VOYEUR...4 FEATURES...6 FOOD... 12 BOOKS...16 FASHION...20 LGBT+...24 Travel...26 PHOTOS...29 ARTS...33 MUSIC...38 Film...48
VOYEUR
HAPPY SAINT DAVID'S DAY!
Quench Quickie Saint Davids Day means a great excuse to bombard you all with weird Welsh facts. Here we goooo...
Dom Kehat
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vouyer@gairrhydd.com
VOYEUR
y r a n o i t c i D e n a Urb
Dating. (Verb)
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FEATURES
The Welsh Issue Being a Welsh magazine, it doesn't hurt to be a bit patriotic once in a while. This issue Features takes a sneak peak at the new BBC drama village, Roath Lock, gaining an insight into being an extra for the day and rubbing shoulders with rising star Craig Roberts.
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quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com
FEATURES
Jenny Pearce dives into Roath Lock, the new BBC drama village in Cardiff Bay.
-
Facts
Dr Who Trivia
Roath Lock is the size of three football pitches!
-
Which television programmes will be
Casualty Dr Who Pobol y Cwm
quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com
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FEATURES
LIGHTS
CAMERA ACTION! Ever fancied being an extra? Cardiff students tell you their stories
S E I R H P LY HUM
EMI
TORCHWOOD No matter what the call time, from my experience the day always starts with a good old fry up. I’d say the best part of being an extra is actually the food. You’d be amazed at what they can conjure up in a tiny van! I’m quite excited because I’m working for Torchwood. To pass the time I’m equipped with one of those cheap trashy women’s magazines, and a word search book. It may seem odd but the reason I arrive this prepared is to avoid eye contact with any other extra. The briefest of glances can result in a three hour conversation on the topic tions can be interesting but having little extra experience myself to brag about, I’d rather not endure the torture of hearing about their nonexistent stardom. lances speed off, sirens blaring. Not quite monsters or explosions unfortunately. The next scene I’m paired to hold hands with an irritating little boy and walk past the main stars as they rush a huge wait in-between as the crew change camera positions.
very happy.
B
E L B A C N ETHA
FEATURES
BEING HUMAN
I got the job because my friend knew the casting director of Being Human, who was looking for people to make up the numbers. Turning up on my own was slightly nerve-wracking: the jammed trailer park and the general air that everyone knew exactly what to do was a bit off-putting. First was registration, which happened in a parked-up double-decker bus; we then had to show the casting director the clothes we’d brought (the scenes were to take place in a club) and she told us which she preferred and pointed us to different trailers to get changed in. It was a bit like being back in school, with girls giggling, scrambling into clothes and fussing sausages, very school canteen) and went back to the bus to eat. Eventually, and after toasting gently in our dressy clothes (it was a very sunny day), we were loaded into a minibus and Pratchett book before we were called to the set. We soon discovered that they were running whilst sipping very fake (and not very pleasant) ‘alcoholic’ drinks and dancing a bit, whilst resolutely NOT LOOKING INTO THE CAMERA. I quickly regretted bringing my stilettos! Whilst fun and like nothing I’d ever done before, next time I'd like to get paid!
T
GH I R T R U O TIANA C
CHRIS
HOME AND AWAY
Quiet please on set. I stand awkwardly with my pretend boyfriend having a pretend conversation in which I mouth the words to him. Behind me is a poor girl in a bikini pretending to sun bake. Although the sun might be shining at this Sydney beach it's a chilly 15 degrees outside. In the magical world of soaps however the sun is always shining and it only rains during a dramatic car accident. For three years I was an extra on Home and Away. I would spend hours repeating the same mindless action behind twenty four year old actors pretending to be high school students. All the while being paid much more than I quite honestly deserved. it was pouring with rain and there was no shelter at my stop. I was soaking wet head to toe only for a car to stop and ask if I wanted a lift. To my surprise it was one of the very attractive male characters from Home and Away. Naturally I hopped into his Honda two seater while visions of our future babies in the backseat began developing. At the time he was probably 23 and I was 14 but none the less I left the car blushing with teenage angst. Although we never became the next Brangelina I had a story to make girls seethe with jealously for at least half the semester and when you are in high school that is about as good as life gets.
FEATURES FEATURES
Serious Support
Claire Dibben talks to Welsh actor Craig Roberts about Xbox, quiting Stage Coach and his up-coming role in Submarine.
At nineteen, Caerphilly-born Craig Roberts is soon to become a hot topic. Why? March 18 sees the release of Submarine, the directorial debut from Richard Ayoade (aka Moss from The IT Crowd) actor. telly-box either. For those of you with a penchant for TV adaptations of Jacqueline Wilson novels, you might remember that Craig played Rio in CBBC’s The Story of Tracey Beaker in 2004. More recently, Craig has featured in the BBC Three drama Being Human and has also starred in the online spin-off, Becoming Human. With such an already impressive resume to boot, we at Quench predict that 2011 can only bring good things to Craig who was recently considered one of the '55 faces of the future' by Nylon magazine in their Young Hollywood issue. Very cool. Perhaps more impressive though is that Submarine screening at the London, Berlin, Toronto and Sun-
tive producer and includes original music from Arctic Monkey’s front-man Alex Turner. You’ll also spot performances from Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum) and Sally Hawkins (Made In Dagenham). Aside from all the name-dropping, Submarine’s storyline is pretty captivating. Boating enthusioffers no cinematic representation of naval warin Swansea, which follows the story of Oliver Tate (Roberts) as a 15-year-old school boy with two oband to stop his mother from leaving his father for her dancing partner. Dubbed as ‘the most refreshing, urgent & origiin years’, Submarine has offered up one amazing opportunity for Roberts to put himself and Wales out about his experiences so far...
FEATURES
Craig Roberts: Welsh Blood I hate those people that say 'I was born to act when I popped out of my mother's womb'. I'm Submarine Gavin and Stacey
xbox and that's when my career started... on the -
project, Red Lights to fame.
I played a vampire in Being Human Submarine
My biggest acheivement so far?
Submarine was an awesome
I think Wales is a beautiful place Submarine.
My agent sent me the script for Submarine, quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com
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FOOD
ST DAVID'S DAY SOME PROPER, TIDY, WELSH GRUB
Emilia Davies takes on the frenetic buzz of Cardiff Market in a bid to shop for locally-sourced produce. When looking for fresh local produce that comes in all shapes and sizes and tastes fantastic some may say Tesco, but I say Cardiff market. Call me old fashioned, but the feeling of walking into a bustling market where you can actually talk to someone who is exceptionally knowledgeable about what they sell is unbeatable. Since starting uni, I have tried to go to the market in between lectures is situated next to House of Fraser (as you walk in
I usually go to my favourite stall, Sullivans, for fruit and veg; the guy who owns it is always friendly and greets me with a smile. Sometimes, if I go in at the end of the day, I’ll get such bargains as four pears for a £1 or a whole bag of mushrooms for 50p! The market is a great place to get meat as all the butchers are well-informed and happy to help. I especially recommend the sausages that are sold on the third stall up as they are the biggest bang-
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ers I have ever seen. I also recommend Roath Meat Market, which is situated in Mackintosh Sports Club, Keppoch Street every Saturday morning from 9:30am 'till 1pm. By purchasing from these places you are supporting the local producers and helping to stop the monopolisation of supermarkets, which has resulted in the closure of small businesses who cannot compete on the same level. Obviously being a uni student, you are always used to seeing the minus sign at the cashpoint. It seems easy to go to a supermarket and pick up special offers but maybe this week try and check out the market, where the price for the size and quality of the food beats supermarkets tenfold. Perhaps more importantly it is the experience of shopping in the market, amidst the friendly stall holders and locals that makes shopping a more refreshing experience.
FOOD
CAWL Ingredients (serves 6) 2-3lbs of lamb neck cutlets (ask to get bone cut out and for it to be chopped into chunks) 3 leeks- diced 2 sliced carrots- roughly chopped 2 parsnips- roughly chopped Onion- diced 6 potatoes- cut into small cubes Salt and pepper
evaporating too fast, add more.
This week, I decided to make the Welsh dish 'cawl' using produce from the market to see if I could taste the quality, while keeping the price low. I had never tried this dish but was pleasantly surprised at how warming and wholesome it was to eat. Cawl is a stew comprising lamb, potatoes, leeks, carrots, cabbage, swede, parsnip and any other formed me that you usually eat it with bread and knobs of Welsh cheese. All the ingredients cost me around ÂŁ11, (excluding bread and cheese). It served 6 people so worked out to be about ÂŁ1.83 each. There was enough for seconds too! Put all the lamb into a big stewing pot or large saucepan and cover with 4 pints of water. Add a generous amount salt and pepper and then add garlic. Bring to the boil and leave to simmer for an
hour, so that the meat can tenderise. After an hour, check the lamb, and if chunks are still big, gently lift it out, cut it up into smaller chunks, then put back into the water. Water should have turned into a stock. Remove any scum on top. Now add the carrots, 2 leeks, the parsnips, onion and half the parsley. If you are using any other 'hard veg' like Swede or turnips, put in at this point. Leave to simmer for an hour. Finally, add potatoes, the rest of the parsley, cabbage, leek and any other softer veg. Simmer for 20mins. Taste and, if needed, add more salt and pepper or a vegetable stock cube. Serve with crusty bread and small knobs of Welsh cheese. Sit back and enjoy!
food@gairrhydd.com
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FOOD
MOWGLI'S
Lawrence Waller chances the chillis on a recent trip to the delicious Mowgli's.
The increasingly renowned Indian restaurant Mowgli’s was the destination for this week’s restaurant review. Located on Crwys Road, just off Cathays Terrace, Mowgli’s was established in 2009 and has quickly begun to make a name for itself, having been nominated for the 2010 Restaurant of the Year Award. The restaurant has a very modern, clean and elegant design, and for any of you looking for a romantic meal out, the lighting certainly helps set the mood. The staff were friendly and prompt; we didn’t have to wait long to be served or for our courses to arrive. If you are not a massive fan of Indian cuisine, it may still be worth a try, as the high standard and range of food offered by Mowgli’s chefs could well convert you. Their menu, ranging from spicy vindaloos to the popular tikka massala dish, caters for all palates and if you are feeling more experimental, there is a wide range of seafood available as well as the more authentic and traditional Indian dishes. The menu’s format makes it easy to Having little desire or ability to cope with anything remotely ‘hot’ myself, I decided that a chicken passanda was the perfect choice, accompanied with a portion of pilau rice and a keema naan. It was very tasty, well presented and was a reasonable price. The restaurant does offer a range of desserts for any of those still hungry; personally there was little space left in my stomach to eat anything else! One little note of warning, which this writer found out much to his own discomfort (on a different visit), never mistake a chilli for a pepper, and certainly don’t try to swallow it whole afterwards in an attempt to resolve the problem. Nights not to be missed out on are Mowgli’s special ‘Banquet’ evenings – Wednesdays and Sundays. They provide you with the opportunity to experience a three-course meal, including a popadom and dips, and alongside your main dish, a
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at a rather reasonable price of £12.95 per person (excluding drinks). Alternatively, if you don’t go on one of these evenings they offer a student discount if you ask in advance. One thing you can be assured of is that you won’t be leaving hungry! Mowgli’s is certainly this food critic’s number one choice for an Indian meal out in Cardiff and it has proved an instant hit among my housemates for that weekly meal out together. food@gairrhydd.com
BOOKS
JONES THE PEN... Sheep and hillsides? Such a cliche! There's a wide and thriving literary scene in Wales, with Welsh writers being amongst the most innovative
Drugs, Sex and...Wales? the leap no man should dare to take (unless slightly unhinged) and relocated to Aberystwyth. It
– Stump and Sheepshagger. -
-
are two comical mobsters, Darren and Alistair, in a dilapidated Morris Minor which coughs out -
-
Katie Haylock
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books@gairrhydd.com
.
BOOKS
,
Howard Marks with Alun Gibbard, Two Dragons Howard Marks, everyone’s favourite former drug dealer turned writer, showman and cult hero, is back on the literary scene with Two Dragons, his collaboration with fellow Welsh writer Alun Gibbard. The book could easily be titled The Further Adventures of Howard Marks, as Howard’s sojourns in places as interesting and diverse as Patagonia, Jamaica, Soho and the Far East are well-documented here. You learn plenty about Howard’s early life here, together with his experiences (sexual, political and chemical) at Oxford, and his quest to understand more about his family and the culture of Wales. The book is well-written in intelligent unpretentious prose, and Marks’ anecdotes are always interesting (who’d have thought that a Welshman sailed to America in 1170 and founded a tribe of Native Americans?). I’m sure everybody knows someone who claims to have seen everything, done everything and got the whole wardrobeful of T-shirts, but Howard Marks is that rarity: unlike your common-or-garden pub bullshitter, he actually has done it all (or at least so enthralling. Published by Y Lolfa, it’s a short book, and a bloody good read. Greg Rees
Dannie Abse, Ash on a Young Man’s Sleeve In a country so renowned for its bardic traditions, it is odd that Wales’ capital remains a city with a frustrating dearth of literary representation. So how heartening to stumble across a book in which Cardiff appears not only as a backdrop to the narrative, but a protagonist in its own right. Dannie Abse is a strangely neglected writer even in his own country, but his semi-autobiographical novel, detailing the author’s transition from spirited child to intense and erudite young adult growing up in the Thirties, deserves to be a classic. Abse is known primarily for his poetry, and so inventive is its sparse and lyrical prose, Ash on a Young Man’s Sleeve the whimsical thoughts of a child, is capricious and quirky, almost stream-of-consciousness, subtly the trials of friendship without a trace of sentimentality or hyperbole, so that when moments of intensity do occur, they are deeply affecting. given a starring role. Yet this is no provincial work of interest only to locals, punctuated as it is by political developments on the continent which are interwoven so closely into the main body of the text that they seem insoluble from Abse’s own experiences. Ash on a Young Man’s Sleeve is a novel of great integrity shot-through with a warm and gentle humour; all sepia-hued period detail, British eccentricity and an enormous Valleys heart. Alice Hughes
books@gairrhydd.com
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BOOKS Film and literature have enjoyed a close relationship since the very start of cinema – as far back as 1900, that literary sensation Sherlock Holmes was -
of a character to them – who could possibly invent in Harry Potter
The Silence of the -
counterparts simply because they are so short – kind of intimacy and empathy with characters that in a book can be developed over days and days closely to the book in terms of plot, many readers were bitterly disappointed at the total rejection of
of detail that can be written in a book does create
the plot in case they alienate readers loyal to the with the frenetic The Da Vinci Code), all the while to say, no book adaptation will please everyone, but
Film adaptations of books are also often widely
-
This can further alienate readers from adaptations
character they created in their minds, it can be dif-
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much wider audience – with book adaptations, a whole world of wonderful stories is made acces-
BOOKS It would be highly unfair to close Hogwarts or Narnia off to the dyslexic or illiterate, and
-
literature with those who had not previously inspire people to read works that had previously ing, such as The Lord of the Rings. Also, though world in the space of just a few hours – watching
with very different interpretations. Though this -
Ophelia, does not represent the end of a -
perhaps, books cannot. tions cannot change the book itself, and therefore interpretations as a threat to their beloved nov-
unchangeable.
develop
Worth a thousand words? With the Oscars just around the corner, Becca Eustis takes a look at the art of adapting the written word for the big screen.
illustration by Roshni Annia
FASHION
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
London, New York, Paris, Milan. But what about Wales? Lucy Trevallion discovers what Welsh fashion is all about. Could Cardiff be the next city for fashion in the UK? Recent developments suggest the climate of Welsh fashion overall is hotting up. Creative industries are becoming increasingly important within the Welsh economies. Cardiff has over 6,750 workers (3.5% of the city's workforce) employed in the creative industries, housing around a third of all creative jobs in Wales, and increased by 53.7% between 1991-2005. Not only is Cardiff investing in people in fashion, but the opening of John Lewis and St Davids 2 shows Cardiff's increasing relevance as a place to shop. Cardiff has recently become the home of Fashion Wales Live. Still blossoming, this baby of an event celebrates its third birthday this year after a sell out two years. Creative collections covering everything from funk to fabulous will be displayed by past and present fashion students of University of Wales, Caerleon Campus alongside independent designers and retailers. Coleg Gwent will be providing theatrical artistic presentations and lavish hair and makeup for the many performers and models. Fashion Wales LIVE is set to be a feast for the senses and an irresistible pull on your pocket. The red carpet will be rolled out, the celebrities will roll in, and glamour will descend upon us. Your moral conscience may also sleep easy since this event is all for the youth charity Urban Circle. Date for your diary: Thursday 28 April. Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair has also made Cardiff its home of late. The concept of Vintage clothing has divided and split down the middle. On one side are the pretentious boutiques
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fashion@gairrhydd.com
with £200 pound dresses, on the other side are the and smells you may question. Judy’s affordable vintage fair signals the start of a beautiful friendship between dazzling vintage and understandable prices, and entry is less than a pint. The very fact that 45 stalls are dragging their vintage delights up all of those stairs to grace our union is an emblem of Cardiff's fashion status. Cardiff Fashion Week, launched in 2008 est designers and models. Taye Armani, a catwalk model from Cardiff who walked at London Fashion Week, is organising the event with his sister Sonya Steele, and fellow model Curtis Snook. He said, “Cardiff hasn’t really got anything like this at all. There have been fashion shows for charity and other events, but I thought it would be great for Cardiff to have its own fashion week.” London Fashion Week generates an estimated £100m for the London economy every year. With editorial media coverage worth £24m and orders worth £40m, it is as good for the city as it is for the designers and for fashion. More than 5,000 visitors register to attend each season, including UK and international buyers and press, as well as plenty of fashion-savvy celebrities. As an up-and-coming city with a growing international reputation, Taye believes Cardiff has what it takes to be the next spot on the international fashion map. “Cardiff is a fast-growing, to be the next big thing.”
FASHION
Home grown... home owned
Hanna Fillingham discovers why Welsh fashion designer Joanne Terrar is considered such a local treasure and what she makes of Welsh fashion. “I have always been interested in fashion, my late mum made lots of clothes and was a designer at a local factory in Cardiff for a while.
“I have had times in my life when I have
soon making my own clothes and accessories.”
am always looking at fabrics, knitting, checking out other designers work and I love vintage. In
fashion design at the University of Glamorgan. In the same year she launched her label Terra. But “Fashion in Wales wasn't great growing
“I would like to be running terra alongside my -
but now the cities are growing and diversifying, Welsh manufacturing and design with some teachstyle now, to be a bit quirky or daring. Now that ment, Cardiff students are raising the style bar.”
-
Joanne is currently running dressmaking classes on a Wednesday evening at PalmerKnit!, a weekly knitting meeting at Costa Coffee in their own way. It’s great how someone else can
which is free to attend and caters for all levels.
fashion@gairrhydd.com
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FASHION
The leaders of the pack Wales can lay claim to countless icons who have domiJessica Lee
Grace Coddington Coming from a small village, where the closest you’d come -
-
deavours, Grace has a unique angle on the fashion
David Emanuel -
-
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fashion@gairrhydd.com
Georgia Hathaway
Sara Delaney
One’s to Watch...
Jayne Pierson
Elliott J. Frieze
LGBT++
WALES: AS QUEER AS A DAFFODIL? This week we are having a cheeky look around the local scene, analysing how LGBT+ Wales really is.
SHUH-MYON-CHKO explores a friendly side to the Valleys...
Having recently been granted the pleasure of venturing out to the heart of the Welsh valleys, I grabbed the opportunity to find traces of LGBT+ existence in these tiny towns and villages. Though the Valleys often appear to be solely composed of buff lads screaming their heterosexuality when completely off their faces, amid an orange sea of mini-skirts and bare legs, this reality isn't strictly true. It’s easy to forget about 'the only gay in the village', once out of the verdant and colourful scenery of Cardiff with its diversity and openness. However, to my surprise, in the Welsh enclave of conventional straightness I witnessed a lively conversation about the local homosexuals, which, although interrupted by hilarious remarks in the vein of “BUT HE’S THE GAYEST MAN I’VE EVER SEEN”, had a positive, humorous and rather friendly tone. This, unlikely to be heard in the similarly socially conservative regions of Poland, made me even more impressed with the phenomenon of Wales, how open and welcoming it is to its LGBT+ minorities, regardless of stereotypes or preconceptions that are attached to both the people of the Valleys and those within LGBT+ circles. We’ve often been on about how fantastic, open and understanding Cardiff is and how much it has influenced our lives in positive of ways, therefore I won’t begin with the praise again. You know the scene, you know why you’re here and you know why you love this city. But there’s more to Wales than just cosmopolitan Cardiff; it’s worth stepping out to the west and north and see the rainbow faces of Swansea, Aberystwyth, Wrexham, Brecon and the Valleys. See it for yourself - Wales is not only sheep, fields and ignorance, but a place of friendliness, openness and understanding. Anna Siemiaczko
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LGBT+
A WORD WITH THE BOD It’s almost March (well, it probably will be by the time you read this) and, as we all know, March is the month of daffodils, leeks and patriotism for Wales: it’s St David’s Day. We should be celebrating all things Welsh and appreciating Wales for the country it is. But more importantly for this section, we should also be applauding how Wales is a country where LGBT+ people and culture are celebrated just as much as anything else Welsh. In fact, Wales does particularly well for LGBT+ culture, events and people. If a couple of years ago, you’d have asked people what they associated with Wales, after the inevitably predictable answers of ‘rain’ and ‘sheep’, one of the top answers would probably have been Torchwood. If you’re a television fan (particularly that of the Whovian species) I’m sure you’ll agree with me that this rather excellent Doctor Who spinoff did so much more than bring the redesigned Cardiff Bay (and the Rift) to life for millions of viewers. Torchwood’s main characters were all somewhere on the LGBT+ spectrum, none more so than Ianto Jones. Sadly, Ianto died in the last series finale but what is most remarkable about this is the shrine that has emerged in his honour in the Bay- a pretty extensive wall of artwork, poems, dedications and pleas for his character to return. For a fictional LGBT+ character to have such a large cult following shows how the people of Wales (and the Torchwood fans who make the pilgrimage from elsewhere) have taken this small piece of Wales’ LGBT+ culture to their hearts. Aside from Torchwood, despite being a small city, Cardiff itself is a centre of LGBT+ culture with Mardi Gras every September bringing around 40,000 people from all across the UK to celebrate diversity and pride. The festival takes over the city centre, from the clubs of Churchill Way to the main event in Coopers’ Field and if you feel celebrating all things LGBT+, or just want a party then you should attend in 2011! There’s also the Iris Prize Film Festival, Cardiff ’s international gay and lesbian short film
festival. This is attended by thousands of people in October and is the most valuable single prize for LGBT+ short films across the world. The main venues are Cineworld and Chapter Arts Centre, with films on all day for a week in early October. Cardiff also hosts a good handful of LGBT+ venues across the city, from pubs and bars to clubs where everyone and anyone is welcome for a good time! There are also a couple of LGBT+ sports teams, both for rugby Cardiff Lions RFC, Wales’ only gay rugby team, and for football – Cardiff Dragons FC which is Wales’ only LGBT+ football club. So for whichever sport you prefer, there’s a team to watch out for! Furthermore, the LGBT Excellent Centre of Wales was granted £49,600 earlier this year to research lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans history in Wales. Together with other museums and organisations, the LGBT Excellent Centre are going to create an archive of stories to help develop this underrepresented area of history. The National Museum of Wales also held a few events to celebrate LGBT History Month in February including talks on Ancient Greece and an exhibition of portraits of LGBT+ people from Wales. Finally, academia in Wales is focusing more than ever on how gender and sexuality affect our understanding of our identities. Assuming Gender is a project in Cardiff University composed of a journal, a series of lectures and some online resources that explore ideas of gender and sexuality in relation to texts, practices and ideas from far back in the past to the present day. Looking at the range of events on in Wales reflects just how diverse this country is as an LGBT+ location. From cinema to sports, from academia to festivals, Wales certainly has more to offer than anyone might ever have expected.Kate Boddington
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TraVel
India
Newgale, PembrokeshIre -
Ceri Paine
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TRAVEL
Iran CELEBRATING THE BEST OF WALES...
TRAVEL
Fancy a trip away from Cardiff this reading week? Well, your fellow students advise you on the gems Wales has to offer.
CARdIGAN BAy When I was seven, my grandparents took me to Cei Newdd, a lovely spot on the West Coast of Wales. The main allure of the trip for me? Dolphins. At that age, dolphins were my obsession, and Cardigan Bay is one of the few spots in Britain you can see them in the wild. We stayed at the Black Lion Hotel, a lovely hotel right on the coast, with excellent pub food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. They even had a telescope in the dining room, so you could scan the sea between courses. We spent the weekend strolling the beach with ice-creams, and of course, took a dolphin-spotting boat trip. We didn’t see any, but I was delighted to spot a fat seal in the far distance, sun-bathing, motionless, on a rock – I have many blurry photos to prove it. Cardigan Bay is a great place to visit for people of all ages; as well as the stunning coastlines and seaside town atmosphere, there are some great walking and cycle trails. Last summer, I returned to Cardigan Bay, and loved it all over again. Best of all, as I walked down the pier, my dream Rosey Brown
NEW QuAy Anyone nostalgic for a Great British Getaway to a quiet seaside town? Want to get far away from the hustle and bustle of student life in the capital? Well, look no further than New Quay. No, not the surfers' and-spade town is the perfect place to retreat from the mad rush of the big (ish) city and indulge in a good old-fashioned Famous Five style holiday. Welcoming locals and a relaxed atmosphere combine to make this one of the most tranquil places to visit in Wales, which still provides the usual range of chip shops, pubs and ice-creameries that are essential to a great holiday by the sea. Culture vultures can enjoy the town’s connection to Dylan Thomas, who lived there and was thought to have based Llareggub, the village in Under Milk Wood, on New Quay. Everyone else can revel in the sandy beach nestling in the curve of the harbour, as well as the luscious surrounding countryside. But don’t forget, no visit to New Quay is Becca Eustis
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TRAVEL
A Destination for a...
Weekend Away
Alexi Gunner recalls ditching the hackneyed guidebook attractions, in favour of a weekend exploring the local culture and "labyrinthine streets" of alternative Athens
Spawning from a somewhat spontaneous urge to go off somewhere after exams, our decision to visit Athens was not propelled by a love of ancient coliseums and philosophy. It sprung from a desire to simply go somewhere we'd never been before, get know the place not so much from its top ten guidebook hot-spots, but by following the footsteps of the locals for a day or two; getting an essence of what it’s really like to live there. To start off, enjoying lunch or dinner in Athens is best done in one of its many ‘Tavernas’. These rustic and intimate spots are usually in taverns or along small streets, and specialise in simpler Greek dishes and small assortments of snacks called mezes. Many of these tend to, especially if they are located around popular streets, cater for the overpriced and tacky tourist market. Howevthrough recommendations from a correspondent’s review in the New Yorker. Admittedly it’s a little tricky when the waiters don’t speak a word of English, but it’s completely worthwhile for the fresh and hearty food served up and the opportunity to watch old Athenians around you argue loudly about God knows what. The climb up to the Acropolis Temple is manstroll through the lesser known Zappeion Hall and Gardens is just as spectacular. Wandering through of Kolinaki, sipping on a Greek coffee and tasting what could possibly be the best pastries the world has to offer is imperative to the Greek experience.
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Night time prompted us to see what Athens was like after dark. A glance through a variety of guidebooks, ranging from the Lonely Planet to the Wallpaper* city guide, promised the western area of Monastiraki was the place to go to experience the best of Athenian nightlife. However, bars and clubs are simply what you would expect from any large European city. Or this is at least what we thought until the Greeks around us began to extravagantly dance salsa, leaving us awkwardly perched at the bar feeling awfully rigid. Walking a few blocks to a club, we witnessed in front of us how three backpackers were violently dragged across the street into a dark corner. What proceeded to happen to them we will never know, running away from the scene as fast as our legs would allow us. We would later learn that the regions recommended in the guides are the most dangerous in Athens. Sometimes, I wonder if these journalists actually visit the locations themselves before recblindly following guides can be a terrible mistake. down. It’s almost impressive how much of the while you start to realise that this is partly what gives the city its character. Climb Filopappos Hill and look over the endless mounds of off-white buildings, dotted by the occasional ancient ruins. you begin to appreciate that it’s the chaos and danger down below that makes Athens so exciting to spend time in.
PHOTOS
Jon Berry wins this issues "Best Mobile Phone Shot" with this glorious image (Above). He wins an A4 print of a photo of his choice, however being as the other entries were so good we've decided to make space for the runner up too! With thanks to Glenn Page for sending in this amazing pic of the student demo in London 10/11/10 (Below). The theme for next issue is "Humour." Send in your entries to quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com.
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The Union's Dark Secret
President of PhotoSoc Lucy Chippendale sheds some light on the Union’s elusive darkroom. It is a little known secret that on a dark, dark night, in the dark, dark Student’s Union, down the dark, dark societies corridor, in the dark, dark was lucky enough to be told about it on my open day to Cardiff, and yet few know anything about it. This small but sweet darkroom has everything you need to develop and print your own black and rent world we are constantly saturated with digital magic of the process of creating a photograph. Whilst giving the impression of something much more, photographs are just light that has caused a reaction to create an image. Whether on
simply recording the moment by imprinting light. This is not to say the process isn’t creative, there is
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still a huge artistic licence in angles and settings, ing a little black box to take a snapshot – a piece of equipment to record data. When you work with
in a tank and pouring in various chemicals in until your concoction reveals a set of negatives. In printing you get to transform a blank piece of fore your very eyes. After exposing your negative onto the paper through a crazy looking enlarger machine (to me they look like ancient upright cameras) you rinse it through another set of chemicals. The magic for me is when you get to watch as the paper sinks into the developer and the print appears.
PHOTOS
There is a surprisingly large amount of creative work that you can do in the printing process. With many different techniques you can use to alter the image as you develop to give each print your own unique touch. The darkroom at Cardiff was originally set up in 1990 by Richard Crombie, who established the fought hard to set it up back then and we are very lucky that it has been kept running. The care of this hidden treasure is now bestowed upon PhotoSoc. Yearly membership is ÂŁ5* for darkroom access - covering developing and printing chemi-
how to use a darkroom already and want to get
darkroom at 4pm on Wednesday 2nd, or you can contact us at cardiffphotosoc@googlemail.com
*basic membership of PhotoSoc required + ÂŁ3
hire. By keeping the darkroom going PhotoSoc is offering an affordable way for students to discover
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Arts Just off Albany Road, Milkwood Gallery conveys the appearance of a hoarder's living room, a hoarder of exceptional taste. It fulfils expectations inside with knick knacks cramming every corner. The gallery brims with bits and pieces; local paintings, vintage furniture and clothing, jewellery and postcards. An oasis of antiquity, a cluttered calm away from the hustle and bustle of Roath, in which 'Time passes. Listen. Time Passes.' Just beyond the store is the main gallery. It is currently housing the work of brothers Dominic and Benedict Gubb: an exhibition called 'A Bunch of Smiles', displaying figurative sculptures and capturing faces in dream-like paintings. These have a particular charm with a strong sense of personality and humour. Another exhibition space is to be found down a rickety staircase, giving you the uneasy feeling that you've broken into someone's house by mistake . Here you will find a show by artist Lauren Foulkes, whose work centres on themes of allegory and childhood imagination. If you are not content with the gallery for a rainy afternoon, the Milkwood experience also offers 'Make do and Mend' sewing classes this month. This gives you the chance to transform old, tired items of clothing into brand new ones, picking up some new skills as you go along. The class is supervised by an experienced seamstress so no sewing disasters can ensue. I am prone to sewing the garment in question into the clothes that I am already wearing. For the creative students out there, this is an opportunity to get some new rags without having to head for the high street shops. And who would want to, when you could head to Milkwood? So if you are in the area, or even if you are not, Milkwood is well worth popping into. Whether you are looking for a gift, or feeling a bit artsy this gallery is a hidden gem- one of many in the treasure trove of Abany Road that has a certain sparkle. After all, good things come in small packages. Sonia Llewellyn
The Preview The Crucible is Miller’s most gripping drama fuelled by jealousy, rivalry and passion. The community is torn to pieces as numerous accusations of witchcraft Act One, Cardiff University’s long-standing drama society, presents The Crucible as its next major production after the sell-out success of Pride & Prejudice. This production promises to take a fresh look at Miller’s play, bringing new talent and ideas to this modern classic. The play explores both the wider themes of social hysteria and empowerment, while also portraying the intimate struggles of a marriage broken by guilt and lies. Directed by Fleur Tucker and Anna Bates, the performance will be showing at Chapter Arts Centre from 1st – 5th March. Tickets are on sale from the CarAnna Bates
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Arts scene Pride and Prejudice It is a truth universally known that students in possession of a small fortune must be in want of an entertaining yet modestly priced night out. Act One’s rapturous production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice did just that. Priced at a very reasonable £5, hoards of students donned in hats, scarves and gloves tottered into the YMCA theatre tucked away off City Road. Greeted by a traditional travelling sweet shop boasting down memory lane and into the murky past of A-level English. But this was no generic adaptation of Austen’s masterpiece. The script struck the perfect balance between period emotion and contemporary comedy. Outstanding cast performances came from Tom Webb as Mr Collins who wouldn’t be out of place on the big screen. One of the highlights of the performance was most certainly his comically genius improvisation to a prop-problem. James Sidwell was everything that Mr. Darcy should be – brooding, handsome and quietly imposing (Colin Firth, eat-you-heart-out). And Mr. Bennett, played by Robin Lock, dealt with the hysterical Mrs. Bennett in a very stoic and admirable fashion. I take my hat off to you sir. This performance has set an exceptionally high standard for future Act One productions. Met with applause and cheers at the end it was brilliant to see our fellow students upstaging the likes of National Theatre Wales and Sherman Cymru. Jolly good work ladies and gentlemen. Katie Haylock
the Directors cut- Pride and Prejudice “Have you had your Ready Brek feeling yet?" This question was posed to tain fell on the set of Pride and Prejudice. Regretfully, I haven’t yet experienced the glorious contentment that the Ready Brek feeling implies, since that curtain fell. Instead of feeling wonderfully full with sell-out success, one actually feels distinctly under -nourished. The cutting out of prop shopping from your everyday diet leaves you feeling rather on the empty side. This creative satisfaction comes of course, with a healthy portion of panic. The urgency of lines being a 19th-century chaise longe in the Cardiff area, when somebody else has unfortunately purchased the one that you have hired.You will intently await the audience’s reaction to every line, every laugh and every smouldering look. The Ready Brek feeling the taste of success. Kirsty Allen
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The Future Of Love Project The Future of Love Project is made up of a trilogy of contemporary performances that attempt to look into the future of love. tercourse like humans. The audience found it nervously amusing despite looking shocked at what they were watching .The performance began with a neon-lit heart which made a loud thumping noise. Audi-
The dancer attempted some comedy by randomly breaking into note with the audience. The second performance spoilt this short lived success, taking place in a different location, which the audience had to walk to. The performance began with video imagery, demonstrating a variety of acts being performed on robots, to serve as an introduction . The absence of an auditorium left the audience standing and restless rather than engaged with the performance. In fact, an embarrassing number of the audience took the opportunity to make a run for it between the two halves. At £12 a ticket I do not feel that you get your money’s worth from the Future of Love Project, whether you stayed till the end or not. Layla Farag
Verdict The Agatha Christie Theatre Company’s latest production,Verdict, certainly boasted a star-studded cast. Faces making an appearance included Monarch of the Glen’s Dawn Steele, Hollyoaks and Strictly Come Dancing star Ali Bastion and, wait for it, Harry Potter’s very own Neville Longbottom. A somewhat unconventional Christie creation,Verdict focuses on notions of morality rather than murder and mystery, as the audience witness the demise of Professor Hendryk's scholarly idealism. The set brought Verdict to life with a refreshing authenticity, as the mountainous bookshelves and shady lightAlthough slow to start, the script accelerated after the underwhelming moments of suspense. These moments were short-lived and failed to meet with the traditional
Verdict was however sustained by a strong cast. Despite an over-earnest performance from Lewis (Neville), the acting was persuasive and compelling. Helen, a bratty variation on the femme fatale was partly caricatured through Bastian’s performance. Although largely underdeveloped, Bastian imbued Helen with some intriguotherwise clichéd portrayal. Stock characters provided the production with some humour including EastEnders star Elizabeth Power’s performance of a brilliant old gossip with dead-on comic timing. More love story than murder mystery, bloodthirsty audience members who enjoy the thrill of a typical Christie might want to stick to Poirot. Verdict thriller it falls short. Caroline Astley
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ARTS
Welsh National Opera
The Beginner's Guide to...
pended from the rafters was just one of things Kirsty Allen found during an afternoon at the is one Welsh company inviting younger au-
The Review
Die Fledermaus-A First Time Opera Goer’s Experience
If you fancy a frolic with Vienna’s most fabulous society for the evening, Die Fledermaus goer but I have never been drawn to the opera, despite its coveted position among the Die Fledermaus was frothy, full of energy but, most importantly, it was fun and left me enchanted by a theatrical world often over
dainty presence deceives the audience until she unveils just one of the powerful voices
Die Fledermaus in frothy full length gowns as they toast the shimmering full moon, WNO have an eye
Die Fledermaus is the opportunity to dress up and dance the
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ARTS
The Interview:
Ed Newsome Head of Marketing
Tell Quench readers a little bit about some of the new initiatives being run by WNO for student audience members: The aim is to give audience members aged thirty and under the chance to attend some of our orchestral performances at reduced rates, with the opportunity to have a chat with us at the bar afterwards with any questions you may have. We perform three concerts a year at St David’s Hall as part of our International Concert series and the reduced ticket price of three pounds is just one of the incentives. As part of Up Close: Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, you will attend the performance at St David’s Hall on Friday 29 April at 7.30pm for just £3. We aim to provide an enriched experience for younger audiences with a memorable future audiences. So what kinds of questions are poised to musicians at the bar after the performance? The opportunity to chat with members of the orchestra is of course, an exciting opportunity for those wanting to pursue a career in music. It allows for hands-on access to the industry. They are also invited to come before the concert where they can meet and chat to members of the orchestra about the pieces they are performing, what preparations they have taken. They also have the opportunity to chat to orchestra members after the concert with more questions about the pieces performed. For just £3 you will get to attend the performance in April. Are there opportunities to go and see this season’s operas Die Fledermaus ( see our review on the previous page) and Il Travotore at reduced prices for student audiences? Students have the opportunity to see these performances for just £5 in selected seats, a great treat and I have been hooked ever since. As a student this is the perfect time to engage with such a diverse arts experience. Reduced ticket prices will only go some way towards encouraging student audiences. Is the opera really an accessible experience for somebody without a musical background? Operas are absolutely for everyone. They are just great stories told to music and every one offers a different experience. Take advantage of the accessible pricing whilst you can. If you are a fan of musicals or the ballet then chances are that you will enjoy the opera too.
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MUSIC
CERDD
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Editorial
For the nay-sayers and non-believers it is currently a commonly held fact amongst linguists that Welsh is currently the fastest growing minority language in the whole world. Quite a feat considering the only succesful Welsh colony in Patagonia, and I don't even think there they're too enamored by the language anymore. Being native to this fine country, what with St. David's Day approaching as well I feel somewhat obliged to impart even the smallest bit of the Welsh language to the readership. Ok, so as you may have guessed, cerdd, or in its proper proper permutation cerddorieath, is Welsh for music. As translated a few issues back, swn is the Welsh equivalent of noise. So there you have it, two quite simple, yet completely usesless cultural exchanges. On a far more useful level, bore da is Welsh for good day, and a rather good mediator to someone who may only be fluent in Welsh. It's surprising just how many villages in the Valleys still rely on Welsh as a primary language. Dydd Gwyl Dewi all! Jon Berry
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MUSIC
Previews
The Go! Team
Hjaltalin
Millenium Music Hall Sunday 27th Feburary
Buffalo Bar Saturday 5th March
CAI Sunday 6th March
Attention, all the fans of disco-garage out there! Ok, so I may have made that particular genre tag up, but the Go! Team are a force to be reckoned with. Following the release of January's Rolling Blackouts The Go! Team will be bringing with them an unparalleled momentum as they chew up the Welsh portion of the M4. Famed for their show-stopping ery, sonic texturing and twothat's right two- drummers, the insurmountable amount of energy to contend with at a Go! Team gig will leave you feeling like you have undertaken all manner of aerobic exercises.
These Icelandic chart-toppers are heading to Buffalo Bar on 5th scribing their sound as 'chamberpop', they mix woodwind opera with rock music, having been likened to the almighty Arcade Fire, as well as Sufjan Stevens. Hjaltalin comprises seven members
Jamie Woon is coming to Cardiff Arts Institute and, in case you hadn't heard, he's only a bloody
can boast violins, clarinets and even a bassoon among their armoury of instruments. Founded in 2004, they have changed their sound numerous times over the years, absorbing a variety of dif-
groove-based vocal-led music, Woon, along with his most relatable contemporary James Blake, has been hailed by a variety of sources as the sound of dubstep to come. Ahead of the release of debut album Mirrorwriting on April 4th, he is midway through a lengthy UK tour before heading off to see the world, supporting Holy Ghost! in Europe and Mount Kimbie in America and Canada. Best use this opportunity to see him then. For those interested in hearing Woon's approach to soundful sampling, mark Sunday 6th March in your diary: this will sell out. Michael Brown
UK tour in three years, there is no excuse to miss this. Get those dancing shoes on and go and have a ball. And given that it's a Sunday, console yourself that many studies have shown that vigorous exercise cures a hangover. Jon Berry
It is certain that you can expect a treat from this criticallyacclaimed but largely unheard of band. Their music seems to be more upbeat than their Icelandic contemporaries Sigur Ros, so be sure to head down and witness something magical amidst these cold, wet evenings. Emma Wilford
Jamie Woon
Sound of 2011 poll. All things considered, particularly the intimate size of venue, this is pretty big news.
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MUSIC
ALBUMS
The King of Limbs; 2011's most anticipated?
like Kid A’s optimistic twin than
Radiohead
duration. But for now at least, it
The King of Limbs Self-Released
’s ’s acoustic guitar work, the album’s eight
7/10
when faced with such formidable comparisons, struggles to match -
somewhat monochrome in com-
Michael Brown
As if it wasn’t clear before, Radiohead hate journalists. Not content with announcing The King -
ing and somewhat mesmerising release in the space of a scant few hours. While the album’s title alludes
ecessors.
-
Rebekka Karijord and musical content but it’s one that ignores the more potent aspects of the band’s output; The King of Limbs feels far more like a Thom Yorke solo release rather than a new Radiohead album. Indeed, it is often hard -
The Noble Art of Letting Go Lill Facit Records
8/10 Rebekka Karijord is a Norwegian actress and singer-songwriter.
Eraser-esque electronic beats. than the more band-oriented approach taken on In Rainbows. Bloom and Lotus Flower clear demonstrations of the trip-
cessible pieces of work and that’s part of what makes them -
with their best efforts. Time a back seat to an increased focus
The King of Limbs sounds more
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foremost, I would like to state thing. With a slew of re-releases
was with much eagerness that I -
The King of Limbs has the potential to be classed amongst The album opens with Wear
MUSIC
It Like a Crown, starting with a simple piano melody before the fragile yet incredibly pure vocal begins as Rebekka sings about her fear of being alone; but as the song develops so does her sense of her own strength before triumphantly stating “I’m gonna take that fear and wear it like a crown”, overcoming her self-doubts. Rebekka’s voice takes on quite a haunting other-worldly tone in a number of songs, with simple piano and string accompaniment highlighting both the raw beauty in her voice and the often searing despair in the lyrics. There are some cheerier moments however: Parking Lot is a more upbeat call to a desired partner to throw caution to the wind and embark on a relationship with her, while Life Isn’t Short at All is a pleasant reminder of the little wonders and opportunities available to us every day. For a new singer with a beautiful voice look no further. Matthew Collins
Bright Eyes Polydor
7/10 For an outwardly unassuming and quivery-voiced troubadour, Conor Oberst (a.k.a Mr. Bright Eyes) doesn't half mind taxing you lyrically. In his previous album, Cassadga, he lathered up a stark, country-inspired sound with frothy allusions to Yeats and Mysticism. Here, on album number eight, the very nature of the spoken-word intro, in which some crazy preacher spouts off about babies born with lizard tails and whatnot, marks the beginning of an eerie lyrical vortex of expanding universes and splitting atoms, through which the listener is unwittingly dragged. A proper mind-fuck from the off, in other words; one that you can't begin to unravel in under 300 words without severely getting your proverbial knickers in a twist. Less of a mind-fuck, thankfully, is the actual music itself. This time round, it's not so much about
chugs along in a rollicking, retro way. Triple Spirals is a pulsating example of brash and brawny powerpop, suggesting that, with a little ear-squinting, Bright that Jack and Meg have left. Bizarrely, the buoyant piano stabs crash in and out of Shell Games, meanwhile, wouldn't sound out of place on a Meat Loaf record. No joke. Still, there are plenty of more reticent moments where Conor's highly-distinctive voice is allowed to wobble about centre stage with murderous intensity. One such example is Approximate Sunlight, a hangdog ballad that in spite of its cold, metallic feel, could easily be the most striking song on the record. Undoubtedly, The People's Key is complex and cerebral at times. Yet, the zesty energy of its music never abates, tempering the swanky nature of the lyrical material with some degree of mainthe fact that rock can be buffoonish and predictable, yet still have the power to strike a chord with you even if it's downright absurd. A big, loud, crackly chord. Matt Wright
about throaty rock 'n' roll that gairrhyddmusic@gmail.com
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MUSIC
HIGH CONTRAST Sophie Falcon talks to Cardiff's home-grown hero at this year's Hospitality. Since being signed to Hospital Records over a decade ago, High Contrast (aka Lincoln Barrett) has achieved global status for his duty to all things drum n' bass! His creative energy and artistic innovation has dominated raves from all corners of the continent and he has become a statement for all young, aspiring dj’s who wish to follow in his footsteps. On Saturday, 5th February I caught up with Lincoln just before his headlining set at Hos-
coln separate from his High Contrast alias; from his eating habits, to his pet monkey, through to his love for Beethoven!
Good evening, Lincoln. Are you looking forward to tonight? Yeah, I always love coming back to Cardiff. There’s nothing better than a rave in your own city. And the atmosphere is always amazing!
the man, who truly is a blessing from the God Growing up in Cardiff, are there any of Bass! I was fascinated to discover the Lin-
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MUSIC you? I don’t think there is a particular place that
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in the future? -
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MUSIC
JAMIE WOON The Shape Of Dub To Come.
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MUSIC This year we have been bombarded with an array of brand new talents, one of which is Jamie Woon. This London local has stepped into the new scene of Dubstep Soul music sweeping the sound waves. I caught up with him ahead of his performance in Cardiff Arts Institute on March 6th to talk about his plans for 2011. Hi Jamie, how does it feel to come 4th on this year’s BBC introducing list? Has it helped your career? It feels good; I’ve got really nice messages from people. It’s been great as a leg up for people to hear my music and it is nice to get recognition. sic? I used to sing when I was younger as my Mum was a singer (providing backing vocals for Blur and Bjork). I’ve always wanted to be in music and when I was 15/16 I got a guitar and started to write songs. Then I went on to college and got more into music production and started playing at acoustic nights and its all history from there really.. You went to the Brit school which has impressive alumni such as Amy Winehouse (who he has supported on tour) and Adele, do you recommend budding musicians going to places like this to gain success? it has given me the chance to meet people in music. I think it’s changed a bit since Amy and Adele were there but I had a great time.
How would you describe your sound? I would have to describe it as atmos-
pheric RnB groove music with a Dubstep sound scape. I take elements from song writers to inspire me; It’s about darkness, melancholy, space.
for your album out April 4th? Artists such as Stevie Wonder, Radiohead and Prince were pretty insample-based music. It’s confessional songwriting, so going for walks inspires me (he was quick to add) I’m not a rambler though!
You must be really busy at the moment, what are your plans for this year? I’m looking forward to the tour and then more touring! I just like riding the train and seeing where it can take me! And I’m looking forward to making more music. You’ve got your own label what type of music are you producing from that? We’ve mainly worked on low key stuff, just making good music that people like. We try to use a range of music and have versatile people who can write songs as it’s sometimes a struggle to be versatile. What do you prefer Writing, producing or singing? What do you do when you’re not busy? I have to confess that I am shockingly boring; I love travelling, going on the train. jamie may come across as delightfully modest and a little bit timid but he has one amazing voice that is set head down to Cardiff Arts Institute on Sunday 6th March to see one of 2011’s hottest talents. Emma Wilford gairrhyddmusic@gmail.com
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MUSIC
Live
Mogwai
SU Great Hall February 18th
Michael Brown
Meic Stevens Clwb Ifor Bach February 12th
Will
Hannah Jones
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MUSIC
JONNY
NME Awards Tour
Clwb Ifor Bach February 8th
SU Great Hall February 13th
background (that background being Wales), Euros Childs represents one of the most interesting musical exports since John Cale. Together, Blake and Childs are representative of one of the most exciting supergroups, or should I say super-duo? Or perhaps dynamic duo would be more appropriate, to come into fruition in quite some time. JONNY have a sense of humour best manifested in tracks such as Gloria (an ode to Gloria Estefan) and Cave Dance (a jiveworthy number extolling the virtues of life in a cave). Both songs display the highest levels of harmony and musicianship without ever becoming victims of the duo's collective egos -which, to be honest, don't really exist. For a band who never raise from their on-stage seats JONNY have an energy that belie their collective age. The set climaxes with both Blake and Childs performing hits from their former I Don't Want Control of You and Spanish Dance Troupe respectively. A Wonderful evening indeed. Jon Berry
And It Was You
With regards to package tours, Albino Sparrow my general inclination is to avoid them like the plague. I've always looked upon such affairs with a The token sheet of PR optimism notable degree of cynicism; presingle speaks of ‘extraordinary wheeled out for a an audience musicianship’. Thanks for that, of adolescent scenesters has sure saves the trouble of writing never really appealed. But with a review. a line-up as, how shall I phrase In reality, And It Was You is this, eclectic as this year's NME nicely layered rather than wildly Awards tour, my skepticism was intricate, but the climax ditches transformed in part to curiosity. many of the song’s own quirks. This year's line-up included The result isn’t so much extraorThe Vaccines, Magnetic Man, dinary as deeply, overwhelmingly Everything Everything and ordinary. Crystal Castles. James Archer Having disappointedly missed The Vaccines set I was greeted by the jaunty sounds of Everything Own Side Everything; Jonathan Higgs falsetto sitting effortlessly over Names Records the electronic textures. Magnetic Man were not good.
5/10
Caitlin Rose 8/10
the rest of the night, their style was the worst type of bland, chart-friendly Dubstep I've heard in quite some time. Crystal Castles proved to be the highlight of the night, mixing elements of the Gothic, the electronic and the experimental to devastating effect. With a minimalist on-stage presence, tracks such as Baptism and Not in Love coursed fercociously through the hall and into the cold night air. Jon Berry
Tennessee-bred Caitlin Rose has drawn comparisons to Patsy Cline amongst others, but her debut single Own Side is not just for country music fans. Her simple vocals slide across a trio of songs which are not instantly catchy but are beautifully pure and offer a reprieve from the auto-tuned masses. One for anyone who appreciates a Laura Marling-esque soulful voice. Lucy Portlock
The Agitator
Say No! Pointless Excitement
Singles
For those of a certain age the name Norman Blake brings with it certain connotative imagery; long sun drenched summers, open roads, being in love. For
Toy Horses
7/10 If student protest against the extreme government cuts ever needed a soundtrack, this is it. Musical activist The Agitator’s radical third single storms into a politically-charged riot of primal drum beats and angry chanting, with not a guitar in sight. The song is okay, though to compare front man Derek Meins to the likes of Bob Dylan and Joe Strummer may be a little over-ambitious. Joanne Southerd
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Film. News.
Ridley Scott news! The director's Alien prequels project is allegedly called 'Prometheus' and may not merely be a prequel. Scott seems to be treating it seriously after critical disappointment with Robin Hood, and has called out Noomi Rapace (Girl with Dragon Tattoo) as a female lead. Details are still sketchy, but something around a Terraforming, time travelling ship called Prometheus has been widely reported. We think it could be another brilliantly twisted Sci-Fi, and Scott has yet to pull one out of the bag this
decade, so we are waiting excitedly. Apparently it's old hat, but we didn't know, so you may neither be aware of the fab news that Guillermo Del Toro is producing a stop-motion version of Pinocchio. Del Toro said -"our tale of Pinocchio recaptures the darker, more daunting aspects of the book that have been misstions". WOW. I thought Pinocchio turning into a donkey was distressing enough. This could be frighteningly great. -
ish with a bit of Nazi-news. Depressingly for James Cameron, it has been discovered that Nazi propagandists pre-cursored 1950's Hollywood by 16 years in
So Real You Can Touch It, features shots of 3 dimensional bratwurst BBQing. A frightening reminder of the ever-wise Alan Partridge quote-"Did they get you on the old denim rule?Nazi's! But with good facilities...as had the Nazi's" LG.
TRASH Submarine
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TRAILER (...in which we
For Richard Ayoade's directorial debut, one might expect Booshesqe scenes of abstract-but-intelligent quipping, questionable smart-casual fashion approaches extinguishers. Instead, Submarine gives us murky mornings on British beaches, situating windswept, pseudo-romantic teenagers. The young protagonist is a Welsh appears to be the latest Wes Anderson feature – everything’s primary coloured against a backdrop of sepia, everyday monotony, and Aydirectorial and comedic stylings so perfectly, it’s almost plagiarism. However, there’s room for innovation here, and Submarine gives us look forward to. MA
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praise, muse and lambast the latest previews.)
FILM OF THE WEEK Never Let Me Go Dir: Mark Romanek Cast: Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley
7/10 Never Let Me Go is based on the stunning best-selling novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, and is set in a parallel universe where a medical breakthrough has led to a disturbing method of preserving life. The events are shown through the innocent eyes of Kathy (Mulligan) from her childhood at Hailsham, a picturesque English boarding school, to adulthood. It follows her close friendship with Ruth (Knightley) and Tommy (Garfield), and a heartbreaking love triangle emerges. Mulligan is outstanding and will surely be regarded in years to come as Britain’s most talented actress; she delivers a subtle yet powerful performance. Garfield follows his incredible turn in The Social Network with this, and as expected is captivating. He will no doubt impress in the upcoming Spiderman reboot, and is no dobut one of the best young British actors working today.
The film also benefits from Knightley’s believable portrayal of her character’s vindictiveness. Her neediness and repressed anger seeps from every pore, with Knightley once again silencing her critics. The main flaw of Mark Romanek's comeback is that important parts of the plot feel underdeveloped, and certain questions are left unanswered. This is a shame as the section set at the eerie Hailsham successfully brings the film's troubling premise to life, and does not rush in order for the adult leads to appear on the screen sooner. There have been comments about how Never Let Me Go has not been more widely recognised in the current award season. Put simply the acting is award-worthy but the film, as a whole, is not. Maybe that is why it has been forgotten, while films about dancing swans and a stammer sufferer pick up the trophies. However, Never Let Me Go is a perfect example of understated and repressed cinema. It is all about what isn't said, and instead what is inferred. The characters themselves accept their inevitable fate, and the film itself is as restrained as its protagonist. Overall, this poignant tale of everlasting love is not perfect, but still deserves to be seen by a wide audience. Georgina Spriggs
"Withholds the explicit fear and passion that another kind of treatment might have aimed for, but works as a cogent, subdued parable of mortality." - The Guardian _____________________________
"A showcase for a new generation of English actors, led by Carey Mulligan, who proves once again that she is a performer of great restraint and subtlety. - Little White Lies ________________________
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FILM
Paul Dir: Greg Mottola Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogan, Kirsten Wiig
7/10 I approached Paul with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, and it pains me to say that it wasn’t much. Normally anything with the names Pegg & Frost above the tit induces in me little spasms of joy, and run to see it immediately. The fact they also penned Paul's screenplay made my lack of enthusiasm even more worrisome. My love for these two was borne out of their debut effort Spaced, which was made a ridiculous ten years ago but hasn’t aged a day since. This was followed by the seminal Shaun of Dead, which revitalized zombie "ZomRomCom", a genre which as yet hasn’t been able to add many other successes to its arsenal. Hot Fuzz came next and proved once more than Nick Frost and Simon Pegg were quickly be-
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coming a formidable yet quintessentially English cinematic duo. However, Paul lacks what their previous hits had; Edgar Wright. This visionary director makes this hit machine a threesome, yet he wasn’t at the helm of Paul, which isn’t to be confused as the conclusion of the Cornetto Trilogy. Instead, the man who brought us Superbad directs Paul. Straight from the Judd Apatow School of comedy, Motolla is joined by Seth Rogan as the voice of the eponymous alien. This mash-up of two very different types of comedy has the potential to be hilarious, or disastrous. Thankfully it manages to be the former of the two. Paul is an obvious ode to Steven Spielberg
E.T., Close Encounters of The Third Kind and Indiana Jones are all paid homage to. However, you don’t need to be a cinephile to take something away from Paul. Pegg and Frost are adorable as usual, their bromance peppered with loving nicknames. Their humour isn’t Americanised to a ridiculous degree, and if anything the supporting cast of American comedy royalty only adds to juxtapose and enhance their charming relationship.
Paul has faced some criticism for it’s patronising undertones towards the right wing religious American South, but for British audiences its nothing short of a triumph for two of the most lovable British actors around. Emily Kate Bater
Gnomeo & Juliet Dir: Kelly Asbury Cast: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Ashley Jensen
7/10 I wasn’t sure what to expect from an animated, garden-based Shakespeare adaptation but found Gnomeo and Juliet surprisingly enjoyable. Its cast of voices reads like a who’s who of British acting, including James McAvoy, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith and Julie Walters. Richard Wilson also makes an appearance, very much as Victor Meldrew in cartoon form. Even Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan and Dolly Parton are involved, which seems a bit surprising for a UK gnome animation but perhaps it helps that Elton John and David Furnish are on the
FILM
production team. In fact you could almost imagine that this at one of the couple’s celebrityThe soundtrack is also largeYour Song and I’m Still Standing. Although clearly aimed at a young audience there are just about enough verbal jokes and adults entertained. Gnomeo and is not a faithful rendition ened Shakespeare buffs may be disappointed. A completely unaltered version of the tragedy acted out by gnomes might be numerous references both to the original play and others of the vide some amusement for older
True Grit Dir:Joel & Ethan Coen Cast: Jeff Bridges,Haille Steinfeld, Matt Damon.
8/10
able. The turn is an impressive category. She is joined on her journey the part of Rooster Cogburn and an almost incomprehensi-
the ‘meanest’ bounty hunter
The Coen Brothers return to also accompanies them. The It’s more a second adaptation of the Charles Portis novel than a
tale of one young girl’s quest to avenge her father’s death.
-
grounded. The Coen characteristic of threading dark humour
vide the backdrop for their puronce again here; a thrillingly
of mind you can certainly enjoy but I doubt Laura Amey
tie Ross (played by 14 year-old Haillee Steinfeld) is thoroughly believable as she navigates her
true grit. Alexandra Genova
and shoot outs. She is overly ir-
got far in her quest by being like-
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FILM
Pretty Shitty City Photography: Ryan Bater
In honour of St David's day, Qunch Film looks
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FILM
Whether you look to its barren mountains or industrial backwaters, it would seem that cinema owes an awful lot the land of (some of our) fathers. Wales has become synonymous with great acting talent; during the silent period Welsh actors of note included Ivor Novello, who came to prominence after staring in Hitchcock's The Lodger and Gareth Hughes. If it wasn’t for local boy done good Anthony Hopkins, one of the greatest villains of 20th century ard Burton, a generation would have lost an icon and cinema would have lost one of its most distinctive voices. Dylan Thomas' "play for voices" Under Millk Wood would not have been the same if it wasn't for the Pontrhydyfame across the pond and borught notoriety to their home land.
of rambunctious drug-addled mischief, or the rolling green hills of Very Annie Mary reverberating with echoes humour, and an almost inherent eccentricity and madness.
arch nemesis, Cardiff. Full of Wales' typical self deprecation and irony, long
looks set to be the latest in a Emily Kate Bater
Only Two Can Play (1962)
Twin Town (1997)
Without doubt has experience little in the way of cult credos when compared to the
Kick starting the career of everyone's favourite Twin Town follows his real life brother Llyr Ifans), as they run riot
the now legendary Twin Town; But what
lacks in explehabitual drug abuse, we meet the boys as they in-
makes up for with pathos, subtly and a calibre cast Based on the Kingsley Amis novel That Uncertain Feeling, focuses upon a burgeoning love triangle between world-weary librar-
father, Fatty, is injured working for the local drug lord and wheeler-dealer Bryn Cartwright, they make it their mission to bring down the Cartwright clan with a vengeance. For lovers of local history, a scene in the noto-
the exotic amateur dramatist Liz (Mai Zetterling). -
Play’s charm is in the minutiae of the characters inwhose obvious chemistry is never consummated. Jon Berry
Kingsway is a particular treat, as is the always pitch black hilarity that ensues. It tips its hat to The Godfather; might be inclined to call it Coppola's naughty Welsh cousin, its subject matter surprisingly dark and twisted. When Cartwright enlists two crooked coppers to get his own back on the lads, themes of violence and prostitution are added to the mix. Lucky Twin Town is full of riotous dioglogue and wonderful characters, eh? The cast list reads like a who's who of welsh acting royalty, familiar faces popping up on every drug deal and in the back of every dodgy van. ing Keith Allen (Lily Allen's dad for those of you The closing scene is both frightening and hilarious; strangley inspiring, it would rouse a sense of patriotism in even the coldest Celtic hearts. Emily Kate Bater
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The Team Editor Dom Kehat
Executive Editor Sarah Powell
Sub Editor Matt Wright
Arts Katie Haylock and Kirsty Allen
Books Greg Rees
Fashion Gwennan Rees and Lucy Trevallion
Features Jack Doran, Claire Dibben and Jenny Pearce
LGBT+ Anna Siemiaczko and Kate Boddington
Film Emily Kate Bater
Food Gav Jewkes, Jasmine Joynson and Melissa Parry
Music Michael Brown, Emma Wilford and Jon Berry
Photos Travel Clare Baranowski and Simone Miche
Proof Readers Laura Amey, Leonie Roderick, Rachel Belmonte and Morten Wright