Quench
Press START for 2013 Features · Fashion & Beauty · Travel · LGBT+ Culture · Music · Film · Videogames · Food & Drink
Issue 131 · January 28th 2013
Contents.
issue 131 · 28th January 2013
23
20 12
10 Features
5 . FALLING THROUGH THE NET A Cardiff student describes how living independently from his parents has shaped his life. 7 · OPEN RELATIONSHIPS: BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE Charlotte Wace weighs up the pros and cons of open relationships.
Columnist 8 · ARE YOU NOT
ENTERTAINED? Rachel Moloney gets nostalgic.
Fashion & Beauty
10 · SPRING/SUMMER 2013 TRENDS Flower-power, neon, bomber jackets and more. 11 · FASHION FIX Three simple steps to giving your winter wardrobe a much needed overhaul.
24
26
Travel
Music
thumbs down? You decide.
Kit Denison asks: to what extent are we really focusing on what we listen to when we tune in online? 18 · MUSIC RESOLUTIONS 2013 Rosey Brown and Stephen Springate provide some suggestions for a happier, healthier, funkier new year. 20 · REVIEWS Foals, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and The Joy Formidable.
12 · HITCHHIKING Thumbs up or 13 · THE SUNSHINE STATE California dreaming with photography by Laurie Taylor.
Culture
14 · LIVING PICTURES
PRODUCTIONS: SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO Jess Rayner interviews Robert Bowman, one of the founders of Living Pictures Productions. 15 · PREVIEW Opera’r Ddraig’s production of Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach.
LGBT+
16 · REFRESHERS’ WEEK A word from LGBT+ Society President Sarah Lynn, and introductions to Eddie Greaves and Rob Callaghan.
17 · RAVES FROM THE GRAVE?
Film
21 · WELCOME TO 2013 Becky
Johnson previews the best upcoming
22 · PROFILE: QUENTIN TARANTINO Following the release of Django Unchained, Amy Pay looks back at the career of one of the masters of postmodern neo-noir cinema. 23 · REVIEWS Les Misérables, Django Unchained and Texas Chainsaw 3D.
ON THE COVER Video Games
24 · RELEASES: Wii U James Reid introduces Nintendo’s newest console and successor to the Wii, the Wii U. 25 · INTERVIEW WITH KEZA MACDONALD Michael O’ConnellDavidson spoke to the games editor of IGN UK.
Food & Drink
26 · FOOD BLOGS TO WATCH IN
2013 Isabel Larner & recommend their favourite blogs to keep an eye on this year.
quench@gairrhydd.com ·@quenchmag
Q three
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 Photo: Jo Southerd
a word from
Laura
Happy new year! 2013 has arrived and in the student calendar, January only means one thing: exams and essays. The festive season seems a distant memory and the library now becomes your much despised home for what seems like an eternity. Energy drink-fuelled all-nighters are being pulled in many student houses and Halls (did anyone see how many of those minging ‘Mixed Up’ things were in Lidl?), and procrastination is taken to a whole new level, mainly demonstrated by Jo and her newfound obsession with a YouTube blogger who goes by the name of But alas, we all pull through and as Issue 131 of Quench arrives, we say goodbye to revision and referencing and hello to another semester. This issue, Quench is thrilled to introduce a brand new section, Videogames. Mike, our lovely editor, is full of enthusiasm about what the section has to offer for the rest of the year. Turn to page 25 where Mike himself interviews the games editor of IGN UK, introduces Nintendo’s newest console and successor of the Wii, Wii U. What? You can now play Mario Kart or (dare I say) Call of Duty away from your TV screens? Elsewhere in Quench, our other sections are looking forward to 2013 too. Music makes some new year’s resolutions, while Film previews the best upcoming picks to hit the big screen. Fashion takes a look at spring summer trends, Food to look out for, and LGBT+ introduces some new faces from its society. We must also inform you of some exciting Cardiff Student Media news. Chris (Head of Student Media) has managed to grab hold of no other than Channel 4’s Rick Edwards to host the annual CSM Awards 2013, which will be held in the Hilton Hotel on 27th April. We urge anybody who’s written for us so far this year to submit his or her pieces, as it’s a great way to get your work read by industry professionals. Submission forms are available to complete from the gair rhydd who knows, the winners may even get a cheeky kiss off Rick himself. If you have any queries regarding the media awards then do not hesitate to contact us by emailing quench@gairrhydd.com. Finally, Jo and I would like to say a great big thank you to all of our section editors for the time and effort they have spent in making this issue, despite having essays and exams themselves. You’re all great and we’re looking forward to producing some top quality stuff with you for the remainder of this academic year. Quench of 2013.
Enjoy! four Q quench@gairrhydd.com · @QuenchEditor
Travel: Heather Arnold & Helena Lins LGBT+: Thomas Leeming & Erin Ekins Culture: Jess Rayner Music: Rosey Brown, Kit Denison & Stephen Springate Film: Becky Johnson, Amy Pay & Becky Wilson Videogames: Michael O’Connell-Davidson Food & Drink: Proof-reading: Felicity Jones Olivia Rendall Sum Sze Tam Tom Parry-Jones
Soundtrack: Les Mis soundtrack, the new Joy Formidable album & a ton of Little Dragon remixes.
Features
Falling through the net
Words: Michael O’Connell-Davidson I’m one of Cardiff University’s care-leavers. Well, sort of. I got the bursary, but what that means in my case is that I left the care of my parents a few years ago. I was made homeless by my father at 16 at the behest of his new girlfriend. Since then, I’ve lived independently, attending college and subsequently holding down a job as a production assistant at a local newspaper. It’s an unusual position to be in. On the one hand, I’m a
that I have managed to beat, I’d say I’m pretty smart.
manage your money when you’re not living under your parents’
because people aren’t aware of the issues facing those who come from inadequately managed households. While it might be tempting to peg me as a sort of exhibitionist, I’m writing this precisely because people need to be made aware of these issues. A good proportion of my university friendship group has frightfully middle-class parents and paid-for accommodation. Although many (but not all) of those who come
just as well as anybody else. I’ve also shared houses with people bigger and tougher than business school undergrads, so moving On the other hand, I don’t have a very clear idea where I’m going when term comes to an end during Christmas or the
some support from private charity, I have no idea how I would have made it through college without it. I’m not a fervent Labour party supporter and I understand that the Conservative/Liberal
I have, despite there being tens of thousands of young people who’ve experienced homelessness at one point or another, and I didn’t start at an early age, I’ve still not mastered some of the basics (tying my shoelaces properly still eludes me).
as well. Indeed, while I’m not nearly pretty enough to be scouted by a pimp, many young adults in the position I was in turn to has a notorious drug problem. It’s been described as “the most deprived area in the South West of England”, and Centrepoint, as well as numerous other charities and public bodies, have noted how often the young and homeless turn to drug abuse. I in my position turn to one or the other. So it seems that I have every right to shrug off a little criticism. Considering the odds
occupant had destroyed the toilet and parts of it had been reasons why I didn’t want to stay. for the attendant and unexpected for me. She assured me that I’d they came from and clear them out. I assume that they sorted it
young people are just that unpleasant, doesn’t that seem a little that members of the public sector largely see themselves as paid I’d probably give everyone at Cardiff’s Student Support Centre at all.
light and, over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that some even a little dumb. I’d disagree and, now that I’m studying at a
a youth hostel that included a visit to a sample room. It was the
is abating misfortune. Unfortunately, people don’t usually tend
going my own way. I found a job at a local chip shop and rented
little more human: sorting your life out on your own isn’t easy
pay-cheque that wasn’t swallowed up by the rent. My mother moved into the same building and, despite my protests that we didn’t really have anything to do with each other; the council
Councils and public services don’t always offer the support that they are supposed to and sometimes give completely worthless advice to people with nobody else to turn to. I have had personal experience of this. When I discussed whether it would be possible for me to attend college despite my circumstances, have a child. While beggars can’t be choosers (although the rightist press will tell you otherwise), temporary accommodation is much
not seen her in nearly three years. Eventually, I managed to get to college and lived with a German family whose son went to school with me. We got on really well me a lot about living alongside other people. Unfortunately, it’s because your past has a funny way of rearing its ugly head.
features@gairrhydd.com · @qfeatures
Q
Features My father’s girlfriend, whom he still lived with and so counted as part of his household, did not give me permission to cite her wouldn’t have had any impact on her, her credit score, or her
provisions for people in my position and refused to recognise
gap year last year as I couldn’t cover the expense of coming here. The only reason I did was so that I’d satisfy one of their
servants just don’t have the right training or the willingness to help them. ended up. I have an irritatingly intelligent friend from secondary
six Q features@gairrhydd.com · @qfeatures
I ended up staying in a B&B for two weeks. The room I was supposed to stay in was full of flies.
just came up trumps in a statistical lottery.
time.
piece. I even maintained enough of a positive attitude to spend realised that I wasn’t very funny. What frightens me the most lottery, then what happens to the losers? And if most people
Features
Open Relationships:
Bizarre Love Triangle?
N
ew relationships are a complex seesaw of staying cool and collected without becoming too cold: if you text, will they think you’re too clingy? If you don’t, will they think you’re not interested? Even when you’ve moved the everyday issues (for example, the amount you should spend on birthday presents, working out what their friends think of you, etc.) there are always deeper issues that brew beneath the over some relationship drama, from guilt over a drunken Saturday night blunder to disagreements about a boyfriend’s elusive behaviour: “he spends more time watching rugby than Open relationships surely just add to all this drama? Multiple partners must create multiple problems. The risk of accidental pregnancy and STDs goes up, the amount of time you have to spend with your partner goes down, and more importantly, you are forced to re-evaluate the foundation of your relationship. If you need more than one person in your love life, its time to ask yourself: why? relationship in which the parties want to be together, but agree confused with swinging. Yet swingers claim that all emotional bonds are unharmed; most swingers groups even recommend that couples only participate if their relationship is stable. Open relationships, on the other hand, allow romantic attachments that go beyond just sex. Whether or not it is really possible person is a controversial question. No relationship is perfect, but there are some basic rules: keep it honest, make sure its equal and don’t cheat. However, in an open relationship the traditional notions of fairness and trust dissolve and it takes a tough person to deal with this. Not only do you have to cope with your own feelings and anxieties towards your partner but also with being a minority in a society based around monogamous relationships. How would you react if an acquaintance pointed out they saw your boyfriend with three different girls that week? Obviously, it is more important what you think than what other people have to say, but if your partner is exploiting the situation, then it can make you seem like a pushover, as well as damaging your own self-esteem. Would you trust yourself to avoid feelings of insecurity if you saw your partner with someone you deemed more attractive than yourself? Perhaps an open relationship stems from something lacking between a couple and the presence of others might seem like an ideal way to bridge the gaps. However, there is also a great
Perhaps we’re shocked by the concept of open relationships merely because it is still an alien concept to us. You wouldn’t temporarily as if you ‘have it all’, but once you have made the crucial decision to open your relationship up, it may be hard to close again. One girl I spoke to described her experience: “My boyfriend suggested an open relationship when we were going through a bit of a rough patch. I went along with it because it seemed preferable to splitting up. In the end, though, I realised it was pretty much him sleeping with whoever he wanted and me putting up with it. We had increasingly less reasons to stay opinions on open relationships were varied and interesting. The vast majority were opposed and a majority of these opponents were girls. Their comments included: “I personally wouldn’t, Several questioned the difference between an open relationship and being unfaithful. When you consider the reputation cheating has in our society, this is a big deal. Trashy magazines thrive off
love only to discover a couple of lines at the end commenting that the other girl he slept with last week wasn’t bad either. Fairy tales don’t traditionally end with the handsome prince ditching the princess temporarily to hook up with a girl he met at their wedding. In a society where less than 150 years ago it was deemed ‘improper’ for a couple not engaged to hold hands, remnants of what is ‘expected’ is still subconsciously in between putting condoms on bananas, it is constantly reiterated that ‘sex should be part of a healthy and loving couples value monogamy. Yet it is worth mentioning that of this 95%, 27% of men and 18% of women have been unfaithful during their most recent relationship. This casts a shadow of doubt over whether people actually practice what they preach and has led some scientists and psychologists to advocate open wouldn’t naturally settle for one lifelong sexual partner, but
and ‘home-wrecker’ Imogen Thomas. When Twilight star Kristen Stewart was photographed kissing another man, this led to outrage and even death threats from the Robert Pattinson fanbase (at least half of the female teenage population).
have also been arguments that the desire for multiple partners develops from a desire to have the highest possible chance of reproduction. But using these arguments of nature and ‘animalistic’ desires
in a relationship, you want to believe that your partner wants to be with you, not the girl living in the house next door or the guy working behind the bar. You want to believe that you are enough for someone so that they simply don’t feel the urge to
truth of this research, the reality is that we live in a cultivated society bound by laws. In the same way that you can’t urinate like a monkey wherever you feel like it, it is expected that you will exercise some control over your sexual freedom and relationships. That involves staying safe, treating the people you sleep with with respect, and learning to be considerate of different viewpoints. We are lucky enough in modern society to have a choice over how we live our lives and pursue relationships. If an open relationship is something you and your partner believe will make you happy then there is nothing to stop you. From a personal perspective, I’d risk, in the words of Baker,
at the same time, choose the second. Because if you really loved Yet as negatively as cheating is looked upon in society, magazine revealed that 19% of British women and 30% of British men would cheat if they wouldn’t get caught. also revealed that 36% of couples blamed partner ideal, but it is an alternative to a break-up. It is the middle ground between the freedom of single life and the emotional security that a relationship offers. One student I spoke to described practical reasons: “I wasn’t planning to go on holiday and come back with a boyfriend, particularly as I was starting university and he was doing a year abroad. We hadn’t had time to build a proper relationship, but were reluctant to end it. So although we’re technically together, we’ve agreed that if we sleep with other people, then it doesn’t matter. It works because it feels like less of a drag and a commitment. It’s helped us
perhaps I might reconsider). But that is merely the way I choose to live my life. Relationships are like many things in our world: from scuba diving to food preferences to sex toys, you have a right to choose the lifestyle that works for you and no one can experimentation as a student doesn’t mean you will become an unmarried 70-year-old spinster sleeping with half of the bingo hall every week, but if that’s what you want, then the choice is yours.
features@gairrhydd.com · @qfeatures
Q seven
Columnist
Are you not entertained? by Rachel Moloney
T
he last time I mentioned my housemates in an article, they got all excited. So I’m going to do it again. They think I’m Carrie Bradshaw. For the minority who have never seen Sex and the City (and I include myself in that group), Carrie is the fashionable and fun-loving newspaper columnist who writes about her own relationships as well as those of her friends. Now, I don’t advertise everyone’s love life to the world, live in New York or have an endless supply of shoes; however, I rather like the sound of being a successful fashionista in NYC, so I’m going to take it as a compliment. its sequel, there was only one thing left for Sex and the City to do: a prequel. Recently airing on US television, The Carrie Diaries sees young actress AnnaSophia Robb step into the towering heels of Sarah Jessica Parker, as she breezes her way through school. Teenage romance, a law internship in Manhattan and a rather tame-looking ’80s hairstyle keep the 16-year-old preoccupied in the meantime and no doubt provide her with plenty of anecdotes for the future. A TV series made about my childhood? Yes, I could handle that too. However, so many things from my childhood are no longer there. Take this scenario: you walk down the street, you see that shop with the three pink letters on a black background and you think, no HMV, I can buy that DVD online. After 90 years of being the only shop with a dog and gramophone for a logo, HMV was always going to lose its customers to websites such as iTunes and Amazon and has unsurprisingly gone into administration. With a month-long sale expected, which will probably slash prices down to the same as everywhere else, it’s a good idea to spend all of those HMV vouchers you got for Christmas. Quick: before they stop accepting them again. Yet if you do fancy a good old DVD, then head on down to your local Blockbuster. Damn, you can’t do that either. With so much choice online, it’s not surprising that these stores have been forced to close and frankly I’m amazed they’ve kept on going for so long. However, it will be sad to see yet another empty building on the high street, as you used to be able to pick out a DVD for the weekend (or a VHS if you were really cool), before popping into Woolworths for a cheeky bag of pick ’n’ mix. Those were the days and gone in the blink of an eye, along with Pokémon cards, yo-yo’s and SM:TV Live.
eight Q
Children these days just don’t know what they’re missing. After over 60 years on BBC One, children’s television programmes came to an end just before Christmas with a special Blue Peter show and CBeebies Panto. Now, I know children’s channels and that such a move hardly affects me now, but it is strange to think that kids these days don’t come home from school, automatically turn on the Beeb and then sit down for a bit of SMart or Newsround. Yeah, I told you I was cool. Don’t get me wrong, some of the things from the ’90s were awful, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to look back on them now. That decade, as well as the beginning of the noughties, gave rise to some of the cheesiest pop bands ever who are set to perform on ITV2’s The Big Reunion later this month. The show will no doubt remind us that 5ive, B*Witched, Liberty X or Honeyz could neither sing nor spell, yet even I’ll admit that when 5ive’s ‘Everybody Get Up’ came on in a club the other day, I just couldn’t stop myself from singing. As per usual, we have Simon Cowell to blame for their stint on the music scene, and in their heyday, the boys were apparently known as the bad ones in pop. This somewhat passed me by when I was 9; have they not heard of Harry Styles? Another ex-boy band member also returning to his roots is Justin Timberlake, who recently announced details of been busy appearing in The Social Network and being Mila Kunis’ he has since retreated to the comfort of the recording studio, enlisting the help of Jay-Z and Timberland (you could do far worse). His new single
A TV series made about my childhood? Yes, I could handle that too.
album called ‘The 20/20 Experience’ and with such a cryptic title, who knows what Justin’s new sound will be like. To be honest, I don’t really care, as I was never that much of a Justin fan anyway. But there is something incredibly reassuring about the reappearance of something from your childhood. I may not have my life planned out like a Carrie Bradshaw, but at least I can look back and remember what it was like to be a young’un. Or I would be able to, if everything just stopped disappearing.
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Fashion&Beauty
THE 60s
FLOWER-POWER
PENCIL SKIRTS
Spring Summer 2013 Trends Floral Cami-Top: Topshop, £22 Neon Skirt: Miss Selfridge, £32 Coral Lipstick: Rimmel, £5
NEON
ten
Pencil Skirt: River Island, £20 Flower Bomber Jacket: Topshop, £65 Embellished Dress: FCUK, £88
BOMBER JACKETS
EMBELLISHMENT
fashion@gairrhydd.com · @quenchfashion
Fashion&Beauty
FASHION FIX Words: Jacqueline Kilikita
We’ve gone customising crazy at Quench Fashion! The festive period may have left you a little short on money, but your wardrobe doesn’t have to suffer. Follow these three simple steps to give your ailing winter wardrobe a much needed overhaul. Glue at the ready…
You will need: · A pair of plain leggings. · Studs (£1.50 a bag from Cardiff Central Market, Haberdasher’s stall). · Fabric glue, £2.50, Wilkinson’s. Any other type of glue will stiffen the material.
StepThree:
Start at the top and place a stud alongside the seam. Press for a couple of seconds. Repeat in a straight line until both sides of the leggings are covered in the studs.
StepOne: StepTwo: Gently dab a small amount of fabric glue onto the centre of the underside of the stud.
FASHION MOMENT:
statement piece
the boyfriend jean...
White casual big pocket shirt: Topshop, £36 Red check shirt: River Island, £30
Ankle sock: River Island, £4
Neon fabric wrap necklace: Topshop, £16.50
the embellished Beaded clutch: Asos, £40 clutch...
jean: Topshop, £42
Red crepe skinny trousers: Topshop, £42
Studded Brothel Creepers: New Look, £26.99
Brogue: La Redoute, £69
Olivia Reidy
fashion@gairrhydd.com · @quenchfashion
Q eleven
Travel
H I TC H H I K I N G : thumbs up or thumbs down?
The life of a hitchhiker can be one full of stories, both good and bad, of the people they’ve met and the experiences they’ve had. Travel writers Felix Bush and Kayleigh Chan discuss the ups and downs of catching a free ride. Most people think they understand hitchhiking. For many, it thumb skyward; a dusty road and a succession of oddly myopic drivers ignoring him; he begins to lose hope. But then, at last, an ancient engine and the screech of tortured brakes heralds a pick-up truck with an owner resembling a classic Hammer horror villain. We all know this image to some extent and this is the problem with hitchhiking in the 21st century. This great tradition has been all but wiped out by a combined assault from fear-mongering media, cliché-reliant horror writers and ‘stranger danger’ urban legend. This is odd because the ‘golden era’ of hitchhiking (picture depression-era travelling workers or Kerouac’s itinerant free-spirits) was demonstrably a more violent age. So it really must be time to rediscover the power of the hitch. It is a sociable, adventurous and very green method of transportation: consider how many unnecessary car journeys are made every year when there are empty seats that could be
as ‘spontaneous car sharing’ or similar. Hitchhiking offers a unique perspective on humanity. The sheer variety of life it exposes you to is breathtaking and this is as true in suburban Britain as it is on any American interstate. Sure, hawking for a lift in a service station car park isn’t quite On the Road, but it certainly gets you places and introduces you to just as many people. And it’s free. Of course, there are risks (in theory anyone on the road is a potential crackpot/serial-killer), but are you really any safer on a bus full of strangers? Or in a pub? We embrace the unknown every day, and by and large, we get by. Incidentally, the number of psychopaths I’ve come across while hitching is precisely zero. So let’s ignore the doom-mongers, dust off our thumbs and get back on the road. We’d all be a lot greener, a deal richer and more socially enlightened if we did. Felix Bush
Thumbs Up
New Year’s
Travel-utions A new year means a time to see and do new things. Start 2013 by exploring more of Cardiff and the surrounding area. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Cycle the Taff Trail
The Taff Trail runs alongside the River Taff for 55 miles from Cardiff Bay to Brecon. If that’s a bit too far, why not take a ride up to Castell Coch, an impressive gothic revival castle just a few miles north of Cardiff?
Dunraven Bay
Otherwise known as Southerndown Beach, this bay is a beautiful spot just outside Bridgend, and it’s got a bit of everything: sand, waves and cliffs to explore. If you think it looks familiar, you’ve probably seen it on TV shows such as Doctor Who and Merlin.
Walk through the Brecon Beacons
There are over 30 walking routes through the national park, all
from quick walks along the canal to an eight-day trek. That’s not all you can do here, though: caving, climbing, gliding, kayaking and
Go boating on Roath Park Lake
Thumbs down Last Easter, I hitchhiked from Cardiff to Morocco along with a couple of friends in aid of charity. While it was a great experience, and the generosity of strangers does restore your faith in humanity, there were moments when we began to Family and friends were a bit apprehensive before I started; the main concern being that I’d end up in the boot of a crazy guy’s car and never be seen again. Fortunately, this didn’t happen but it’s easy to see why it’s a valid concern: it’s why we’re told as children not to talk to strangers. We got picked up by a girl returning from holiday. Minutes after we got in the car she was pulled over by the police as part of a routine check. We realised, however, that something was amiss when our driver had been gone for 10 minutes, and when we next saw her, she was in tears. It turned out she was high on amphetamines and that her “holiday” had been a mad rave. You just don’t know who will pick you up, although against our better judgement, we stayed in the car with her for another
twelve Q travel@gairrhydd.com · @quench_travel
couple of hours. Something to be aware of while hitchhiking is sleeping. Cities for a lift the next day, then it’s best to have alternative sleeping arrangements in city centre hostels. In hindsight, a tent would have been the perfect solution for us, but we didn’t bring one. This led to us sleeping in the back of a truck one night (the coldest night of my life) and in a child’s playpen at a service station for another. The playpen, though, at having your head resting on a table. I don’t like not knowing where I’ll end up the next day, or having to spend seven hours on the side of a road to then make awkward conversation with a driver who has limited English. The uncertainty of hitchhiking means that I won’t be doing it again any time soon. Kayleigh Chan
A great choice for when it gets a bit warmer. The lake in Roath
and a motor launch, perfect for a trip with friends and a picnic. If boating isn’t your thing, you can walk around the Wild or Botanic Gardens.
Play crazy golf at Celtic Manor
Best known for hosting the 2010 Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor is a luxury resort just outside Newport. While most of what it offers is out of us poor students’ budgets, the two excellent nine-hole adventure golf courses are worth having a go at. Kayleigh Chan
Travel
THE SUNSHINE STATE COURSING THROUGH CALIFORNIA
Photos: Laurie Taylor
travel@gairrhydd.com 路 @quench_travel
Q thirteen
Culture
In the Spotlight...
FRESHTHEATRE new in 2013 look no further than Cardiff’s latest offering of innovative theatre. You may not be aware of the exciting depth of culture the city has to offer, but there are a growing number of theatre companies that continually strive to showcase the best talent from Wales and beyond. Taking inspiration from everyday issues that affect society to updating old tales, Cardiff’s drama scene is rapidly growing and always looking for new ways to create meaningful and expressive work. This year is no exception, with the upcoming list of productions shaping up to be as diverse and groundbreaking as ever. So forget the gym memberships (let’s face it, we only get them to pretend we are embracing our inner athlete) and instead take a trip to the theatre to shake away those January blues.
Living Pictures Productions: Sexual Perversity in Chicago Living Pictures Productions are a Wales-based theatre company who are focused on improving their knowledge of the theatre craft in order to approach conventional methods with a new perceptive. Established in 1999 with the goal of creating possibilities and initiatives for emerging and reputable directors to develop their understanding of both directing and acting, Living Pictures is an example of Cardiff theatre at its best. This year, they bring the play Sexual Perversity in Chicago to Sherman Cymru. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright David Mamet, the topical issue of sex is brought to the forefront in this critically acclaimed comedy looking at relationships and the many failed attempts in the search for love. I got a chance to speak to Robert Bowman, one of the founders of Living Firstly Rob, for those who haven’t heard much about Living Pictures Productions, can you tell me more about what the company does and stands for? [joint artistic director Elen Bowman] and my investigation techniques of Stanislavsky and the techniques of other practitioners. We were inspired by the rigorous approach that most Russian theatre practitioners take when approaching their craft. We also wanted to add something to director training in the UK. We started a series of workshops that became known as Directors Acting. These consist of a prominent UK director coming in to lead a workshop for other directors and treating the directors as actors in order to increase their potential for learning by experiencing the want to produce good, enjoyable work that is thorough, challenging and entertaining. You come from an acting background; how have your experiences as an actor helped you manage the company and have they changed the way you approach your role as director on plays such as Sexual Perversity in Chicago? approach directing. In fact, it was the reason I started to learn about directing. When working as an actor, I was usually disappointed with the techniques the directors were using to help the actors realise their roles, and also, sometimes I resented almost being taken out of the creative process. the rehearsal room and propose certain techniques while working on a play. Techniques that we are often taught at drama schools and then are abandoned because directors have a very different way into their profession. directing is a means to an end and I’m not really a ‘director’. So, Sexual Perversity in Chicago is a real experiment for me in trying to direct and be in a production at the same time. I’ve got a great young director called Nora Wardell being my associate director on this (she, by the way, is an actress as well) and I’m hoping that this will allow me to be an actor
bounce off when having my ‘director’s hat’ on. I want everyone involved to feel they have a voice, a say, in what we put on stage. When directing, I’m most interested comes from me working the text with the actors. I’m not against heightened theatricality, but I don’t like seeing work that isn’t supported by some sense of artistic truth and ideally, coming from the actors. The latest play, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, is part of the ‘Process Plays’, exploring the techniques of Sanford Meisner. What was it about Meisner that the play? Mamet trained with Meisner and you can see and feel it in the writing. I love the work of Meisner as it’s simple but very profound, and the more you do, the more it demands you to be truthful. He has very clear ideas about theatre, and although I might disagree with some of them, I would teacher of the Meisner method is Scott Williams, who’s a fellow American, and is our ‘Meisner Expert’ on this project. The play deals with sexual relationships in the setting of 1970s Chicago, what can audiences expect from the play? They can expect to laugh, be entertained, hear some funky characters are going through. If they haven’t seen Mamet before, it is a fantastic introduction. The dialogue is fast, punchy, hard-hitting and, as I say, very funny at times. He brilliantly explores the differences in the sexes. How does the American setting of Chicago transfer to Wales? Do you think the play will affect audiences in the same way? I think so. It’s the same all over really. And it never really goes out of date. Women don’t really understand men and men don’t really understand women. 100%. I think what is different now is that men and women talk more about it, but I’m sure we’ve all been with people who still talk in a way of ‘us and them’. It still exists, and for me, the play hilariously exposes this. As well as bringing in some of the darker elements attached to men and women getting it together. And lastly, what is it like being able to act in as well as direct the play; do you think you can bring a greater intensity having worked so closely on the play as a whole? I am really enjoying it. Obviously, it has its c hallenges, though, but I will be interested to see where my performance ends up by the end of it. I’m originally from America and have lived and worked in the UK for the last 30 years, mainly playing British characters – me being the only ‘authentic’ the Chicago accent. But the good thing about directing and acting in the same production is it makes me ask the same questions of myself that I ask the other actors. Jess Rayner
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Sexual Perversity in Chicago comes to Sherman Cymru on February 6th–9th. For more information visit: http://www.shermancymru.co.uk
Culture
Opera’r Ddraig Thought the opera was something for the caviar eating, champagne drinking types? Well, think again. Opera’r Ddraig takes these misconceptions about opera to bring audiences something unique and exciting. The youth-led company aims to provide a platform to shape and educate young talent, particularly for those young people looking for a career in opera. The latest offering from Opera’r Ddraig is Orpheus in the Underworld, a modern take on the Greek tale – expect a combination of
Orpheus in the Underworld comes to the Coal Exchange from February 12th to 15th. For more information visit: http://operarddraig.co.uk/
University Music student and chorus member in ‘Orpheus’, Amelie Denise Irene gives Quench Culture a behind-the-scenes insight into what the production is all about.
Orpheus in the Underworld
Cardiff University, my musical life seemed pretty complete with the exception of one thing... I’d never been in an opera. BBC National Chorus of Wales had provided me with some thrilling concert experiences, as did many other choirs, but the dramatic and theatrical aspect of opera was one that I was yet to experience from the stage. I took every opportunity to see Welsh National Opera dress rehearsal performances, so when Opera’r Ddraig performed Handel’s Acis and Galatea and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas last year, I jumped at the chance to get an insight into the company. I found myself successfully auditioning. And here the Opera’r Ddraig’s production of Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach will grace the
stage at the Coal Exchange in the Bay from the 12th to the 15th. Complete with can-can (yep, we will be attempting to make this look effortless and graceful), elaborate costumes and scandalous plot lines, this promises to be both an aural and visual spectacle. Winners of the 2010 Wales year’s production promises to be bigger and better than ever. Sung in English, the libretto describes the plight of Orpheus as he embarks on his quest to save his heroic wife, Eurydice, from the underworld. His ‘laddish’ tendencies, however, land him in a spot of bother with Eurydice, who yearns for a divorce and a life with the charismatic lad-next-door. Public Opinion, ‘Queen of the Tabloids’, advises Orpheus to resolve his marital issues and so follows a tale of persistence, betrayal and humour. Will
Orpheus manage to reclaim his wife from the pitfalls of hell? Described as a ‘before-its time panto’, the librettist Snoo Wilson (who became famous for his play ‘Blowjob’ in the 1970s) provides a text packed with jokes, truth and poignancy. Watch out for the overwhelming amount of gags. The cast, consisting predominantly of singers/alumni from both Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Cardiff University, will be accompanied by the Opera’r Ddraig Orchestra Director Imogen Tedbury’s quirky and alternative take on this popular tale will no doubt entertain. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk or alternatively on 08448700887. They are just £6 for students, so if you fancy a fun introduction to opera with whole-hearted singing, drama and dancing, please show your support and enjoy the spectacle.
culture@gairrhydd.com · @ quenchculture
Q
LGBT+
REFRESHERS’ WEEK LGBT+ Society President Sarah Lynn explains all about the LGBT+ Society.
M
LGBT+ Society stall and the following my sexuality and the friends
had and went to the Coffee Morning.
spent getting drunk on nights out to try The Cardiff LGBT+ Society is, in my opinion, one of the most open and decision that would change my life. At
We welcome everyone. A common
misconception is that we only allow people who identify as LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi,
go out on the town, with the local gay scene constantly growing and evolving.
we have a fair few straight members, who are all allies of the LGBT+ community. A lot of people also think that the LGBT+ Society is purely political, that all we do is discuss politics and the “Gay agenda” (whatever that is). We actually hardly do that at all! We leave that to the LGBT+
though: we are always working with other societies to organise bigger and better socials, having gone to Bristol last year and planning to go to National Student Pride and Playzone later this year. There really is something for everyone. The political side, handled by the association, is active in student politics and bringing change to the university: Very Queer Closet that was camped out in the union reception, the bake sale on Transgender Day of Remembrance and
ourselves mainly with having fun, making friends... and occasionally getting drunk. Our most regular social is the weekly Saturday Coffee Morning. We eat, talk and drink coffee, and this can sometimes go on all day. We also have a fortnightly “Queerstion Time” where we address any and all questions brought to the table in the form of a group discussion. We have movie nights, board game nights and are always open to new ideas for non-alcoholic socials. We also regularly
day was all the work of the association. We are dedicated to bringing positive change to the university and helping LGBT+ students is what we are here for. We are always open to new members,
Who Can You Talk To? Eddie Greaves, Freshers’ Rep, and Rob Callaghan, Postgrad and Mature Students Rep, introduce themselves and their roles within the society
EDDIE GREAVES
edgreaves@hotmail.co.uk
H
self. My job is to welcome all the freshers to the soci-
Having said that the society always loves new members ple are undecided as to whether they would like to get involved or not. The society is a fantastic chance to meet
doesn’t attract many freshers, so the rep spends most of the year trying to boost numbers instead of actually doing their job, but
“Some of my new best friends of my life are from the society.”
loads of like-minded people to talk to, become friends with, go on nights out with or share and discuss ideas with. We turn no one away and, personally, some of my new best
need any advice or want to talk to any member of the com-
ROB CALLAGHAN
callaghanrw@cardiff.ac.uk
university. There was a towel on the end of my bed. Not my
home over Christmas without having a similar experience. Perhaps some small piece of family news will have passed you by. Some things don’t change though. No one will ever make me laugh as hard as my brothers because they know me better than anyone. Our in-jokes and obscure Simpsons references
know each other completely. However much you might have insisted otherwise as an adolescent, they do understand you. You can see it in the eyes of nervous freshers. Their worries are more fundamental than whether they will make any friends tells you they have a weird sense of humour (They don’t. They like videos of cats. Like everyone else.) They eventually discover that everyone else is as weird as they are. Being ‘guest-towelled’ by my parents felt like a big thing because the people whose
with wildly different identities and experiences decide to get shares their interest in Maths, LGBT+ shares their weirdness. (Seasons 1 to 7), LGBT folk have similar references. Everyone’s got a coming out story, or a not coming out story. Everyone’s tried to hook-up online or hates the idea. Everyone’s met a homophobic douchebag or punched a homophobic can’t stand it). And so we get together. You should come.
living in each others’ pockets means you can’t help but
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lgbt@gairrhydd.com
Music
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It would appear, however, that I am in a growing minority who opt for purchasing the whole album, in its physical form, rather than cherry-picking the singles online. Recent statistics might suggest that the album is diminishing in popularity year on year, while its shorter, wide availability of free music on the internet, people are seemingly happy to stretch to a 79p download but increasingly less likely to fork out for the album from which it came. Fortunately, it’s by no means all doom and gloom for the LP. A quiet revolution is brewing beneath the sea of single download dominance. The BPI (British Phonographic Industry) reported a mammoth 44% increase in sales of not include sales at concerts, which could considerably there was an astonishing 90% increase in sales from the previous year. But we don’t have to rely on damned lies and statistics; the renaissance is clear to see. In 2011, BBC Radio 6 launched the weekly Vinyl Revival show becoming the world’s only all-vinyl radio show. Now in its second series, the show attracts well-known names to discuss their collections and share their love for the nostalgic 2007, encouraging music fans nationwide to support their local record store and celebrate their independence. Many bands contribute to the cause each year by releasing new material and deep cuts on vinyl to be sold exclusively that has recently seen HMV move in to administration, my local record store (the wonderfully named Raves and even opened up a new store in nearby Bath, which predominately stocks... you guessed it.
A common misconception is that vinyl is predominantly bought by older generations who refuse to relinquish their outdated, cumbersome possessions and embrace the resurgence of vinyl is from the younger generations, who seek current music as well as classic reissues. In response, more artists, including lesser-known bands, are and making musical content available online. If a band wishes to produce their album on vinyl, they will usually have to order 500 copies so they need to know there will be a demand.
A common misconception is that vinyl is predominantly bought by older generations who refuse to relinquish their outdated, cumbersome possessions and embrace modern technology. To some however, the return of the vinyl record will and phones have become impressively comprehensive and limited system. But to what extent are we really focusing on what we listen to when we tune in online? The internet is a fantastic musical resource but with distractions such as social networking sites, listening often becomes a secondary activity. Finer details are missed, and what we have experienced is an impression of the music and not the full picture as conceived by the artist. Conversely, when I sit down to listen to a record, I inevitably make a stronger commitment to absorbing the album. Perhaps it’s down to this commitment that I I listen on a digital platform; skipping past songs I hastily decide I don’t like isn’t really an option in this context. It’s staggering how many of these songs that I initially dislike
become long-term favourites. Or maybe it isn’t; the music that challenges us and makes us think differently is bound to take that bit more of a commitment to get properly acquainted with. Of course, many people still choose to buy the reliable compact disc (although this number appears to be support your favourite artists, and the labels that fostered them, at usually half the expense to your wallet. New vinyl is quite pricy, (upwards of £15 is to be expected for a new album) true, but many record shops stock both new and second hand vinyl; it can be a bit of a lucky dip but the prospect of stumbling across a gem is all part of the fancy phone things. Alas, you cannot simply shove vinyl to have a new record player or turntable, it is possible to convert your music to your laptop through the wizardry releases include a code to allow you to download a free breakage and wear and tear. Okay, the humble vinyl can’t really argue its way out of that one, but part of the reason why vinyl is more of collectible item is that you have to take care of it and treat it with respect. With its larger artwork and booklet, it is something to be cherished and seems to have an answer to those arguments. And what would a discussion about the pros of vinyl be, without mentioning the warm sound quality and gentle crackle that has been its signature since the beginning. The sound of a crackling record is a beautiful thing to me, but it’s not why I love it. I love knowing I’ve supported both the artist I love and the shops that continue to sell the wonderful things; that I’m dedicating some quality time to the music that is an integral part of who I am; the process of removing the record from its beautiful case, carefully placing it on the player, and setting the needle
In this Spotify age, where our laptops and phones have become impressively comprehensive jukeboxes, it’s difficult to imagine reverting to a stationary and limited system. But to what extent are we really focusing on what we listen to when we tune in online?
Raves from the Grave?
Words & Photo: Kit Denison
music@gairrhydd.com · @quenchmusic
Q seventeen
Music
MUSIC RESOLUTIONS 2013 It’s easy to fall into a routine with music,
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The festivities are over, the cold dawn of 2013 breaks. It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of New Year’s the year’s goals, banning chocolate from your life and promising yourself a perfect “beach body” by Easter. Change doesn’t have to be so strenuous. If squeezing yourself into a tracksuit and dragging yourself to the gym doesn’t appeal, why not try a music-based resolution this year? Get your groove on, if you must burn some calories. Rosey Brown and Stephen Springate provide some suggestions for a happier, healthier, funkier new year.
Go to more gigs
Listen to more world music This doesn’t mean go and listen to some Sigur Ros or Gogol Bordello, who receive plenty of coverage already. I mean picking a country or culture that you know next to nothing about, and seeing what music scenes are thriving there. I guarantee you anything you’re used to listening to. For starters, how about some Shamisen rock from Japan, a genre blending western rock and the shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument somewhat like a guitar, which is a strange, but undeniably awesome sound. Listen to the Yoshida Brothers if you fancy a taster. Or for something innately rousing, listen to Tinariwen, a band which forms part of the music scene of the Tuareg people of North West Africa, which is a blend of call-and-response choruses, Arabic rhythms and electric guitars. Alternatively, you could give Highlife, a form of swing originally from Ghana, a go for something more sedate. SS
Instead of draining money on average, forgettable nights out in average clubs, why not make a conscious effort this year to see more live music? It doesn’t have to be a £40-a-ticket stadium experience, where you can’t see the frontman at all, except on the big screens. Intimate gigs with lesser-known local bands are usually a more exciting and undoubtedly more pocketfriendly experience. Gwdihw and Ten Feet Tall are good bets free, depending on the band’s reputation. Visit http://gwdihw. co.uk/ or http://www.10feettallcardiff.com/ and pick out something exciting. RB
Stop being rude about other people’s taste This one’s for a select, derogative few. But it’s surprisingly easy no need to scroll through it, pointing and laughing. This year, when a friend starts telling you about an amazing new Nicki Minaj track, try a polite smile, instead of raising your eyebrows,
Brown can fuck off. RB
Reconnect with an old favourite
mine was (embarrassingly) Steps. But that’s not the point. scratched, over-listened Nirvana best-of? Twenty-seven NOW powerful memories; just a few bars can be enough to transport forgotten all about. Happy hunting! RB
Support your high street record shops before it’s too late The inevitable demise of HMV should act as a warning that it isn’t just the artists who are supported by buying music, but also the record shops up and down the country which are to Basket’ or streaming on Spotify will never have the same after prowling the music aisles for what you want. So, this year, why not make the effort to try and get out and physically purchase some of your music? SS
REVIEWS
Music Albums
FOALS HOLY FIRE (TRANSGRESSIVE) 11.02.13
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS PUSH THE SKY AWAY (BAD SEED LTD) 18.02.13
It’s at the point when the swaggering four minute opener Prelude has built up to a close and the riff of lead single Inhaler thunders into life that it becomes clear that for their third album Holy Fire, the Oxford indie kings have yet again taken their sound in a different direction to their 2008 debut. On their second album they traded in most of Antidotes’ jittery math-rock-dance sound for a more upgraded sound which still had the angular guitar lines of their debut but with an added depth and maturity that resulted in songs as strong as Spanish Sahara. However, without the fun hooks and
It’s been a while since Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds’ last offering. 2008’s Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, a dark and at times humorous masterpiece, received lashings of critical acclaim for its inventiveness and vitality. Push The Sky Away is more relaxed. It opens with We No Who U R like ambience music, with a mellow bassline, and echoing, bell-like chords. “We know where you live”, Cave croons, with sugar-sweet backing singers and an undertone of menace. This slow pace dominates the album. Opening with fast-strummed guitar, Wide Lovely Eyes builds expectations for something more upbeat. But then Cave’s voice comes in, slow, low and melancholy, and drags everything back, turning the song into a disjointed dirge. He’s at his best in Water’s Edge, voice sometimes snarling, sometimes seductively smooth. The melody reaches up, straining away from the low, menacing one-note bassline, but always returns, giving the song a fatalistic feel. This feeling of inevitability, of endless repetition, is one that haunts the album, with varying levels of success. Second single, Jubilee Street melancholic slide guitar and a simple drum rhythm suddenly blossom out with strings playing beautiful, bittersweet harmonies. It grows into heart-rending expansiveness, violins adding a feeling of longing. “Look at me now...”, sings Cave, We Real Cool and Mermaids, never progress beyond their initial ideas, leaving the listener at a dead-end. There are some glimpses of Bad Seeds genius here, undoubtedly, but clichéd lyrics about growing “old” and “cold”, and a questionable mention of a mermaid’s “snatch” just don’t quite match the “greasy grind” of the Bad Seeds’ last offering. Rosey Brown
equivalent of ADHD, some sections of the album didn’t really do much and just ended up sounding like a pretentious drag. Lead singer Yannis was recently quoted saying that he made this album purely for people to enjoy, and it really is noticeably more engaging than Total Life Forever. They’ve really hit their stride on their third album, an accumulation of eight years of experience immediacy of their debut with the substance and atmospherics of their second album, resulting in an album which is consistently strong from the Moon. Stephen Springate
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COMING UP
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THE JOY FORMIDABLE WOLF’S LAW (ATLANTIC) 21.01.13 The North Wales three piece exploded into the public conscience in 2010 with a blistering live show and breathtaking debut LP which can only be described as a mixture of Catatonia and Wolf’s Law. Combining sprawling instrumentals which built into breathtaking crescendos of sheer visceral noise, infectiously catchy hook laden stompers and icy pop vocals from the charismatic leader Ritzy Bryan, The Big Roar was everything a good rock record should be. So it is safe to say Saying I was disappointed by the album isn’t so much an indicator of the quality of Wolf’s Law on its own, but compared to their debut, it’s a plodding carbon copy. They’ve got rid of most of the bite that was so noticeable in their debut, so if they sounded like a combination of Catatonia and Sonic Youth, they now sound like a mixture of Catatonia and Muse, losing their raw edge for something a bit cinematic, pompous and radio friendly. songs on the album, like grand opener This Ladder Is Ours and album highlight The Leopard and the Lung. Longer songs, where they have more time to breathe, prove that the incredible dynamic between them allowing them to create perfectly gelled but equally chaotic behemoths is still very much there. Hopefully, this album is just a blip and they’ll unleash all the potential of their debut in their third full length album, which should be due out next year. identikit alt rock albums which will no doubt be released this year, and whilst it may not have the bite of their debut, nor is it particularly groundbreaking, it’s a fun and engaging offering from a larger-thanlife band who deserve big things in 2013. Stephen Springate
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31.01.13 | Two Door Cinema Club | Cardif University Great Hall |
09.02.13 | Paloma Faith + Josephine | Cardiff Motorpoint Arena |
The Gaelic indie-poppers bring their lively show to Cardiff on the back of their succesful second album.
She might look like something Tim Burton created in his lab but this singers off-beat live show and knack for crafting engaging ballads is not something to be missed.
06.02.13 | Cardiff University LMS Battle Of The Bands | Moon Club |
11.02.13 | Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun | Clwb Ifor Bach |
The Live Music Society is a long-running tradition and has given some great student bands all-important exposure. Heat 1.
Folk-rocker Jim Lockey is getting quite a following due to the great reviews for his second album, Death. A must-see for fans of Frank Turner.
07.02.13 | Feed The Rhino | Clwb Ifor Bach |
11.02.13 | Albatross Archive + Maddie Jones | Four Bars |
If you think you can handle it, then head down to Clwb to see this post-hardcore band’s notoriously brutal and visceral show.
Head to the newly renovated Four Bars (upstairs of Dempsey’s) to see jazz and folk collide with Albatross Archive. Immensely talented singer-songwriter Maddie Jones supports.
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music@gairrhydd.com · @quenchmusic
Film
JANUARY-FEBRUARY
L
es Misérables provides a no-holds-barred welcome to 2013, featuring an all-star cast complete with a few musically closeted surprises. Expect heartstopping harmonies and a heightened appreciation for a warm bed and central heating. If musicals aren’t your thing, look no further than Tarantino’s latest directorial effort Django Unchained, Unchained which sees Jamie Foxx in a comical search for redemption; just remember, the ‘D’ is silent. silent February sees the arrival of some long awaited features; look out for an unrecognisable Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock in a biographical look at the life of the world-famous director. A performance that will presumably be complemented nicely by Helen Mirren as his belle, Alma Reville. Expect some further star-performances in the screen adaptation of David Mitchell’s novel Cloud Atlas, a complex look at the intertwining relationship between past, present and future events; stay alert or get lost, it seems. For something more straightforward, try A Good Day to Die Hard Die Hard franchise, which sees John McClane (Bruce Willis) team up with his estranged son to take on MAY-JUNE underworld forces. There’s more action with a side of obey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey comedy in Warm Bodies; Nicholas Hoult takes on Mulligan take the lead in the long-awaited The Great Gatsby, a story of a mysterious interest in someone a little out of his league, i.e. she socialite who falls into bad circumstances as he has a pulse. fraternises with an old, unfortunately spoken-
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instalment of The Hangover, which, fear not, isn’t centred around the gang suffering the consequences of another stag party but sees them going on a road trip – what could possibly go wrong? Another sequel comes in the form of Star Trek Into Darkness, in which we see Chris Pine reprising his role as Captain Kirk to destroy a weapon of mass destruction. The action continues into June, as Man of Steel hits our screens; Henry Cavill takes on the role of Superman to save his adopted world; also look out for Russell Crowe as Jor-El and Amy Adams as Lois Lane. Brad Pitt also becomes involved in an effort to save the planet in World War Z, as
JULY-AUGUST
C
MARCH-APRIL
M
arch brings with it a somewhat less edgy version of Rooney Mara in thriller Side Effects, which sees the unlikely pairing of her and Channing Tatum as her husband, who’s concerned for her safety as she begins a course of antidepressants that bring with them some unexpected repercussions. If you seek further thrills then try Stoker, the story of India (Mia Wasikowska), who develops an unhealthy infatuation with her uncle following the death of her father; not one for the more closed-minded perhaps. A much more PG option comes in the form of Oz: The Great and Powerful; the story of what happened before Dorothy, complete with some beautiful cinematography and an even better looking cast. As we move into April, the nostalgia continues with the release of the Carrie role as a victim of bullying seeking revenge with the help of some terrifying telekinetic powers. We also see the release of Iron Man 3, which will no doubt be one of the year’s highest grossing blockbusters; Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) goes in search of retribution after his personal world is destroyed.
Firstly, in the animated Monsters University, a prequel to 2001’s Monster’s Inc. We take a look at the duos time during college; prepare to be surprised (and amused), as they’re not as close as you might think. Kick-Ass 2 will surely provide us with some further laughs, with the original cast reprising their roles and the addition of Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes. If you’re looking for a more serious dose of superhero action then look no further than The Wolverine, which follows on the from the events of X-Men Origins and sees Logan (Hugh Jackman) travelling to Japan to
Jesse Eisenberg in Now You See Me, where a team of magicians carry out bank heists during magic shows and reward the audience with the money; it isn’t long till the FBI are onto their case, however.
SEPTEMBEROCTOBER
W
e begin September with the pairing of Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum in White House Down, Tatum makes a satisfying move away from his usual rom-com role to play a secret service agent put in charge of protecting the life of the US president (Foxx). For something more futuristic, take a look at Elysium;; a man (Matt Damon) takes it upon himself to try and bring about equality between the classes; audiences can look forward to a panic-stricken contribution from Jodie Foster. October brings with it its own action in the form of the sequel to Sin City, with a good portion of the claimed this one will be even more beautifully constructed
we hit August, as the sequel to 300 is released; look out for more highly burnished, dream-like scenery and a questionable amount of casual nudity. Finally, Johnny Depp plays the front man in Gore Verbinski’s The Lone Ranger, Ranger pairing up with Armie Hammer to take on a corrupt railroad company. You may be somewhat unsurprised by the casting of Helen Bonham Carter alongside Depp, but don’t let that put you off.
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WELCOME TO 2013
t is with great regret that we say goodbye to 2012, the year that brought us an unrecognisable Tom Hardy in the climactic end to the The Dark Knight franchise, ,
Words: Becky Johnson
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
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s winter approaches, we should be kept warm by the second instalment of the The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, in which we see Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) preparing to take part in the Quarter
your eyes peeled for the remake of Romeo and Juliet, as the star-crossed lovers and a screenplay by Julian Fellowes. Speaking of Shakespeare, October also sees the release of 10 Things I Hate About Life; loosely (and I mean, loosely) following on from 10 Things I hate About You, it tells the story of a young man and woman who meet while both contemplating suicide and decide to spark up a relationship instead… Every cloud…
with the sequel to Thor in the form of Thor: The Dark World, which actually follows on from Avengers Assemble as the Dark Elves, led by the evil Malekith, threaten to plunge the universe back into darkness. Peter Jackson uses his directorial talents to bring us the second instalment of The Hobbit, straight from Middle Earth. The Desolation of Smaug sees Bilbo and the dwarves continue their journey to retrieve the stolen treasure from the Dragon. If a more laugh-out-loud sequel is what you’re after, then make sure you catch Anchorman: The Legend Continues, which no doubt will be brimming with annoyingly infectious one-liners that you’ll be quoting for years to come.
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Q twenty-one
Film
“IF YOU JUST LOVE MOVIES ENOUGH, YOU CAN MAKE A GOOD ONE.” - QUENTIN TARANTINO
A NEW TAKE ON TABOO, TARANTINO STYLE.
D
jango Unchained is the most recent endeavour from revolutionary director Quentin
Words
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surprisingly loyal to the Western genre.
noir cinema. Django Unchained
desolate and harsh landscape quite
Reservoir Dogs graced the screens and shelves that he once manned. the indie success featured aspects of varying genres that he used to
Reservoir Dogs pays homage to the closing scene in (1994). Named after and capturing
NEWS IN FILM female murderer (Uma Thurman) in (2007) further pushed the (2009) gave Tarantino space to create even more vicious torture scenes and strengthen his aestheticisation of violence. While Django Unchained
QUENTIN TARANTINO twenty-two Q
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The Grimaldis (the royal family of Monaco for have slammed the upcoming Grace Kelly
REVIEWS DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?
his particularly in the much-adored
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cinematography to a tragic tale of love and death that is guaranteed to Les Mis茅rables
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lost in its heart-rending story and human spirit. With an all-star cast separated over three
musical star reprises her stage role
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also a
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approach
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Director: Quentin Ta ra
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the sadistic and merciless Calvin Candie (DiCaprio).
Starring: Rebecca Wilson
as he depicts a genuinely unnerving
Kerry Wash ington
L E AT H E R FA C E REVS UP AGAIN.
The plot revolves around a setting that ruins the sense of isolation and dread that
D hop hn Luessen
she is in fact related to the murderous and the eagerness of the director to cut
3D actually serves as a direct
Director: Jo
controversial at the time of its
Trey Songz
The main redeeming factor of Texas Chainsaw 3D
of her friends.
fails to reach the high standards average
slasher
visceral quality. A scene near the end
Ayyub Maadani
to play Spider-
The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Total Film and Woman in Film
are due to reunite for the third time controversial
Love & Mercy.
Girls.
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Q twenty-three
Videogames
Below: A screenshot from the Wii U version of Assassin’s Creed 3
RELEASES: WII U
James Reid introduces Nintendo’s newest console and successor to the Wii, the Wii U. Ever seen the “N64 kid” video on YouTube? For the few who haven’t, it’s a viral hit that depicts two youngsters on Christmas going insane over their brand-new Nintendo 64 and screaming like banshees. It’s hilarious and a must-watch, yet I also You see, let’s say for a moment that the video wasn’t uploaded, that it remained untouched on some dustridden family camcorder. Let’s also assume that my Christmas 1997 was recorded on tape, and let’s imagine that somehow made its way online. Hypothetically, the N64 kid could have been me. But for good reason! I honestly doubt I’ll ever be as hyped for anything as I was for the N64. Not only because replicating pure
that thing had Super Mario 64 and Diddy Kong Racing! It’s a day I still fondly remember, and the system would go on to consume hours of my childhood, producing some of my alltime favourites, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Lylat Wars and Mystical Ninja. But that was a long time ago and I’ve grown older; with age comes experience, and cynicism inevitably follows. Though I’ve remained a diehard Nintendo fan over the years, it’s been hard to ignore or even disagree with critics; poor support from thirdparty developers and large gaps in release schedules only got worse with the Wii, their most successful system. Though a commercial success, the console’s low graphical power, dodgy
online capability and hit-or-miss controls were dissatisfying for many, leading to owners and developers eventually losing interest. I still had a lot of fun with the system (Super Mario Galaxy alone was worth it), but the console fell undeniably short of initial expectations. Enter the Wii U, an entirely new console that attempts to remedy its predecessor’s issues and build upon its legacy with HD graphics and much-improved online capability. controller. Called the ‘gamepad’, it’s a monstrous tablet-like device that houses a 6.2-inch touchscreen, along with standard controller buttons. People were sceptical from the outset; what could it offer? Can we trust it after the the failings of the Wii? Though I was unsure myself, I eventually buckled and ordered one for Christmas. Did this ‘next generation’ offering deliver? Well, not initially. Right out of the gate, there’s a day one update that takes a whopping two hours! A concession of modern technology perhaps, but it’s a blunder on Nintendo’s end, because nothing drains the excitement out of a new pricey toy like watching a loading bar inch its way towards completion. Never mind me, supposedly a grown adult; how awful would this be for any kids that got the system? After the initial buzzkill, I played the system pack-in Nintendoland, a virtual theme park that aims to show off the system’s strengths. This generation’s Wii Sports,
Nintendoland’s ‘attractions’ are minigames based on Nintendo “Yes! Finally a Nintendo game that looks this good!” and, indeed, it has been an agonising wait for Nintendo fans to make the leap into HD. This an original, handmade look, with scenery strewn out of materials like fabric and wool, while beloved Nintendo characters feature as shiny plastic toys. It’s an appealing aesthetic and a strong argument for non-realistic art direction. The game itself is an absolute blast in the right setting. Playing it with my brothers, it was as though those had never passed. The dynamic of one player being equipped with a gamepad while others go on Wii remotes leads to a hilarious and often engaging multiplayer romp, hopping between the cooperative and the competitive. The game does still offer much for the lone player, with achievement-esque stamps to chase, but this is a game at its best when played with multiple people. Next is New Super Mario Bros. U a Nintendo system since Super Mario 64. Unfortunately, it’s a little
64 was a brilliant new take on the portly plumber in 3D, New Super Mario Bros. U comes in a line of homogeneous ‘New’ games that make little effort to change the status quo. All the same, it’s a strong entry with great level design and controls, and
twenty-four Q videogames@gairrhydd.com · @mikeocd
it’s a fun and chaotic experience with other players. Its gamepad support is limited to the ability to create platforms by way of the touch screen in multiplayer, which, though not revolutionary, is a useful feature. Finally, there’s Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed, a Mario Kart -esque racer with Sega-themed characters and stages. I won’t delve into it as much due to it being multi-format, but as well as being a superb racing game loaded with Sega nostalgia (there’s a Golden Axe track!) it’s also where I really began to appreciate one of the system’s unique features: ‘off-TV play.’ Essentially, this means just playing Wii U exclusively on the gamepad’s screen, sans TV. This makes the system a limited handheld of sorts, though of course you have to be within reach of the console; I could above the living room. I can’t tell you how useful it was to be able to still play the Wii U while in the same room over the holiday period; don’t worry, I still took part in socialising! As well as that, I’ve found myself playing tons of Wii U just because of how easy it is to pick up and start on the gamepad, and how I’m not restricted to a TV. Not every game can be played solely on the gamepad (New Super Mario Bros. U? Yes. Nintendoland? No), but despite that, it’s still a very strong selling point. Also accessible from just the gamepad is ‘Miiverse’, Nintendo’s
very own social network that lets players post musings via text or communities. Don’t be put off if you’re sick of the social media craze; I’ve found it a great way to interact with like-minded gamers, as well as a way to marvel at some of the artwork people pull off on this thing (seriously, there are some very talented artists out there). Coupled with a much more streamlined friend system (no more of those awful numeric friend codes), it’s a big improvement in Nintendo’s online offering, something I’m personally very happy to see. With all that nostalgic fun and a showing of both better online and graphics, does the Wii U get an unequivocal recommendation? As much as I’ve enjoyed it, it’s hard to doubtful that it will change the minds of the cynics, and I’d advise the world at large to wait for a price drop and a bigger game selection. It’s also worth sticking it out to see what the next offerings from Sony and Microsoft will be like, especially as they’ll likely be quite the technical leap forward. All the same, I really like the Wii U so far. For me, it’s a sign that Nintendo have not lost their spark. I’m not without scepticism with regards to its future, but for now, it continues to get use and distract me from revision. I mean, really, what’s more important: the priorities of adult life, or unlocking the ability to play as the dwarf from Golden Axe? Don’t answer that.
Videogames
TALKING 2013 WITH IGN’S KEZA MACDONALD
If you follow the UK games media, you’ve almost certainly heard of her. She’s written for Edge, The Guardian, and VG247, and now she heads up IGN UK as the website’s games editor. To kick off the new year, Keza MacDonald talks about the press, the future of retail and what 2013 holds. Words: Michael O’Connell-Davidson personality-free high-street chains. Game shops are starting to make an effort to offer more, to stand out, to communicate passion the way that an independent record shop or comic book store does, and that’s necessary. There will always be people who want to buy games from a shop, but the shops themselves still have to adapt.
this year. If you were to guess, are there any areas you foresee console manufacturers focusing on this time around? like instant-access streaming games service for consoles on the horizon. cycle lasting as long as this one
games journalism start? What was it that made you choose the I was 16, I was on work experience on a magazine called gamesTM, and after two weeks they offered me a job. The publisher went bust about four months later, but I’m fairly certain that wasn’t my fault. Before that, I ran my own games site, in the early 2000s, when that was actually possible to do – I’d always wanted to be a writer, and as gaming was the consuming passion of my childhood and adolescence, it was the thing I wrote about the most.
San Francisco sometimes feels like the centre of the
console cycles are affecting the industry? I don’t think there will be another generation of consoles after the coming one – not in the sense that we’re used to, anyway. It’s just not a tenable model; the reliance on boxed game sales is too great. I think we’ll potentially move to a more Apple-like iterative model, where the console stays largely the same but it comes in a different box every now and then. You also noted how important downloadable games became in 2012. The last couple of years how do you feel this shift in the industry will affect them? Retail’s days are numbered, in my humble opinion – at least, retail as we know it, with gigantic and
to start working as a games
“
Just write. And then, once you’re good enough, send what you write to people who publish things about games and see if they might pay you for it. A staff writer job is good journalism boot-camp, but they are harder and harder to come by these days, and when they do come up they often go to people with little London, though, in the same way that
I don’t think there will be another generation of consoles after the coming one
in the States. It’s where everyone is, and where all the events are held.
” OUR HOPES FOR 2013 I read “The State of Play in 2013”, and you spoke about how it was likely Sony and Microsoft
This issue, we asked what Cardiff
for: realistic or otherwise. Giant Bomb news editor said that he was optimistic. “Given that we’re likely to see two new hardware launches this year, it would be easy to be cynical and depressed. Most launch games are rushed, buggy, and hardly worth the $60 [£37] most of us will be paying for them. I’m choosing to hope the extended period of time we’ve waited for these pieces of technology means developers have had an equal amount of time to prepare us for amazing, brand-new experiences.”
The Cardiff Computer Gaming Society were enthusiastic; history student Matthew Grimster bravely declared that 2013 would Half Life 2 Episode 3 would come out. We live in hope, Matt! Ben Curwen, the society’s secretary, while noting how good 2012 was (and it was excellent, by the way) went on to note a few releases on the horizon this year, including Bioshock, followed by an “oh, sweet lord, yes”. Ben isn’t the only one excited about though; I asked Multiplay community manager what she was looking forward to in a sentence. Her response? “BIOSHOCKKKKK.” JOMEC student joined a chorus of people looking forward to the recently announced Pokemon X and Y, saying that he’s “100% buying a 3DS” for the games (I can’t blame him, because I am also). RTSGuru eSports manager was unsurprisingly focused on his home territory: “2012 saw the start of it. I want 2013 to be a year of unity in eSports.” Failing that, though? “Virtual reality.” Mathematics student Peter Sutherns came with a blast from the past, asking for new Wolfenstein and
any particular challenges facing the British games media? There are always challenges facing the games media. The way that people use the internet is constantly changing – British sites need to exist on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter as much as on their own domains, and without a very strong digital presence, UK magazines will struggle to keep selling, even in the vastly reduced numbers that they currently manage. You can never tell what’s going to happen next, but that’s one of the most exciting things about working in the modern media. Hypothetical situation: if you encountered one before and you wanted to introduce them to the medium, which title would you choose? I actually had to do this for a bunch of people at the BBC recently. I chose Journey, but if I were do it again today, I might choose The Walking Dead instead. They’re excellent encapsulations of what games can be now.
As business models change, and trends shift towards digital media, do you think there are
Freespace releases. Gaming Society webmaster Adam Raine agreed with the latter, adding that “we should be seeing the results of a lot of
saw an explosion of successful kickstarters, with the Homestuck community raising $2.7 million to adapt the multimedia comic into an adventure game. Here’s hoping this year follows suit! Thomas Amato, owner of retro videogame boutique store Super Tomato, said that he hopes to see the continued embrace of the industry’s heritage. “I think we all know, particularly with the fall of HMV and Blockbuster, that hardcopy media is dead for current generations of console. But the cartridge will remain to video game collectors as vinyl is to music lovers – ever close to their hearts.” Former managing editor of Joystiq.com and now heading up the absolutely gorgeous Polygon.com, Justin McElroy said that he hopes to see less killing in games this year. “It’s not just that violence has gotten out of hand, it’s that I think games based around killing have stymied creativity.” I also asked the very talented who is known for directing Bayonetta and numerous other titles; his response? “No idea.” There’s a lot to choose from! Physiology student Josh Briggs, lamenting the early demise of THQ, is hoping for the best
regarding the sale of the company’s many and varied intellectual properties. “I’m hoping the Creative Assembly guys get Dawn of War. Especially after Rome II looking so good.” gair rhydd Opinion editor is excited for Fire Emblem: Awakening, and says that he’d consider buying a 3DS for it, and joins Jack Button in hoping for a remake of one of the older Final Fantasy games. On the subject of remakes, CSM creative director Luke Slade champions a noble cause and asks for Majora’s Mask 3D. He explained his choice, saying that “I’ve never played it, and it would spur me on,” before remarking that he said the same thing about Ocarina of Time 3D (It’s okay – I know so many people in that position it’s silly). English Literature student James Reid is keen on The Walking Dead: Season 2 titles coming out this year. Youtube superstar and video game critic Meg Smith wants to see the industry take more risks this year, and is joined by freelance designer in anticipation for Naughty Dog’s game-changing The Last of Us. What do you want to see this year? Get com if you’d like to contribute to Quench
videogames@gairrhydd.com · @mikeocd
Q
Food&Drink
tablefortwoblog.com Essentially homely and positively inviting, Table For Two boasts an extensive inventory of categorised dishes, easily accessible from the headlining tabs when you are in a hurry. A favourite is the ‘take-out, fake-out’ section, where mostly Chinese take-away dishes are reinvented as cheaper and (sometimes) healthier alternatives. 12bottlebar.com An innovative blog formed on the foundation of twelve different types of alcohol, and not just your typical vodka or tequila. They stick to the script, and you are sure to be tempted by their slick photography and interesting concotions.
Food Blogs to watch in
2 013 therewillbebourbon.net The one stop for bourbon-lovers, from food to accoutrements, beer to cocktails, and plenty of reviews inbetween. Bourbon virgins, prepare to be converted.
loveandlemons.com A healthy array of recipes with an emphasis on vegetarian whole food ingredients. Check out the recipes tab, where their culinary history is displayed with helpful tags of which are gluten-free or vegan.
twenty-six Q food@gairrhydd.com · @quench_food
Food&Drink
* pastryaffair.com A 20-something girl sharing her pastry affection. A masterfully spiced adventure, both sweet and savoury, drawing thoughtful connections between food and hipsterfood.tumblr.com literature. Despite being written by pair of “stupid rich vegans”, this blog pleads for a cheap, yet versatile and healthy diet. It does so in a convincing photo-documented way, able to win over the most meat-friendly foodies.
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foodieunderground.com Good food, good places, good people. Food blogs can reach further than a few recipes. Nutritious tips, advice, stories and books about what is at stake in the culinary world.
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chasingdelicious.com One of 2012’s favourite blogs. Follow Russell’s culinary adventures in which memories melt all together with the butter in the bowl. Rich narratives and desserts, garnished with enchanting pictures to trigger your enthusiasm for cooking.
food@gairrhydd.com · @quench_food
Q twenty-seven