Quench
The Fabulous Issue Features · LGBT+ · Fashion & Beauty Travel · Culture · Music · Interviews Film · Video Games · Food & Drink
Issue 133 · February 25th 2013
Contents.
issue 133 · 25th February 2013
5
22 27
31
14
34
Features
14 · LGTB: A STORY FROM GHANA
20 · STREET STYLE Charlie Mock
Experiences in West Africa for an LGBT+ traveller.
AND MANDARINS Johannes Laubmeier explores the past and present of Chinese New Year. 7 · SEXUALITY: IS IT THAT STRAIGHT FORWARD? explores the often blurred lines between heterosexuality and homosexuality.
14 · NORWAY? YES WAY.
provides this fortnight’s Bargain Buy and presents some fashion looks we love from the streets of Cardiff.
5 . OF MONSTERS
ON THE COVER LGBT+
8 · THIS IS YOUR LIFE... A timeline of LGBT+ events throughout history.
Columnist
12 · ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? Rachel Moloney talks BAFTAs.
Travel
13 · VOLUNTOURISM Combining volunteering and travel can be a noble adventure but can giving actually cause more harm than good?
Travel Photographer Maya Acharya captures the quirky character of the Kingdom of Norway.
Music
Culture
Rosey Brown explores how LGBT+ culture is affected by music. 22 · REVIEWS New releases from FIDLAR, Richard
15 · LITERARY LEGACY
Following the anniversary of her novel The Bell Jar and her tragic suicide, Laura Carter
16 · QUEER THEATRE
Jess Rayner looks back at the roots of the genre of Queer Theatre, highlighting those writers that made LGBT+ theatre what it is today.
Fashion & Beauty 17 · FORWARD THINKING
FASHION Jordan Brewer looks at homosexuality in the fashion industry. 18 · CUP OF DAISIES Our photoshoot features a Welsh-based fashion label whose scarves raise funds for several charities.
21 · SOUNDS QUEER
and Trichotomy.
23 · LIVE REVIEWS Two Door Cinema Club, Funeral for a Friend and The Joy Formidable.
Film
27 · A FILM FOR EVERYONE? Corresponding with national LGBT+ awareness month and the passing of the gay marriage vote, Leanne Dixon looks at the 28 · PROFILE: After winning the Rising Leanne Dixon looks at the rise of Juno Temple. 29 · REVIEWS This Is 40, A Good Day To Die Hard, and Hitchcock.
Video Games
30 · PERSONA 4 GOLDEN reviews.
Interviews
31 · DEAD SPACE 3 Nick Evans reviews the latest game from EA.
24 · DUTCH UNCLES
Xpress Radio’s Ed & Owen meet the hotlytipped band ahead of their show at The
26 · DJANGO DJANGO
32 · LGBT+ HISTORY MONTH
Lauren Boyd looks at progressive portrayals of the LGBT community in video games.
Food & Drink
into their tour bus to catch up with Tommy and Dave before they headlined the NME Awards Tour.
34 · FREE FOR ALL Charlie Mock
and Laurence Astill give insight into the controversial world of skipping.
quench@gairrhydd.com ·@quenchmag
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Editorial
Quench Editors: Laura Evans & Jo Southerd Creative Director: Luke Slade Features: Helen Cameron, Johannes Laubmeier, Rebecca Newby & Charlotte Wace Columnist: Rachel Moloney Fashion & Beauty: Sophie Chamberlain, Vicky Gadsden, Jacqueline Kilikita & Olivia Reidy Travel: Heather Arnold LGBT+: Thomas Leeming & Erin Ekins Culture: Jess Rayner Music: Rosey Brown, Kit Denison & Stephen Springate
a word from
Laura
Valentine’s Day has now left us, much to the relief of many, but what some of you may not know is that there’s another annual celebration which takes place each February, LGBT History Month. Taken partly from the idea of America’s celebration of Black and celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. It celebrates the progress of LGBT throughout the years, not only in our country but also worldwide. It highlights the importance of what has been done in relation to gay rights and other related civil rights movements but perhaps more importantly, it evaluates what still needs to be achieved and what the future looks like for LGBT members. LGBT History Month appreciates how much LGBT has risen in terms of equality and acceptance so far, not just in the law but its place within our society as one of our LGBT+ editors explained, ‘you So this fortnight, Quench brings you ‘The Fabulous Issue’. Many sections have embraced the theme of LGBT History Month, and our LGBT+ editors Tom and Erin have created their very own LGBT History Month timeline, taking you on a journey from the beginning of time right up to recent events such as the latest pass of the gay marriage law. Elsewhere, Film takes a look at how homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender are shown on-screen, whilst Music explores how LGBT is perceived within different genres of the music industry. Fashion takes a glance at the work of designers who are LGBT and Travel provides a student’s interesting experience of visiting a country where LGBT is considered a taboo. Enjoy reading and Quench will be back after Elections Week when we shall know our new Head of Student Media. Exciting stuff!
Film: Becky Johnson, Amy Pay & Becky Wilson Videogames: Michael O’Connell-Davidson Food & Drink: Photography Team: Nandra Galang Anissa George Fielding Katarzyna Lewandowska Sher Min Tan Bethan Phillips Oliver Richards Óliviá Walthö Ally Warren Proofreading: Annabelle Frank Anne Parker Ben Curwer Beth Gregory Jacob Campion Matthew Jones Menna Jones Olivia Rendall Sarah Jones Sum Sze Tam
Enjoy.
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Cover Photo: George Fielding
OF MONSTERS AND MANDARINS Johannes Laubmeier
Photos: Nour Kasem, Photo Phiend
O
n the 9th of February, Chinese pop songs loudly echoed through the Graduate Centre of Cardiff’s Student Union. The tables were filled with traditional Chinese sweets. On a big screen two people were presenting a show that would have looked a lot like the Eurovision Song Contest if it wasn’t for the letters ‘CCTV’ in the upper left-hand corner: the name of China’s national television channel. In less than an hour it would be the New Year. It was three o’clock in the afternoon (11pm in Beijing time). The newly founded Sino-Cardiff Student Society had kindly invited me to celebrate Chinese New Year with them: the most important festival of the Chinese calendar and beginning of the weeklong lasting Spring Festival. Only rivaled by Christmas in the Western calendar, the festival is celebrated yearly in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines, and also in Chinatowns all over the world. With a growing number of Chinese students in Cardiff, it has also gathered some importance within the university community. Writing about it seemed to be the right thing to do. However, while I was sitting in the Graduate centre I realised that writing about it could be more difficult than I had first thought. Although I had a general understanding of what was going on, I had no idea about the finer points of this special event. And so I sat in the back of the room munching on sour sweets that only I seemed to like and tried to keep up. More than 70 students seemed to be engrossed in some kind of ‘song-guessing’ game. In Chinese. A girl in a traditional red Chinese dress seemed to be the host and kept commenting on the events happening on screen. In Chinese. On the screen itself, the presenters entertained the audience. (At least that’s what it looked like because the audience was laughing) In Chinese. I realised that if I was to properly get to the heart of this matter, I would have to do some serious reading.
While I was sitting in the back of the Graduate centre, the date on the screen was pretty much the only thing I was able to read. In golden letters on red background the number 2013 was surrounded by words in Chinese characters. ‘At least there is some similarity between the Chinese and the Western New Year’, I thought. I was wrong. Partly at least. Even though the Western calendar is now used in China on a day-to-day basis and thus most people would talk about this year as the year 2013, Chinese and Western calendar are not the same. First, as some of my more astute readers may have spotted earlier, from a Western perspective, the 10th February seems like an odd choice to make for the start of a new year. More than that, the date constantly changes. In 2012, it was the 23rd January and in 2014 it will be on the 1st February. This is because unlike the Western calendar, which is a solar calendar ordered by the revolution of the earth around the sun, the Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The date of New Year’s Day begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. But there is a bigger difference. While in the Gregorian calendar, someone at some point in history decided that the birth of Jesus Christ was the point from which all time should be counted until infinity or until a meteorite collides with the earth, the Chinese calendar is arranged in cycles. Of those cycles, the twelve year cycle is probably the most well known one in the West, for it is connected to the Chinese zodiac system. Every year is associated with an animal. 2013, or rather the Chinese year lasting from the 10th of January until the 30th of January is Guisi-year, the year of the snake, while the year before that is the year of the dragon. The longest cycle is called jiazi which is often figuratively translated to ‘a full lifespan’. It lasts 60 years. Beyond this count of sixty years, said Raymond Zi, a friend of mine and the owner of a Chinese restaurant in Cardiff, there is no way of counting time in the traditional Chinese calendar system. A painting signed at a certain date
features@gairrhydd.com · @qfeatures
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could therefore be either freshly painted or 60, 120, or 180 years… and so on. You get the picture. Therefore, there is no sure way of tracing back to the first Chinese New Year celebration. But there are myths. Like other joyous festivals – did anyone say Bonfire Night? – the tradition of Chinese New Year arose out of something rather unpleasant. Thousands of years ago, or so myth has it, Nian, a monster that lives under the mountains, came out to terrorise the people of ancient China every year. It destroyed their houses and devoured them to satisfy its insatiable hunger for destruction and, well, people. The ancient Chinese, who quite understandably did not really enjoy being eaten, tried to stop Nian. Many warriors tried to kill it and failed. Finally, a wise man had an idea. He found out that Nian was afraid of loud noises and bright colours (red in particular). The people of China started to paint their houses red whenever they expected the monster to come; they burnt firecrackers, hit drums, and made sure that it was as unpleasant as possible for the monster. Their plan worked and Nian was scared away. The day was henceforth called ‘Guo-Nian’ which roughly translates into English as ‘the passing of the beast’. These activities became tradition and were kept alive through centuries in order make sure that the monster never returned. In time, the word ‘Nian’ came to mean “year” rather than “vile mythical beast”. And so today ‘Guo Nian’ simply means ‘Celebrate the (New) Year’. Some thousand years later, when I was celebrating my first Chinese New Year, the students failed to tell me about the monster. I was told the story by my Chinese friend who was eager to emphasise that it is nothing more than myth and that no one actually believes in it today. Nian seems to have a similar reputation to Santa Clause, except that he has a few more teeth. Like Christmas, the celebration of New Year brings along a whole bunch of traditions; and like Christmas, as both students of the Chinese society and my friend explained to me, Chinese New Year is all about giving. During the Spring Festival, my friend the restaurant owner gave everyone of his guests a mandarin at the end of their meal. In Chinese, he told me, the word for mandarin sounds the same as the word for ‘lucky’. Therefore, people who visited a house would bring the present of a mandarin and so wish those dwelling in the house ‘good luck’. The presents do not stay so symbolic. During the spring festival Angpau, little red envelopes are handed out as presents, often from elders to children. In the envelopes there is money.
However, all of this giving serves a higher cause. The spring festival following New Year’s Day, which in China is a week-long national holiday, is first and foremost a time to visit friends and family. On New Years Eve, Zi closed his restaurant to have a dinner with family and close friends, and the first thing he did in the morning of the next day was to visit his father. The loud and colourful nature of the festival (which might or might not have developed from monster) remains an important part of it. My friend Zi transformed his restaurant into a world of red and gold. In China, he told me, whole cities look like this. Then there are the firecrackers. In Beijing, to counteract pollution, the government has asked citizens not to buy fireworks this year. The stalls selling them sold out anyway and people everywhere flock to the streets to watch the traditional parades. On New Year’s Eve I could not see any of this excitement on the streets of Cardiff. Sandy Chun Li, the host of the party in the Graduate Centre, who is currently studying for an MA in International PR, told me at great lengths about the celebratory customs in her Province in Southern China. When I asked her if she had planned anything for this year, her first year abroad during the Spring Festival, she answered: “I am going to revise. The deadlines are getting pretty close.” Chinese New Year, I thought, is cout of time over here. There were ten minutes to go. Colin Zhao, a PhD student of Computer Science and the founder of the Sino-Cardiff Society, told me that he had already celebrated one Chinese New Year festival in Cardiff away from his family. I asked him whether he was sad about being away from home, he told me: “New Year is the time that you want to spend with your family.” But how is that possible, I asked him, when you are not at home? “When I am abroad every Chinese person is my family”, he answered. Lukas Chen Zhouquan, an MA student in Strategic Marketing and originally from Wuhan in Central China, told me he would be meeting his friends in London for a trip to the National Gallery on New Year’s Day. “It is about those closest to you”, he said. He then went back to his friends in the table next to us to count down the New Year. Led by the presenters on the screen, 5200 miles away, we counted down the last 10 seconds of the year of the dragon: 10… A Chinese popstar bursts onto the stage. Some people in the Grad Centre sing along…9…8…7… Somebody cracks open the last box of Chinese sweets…6...5…4… Sudden outcry among the students…3…2…1… There is a huge crowd on the screen; laughter and hugs in the room. On a TV screen at the back of the room Scotland very quietly destroys Italy in the Six Nations game. Nobody but the barman is interested in the Graduate Centre at this very moment in time. There are more important things to celebrate. Happy year of the snake everyone. Don’t let Nian get you.
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SEXUALITY
IS IT THAT STRAIGHT FORWARD? K
urt Cobain once sang: ‘everyone is gay’. Although he probably didn’t mean this in the literal sense, I think that he was onto something. In the centre of Amsterdam two years ago, I approached a stool adorned with an overload of pink ribbons and all the colours of the rainbow. Besides offering free pens and t-shirts, the team behind this ‘girly’ display were trying to promote an important message. This stall was one of many to cover the streets of the city in the 2011 Gay Pride Parade. Perhaps they were trying to contradict the ‘butch’ lesbian stereotype. However, when I asked if I could have a free pen, I was refused simply because I was not a lesbian. Being the stubborn person I am, I argued that this defeated the object of sexual equality. However, I forgave them for their prejudice and settled for a free my support. I am of the thinking that the line between straight, bi-sexual and lesbian is rather blurred in 21st century. Without sounding as though I am questioning the legitimacy of gay and straight identities, I don’t think it is always that straightforward. If Adam and Eve were the archetypal heterosexual male and female, even Eve decided that she wanted a bite of the forbidden fruit. It is fair to assume that a large number of men have fantasised about having a threesome. After all, the one man, two women scenario is what every woman’s magazine leads us to believe is at the pinnacle of male desire. They say that if a man has a pulse then you can pretty much guarantee that they want a threesome. But is it fair to say that this is also the fantasy of many women as well? The idea that the women might enjoy each other more than the man is no longer a ridiculous one. At the other end of the spectrum, men have become more open in their displays of affection towards each other. The stereotype of the hardnut homophobic male kind of disintegrated when overtly heterosexual men started wearing skinny jeans and tight V-neck cleavage. In our generation of ‘anything goes’, sexual orientation is not as clear-cut as it was once perceived to be. Numerous dating websites encourage and facilitate samesex relationships and concentrate on matching people based on their personalities. Indeed, in our climate of sexual freedom, the internet is important in several ways. My housemate was surprised to learn that girls watch porn. Then again, he also thinks that every girl with a short haircut is a lesbian. This oldfashioned and frankly sexist view is (thankfully) now limited to the minds of a few rather than the opinion of the majority. Ask anyone, male or female: ‘who accesses online porn the most?’ The answer will most probably be ‘men, of course’. However, according to 2008 Internet Pornography Statistics, women
represent 30% of online pornography consumers. I am sure that this number has grown since then. Regardless of a woman’s sexual orientation, there are a lot of woman watching porn for sexual arousal. This online world offers both sexes options that they may not have considered before. We are a generation that have grown up surrounded by an stream, or which type of beans to buy at the shop, the options are endless. We all have our favourites but, every once in a while, we want to try something new and consumerism encourages us to do so. With the opportunity to indulge our pleasures however our once sordid sexual desires without any consequences or judgment. Katy Perry encouraged us to kiss a girl and like it and if you even had the smallest urge to do so, then why not? Sexual experimentation is no longer frowned upon; it is celebrated. Lena Duhman’s Golden Globe winning TV series ‘Girls’ (pictured above) has been heralded as an accurate depiction of the twenty-somethings of today. If this is so, then I rest my case. for the enjoyment of Thomas-John (our very own ‘IT Crowd’s’ Chris O’Dowd). In this scene, it is obvious that the two women enjoyed the encounter just as much as the male. Similarly, Series two sees the stereotypically gay character Elijah sleep with Marnie, despite stating that he is gay and not bisexual. Although it is set in downtown New York, the premise of the show is an environment of economic crisis and employment worries. The characters’ relationship statuses and aspirations are ambiguous are less sure of ourselves than ever before. Experimentation is a part of regaining control and learning more about ourselves. It is traditional heterosexual relationship. So what does this mean for the ‘straight’ category? In 2010, that 1 in 100 people said they were gay or a lesbian and 1 in 200 said they were bisexual. If they had asked those that considered themselves straight whether they ever fantasised about the same sex, I think that the results would have led to a whole other story. Bisexuality as a sexual orientation hasn’t held as much Post’s Daniel Warner wrote: ‘When people described themselves as being bisexual I automatically assumed they were gay (if male), trying to make themselves more interesting (if female) or desperate to broaden their appeal and fan base (if famous)’. Surely most of us have considered or at least thought about same-
sex encounters. If you haven’t, then you have obviously missed Beyoncé’s Superbowl performance or the new David Beckham H&M advert. When Lindsay Lohan began a relationship with Samantha Ronson a couple of years ago, it looked like a massive publicity stunt. However, although Lohan is not one to shy away from the limelight, this relationship looked fairly legitimate and lasted for quite a long time. Whilst she had relationship with males before and after, Samantha seems to be the only woman that she has had a relationship with. Is it therefore the person, rather than the sex that attracts us to someone? Lindsay said: ‘I appreciate people, and it doesn’t matter who they are, and I feel blessed to be able to feel comfortable enough with myself that I can say that.’ Amber Heard, Jessie J, Megan Fox and Drew Barrymore relationships. They are also examples of women who are seen as independent and sexy. Since the 1990’s Girl Power and thirdwave feminist movements, women have become more sexually outspoken in the public sphere. That women have become more powerful seems to be admired by men and women alike. Barrymore said ‘I think a woman and a woman together are beautiful, just as a man and a woman together are beautiful.’ She is one of many who have never put a label on her sexuality. In 1995, Billie Joe Armstrong of Greenday said: ‘I think everybody kind of fantasizes about the same sex. I think people are born bisexual, and it’s just that our parents and society kind of veer us off into this feeling of “Oh, I can’t”. They say its taboo. It’s ingrained in our heads that it’s bad, when it’s not bad at all. It’s a very beautiful thing.’ I agree with his suggestion that everyone is born bisexual. However, bisexual is no longer the taboo that it was in 1995. The fact that the media have slowly become bored of the ‘controversial’ subject over the last couple of years is an indication of a more liberal cultural outlook on sexuality. Two men kissing is no longer the shocking image that it would have been 20 years ago. Of course, when a celebrity mentions anything to do with their sex life, the media goes wild and coverage is extensive, but that is true whether they are ‘straight’, ‘gay’ or ‘bisexual’. Same-sex encounters have become naturalised in our culture. People are no longer surprised by them and perhaps even expect them. Admittedly, there is a big difference between drunkenly kissing your mate and actually having a sexual experience with someone you are attracted to. Nevertheless, as gay marriage bills are being passed worldwide and the idea of being gay, lesbian or bisexual is no longer controversial, we are free to engage in our sexual fantasies and desires like never before.
features@gairrhydd.com · @qfeatures
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LGBT+ this is your life... Up to 1850 9660 to 5000 BCE: Rock art found in Sicily is depicted to show homosexual intercourse.
6th Century AD: Justinian’s Code tried to outlaw homosexuality in the Byzantine Empire. This was resisted by the public and the Christian population.
7th/6th Century BCE: Greek poet Sappho, born on the Island of Lesbos, wrote passionate love poems for both men and women. This is where we get the words “sapphic” and “lesbian” to refer to female homosexuality.
1st Century BCE: Gay relationships are accepted and legal in the Roman Empire. Emperor Nero married two men in his the walls of Pompeii.
25th/24th Century BCE: Khnumhotep and Niankhknum were two royal servants in Egypt, buried recorded homosexual relationship.
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lgbt@gairrhydd.com
Ralph, Archbishop of Tours, persuades the King of France to install his lover, John, as Bishop of Orleans. Pope Urban II (above), when alerted of this, did not see it as a problem. They ruled effectively for many years.
1533: Henry VIII begins the English common law
LGBT+
non-procreative sexual activity: masturbation, anal or oral sex.
1785: Jeremy Bentham became one of the of sodomy in England. 1102: The Council of London took measures to ensure the public, which was quite tolerant of homosexuality at the time, knew that it was sinful. This marked a may have been sparked by the high number of priests in homosexual relations, which led to “moral reformers�, such as Bernard of Cluny (above), calling for change.
12501600: Male homosexual activity passed from being legal and acceptable in most of Europe to incurring the death penalty in all but a few.
1727: When Charles Hitchin was put in the pillory for attempted sodomy, several of his friends from the molly houses (queer meeting places) tried to protook place. This is the earliest recorded act of LGBT+ resistance.
1836: The last known execution for homosexuality in Great Britain. lgbt@gairrhydd.com
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LGBT+ this is your life...
sentences.
1851-today -
1928: The Well
-
-
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LGBT+
2013: The
1969:
1992: The World Health Organistion illness since 1977.
lgbt@gairrhydd.com
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Columnist
Are you not entertained?
It’s all about who you know: not what you know. For those of us who don’t have friends in high places, it’s very irritating when someone ends up top of the class for no good reason. So imagine how annoyed some people were when casting was announced for Disney’s . It’s easy to see why Angelina Jolie was offered the title role because she’s dark-haired, sultry and already despised by all the Jennifer Aniston lovers out there. However, directors seemingly hit a dead-end as they pondered who would play the young Princess Aurora and latched onto
obsessed with the stars’ on-and off-stage antics as well as their rather dubious dress sense. Trying to brighten up an otherwise dull and sodden BAFTA red carpet, Dame Helen Mirren added a splash of colour to the event with a new dusky pink hairstyle. I’d imagine that that’s quite a bizarre request for a 68 year-old, but if she felt like a change, then how many hairdressers are going to say no? You can’t refuse someone who played the Queen. As she paraded her new-do in front of the world’s press, Helen showed that you don’t have to grow old gracefully and that there’s still time to act
Vivienne Jolie-Pitt. She’ll do. Although Angelina’s daughter will have only a few moments of glory before Aurora grows up into actress Elle Fanning, Vivienne will nevertheless receive a ridiculous pay-cheque for her efforts, which is reportedly around £2000 a week. Two-grand?! Think how many cuddly toys you could buy with that. Also starring in (though probably not spending her wages on children’s toys) is Juno Temple who won the EE Rising Star Award at this year’s BAFTAs. Having starred in , and , Temple is clearly blessed with a clever agent as well as a brilliant name and celebrated the win with her co-star Anne Hathaway. In the absence of Kate Winslet, Hathaway took it upon to herself to deliver the weepiest and most tedious speech of the night and rose to
have shown a bit more aesthetic awareness; pink hair on a red carpet just doesn’t go. Yet perhaps colour clashes are in after all. In another awards show, Adele moved away from her trusted yet boring black hues and wore a striking red and pink Valentino dress for Best Pop Solo Performance (Set Fire to the Rain) and joined fellow Brits Mumford & Sons as they celebrated their win for Best Album. However, reporters also noticed that Adele’s celebratory mood was not felt in the direction of Chris Brown, as pictures seemed to show her telling him off like a naughty school boy. It would seem that the man just seems to attract trouble, as he’s previously been accused of assault by Rihanna and has
possibly think of and appearing overly shocked for someone who’s won every other award going, Hathaway bored audiences with both her words and her dress. Why do the women insist on wearing black to the BAFTAs? It’s so boring. As well as Hathaway’s win, Les Misérables sung its way to four awards over the course of the night proving that a lot of us have clearly enjoyed ‘hearing the people sing.’ However, was Eddie Redmayne. Years ago my friend confessed her love for this freckly faced British star and I had to admit that I didn’t see anything in him. What was wrong with me? As I watched the stars parade their way down the red carpet, I was oohing and aahing like a giddy little school girl who really needs to get out more. But then he mysteriously disappeared and I was gutted. Whilst I anticipated his next appearance on my TV screen, Eddie was backstage suffering from a horrible bout of food poisoning. Which is a terrible waste really, as it took him ages to pick out that tux. As awards season gets into full swing, the media becomes
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Why do the women insist on wearing black to the BAFTAs? It’s so boring
win for Best Urban Contemporary Album, Brown blatantly stayed in his seat and allegedly got into trouble with Adele for refusing to move. Seeing as though his reaction was in full view of some of the biggest stars in the business and a further 28 million TV viewers, Chris Brown could have chosen a better moment to get super-glued to his chair. Whether it’s the truth or a lie, Adele later revealed that ‘Chris Brown and I were complimenting each other in that photo actually!’- implying that the media had once again jumped the gun. That’s the problem with award shows, as so many stars are placed together in one room that it becomes impossible for them to escape the notice of every single camera and microphone known to man. So for celebrities wary of being judged by the good old public, I have some advice. Avoid confrontation, do not bore us with your speech and thank the person that gave you your big break. It was £2000 well spent.
Travel
LGBT+
a story from Ghana
VOLUNTOURISM the Perks... ‘Volunteer Tourism’ appears to be a win–win situation. It time allowing the people involved an insight into the world of ‘the other’ by combining the two worlds of travel and volunteering. My reasons for spending six months volunteering abroad were simply what I could do for Africa (albeit a very small contribution) and what Africa could do for me. Volunteering during the week and teaching kids basic
addressing the hangover from the night before – either that or they just simply didn’t fancy teaching today. Volunteers will be surprised how far their basic schooling knowledge in let’s say GCSE science will go. I sensed that giving a more
you can get from seeing the people you work with develop
brave to suggest that my western styles of ‘proper’ teaching could rub off onto the fellow teachers for years to come (e.g. providing positive encouragement as opposed to treatment
showed to me that she was not prepared to let her sexuality constrain her from achieving the unique we were both after. Could it be that facing her fears of poten-
surprisingly seemed to scar children into even attempting a future answer). The passing on of such cultural tools could be reinforced over and over again through the increasing numbers of volunteers placing themselves in such settings. By mixing travel and volunteering I was able not only to contribute just a little to the community I was living in but and often misrepresented culture.
much needed breath of fresh air into their limited schooling experience of the third world child. Walking into a supposed lesson was often shocking. In these cases all I would see was the kids playing or chatting whilst the teacher was
Arthur Russell
hold back parts of her personality. Her de-
ing straight into the deep end before learning to properly swim actually brought about conidentity? She told me that ‘in a weird sort of way I now feel stronger from the experience Ghana gave me.’ Travelling helped her realise her strengths and ‘showed others as well as myself that I compassionate human regardless of my sexual orientation’. My friend also spoke of how
...THE PROBLEMS potential problems of this phenomenon. What bothers me most about voluntourism is the fact that
act and who to tell.
riences in their life.
you can only truly appreciate through direct experience.
it presents us with a different reality and could help us understand the gap between the rich and poor evident in several developing countries. While the idea of voluntourism
The taboo of homosexuality is a part of life that is slowly disappearing from British society; however the same cannot be said of many different countries around the world. Travelling as an LGBT+ can bring up some
sprouted more engagement from the children with the topic. The importance of cultural exchange is embodied by how these young kid’s interaction with different learning styles can be a catalyst for them realising the importance a good
that lessen the integrity of such a venture. It served to
is a very useful asset to many potential careers involving
Though Ghana is a country with a lot to offer it is one of many nations in which ‘same-sex acts’ are illegal. Arthur Russell discusses what it was like for his friend to be gay and in Ghana.
What’s even worse is that the volunteering activity itself goes unsupervised and volunteers do not undergo any prior
is very important that volunteers should be picked based on experience or at least be given training and work under
a quick look into commercial voluntourism operators I
to come out.’ Interaction with others who you would
with ones sexuality in a new environment out of the comfort zone can actually help you not just reassess yourself but also others’ place in the world. Meeting new people from all beneath the surface homo-sapiens aren’t that different. takes time. Extracting her thoughts two years
because these commercial companies are geared towards how much of those will go to the community? How can we make sure that the money goes to those who need it most? My scepticism towards voluntourism grew after watching a documentary on the exploitation of Cambodia’s orphanages through voluntourism. The documentary investigates the way to be very concerning. One of the main concerns addressed organisations volunteers will be working with. According to the documentary the condition of the orphanage was appalling despite the fact that it had received numerous volunteers - so where has the money paid by these volunteers gone?
see the difference. There was no immediate change. It might be easy for me to speak of
things. to those without experience. Volunteering could actually be a really great stepping stone into our future career. But progress? How would you be able to evaluate your impact towards your students?
constantly against my nature in a potentially hostile environment where homosexuality is a taboo. Arthur Russel
we should be more aware when choosing volunteer travel companies. I personally would suggest that if you do want instead of voluntourism operators. Nandra Galang Anissa
travel@gairrhydd.com · @quench_travel
Q thirteen
Travel
NORWAY? YES WAY. HAS SCANDINAVIA GOT IT ALL SUSSED OUT? The more I think about it, the more I realize that Norway is a pretty darn weird place. This is a country that has knighted a penguin, has a princess who believes that she can talk to angels, hosts the world’s annual beard and moustache championships and whose national potatoes) is hotdogs and ice-cream. As a non-inhabitant of the north of nowhere, you would be forgiven for having little more creatures living in igloos and skiing around aimlessly in the streets whilst wearing the sort of knitwear that’s somewhere between ‘where in Shoreditch did you get that?’ and looking like a However, truly understanding and integrating task. stomping ground is above the Arctic Circle, you must be prepared to bid farewell to the sun for time’ in Norway has been known to drive people into such a state of confused lethargy that they start to resemble the gormless trolls of Norwegian mythology- it also provides a foolproof springtime. Alas, the second your body-clock gains a crumb of comprehension as to what in Thor’s name is going on - its summertime – which means 24-hour daylight. Again, when you’re not feeling dangerously unhinged due to lack of sleep– this also has its advantages; walking back from town at 3 in the morning feels more like a pleasant midday stroll, rather than a
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travel@gairrhydd.com · @quench_travel
Having eventually outwitted the elements, you might feel victorious enough to attempt attuning yourself to Norwegian culture. This includes, but is not limited to: learning to untelevision, learning to value Christmas more than your own mother, and of course, learning to ski. The skiing part can be unnerving – particularly when your movements are akin to those of a sweaty, obese deer, and all you can hear are the impish giggles of infants in Lycra speeding past you as you try to retain a trace of composure. In fact, from the very moment Norwegian children are old enough to move a few limbs, they’re bundled up and hurled outdoors to learn all manner of winter and summer activities, crawl around in the snow, forage for berries and generally engulf themselves in nature. This is widely considered much more important than busting their brains over the ABC. Looking closely at Norwegians, I sometimes detect a sort of annoyingly happy scando-glow, which I’ve often suspected has something to do with being taught to value nature and the little things in life from an early age. Rather than feverishly obsessing over achievement, success good food (if you’re into reindeer, blueberries and the aforementioned hotdogs), soaking up the tranquil outdoors (albeit the malicious impish laughter) and watching some burning logs on the telly. Call me crazy, but I think they’ve got it sussed out. Words and Photos: Maya Acharya
Culture
LITERARY LEGACY A new legacy for Sylvia Plath? The talent behind the drama J breaking novel, The Bell Jar the portrayal of a young woman’s descent into depression. Laura Carter takes a look back at Sylvia Plath’s legacy and argues that Plath’s own struggles with mental illness should not be allowed to overshadow her literary success.
Sylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar celebrated its 50th anniversary in January 2013. The semi-autobiographical work, originally released under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas, introduces us to Esther Greenwood, a young woman who is elated at winning a prestigious internship at a New York fashion magazine. She is somewhat dismayed that her expectations of instant happiness and success don’t meet up to the reality of a woman living in 1950s America. This disappointment leads to a downward spiral of depression as Esther slowly loses control of her life. I consider it a shame that the 50th anniversary of such a great work that takes such a searing look at mental illness will have been overshadowed by the 50th anniversary of Plath’s suicide on February 11th, just weeks after The Bell Jar
lover, their former lodger whom he left Plath for, was what drove Plath to her suicide. With such controversy it becomes almost possible to forget that Plath was a talented writer and poet in her own right and not simply a subject of celebrity-like drama. Such media intrusion and hype even led their daughter Frieda Hughes, quoting her mother, to despair at the ‘peanut crunching crowd’ that continue to dramatize Plath’s life as much as they can, much in the same way that Marilyn Monroe’s personal life was speculated and scrutinised following her death. I ask you to celebrate the anniversary of Plath’s novel, and her death if you must, by reading some of her works and making your own judgement of her literary caricature portrayed in the press.
separate Plath’s writing from her deep-rooted struggle with mental illness as they are both so intertwined with one another, it seems that in the lead up to both anniversaries the media have only wished to comment on the controversies surrounding her and what may have led her to take her own life, rather than celebrating her as a literary talent. The majority of the speculation has surrounded her marriage to Ted Hughes, one of the most highly acclaimed poets of the 20th century. This has included whether Plath clashed with Hughes’ sister Olwyn, whether both they married too soon (within months of meeting one another), whether Hughes was a domestic tyrant, whether Hughes did indeed destroy a journal of Plath’s while he was left in charge of her estate and whether
Laura Carter
“I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in life.” - Sylvia Plath
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Q
Culture
QUEER Theatre Many people might be unaware of the exciting work the LGBT+ community contributes to the Theatre world. The genre of Queer theatre has been going strong in Britian for over 40 years with lots of theatre companies working solely to encourage and develop LGBT+ actors and writers. However, the genre has had a struggled history, with artists such as Tennessee Williams facing a continual battle against oppression. Jess Rayner looks back at the roots of Queer Theatre and those writers that provided the foundations that has made the genre what it is today.
conditions, and as society has progressed, theatre continually strives to address cultural issues in new and exciting ways. The genre of LGBT+ theatre has against oppression and dealing with stigma. The past is scattered with cases of persecution, with writers as widely loved as Oscar Wilde being put on trial for his suspected homosexuality. However, his openness in his testimonies that caused such controversy at the time will forever be remembered for helping fuel the movement towards tolerance. For most of the history of theatre gay playwrights have been unable to be honest about their sexuality, yet try to gain acceptance through the use of coded language and forming their plots in heterosexual contexts. The genre of Queer theatre has been an essential part in the move towards equality with the work of playwrights such as Tennessee Williams standing After marking the 100th anniversary of Williams’ birth in March 2011, it is also worth looking back community. Famous for plays such as A Streetcar Named Desire, he put gay desires on stage at a time in the face of adversity to address taboo subjects such as homosexuality through his productions still resonates today, with the most obvious example being Streetcar a play still as relevant now as it was 60 years ago. As a playwright, he was driven by the challenges censorship posed for artists and his understanding of the laws of desire can be seen in the skilful manipulation of language. Many people may be unaware of the challenges LGBT+ writers
and playwrights have faced in the past, as freedom of speech is a major part of contemporary society. Yet looking back you can see how through the establishment of gay rights LGBT+ writers have been exploiting the freedom these laws have given them. Since the days of persecution and oppression, theatre has radically altered along with the changes in social attitudes. These changes can be traced back to the emergence of theatre companies such as Gay Sweatshop in Britain in the 1970s, with the aim to encourage gay writers. These cultural and historical roots of Queer theatre have become the foundations of the genre, along with inspiring LGBT+ writers to continue to stage plays that deal with taboo subjects in order to challenge stereotypes. The genre of Queer theatre, which has become the generic term for the gay theatre movement, covers plays, musicals and cabaret, and continues to produce fresh and groundbreaking work. With the results being seen both on Broadway and in mini-festivals such as last year’s Queer as Fringe event in Manchester. Live theatre has the ability to be an intense expression of emotion and because of this has become a potent means of capturing gay experience through the physicality which enables sexual identity to be directly channelled. So when enjoying shows like The Rocky Horror Show remember to think back to those that worked hard to push the boundaries, battling against oppression to make Queer theatre what it is today. Jess Rayner
The Review Corner The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O’Brien Heading out on tour for its 40th anniversary, Richard O’Brien’s rock and roll musical is back for a year-long stint around the UK. Even after four decades of audience participation, stockings and stilettos, the excitement that surrounds The Rocky Horror Show is as present as ever. tyre on the way to visit their old science teacher, Dr. Scott. The only option they have for refuge is the light “Over at the Frankenstein Place” where the help provided is not quite what they were expecting… Skip forward a few scenes and you’ll be on your feet doing the “Time Warp” with the rest of the audience. Being totally submerged in the world of Transylvanian transvestites might not sound like your cup of tea, but after one refrain of the musical’s most famous number there’s no going back; the catchy songs and outrageous costumes take
you prisoner. Starring Oliver Thornton (whose performance in itself is reason enough to go along) as the “Sweet Transvestite” Dr. FrankN-Furter as well as Emmerdale’s Roxanne Pallett (Janet) and X Factor’s Rhydian as Rocky Horror (the product of one of Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s scandalous experiments), the cast do more than justice to the cult classic. If you are what is fondly known as ‘virgin’ to the phenomenon that is Rocky, do that you are seated next to a man wearing
The Rocky Horror Show is, as always, production not to be missed. 10/10 Charlie Mock
sixteen Q culture@gairrhydd.com · @quenchculture
Fashion&Beauty
FORWARD THINKING FASHION Should your sexuality affect the way in which a secret from the media and, therefore, Jordan Brewer homosexuality within the fashion industry in order to answer these teasing questions.
T
he world of fashion is often associated with homosexuals, particularly male. People of today see the role of a fashion designer
Most felt the need to hide their sexuality to progress within the
openly homosexual fashion designers. Marc Jacobs, one of the
,
and
. She .
model, spanning both high fashion and mainstream high street fashion.
sexual orientation in the media, but neither dismiss rumours about a
in being portrayed as gay in the fashion industry, people are adhering to the idea that sexual orientation is something that should
fashion@gairrhydd.com 路 @quenchfashion
Q seveneen
Fashion&Beauty
D
CUP OF DAISIES
Cup of Daisies is a Welsh-based fashion label with a drive to raise funds for charity. Their aim is to achieve and sustain their work in helping others to overcome problems that make life printed scarves. So, when Oana from Cup of Daisies approached us to sample them, we were more than willing. Proceeds from each scarf goes directly to each of the following charities:
ADRAUK Your donation to ADRAUK will go towards their work in Rwanda to educating women.
Tenovus
Noah’s Ark Our donations will go towards helping Noah’s Ark support and help the children in Wales.
Helping Tenovus to deliver unique support services to cancer patients and their families across Wales and provide treatment to cancer patients closer to home.
Merlin
Shelter Cymru
The full range of scarves are available from www.cupofdaisies.co.uk for £20 each.
Cup Of Daisies is striving to support Shelter Cymru with their mission of helping people who are facing homelessness.
PHOTOS
Sher Min Tan
MAKE-UP
Olivia Reidy
Helping Merlin to improve the living conditions of women in Africa and Asia, through the mother and child campaign.
STYLING
Sophie Chamberlain, Vicky Gadsden and Jacqueline Kilikita
MODEL
Olivia Harrison
fashion@gairrhydd.com · @quenchfashion
Q nineteen
Fashion&Beauty
Street Style Words and Photos: Charlie Mock
C
hris, (left) is a student and is wearing a vintage coat, Primark jeans, Vans and Carhartt beanie. Chris’ favourite piece of clothing right now is his hat. Mia, (right) is wearing: H&M coat, Irregular Choice shoes,
M
aia makes working clothes look effortlessly fashionable in an Urban
and a New Look backpack. Her item of choice is her fur coat to keep out the cold.
trainers.
N
wearing: Tea & Cake jumper, Something Else blouse, vintage dress and Agyness Deyn for Dr. Martens shoes. Natalie’s favourite thing to wear is her Nirvana t-shirt and loves anything grungy.
C
orey is a student and is wearing an Urban
Retro, Topman trousers and Creepers from stands out and looks individual.
Bargain Buy Red skater skirt, £28, Topshop
The H&M Skater Skirt. Having been on the shelves for months before Christmas, the skater skirt doesn’t seem to be making an exit any time soon. H&M have taken note and made their own version for a tiny £12.99: half the price of the more expensive counterpart in Topshop. The difference between the two products is unnoticeable to passers by and even on closer inspection,
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it’s practically impossible to fault H&M’s skater. As someone owning a skirt from both shops, it’s safe to say that I was more than slightly miffed when I found my bargain velvet skater with the knowledge that one almost identical was sat in my bank account. Snap yours up before they’re gone.
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Music
SOUNDS QUEER? Rosey Brown looks at how music affects LGBT+ culture For those unacquainted with LGBT+ culture, it’s easy to think of the somewhat dated, clichéd gay role models in music: The Village People, Wham, Elton John… But there’s a lot more to LGBT+ music than Freddie Mercury in wig with a hoover. Prominent LGBT+ artists today include Tegan and Sara, Azealia Banks and Kele Okereke from Bloc Party, all of whom prove that music by LGBT+ artists doesn’t need to be cheesy or throwaway. One may question why LGBT+ is an issue that needs a voice in music. But music is a powerful tool. It can be used easily as a political device – a catchy tune helps make a mission statement memorable, and often will reach a wider audience than a newspaper article or a speech. Often it’s used to encourage people with positive messages. But sometimes it can be used as a platform for hateful views.
Tegan and Sara
Photo: Daniel John Buchanan
Same Love is a song that speaks out against homophobia in hip-hop culture, and also rallies for gay marriage. With over 19 million views on YouTube at the time of writing, the song is reaching a lot of listeners (Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are extremely famous, thanks to the popularity of their song Thrift Shop). The song is just one of many in a turning point in the genre, a reaction to homophobia in hip hop. Similarly, straight rapper Lil B made a statement by in 2011 by titling an album “I’m Gay”. He claimed the move was in support of the LGBT community and to “push less separation”. The move angered many people and resulted in death threats from his fans. Rapper Frank Ocean came out as gay in 2012, a brave move in such a Homophobic: Buju Banton
Photo: Anders Pollas
Take the song Boom Bye Bye, by Buju Banton. It contains the lyrics “Boom bye bye/ Inna batty bwoy head”, which translates in standard English as “Boom [the sound of a gunshot] byebye/ In a faggot’s head”. Written in 1988, you may think its
Mykki Bianco, who rap with eloquence and wit, and generally blow their homophobic contemporaries out of the water. The genre is slowly making progress. But there’s still a long way to go.
In other countries, however, it’s even tougher. Homosexuality is still illegal in a lot of countries, including a large portion of Africa – some countries still even carry the death penalty for homosexuality. In these kinds of cultures, sometimes music is a way to speak out. Take Titica, a transexual singer from Angola. Her brand of urban rap-techno fusion music, known as “kuduro”, has gone down a storm in her home country, despite the hostile laws in the country against homosexuality and cross-dressing. In an interview with the BBC, she said “I’ve been stoned, I’ve been beaten, and there is a lot of prejudice against me, a lot of people show that. There is a lot of taboo”. Yet her enormous popularity goes to show that music can transcend boundaries where politics cannot, hopefully changing people’s opinions along the way. Through the power of music, LGBT+ people are
song has over 8 million views on YouTube, and a majority of likes (18,000 thumbs up, only 1,800 thumbs down, at the time of writing). Even more worrying is that despite these hateful views Banton has had astonishing success in his career – he has been nominated for four Grammy awards, most recently in 2010 for Best Reggae Album of the Year. Sadly Boom Bye Bye is only one of many Jamaican tracks that target homosexuals for extreme verbal violence. Why is this hate tolerated and propagated? Frequently it is due to blind eyes being turned, ignorance and forgetfulness. masculine lyrics that objectify women and glorify violence. Homophobic slurs are tossed about casually too. Eminem frequently uses the word “faggot” in his rapping, as does Tyler the Creator, a supposedly alternative rapper who claimed in an interview: “I’m not homophobic. I just think ‘faggot’ hits and hurts people. It hits. And ‘gay’ just means you’re stupid.” Whatever he says, it’s still a hateful, discriminatory term. Same Love by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis is song that tackles this very issue: ‘Man that’s gay’ gets dropped on the daily, we’ve become so numb to what we’re saying Titica (right), strutting her stuff
Words & Photo: Kit Denison
music@gairrhydd.com · @quenchmusic
Q twenty-one
REVIEWS TRICHOTOMY FACT FINDING FICTION NAIM JAZZ | 04.02.13 mind when the word ‘jazz’ is uttered, but this fascinating trio from Brisbane are hoping to change that. Although they undeniably echo European movements, their sound is clearly much more than simply homage. The theme-solo structure and virtuosic performances constantly remind you that you’re listening to a form of jazz, but a rock sensibility ensures that this album is both refreshing and accessible. Indeed, Fact Finding Mission is a rare beast; a modern jazz album that is likely to appeal newcomers as well as those already well-versed in the genre. Opening track, Strom perfectly encapsulates the qualities that make this album a success; it is groovy without being too predictably and combines lyrical solos with a fanatically catchy head (the riff in jazz language). The album is however, slightly tarnished by the more ballad-like tracks (such as Blank Canvas Pt. 1) which perhaps literally rather than incorporating them with their jazz aesthetic. Fortunately, these moments are merely blips on an otherwise excellent record that will spellbind those who give it half a chance. Kit Denison
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FIDLAR’s self-titled debut album packs a punch right from the off, jumping straight in the deep end with ‘Cheap Beer’, a fast paced song which sums up FIDLAR’s raw nu-punk/ thrash sound and attitude. Cheap Beer is a song I’ve been listening to pretty much on repeat for the last few months, so I hoped the other singles I hadn’t heard much of would live up to it. I didn’t need to fear. It seems to slow down a bit after the fast intro of Cheap Beer, with songs such as Stoked and Broke and Max Can’t Surf but while Stoked and Broke has a slower, more drooling, sound, it still encompasses FIDLAR’s nonchalant attitude, with lyrics such as ‘I’m ditching school’ and ‘I just wanna get high’. Despite this mixture of fast and slow paced songs, the danger of FIDLAR’s distinct sound is that their songs can begin to all sound the same. This was saved however when last track Cocaine prising vocals in the last 3 minutes of the song, which, despite being about cheap cocaine, sounded pretty emotional. Throughout, the album is unpretentious, unapologetic, and refreshing, with FIDLAR’s LA roots resonating within the music. Beth Gregory
catchy guitar riffs are still going strong, we’ve heard it all before – there’s nothing particularly new or revolutionary about Anna. That said, it still has everything we would expect from a good, solid indie record. Opening track Are You In Love With A Notion? is brilliant. Unfortunately, it’s not entirely a case of start as you mean to go on. Upon
THE COURTEENERS ANNA V2 | 04.02.13 The Courteeners’ third album to date, Anna, won’t disappoint fans, but nor will it pull in much of a new audience. Whilst their signature big, anthemic choruses and
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TEGAN AND SARA HEARTTHROB WARNER BROS. | 11.02.13
FIDLAR FIDLAR WICHITA | 04.02.13
8
one a bit, even current single Lose Control. But persevere; after a few more listens, the individual merits of a few great tracks start to shine through. Marquee, for instance, is a beautiful, self-indulgent kind of song – full of violins and pensive lyrics. The album closer Here Come The Young Men, on the other hand, has the kind of sing-along qualities that have prompted critics to call The Courteeners “a band for football fans” over the years. Whether you agree or disagree with that statement, it’s easy to picture a large crowd chanting the chorus to this particular tune.
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music@gairrhydd.com · @quenchmusic
10
Albums
10
Back with their seventh studio album, Tegan and Sara’s infectious indie pop is sure to get even the most cynical of you moving in your seats, or as a matter of fact, wherever you may be. Heartthrob goes from catchy to catchier as it moves through the ten radio friendly tracks including hit single Closer, which opens the album with what can only be described as a bang. It’s hard not to be drawn in by the perfectly placed drum machine on I’m Not Your Hero and the invitingly synthy intro on Drove Me Wild. Even the slower tracks such as I Was a Fool and How Come You Don’t Want Me are decidedly upbeat in comparison to a lot of the girls’ contemporary musicians, making the album an overridingly easy listen. Priding themselves on making music that’s true to what they believe in, the openly lesbian twins have created an album of appealingly honest lyrics relatable to the masses. With various nominations and awards under their belts it’s clear that the than successful. Having entered the US charts at number three with Heartthrob, it doesn’t seem as though they’ll be stopping any time soon either. Before you completely resign Tegan and Sara to typical bubble gum pop star status, I urge you to give this new release a play or two- it might just surprise you. Charlie Mock
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SINGLES RICHARD HAWLEY DON’T STARE AT THE SUN PARLOPHONE | 25.02.13 Newton’s mistake of staring at the sun for too single from his seventh album allows a sense of calm to wash over everything in the periphery of its sound. The relaxingly regular drum beat and instrumental may send you into a daydream, but only to the extent that by the close, you’re left wanting to replay it all over again just to enter the state of relaxation that the 6 minutes of music gives you. Don’t Stare At The Sun will without a doubt provide you with a welcome break from the world. Charlie Mock
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Music DUTCH UNCLES | MOON CLUB | 12.02.13 On an extremely cold February evening, there seemed to be only one possible solution the temperature and that was to attend a gig Hugh Grant haircuts. Following the release of their new LP Out of Touch in the Wild, Dutch Uncles headed to Moon Club for an outstanding sell out show. band We’re No Heroes, amalgamating a sound between what I can only describe as the dance-pop essence of early Foals and the punky nature of Fall of Troy. Despite the 3-take-attempts on beginning their second track of the gig, they pushed on to show their high energy capabilities in their party-beat centric set. Tracks such as Atlantic Hearts and Life Out Loud were great openers for elaborate dancing. Next on were the tour support Coves; a 3 piece haze-indie rock band from Warwickshire. With their almost minimalist formation, Coves create an exceptionally large sound with just the aid of a guitar, a drummer/percussionist, and a couple sets of lungs. The set varied from the subtle and almost ethereal Jesus and Mary Chain moments in tracks such as Last Desire, to harsh bluesy rock sections tinted off with a darkness most associated with Echo and the Bunnymen (who, quite conveniently, they supported just a few months ago.) A major highlight was the fantastic cover of Wicked Game, transforming Chris Isaak’s sassy, topless rubbing fest into a melancholic, anguished and broken hearted masterpiece. Having garnered attention on numerous music blogs and media outlets all over the web, and those magazine/newspaper things we still have, Coves are certainly ‘ones-to-watch’ over the coming months. warmed up when lead singer Duncan turned his head to ask the guitarist “Where’s the atmosphere Pete?” before plunging straight into the opening track off the new album Pondage. Prior to the gig I doubted Dutch Uncles’ ability to replicate the album’s vast array of instruments and sound within the live setting, but after listening to Threads I was extremely glad to hear that what I initially worried about was not just wrong,
but complete bollocks. Having chatted to the guitarists Pete and Dan earlier on, they told me about a new expensive bit of gear the band purchased for this exact reason. They informed me how the Marimbas, xylophones and other tuned percussion parts are key elements to the new album that could not afford to be missed, and whilst the band did not want to overuse backing tracks, they decided that the midi controller was perfect for creating the closest the stage with arbitrary wood and metal. Uncles’ music is how the complex structures and time signature changes never break down any of the songs to a sort of rigid format, but instead create seamless pop songs that never prevent the packed out room from dancing. Incidentally, elaborate moving hips happened to be an extremely recurring theme throughout the night – Duncan, as seen in the Flexxin music video makes Thom Yorke in Lotus Flower look like a quick and frantic lost child in a supermarket. Ok, perhaps comparing the dancing styles of two lead singers is entirely irrelevant, but I think I’d be pretty good at making analogies on a reality TV constant time sig changes, Duncan explains to the audience how the next track X-O, “doesn’t just sound like Steve Reich... it is Steve Reich”. The track happened to be a beautiful new arrangement on Reich’s Electric Counterpoint, which only went to show how Dutch Uncles technical ability isn’t just presented as a gimmick or a novel selling point, but more of a natural and alternative construct of a pop song against be silly. Tracks from the new album such as Fester, and others such as the encored Face In and The Ink from previous records were other highlights from the set, making Dutch Uncles one of the best live bands I have seen in recent times. I thoroughly recommend you catching them this festival season... even if it’s just for the xylophone midi controller. Ed Watson
GALLOPS | BUFFALO BAR | 16.02.13
Gallops have embarked on a twelve-date UK tour following the triumphant release of Yours Sincerely, Dr. Hardcore and on the night of the Cardiff show, there is a real buzz upstairs in Buffalo Bar. It seems as though quite a few music fans have abandoned trashy Saturday night TV in favour of the gig; and rightly so, for they are to be rewarded with an evening of experimental rock excellence. Joining Gallops on tour are fellow Blood & Biscuits pals, Portasound. They are a complex set-up and certainly and a laptop (you do the maths). Though in appearance their combination of jumpers, mix, in sound they work together brilliantly: their experimental electronic rock has an War of the Worlds might sound were it channelled through a heavy distortion pedal. Surrealist soundscapes collide with endearing splashes of pop-punk and krautrock, while space-age synth hooks really drive the songs forward. For their sixth gig in the same number of nights, Portasound deliver a highly charged instrumental performance and leave a favourable lasting impression. Such a high-quality support set has the crowd thoroughly hyped for Gallops. The North-Walian four-piece build steadily into their set with album-opener Astoroth,
before plunging into the brutal crashes of Jeff Leopard. If at times I felt that they might be holding back, or even worried that some of YSDH’s strongest tracks might not quite achieve their full live potential, I was soon reassured otherwise: Gallops proved to be masters of atmospheric contrasts, teaming calmer moments of contained ferocity with bursts of wild, violent energy, and some of the most aggressive drumming I’ve seen. Complex time signatures are no match for this band, who were exceedingly tight and maintained just the right balance of crazy and controlled. With crunching guitars, buzzing synths and basslines that seriously groove, their particular brand of rocktronica almost feels like dance music for a metal crowd. Each song is a sprawling masterpiece in itself, and by the end of their hour-long set it doesn’t feel as though we’ve actually heard that many tracks. Gallops don’t mess around leaving the stage for an encore, but do agree to the crowd’s cheers for ‘one more song’, ending on fan favourite Miami Spider, swathed order to control fx pedals with his hands – brilliant). It’s a satisfying end to a brilliant show. What Gallops do is careful and intelligent; they are infectious, angular and wonderfully hardcore. A truly great live band. Jo Southerd
music@gairrhydd.com · @quenchmusic
L I V E M U S I C
Q twenty-three
Interviews
Dutch Unc You can always rely on SĹľn to put on incredible gigs between festivals, and their latest offering of Dutch Uncles in The Moon Club was no different. Ed and Owen from Xpress Radio caugt up ith guitarists Pete and Sped to ďŹ nd out how things are going for the hotly tipped band.
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h cles
How does it feel now your new album Out of Touch In the Wild has just been released? Pete: Relief! We’ve been living with it for a year since we recorded it back in January (2012), so it’s good to be busy again. We thought about releasing it earlier but we didn’t want to miss out playing some great festivals. Sped: It feels good releasing it now; new year, new album out bright and early, and then we can just look forward without have to take a Christmas break. Everyone in record labels seem to go on a month long holiday in December! Did you have a different approach to songwriting and recording this album compared to your previous albums? Sped: This album was recorded over a more condensed time period, so the songs are more consistent than previous albums. Pete: We also said from the word go that we wanted strings, percussion, xylophones, baby grand piano, just all of that. We listened to a lot of Kate Bush and Japan, so those records just seeped in to our brain and it all came quite naturally. Did you then have to work hard trying to translate the songs for live performance? Pete: Robin, our main songwriter, said that he didn’t want any boundaries for this album. We were just writing as much as we could, then go in and record it with all the strings, percussion etc. Then we spent the next year preparing the songs to play live. We didn’t want to rely on any other musicians, because we thought we were good enough as a Sped: We also get more money and beers as well! It’s a lot more fun this way as well, there’s loads of new instruments on stage. We don’t just play guitar now, there’s lots of percussion and new toys to play on stage, such as our new midi marimba! It sounds great and also it’s a lot better visually than just a laptop on stage. Have you had any memorable moments from the tour so far? Sped: They’ve all been amazing, but Liverpool has been a particular highlight. We played at the Kazimier, which has a little balcony that goes over the top, so we came down from these really high stairs either side of the stage. Pete: We also had a great reaction at the gig. Being Manchester lads, Liverpool’s not always been booming for us, but they were amazing! Treated us really well and just up for a good Friday night. If you could be in any other band (past or present), who would it be? Sped: I would be Eddie Van Halen. I would rip it every night. Pete: I’m not sure who I’d be! Sped: Surely you’d be Frank Zappa. Or the Notorious B.I.G.! Pete: Zappa’s good, I’d either go for him or Adrian Belew. He was the front-man of King Crimson from the 80s, he played for David Bowie, Talking Heads, and Zappa as well. He is the legend of session musicians. So it’d be him. Or Notorious B.I.G. Can you see yourselves recording another album any time soon? Pete: We spoke about this the other day; maybe recording a summer album next year. Just pop over to Jamaica and record it there! Either there or Salford. We’ll build together the best ones. With the rest of the tour and festival season approaching, what should people look out for this Summer? Sped: We’re not going to give away any of the festivals yet, as we haven’t announced them apart from Beacons Festival. We were meant to play Beacons two years ago but it got Pete: Probably the best thing to look out for would be the cover song we’ve been working on. We started doing this at festivals a few years ago, beginning with ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’. We like playing a cover at festivals because you’re playing big stages to big crowds, and if you play a banging hit you can feel like an absolute superstar! festivals we will be playing and where you can catch our latest choice!
Out of Touch in the Wild by Dutch Uncles is available to buy now. Visit www.dutchuncles. co.uk to download their latest single ‘Flexxin’ for free! You can listen to the Ed and Owen Show on Xpress Radio, Mondays 6-8pm.
Interviews DM: I think for me I’ll spend all day in the studio mucking around with different sounds and feel like I’m creating more, because when you play live you know exactly what you’re doing and you do it night after night so it doesn’t really get your
BL: You have such a broad and diverse collectively all agree on as a band, or is it varied? DM: The crossovers would probably be 60s psychedelia, but personally I’m more into house music, hip-hop and dance. I’m from a dance music background so a lot of the records I listen to are techno and house, and I’ve got a big hip hop collection, and then Vinny’s more into his 60s beat, garage and stuff. But we all appreciate what each of us bring to the table. SS: You’re also quite image orientated, so have you got any particular artistic styles
be l l i e w and r e th a b me s s e here t ho s u g ‘‘I int w tay a gram ’ ’ o ill s olo e p c a w ir h r pla he thei t t ils e wh tak
DJANGO DJANGO Just ahead of their headline slot in the NME Awards Tour at the Union on Sunday, Scottish art-rock band Django Django invited Stephen Springate and Benji Lamb onto their tourbus for a chat. SS: You probably get asked this quite a lot, but where does your name come from? David Maclean (drummer): In a roundabout way it’s named after the spaghetti western that Tarantino just remade, but a long time before he started remaking it. Plus we wanted a double name like the Duran Duran sort of tradition. We weren’t a band at the time and we set up a Myspace page which we needed a name for, so never gave it a second thought, just typed it in and that was it.
girlfriend or whatever and get settled. But you can’t complain, because you’re going out on the road, you’re doing what you want to do and so you always get on with it.
BL: What’s it like being on tour? Do you ever get stressed being on top of each
SS: Where haven’t you toured yet that you really want to go to? DM: South America, so Brazil, Mexico… Tommy Grace (synths): We’ve not played Russia yet either. DM: I’d love to go to Moscow. And then, well there’s so many places I want to go, like India and Africa. We got asked to play the African Express last year and couldn’t do it but maybe we’ll get to do something like that soon.
a tour bus? DM: No... this bus is great really, its roomy, it has a TV, you can’t complain, it’s probably better than my house! But being away from home constantly can make you feel a bit like you’re in the circus or something, sometimes you can’t wait to get back home and see your
BL: That must be one of the best bits of being in a band, the fact that you can travel so much. TG: Especially seeing as compared to before being in the band, the amount of places I’d been to… I mean my passport looked pitiful then suddenly we were going all over the place.
twenty-six Q
TG: We’re all art college graduates except for Vinny who did architecture, so when we left we were all practicing artists, so it’s a big deal for us. I was a designer before we started the band and we still do all the designs and artwork, so it’s a big part of it. DM: We’re always playing about with it, we bring along other artists to do our stage shows and we’re always searching for something that works and then trying to move on to something else, it’s just having fun, and adding an extra layer to it. Rather than just going out in t-shirts we’ll get matching shirts going, it’s just something else to do really. BL: With developments in technology, do you see your live shows being a platform for that, where you can really experiment. DM: Like holograms and that? We were thinking of having holograms for us! I used to really love bands like The Orb because I was always interested in raves, I use to go to them a lot and the visuals were always crazy, they just had these completely music and then The Orb really pushed technology along with that. I guess the whole dance scene was about technology and seeing what you could
interesting. We were watching the Michael Jackson This Is It yesterday and those guys were just trying to take things and see what you could do DM: We just got back from an Australian tour with an unlimited budget, like these fucking robots which was incredible, just went round the made out of TVs moving around and these dancers whole country and everything. Last year we went to Japan. think we obviously do things low budget but if TG: There were loads of really nice places you’re a big band then you can try all these things. around Europe, they know how to pick a nice That whole thing with bringing Tupac back place for a festival, like Sicily, a lovely place in through holograms was mindblowing and I guess Corsica, lovely cities as well which you wouldn’t there will be a point where a band will stay at home normally go to. whilst their holograms take their place. DM: I think that’s the best thing about being in TG: It’ll be like the new lip-syncing, it’ll be like ‘‘I a band, getting places that you’ve never ended can’t tell if it’s a hologram or not!’’ You’ll be able to up in, like Australia. I’d never have been able to play two gigs in one night. afford before… TG: My sister lives over in Australia but I’d never been able to afford to go out and see her and yourself this time next year? suddenly we’ve been over there twice, it’s great. DM: I guess promoting a new album hopefully. That’s the key thing, we’ve been working this SS: Would you say you’re happier in the album for a lot longer than the year it’s been out studio or playing live? because it took us so long to get our act together DM: For me personally, the studio because that’s where you get to have fun and create and like the songs are quite old to us, so this time next I feel like I’m doing something. Playing live is year hopefully we’ll be releasing a new album, great but then it’s an hour of your time and then there’s a whole lot of time inbetween. TG: I love the actual performance, I really really enjoy it, I get a lot out of it. The being away from home is a bit of a drag but the actual performance I always really love.
A FILM FOR everyone? H
路
Q twenty-seven
Film
JUNO TEMPLE
‘However long you’re playing a role – whether it’s two hours, two days or two months – you have to want to be that person and sweat and bleed for them’ – Juno Temple
Words:
P
NEWS IN FILM
twenty-eight Q
·
REVIEWS
A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD
THIS IS 40
DIRECTOR: DIRECTOR: Judd Judd Apatow Apatow STARRING: Paul Rudd, STARRING: Paul Rudd, Leslie Leslie Mann Mann
DIRECTOR: John Moore
RATING: RATING:
RATING:
STARRING: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney
J
Max Eshraghi
HITCHCOCK DIRECTOR: Sacha Gervasi STARRING: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson RATING:
M
LGBT+
Jimmy Dunne
THE LARAMIE PROJECT DIRECTOR: Mois茅s Kaufman STARRING: Christina Ricci, Steve Buscemi, Kathleen Chalfant RATING:
Andy Love
Rachel Williams
路
Q twenty-nine
Review Developer: Atlus Platform: PS Vita Release Date: Feb 22 words: Luke Slade
Y
d ou are a city boy who has been transferre to to the rural Japanese town of Inaba tive, stay with your uncle, who is a detec a series of and cousin. Shortly after your arrival linked to murders take place – murders that are town. So the ominous fog that descends upon the en. Gold 4 na Perso s begin d. One Persona 4 is a game to be experience played that eludes explanation unless you have ehous my When eties. subtl its d and understoo what it was mate saw me playing it she asked me mess. about and I soon became a stumbling games, plays arly regul who I think to someone
a rhythm on. Eventually, however, you get into play to the to how d rstan unde to begin you and abuse them.
gain expeduring the day you do side quests to during the rience and buy equipment and then to level evening you enter a series of dungeons s. grind and face bosse than the The game, however, is so much more to high good bye to the high fantasy and hello mon-style Poké some with a dram melo l schoo battles on the side for good measure. Without treading old is essentially a murder mystery that takes a group of teenagers on a journey where they literally encounter the embodiment of their inner demons and insecurities.
you drop everything to grow some tomato plants with her
ring them character you are trying to save; explo that perof hts thoug inner the ring explo s mean ct that it distin so is one each son. The design of never feels means venturing in to save someone
repetitive. to day These jaunts are punctuated by the day signed up to too many social activities
(a bit like
when I year) and I ended up feeling really bad had to turn people down. d eighty only are you setting out to invest aroun to feel hours+ of gameplay, it is still quite easy ing slipp are days the that and ed overwhelm with clubs, away. There is always a ton to do what fusions to friends to hang out with, jobs to do,
at are weaknesses. The basic tactics of the comb s and nesse weak it explo can you knowing when r than determining when it is best to defend rathe attack. , meanIt is also really quite a fast paced affair ents, you series of enemies, as with the day segm just know get into a kind of rhythm where you what you need to do. acting The writing is no poetry and the voice charm of is no Laurence Olivier, but the pure contrast the game itself makes up for this. The and the between the mundane daily routines – includworld TV the of ess rfuln colou cal magi makes the ing the interwoven nature of the two – from experience special. Just like coming home
younger the TV world and then Nanako, your tend to the cousin (pictured left), will ask you to grow some garden and you drop everything to becomes this enly Sudd her. tomato plants with . the most important thing in the world it. It The game invites you to connect with school that evokes so much nostalgia for being at example, with a whole new set of worries. For tball beI signed up to football instead of baske and I panicked one morning because
I thought I
ly) when I could have been studying. des anyFor all the social links (which inclu ips), howthing from friendships to relationsh that my attachment grew the most. When
dare I say it, video game as a teenager. evening palpable. A feeling that is peaked every cousin when you come home to the sight of your melothe all For . alone TV the of sitting in front of tragedy drama there is a subtle undercurrent they battle that runs through each character as in an inger teena a being of with the pressure creasingly modern and adult world. so many anything and partly because there are beginthe at said I As . there reviews already out and these ning, it is a game to be experienced I was doare just some of thoughts I had while and do the ing that. Now I implore you to go out same.
you sit
on the vert for the local department store plays slogan. I television and she dutifully sings the up by the seems to have been partially brought a park or television. I just wanted to take her to genuinely vacation because he has to work I was – and so ng comi was it saw also I but off, d pisse did she. easy to Combat itself is turn-based and both team your and You . deep ining rema grasp while weapons, of friends can equip various kinds of abilities different, and has different elemental ter you (again think Pokémon), and each mons and gths, stren rs, powe ent differ has encounter
The game has been out for some time
and has
so if you tive version of an already great game it on have dy alrea you are ces own a Vita, chan is simply and the original release because it . something quite wonderful
Videogames
RELEASES DEAD SPACE 3 ‘NO SPACE LEFT FOR FEAR’ That was the tagline EA used for advertising Dead Space 3 and I’m pretty sure that’s because the game is crammed too full of explosions, ammunition and cinematic sequences to allow any of the series’ (in)famous psychological terror to permeate through. What I’m trying to say is, this series has changed direction… dramatically. In previous titles, series protagonist Isaac Clarke was the proverbial ‘everyman’; an isolated engineer fumbling and stumbling his way through a terrifying and alien (excuse the pun) situation. In Dead Space 3,
fragment the notions of ‘isolation’ and ‘horror’ with the inclusion of a partner. In fact, if you do the Solo campaign, you don’t have a partner at all, a feature Resident Evil could learn from. I’m yet to play the co-op campaign but if it’s anything like the solo campaign, it won’t disappoint. The campaign’s cinematography is, in a word, brilliant. The best I’ve ever seen in
of professional soldiers and aliens as if they are a mere nuisance - though I’m not sure
cutscene to gameplay and the game’s distinctive lack of H.U.D. aids in these seamless transitions. One of the greatest things about this series is that the developers have clearly sat down after each game and reviewed what the release’s strengths and weaknesses were. This is demonstrated through the continued use of the H.U.D. built into the character/weapon design, the fact that the enemies’ ‘weak spot’ is still their limbs along with the various other little features that make this series unique. Conversely, the developers realised that stacking various types of ammunition for different guns wasn’t ergonomic so now there’s a
engineer. For me, alarm bells started ringing when three new gameplay features were announced prior to the game’s release. Firstly, the inclusion of the ability to duck behind cover and dodge-roll were mechanics that immediately made me fear that this was going to be a Gears of War clone. I wasn’t entirely wrong; while the ability to duck behind cover is necessary the inclusion of soldiers with guns suits the series very well) Isaac’s new dodge-roll doesn’t suit the over-the-shoulder camera angle, due to the lack of peripheral vision, you often can’t see what you’re diving from or even into. However, the biggest elephant in the room when discussing Dead Space 3 was the new co-op feature. Would Dead Space 3 do to Dead Space what Resident Evil 5 did to Resident Evil? Would it quell the dread and fear of every sickening swing having an AI partner there to revive you Thankfully, no, Dead Space 3 does not
rants about Metal Gear Solid 4 my way, let me remind you that a 93 minute cutscene is not a game, it’s a movie. If that’s your idea of a good game then pack up your things and go align yourself with the Church of
more space for medkits and new ‘upgrade circuits’. These new upgrade circuits, along with ‘materials’ have replaced credits as the series’ currency. It makes sense that they’ve done away with a formal currency, as a planet that’s been abandoned for 200 years I’m not sure this new materials system works either. It’s frustrating as a player when you have 5 times as much scrap metal as you need to construct a new weapon but lack only 3 pieces of tungsten which means the gun is completely unobtainable. Maybe
Publisher: Electronic Arts Developer: Visceral Games Format: PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3
back to the drawing board on that one, Visceral. For the more discerning player, there are subtle little differences between the previous games everywhere. The audio logs, which contained information about are no longer picked up; instead, you activate them from machines and they then play over the top of whatever you’re doing - be it tiptoeing through catacombs, attempting to avoid the attention of hordes of enemies or bolting from an invincible, regenerating monstrosity. This adds a great deal of poignancy to the game and allows for a range of different experiences, depending on whether you choose to listen to them or not. You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned a great deal about the game’s storyline or plot, but do so without giving spoilers. I will say that the story isn’t mind-blowing; one of the plot’s driving forces, is a fairly stereotypical, fanatical cult, Unitology. However, the group is poorly characterized, acting as a scapegoat to drive ahead the story. One other thing that bothers me about this game is that, after deciding to downplay isolation in favour of a team-driven approach, Issac always - and I mean always - manages to magically get ‘separated’ from the rest of the group, be it from an attack or some environmental factor. In terms of believability, it’s a bit paper thin. But overall, this game gets a big thumbs
This series has changed direction dramatically
playthroughs, and it’s a more satisfactory ending to a trilogy than Assassin’s Creed III was. I look forward to whatever Visceral have in store for us next - possibly on the next generation of consoles. Nick Evans
videogames@gairrhydd.com · @mikeocd
Q thirty-one
Videogames
LGBT
History Month Lauren Boyd in video games
Since video games haven’t been around for very long, you might expect gay video game characters to be a very was introduced in 1986: a lesbian in the game Moonmist,
, who was raised as a girl because of a village superstition that having twins of the same gender was Final Fight is also transgender, a female character but Nintendo demanded the character be removed from the game when it was ported to the SNES, because of their policy opposing violence against women. Capcom, the game developers, then claimed that the character wasn’t a woman, but was actually transgender all along. Fallout which is set in post-apocalyptic California, meaning there was an in-game gay wedding in California ten years before they were also allowed gay marriage and adoption. However the developers of a have approved of same-sex marriage. Consequently the game only things. Even though nowadays Sims games allow players to create gay
SimCopter, so that on certain days a crowd of men in speedos shipped. gay characters in almost all its games, such as Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age. Knights of the Old Republic other characters don’t react to them negatively. In Mass Effect for example the main character Shepherd listens to Stephen Cortez sympathetically when he tells him about his dead husband. because “children and teens, who never thought any way but heterosexual, are now given a choice to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or the difference between pretending to be a gay Jedi and real life.
ridiculous such as Ash who was such an absurd caricature that he . Despite was removed from the western version of this, there are characters such as Vamp in who
forgiven in some cases because video game developers have to split their attention between good plot and good gameplay. Fallout: New
thirty-two Q videogames@gairrhydd.com ·
There was an in-game gay wedding in California ten years before they were allowed in real life
Vegas character with his sexuality only a small aspect of his personality Fable villain Reaver, voiced by Stephen Fry. Due to his popularity he is one of the few characters to appear in multiple Fable games. Developers shouldn’t have to worry about whether including which includes the option of gay marriage, has sold over 6 million copies.
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FREE FOR ALL Food&Drink
thirty-four Q
food@gairrhydd.com 路 @quench_food
Food&Drink Supermarket scrounging or consumer consciousness? takes a look at skipping and the culture behind it.
I
f someone gave you the opportunity to grab a weeks worth of free food, would you say no? Are you reading this and thinking, ‘there must be some horrendous catch that meansw I loose my left arm’? Well, I certainly dumpster diving, ‘skipping’ is now more prevalent than ever and is providing more and more people, worldwide, a pile of rubbish doesn’t sound like the most appealing means of stocking up your cupboards, but before you completely turn your nose up at the idea, I urge you to read on... ‘Skippers’ are most often followers of ‘freeganism’, a movement by which people try to reduce waste and overconsumption through leading a more sustainable lifestyle. With nearly a third of the 3 billion tonnes of food produced annually going to waste, a staggering amount considering that over 900 million of the world’s population suffer from malnourishment, it’s hard not to admire the freegan way of thinking. There are even several freegan organisations that ensure the food discarded by supermarkets goes to those who need it. ‘Food Not Bombs’ is an American group who collect food that would otherwise go to waste and cook hot meals for anyone who turns up to claim it. Clearly,
H
world’s hungry can’t be fed entirely from bins, it’s apparent resourceful with our rubbish. If making a stand against the world’s wastage takes your fancy, there are a few things that you may want to consider before you decide to get your next weekly shop from the skip behind Sainsbury’s rather than joining the queue at the checkout. Though skipping isn’t technically against the law in England and Wales, the act of going onto the supermarket’s property and taking the food out of their bins can be classed as robbery. Despite the fact that Waitrose, Morrisons and the like are making themselves targets to such ‘robbery’ by leaving perfectly edible food in such public places, the threat of the law does throw a spanner in the works for freegans across the country. If you’re not afraid of being chased down the street, weighed down with food and the police hot on your heels, then there is at least your diet (or your wants and needs) to consider. Yes, the food left for taking is almost always palatable. Nevertheless, by resigning yourself to a life of dumpster diving you may be restricting your diet somewhat. Say goodbye to opening the cupboard to be faced with the
The statement being made by freegans all around the world might even make those who branded dumpster diving as ‘underclass’ or ‘tasteless’ reassess their ideas about sticking their head in a skip. After all, when was the last time you thought about stopping to feed the hungry? Why is all this food thrown away when it is in fact good enough to eat? Is it time that the supermarkets changed their ways? Is it their fault that food distribution is so unequal? Bound by strict health and safety laws as well as having a reputation
digestives or malted milks would taste nicer dunked in your cup of tea; skippers get what they are given, never knowing
goes a little deeper than what Tesco decide to do with the bread rolls that may or may not have grown mould by Friday. As politicians everywhere remind us, change does not happen over night; DEFRA aren’t going to alter the ins and outs of their regulations by the end of the month just because Sainsbury’s are throwing out too many blueberry
Okay, so going without veggies is far from the end of the world and the law enforcement that comes with dumpster diving isn’t exactly strictly enforced. Perhaps it’s about time that skipping became less of a taboo and more of a recognised way of recycling? Without telling you to go and get your next meal from a Biffa bin rather than the fridge, maybe we should adopt a ‘don’t knock it ‘til you try it’ attitude instead of assuming that all skips are full of rats, bad smells and mildew; who knows, you might be lucky
of the extreme amounts of food thrown away every day has certainly succeeded. In 2011, the ‘sell-by date’ on food packaging was cut, leaving items with only ‘use-by’ and ‘best-before’ dates. In the same year, freegan Lilly Stephenson won her episode of Come Dine With Me after
My brother introduced me to skip diving when I was 16. I just did it for the excitement and the sense of unknown possibility back then. I’m 22 now and it’s all just quite mundane. It’s like a trip to the supermarket only you go later. I don’t really go into supermarkets much but when I do I hate the frantic energy. I prefer the solitude of the night.
serving skipped ciabatta and proving to everyone that the
about you, but the possibility of being left without Nutella as the looming criminal record. Chocolate spread aside, many skippers are even forced to go without fresh fruit and vegetables for days purely because their hoard failed to provide them with such items, and everyone knows that not
you lift the lid of a dumpster.
I eat. I don’t, but I guess I have quite a base view of food, I eat to not be hungry anymore and there is nothing which doesn’t taste good when I’m hungry. I used to be anorexic so I think that’s where more. I’ve run into the police quite a few times, and you kind of talk your way out of it. A lot of them haven’t heard of it before so it’s
pull them out of the bin. I’m never sure if he tells her where they’re from. I started off making smoked salmon sandwiches for him at 4am and that’s how we got talking. They said if they see anyone else near the bins they’d tell them to fuck off. I really appreciated that.
have a chat to the manager of the supermarket to work something out, I decided not to mention that she often runs out of the shop screaming, grabbing out of date sandwiches and throwing them at my feet. I kinda appreciate the special treatment. Once my friend and I got around 150 bananas out of a bin in town and started handing them out to club-goers. One man asked if I had injected the banana with drugs. Another owned a fruit and veg shop in North Wales and assumed we were both trying to improve the health of the city one banana at a time. She got quite tearful. Once the women outside a club in town started to refer to me as ‘banana-man’ the bouncers recommended that with a nickname like that I should get off before the expectations started to weigh me down. It all seems pretty absurd in retrospect. I was once approached by a supermarket employee who told me he would follow me home to
It started off as a bit of an adventure really, but coming to university skipping seemed like the only real way for me to afford a balanced diet without making what I would consider unethical choices. I try not to wax lyrical about the ethics too much. I did
bike, but as he was on his he decided to follow me. This developed into a chase down Woodville Road, riding through Cathays for ten minutes until I lost him. Pathetically, mid-chase, I got out a six pack of ciabatta rolls from my bag and threw them onto the pavement in an attempt to get rid of any evidence. I like to imagine he was distracted by my offering and gave up there and then.
I used to meet a few students in the bigger spots in Cathays. You always know they’re students because they’re standing around looking sheepish and checking the supermarket for shop workers. There’s better conversations with the homeless. They can’t really take most of it anyway as they don’t have ovens or microwaves. I had a good thing worked out with a fella who lived next to the bins, if I found any gluten free bread I’d leave it on his doorstep for his wife and in return he’d park his van blocking the CCTV camera. The bouncers have been my favourite people over the past year. I
“I owe a lot to freeganism...” offers us an insight into freeganism from the perspective of a practitioner. a
the mackrel. I’ve saved a lot of money too, but I don’t really spend I owe a lot to freeganism really. In the past I’ve tried to detach my happiness from spending money by gradually reducing what I spend and seeing how I feel about it. Excess has always kind of disgusted me. I rely on other things to change my mood now and I feel better for it, more self empowered I guess. People always ask if I get bored of the lack of choice over what
No, I’ve never been sick from eating skipped food. I’ve watched a friend of mine peel furry grey mould off some pre-sliced mozzarella
food@gairrhydd.com · @quench_food
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