TSA Issue 37 - November 2017

We chat with Wolf Alice’s Theo Ellis about the making of new album ‘Visions Of A Life’ PLUS: Interviews with Tom Walker and Nina Nesbitt AND Glasgow and Edinburgh Christmas Special

Free | Issue 37 | November 2017 WeAreTSA.co.uk

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Discover Glasgow in 21 stops

Our hop-on hop-off open top tour operates frequently throughout the day.

£2 off student ticket Terms and conditions apply.

Offer ends 30 November.

Tour starts at George Square.

Student tickets £13/£14 For one/two days travel. citysightseeingglasgow.co.uk

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FREE | Issue 37 | November 2017 | WeAreTSA.co.uk

contents Glasgow Loves Christmas

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Tis’ the season to spend lolly, and spend you will at one of our cities various markets, stalls, pantomines and events this November and December.

Alternate Advent Calendars to Chocolate

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Edinburgh Loves Christmas

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Gift Guide Christmas

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What a N-Ice Way to Spend Winter

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The replacement of the humble chocolate countdown is about to get exciting...

Ice rinks, fireworks, food galore: whatever next will the ‘Burgh have in store?

For mum, for dad, for the co-worker you don’t really know but were, unfortunately landed with for Secret Santa... We’ve got your back.

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36

Skate your way to a new hobby at Braehead Ice Rink. Their classes are, surprisingly, for people above 4ft tall too.

Earn Cash While You Study

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The question we all need an answer to has been carefully dissected.

Accidentally Vegan

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To many, the vegan diet seems dark but TSA’s Kenny attempts to shine some light on the matter.

The Big Interview: Wolf Alice COVER STORY

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Theo Ellis tells us about the making their sensational new album as well as what little surprises the band have planned for us.

Quail Interview

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The creators of the biggest audiovisual club experience to hit Glasgow tell us about their vision to make BLACKOUT the name on every party animal’s lips.

Avoid the Winter Blues with Glasgow FrontRunners 32 A running group with a distance. Sorry, I mean a difference.

The Scottish LGBT Hate Crime Report 2017

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Dealing with the Inevitable Christmas Exam Stress

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The Lessons That Jacqueline Wilson Taught Us

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...has been released and here’s what you need to know.

A helpful guide to consult when things are getting a little on top of you.

Introducing LILURA

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Our beloved childhood author turns 71 in December and we thought it was only right to thank her for everything she taught us growing up.

Tom Walker Interview

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November 2017

Meet the reinvented Highland lass who is back to enchant stages under a whole new name.

Rhiannon Melrose speaks to the Scottish-born artist prior to his debut album release.

Editorial Contributions Natalie Barton Sophie McLean Rhiannon Melrose Liam Menzies Natalie Miller Graeme Robertson

Issue 37, November 2017 E. info@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk T. 0141 222 2202

…And Now Give It Up for The Band

22

Nina Nesbitt

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The Scottish songstress is back and charged full of newness, not just in her haircut.

www.wearetsa.co.uk

Gig Guide

24

TSA is the most widely distributed publication of it’s kind in Glasgow and Edinburgh and we work everyday to keep it that way. Our in depth local knowledge means we deliver the right number of copies to all the right outlets, and our regular fresh issue keeps readers engaged.

Everyhthing you need to know to develop an interest in cinematic music.

A useful and detailed guide of everything happening in Glasgow and Edinburgh dayby-day this November, only available in print.

Interview: Michelle Pfeiffer

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The Hollywood superstar talks about her experiences filiming Murder on the Orient Express and the suspense is thickening...

NHC Pick of the Month

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Every month we collaborate with Glasgow’s very own New Hellfire Club to introduce you to an artist who is doing especially well on the local music scene.

Extraordinary Students – Jennifer Procter

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Reading Is Fundamental: Bravado, Scottee

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Meet the student vet nurse, hostess and diver sending ripples through the lazy student stereotype.

TSA’s very own Jonny Stone brings you the best LGTB+ books on the shelves.

Suite 3.3, Station House, 34 St Enoch Square, Glasgow G1 4DF

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GLASGOW LOVES

CHRISTMAS There are 14,000 tickets available with 93% going to Glasgow addresses and the remaining 7% outwith.

Last year, there were 56,995 applications for tickets.

Individual ticket requests would fill George Square more than 16 times over.

BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS

GLASG

For those who are just about to experience their very first Christmas, Glasgow City Council has thought about you. Hundreds of Glasgow’s new born’s are invited to the Baby’s First Christmas event. The first 250 babies registered are invited to the City Chambers for a meet and greet with the Lord Provost on Saturday 2 December. Each baby will receive a limited edition silver trinket to mark the memorable occasion.

OW SA N TA D A SH

Applications are invited from babies born within the Glasgow City Council boundary taken on a first come first served basis. Registration is yet to open to keep your eyes peeled!

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

S

ome may say it’s too early; some may even say Christmas doesn’t begin until December, but we all know that at soon as the clock strikes midnight on November 1st – tis the season.

As the winter coats are coming out and the temperature is dropping, Glasgow has begun preparing for the festivities throughout the city.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS To mark the beginning of the city’s festive season is the ever popular Christmas Light Switch On which will be held on Sunday 19 November. Each year the event becomes more and more popular with the number of potential attendees well exceeding the space available in George Square. To ensure everyone has an equal chance at attending the event, Glasgow City Council created a ballot system which gives everyone a two week window in which to apply for tickets online without having to secure their tickets at a specific date and time.

PANTOMIMES GLASGOW

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a trip to the Christmas markets in George Square and St Enoch Square. The air will be filled with the smell of churros and crepes as visitors enjoy a drink of mulled wine while they marvel at the iconic Big Wheel. The warm, welcoming bar means that guests need not worry about that winter chill, giving them the opportunity to be filled with ‘Christmas spirit’.

St Enoch Square will open its market on Thursday 9 November while the George Square market will open on Saturday 25 November.

Glasgow is also preparing to light up with festive fun on Sunday 26 November with The Style Mile Christmas Carnival. To mark the beginning of the city’s festive shopping season, the spectacular procession will feature an array of animated street performers who will interact and entertain shoppers along Glasgow’s Style Mile. Onlookers better keep a look out as the show may even include an early appearance from Santa Claus himself.

The festive fun begins midday at locations throughout Glasgow City Centre with the carnival setting off from St Enoch Centre at 2.30pm making its way up the Style Mile.

SANTA DASH As Christmas is the time of giving why not take part in the annual Santa Dash? A 5K run you really don’t want to miss. Watch as the streets of Glasgow turn into a sea of red as thousands of Santa suit clad people run the 5K all in the name of charity. Since taking to the streets in 2006, the Santa Dash has raised over £200,000 for a range of charities. This year’s nominated charity is the Beatson Cancer Charity.

Registration is £15 for adults and £5 for children and includes a basic santa suit in the respective sizes.

The event is set to take place at 9.30am on Sunday 10 December and continue throughout the day.

W

hen the day is done and you’re almost Christmassed out, it’s time to head to the theatre for a classic festive trip to the pantomime – and this year Glasgow has not disappointed. Theatre-goers have the choice of shows such as Jackie and The Baked Beanstalk (Webster’s Theatre), The Wizard of Never Woz (Pavilion Theatre) and Cinderella 2: I Married a Numpty (Oran Mor). With performances showing throughout the day for the next two months, there’s no excuse for not getting a ticket to one of these hilarious shows.

If you’re looking to go a bit more mainstream, Jack and the Beanstalk

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what’s on | CHRISTMAS

by Natalie Barton

at the SECC and Sleeping Beauty at the King’s are the biggies this year. With cast including the likes of Gary: The Tank Commander and The Dolls – it’s guarenteed a laugh a minute.

So whether you’re up for a shopping trip with a difference, a new parent hoping to pass on your love for Christmas to your new baby, a good samaritan looking to raise some money in the name of the holiday or you’re just absolutely Christmas mad – Glasgow has something for everyone.

Let’s hope you’ve been saving this year because to get through all of this, you’ll need a Christmas miracle.

ALTERNATE ADVENT CALENDARS TO CHOCOLATE

T

here is something a little absurd in the rising numbers of advent calendars appearing in shops that, themselves, amount to more than you’d spend on a gift for someone else. Perhaps the replacement of the humble chocolate countdown is a reflection of our everexpanding consumerist society, or perhaps we just enjoy the security in knowing that if no-one else is going to treat us this Christmas, we have ourselves covered.

Hasbro Play Doh Deluxe 2017, £24.99 from Amazon A welcomed blast from the past during the season when you’re likely to want it most. Build your own Christmas extravaganza over the course of 24-days with mini pots of Doh and instructions.

Kellogs 24 Bowls of Christmas, £4 from Tesco A little bit of routine is what’s needed during the often hectic Christmas build-up. Find yours in enjoying a different bowl of Kellogs finest for breakfast every morning, ticking off another day in the countdown to Christmas whilst contemplating the stress between each mouthful.

English Tea Shop Nylon Pyramid Numerical Advent Calendar, £10.90 from Amazon

Part of the enjoyment in the Christmas build-up is the novelty of drinking hot beverages that juxtapose the chilly climate outdoors. Enjoy a different flavour of tea every day, including Christmas, with this festive tea countdown guaranteed to warm, and calm you, from the inside out.

ASOS Beauty Advent Calendar 2017, £55.00 from ASOS The clothing and beauty giant has stepped out with its own advent calendar set to surprise consumers with a range of skincare, make-up and hair products over 24 days.

When you reach number 25 there’s an ASOS discount code which is perfect for all of your boxing day shopping. The calendar itself has been on sale since September and has already sold out once – don’t miss out!

Beer Hawk Craft Beer Advent Calendar, £69.00 from Amazon Inside this premium adult calendar are 24 cans of craft beer specially selected for the festive occasion, all neatly contained in a festive crate.

Each day of the countdown, treat yourself to a brand new flavour of exquisite Beer Hawk craft beer.

Although in the upper tier in terms of pricing, this is an excellent way of trying a plethora of new flavours for a fraction of the price.

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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MON TO THU DRINKS

FRI TO SUN DRINKS

Bottle Bud £1:50

All draughts £3

Pint Tennents £2

Pint Guinness £2:50

House vodka/mixer £1:50 including mixer

All btls £2:50

All spirits £2:50 including mixer

FREE PIES AT EVERY FOOTBALL GAME LIVE IRISH BANDS EVERY FRI SAT SUN FREE ENTRY FREE WIFI FREE VIP ROOM AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS 285 Sauchiehall St • Tel 0141 332 9783

PANTOMIMES

W

EDINBURGH

ith Christmas comes panto – oh yes it does!

And in Edinburgh their are lots of family friendly shows for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a selection of Edinburgh’s top shows.

The big one this year is Cinderella, taking place at King’s Theatre from 2nd December to 21st January. Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott join forces for some unusual twists and turns for this classic story. Important to note that there is also a little bit of adult humour included.

But if that isn’t really your cup of tea The Traverse Theatre are showing Cinderella – with a twist! from 8th to 24th December.

The classic fairytale has been reimagined by Shona Reppe and is performed by puppeteer Rick Conte.

This Christmas will also see the Scottish Ballet return with stunning performances of The Nutcracker!

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what’s on | CHRISTMAS

Taking place from the 9th to 30th December at Festival Theatre.

Join Clara as she ventures on an enchanting journey to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets.

On her dreamy adventure she will meet the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy!

Fancy something a little bit different during the festive season?

Shrek The Musical could be it! This hilarious and spectacular production turns the world of fairytales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, must-see musical comedy at Edinburgh Playhouse from 12th December to 12th January.

If you’re looking for something a little further afield Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a trip to The Brunton’s panto and this year it is all about Beauty and the Beast taking place from 28th November 2017 to 6th January.

EDINBURGH LOVES

CHRISTMAS

E

dinburgh’s Christmas returns for 2017/18 season from the 17th November until the 6th January, bringing with it iconic markets, delicious street food, fun activities and unmissable events that make Edinburgh the only place to be this festive season.

LIGHT NIGHT 2017 Edinburgh’s Christmas officially begins with Light Night on Sunday 19th November.

From 3pm to 5pm there will be a fantastic line-up of free family-friendly entertainment taking place on George Street, hosted once again by Forth One’s Arlene Stuart.

Schools, community and interest groups from across Edinburgh will take their place

on two stages on George Street to perform for the crowds.

The Christmas Tree on the Mound, a gift to the City of Edinburgh Council from Hordaland County Council in Norway, will be lit as part of the Light Night switch on.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS There’s nothing much more festive then a Christmas Market and Edinburgh has lots of them in all shapes and sizes from large European marketplaces to intimate street food gatherings, all of which can be enjoyed over a hot mug of mulled wine.

This year the Scottish Market will join together with the European market from 18th November to 6th January at East Princes Street Gardens.

Seeing over 130 craft, food and drink stalls pop up across the Gardens, the treats available include locally produced sausages, unique chocolate, delightful cupcakes, and Scottish hand crafted jewellery and woodwork.

EUROP

EAN CH R MARKE ISTMAS T

The European Christmas Market for 2017 represents the heart of Edinburgh’s Christmas with over 100 market stalls tempting shoppers with enticing tastes, smells and delightful festive crafts. A great place to pick up a unique hand crafted Christmas gift.

On the other hand you’ve got the George Street Christmas Market from 17th November to 24th December offering a unique, festive shopping experience for every visitor with its array of crafters, artists, gifts and tasty delights.

ICE RINK Of course, the very unique Ice Rink circumnavigating the iconic Melville Monument returns for 2017 from 17th November to 6th January 2018. Complete with bridges and a circular bar at its foot, skaters of all levels are welcome to showcase their skating talents.

RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS Thrilling rides and attractions are back in East Princes Street Gardens from 18th November to 6th January.

The Ice Adventure – a brand new attraction for 2017

Once again The Forth One Big Wheel will illuminate the Edinburgh skyline with outstanding views across the city. With its cosy covered pods bejewelled with 20,000 lights the ferris wheel is a kaleidoscopic extravaganza.

The Star Flyer will also be back, and those brave enough to open their eyes will enjoy the superb sights of this very festive thoroughfare.

Santa Land is back too, rejuvenated and dazzling, boasting some fabulous fun rides that the kids will love, including the Santa Train, the Christmas Tree Maze and several affordable kids rides.

Around Santa Land there will be a number of other stalls to provide fun for all the family.

THE ICE ADVENTURE A winter wonderland comes to the west end of George Street this year, brand new for 2017.

From 17th November to 24th December, The Ice Adventure is an immersive walk-through arctic installation, filled with spellbinding sculptures guaranteed to take your breath away. Once you’ve explored the ice sculpture extravaganza, warm up with a dram at the ice bar supported by Shackleton Whisky.

by Katie Jones katie@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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GIFT GUIDE

CHRISTMAS GADGET

GAMING

SCENT – HER

XBOX ONE X

POLAROID ORIGINALS THE ONESTEP 2 The OneStep 2 is an analog instant camera for the modern era, blending classic design with contemporary style. It’s inspired by Polaroid’s original OneStep, but updated to create a simple, easy-to-use instant camera that works straight out of the box. £109

SCENT – HIM

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ FOR HIM BLEU NOIR EAU DE TOILETTE

BYREDO ROSE OF NO MAN’S LAND

Formerly known as Project Scorpio – hitting shelves this month. The slim box from Microsoft is said to be the most powerful console ever, capable of 4K and all other forms of visual magic. It’s not the start of a new generation, but is a souped-up Xbox One sibling powerhouse. £499

This sophisticated rose scent has a bit of an edge, thanks to pink pepper and white amber. You’ll smell more like a femme fatale who happens to have a rose in her hair than you will an English rose garden. If you like the sound of that, you’ll love this scent. £95

GIFT SET

GROOMING

THE BARE NECESSITIES COLLECTION

BY NANSHY

MAGNITONE LONDON – THE CLEAN SWEEP VIBRA-SONIC SKIN BRUSH

This is the first male fragrance from Narciso Rodriguez in a while, but it’s most definitely worth the wait. It’s an amazing blend of cardamom and nutmeg, which combines with other woody tones to generate a musky, but not smoky overall smell. £34.95

Set of 9 essential make-up brushes in elegant case. Made of extremely soft, vegan, synthetic bristles that will not irritate even the most sensitive skin. Flat beech carved handles are extremely handy and easy to work with. £69.95

30 second daily cleansing brush for men. A two-mode daily skincare brush for strong, clear and resilient skin. The Clean Sweep moves at 15000 RPM to deep cleanse, exfoliate and condition skin, even under facial hair. £85

UNDER £30

UNDER £20

SECRET SANTA

EVOLVE BEAUTY CHOCOLATE SKIN HEAVEN DUO Limited edition skincare gift set including Evolve Beauty’s 60ml Radiant Glow Mask and 30ml Daily Renew Face Cream, housed in a hand illustrated gift bag. Indulge skin with this organic nourishing duo. £26

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what’s on | CHRISTMAS

WHAT DO YOU MEME? Think you’ve got what it takes to out-meme your friends IRL? The rules are simple. Compete to create the funniest meme by pairing Caption Cards with the Photo Card in play. A rotating judge picks the best combination each round. £16.99

HOW TO POO AT WORK A hilarious read for anyone who’s ever been caught short in the workplace! This book discusses all manner of situations that recipients can relate too!

From what to do when you find there’s no loo roll left to how to get out of going if a colleague follows you in! £6.99

E

ver dreamt of gliding effortlessly across an ice rink – in diamante-infused garments with the breeze tousling your curls, naturally – as a flock of admirers watch in awe of your celestial abilities from the stands?

Or have you even just briefly considered how nice it would be to participate in the festive outdoor skating sessions without the fear of mortal embarrassment looming over you?

Ice skating is one of those rare hobbies that you don’t hear many people doing growing up in Scotland, and this is likely due to the lack of public ice rinks around.

And, you know, the element of danger that goes hand-in-hand with slippery surfaces and sharp blades.

However, as an ice princess trapped inside the body of a Sainbury’s Meal Deal representative who has never touched their toes, cruising along a frozen water surface and executing Olympic worthy flips to the delight of an adoring crowd is the ultimate sporting goal. Sadly, this is something I’ve never gotten round to doing. And at 22, I am far more confident dabbling in water that is still in its fluid form.

Still, every year around Christmas time when I watch the Festive mystery unfold each day that I pass George Square, the urge to learn to skate returns. So, this year I hit up the internet in the name of my dreams.

Something that has always felt insurmountable in my quest to be the next Jane Torvill, often leading to self-inflicted suppression, is the fear of being the only participant at skating lessons over five feet tall.

Luckily, Braehead Ice Rink – located in Braehead Shopping centre

WHAT A N-ICE WAY TO SPEND WINTER beside the picturesque banks of the river Clyde – offers adult tuition (aged 16+). Sessions are designed to take you through the various ice-skating levels starting at level 1 and going through to 7. The modest price of £45 covers you for five 30-minute lessons with a fully licenced National Ice Skating Association coach, five free passes for public skating at the arena and – importantly – skate hire. There’s also a nice little certificate for you upon completion.

Braehead Arena also offer similar tuition for ice hockey which comes as no surprise considering they are home to the cityrenowned Braehead Clan.

The Clan compete in the Rapid Solicitors Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), the UK’s premier ice hockey league, which consists of ten teams representing all four Home Nations.

The nine other clubs are the Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals, Hull Stingrays, Fife Flyers, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.

The season runs from September through to April and tickets start at as little as £14, going up to £20 for premium ‘GOLD’ seating for each of the 26 games that will take place within Braehead Arena.

So, go on: try something a little bit different that is actually climate appropriate this winter.

There is also the added bonus of having your skating lessons indoors where the added risk of torrential rain affecting your ventures isn’t an obstacle. Similarly, neither are the crowds of horrified spectators watching you during your transition from Bambi to ice royalty.

Glasgow City 0141 954 1000 Paisley 0141 887 3000

www.practical.co.uk

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EARN

CASH WHILE YOU STUDY

Freshers week is brilliant, the endless parties, new friendships and random nights out will create some brilliant memories but sadly it’ll also leave you completely skint.

Seriously, although student nights are cheap, freshers week soon turns into freshers month and it continues for the next four years or so, draining the hard earned SAAS from your account to pay for essentials, like Jägerbombs and takeaways.

So what can you do to top up your wallet? Well obviously a part-time job is the common choice and there are plenty of options from bar work to retail and hospitality but these usually end up taking valuable time away from seshing.

However, we’ve found some alternatives to the traditional part-time job that’ll leave you plenty of time to indulge in the student lifestyle without worrying about work, you’ve got the rest of your life for that.

COMPING: Last year we interviewed Glasgow University film-studies student, Chloe Bingham, who at the time had won an incredible £14,000 worth of prizes in just five months thanks to her very profitable ‘comping’ hobby.

She’s since gone on to win all expenses paid trips to Hong Kong and Rio for the 2016 Olympics and confirmed that ‘comping’ is definitely worth the annoying emails that’ll soon fill up your inbox. So whilst you’re not winning cash, unless obviously you enter a competition to win cash prizes, the value of your wins will soon add up and you could sell items you win to boost your finances.

Chloe recommends www.loquax.co.uk and www.competitiondatabase.co.uk as two of the top competition listing sites and said patience, dedicating time and creating a wish list will help increase your chances of winning.

SIGN UP AS AN EXTRA: If you’ve got a pretty relaxed timetable, working as an extra could give you a decent chunk of extra cash and it’s much more enjoyable than working to sales targets with an annoying manager in an overheated shop.

Glasgow has become a popular location with film-makers recently and big blockbusters like World War Z and Cloud Atlas have filmed here in recent years. In big films, extras are

always needed and the pay typically isn’t bad, it averages around £60-£80 a day.

“Working as an extra allowed me to pick and choose days to work as there was always work available which meant I could keep it flexible around university without doing a lot of hours at work that affected the time and effort I put into my studies”, said 21-year-old Glasgow Caledonian student, Lauren Graham, who worked on a couple of BBC shows.

If you fancy trying it out, sign up with websites such as Be On Screen, Total Talent or 2020 Casting to find opportunities nearby.

SELL YOUR STUFF: Chances are when you’re packing before moving to your student digs, you’ll find plenty of old clothes, books and technology lying around gathering dust. Turn them into cash with websites like eBay and apps such as Depop and Vinted.

They all take a fee from the final selling value, around 10-15%, but it’s a great way of making extra cash. Some sellers even report making a profit despite selling a second-hand item, just make sure you’re ready to negotiate (especially with those fierce Vinted bargain hunters) and that you send things promptly.

Also, when selling technology, try using comparison sites to get the best price – money saving expert is a good place to start.

“WORK” FROM HOME: Type ‘how to make money online’ into Google and you’ll be greeted with 223,000,000 results, so there’s really no excuse not to become a millionaire.

Sorry, just kidding. Unfortunatley, most of these options include things like filling out surveys which will help you earn extra cash, sadly it’s generally pennies though, not pounds.

However, there are some slightly more lucrative options, including small project work with websites like studentgems and fiver.

Alternatively, if you’ve got a laptop, time to kill and good snooping skills you should consider working for a text answering service. Sites like AQA 63336 and 118118 Answers pay researchers to answer the thousands of questions received each day.

Speaking from personal experience, working for a site like this can bring in a decent bit of extra income but only if you’re willing to put time into it. I’d generally answer whilst watching TV in my pyjamas on days off from uni and would aim to make £10 per day, which meant answering over 25 questions – these could be on literally anything, you wouldn’t believe the things people will ask a random text service.

LET’S

LOOK

AHEAD

November, November, it’s almost December. Not quite Christmas yet, but there’s still lots going on – including a Pizza and Prosecco Festival! Yes – That’s right.

PIZZA AND PROSECCO FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL OF BURLESQUE

If you’re a big fan of bubbles what better way to enjoy them than with a fresh slice of piping hot pizza straight from the oven!

You’ll be spolit for choice with a range of local pizza traders serving up slices all day long. You can get under soft blankets, or snuggle up next to their outdoor heaters and enjoy listneing to chilled out music all day. Catch Doughboys, Ffwrnes, The Original Goodfillas and The Tiny Tipple Van. It’s a one-day celebration not to be missed! Taking place at SWG3 on 18 November.

The Glasgow Festival of Burlesque was founded in 2014 and took to the stage of the Riding Room and The Polo Lounge in 2015 and showcased some of the finest burlesque talent from Glasgow and a little further! With performers coming from all corners of the globe what better way to warm up a cold November weekend! Now on their third year, they are promising to be even bigger and better! Taking place from 9 to 12 November at Riding Room and Wild Cabaret.

ANDY MURRAY LIVE

GLASGOW VEGAN FESTIVAL

World number one, Andy Murray has announced that tennis legend Roger Federer will join him for his second tennis exhibition event, Andy Murray Live presented by SSE. The charity fundraiser will return to The SSE Hydro Glasgow, on Tuesday 7th November. Featuring a mix of world-class tennis and some light-hearted entertainment, following the singles match against Federer, Murray will be joined by brother Jamie to take on Tim Henman and Mansour Bahrami in a more relaxed doubles challenge.

Taking place at Glasgow Trade Halls with 50 fantastic stalls each day, 8 world food caterers, all day talks and all day cookery demos, the Glasgow Vegan Festival will take place on 11 and 12 November. Ran by the volunteer-led, community-based, social enterprise, Veggies, they have been promoting vegan catering and supporting campaigns for human and animal rights, environmental protection and social justice since 1984. Tickets prices are £3 payable on the day on the door or £13 to include fast track entry and a goody bag full of products.

THE COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS FAIR

FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD

Believe it or not but Christmas isn’t far away, which means the hard-workers at the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair are already beginning to put together their annual celebration of British craft. So head along to Glasgow’s SECC from Nov 17-20 this festive season and pick up some unique gifts to delight your loved ones, as well as some inspirational decorations to bring that magical Christmas sparkle to your home.

It’s your chance to meet hundreds of artisan designers and makers along with regional food producers from across the UK.

Due to excessive demand for Festival of The Dead in Glasgow and a overwhelming amount of requests to come back, they are returning in November! A festival like no other, with carnival-esque pageantry, giant skull processions, acrobats, dancers and beautiful decorative art and costumes.

Festival of the Dead is a contemporary event infusing elements of carnival, circus, theatre and unadulterated partying. Expect giant skull processions around the venue, DJ’s and live music, professional skull face painting, confetti, CO2 and a light show. Festival of The Dead returns to the 02 Academy on 24 Nov.

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EDINBURGH ART FAIR 2017

EDINBURGH ETHICAL WINTERFEST

Established in 2005 the EAF is Scotlands longest running modern and contemporary Art Fair, providing a platform for galleries to show and sell work from their represented artists.. Every November they bring together between 60 and 70 exhibiting galleries from around the UK, Ireland and abroad to showcase the work of their artists under the one roof of Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange. Past exhibitors have travelled from as far off as Australia, India, Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, The USA and Canada.

The Edinburgh Vegan Festival is back for its third year at The Roxburghe Hotel, with a new date and a new brand! Take place on Sunday 19 November at 10.30 – 4.30pm, the festival will have a wide variety of stalls, including cakes and chocolate, hot takeaway food, make up, clothing, pet treats and cheese. The producers will be on hand to chat and tell you more about their great products. As well as the stalls you’ll also be able to see speakers chatting about living a plant-based lifestyle, sharing their experiences and top tips.

CHRISTMAS AT THE BOTANICS

FIREWORKS AT MEADOWBANK STADIUM

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas when the trees and Glasshouses of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh are spectacularly lit and all aglow. There’s something for everyone at this festive event, a one mile illuminated trail that winds its way through the world-famous Garden, providing a magical experience after dark. This year, the new 2017 winter trail is a botanical wonderland inspired by the Garden itself and will take place from 24 to 30 December 2017. As you enter, greeted by the sights and sounds of Christmas, wander beneath the tree canopies bathed in seasonal colour.

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what’s on

Ooh...! Ahhh...! Meadowbank Stadium will once again become host to a spectacular evening of excitement as Edinburgh Leisure’s annual fireworks display comes to town on 5 November.

This famous display is not only Edinburgh’s largest firework display, but it’s also the longest running. The team at Meadowbank Stadium certainly know how to put on a show, so head along and enjoy the spectacular fireworks display on – a fantastic event for the whole family to enjoy.

GIANT LANTERNS OF CHINA

SPIDERS: FIGHT YOUR PHOBIA

This winter, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo will be home to The Giant Lanterns of China, an installation of over 450 dazzling giant lanterns that will illuminate the Zoo for 50 awe-inspiring nights starting on December 1. The Giant Lanterns of China festival explores three themes: China, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) worldwide animal conservation work. It will feature 211 animal-themed lanterns, a 19-foot high and 115-foot long Chinese dragon, and Chinese heritage symbols alongside flowers, insects and fauna.

OK – it’s fair to say that most of us don’t love spiders. But according to RZSS, spiders are amazing creatures with incredible adaptations. They are an essential part of the ecosystem and those found in the UK are completely harmless and would rather avoid us humans. So Edinburgh Zoo have developed a course designed to help you to overcome your fear of spiders in a friendly, relaxed and supportive atmosphere. The course involves discussion, hypnosis, and a chance to meet some friendly spiders and have the option to practice calmly catching a British house spider. Classes take place on 5 and 19 November.

Accidentally Vegan Who’s been told they’ll waste away on a vegan diet? Prove them wrong by eating all of the below. Remember to check the labels just in case the manufacturers find some skimmed milk powder down the back of the sofa and decide to sneak it out the factory inside your favourite snack.

Jus Roll, Cinnamon Swirls Sunday morning sorted. Bliss with an extra strong black coffee.

Comes as a roll of raw dough so you can pretend you're actually good at baking.

Plain Chocolate Digestive biscuits What it says on the wrapper! Tasty, crumbly, chocolatey biscuits without the near obligatory butter fat to mess things up.

Fox’s Cookie Minis They say ‘share & reseal’ on the packet but, lets face it, this is highly unlikely. FACT – the energy expended from getting off the sofa and stumbling to the cupboard for ‘just one more’ equals exactly the calorie intake from one of these tiny cookies.

Jameson’s Raspberry Ruffles We can put the mint variety to the side as they taste a bit like spewings.

The raspberry bars though are perfect.

Small enough for a sugar rush without blowing the salad and chickpea regime you’ve been cultivating – unless of course you get a big bag from B&M Bargains and snaffle them in 15 minutes.

Lidl Frozen Churros Heat them up, heap on some vegan Ben and Jerry’s, squirt on a whole lake of Sweet Freedom chocolate sauce then close the curtains to hide your shame from the world. As efficient a calorie bomb as you’ll ever find.

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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the big interview: WOLF ALICE

“

You bore me, you bore me to death” screams singer and guitarist Ellie Rowsell on Wolf Alice’s comeback track Yuk Foo, the world’s first taste of new music by the band since their 2015 debut My Love Is Cool. Blowing up seemingly overnight, the band toured extensively but are back with what is arguably their most personal record to date with Visions Of A Life. Dropping last month, we chatted to Theo Ellis (bass, synths, vocals) prior to the release to see what we can find out about the making of the album as well as what little surprises the band have planned for us.

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BARROWLANDS 11TH & 12TH NOV

Over the past year or so yourself and the band have been more politically active, especially with the rise of Corbyn. Is this something that’s bound to infiltrate your music and how was the reaction?

Theo Ellis: Nah, I wouldn’t say it has infiltrated

Many bands seem to falter on their second album, something people call the Sophomore curse – does that worry you?

Theo Ellis: The thing we were most nervous

about on this album was our personal expectations that we had on ourselves and other external factors. We looked to see what we had achieved on our first album and what we could do to improve as musicians and songwriters. When we got it to a place where we looked back at it and collectively felt proud of it as a band then the worries stop.

The two singles that have been shown off show two sides of a coin emotion wise, is that something you sought out to do intentionally?

Theo Ellis: Definitely, we’re always trying

to push and show more sides of ourselves. I suppose with the lyrical content, specifically on Yuk Foo, it’s a very angry song, the angriest we’ve ever sounded. It’s a way to vent when you’re most pissed off and want to shout. Our producer helped us reach that really raw point – when we wanted to be aggressive or, like on ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’, very delicate then Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Paramore, M83, Blood Orange) would help us with that.

our music at all. So far, with this record and our debut, we’ve not really written anything outwards in terms of social commentary or chatting about things that are happening.

We just started to engage a bit more on our platform after Brexit happened since it made a lot of people realise what bad shit can happen when you don’t use your voice. The older you get, the more you start to define who you are as a person and what you stand for. There were definitely more positive people echoing our

“...we’re always trying to push and show more sides of ourselves.” message than there were negative comments though there definitely were some. It seemed to be mainly older people, mainly men, who were saying we should keep our mouths shut and stick to the music.

You’ve got a line of intimate gigs planned, is there anything that fans should expect?

Theo Ellis: Some new songs (laughs). Nah,

that’ll be the most noticeable thing but it will be a very high octane show that we’re gonna be very proud, playing some of the stuff off the new record and some of the older songs. It’ll be a fun opportunity to play in venues that we don’t really get the chance to play in anymore: expect music, bad banter and some lager if you want.

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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the big interview: WOLF ALICE

Despite being quite a fresh act, how did it feel to appear on the Trainspotting 2 soundtrack, a film series known for its iconic music?

Theo Ellis: That was insane man,

the way it came about was crazy: I fell asleep and when I woke up my girlfriend was watching the trailer, I was like “sick!” when ‘Silk’ popped up instantly. As soon as it was out I had about one hundred emails! The first film has such an iconic soundtrack and managed to sum up 90’s culture with all those bands so to be included in a modern incarnation was a real compliment.

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what’s on

Not only did you get to have one of your songs appear in a film but you also wrote some original music for the reboot of Ghostbusters – what was the experience like?

Theo Ellis: We hadn’t seen any

footage, they just gave us the script of a scene to write to so we all went away, came up with our versions and then returned to collaborate

on it. It never ended up getting used actually, it was meant to be a song that played on the radio but they ended up cutting it so fuck them (laughs). Nah but it was really cool to collaborate on anything creative, especially as we’re

all big fans of cinema, and it broadens those creative horizons. Scoring something like that is something I’d definitely want to do again.

JOIN THE WOLF PACK

by Liam Menzies @blinkclyro

www.blinkclyro.com

As if those promised intimate shows weren’t enough, Wolf Alice went around the country to promote Visions Of A Life in various HMV stores, Argyle Street being one of them. Finding ourselves tucked away in at the back of the gig, it was both surprising and not to see just how many people were waiting hours outside in the miserable weather. Thankfully the wait was all worth it, the aforementioned delicate wonder ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’ being a true highlight with Ellie’s vocals fluttering above the awe-stricken crowd. It was a treat to the fans in the crowd and a reassuring conversation to the sceptics, showing they can keep the multiple little circles in their fan-base happy.

After this performance, Wolf Alice soon found themselves in an interesting situation: an indie rock band fighting for the number one spot on the album charts. While they eventually lost out to Shania Twain, settling for the runner-up position, the achievement is still noteworthy due to showing the appeal the indie rock outfit have with the wider public. Not selling out or keeping things safe, Wolf Alice have found the perfect balance: keeping the momentum, not throwing their morals or ethics out of the window and continuously progressing, the band have cemented themselves as being anything other than a passing fad of a band – they’re the real thing.

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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It’s an age-old fantasy, having a party in an abandoned warehouse with all of our friends.

Meet Quail, the team making this a reality.

We love the idea of an allday warehouse party. It’s very reminiscent of our old hopes for house parties growing up! How did this concept come into formation?

After attending parties in places like Berlin and Amsterdam where licensing hours seem to be non existent or fairly slack, it bugged me that Glasgow and more importantly our style of nightlife wasn’t allowed to flourish as it is elsewhere. Being able to run events past 3am here doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon so why not just do the reverse and start earlier. We’d played the Glue Factory with Slam a few years back and always felt it was quite an underused venue and when we came up with the idea for BLACKOUT we instantly thought of the Glue Factory. The main room has no natural light and we’re able to control the visual side perfectly to create the kind of atmosphere we want.

At 13 years, Animal Farm is one of Glasgow’s longest-running club nights — and God knows there are many. What a feat! How do you try to keep it interesting?

It certainly doesn’t feel as long as that, memories are hazy these days. It’s a real labour of love.

We’ve always run Animal Farm with the same intensity that we had when we started at the Halt Bar and Bar Bloc all those years ago. We’re doing something that we love which makes it easy to pour all our energy into it.

We’re constantly trying to bring the most exciting acts from the wider Techno scene coupled with the new faces so I think that helps to keeps things fresh and interesting.

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by Rachael Procter @rrretro___

editor@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk

music

What are your core values for a good night out? Is it about the booze or are you all for the people you party with? And what are your aims for Blackout #2?

Your best nights out are always the ones where you’re surrounded by friends, in front of your favourite artists in the ideal location.

This atmosphere is what we’re promoting with Blackout. With it being such a long event we don’t want people to hammer it too early, sure you can drink from the beginning but we want people to be in it for the long haul. Only in Glasgow do you usually have to condense your night out into 4hrs and that just leads to people burning out too quickly. We’ve programmed this second event so that people can come early, check out some local talent and some of the guests early on and still be able to continue straight on till 3am.

Do you strive to feature local Glaswegian talent at your shows? How important is it to you to support up-and-coming DJ-ing talent?

We’ve always looked to the local scene for inspiration as Glasgow has an abundance of amazing DJs bubbling beneath its surface. We’re lucky to count lots of varied nights in the city and their residents as close friends. We also have a very close knit team of PRs who are invaluable to us and who have begun their first steps into the scene.

We always have them with us when we can, from playing with us at Pressure to warming up at the Art School. It’s great to see them all coming along with their own styles and projects. These guys are definitely the future of the Techno scene in Glasgow. With this Blackout we’ve enlisted Missing Persons Club resident Adam Rutherford and former resident at The Club Paisley, Kendal.

Both have shared the booth with us on countless occasions and they’ll be responsible for setting the tone for Blackout. We’re definitely in good hands with these two.

Blackout nights are intensely audiovisual, with specially designed lighting concepts that far outshine club night competitors. In your opinion, what advantages does this element bring to your shows?

I wouldn’t say we’re trying to outshine anyone at all, there are some excellent events in the city with visual components that are really striking and unique! We’re just doing what we feel works in tandem with the audio side of the event. We used to do visuals lots back in The Soundhaus days, working with a specific person but once we moved to the Sub Club, we lost that visual element due to venue constrictions – lets face it though, who needs visuals in there when you can punch that ceiling! – so it’s certainly something that we wanted to incorporate into this new concept. Turtle is a graphic designer and comes up with all our visual elements now but we both know what we want the aesthetic to be as we’re into the same kind of things.

Blackout is definitley aimed at giving the individual a special experience, hopefully one that most Glasgow clubbers have yet to experience.

LILURA

IS INTERESTING FOR VARIOUS REASONS, MOST OF ALL FOR HER INCREDIBLY INTRIGUING NAME “It took me a year to come up with a name,” she says candidly over the phone during our interview. On the day job, Jemma Tweedie is a singingsongwriting enthusiast with a penchant for witches and what she describes as “dark pop” music, but there’s something alluring about her newly distinguished performing persona. “The name LILURA is actually a witches name that means ‘to enchant’,” she explains.

And enchant I have no doubt she will.

Hailing from the deepest crevices of the Scottish Highlands, it’s intriguing to hear from an up-and-coming musician who is not rooted in urban life. But for Jemma – who moved to Glasgow to study at the city’s Caledonian University – her career formed during idle moments of boredom between classes and lectures. “I went to university and my dad got me a guitar for Christmas.

So, being in the student halls and not having much money, you start to entertain yourself, and I taught myself (how to play) off YouTube.”

Giving a tiny shoutout to her former flatmates, Jemma explains that they “pushed me to start doing open mics.

I never grew up with the ambition of making a career out of it, but since

university I was like, no, this is what I want to do.”

Although a violinist throughout school, LILURA’s performing infatuation harvested during university, a period of life she hesitantly claims to have enjoyed as actively studying enabled her to utilise Glasgow’s booming underground music scene. “I was in the school choir, if that counts,” she adds, which of course it does, but Jemma is also a distinguished pianist having completed her grades privately during school.

Having previously performed and built exposure under a different name, we asked LILURA what she has learnt from her experiences in the past.

“I used to go out playing, wing it, and hope for the best. Like, I obviously loved playing but when you decide to take it more seriously, I think you realise, ‘ok, this is a business plan.’ You have to give something to people that they actually want to hear, so I’ve learned to develop a relationship between people who listen to (my) music more as well, rather than just hide away and be all secretive.”

Hiding away is exactly how anyone would be inclined to feel if they had conceived their hits from the comfort

of their bedroom, like LILURA has.

However, this talented lady has as much brains as she does potential. Bedroom creations are nothing to scrunch your nose up at when they take you to stages like those of Rockness’s.

As self-confessed Rockness loyalist, Jemma describes the moment she was invited to play as being nothing short of surreal, “a dream come true”. “That was the first time that people had kind of sung my songs back to me,” and can you imagine how elating that would feel, having built yourself up from the virtually unknown? Now LILURA is about to impact the Scottish music scene like a tornafo.

Jemma returns to the music scene after little over a year of going cold turkey which she describes as being quite hard. Although still going to gigs and watching friends play, she spent this time writing “loads” which she believes has really helped her develop as an artist. Her decision to perform under a newly invented persona is a bold move that will intrigue her existing fans.

“I like it because I feel like it’s kind of... I go on stage and I’m LILURA. It’s not something to hide behind but it’s something I feel like I can be more me

with. I think it’s more exciting because people who know you from school are like, ‘aw, there’s Jemma Tweedie’ not ‘who’s LILURA?’ That’s exciting.”

“I like the idea that I’m doing it all myself,” she continues. “It would be nice to be able to let other people from small towns like Nairn see that you can do anything you want to do if you just put your mind to it.”

But Jemma from Nairn isn’t going to be swept away in the next Hurricane Bawbag. Jemma’s final thought is poignant, highlighting once again that this colour explosion of a sorcerer has a very good head on her shoulders. “At school I feel like you’re told that you have to go to college or university, you have to have a family.”

“I’d quite like to inspire other people, especially girls,” she says. LILURA wants fans to believe that they can achieve exactly what she has through hard work and networking, and encourages everyone to continue being “passionate about art, song writing” and other forms of creative expression, and find a home in the excitement of it all like she has.

LILURA’s UK tour begins in November.

by Rachael Procter @rrretro___

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | W e A r e T Seditor@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk A.co.uk 19

the interview: TOM WALKER

D F CONC ERT S BY ARRANG EMENT WIT H C AA PRESE NTS

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Pizza.

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What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?

I can’t even think, probably having my face drawn on when I fell asleep, that’s about it.

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What was the last film you saw?

Scarface, it’s a wicked film.

What is your favourite place on earth?

Canada, it’s an awesome place.

Asking questions or answering questions?

Definitely asking questions. It’s good to find out about somebody else, people are always asking me questions, I like to ask people questions.

Your debut album is due to be released early next year, can you tell us what we have to look forward to about that?

We are just in the process of recording that at the moment so I am just getting everything together. I am recording a good chunk of it with a guy called Jim Abiss, who I did an EP with so I am super excited about that. I’ve also been working with a guy called Mike Spencer on a couple of the singles, so yeah I am really excited about it, it’s really coming together nicely. I’ve spent the last two years writing for it and it’s a big body of work I am proud of so it’s going to sound sick!

Aside from being born in Scotland, can you tell us about your connections here?

All my family are Scottish. I speak to my mum and dad on the phone in a Scottish accent and if I am in Scotland I speak with a Scottish accent. Obviously, I sound English now which is weird, I know, but it’s because I moved when I was about 3 ½ years old to Manchester from Scotland. My parents are fully Glaswegian and I can’t speak to them on the phone in an English accent, because that would be a bit strange. All my uncles and aunties are Scottish; the whole family is super Scottish.

How does it feel to be one of the BBC Radio 1’s Brit List Artists?

That was amazing and a bit of a surprise if I’m being honest. It’s super cool and wicked to be up there with the likes of JP Cooper and Stormzy.

Where do you find influence for your music?

Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Tom Walker was born in Scotland and raised in Manchester. Fresh off touring with The Script, and with new material just on the horizon, TSA’s Rhiannon chats to the ‘Heartland’ singer about his influences, memories and Scottish heritage.

Just everywhere really. I listen to a lot of radio in the car and then when I get back, I listen to a lot of Spotify. I’m not kind of on one artist or anything at the minute it’s just kind of whatever is coming alone, and then Shazaming everything and discovering loads of new music. It seems like there is just a lot of really good new music out at the minute. Spotify is definitely wicked. The amount I discover weekly is mint and it gets better every week, the more I listen to music on Spotify so I’ve been hitting up that quite a lot.

What was it like touring with ‘The Script’ in the US? It’s been really good actually. I’ve just got back so I am trying to get back into time zones at the minute. They are absolute professionals and gentleman and really nice.

They were really super fun to tour with, they are not like other band I’ve been on tour with. They always left their dressing room door open, they were all about chilling and invited us out for a few drinks a couple of times. They are just top lads basically, they didn’t have any ego about them, they have been doing it for a long time. The team that they tour with are lovely and it was an amazing experience. I don’t think we even put a foot wrong on the tour, nothing went drastically wrong which is kind of a first.

Where are you most excited to play on your UK and Ireland tour?

King tuts is definitely at the top of my list.

I love playing in London, Scotland and Manchester because I live in London now, I grew up in Manchester and in Scotland.

Those three places are always wicked to play because I feel like I am at home in all three of them which is wicked. I am really looking forward to it. Plus, all my family will come down to King Tuts. I always get to hang out with my Gran and my Uncle who I never get to see, it’s always good to hang out with my Gran. We always go to hers in the morning for square sausage. It’s always wicked seeing English people who have never seen a square sausage having one in the morning before we go back on the road at 6am.

What has been your most memorable experience to date?

The British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park, the year Stevie Wonder was playing.

I played the same day as him, that was incredible. And obviously, they have got quite a bit of money so when I got there I had my own little trailer with like a bar, shower and a toilet. Which was crazy because I drove in in my one litre rubbish VW Fox, with all my equipment in a massive red suitcase at the time. This was like a year ago when I was doing everything on my own. That was quite a highlight. I watched Stevie Wonder do a four and a half hour set, he is an absolute monster.

What is your favourite track to play live and why?

I’ve got a track that I have not released yet called ‘Be Myself’, which we always open with, and has got a massive guitar solo in it.

I’m all about playing guitar solos, it’s always good fun. I like playing that live because it’s always a good little kick starter for the crowd as well, its quite energetic.

Looking back to when you first started, could you ever imagine yourself where you are today?

Not really no, if I went back in time and told myself that I would be supporting the script around America I wouldn’t have believed it. It has been like a crazy two years, its really cool, I’ve been to more countries in the last two years than the rest of my life combined. It’s been wicked.

With the release of new material – where are you at now and what is coming up for you musically?

I have just released a new single called ‘Leave a Light On’, and after that we have another tune, called ‘Angels’ and we have spent a long time getting it right and I’m very excited about it. We had a full 30-piece string section in to record it at the Angels Studios in London, which was absolutely amazing so I am super excited about that.

by Rhiannon Melrose @RhiannonAdele r.melrose@tsaglasgow.com

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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GIVE IT UP FOR THE BAND CINEMATIC MUSIC: Breaking Into The Only Musical Obsession You Need This Winter I vividly recall the first time I cried at a film. I was twelve but I possessed the emotional composure of someone triple my age, someone who had dealt with things far more scarring and traumatic than the boy at school who didn’t respond to my homemade Valentines Card. I was on a school trip to York – a rite of passage for all primary sevens – and Titanic was the movie of choice on the bus for the journey home. I assume you can see where this is going.

by Rachael Procter @rrretro___

editor@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk

Once claims of an onion-infused air conditioning system had been euthanised – like my dreams of ever finding love on a boat – at the end of the movie, I realised that I was weeping for fictional causes for the first time which made the whole ordeal that little more mortifying. But it was that bloody flute’s whimsical refrain that turned out to be the painful leitmotif for everything that hurt my head and my heart in life.

A decade on, I am still addicted to the metamorphic powers of audio, particularly that of the cinematic variety.

Listening to scores takes me from my present situation to a moment in seconds. For example, to the climax of Titanic where the whistle’s haunting tune narrates the conclusion of Jack and Rose’s epic love story as she submits his frozen corpse to the depths of the North Atlantic. I willingly relive the heartache in remembering his cadaver slipping into those oceanic depths because the combination of James Cameron’s

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heartbreaking visuals and a perfectly suited musical backdrop, make me feel something I can’t really explain without blubbering.

The creator of the Titanic soundtrack James Horner created the score to be every bit as herculean, unwavering and melancholic as Jack’s infatuation with Rose had been right till the very end *sobs*. And, quite frankly, I’d go as far as saying that the movie would not be the epic motion picture that it is today without its prolific cinematic score – most notably without the distinguishing anacrusis at the beginning of ‘Rose’. (If you’ve ever done ‘My Heart Will Go On’ on karaoke, you’ll know the one.)

Horner isn’t the only one of his kind.

Cinematic music is definitely an underrated source of audio pleasure, which is why TSA have devised this guide of composers and some of their best work to help you cover the important grounds should you decide to break into it.

HANS ZIMMER Check out: ‘Now We

Are Free’ – Gladiator, ‘He’s a Pirate’ – Pirates of the Caribbean and ‘Tennessee’ – Pearl Harbour Zimmer is a master of epics and able to communicate a plethora of emotions to even the least impressionable audiences.

He is featured in the Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar and The Lion King soundtracks. From the invincible excitement found in Pirates to the melancholic vibes of Pearl Harbour, and the stunning, unmistakable hope that drives the Gladiator score: Hans Zimmer’s portfolio is prolific and cements him as one of the most respected composers and conductors in the world.

JOHN WILLIAMS Check out: Themes from Jaws and Schindler’s List

Being the second most decorated Academy Award Winner (only after Walt Disney of all people) doesn’t happen to just anyone, and when you begin trying fathom John Williams’ portfolio you see why. Much of Williams’ magic is creating the themes for which movies become associated with, the ones you are likely to hum along to during the opening credits.

A great portion of his success was prior to the millennium; we’re talking Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, E.T., Hook... just about every good film that gives you those coveted feels, Willams likely had his input. His portfolio also includes devising the Harry Potter melody we all know and love and, of course, the unmistakable, chilling theme tune from Jaws.

JAMES HORNER Check out: ‘Hymn to the Sea’ – Titanic and ‘The Gift of a Thistle’ – Braveheart

I spoke previously about this composers emotionally manipulative hold over me (just briefly, don’t think I said too much about it...). All in all, Horner composed,

quite literally, one of the most iconic and heart breaking soundtracks of our time with Titanic in 1997, but it contains elements that are reminiscent of his earlier work in Braveheart. His style typically features traditional orchestration (there are a lot of pipes), flutes and female vocals that will warm you, and haunt you, for no less than 84 years.

BRAD FIEDLE Check out: ‘Trust Me’ – Terminator II

A large-scale composer: Fiedle – whose work was at large particularly between the early 70s and late 90s – is known for his work in the Terminator series.

The track ‘Trust Me’ from the second Terminator movie ‘Judgement Day’ is a favourite among fans and described as providing motivation to those in need of a kick. Luckily for fans, Fiedle was never given the chance to record and sequence his technically demanding score on a record until just last year. So, he’ll be back and very soon, so to speak.

HENRY JACKMAN Check out: ‘Flying Home’ – Kick-Ass and ‘Hit-Girl’s Farewell’ – Kick-Ass 2

Jackman’s work on the Kick Ass movies soundtracks is riveting and a solid starting ground for those just breaking into the cinematic music scene due to its pop-rock vibe which focuses heavily on big drum beats and electric guitar. The best way to anticipate these soundtracks is to imagine orchestral power teamed with an exciting rock and roll veil. Much of Jackman’s score is an improvisation of Adagio in D Minor, so the chord progressions are pleasant and uplifting – perfect for your anti-hero movie.

SEE ALSO: Danny Elfman (Edward Scissorhands) & James Newton Howard (Peter Pan, 2003)

NINA NESBITT wrote multiple songs about the Scottish singer including ‘Nina’ and ‘Photograph’.

Some advice to those who might want to follow in her path?

“I would say do as much as you can to start out with, playing gigs, posting stuff online and then contact people that you like, other artists and ask for advice or opportunities. Try and find your unique thing as well because a lot of people do music now so it’s important to post your music even without a label. Try and stand out.”

Nesbitt was brought up in Edinburgh and has shot lots of her music videos in and around Scotland. One of her singles, “Stay Out” which peaked in the UK top singles and hit half a million Youtube views in a week captured Nina partying in Glasgow. Although, Nina has played various venues across the US and Europe, spent time in glamorous places such as LA and New York, she claims Glasgow is her favourite city because of the atmosphere and the wild crowd. The singersongwriter has lots of fond memories growing up in Scotland thanks to “the fresh air, nice people and being able to walk anywhere.”

Nina finds her inspiration from every day life occurrences and things which affect people and that’s what makes her music feel so relatable and profound. It’s music that’s easy to understand and feel in tune with.

Nina has already won us over with hits such as, ‘The Apple Tree’ which reached number 6 on iTunes after airplay on BBC Radio. However, Nina’s taking a change in step. We’ve watched Nina’s music develop and flourish over the years as she has grown up. Having started out as a fresh-faced teenager with long-blonde hair performing gigs in small cafes in Edinburgh, 23 year-old Nina has swapped her golden locks for a short edgy brunette chop which perhaps represents her latest music’s new makeover.

Asked about her newly released single “The Best You Had” Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt reflects “It’s an account of a relationship that’s gone. It’s her being unable to accept that he’s moved on but it’s not quite that he’s moved on, it’s more that he’s with someone who might be better than her. So, it’s sort of like your ego versus your actual being.”

This song is the follow-up to the single, ‘The Moments I’m Missing,’ which contemplates on her childhood dreams and marks day one of her musical journey. “The Best You Had” sends goosebumps down our spines as we perhaps think of our ex moving on and finding someone better. The music video itself is also very intimate and wee see Nina sharing moments with someone she perhaps once loved.

“My music has matured since the last album, just going with me as a person I guess. Obviously, I was

THE ART SCHOOL 22

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only 17/18 when I released my first album so it kind of represents me growing up.”

Previous to her music career she’d had a stint modelling for various big brands such as Calvin Klein, Estee Lauder and American Eagle. Musically she started out in her bedroom where like many others she recorded and wrote songs and posted them on the internet. It was when the internet spread the word that it became widely apparent how talented the young aspiring singersong writer was. Although, Nina is only 23 years old, she has achieved so much along a path which many people would be too scared to take. By opting not to go to university and instead following her dreams in the highly competitive music world she has succeeded where others stalled.

“I got the opportunity to do this very early on which has given me a lot of time, I still feel quite young but feel that I have learned a lot. A lot of my friends have gone to uni and maybe I do feel that I’ve kind of gone to uni for doing music. On the other hand, I’ve had to develop and grow up under the eye of the internet so everyone’s always watching it.”

A highly ambitious teenager, Nina decided to contact Ed Sheeran for tips and advice and shortly afterwards was asked to join him on his European tour and featured in his single, ‘Drunk’. She also dated Sheeran, who

“I get my inspiration from daily life. The album is really personal and I never really plan to write them. I enjoy writing, so it hasn’t been any pressure. I write my music from anything that’s inspired me, could be friends, could be something that’s made me think.”

Nina’s single ‘Selfies’ peaked at number 40 on the UK Singles Chart. It’s inspired by our social media generation and how people post selfies to Instagram and Facebook when they feel lonely or upset to make them feel better and make other people think they’re having a good time. Whilst the song expresses that taking selfies is fun and you can make yourself look and feel happy, the lyrics hints at the real isolation some people feel.

Nina’s music may even see a twist in the future as the young singer seems very keen to experiment and work with other artists who feel as passionately about music as she does . Nina plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, piano, flute, tambourine and tom-tom drum and her music has seen various genres from Folk-pop, Pop, Acoustic to Rock. So, who knows what turn Nina’s music might take in the future?

Nina’s winter tour starts on the 20th of November at The Garage (London) and she’ll play Glasgow’s Art School on the 22nd.

by Sophie McLean sophiemcleanblog.wordpress.com

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

23

Gig Guide: Music

in Edinburgh & Glasgow BLOC+JAM OPEN MIC For the last few years Bloc+ has been running one of Glasgow’s most popular and consistently high quality open mic nights, thanks largely to Louis Abbott, Jamie Sturt and friends, not to mention our incredibly gifted and facially pleasing clientele.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

MON, 13 NOV

Acoustic Open Mic Night with Gerry Lyons Free beer for performers Nice n Sleazy: 20:00 Free ANDREW HUNG (FUCK BUTTONS) + EYEDRESS Hug and Pint: 20:00 £8.50 BLOCHESTRA REHEARSAL Blochestra is one-of-a-kind. They are an ever evolving orchestra of sorts. Musicians from all skill levels and all professions come together to perform covers and original tracks.

No matter what level you are at or what instrument. All welcome.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

TUE, 14 NOV

Glasgow WED, 01 NOV Film Screening : Her Broken Shadow 7.30pm - free entry Africa in Motion (AiM) Film Festival presents Uganda’s first Sci Fi film ‘Her Broken Shadow’.

Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 FREE VALERIAN SWING + DIALECTS Hug and Pint: 19:30 £7.00 Reconfigured Rhythms: Fonko Screening and Club Night An evening inspired by the music documentary Fonko.

Stereo: 20:00 FREE OTTONE PESANTE (ITA) + GUESTS One year after they released their first EP, which was the first step, Ottone Pesante (Heavy Brass) release the first album. That confirms that was not a joke, neither a divertissement.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE MTH PRESENTS SWITHER (SLAMBOREE AFTERPARTY) Expect some heavy bass , hella funky , electro madness Broadcast: 23:00 £5.00

THU, 02 NOV Com Truise Technicolour synth-wave Stereo: 19:00 £12.50 GIRL RAY + IRMA VEP Warm Nico-tinged pop.

Broadcast: 19:00 £7.50 PCL Presents : Robbi McFaulds + Guests Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £6 adv MALKA Alt Pop music from former 6 Day Riot frontwoman Tamara Schlesinger.

Hug and Pint: 19:30 £7.00 THE MICROBAND + BAMYA + ROSIE BANS Glasgow debut from The Microband Bloc+: 21:00 FREE First Dates w/ Spook School DJs School disco for the pop-punk / nu metal generation!

Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 Free

FRI, 03 NOV Intervals - Glasgow Intervals + Polyphia + Nick Johnston Stereo: 19:00 £12.50 STBF GOAT GIRL + JERKCURB & EDINBURGH LEISURE Guttural guitar music Broadcast: 19:00 tbc SLEEPING STATES + SUPPORT Hug and Pint: 20:00 £7.00 GHOST GIRLS *CLUB NIGHT* Expect the unexpected… they will be bringing to the table…. your 90’s nostalgic dance classics ….your 00s R&B and everything they’re currently loving! Here for all of your carefree dancing needs.

Bloc+: 23:00 FREE Glitterbang! Disco Divas & Europop Anthems for those ready to SWEAT Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 £3 (free for students)

SAT, 04 NOV Jane Weaver Jane Weaver Stereo: 19:00 £11 STBF MT. DOUBT Officially launching new EP ‘Moon Landings Broadcast: 19:00 £6.00 The Sweetheart Revue + Sea Cucumbers + Alan Clarke (Broken by Rock) The band blends indie, rock, folk and country; real delicacy, gorgeous harmonies, grit and noise.

Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £5.00 HER’S 80s indie influenced songs with nods to Orange Juice and the capriciousness of Ariel Pink-ish pop.

Hug and Pint: 19:30 £7.00 Snowboarding Movies Screening ‘Full Moon’ + ‘Shredtopia’ Winter is coming – it’s snowboarding season folks! A night celebrating the sport with screenings of two favourite snowboarding movies, ‘Full Moon’ and ‘Shredtopia’.

The Flying Duck: 19:30 tbc Tribal Pulse presents Acidulant [Live] 303 time! Intricate but relentless live techno grooves.

Stereo: 23:00

24

DAMMIT ALL TO HELL PRESENTS *CLUB NIGHT* DAMMIT ALL TO HELL is a new club night playing the best in Pop Punk, Emo, Indie, Rock, Pop and other shit!! If you’ve been to any previous Dammit night you’ll know what to expect…. Bangers, table dancing, thriving on the dance floor, jäger bombs, folk ac Bloc+: 23:00 FREE HARSH TUG Hip Hop & RnB to the extreme Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 £3 (free for students)

Seafoal + guests Dark-pop virtuoso Seafoal bring their tasty blend of electronica, pop, RnB, and rock to Glasgow in support of latest release, Xeraclius. Expect gorgeous, haunting vocals; tasty jams; and generally good vibes.

Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £6 adv SON OF DAVE SON OF DAVE Hug and Pint: 19:30 £14.00 VUKOVAR + THE CHERRY WAVE + TWIN MIRRORS + PILLOW TALK Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

SUN, 05 NOV

THU, 09 NOV

Nordic Giants + special guests Nordic Giants + special guests Stereo: 19:00 £12 adv STBF ** CANCELLED** AVEY TARE ** CANCELLED** AVEY TARE Broadcast: 19:00 Cancelled COLETTE FRANCES Upcoming Ep showcase Broadcast: 19:00 £4.00 Synergy Presents : Japanese Breakfast + Guests Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £8.50 adv / £11 otd JAPANESE BREAKFAST Like a hope in something more.

Hug and Pint: 19:30 £8.50 THE MAGIC BAND PLAY THE MUSIC OF CAPTAIN BEEFHEART: FAREWELL TOUR Former Captain Beefheart musical director and drummer, John “Drumbo” French leads out the latest version of The Magic Band for one final tour of the UK. Mono: 19:30 £20.00 BLOC+JAM OPEN MIC For the last few years Bloc+ has been running one of Glasgow’s most popular and consistently high quality open mic nights, thanks largely to Louis Abbott, Jamie Sturt and friends, not to mention our incredibly gifted and facially pleasing clientele.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

MON, 06 NOV LUCY MAY Lucy May returns to Glasgow with her brand new album, which is being released on 3rd November.

Broadcast: 19:00 tbc LOMELDA Lomelda is about memory, intimacy, and the tragedies of distance.

Hug and Pint: 19:30 £8.00 Acoustic Open Mic Night with Gerry Lyons Free beer for performers Nice n Sleazy: 20:00 Free BLOCHESTRA REHEARSAL Blochestra is one-of-a-kind. They are an ever evolving orchestra of sorts. Musicians from all skill levels and all professions come together to perform covers and original tracks.

No matter what level you are at or what instrument. All welcome.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

TUE, 07 NOV KAGOULE + CATHOLIC ACTION KAGOULE + CATHOLIC ACTION Broadcast: 19:00 tbc Eureka California + Womps + Whyno? + The Pale Kids Like peak Elvis Costello, they think if they keep the wisecracks and the puns coming fast enough they can avoid facing the truth—that death comes for everyone and nothing dies faster than dreams.

Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £5 otd LILURA Dark, electronic beats infused with fun, glittering, witch pop.

Hug and Pint: 19:30 £6.00 CHEW (USA) + FLUX VELOCIRAPTOR + GIFT HORSE CHEW produces agile and fuzz-laden psych jams that veer into deeply heady territories, including everything from prog and acid rock to funk and downbeat Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

WED, 08 NOV Together Pangea + Thee MVPS Together Pangea + Thee MVPS Stereo: 19:00 £8 STBF BLOODY KNEES + HEAVY RAPIDS + WHY NO? (FREE ENTRY) Completely juxtaposing a kind-of-sweet verse with the harsh-gut punch of raging guitars and growls.

Broadcast: 19:00 FREE

music | gig guide

Night Demon + Midnight Force + Venomwolf Old-school heavy metal road warriors coming to Glasgow for the first time! Classic heavy metal, played with fire and steel. For fans of Diamond Head, Angel Witch, flying V guitars, and true metal!

Nice n Sleazy: 19:00 £10 OTD CC SMUGGLERS From the street to the stage Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 LAFIDKI (CAM) + RAZA LAFIDKI is a sound artist and conceptual collagist who performs around the world. His music is an confluence of ideas, synthesising multiple underrepresented histories, geographies, musical genres and cultural signifiers into compelling, colourful sonic m Bloc+: 21:00 FREE Drugstore Glamour The most tantalising Steamy Disco + Sleazy Hits Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 Free

FRI, 10 NOV

ANGELO DE AUGUSTINE + PETER OREN + ALEXANDER ALEXANDER Broadcast: 19:00 FREE Shredd (single launch) with special guests American Clay + Kidney Flowers Shredd (single launch) with special guests American Clay + Kidney Flowers Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 https://my.bigcartel. com/products/43380185/edit BLAIR DUNLOP + BROOKE SHARKEY Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 RICHARD RUSSELL (XL RECORDINGS) PRES. EVERYTHING IS RECORDED XL Records Founder DJ set Broadcast: 23:00 £5.00 DEATHKILL4000 *CLUB NIGHT* Industrial / Bass / Electronic / Rock / Digital / Dance --Deathkill4000 has been running since 2003, it is wholeheartedly anti-establishment and features a wide range of alternative music whilst eschewing irony in all its despicable musical forms…

Bloc+: 23:00 FREE Anna & Holly’s Dance Party Ultimate rock n roll + 60’s girl group + garage psych beat music Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 £3 (free for students)

SAT, 11 NOV

LEFT LANE CRUSIER + DAVE ARCARI + HICKS High energy trash blues Broadcast: 19:00 £7.50 Ben Poole + Guests Inspired by the Blues, infused with a hard hitting, “in-yer- face” rock, approach and topped-off by virtuoso musicianship Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £12.50 THE TRAVELLING BAND Mancunian Americana Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 MONSTER HOSPITAL *CLUB NIGHT* Sociopathic DJ chops from DJ duo Beyvnce Nailz and C4lvin Malice. Imagine the Cathouse without the kindergarten.

Bloc+: 23:00 FREE SINGLES NIGHT Celebrate the perfect pop prescription with the 7” single Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 £3 (free for students)

SUN, 12 NOV

CHEST PAINS + SAVAGE MANSION + CHUMP + OBJECTIFIED Fuzzed out Post-Punk Broadcast: 19:00 tbc PINS PINS Stereo: 19:30 £10 STBF MODUS Musical influences from folk and classical to electronic dance Hug and Pint: 19:30 £7/£5 student

YONAKA + CURDLE Ferocious metal and hip hop beats Broadcast: 15:00 tbc SYD ARTHUR + LYLO Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 ELEVANT + TONGUE TRAP Elevant are a visceral, exciting and smart rock band.

Able to blend genres effortlessly whilst always retaining their own sound that can kick you in the gut or softly soothe (on occasion), they spin dark tales of modern day disillusionment.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

WED, 15 NOV

GURR + MARBLE GODS Gurr is a garagepop band from Berlin that sounds like a trashy 60s girl group meshed with poppy vocals in two voices and a flavor of eeriness dug out from the deep darkness that is the Berlin rocknroll bar’s restroom at 5 am.

Broadcast: 19:00 £7.00 Codist + the Head + Fumble Fox U.S. band The Head alongside local favourites Codist and Fumble Fox! Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £5.00 SLUGABED Weirdly damaged bass music spewing from his odd little mind.

Hug and Pint: 19:30 £9.50 WONK UNIT + THE KIMBERLY STEAKS + AERIAL SALAD Words cannot describe how awesome Wonk Unit are! After a sold out show last year in Bloc+, Daddy Wonk himself has requested another ferocious and sweaty affair! Wonk Unit embody everything that is great about the DIY punk scene and do so through catchy tu Bloc+: 21:00 FREE Not Moving Exotic vibes for the discerning dancer Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 Free

THU, 16 NOV

Fat-Suit Album Preview Show Scottish Jazz Award winners Fat-Suit return to their hometown to showcase a selection of new songs which will be featured on their next album.

Stereo: 19:00 £8 STBF KANE STRANG + YAWWN + FAIIDES Deadpan lo-fi psych-pop Broadcast: 19:00 tbc THE KVB THE KVB Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 SEDITION + BRATAKUS + ACID CANNIBALS Og scottish hardcore, active from 1988 – 1993. Straight up, fast as fuck, also first time playing Glasgow in around 10 years!

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE SMALL TALK w/ DJ ADIDADIS Vaporbeat + Eurowave from Cosmic Lewis Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 Free

FRI, 17 NOV

GREATER THE DIVIDE + NOTHING>UNIVERSE + DRAWS CREATURE MASK Climactic instrumental music infused with a mix of sweet and crunchy guitars over persistently driving bass and drums Broadcast: 19:00 tbc Sun Rose + L-Space + Dremyss Sun Rose - rising from the ashes of much lauded Nevada Base - launch their debut album The Essential Luxury.

Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £7 adv BLUE HAWAII BLUE HAWAII Hug and Pint: 19:30 £8.00 SPINNING COIN ‘PERMO’ ALBUM LAUNCH Beautifully rough-hewn guitar pop that takes in frustration, escapism, but also gracefulness and splendour, in equal measure.

Mono: 20:00 £5.00 BAKESALE *CLUB NIGHT* Bakesale present their second Bloc offering. It’s a night of left-field, experimental and classic Hip-Hop which veers from the bouncing and joyous to the outrageously aggressive and challenging. As well as the gut-punching musical array, there will be Ska Bloc+: 23:00 FREE FAMOO JUST DANCE, NO REMORSE! Mostly Disco Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 FREE ENTRY

SAT, 18 NOV

BOOMBAPSOUP PRESENTS THE MOODS/ BUSKER RHYMES/ YOKO PWNO & MORE 10 piece live band and DJs mixing everything from dub to drum n bass to hip hop and much more. Possible Jackal Trades performance too.

Broadcast: 19:00 £5.00

Synergy Presents : WIDOWSPEAK + Guests Synergy Presents : WIDOWSPEAK + Guests Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £11 adv AMUSEMENT PARKS ON FIRE AMUSEMENT PARKS ON FIRE Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 THE BLACK LIPS Blistering, careening take on rock n’ roll: fuzzy, dirty, and rife with three and four part harmonies Mono: 19:30 £16.00 FANTASTIC MAN *CLUB NIGHT* Absolutely delightful audio-nonsense from two extremely loveable overgrown children that worked out how to DJ… Almost.

Bloc+: 23:00 FREE The Lance Vance Dance Discover Disco anew, refreshed, revitalised Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 £3 (free for students)

SUN, 19 NOV

TOPS + MOON DIAGRAMS DIY goodness Broadcast: 19:00 £8.00 Sapienn + Guests Alternative Rock, Prog, Goth, and Folk music Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £8.00 BLOC+JAM OPEN MIC For the last few years Bloc+ has been running one of Glasgow’s most popular and consistently high quality open mic nights, thanks largely to Louis Abbott, Jamie Sturt and friends, not to mention our incredibly gifted and facially pleasing clientele.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

MON, 20 NOV

Girli Girli Stereo: 19:00 £7 STBF IAN SVENONIUS WITH ESCAPE-ISM + ORDER OF THE TOAD A drum box, a guitar, a cassette player, and a single slobbering, sinful voice singing out…

Broadcast: 19:00 tbc BLICK BASSY Idiosyncratic yet infectiously catchy blend of guitar, banjo, cello, trombone and the artist’s soulful voice Hug and Pint: 19:30 £12.00 Acoustic Open Mic Night with Gerry Lyons Free beer for performers Nice n Sleazy: 20:00 Free BLOCHESTRA REHEARSAL Blochestra is one-of-a-kind. They are an ever evolving orchestra of sorts. Musicians from all skill levels and all professions come together to perform covers and original tracks.

No matter what level you are at or what instrument. All welcome.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

TUE, 21 NOV

CHILDHOOD Lush, sonically-infused, scarily melodic, boisterous and brimming with a dreamy wanderlust Broadcast: 19:00 tbc HD Music Presents : Empire + Support Powerful guitar riffs and some of the most exceptional vocals Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £7adv / £10 otd THE BURNING HELL + POCKET KNIFE Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 OSWALDOVI (CZ/ITA) + GUEST CzechItalian duo formed by Andrea Rottin and Kate?ina Malá. Two voices, electric guitar, minimalist drums set-up and bass synth lines.

Their sound is a blend of psychedelic rock, both American 1930s and Tuareg blues, South European folklore and spaghetti Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

WED, 22 NOV

AUTOBAHN + FEHM + MOTHERS LOVE Sound soars from the harsh post-industrial concrete of Leeds right through to the endless Pennine expanses on its periphery.

Broadcast: 19:00 £5.00 Queer Theory Non Stop Erotic Cabaret Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £5.00 DINNER Danish producer and singer Anders Rhedin Hug and Pint: 19:30 £7.00 GRASS and Crossing Borders presents: Sounds for Solidarity GRASS (Glasgow Refugee and Asylum Seeker Solidarity) and Crossing Borders present a night of music by various local artists all coming together in aid of the Govan Community Project Stereo: 20:00 £5/3/free PLUME + MICHAEL AND THE MOONSHINE + COSTELLO/MCCREADIE Four piece group based in Manchester that have a distinctive sound influenced by electronic textures. The band fuse driving grooves and lush vocals to create an immersive soundscape. Taking influence from the electronic and bass music scene, their quality Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

THU, 23 NOV

Bad Touch + special guest Mollie Marriott Recently sold-out UK tour supporting King King, and their Planet Rock Roadstars UK tour with Broken Witt Rebels, Bad Touch Stereo: 19:00 £14 STBF SUNDAYS & CYBELE (JAPAN) + MIKE GEIST 4 piece psychedelic band formed in Hokkaido, Japan in 2004. Their name is taken from the notorious French movie.

Tsubouchi is the main guy who writes all the music derived from 60’s/70’s Japanese psych rock.

Broadcast: 19:00 £6.00 Fotzepolitic + Dorothy Hale + Static Future Socio-political comment to a backdrop of soaring synthesisers and atmospheric guitars, programmed drumbeats and driving bass lines.

Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £6.00 CALUM INGRAM Songs of hope, love and political activism Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00

Breakfast Club with Gerry Lyons 80’s anthems! Decade specific attire encouraged!

Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 Free

FRI, 24 NOV

STAG & DAGGER GLASGOW: ONES TO WATCH W/ THIS FEELING & CSC Cheap Teeth, Declan Welsh & The Decadent West, Objectified, Phobophobes, Swedish Death Candy Broadcast: 18:00 tbc Brix and the Extricated Sonic juggernaut, with a woman at the helm, infusing the hypnotic brutality with sunlight, harmony, hooks and riffs.

Stereo: 19:00 £13.50 STBF SEAMUS FOGARTY Irish alt-folk and electronica alchemist Hug and Pint: 19:30 £7.50 SHAKE APPEAL *CLUB NIGHT* Tigermask, Amiga Insano and Electric Rich welcome you all to gather at the House of Bloc, for the finest in rock n’ roll, rockabilly, punk, garage, punk n’ roll, blues, sleaze rock, beard riffs, wham bam glam & 60’s girl group sounds Bloc+: 23:00 FREE Shaka Loves You Presents : Joints n Jams! Live Visuals, Percussion, Hip Hop! Joints n jams /// Crucial Hip Hop w/ Visuals + Live Percussion Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 £3 (free for students)

SAT, 25 NOV

GALLUS EP LAUNCH + VELVETEEN RIOT GALLUS EP LAUNCH + VELVETEEN RIOT Broadcast: 19:00 £3.00 CRYSTAL / Weatherston / The Good Arms / Five Cousins Glasgow based duo inspired by Grunge, Punk and Rock.

Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £5 adv / £6 otd ALASDAIR ROBERTS ALASDAIR ROBERTS Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 Scared To Dance: Glasgow Special Playing a mix of indiepop, post-punk, new wave and sixties music.

Stereo: 23:00 GONZO *CLUB NIGHT* Our quest to bring epic nostalgia back in the form of all things MTV2 (pre-trash) and 120 Minutes continues.

Bloc+: 23:00 FREE

SUN, 26 NOV

ZOE GRAHAM EP Launch Hug and Pint: 19:30 £6.00 BLOC+JAM OPEN MIC For the last few years Bloc+ has been running one of Glasgow’s most popular and consistently high quality open mic nights, thanks largely to Louis Abbott, Jamie Sturt and friends, not to mention our incredibly gifted and facially pleasing clientele.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

MON, 27 NOV

KLLO Electronic pop collaboration between Melbourne cousins Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam Broadcast: 19:00 tbc DAVID THOMAS BROUGHTON DAVID THOMAS BROUGHTON Hug and Pint: 19:30 £10.00 Acoustic Open Mic Night with Gerry Lyons Free beer for performers Nice n Sleazy: 20:00 Free BLOCHESTRA REHEARSAL Blochestra is one-of-a-kind. They are an ever evolving orchestra of sorts. Musicians from all skill levels and all professions come together to perform covers and original tracks.

No matter what level you are at or what instrument. All welcome.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

TUE, 28 NOV

JORDAN MACKAMPA Often described as a troubadour, an artist with timeless soul and lyrics drenched in heart felt empathy.

Broadcast: 19:00 tbc HD Music Presents : Press To Meco + The Darien Venture HD Music Presents : Press To Meco + The Darien Venture Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £10 OTD LISA WALKER (WUSSY) Solo lo-fi dronedream-pop Hug and Pint: 19:30 £7.00 STRATA Minimalist improvised music from Scotland.

Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

WED, 29 NOV

City Calm Down City Calm Down Stereo: 19:00 £8 STBF MAMMUT + BROEN Hug and Pint: 19:30 £8.00 STRETCHED: BABA AND GHANOUSH + CAMERON THOMSON-DUNCAN Glasgow’s most innovative live music night Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

THU, 30 NOV

CYMBALS CYMBALS Broadcast: 19:00 tbc The Good Arms + Black Dog Days + Cörtne and The Moody Chants The Good Arms + Black Dog Days + Cörtne and The Moody Chants Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £6 otd The Good Arms + Black Dog Days + Cörtne and The Moody Chants The Good Arms + Black Dog Days + Cörtne and The Moody Chants Nice n Sleazy: 19:30 £6 otd PALE SEAS Nerve-splintering studies in fear, isolation and heartbreak Hug and Pint: 19:30 £6.00 THE SMUDJAS (ITA) + GUESTS Milano Punk Rock Bloc+: 21:00 FREE

The events listed below were correct and up to date at time of going to print but please check the venue’s own website prior to booking

FRI, 01 DEC

Bdy_Prts Arty synth pop Stereo: 19:00 £10 STBF Glitterbang! Disco Divas & Europop Anthems for those ready to SWEAT Nice n Sleazy: 23:30 £3 (free for students)

Edinburgh WED, 01 NOV

SWAMPFOG Fat horns and heavy riffs, with a healthy serving of New Orleans grooves, from Tom Pickles’ 6-piece with sax, trumpet & trombone horns plus Jed Potts (gtr/voc), bass and drums: a mix of originals, classics and a few unexpected covers The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/3 EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA – Open Rehearsal Listen in as the excellent 17-piece EUJO get their music together The Jazz Bar: 15:30 FREE MALKA plus guests Mesmeric percussive rhythms among a charge of irresistible call and response chants and instantaneous melodies Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £7.00 GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/ acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 Free till half 7 BRIGHT NOISE Jazz aesthetic with Indie Rock influences The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/4

THU, 02 NOV

FUTURE HEROES Superbly creative guitarist Aki Remally fronts this brilliant Groove/ Funk 6-piece, with funky horn section of Jonny White (sax) and trumpet ace Chuck Dearness The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 HENRY IBBS – Teatime Acoustic Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm Sleepless Giants plus Before Stories, Terrestria Loud, energetic alt rock band from central Scotland Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £5.00 Falling Red + Fahran + Fragile Things Falling Red + Fahran + Fragile Things Bannermans: 19:30 £8.00 SQUARE ONE Blends folk-inspired lyricism with a gritty rock edge creating heavyhitting melodic jazz.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/4 Daniel Avery at Juice Show number nine!

Sneaky Pete’s: 23:00 £10.00

FRI, 03 NOV

THE JETS This dynamic 5-piece debut the Jazz Bar’s stage with a selection of Funk, Motown and Soul tunes.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £6/£5 MPG ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE Three of Edinburgh’s finest singer/songwriters, Mike MacFarlane, Paul Montague and Graeme Mearns present fabulous (and occasionally anarchic!) musical entertainment, each week featuring specially invited guests.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm MAIN STREET BLUES Unadulterated electric blues from of one of the most prominent Scottish bands in the genre The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/5 Harri & Domenic 30 Years Of Sub Club Harri & Domenic 30 Years Of Sub Club Sneaky Pete’s: 23:00 £7.00

SAT, 04 NOV

101st AIRBORNE Soaring guitar and driving funk rhythms from brilliantly creative guitarist Aki Remally and his 4-piece Funk/Soul groove band (named after Jimi Hendrix’s US Army unit!)

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £6/£5 Rab Howat Band Join Rab, Roy, Ali and Lawrie, plus special guests, every Saturday for some old-skool rock.

Bannermans: 16:00 FREE AFTERNOON JAZZ with THE MELLOTONES TRIO Hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/vocals) and Bob Stewart (drums) The Jazz Bar: 16:00 Free VICTORIA BENNETT Edinburgh vocalist Victoria Bennett sings beautiful ballads and sultry swingers, paying homage to classic Rodgers and Hart, Gershwin and Porter songs The Jazz Bar: 17:30 £5/4 Evil Blizzard Evil Blizzard Bannermans: 20:00 £8.00 WORLD PREMIERE’ QUINTET Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) – and plays with no rehearsal, and not even a set list! It’s always a ‘surprise’ line-up – even for the players.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/£5 Hectors 90s Rave with DJ Brainstorm (Pure) Their second ’90s Rave’ of the year Sneaky Pete’s: 23:00 £10.00

SUN, 05 NOV

THE SUNDAY SINNERS Dance to dynamic Funk/Soul grooves from in-the-pocket 5-piece band with outstanding vocals.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 Open Mic Sunday Session A truly unpretentious affair.

Bannermans: 15:00 FREE

HOT TIN ROOF Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy McKay-Challen (guitar/ voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA Fabulous sounds from the excellent Edinburgh University Student 17-piece BIG BAND, with Swing, Jazz and Funk plus guest vocalists.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/£5

MON, 06 NOV

Kagoule with special guests Catholic Action Jagged guitars and body-confusing post-punk charge.

Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £8.00 THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND Wonderful sounds from this great weekly band with FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm!

The Jazz Bar: 21:15 £5/£4 GLAMOUR & THE BAYBES 6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor!

The Jazz Bar: 23:30 £4/£3

TUE, 07 NOV

101st AIRBORNE Soaring guitar and driving funk rhythms from brilliantly creative guitarist Aki Remally and his 4-piece Funk/ Soul groove band (named after Jimi Hendrix’s US Army unit!)

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 John Hunt’s AFTER WORK BLUES Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky BoogieWoogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free Attic Choir with guests AVU and Khalija Music that crawls, sprints and soars Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £5.00 THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play – and we’ve no idea who’s coming in until tonight! If you want to play, turn up with your instrument and ask for a place on the evening’s lis The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £4/£3 Tuesday Karaoke Cuddliest compere in town Bannermans: 22:00 FREE

WED, 08 NOV

SWAMPFOG Fat horns and heavy riffs, with a healthy serving of New Orleans grooves The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA – Open Rehearsal Listen in as the excellent 17-piece EUJO get their music together The Jazz Bar: 13:30 Free GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/ acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 Free until 7.30pm Night Demon + Mythra Night Demon + Mythra Bannermans: 19:30 £10.00 PIXEL Throughout the last 6 years Pixel has established themselves as one of the leading innovators on the European pop and jazz scene.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/5 Rachel Alice Johnson ‘Coming Down’ Single Launch with guests Chuchoter and Deni Smith Sneaky Pete’s: 23:00 £6.00

THU, 09 NOV

FUTURE HEROES Superbly creative guitarist Aki Remally fronts this brilliant Groove/Funk 6-piece, with funky horn section of Jonny White (sax) and trumpet ace Chuck Dearness The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 HENRY IBBS – Teatime Acoustic Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free Sploco, onethreeone and guests Sodapop meets post-rock. Sunny D meets cherry coke. Refrigerate all day, then serve on ice.

Melodic, real nice.

Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £4.00 Battalions + Psychotic Depression Battalions + Psychotic Depression Bannermans: 20:00 tbc PAUL MILLS QUINTET High-octane jazz from simultaneous drummer and vocalist Paul Mills, accompanied by a crack team of Kevin Dobie (guitar), Campbell Norman (piano), Ed Kelly (bass), and Paul Towndrow (sax).

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/4 Shanti Celeste at Juice Belter producer and top selector, Bristol’s Shanti Celeste returns to knock one out the park for the Juice crew.

Sneaky Pete’s: 23:00 £5.00

FRI, 10 NOV

BANJO LOUNGE FOUR Party-powering FUN from guitar, banjo, bass, drums plus 3-part vocals, delivering a brilliant Mash-up selection of songs The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £6/£5 MPG ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE Three of Edinburgh’s finest singer/songwriters, Mike MacFarlane, Paul Montague and Graeme Mearns present fabulous (and occasionally anarchic!) musical entertainment, each week featuring specially invited guests.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE CC Smugglers From the street to the stage Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £10.00

THE JAM EXPERIMENT Jam Experiment display a fresh, energetic and honest approach of original compositions and arrangements.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/£5 Ventura Freeway Dress to sweat Sneaky Pete’s: 23:00 £5.00

SAT, 11 NOV BALA BAILE UK latin trio led by ColombianAmerican Felipe Schrieberg, the band plays original songs blending rhythm and blues, boogaloo, bossa nova, and Cuban son into something truly unique.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £6/£5 AFTERNOON JAZZ with THE MELLOTONES TRIO Hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/vocals) and Bob Stewart (drums) The Jazz Bar: 14:00 Free Rab Howat Band Join Rab, Roy, Ali and Lawrie, plus special guests, every Saturday for some old-skool rock.

Bannermans: 16:00 FREE BLUE NOTE QUARTET BLUE NOTE QUARTET The Jazz Bar: 17:30 £5/£4 ‘WORLD PREMIERE’ QUINTET Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time The Jazz Bar: 19:00 £6/£5 The Pat McManus Band The Pat McManus Band Bannermans: 20:00 £12.00

SUN, 12 NOV THE SUNDAY SINNERS Dance to dynamic Funk/Soul grooves from in-the-pocket 5-piece band with outstanding vocals.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 Open Mic Sunday Session A truly unpretentious affair.

Bannermans: 15:00 FREE HOT TIN ROOF Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy McKay-Challen (guitar/voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free Childcare plus guests Sharp alt-pop Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £6.00 SMITTEN Underground smoky pop trio of vocalist Nicole Smit, drummer Alex Palmer and guitarist Charlie Wild.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/£4

MON, 13 NOV Unleash The Archers Unleash The Archers Bannermans: 19:30 £10.00 THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND Wonderful sounds from this great weekly band with FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm!

The Jazz Bar: 20:00 £5/£4 GLAMOUR & THE BAYBES 6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor!

The Jazz Bar: 23:30 £4/£3

TUE, 14 NOV 101st AIRBORNE Soaring guitar and driving funk rhythms from brilliantly creative guitarist Aki Remally and his 4-piece Funk/Soul groove band (named after Jimi Hendrix’s US Army unit!)

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 John Hunt’s AFTER WORK BLUES Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt The Jazz Bar: 18:00 FREE Night Music: Slugabed live Slugabed has released records for Ninja Tune and Planet Mu, as well as his own Activia Benz imprint.

Sneaky Pete’s: 21:00 £8.00 THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £4/£3 Tuesday Karaoke Cuddliest compere in town Bannermans: 22:00 FREE

WED, 15 NOV SWAMPFOG Fat horns and heavy riffs, with a healthy serving of New Orleans grooves, from Tom Pickles’ 6-piece with sax, trumpet & trombone horns plus Jed Potts (gtr/voc), bass and drums: a mix of originals, classics and a few unexpected covers.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA – Open Rehearsal Listen in as the excellent 17-piece EUJO get their music together The Jazz Bar: 15:30 Free Yonaka plus guests Ferocious live shows - blending fiery elements metal and headbanging-rock with slick hip-hop beats and grime’s DIY ethos, to create a volcanic mix Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £7.00 GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/ acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 Free until 7.30pm JOY ELLIS QUARTET London-based pianist, singer and composer brings her love of groove and dance music into her classical roots to create a fresh and soulful new jazz sound of harmony and improvisation.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/4 Royal T at Witness Royal T at Witness Sneaky Pete’s: 23:00 £9.00

THU, 16 NOV

FUTURE HEROES Superbly creative guitarist Aki Remally fronts this brilliant Groove/Funk 6-piece, with funky horn section of Jonny White (sax) and trumpet ace Chuck Dearness The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 HENRY IBBS – Teatime Acoustic Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm Fabric Bear, The Head, IDKID Although they flow within the same vein as Ty Segall and Queens Of The Stone Age, Fabric Bear’s fuzz fuelled anthems are very much their own thing.

Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £5.00 Fury + Dakesis Fury + Dakesis Bannermans: 19:30 £7.00 TRIO MAGICO The music of Egberto Gismonti is like a microcosm of his native Brazil – diverse, joyful, and unique.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/4

John Hunt’s AFTER WORK BLUES Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm Will Black Will Black Bannermans: 18:30 £20.00 Tuesday Karaoke Cuddliest compere in town Bannermans: 20:00 FREE THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £4/£3

HOT TIN ROOF Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy McKay-Challen (guitar/ voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm

WED, 22 NOV

ALI AFFLECK’S SUNDAY SPEAKEASY Vintage New Orleans jazz and blues from award-winning vocalist Alison Affleck (after sell-out Fringe shows!)

The Jazz Bar: 20:30 £5/£4

GECKO3 The popular, quirky Edinburgh 3-piece deliver a highly original programme of great funk/reggae and acid jazz songs.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £6/£5 MPG ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE Three of Edinburgh’s finest singer/songwriters, Mike MacFarlane, Paul Montague and Graeme Mearns present fabulous (and occasionally anarchic!) musical entertainment, each week featuring specially invited guests.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm Kane Strang plus guests Stripped back, taut and pensive indie.

Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £7.00 KEITH EDWARDS QUINTET ‘Hard Bop’ swinging arrangements by Keith Edwards (sax), Robert Pettigrew (piano), Ed Kelly (bass) and Aldo Morrow (drums).

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/£5

SWAMPFOG Fat horns and heavy riffs, with a healthy serving of New Orleans grooves, from Tom Pickles’ 6-piece with sax, trumpet & trombone horns plus Jed Potts (gtr/voc), bass and drums: a mix of originals, classics and a few unexpected covers The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA – Open Rehearsal Listen in as the excellent 17-piece EUJO get their music together The Jazz Bar: 15:30 FREE GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/ acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 Free until 7.30pm Syteria + support Syteria + support Bannermans: 19:30 tbc Black Rose (Thin Lizzy Tribute) + Fallen Angel (Black Sabbath Tribute) Bannermans: 19:30 £7.00 DAVE O’HIGGINS QUARTET Dave is a saxophonist, composer, arranger, educator and latterly recording engineer and producer.

He has been a popular figure on the UK and international jazz scene for 30 years now The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/4

SAT, 18 NOV

THU, 23 NOV

FRI, 17 NOV

THE SHIVERIN’ SHEIKS High-energy, dancefloor-filling Glasgow 4-piece with guitars, double bass and drums plus 3-part vocals, delivering pumping 50s/60s RnB, Rockabilly, Gospel, and Doo Wop – with a touch of Gypsy Swing.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £6/£5 AFTERNOON JAZZ with THE MELLOTONES TRIO Hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/ vocals) and Bob Stewart (drums) The Jazz Bar: 14:00 Free Rab Howat Band Join Rab, Roy, Ali and Lawrie, plus special guests, every Saturday for some old-skool rock.

Bannermans: 16:00 FREE THE PAUSE American trumpeter Jon Green returns to the stage after a year brought a new baby (yes!) and a new president (no!).

The Jazz Bar: 17:30 £5/£4 The Motion Poets, Stellar Rhythmic choruses and memorable solos Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £6.00 The Derellas + The Brothel Corpse Trio + The No-Things The Derellas + The Brothel Corpse Trio + The No-Things Bannermans: 20:00 ‘WORLD PREMIERE’ QUINTET Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/£5 Wasabi Disco: Midland and Prosumer All Night Two good friends of the club together for one night Sneaky Pete’s: 23:00 £16.00

SUN, 19 NOV

THE SUNDAY SINNERS Dance to dynamic Funk/Soul grooves from in-the-pocket 5-piece band with outstanding vocals.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 Open Mic Sunday Session A truly unpretentious affair.

Bannermans: 15:00 FREE HOT TIN ROOF Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy McKay-Challen (guitar/ voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm Rachael Yamagata plus special guest Brandon Jenner Heartache soundscape Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £12.50 ‘ROOTS’ ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE A monthly showcase evening with an eclectic selection of acoustic soloist and ensembles, put together by singer/songwriter Toby Mottershead (of the mighty Black Diamond Express train!)

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/4

MON, 20 NOV

Shawn James & The Shapeshifters Shawn James & The Shapeshifters Bannermans: 19:30 THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND Wonderful sounds from this great weekly band with FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm!

The Jazz Bar: 20:00 £5/£4 GLAMOUR & THE BAYBES 6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor!

The Jazz Bar: 23:30 £4/£3

TUE, 21 NOV

101st AIRBORNE Soaring guitar and driving funk rhythms from brilliantly creative guitarist Aki Remally and his 4-piece Funk/ Soul groove band (named after Jimi Hendrix’s US Army unit!)

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3

FUTURE HEROES Superbly creative guitarist Aki Remally fronts this brilliant Groove/Funk 6-piece, with funky horn section of Jonny White (sax) and trumpet ace Chuck Dearness The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 HENRY IBBS – Teatime Acoustic Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm Autobahn plus guests Motorik goth Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £7.00 EYAL LOVETT TRIO Israeli born pianistcomposer Eyal Lovett creates a wide range of music. Although classically trained, he is deeply immersed in the jazz tradition, as well as in the diverse music located in Israel and the Middle East.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £5/4

FRI, 24 NOV

LEANNE & THE RADIX Performing crowd pleasing festival reggae alongside original features from their recent album release, Leanne & the Radix bring you the smoothest of Lovers Rock and the heartiest rock-reggae on the scene. Hypnotic bass hooks and melodic vocals gives a sin The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £6/£5 Rab Howat Band Join Rab, Roy, Ali and Lawrie, plus special guests, every Saturday for some old-skool rock.

Bannermans: 16:00 FREE MPG ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE Three of Edinburgh’s finest singer/songwriters, Mike MacFarlane, Paul Montague and Graeme Mearns present fabulous (and occasionally anarchic!) musical entertainment, each week featuring specially invited guests.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm ANDY LAWRENSON TRIO THE GYPSY JAZZ CELEBRATION is a stylish, humorous and very entertaining portrayal of a style of music originally pioneered by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli in 1930’s Paris The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/£5

SAT, 25 NOV

NICOLE & THE BACKUP CREW Lively and soulful blues party, paying homage to the most important women in blues history and featuring stunning singer Nicole Smit.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £6/£5 AFTERNOON JAZZ with THE MELLOTONES TRIO Hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/ vocals) and Bob Stewart (drums) The Jazz Bar: 14:00 Free Open Mic Sunday Session A truly unpretentious affair.

Bannermans: 15:00 FREE GRAEME WILSON QUARTET Expect off-kilter earworms and heartfelt ballads mining the stray seams of jazz, improv, funk and prog-rock The Jazz Bar: 17:30 £5/£4 Spectrum: Naros Fortuna, Mezcla, Karin Kicking off with Karin, a heavy alternative rock band from Dumfries. Followed by Mezcla, providing soulful jazz and energetic grooves. Ending the night with Napier’s own Naros Fortuna, a Rock/Pop trio.

Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £5.00 ‘WORLD PREMIERE’ QUINTET Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/£5

SUN, 26 NOV

THE SUNDAY SINNERS Dance to dynamic Funk/Soul grooves from in-the-pocket 5-piece band with outstanding vocals.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3

Skabilly Rebels (Roddy Radiation) + The Media Whores Bannermans: 19:30 £11.00 Tuesday Karaoke Cuddliest compere in town Bannermans: 20:00 FREE

MON, 27 NOV THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND Wonderful sounds from this great weekly band with FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm!

The Jazz Bar: 20:00 £5/£4 GLAMOUR & THE BAYBES 6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor!

The Jazz Bar: 23:30 £4/£3

TUE, 28 NOV 101st AIRBORNE Soaring guitar and driving funk rhythms from brilliantly creative guitarist Aki Remally and his 4-piece Funk/ Soul groove band (named after Jimi Hendrix’s US Army unit!)

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 John Hunt’s AFTER WORK BLUES Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars!

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm KLLO plus guests Super Inuit Electronic pop collaboration between Melbourne cousins Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £9.00 THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £4/£3

WED, 29 NOV SWAMPFOG Fat horns and heavy riffs, with a healthy serving of New Orleans grooves, from Tom Pickles’ 6-piece with sax, trumpet & trombone horns plus Jed Potts (gtr/voc), bass and drums: a mix of originals, classics and a few unexpected covers The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA – Open Rehearsal Listen in as the excellent 17-piece EUJO get their music together The Jazz Bar: 13:30 Free ONR. Formed in 2015, Scottish act Onr. have cited influences including Echo & The Bunnymen, Arcade Fire, OMD, Simple Minds and Interpol in creating their distinctively ambitious and high-energy sound.

Sneaky Pete’s: 19:00 £7.00 GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/ acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined The Jazz Bar: 19:00 Free until 7.30pm GROoOVEMATIC TRIO Cross-currents of jazz, pop and groove, the group playfully explores famous international themes taken from the pop of Katy Perry, the rock of Nirvana, the electronic music of Massive Attack as well as exploring Cedric’s original compositions in which gro The Jazz Bar: 21:00 Free from 7.30pm

THU, 30 NOV FUTURE HEROES Superbly creative guitarist Aki Remally fronts this brilliant Groove/ Funk 6-piece, with funky horn section of Jonny White (sax) and trumpet ace Chuck Dearness.

The Jazz Bar: 00:00 £4/£3 HENRY IBBS – Teatime Acoustic Expect a mixture of tunes: traditional, original and cover versions (with more than a dash of Scouse!) from well-known singer/songwriter Henry Ibbs.

The Jazz Bar: 18:00 Free until 7.30pm TAUPE Taupe are a Newcastle upon Tyne based trio specializing in razor-sharp polyrhythmic play, exploratory improvisation and raw, high energy live performance.

The Jazz Bar: 21:00 £6/£5

SAT, 02 DEC Bdy_Prts Electro future-pop Sneaky Pete’s: 14:00

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

£8.50

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I n t e r v i e w

Pfeiff up

Your Life!

Golden Globe winner and three time Oscar nominee Michelle Pfeiffer talks about her role as Mrs. Hubbard in the stylish and suspenseful mystery MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, based on the Agatha Christie novel, one of the most celebrated whodunits of all time.

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music

Mich elle Pfei ffer Q: What was your experience of working with Kenneth?

A: “It was wonderful. He had a lot to keep track of on this film, with so many actors. I don’t really know how he did it, whether he has a photographic memory, but he would remember everything, and at the end of a take, he would give me a note, even though he had ten other actors to stop and give notes to as well. It was extraordinary watching him, and when he was talking to me, it was as if he were replaying our scene, he would go through it all moment by moment. He had a checklist. He would give me his notes and then he’d be off to the next actor.”

Q: As well as directing, Kenneth also stars in the film, playing Hercule Poirot with his famous mustache. What is he like in the role?

A: “When you first see Ken as Poirot, you’re taken aback. You can’t ignore the mustache (laughs). What is extraordinary to me is that Ken makes it handsome, he somehow makes it work. He has made Poirot incredibly charming and a little bit devilish.”

Q: Can you discuss your experience on the set with this formidable ensemble cast?

A: “It was a little intimidating honestly. The first day of filming, I had to do a close up and all the actors were there. I remember thinking, ‘I’m bombing in front of Judi Dench (laughs)!’ Maybe I wasn’t actually bombing, but you know it is hard when you’re in awe of other people’s talent. Each and every one of them is so unbelievably accomplished.”

Q: How did you envisage your character, Mrs. Hubbard?

A: “She is very fun-loving, she loves to travel and she has seen a lot of the world and has developed very big opinions about the whole thing. And if you give her a moment, she will tell you all about it! She’s friendly … perhaps a little too friendly at times. She is also very inquisitive and enthusiastic, perhaps a little too much so. Maybe she is a little lonely, but she’s quite a character.

Q: How do you approach your work? Do you immerse yourself completely in your characters?

A: “I don’t intentionally immerse myself in the character throughout the entire film because I would find that exhausting; I couldn’t live that way. However, the people close to me in my life have said to me, ‘you know, you do disappear a little bit when you go to work.’ I’m not aware of that myself, but I’m sure that’s true if I think back

on my films and consider the way I am as a person. I’m pretty tunnel visioned about everything I do, and I work very hard.”

Q: Were you familiar with the 1974 version of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Albert Finney and Lauren Bacall?

A: “I had not seen it and Ken didn’t want any of us to see any of the previous film versions if we hadn’t seen them already.

And if we had seen any of them, he preferred that we didn’t actually go back and look at them again, because he wanted all of us to approach the story with fresh eyes.

Q: Are you a bit of perfectionist?

A: “I am definitely a perfectionist and it is hard for me to watch myself. I tend to be a little self-critical, well a lot self-critical (laughs). But the thing is, there’s nothing perfect about acting or about any art form so it’s kind of strange that I would choose this career. But I get bored quickly and with acting you can keep yourself interested.”

Q: What was the atmosphere like on set?

A: “It felt like being on a real train, because it really moved and the train looked absolutely authentic. Sometimes we had real scenery coming by (the window) that we would see, that would help to make it appear real. [Branagh had filmed footage of the European countryside, which he played on screens wrapped around the windows of the carriages]. Sometimes we were on a ‘pretend’ train outdoors. Sometimes it was green screen. Ken was constantly reminding us about the tension, that somebody in the room was a killer. He wanted the film to be grounded in reality and genuinely scary, he wanted people to be frightened. And parts of the film are scary; it gets tense because the tone is very real. Also, it feels like a big story, even though it is a murder-mystery about a group of people trapped on a train. Somebody’s been murdered, and we don’t know who did it. That is the story. But it is beautiful and it’s romantic, and it’s rich.

It’s really cool. There’s an authenticity in every single part of it, in the set design, the casting, the clothing, the writing and the way Ken directed the film.”

Q: Do you enjoy the old time nostalgia and glamour of trains?

A: “I haven’t traveled by train much, but I love trains. I know I would certainly love traveling on the Orient Express. That would be amazing. I do think trains have a kind of romanticism. Also on a train, you’re in a time warp; it’s sort of not like real life.

Q: While it is dark and scary, there are funny moments too in the film, aren’t there?

A: “Yes, Ken wanted humor, but he wanted it always to a come out of real situations.

Nobody is trying to be funny. I tried to do justice to the humor that was in the script.

Ken himself is hilarious and wicked smart!”

Q: You look stunning in the movie. What was it like wearing the 30s era outfits, and what do the costumes reveal about Mrs. Hubbard?

A: “She likes to wear examples of all of the places she’s been in the world on her per-

son. I think she’s been very pleased with her purchases abroad. She’ll say ‘Oh I got this in Guatemala, and I got this in…’ I can say that my costumes reflect the character’s world travels. There are different items of clothing that she’s picked up here and there and she likes to dress thematically.

She is a little more colorful than the other characters and I think her look reflects her exuberant personality.”

Q: Did you enjoy wearing the costumes and how much do they inform your performance?

A: “Well I always find that period, the 30s challenging, because the clothes are confining, the makeup is hard and the hair is hard. When clothes and hair are confining, I always have to make a huge adjustment for that at the very beginning of a project.

But it all helps when you’re getting inside a character. Sometimes, a costume can ultimately be a distraction if you have an outfit that’s really hot and itchy, for example if it’s 110 degrees and you’re wearing a wig. But in this film, the costumes were spectacular. Alex, (Alexandra Byrne) the costume designer is such an artist. The work she did in this film is brilliant. She has amazing attention to detail. That is the great thing about a director like Ken Branagh; he tends to hire people in all departments who have real attention to detail.”

Q: What do audiences have to look forward to with this film?

A: “I think all the characters are really interesting and it is fun to watch them interact with each other. Ken has made the film epic in an amazing way. It’s a huge accomplishment on his part. It is lush and it is extraordinary to look at. I also think people love murder mysteries. I think we all love them; they are timeless.”

Q: Why do we love a great mystery?

A: “People like being challenged. In all whodunits, there’s a murder involved and then it’s always the question: ‘who did it?’ I think people love to solve problems.

You want to be able to figure everything out before your friends and your family.

That’s just human nature. And they like to be a little scared. I’m obsessed with figuring things out in everything, and I drive people crazy. I think I should fix everything.

If there’s a problem on the set, I want to figure out how to fix it. I’ll actually get up and move furniture, I’ll adjust people’s wardrobe (Iaughs). I can’t help it.”

Q: You’ve starred in so many diverse films.

What draws you to a part?

A: “I never have a particular part in mind that I’m looking for. I’m always just looking for something good that’s well written, with an interesting character and territory I haven’t covered before. I look for something that’s challenging and complex. It can be dramatic; it can be comedic. The people involved in the project are very important.

Now I’m an empty nester, and I have different criteria. I think that when the kids were home, I was really discerning, because it was so hard to leave them and I didn’t want to go away on location pictures. There might have been a great opportunity years ago that entailed me leaving home for

many months during the school year and being away from the children, and I just couldn’t do it. However, if that same project came along in the summertime and I could bring them with me, I would do it. When they were really small and their own lives weren’t so well established, it was also okay to take them with me. But I think the older they got, the harder it was for me to leave. But now I’m much more freed up in terms of the films that I can do. I do really miss them and in the summer time you want to be around your children, but at the same time, you think: ‘okay this is my time now again.’ My work is very rich, and it’s all good and it is actually fun.”

Q: Does acting continue to be fulfilling?

A: “It is and in many ways it’s more fulfilling now, because I’m doing it for the love of it.

At the same time, I admit there are parts of my work that I don’t enjoy. I don’t like being away from home. I never liked it. I’m a homebody. I like my routine and I don’t like living in hotels or being on planes all the time. I need my stuff around me. That’s very important to me. A lot of people thrive on moving around and I’ve never been like that. But it’s fine. And I guess everybody has the stuff they love, and parts of the job that they don’t love so much.”

Q: Have there been any particularly memorable and meaningful roles recently?

A: “They are all meaningful, but what comes to mind immediately is THE WIZARD OF LIES [This year’s TV film with Robert De Niro about the downfall of Bernie Madoff and his notorious Ponzi scheme]. I took the role of Ruth Madoff very seriously because she is a real person and it was daunting. I had never played a real person before, and Ruth Madoff is still alive. I felt very responsible for the way she came across in the film. I’m very happy with the way it turned out and I have (the film’s director) Barry Levinson to thank for that because I could only do so much with the performance and it could’ve been cut and taken in an entirely different direction, so I am grateful.”

Q: What is your next project?

A: “Darren Aronofsky’s drama MOTHER! (with Ed Harris, Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem). I can’t say a word about it, but I loved it. Again, when you’re working with directors of that caliber, they raise the bar so high and they tend to assemble cast and crew who also have those high expectations. That was another situation in which everyone was great, carrying their own weight. It’s such a joy to work on a set like that. You are doing your job, and everybody else is contributing and inadvertently supporting your performance and lifting you up.

It is like night and day working on a set like that, and it was wonderful. I love working with people who have a passion for their work. It can be exhausting, but there’s a collaborative support and you’re working as a team. It is exciting.”

Q: Do you have a specific approach to your work and career?

A: “ I’ve made some wrong choices in my life, and what I have found is that whenever I’ve done things for what I considered to be the wrong reasons, I have paid a huge price, in terms of the experience and a lot of other things. So that’s why I now spend a lot of time on my decision-making. Many things can go wrong in a film, even when everyone has the best intentions. But if you’ve decided to do something because you really believe in it, that will support you. If you believe in your character, if you believe in the project, if you believe in the people, no matter what happens from beginning to end, you can live with that, and you can continue to support the project throughout the whole process. That has been my guiding force and it has worked well for me.”

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NovemberPICK

OF THE MONTH It’s no great secret that Scotland’s music scene is a thing to be proud of. So we here at TSA have teamed up with Scotland’s very own New Hellfire Club to bring you a monthly pick of who we think are doing epically well right now. Keep your eyes out for these up and coming bands. This is TSA and New Hellfire Club’s ‘Pick of the Month’.

Hello Anomalies! Great to have you in this months edition of The Student Advertiser for the POTM. So please tell us a bit about the band to start us off then, how long have you guys been going for? How did you meet?

You guys are a three piece, which is unusual for a band these days, have you always played as a three piece?

Do you think it makes things a bit tougher on you when writing the songs?

Hi there, and Thanks for including us.

We started the band over 2 years ago.

We definitely set out to do something completely different and I’d like to think we have achieved that. We all luckily met through circumstance and when we spoke we were definitely on the same page!

I think we grew up listening to a lot of 3 piece bands so we’ve maybe learned to fill in any gaps, we also have extra elements with synths and backing tracks.

But anomalies is a moving target and if we wanted to do something which meant we had to bring people in to make it happen, then we definitely would do just that.

Your new release, The Ghost Of Her has a full theme built around it, which all seems to knit together pretty spectacularly, especially the artwork that goes along with it. What inspired you guys to plan it out this way, did you not give yourself a ton more work to do on the run up to the release?

Even though we released music before the ghost of her, it was the outcome of what we originally set it to do. Of course we are a band and play music, but we love other things like films and comic books so why not tell a story that way too. We’ll keep pushing to do things a bit different. It really was hard work if I’m honest but we are so lucky to such talented people who all did an amazing job to make it happen. But even though it was hard work we’ll definitely do more.

Let’s get into the name a bit then too, what made you choose that as the band moniker? Was it a random drunken decision, or was there quite a bit of thought and discussion put into it?

The name had to compliment the sound we were going for. I think we wanted it to sound like science fiction, or when you hear the name, you might automatically assume that we are a pretty ambient sounding band!

What inspired you guys to start a band in the first place then? Was it musical inspiration, or something (or someone!) else that made you pick up an instrument?

We all had played in bands previously. It really did all just seem to fall in to place at just the right time. Starting this band was just a natural progression from where we had come from coming out of previous bands, and what we wanted to achieve.

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What’s next for you guys then? Any big plans in the off for the coming year, or anything else the readers should know about?

I think anyone who has seen us play live or has spoken to us about our band can tell we have an unbelievable amount of pride in what we do, and we have a chemistry that in all the years I’ve been involved with bands... I can’t remember seeing in a band before us. We are hoping to do as many gigs as possible to be honest, to play in new places and hope that new people will hear our music.

We’ll also be doing some more recordings soon, and we have an idea for our next project.

The Ghost Of Her is a story about human connections... The next thing will be something that everyone can relate to, and will have more of a science fiction angle to it. We would just like to ask everyone to check out our band, like the Facebook page, keep in touch with us and we also thank everyone who has supported us.

EXTRAORDINARY STUDENTS

JENNIFER PROCTER Student / Vet Nurse / Diver

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t’s Sunday, and like most Sundays – that is when shift patterns permit – the whole house gathers around the dinner table for a roast.

I’m in my pyjamas, fresh off the opening shift in Starbucks so still smelling vaguely of espresso and toasted croque monsieurs. Mum’s a vision of beauty in her pyjamas too, visually unchanged from this hour the night before, and my step-dad’s yawning periodically, tired from getting up to drive me to work at 6am. Between the three of us, we represent the divide between student and adult weekends.

And then there’s a fourth diner: a five-foot ten mass of bronzed skin and golden, mermaid hair sitting beside us with water dripping from her nose. ‘Diving today?’

‘Diving and then I napped,’ she says.

I “hm”. Usual story from Jennifer on a Sunday.

Weekends are often defined as downtime but it just takes short insight into my sister’s life between Friday and Sunday to see that they can be quite the opposite.

Over the course of a 72-hour weekend, this bionic woman of 23-years assumes three vastly different roles. One in a nightclub, one in a veterinary surgery, and one under water. Every other day of the week Jennifer is a registered student at Edinburgh Napier University with a view of being a qualified Vet Nurse in June 2018, and we all know what that means: Monday to Friday placements.

Jennifer, in a way, defies the student connotations of lackadaisicalness. As well as being a qualified PADI Rescue Diver she has amassed several other qualifications, notably Deep Diver Specialty (40 meters), Oxygen Provider Speciality and Nitrox Diver.

Diving is synonymous with holidays – the kind of excursion you blow a great portion of your spending money on just because you’re abroad and the water looks like a great way to cool down. You’d be forgiven for not holding Scotland “up there” in the list of desirable diving locations, but Jennifer assures us otherwise: “Many Scottish divers, myself included, would tell you that Scotland is one of the most beautiful locations in the world to dive – if you can tolerate the poor visibility and the cold.”

Although having visions of breaking international water surfaces one day in the future, her underwater adventures begin in the humble surroundings of Bothwell in North Lanarkshire.

“The lovely people at Blue Hippo, the school that I trained with, gave me all of the materials and support that I needed to begin training,” says Jen, who has been on 80 independent dives around the UK since completing her Open Water certificate in October 2016, including the scuttled WWII German ship wreckages found in Scapa Flow earlier this year.

“First, I had to get my Open Water, then Advanced Open Water qualifications, and I also had to do a course in Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care before attempting my Rescue Diver training. All of these aspects involved detailed diving theory assessments and practical training.”

Jen, who I spent a large portion of my childhood either fighting with or avoiding entirely, is 373 days my senior. Although once referred to as the Procter “twins” by an old friend of my parents, daresay you had the audacity to accuse either one of us of loosely resembling the other to our faces, hell mend you. We

were, are, and always will be the polar opposite of each other.

This was never more apparent than when Jen left the house for her Friday-Saturday job as a hostess in a local nightclub, prior to recently leaving the role.

“I love the variety of roles I adopt both professionally and personally.” Apparently, the best is when a client from the vets – where she works Saturday mornings as a receptionist – sees her in her hostess uniform, adorned in glamour and makeup. “I tend to resemble a spotty, little boy in my other role. This has happened on a few occasions.

Priceless!”

We laugh and joke now but my unsolicited companion was a bit of an enigma to me growing up. We succeeded in always keeping a comfortable distance between ourselves; Jen’s clinical, aqua bedroom was also a world away from my cosy hideaway which remains laden with stationery, musical instruments and alphabetised bookshelves.

Over the years I’ve accumulated an insane level of respect for my sibling and now find admiration where I used to only see boundaries between us.

Harking back to one of the most prolific ventures my sister has embarked on, Scapa Flow, Jennifer notes that exploring the registered war graves was one of the most challenging and “hardcore” dives she has completed.

“Although I was aware of the dangers, I knew I was in good hands,” she says. She describes her encounter with the SMS Markgrf as being 43 meters (that’s 141 feet) below sea level in the “pitch-black dark with nothing but a green glow from the disant surface outlining the massive 10 meter high bow of the warship.”

Deep, dark ocean water would turn many a stomach – admittedly, my own first – but Jennifer says that “there’s no other feeling like it”.

And I believe her. She exudes passion for her hobby. It is evident every time she speaks about it, right down to the personal spreadsheet she maintains of her dive profile purely for her own records.

“I’m lucky that my work as a veterinary nurse is also a huge passion of mine,” she says, and I ask if juggling diving with two part time jobs and university is easy.

To this – after addressing her perpetual tiredness from being active 70+ hours a week – my brilliant, bionic sister simply says: “Nah!”

by Rachael Procter @rrretro___

editor@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk

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READING IS FUNDAMENTAL

BRAVADO, SCOTTEE (OBERON BOOKS)

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27-year-old performer, broadcaster, director and writer from Kentish Town, Scottee Students A5 leaflet GWR

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new addition to TSA’s LGBT+ editorial, Reading Is Fundamental, brings to you the finest new literature queer writers have to offer. We will also take a look back at seminal works that have shaped queer literature throughout the ages; suggestions are always welcome, so get in touch at @jonny_stone_ or @ TSA_Newspaper to keep us in the know.

Get out your library cards.

Bravado, written by Essex-based performer Scottee, is a “lived” memoir exploring working class masculinity; designed as a one-person play, the work is performed by a male volunteer from the audience, reading text from a screen, as volunteering to do so “demonstrates the act of bravado in the room.” Scottee has carved out a successful career for himself as a performance artist and playwright, winning Time Out’s Performer of the Year 2010, the Total Theatre Award for Innovation in 2013, and 2015 saw him make The Independent’s Rainbow List – a curation of the UK’s most influential LGBT+ figures. Including graphic accounts of violence, abuse, assault and sex, Scottee and his volunteer take us on a relentless but crucial journey that explores the tribalism and allure of oppression.

Bravado sees Scottee relive and explore growing up in an aggressive, hyper-masculine, working class environment. Taking his audience from 1991 to 1999, we are exposed to his first fight, his reluctant first sexual encounters, domestic violence and ritual humiliation. Bravado, as Scottee states himself, is not for the faint of heart.

This boldness permeates everything, from the at times guttural language he uses (often quotes of torment) to the entire text itself, and this fearlessness is palpable. In his foreword, Scottee contends that “this is how maleness and misogyny succeed: they live off our fear and off their potential – it’s time to relinquish it.”

There is enough in this play to

resonate with any person affected by the masculinity of misogyny, from “effeminate” cisgender men, butch women, trans men and beyond.

The content warnings are certainly legitimate; Scottee’s writing is so raw and blunt there are moments that will sting for some particularly more so than others. But this internal dialogue about both the toxicity of and primal sexual desire for masculinity – especially on a working-class narrative – is fascinating and universal.

Scottee captures the bravado so ingrained in “Britpop” era Britain perfectly, as seen in the snippets of Oasis and The Verve that play throughout. Foreword contributor Jen Harvie paints a vivid context for the often sentimentalised era, connecting for example the reigning Prime Ministers’ respective displays of emotion to public consciousness, as well as major events (the 1990 World Cup, the death of Princess Diana) that challenged the emotional equilibrium of working class men.

What Bravado succeeds in fully is taking the volunteer, the audience and the reader on a journey that explores both of our victimhood and role in misogyny. We perpetuate the bravado, Scottee suggests, through our reluctant sexual attraction to it. So amidst the angst and vitriol he feels for his father, his peers, and his bullies, remaining a tragic and poignant desire to be accepted. The play’s final lines, following a tirade of hateful stabs at the men who have persecuted and aroused him, read: “I want them to love me,” revealing a tender and shameful admission all too familiar.

For all the boys, regardless of their journey, who were mocked for their lisp and walk, the teenagers persecuted for something they fully don’t understand about themselves, and the men still reticent to walk into a barber’s full of straight men.

by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_ j.stone@tsaglasgow.com

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ST. VINCENT: MASSEDUCTION

ALBUM REVIEW

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t. Vincent has made a remarkable transformation, from indie-darling-best-kept-secret to a successful, celebrated commodity. The musician and singer otherwise known as Annie Clark has certainly carved a niche for herself as pop’s pre-eminent trailblazer, unafraid to break the rules.

She became the first woman since Sinéad O’Connor in 1991 and only the second woman ever to win the Grammy for Best Alternative Album for the album St. Vincent. It’s hard to follow up an album so universally acclaimed and adored. The title track “Masseduction” itself claims “Oh what a bore to be so adored,” perhaps a sneak peak into the decision to make an album just as accessible as its predecessor, giving two fingers to pressure from critics.

The record grapples with everything including sex and gender identity, power, consumerism and celebrity.

Masseduction reads as a breakup album of sorts: as much as it can

when your ex-girlfriend (supermodel and actress Cara Delevingne) lends her vocals on one of your tracks, the addictive “Pills.” Her heartache is palpable throughout the record.

But aside from anything, it is an exhilarating, dangerously so, ride from start to finish. “Sugarboy” is like “I Feel Love” on steroids, and is just one of a heap of tracks with a euphoric, pulsating energy. But the emotions that make up falling in and out of love tinge every song; “Slow Disco” boasts the line: “Slip my hand from your hand, leave you dancin’ with a ghost,” which along with its soft balladry could bring a tear to even the glassiest eye.

Stand out tracks include “Pills,” a break-neck paced ode to the chemical imbalance Clark found herself in.

The song itself feels like a trip, taking the listener from dizzying highs to a grounding come-down. With Princeesque guitar solos and huge dynamics, the song is ironically addictive. “New

York,” the stripped-back ode to love lost provides the perfect antithesis to “Los Ageless” and brings a welcome break in pace, whether she’s singing about a lover or the city itself. “Happy Birthday Johnny,” however, truly stands out; Clark brings back Johnny, the tragic character from St. Vincent, and breaks the fourth wall as we follow the heartbreaking demise of their relationship, whatever it was, however fictional it is.

Clark’s voice stands out hugely throughout the album, with more texture and richness in the lower parts of her voice, especially in “Smoking Section,” while delivering clarity and immediacy in the ballads like “Happy Birthday Johnny” and “Slow Disco.”

This is an exciting development, maintaining a breathy, cool delivery that floats over synths and busy production.

And her guitar skills remain second to none, with her glistening sliding solo adding an otherworldly quality to

“Happy Birthday Johnny” and bringing a dirty sensuality to “Savior.”

The record length may not lend itself perfectly to its overall pace; tracks like “Fear the Future” and “Young Lover,” while great, perhaps get lost in a record with such huge dynamics as this one does, between the blaring, effervescent and the mellow and contemplative.

In short, Annie Clark is a lone wolf in today’s pop landscape. Any comparisons to other artists or influences – perhaps Prince or one-time collaborator David Byrne – feel as tentative as they can for an artist who carves their own sound and identity. A brilliant guitarist, an enigmatic rock star, a compelling lyricist: Clark is the whole package, and Masseduction serves as another stellar record to add to her collection.

by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_ j.stone@tsaglasgow.com

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LGBTI NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Hollywood and the world over have been rocked by the fallout of Harvey Weinstein’s history of sexual assault being revealed, with dozens of women bravely coming forward to share how his abuse has affected their lives and careers. Cara Delevingne, for one, tells a familiar story in which her bisexuality and supposed sexual history were game for Weinstein to jeopardise her safety and career, while we are reminded of the brutal and

unnecessary lengths director Abdellatif Kechiche went to create a lesbian sex scene featuring Lea Seydoux. The dangerous and cruel underbelly of Hollywood has begun to be revealed, which in a heart-warming turn of events has moved women across the world to share their own stories of abuse, creating an important dialogue that gives agency to a worldwide trauma that needs to end.

As we go to print, the Yes campaign for same-sex marriage in Australia is comfortably ahead in the polls, with a survey showing a massive 59 per cent of those who have returned their postal ballots being in favour of legalising gay marriage. Just 38 per cent of the millions of Australians who have voted said they were against. Support for the Yes campaign, however, has resulted

in a spate of unfortunate threats and attacks on those supporting equality.

A gay café owner received a phone call threatening to set fire to his café and murder his dog; a 14 year old Yes supporter received death threats online for sharing positive messages; a mother was threatened for hanging up a rainbow flag.

Donald Trump has become the first sitting US President to address the annual conference of the Family Research Council’s Values Voter Summit, a recognised LGBT+ hate group. This organisation boasts many interesting stances on its website, stating for example that “homosexual conduct is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large, and can never be affirmed. It is by definition unnatural, and as such is associated with negative

physical and psychological health effects.”

His appearance allowed him to assure the audience that measures were in place to protect their religious freedom, that, “We are returning moral clarity to our view of the world,” and that he had kept his promise to appoint a conservative to the Supreme Court, in Neil Gorsuch, the new Supreme Court justice who opposes LGBT equality.

In good news, however, the fight for LGBT+ equality has been strengthened by an unlikely but adorable figure.

Tony the Tiger, the face of Frosties, has become the face of new anti-gay bullying campaign, and I for one am melting with happiness. The Kellogg Company has teamed up with LGBT+ charity GLAAD to stand up to bullying for Spirit Day, which is marked by schools in the US as a day to stand up to LGBTQ bullying. They launched a

video featuring its most iconic mascots – Tony the Tiger, Snap, Crackle & Pop, Julius Pringles (‘Mr. P’), Ernie Keebler, Toucan Sam, and Cornelius (‘Corny’) – who each take a stand against bullying LGBT+ people. Kellogg is certainly doing its bit, receiving criticism for putting Tony on a Pride advert and sponsoring Atlanta Pride’s march in the face of boycotts and complaints. *Obligatory “They’re grrrrrreat!*

Theresa May has spoken out in favour of transgender equality at the Pink News Awards, who aside from pledging to introduce same-sex inclusive education vowed to help streamline the Gender Recognition Act to facilitate easier and more accessible transitioning. May said “We’ve set out plans to reform the Gender Recognition Act, streamlining and de-medicalising the process for changing gender, because being trans

is not an illness and it shouldn’t be treated as such.” However, while it is certainly promising for the UK’s sitting Prime Minister to make such a positive step towards trans equality, we must not overlook that Conservative Party’s £1bn deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) boasts a shocking history when it comes to combating LGBT+-inclusive legislation, using anti-gay rhetoric and actively negating progress for our community.

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AVOID THE WINTER BLUES WITH GLASGOW FRONTRUNNERS

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righteningly, November is here which means that Santa is coming, but not before it’s dark before and after work, your favourite jacket becomes “that coat I used to wear before weather ravaged it”, and you want to curl up into a duvet ball and wait it out until April.

While it may categorically go against every fibre in your body to do so, don’t go into hibernation this winter and throw yourself into running to fight the winter blues. And who better to do so with than Glasgow Frontrunners, an awardwinning community-based road-running group.

Glasgow Frontrunners is an LGBT+ running club guaranteed to motivate you and ensure you make use of your immaculately white running shoes. The best thing about the club – aside from their LGBT+ inclusivity, of course – is that the course is catered towards beginners; if you haven’t run since you were forced to in school or haven’t been since the weather nose-dived last autumn and throughout the summer, this is the ideal environment to get back on your feet and enjoy running again. Yes, believe it or not you can enjoy running.

Using The Arc Sports Complex at Caledonian University as their base, GFR have two regular weekly runs that suit all abilities, whether you are just breaking

your trainers in or thought October’s half marathon was a walk in the park.

There are always jogscotland trained Jog Leaders on hand to lead the groups and guide you individually. So you don’t have to start your running journey alone.

Winter months have the power to affect our mood levels, but running could be a great way to keep fit and avoid this.

Running World contends that exercising for about 35 minutes a day five times a week or for 60 minutes a day three times a week helps to relieve mild to moderate depression. Plus, taking part in a gay-friendly group like Frontrunners is a great way to meet people in the LGBT+ community – especially if you’re new to the scene – while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. What more could you want?

FRG meets inside the foyer of the Arc Gym at Caley Uni, and also meet once a month at Scotstoun Athletics Stadium in the west end for a training session. There are two midweek runs – Tuesday at 7pm and Thursday at 6.30pm – and a Sunday morning session at 10.45. FRG also hosts a number of events throughout the year, like Couch to 5K in January 2018 and the Rainbow Relay Run earlier in the year to celebrate LGBT History Month. If you have not been along before, be sure to check out the new runners checklist on the group’s website.

THE SCOTTISH LGBT HATE CRIME REPORT 2017 HAS BEEN RELEASED

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quality Network has released the comprehensive and informative Scottish LGBTI Hate Crime Report. At 98 pages, the report collates information taken from a diverse pool of respondents to gauge how hate crimes against LGBT+ citizens are experienced, reported and handled in Scotland. In promising news, 109 non-binary people completed the survey, reflecting the increasing number of people identifying as non-binary and engaging with our networks. In the report’s introduction, it states that “The ultimate aim must be to reduce the prevalence of hate crimes, influencing the actions and attitudes of the small minority of people who commit them. The education system, and the disposals used in the justice system, have roles in this.”

The Equality Network has campaigned for laws that specifically deal with sexual orientation, transgender identity and intersex related hate crime. Since the introduction of these laws in 2010, the number of these crimes reported by police to the Procurator Fiscal has risen each year. But most hate crime still goes unreported to police. But what do we necessarily mean by hate crimes, and how do they affect people within the LGBT+ community?

When we discuss hate crimes, we are describing crime that is aggravated by prejudice relating to “actual or perceived aspects of personal identity.” Scots law currently deals with hate crime aggravated by prejudice on grounds of sexual orientation, transgender status, intersex status, disability, race / ethnicity, or religion, or

a combination of these identities. The definition itself is important: when asked about my own experience with hate crime, my perception of it is fuzzy, as I considered it hard to put a name on something, even just a feeling, so engrained in our culture.

This uncertainty is reflected in the survey; the large majority of respondents felt either very sure (55%) or quite sure (42%) that they could recognise a hate crime, with only 3% not at all sure. Perhaps more must be done to educate people, straight and LGBT+, about the technicalities of what qualifies hate crime. In written responses, a gay trans woman explained that she “thought it had to be a physical attack only,” while a bisexual disabled woman “did not know that it included communications (phone and online messages, vandalism and graffiti).”

The survey demonstrates important and compelling statistics; in regards to the prevalence of hate crime, for example, 65% of lesbian respondents had been a target of a hate crime at some point in their lives compared to 66% of gay male respondents had been a target of a hate crime; 53% of bisexual respondents had been a target of a hate crime; 80% of trans respondents had been a target of a hate crime; 77% of the relatively small number of intersex respondents had been a target of a hate crime; 19% of people who experienced hate crime had experienced it at least once in the previous month, and 50% had experienced it in the previous year.

It is important, also, to assess the responses related to reporting hate crime, an act many may struggle to

do; 23% of respondents reported being not at all sure of how to report a hate crime, with 38% very sure.

Worryingly, 71% of people who experienced hate crimes did not report any of the incidents to the police, whereas only 5% reported every incident they experienced.

There are a host of reasons by people feel reluctant to report hate crimes, many of which were recorded officially in the survey. For example, there is the concern that people would not think that the instance of hate crime was not serious enough, believing nothing would be done, hearing of previous, poor experiences of reporting, and fear of the consequences. Of those who did report a hate crime they experienced to the police, 41% were satisfied with the police response and 39% were dissatisfied. Reasons for dissatisfaction included not being taken seriously, receiving an unsympathetic response and or lack of LGBTI awareness from police officers.

This report is essential reading, as it reiterates our need to remain vigilant against hate crime in all its forms and be aware of the challenges facing people within our community every day. Yes, this means keeping your activism intersectional and thinking about how privilege and misogyny harm Scots of every identity, race and ability on a daily basis, at home, at work and on the streets. To quote a gay man questioned in the survey, “There is more scope to ‘hate’ than I realised.”

by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_ j.stone@tsaglasgow.com

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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Dealing with the Inevitable Christmas Exam Stress

The summer holidays have reached a halt and, in usual fashion, it feels as though we have totally skipped August, September and October and are headed straight for November and December. The papers are piling up and the dust is starting to gather on our desks. It almost seems impossible to juggle a social life, job, relationship, hobbies and meet all these never-ending deadlines, so let us give you some tips on the best way to cope with exam stress.

The best way to cope with stress and mounting deadlines is to organise yourself that little bit better and take better care of your body. A few simple changes to your daily routine could have a huge impact on your results in the long run.

PREPARE Before you start studying,

be sure to prepare properly and understand the syllabus. There’s nothing worse than not knowing what it is that you’re going to be studying for the year.

Don’t fret about emailing your lecturer to ask about a topic you don’t understand.

However, always be sure to read your course syllabus as your answer could be laid out on the first page.

HEALTHY DIET It only feels right

to reward yourself with that bag of salt and vinegar crisps after two hours of consolidated study but why not resort to a healthier option, swap the biscuits for some fruit – it doesn’t need to be boring!

Your body is like a machine and if you don’t fuel it, it wont function properly – make sure you have breakfast every day.

Stay hydrated and drink lots of water, the average person should drink around 8 glasses over the course of a day!

SLEEP Be sure to catch your eight

hours of sleep every night. There’s nothing worse than waking up, eyes half shut and heading straight for the exam hall to sit that paper you’ve been stressing over for the past four months.

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movies

Take care of yourself, put the phone down and catch some sleep… If this proves difficult, then the best thing to do is listen to some calming music or have a relaxing hot bath before bed and chill out, you deserve it.

BREAKS It’s so important to take

breaks frequently as your brain can only focus for so long and focusing on one thing for too long can prevent your brain from accurately processing information.

Allow yourself a short break every 45 minutes instead of overloading your brain with facts, figures and information that will definitely not be remembered by the following day.

AVOID COMPARISON Your mate

has started rambling on about how he hasn’t studied and isn’t prepared for the exam… That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare early and be that little bit more organised! Make a realistic timetable.

You don’t have to read that book over and over again, don’t beat yourself up.

Yes, it’s important to keep on top of your work and make sure you complete it all on time but work at your own pace, everyone learns differently.

Find a way to control ‘post exam mortem’, you know that feeling you get when you walk out of an exam?

Quite content with the answers you’ve written then suddenly you hear your friends discussing what they wrote for each question and you wrote the exact opposite. There’s no point in stressing over your answers: you can’t change them. Worrying will only make you stress more. So, just roll with it. No one’s right yet.

EXERCISE Leading a healthier life

can make all the difference during exam time and nothing will de-stress you more than some exercise. This could be by either hitting the gym every second day or choosing to walk or cycle instead of relying on public transport – all of which can make a huge difference to your overall mindset and health.

Walking clears your mind and allows you to take a step back from life’s every day stresses. It could be as simple as getting off at an earlier bus stop and walking a little further than usual to college or university or even work. This kind of exercise is good for your heart and

circulation and it might even help you to get a better night’s sleep. Why not invest in a bike? This could really help to save money that you’d normally spend on transport and improve your overall health. Also, yoga and meditation are excellent for helping you to focus and calm down.

REWARD YOURSELF Why not

plan activities and events for you to look forward to once you’ve finished studying, it will make all that hard work feel worthwhile once you finish. Been dreaming of that trip around Europe?

Book it! It might even motivate you to work that little bit harder.

At the end of the day, always remember that exams aren’t everything. Life happens and you can still be successful without them. Employers don’t always look at your exam scores and exams don’t define you as a person. Think about how far you’ve come already and how much you’ve achieved just try your best!

by Sophie McLean sophiemcleanblog.wordpress.com

Polaroid OneStep2 • Vintage composition • High quality sense (2 ft to infinity) • Built-in flash • Built-in self timer

Instax Mini 9 • Selfie mirror • Close-up lens attachment • High-key mode • Simple operation for instant pictures • Brightness adjustment dial

N

Flash! Wait a second...

ow be careful with it, no fingerprints on it!

There. In your hands you are holding a oneof-a-kind moment that you created with the click of a button, and do you know what makes that so beautiful? You can revisit it from a box in the loft in years to come and know that this memory was created right in the location depicted in the void between this iconic white border. Think of it as being a souvenir.

Instant photography might not be anything new, but our modern-day fascination with it is. The first commercial instant camera was the Land Camera Model 95, invented in 1948 by Edwin Land, the man who founded what would become the instant photography monster Polaroid in 1937.

Fast forward 71 years from its establishment to 2008, and the fate of the Polaroid empire is hanging in the balance: the company declares itself bankrupt, and the prospect of instant photography disappearing amid the rise of digital images becomes startlingly more real than ever.

Alas, from the abyss a lifeline appeares The Impossible Project leases the dying Polaroid company’s factory and buys all of the remaining equipment inside of it, using it to reverse engineer Polaroid’s instant film to then begin selling it. This provides a lifeline to many, many people around the globe still shooting with Polaroid classic cameras who need film.

Having endured two bankruptcies in its lifetime, Polaroid continued to survive by licensing its brand to other digital cameras shortly after learning that its iconic rainbow stripes still held value in the modern photography field. Now producing a number of digital

cameras and with a brand new manual camera in stores now, the highly anticipated OneStep2, this really has been the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

You’d be forgiven for questioning exactly what it is that intrigues people so much about instant photography when creating, editing and sharing images digitally is far more instant, for want of a better phrase.

You might be wondering exactly when this generation – adorned in comeback fashion and shielding vintage Billy Joel vinyl with Fila branded sleeves – will start making its own authentic stamp on the world, rather than constantly looking to its parents for inspiration.

Though, perhaps in this life of moment-to-moment distractions instant pictures are like an anchor in another time when life moved a little slower. They are a rare type of object in this perfectionist era, boasting unadjustable qualities that will not lend themselves to filters or photoshop, and I think that’s rather beautiful.

I’m all for it!

The new Polaroid OneStep2 is an exciting landmark in what has been a journey of survival for the Polaroid brand. Launched on September 13th 2017, the 80th anniversary of Polaroid’s establishment, Polaroid Originals now makes instant film for Polaroid cameras, and refurbishes vintage cameras so they’re good as new.

And now, the new company has created the OneStep 2 – a new, analog instant camera that “invites everyone to take part in the next era of analog instant photography”.

by Rachael Procter @rrretro___

Insta Wide • Same functionality as the mini 9 but with 2.4 x 3.9” images • Automatic Exposure & Programmed Shutter • Built-In Flash & LCD Screen • Film Pack Window and Tripod Socket • Close-Up Lens Adapter Included

Lomo Instant Sanremo + 3 Lenses • 3 Shooting modes to cover every kind of instant • An Ultra-Advanced Lens System: Wide-Angle Lens (built-in), Fisheye Lens Attachment, Portrait Lens Attachment and Close-up Lens • Sh-o-o-o-o-t L-o-o-o-o-o-ng Exposures • Shoot Unlimited Multiple Exposures • Selfie Mirror

editor@thestudentadvertiser.co.uk

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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THE LESSONS THAT JACQUELINE WILSON TAUGHT US: The Author’s 71St Birthday Is On 17 December As Jacqueline Wilson’s 71st birthday approaches, we think it is the perfect time to look at how she has taught so many younger people a lot of major life lessons and, of course, to wish her many happy returns.

Wilson has been a huge part of our childhoods for years. Whether appearing in your school library or on your shelves at home: Wilson was a reliable source of escapism from a young age.

The break-through was with her hit children’s book The Story of Tracy Beaker in 1991. A book that a lot of children and adults thoroughly enjoy, especially after the release of the CBBC TV series of the same name, starring Dani Harmer as the titular character.

Throughout the years there has been slight controversy around the subject issues raised in her books. This is due to the fact her books have a targeted audience of around 8-years-plus, and some parents object to the discussion of such issues as bullying, death, mental illness, adoption, divorce, friendship, heartbreak and much more.

Naturally, all of these can be viewed as very heavy topics to read about particularly throughout childhood, but for some children the reality is simply that: the situations described are happening for them, therefore, Wilson’s stories are there to relate to.

In interviews, Wilson has always taken pride in her realistic writing, and the subjects can be seen as serious, there is

also an educational purpose to them.

There are so many lessons to be learned from Wilson’s books; happy and sad. If there is something going on in a child’s life, and they subsequently pick up a book and relate to a situation happening in it, they will potentially find comfort and a degree of explanation that will help them. Mental illness is often thought of as a taboo subject but when it is handled as quotidian in her books, it is more likely that children will find it easier to reach out and talk about things effecting them.

The Story of Tracy Beaker deals with several delicate subjects, notably the absence of a parent, shining a spotlight on foster children.

Similarly, My Sister Jodie is another popular book written

by Wilson that addresses death.

This could be seen as quite negative or triggering, but realism has to come through at some point.

These books were never meant to be anywhere close to the happy endings we read about in fairy tales.

The Illustrated Mum delves heavily into mental illness, discussing depressive episodes and situations that no child should have to deal with. Wilson did her research so that the audience could get a feel for how the world works for a non-typical family living in it.

Bad Girls discusses bullying – a subject we all wish didn’t exist but sadly does – in almost every environment; especially at school for younger children.

Wilson shows a great connection to her readers, through her writing, and has done for many years.

Fans send hundreds of letters to her all the time hoping for some small response back, having a spot of luck knowing she is an author and could take an interest in what you are telling her. As a challenging yet talented children’s writer, she is one of the best of her generation, and there is constant success for her still.

Wilson’s latest book Hetty Feather’s Christmas is out right now.

Jacqueline Wilson taught us that, sometimes...

CANDYFLOSS You needn’t look any further than your own family to find your best friend. When it comes down to it, being happy is the ultimate goal and perhaps the least glamorous-looking option is actually what you need most.

LIZZIE ZIPMOUTH Taking time to listen and observe makes you the most educated person in a conflict, and speaking out is all about timing.

BEST FRIENDS The bully is the way that they are because of things that have happened to them that have been out of their control: everyone has a redeeming side.

CLIFFHANGER Being in love can be every bit as blinding as it can be euphoric, and we need to be careful when we fall prisoner to its spell.

KISS Who you’ve known, and crushed on, the longest shouldn’t hold you back from what will really make you happy.

Also, pinning all of your excitement on a single moment can lead to disappointment.

by Natalie Mller n.miller@tsaglasgow.com

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lifestyle

GYM LIFE:

Breaking Into a Fitness Routine and Sticking to It! Breaking into a Gym Routine...

It’s reaching that time of year, we’ve started to store away the summer clothes and bring out the baggy jumpers, fluffy hats and woolen scarves. It’s difficult to stick to a fitness regime or even more so break into one especially at this time of year when the sun is non-existent and all we want to do is hibernate in our warm cosy beds until next summer. The best way to start is to take each day as it comes and set yourself realistic goals, ask yourself what is it that you want to achieve from going to the gym? What are the long-term benefits? How can you find a good balance between all your other commitments and the gym?

Sometimes even just the thought of going to the gym, throwing on your gym leggings and hoping that you don’t bump into anyone you know, looking like a big, red, sweaty mess is just enough to stop you in your tracks. The lines of robotic looking gym machines are somewhat intimidating as a newbie and the large numbers of people who appear to all look like they know exactly what they’re doing doesn’t help especially when you feel that your body is inadequate and you feel that you don’t have much confidence in yourself and your abilities. However,

just remember everyone has to start somewhere, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ and that everyone at the gym is there for the same reason- to improve their body.

The toughest part is literally always just the ‘going’ to the gym that’s difficult, once you’re there and in the zone there’s no better feeling than working out and seeing your body improve and change shape for the better. Exercising will not only improve your fitness levels and body shape, it also works as a sort of escapism from life’s every day worries and acts as a huge stress reliever as well as improving your overall confidence. Gyms offer plenty of classes for you to get involved in, most have everything- Yoga, Pilates, Spin, LBT’S and kettlebells.

If you have never set foot in a gym in your life -- don’t stress! The best way to get started is to either watch Youtube fitness videos, download some free fitness apps, follow fitness Instagram accounts or even just get yourself down to your local gym. Your local gym can help you set up a free exercise plan using the gym equipment. This is offered by most gyms and can help you if you really need a little bit of advice!

One step at a

time

It’s never too late to start, it’s just about finding the time and motivation around life. If you’re really struggling to find the motivation to reach your fitness goals then maybe you should consider the help of a Personal Trainer who will push you and make you work that little bit harder to reach your goals. You can use the help of a Personal Trainer for the first few months as you ease into a gym routine but once you have a solid structured plan advised by an expert you can try to keep it going by yourself.

commitments and the gym. Take baby steps at first and once you feel confident mix it up and challenge yourself more until you meet your goals. Remember to always consider that perhaps one day you might not be able to work out but don’t let this stop you from leading a healthy and active lifestyle.

by Sophie McLean sophiemcleanblog.wordpress.com

Never beat yourself up for not always sticking to a routine, life happens and sometimes you just can’t control that you have to work a bit later or have other commitments to attend to. Just make sure that you get back on track once life calms down again and you can find time. Exercise could be anything from walking to work instead of taking the bus or even investing in a bike to get from A to B, it doesnt have to be solid exhausting gym sessions. A productive gym session could be as long as a couple hours, or or even just forty minutes; whichever works best for you and your body.

Stick to a realistic schedule, find a good balance between other N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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WINTER BOOTS T

he “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” is once again upon us at long last (sending an appreciative nod to John Keats for articulating exactly how we feel about it. Thanks, pal.) Burnt orange and barely crimson tones of withering foilage will, no doubt, be etching into every inch of your peripheral vision by now, and we bet the mere thought of spiced lattes is sending cosy vibrations down your spine. The summer children among us will be

OFFICE

recovering from their festival-fuelled holidays, seeking refuge in oversized knits to soften the chilly blow of this culture shock; we must be kind to them.

Part of the fun in being what is socially defined as “hipster” is that this identity goes hand-in-hand with a need to feel excited at the prospect of cosiness and shamelessly feeding this obsession with dreams of warmth amid cold days – bringing us to this article.

DR MARTENS

ASTEROID LACE-UP BUCKLE BOOTS IN BLACK, £85

TIMBERLAND

6-INCH PREMIUM BOOT IN RUST, £175

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lifestyle

The fundamental staple of the autumnal dream is the footwear in which we will float from coffee shop to bookshop to botanical garden and then home again to the fireplace. You want a pair of boots that is practical and waterproof that, above all, scream, ‘I am cosy, and I am damn happy about it’. Allow TSA to take your homemade-mitten-hand and help you make this choice.

UGG

1460 ANALINE IN OAK, £130

CONVERSE

ALL STAR WATERPROOF NUBUCK IN RAW SUGAR/EGRET/GUM, £95

WILCOX MID BOOTS IN BLACK LEATHER, £98

VANS

SHARPA SK8-HI REISSUE LITE SHOES £85

C u l t u r e d Yo u t h From sonic nights and guitar weekends to drama, dance, opera and film … get unlimited access to one of Scotland’s busiest arts venues for just £5.

Under 26? The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Tickets26 initiative makes your fiver go further by giving you the best available seat and free entry to all masterclasses and competitions.

There are more than 500 performances each year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, which is one of the world’s top three performing arts education institutions.

The autumn season is under way and highlights include Big Guitar Weekend in November with prize-winning Chilean musician José Antonio Escobar andFinnish-Scottish Connections, a double bill with Ian Watt and Finland’s Otto Tolonen.

There are bite-sized, hour-long lunchtime concerts, Mondays at One and Fridays at One, which focus on a different department, instrument or guest artist each week. Sonic Nights I in December showcases electroacoustic works from students studying Sonic Arts, performed on a multichannel surround sound system.

The season comes to a close in a festive fashion in December with the adventurous, exhilarating and imaginative world of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, adapted for stage

by Stuart Paterson. The ever-popular Christmas at the Conservatoire sparkles with swing and contemporary classics.

Musical theatre, drama and opera productions will also be staged between now and December.

Visit www.rcs.ac.uk/boxoffice for information on how to join Tickets26 and to view the full what’s on guide.

Your Social Media Well-Being It’s a Saturday night. You’re all ready for that long anticipated night out, had your pre-drinks and it’s finally time to have that pre-night photoshoot that takes place in front of your fireplace. You wait for ‘peak time’, drop a filter, fix the saturation and click ‘share’ for all your followers on Instagram to see...

It all seems harmless but what effect is this truly having on peoples’ self esteem? For some, not reaching a certain number of ‘likes’ can have a detrimental impact on their mental health as they continually refresh their feed expecting to see more forms of validation from their peers.

In an interview with Professor Chris Williams, Mental Health and Well-being Psychiatrist and President-elect of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies said: “One of the things of being human we are good at is reading cues and judgement so it matters how people view and judge us. Social media is part of peoples’ lives which could be neutral. A lot depends on how people privatise it.

It varies on the individual and how they choose to share their life, but it can also make people socially anxious, become high priority and the danger lies where people judge their own worth.”

Social Media can have a complete counter effect and go as far as distracting how some people live their every lives. Feeling the need to post to make themselves feel a little better, more attractive, popular, or liked by “friends” that they, perhaps, don’t even see in real life.

Body dysmorphia is which causes people themselves and distressed by their

a mental health disorder, a form of anxiety, to have a warped view of how they regard this can result in many becoming overly appearance.

The pressures of trying to keep up with trends, presented by various media outlets, can be overwhelming and often images on social media are unrepresentative of normal bodies and day-to-day lives.

Mental health problems affect 1 in 10 children and young people. This includes depression, anxiety, and conduct disorder which are all often a direct response to what is happening in every day life. Good mental health will allow young people to develop on a way that helps them to deal with situations and make healthy decisions as adults. Most children grow up healthy but according to the Mental Health Foundation, more and more are experiencing problems due to changes in their childhood development. It could be argued that this is a result of the high usage of cellular devices among young people now who tend to stay inside.

The advantages of having a digital citizenship is that it can bring people with common interests together and allows many to express themselves in a healthy way.

However, social networking sites have no way to verify that people really are who they claim to be and often peoples’ true identities are masked by their Instagram and Facebook profile. It’s important to familiarise yourself with how social media works and the impacts it can have on people mentally and physically if misused. People must realise that users only post photos and comments that they want others to see.

It’s important to ensure that adults and teenagers alive familiarise themselves with social meida to educate themselves on its constructive uses, and limit their usage if it really affects their well-being.

by Sophie McLean sophiemcleanblog.wordpress.com

N o v e m b e r 1 7 | We A r e T S A . c o . u k

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