's current borders represent the farthest the Empire of Luthori ever reached in their ultimately unsuccessful attempt to plant their flag in every nation of the world. But the new Wave of RF in Kalistan has unwittingly opened the door to a new Luthorian invasion, as numerous bands from Artania have come to Kalistan in recent years to record electronic music for Kalistani pop music listeners. More than a dozen new albums will be released within the next six months from Luthorian artists, added to the already very successful Luthorian bands who are recording currently, and are on their second or third album.

"The Luthorian Music Scene, such as it is, has suffered from a genuine lack of infrastructure," said Michael Delaney, of the RF band Fredrick goes to Sulari, which has just released its debut album "Take it Easy" in Kaliburg, and has grown to be an overnight sensation based on the title track. "We wanted to make sure we got here, where someone could record our music before the scene here became, shall we say saturated." The title track of the Fredrick Goes to Sulari "Take it Easy" album has hit number 4 this week on the Radio 1 poll and the band has gone from being an unknown commodity in Kalistan to selling out 2 and 3 thousand person venues almost over night.

The RF bands from Luthori often bring either explicitly sexual lyrics, or sexual fluidity with them, making their music a bit more akin to classic Kalistani RF than the newer wave tracks. "I think the discussion of sexualized topics in RF is a lot of the, shall we say, attraction of RF," said Cathy Smith of the Luthorian band Kitten. "Luthori, I think I would describe them as more, I believe buttoned up would be a good descriptive word... they are a bit less sexually liberal than Kalistan is, and this is really an opportunity for Luthorian artists to fully express themselves and share our art with a lot of people who really really want to hear it."

Smith is not wrong: Kalistani listeners are buying specifically Luthorian albums and tickets to shows featuring Luthorian acts like crazy. "I think we have always loved music from Luthori," said Gina Rodriguez of Yoshimi who was purchasing the new album from the Luthorian band More Society. "They speak our language but their music sounds just foreign enough that it is different, and I think at least I like that difference, that flavor. They have more keyboards and fewer guitars in their bands, and I think even the ones they have are modified to sound synthesized, so it really is a lot of that sound that I think a lot of kids my age are looking for. We still listen to local acts, but this is exciting now. This is what I want."

New arrivals include the above mentioned Fredrick Goes to Sulari, who was mobbed on screen during the filming of their debut video for "Take it Easy" the footage of which was left in the video, rather than reshot; The More Society, which focuses more on romantic music and incorporates a lot of reggae and dub influences in their music; singer Keeley Zepphier, who recently debuted her song "Kids in Kalistan" on M7's afternoon pop show "Call in Live"; and singer and fashion forward musician Aaron Diamond and his band the Adamants, who blends glam and gender fluidity with RF in his music. These musicians are pictured above.

Luthorians tend to represent a more sexualized RF than the first part of the New Wave who veered away from sex starting with Addisjah. "That was a choice Kalistani musicians made, to make their music broader in terms of the topics they sang about," said Smith. "I think Luthorians who are here in the Kalistani Empire making music right now are getting the opportunity to spread our creative wings for the first time, and we want to experience what we've been missing. Drugs, fame, sexuality, androgen, whatever you want to do: it all goes to an excessive lifestyle that many of us are experiencing for the first time, and the Kalistanis we have met have been so welcoming to us, and supportive of us, and open to what we are doing. Speaking for me, I will return to Luthori some day, but for right now, I am staying put and doing this music thing."

Sales show that there is still room in the market for new acts, but Kalsitani musicians are already starting to experience the burn out. "You know, there is a point, I think, I believe I mean, where you can finally do enough cocaine," said Addisjah's lead singer Dianne Randal. "I think I'm getting close. I think its starting to affect you know, like what kind of music we are making. Staying up for 10 days, either going to the studio or going to a club or to a show... You run out of steam after a while, and no amount of coke is gonna pick you back up again: it'll just give you a heart attack. I love these new Luthorian bands, but I think for myself, I might want to do something else. Maybe get clean and write pop songs, who knows..."

For now, the Luthorians are happy to fill whatever voids the older Kalistani bands leave open. As the New Wave of RF becomes an international movement, it is likely that Kalistan will become at least the temporary home of more Luthorian musicians, and as long as Kalistanis keep spending their money to buy RF albums and clubs keep spinning the tracks, there will always be a spot in the music industry for them, and for other Kalistanis who want to launch their own music careers with more keyboards than guitars.

Here are a couple of the new Luthorian Arrivals: Fredrick Goes to Sulari, with "Take it Easy" and Keeley Zepphier, with "Kids in Kalistan". Both artists were recorded by KMI in Kaliburg. Both are heavily synthesized New Wave of RF tracks, and both are representative of the genre as done by Luthorians in Kalistan.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwqoce0Ruso]
Fredrick Goes to Sulari's "Take it Easy," a song about conscientious lovemaking

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BYKpQ_6GbM]
Keeley's "Kids in Kalistan", her ode to youth culture in the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan

@KalistaniRawkMonthly