Roman - A Playlist

Art by Jorie (Kitty on Lakeshore)

This podcast is one-year old! We're celebrating with Lakeshore character playlists that Jillian (Susan on Lakeshore) put together. First up: Roman, the fae - played by Eli.
Listen: https://spoti.fi/2ymN02T 

Roman

A punky feminine playlist about doubt, desire, and devotion. Explore Roman’s relationship with Ilyana (episodes 6 & 7 have some great moments). And yes, this playlist is half Metric but I will not apologize! (The others are more varied I promise) I listened to the album Pagans in Vegas and had to resist putting every song on this list. It has such a strong Roman vibe, and Metric is one of my favourite bands. (They're Canadian too) Enjoy!

1. Lost Kitten - Metric

So pent up, I was coming home to you

Happy in the nighttime, howlin' at the moon

Sippin' on a cocktail, drinking in the loo

There's something about you I hold on to

A song about finding a place to belong or finding kinship with another. When Roman leaves her blood-family to pursue her own path, Ilyana takes her in and offers her a world of magic and possibility. Behind the glamour of it are--of course-- lies, secrets, debts, and promises.

2. Hallucinate - Dua Lipa

Pocketful of honey and I'm ready to go

No, I ain't got no money, but I'm letting you know

But I'ma love you like a fool

Breathe you in 'til I hallucinate

It’s no secret that Roman is into Sunshine and indulgence on occasion. Maybe magic was the real drug all along. It’s good to start a playlist off on a high note (pun intended). 

3. Fortunes - Metric

Tell me in the morning that you miss me, show me

Only if you got it bad enough, oh, oh

It's for your own good, girl

You've been such a good girl, such a good girl

Sometimes Ilyana asks for the impossible, but Roman is desperate to prove herself in hopes of a magical reward. When Ilyana is pleased with you or your work, the payoff is sweet.

4. Sunlight - Hozier

A soul that's born in cold and rain

Knows sunlight, sunlight, sunlight

At last can grant a name

To a buried and a burning flame

As love and its decisive pain

Relationships of unequal power are complicated to say the least. Is Ilyana the sun? No. She’s an ice queen most days, but her rare moments of warmth are perhaps what keeps Roman coming back for more. Also Eli loves Hozier, so this one’s for her.

5. Celebrate - Metric

Who wants to celebrate?

I don't have time to sit and wait

I gave it everything

And I just wanted you to feel the same

Roman works hard to please others and fulfill her promises so why is it so hard for others to do the same? I think Roman is also pretty impatient. When she’s set on a path, it’s time to get on board or get out of the way.

6. In My Head - Joseph

First I'll be every little thing that you want

Then you'll take a little too long to respond

In the back of my mind

Already saying goodbye

I hope you can't tell

Roman is constantly on the verge of leaving and loyalty. We see her make this decision a few times and it never gets easier as more and more magic is dangled in front of her.

7. The Shade - Metric

With eternal love, the stars above

All there is and ever was

I want it all, I want it all

Every time Roman is shown the potential of magic she gets hungrier for more. Ilyana’s assurance that it can be like that all the time is everything. Roman wants it all! I love this as the second last song on the playlist too because it could be the end. It’s upbeat and optimistic, but this is Urban Shadows, baby! The city is dark, political, and life is always spinning out of control.

8. Enough in Your Eyes - Joseph

Why do I hand you my pride

Give away what's rightfully mine?

Why do I wait for you to say

When to slump my shoulders

Or stand up straight?

Am I enough in your eyes?

Roman has good reasons for wanting to distance herself from Ilyana. The self-appointed fae queen is cold and cruel when she wants to be, and less than generous at the best of times. This song ends the playlist on a haunting note as these doubt-filled thoughts are given voice, but ultimately illustrates the chains that bind Roman on her quest for power and self-knowledge.