Anji Bee's Blog, page 2

Anji Bee’s Zines Join RILM Archive of Popular Music

The Répertoire International de Littérature Musicale is launching a new electronic archive of music magazines and fanzines in a joint project between the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives, and Documentation Centres, International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance, the International Musicological Society, and the International Association for the Study of Popular Music.  They reached out to me, in part, to help:

“accurately represent the feminist, female-authored, and women’s music publications in the collection and promote an open dialogue on gender-related stereotypes, the rising of women zinesters, and sexism in popular music scenes.”

Initially enquiring about Positive Influence (my 1980s zine recently brought into the spotlight with a 2022 Shining Life Press anthology book and my feature in Cut and Paste: The American Hardcore Fanzine released in 2024 by Tribal Publishing) my subsequent ‘zines, SUBSTITUTION, Desperation, and Descent were soon added to their list of over 125 independently published titles, as well. I am very excited to have these collaborative 1990s underground music fanzines available digitally on the RILM Archive of Popular Music Magazines, launching Spring 2025.

SUBSTITUTION (1990) Descent (1994)

On a related side note, I would still love to archive SUBSTITUTION in a similar manner to the Positive Influence anthology, with a proper introduction, historical photographs, and related ephemera. Doing a print edition book would be lovely, but as I currently lack a publisher, I may just begin work on the writing portion with an eye to self-publish on Apple Books.

“Lost Within This Time” feat. Anji Bee by Restless Mosaic is Out Now!

I am happy to finally share “Lost Within This Time,” my new collaboration with Washington artist, Restless Mosaic. This dark and quirky track is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and other digital platforms. You can also enjoy our short form video or a full music video on YouTube. You can also read much more about how the song came together on the Restless Mosaic website’s Quality Mirrors page, where Brandon wrote, in part:

“Anji turned in such an inspired performance. Why does she drop down to super-low spoken word and then come back up to sing “I’m lost” serenely as 30 seconds of nothing but elevator horror builds up around her?”

“Lost Within This Time” allowed me to revisit my more experimental roots from before joining Lovespirals, back when I was working with Ain Soph Aur, Celesteville, and other improvisational groups. Brandon Isleib (aka Restless Mosaic) approached me in mid-2024 with his unique instrumental featuring ’80s-inspired synth jazz, industrial vibes, and even vintage hotel elevator samples, and after some deep thought, I took up the challenge. My lyrics were inspired by how the pandemic reshaped my life and relationships, losing many of my favorite haunts (sorry, bad pun!), as well as people and social structures I had once relied upon.

Lost Within This Time (feat. Anji Bee) by Restless Mosaic

The music video is a spooky little comedic gem! I play a ghost haunting an elevator who lures Brandon into my spectral realm. We filmed our parts separately (me at home in California and Brandon in a city-owned office building that hasn’t been used in years – perfect for a campy ’80s horror vibe. Brandon included many funny little quips in the closed captions, so be sure to turn those on for full effect.

We’re already had a few reviews and write-ups:

ReGen Magazine: “An unexpected structure of synth-wave meets industrial phases, with an ’80s retro feel.”Side-Line Magazine: “The haunting narrative paired with Anji’s ethereal performance makes this video a must-watch.”Sound Read Six: “An enchanting blend of synth pop and experimental artistry, with spine-tingling vocals and hypnotic rhythms.”MK Ultra Magazine: “Features Anji Bee singing ethereally and as claustrophobically as the slabs of the unsettling soundscape behind her.”

I had fun working on both the song and music video. I really tried to get into character, crafting out a ghostly vibe with dramatic makeup and an all-write ensemble — including the antique-inspired wedding dress from my marriage to Ryan Lum in 2005. Long time followers may recognize the dress from my iconic Chillcast with Anji Bee logo.

Anji 2025 Anji 2005

Lovespirals “Used To Be” Single Out Now

Lovespirals return with their third single of 2024, “Used To Be,” a captivating new track that intertwines 90s-inspired dream pop and electronica with unexpected hints of soulfulness. Evoking the early Love Spirals Downwards era, band leader, Ryan Lum, combines atmospheric textures, acoustic strums, and a goth-tinged guitar hook, building to an epic solo that closes the song with emotive resonance. Anji’s expressive blend of earthy and ethereal vocals, layered with harmonies, brings the song’s emotional depth to life. The result is an immersive, haunting, and reflective soundscape, pairing raw honesty with lush instrumentation.

Used To Be by Lovespirals

“Used To Be” is available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, Pandora, Juno Music, and TIDAL now and will soon be available on Apple and more digital music services.

“Used To Be” Lyrics (by Anji Bee (BMI)

No one
No one

Life returned to how it used to be
Days filled with nothing and nobody 
Put my dreams upon the shelf
Return to my lonely self 
No one to rely upon but me
No one

Sit in silence waiting for a sign
In a prison of my own design
Close the curtains and the blind
Leave the whole damned world behind
No one to rely upon but me
No one

No one
(No one, no one)
No one
(No one, no one)
No one
(No one, no one)
No one
(No one, no one)


When the shadows start to fall
I retreat behind my wall

Build it higher every day
Just to keep the world at bay

No one to rely upon but me
No one

As the day fades into night
Hope is just a distant light

Will I ever find the key
That will finally set me free

No one to rely upon but me
No one

No one
No one
(No one, no one)
No one
(No one, no one)
No one
(No one, no one)

But me, no one
But me, no one

No one

Used to be

Life returned to how it used to be

Cut and Paste: The American Hardcore Fanzine Features Anji & Positive Influence

Anji Bee’s late 80’s hardcore punk zine, Positive Influence, is featured in the new archival book, Cut and Paste: The American Hardcore Fanzine, released by Tribal Publishing. This 300 page full color book collects the covers of over 400 zines, as well as a selection of personal photos and interviews with zine creators. Several pages are dedicated to Anji’s interview, zine, and photos — including a shot of Anji and her brother, Brian, with a bag of fanzines between them.

From the early fanzines covering the pioneering bands of our scene to the staples that established the classic feel of the American Hardcore Fanzine and everything in between. Presenting a visual collection of over four hundred fanzines accompanied by distinguished fanzine creators such as Al Quint – Suburban Voice,  Hud – Flipside. Kent McClard – Heartattack, Tim McMahon – Common Cause, Mike Gitter – XXX, Fred Hammer – It’s Alive, Chris Daily – Smorgasbord, Porcell – Schism, and Brett Beach – Hardware, to name a few. Cut & Paste offers a diverse range, both visually and in terms of the individuals featured, which will give the novice important insight into our scene and, at the same time, give the ones who have been along for the ride for a while a worthy trip down memory lane. 

Underwent Books

Lovespirals “Noumenon” Single & MV Out Now

Lovespirals’ new single, “Not Myself,” is a nostalgic nod to the band’s early millennium chillout sound. In contrast to the darker and more despairing vibe of “Noumenon,” “Not Myself” invites quiet meditation with its minimalist lyrics that exploring themes of self-identity, set against dreamy, slightly jazzy yet ambient soundscapes and soft beats. The perfect soundtrack for late summer moving into early autumn. 

Available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, Bandcamp, and other digital music platforms.

Not Myself by Lovespirals

The music video, filmed and edited by Lovespirals lyricist, vocalist, and co-producer, Anji “Bee” Lum, plays right into the song’s vibes with its chill California coastline imagery and casual vertical format.

Chillcast Theme Songs on Bandcamp

From time to time I get requests from fans asking me about the song played during the intro or outro of my podcast and vidcast known as The Chillcast with Anji Bee. I must admit I’m always tickled that someone has found these brief musical interludes catchy enough that they want to have a copy of the song in their libraries, so today I searched my archive for the original wav files to share on my Bandcamp page.

Chillcast Themes by Anji Bee

Over the course of the series produced between 2005 and 2020, I actually used a few different versions of the theme song. The original song was created by my husband and I much in the style of the our Lovespirals album, Free & Easy, released the year prior. Our band podcast, Chillin’ with Lovespirals, used the album’s title track as our show’s theme song and I was looking for something similar for my music show. Ryan was happy to oblige, whipping up a funky baseline and drums topped with moody electric piano and bluesy guitar leads, to which I added my breathy vocals. “Ooh ooh ooh, uh huh — Chillcast!” became the epic calling card of my show, playing into the sensual and sassy persona I’d created for the network, PodShow, where I was known as “The Sexiest Voice in Podcasting,” according to founder and ex-MTV VJ, Adam Curry. This theme song first debuted on Chillcast Episode 10 posted April 24, 2006.

The Chillcast with Anji Bee Podcast logo circa 2006

As I noted in the “info” tab on the Chillcast Themes Bandcamp release, in 2010 Lovespirals created a new recording of The Chillcast Theme. This new version was aired on Chillcast Video #37: Lovespirals World Premier posted January 28, 2010. My show notes say, “Ryan and I recorded a brand new version of The Chillcast theme song — which is now smoother than ever — plus I gave the Chillcast Video a new look and feel, from the intro, to the audio, to the show logo. Basically, I’ve been a very busy bee the past few weeks!” This newer version boasted better audio quality, less brash drums, more serene vocals, and a better overall mix. As this version was used for more than double the episodes of the first recording, it is likely the song that most listeners remember. It’s definitely my favorite!

Finally, in my post-PodShow/Mevio period, I briefly moved away from the show’s retro-70’s theme song in favor of a darker trap-inspired version of the song I created myself. This was due in part to the fact that my new network, Machine.FM, had their own station stinger I was obliged to open my shows with, but also because my musical focus had changed and I felt the vintage sounds no longer fit “the vibe.” Chillcast #430: Renegade [NSFW] was the first to feature my new theme song, which I mention in the show notes “I was anxious to debut.” I believe Chillcast #478: Here We Go Again was the final episode to feature it. Chillcast #479: Eternal Sunshine [K-Pop Spotlight] used a song I had worked on with fellow podcaster, Fave Nitemare, called “Connected,” as the opening and closing music, while Chillcast #480 – Emotions and Chillcast #481 – Rushing Back both closed with “Connected” and used no opening theme song.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. To tell the truth, I have been feeling a bit disappointed in myself for having dropped out of podcasting once I got wrapped up in YouTube vlogging, and now that I’ve just spent the afternoon perusing my archives, I’ve grown quite sentimental for those early days of experimentation with what has become a huge moneymaking industry all these years later. I may just have to get back into making my early library of The Chillcast available on the Internet Archive for posterity. The first year or so were still pretty rough, nothing at all to compare to my later library of The Chillcast on Mixcloud, which began with Chillcast 203: Cupid’s Hunt V3 Valentine’s Day Mix.

As for Chillcast Video, most episodes are archived on YouTube:

Lovespirals “Noumenon” Single & Music Video Out

Anji’s band, Lovespirals, return with their first new song in two years. A hybrid of ethereal dream pop and moody trap, “Noumenon” explores the duo’s darker side. A three mix single was just released via Bandcamp featuring a drum n bass mix, guitar focused instrumental mix, plus the original mix. The main single dropped on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music et al on June 14th, while “Noumenon (Drum n Bass Mix)” — also produced by the band — dropped July 12th. Music videos for each mix were released on YouTube, as well. Additionally, the duo revived their Chillin’ with Lovespirals podcast to share the news with their YouTube audience. This is Lovespirals’ first major project since the Smile – Single which also featured three tracks, plus three music videos, and an accompanying podcast. Check out the podcast and music videos on the Lovespirals Official YouTube channel.

Noumenon (Single) by Lovespirals

Lovespirals “Noumenon” Music Video

The dark and atmospheric video for Lovespirals’ first new release since 2022 perfectly complements the mysterious mood of the song. With photography and videography by band members, Ryan and Anji Lum, as well as the post production and editing, this DIY music video is as much a labor of love as the writing, recording, and production of the song itself. Watch now on YouTube.

Stream “Noumenon” on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music. or Bandcamp now!

Noumenon (Single) by Lovespirals

Noumenon (Lyrics)

Lovespirals/Love Spirals Downwards “Noumenon” (2024)

Love is just a noumenon
Noumeon

Every day I wake up tired
Only do what is required
My emotions have been mired
So completely uninspired

Love is just a noumenon
(Love is just a noumenon)

And I know its all my fault
Hits my heart like an assault
Feelings locked inside a vault
Waiting for the pain to halt

Find a way to carry on
Trying my best to be strong 
There’s nowhere that I belong
Love is just a noumenon

Love is just a noumenon
(Love is just a noumenon)
Noumenon
Love is just a noumenon
(Love is just a noumenon)
Noumenon

Noumenon
Noumenon
Love is just a noumenon

And I know its all my fault
Hits my heart like an assault
Feelings locked inside a vault
Waiting for the pain to halt

Find a way to carry on
Trying my best to be strong 
There’s nowhere that I belong
Love is just a noumenon

Love is just a noumenon
(Love is just a noumenon)
Noumenon
Love is just a noumenon
(Love is just a noumenon)

Love is just a noumenon
Noumenon

— by ANJI LUM (BMI)

Lovespirals “Misunderstood” Music Video Out

Check out the chill music video I created for the latest Lovespirals single on YouTube. Follow Ryan and I along the California coastline as a sunny afternoon deepens into a gorgeous sunset set to the funky and soulful drum n bass grooves of “Misunderstood” from the new Love Spirals Downwards’ release, ‘Flux Deluxe Edition.’

It’s perhaps a little known fact that Ryan and I started dating during his promotions for ‘Flux’ when it dropped in 1998. At the time I was the music director and college radio DJ and he was spending quite a bit of time at the station doing interviews, a live performance, and DJ sets on several music shows, including my own. I even wrote a review of ‘Flux’ for the radio station guide. It’s quite an honor to become a part of this nostalgic album 25 years later.

Check out ‘Flux Deluxe Edition’ on all digital platforms now!