Quench - Issue 91

Babyshambles

Spring Fashion plus

Legal highs

Peter Jackson on The Lovely Bones

contents: Issue 91 // Feb 15th - Mar 1st

THE STUDENT MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR AT 8!

200 RDS AWA DIA GUARDIAN STUDENT ME

VOYEUR ROBBIE BLIND DATE FASHION p. 23

FEATURES GAY FOOD INTERVIEWS TRAVEL FASHION

INTERVIEWS p. 14

PHOTOS BOOKS

Check out the new

Quench Culture show live on

ARTS

Xpressradio Sundays at 11a.m

GOING OUT MUSIC

FILM p. 55

Cover Image: Jonny Faulkus Cover Design: Lloyd Griffiths

FILM

04 06 07 08 10 12 14 18 23 28 34 37 42 45 55

Editor Simon Lucey Executive Editor Emma Jones Assistant to the Editors Elaine Morgan Arts Amelia Forsbrook, Natalie Stone, Blind Date Sarah Kilby, Caroline Baldwin Books Emma Pocklington Fashion Emily Cater, Kate Eaton Features Ellie Woodward, Sarah George Film Lloyd Griffiths, Jody Tozer, Steve Wright Food Harriet Davies, Hayley Pyper Gay Lucas Owen Going Out Jack Doran Interviews Steve Beynon, Tom Rouse Listings Steve Beynon, Tom Rouse Music Sam Smith, Phil Guy, Si Roach Photos Jake Yorath, Liz Foggitt Travel Dom Kehat, Paul Stollery Podcast Director, Lloyd Griffiths Proof Readers, Amy Hall, Rebecca Dubock, Rebecca Oakley, Tessa Waterman

printed on recycled paper. PLEASE RECYCLE.

voyeur

IN

OUT Seal Clubbing The Canadian past time.

H

ello pretty people, welcome to the latest issue of Quench. You may notice a few changes in this issue. For you see, Simon Lucy is off dressed as a cow so I'm the new editor, for one week only.

My name is Paul Stollery. I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal. People know me. I have many leather bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.

Yes, that's right, I'm clearly not that funny, hence the fact that I've stolen that joke from Will Ferrell.

However, the magazine hasn't completely fallen to shit under my control, honest.

I resisted the urge to place my smug face on the front cover – which will be much to Si's relief – mainly due to the fact that no one knows who I am, so it wouldn't really have the same affect as when Ricky Gervais did it whilst he was guest editing Esquire. I also ressisted the urge to place my face anywhere else in the magazine. You're welcome.

Anyway, I digress. Welcome to the issue. I've been racking my brain for a subject to write this column on. As you can probably tell by my ramblings, I've come up somewhat short. I looked at Si's last column. It was about cheese. I respect this, however it didn't really give me any ideas.

I've decided to tackle a slightly deeper subject – prejudice. Now, I'll leave racism, sexism, and all of the other 'isms to gair rydd – these seem like topics that are slightly too deep to discuss in a column that started by quoting Anchorman.

The one prejudice I will mention, however, is beardism. This, essentially, is the fear of people with beards. You see, I have a beard, and that seems to immediately suggest that I am some sort of sexual predator – usually of the Gary Glitter-esque sweet yielding type. I once actually had to tell people that I wasn't hiding Maddie in my beard.

Campaigning and stuff seems like a lot of hard work. Threatening people, although easier, would probably end up reinforcing the stereotype that I may in fact assault you. So, instead, I'm going to start a new prejudice in the hope that it will somehow cause people to forget about the current one.

It's a foolproof plan, I know.

We'll keep on the subject of facial hair: have you ever known a person whose beard is a different colour to his other hair? That's strange. Most people hide this by not growing a beard – which screams guilt in itself – however these people must be watched. We'll call them multi-beards, and we shall forever fear and insult them. Tell your friends.

Spotted a multibeard?

Email: quench@gairrhydd.com

04 / voyeur@gairrhydd.com

Panda Punching POW! Right in the Kisser.

ba dom tish jolly humorous stuff

ent in Sunday school. UsuLittle Janice was not the best stud the teacher called on day ally she slept through class. One ce, who created the Jani me "Tell ing, napp was her while she ny, a boy seated John little stir, 't didn ce universe?" When Jani her in the rear. ed jabb and pin a in the chair behind her, took said, "Very her teac the "God Almighty!" shouted Janice and ep. asle back fell ce Jani good" and ce, "Who is our Lord and A while later the teacher asked Jani from her slumber. Once stir even Saviour." But, Janice didn't and stuck her again. again, Johnny came to the rescue the teacher said, "Very and ce Jani ted shou st!"

"Jesus Chri ep. asle back fell good," and Janice third question. "What did Then the teacher asked Janice a twenty-third child?" and her had she after m Ada to say Eve pin. the with her ed jabb ny again, John shouted, "If you stick me This time Janice jumped up and break it in half and stick it up I'll , with that thing one more time your ass!" ... the teacher fainted.

dictionary corner on the buzzer with student filth

Persiflage The only word for banter that begins with a P.

A change in editor meant we could sneak this word in under the regular editor's nose...good persiflage all round.

Voyeur

What would Nick Clegg do?

I've written to with Dear Nick, ulous. You're the third person Right, this is getting fucking ridic – about a problem en Que the and e Dyk Van Dick g this problem – the first two bein to describe my I've been having. ewhat vague. I used innuendos In the first two letters, I was som ably my mistake. I told Dick Van Dyke that I was prob parts short problem, which in fairness was wouldn't go and that I was a few (AKA, the willy my that , pork s eles bon y Lizz serving to te wro I n whe s ndre double-ente of an erector set. I used similar going on in my bitch). right out and say it. There’s less k you all, stop But I’m now just going to come up. Fuc it get ’t can I . king Haw han pants right now than those of Step se help me. plea laughing, I’m in trouble, can you Regards, Gareth

is the biggest Dear Gareth, ody knows who the fuck I am. This crying into a nedy You think you’ve got problems? Nob Ken rles Cha received since they found coverage that the Lib Dems have had scratched the eyes he h whic from – ent pend Inde the glass of scotch, next to a copy of red Tony Blair. is a stack of out of all of the pictures that featu three things in my garage. The first tioned three ently curr are re men For fuck’s sake. The I’m e.

Twic r. them all, cover to cove is in a feature 47 copies of the Guardian. I’ve read der of the Lab Dems’); the second (‘lea word s cros a in was first The rlie Brooker’s Cha times: of one in was third the y’; in purgator titled ‘People who would fit in well me in an election was like being able to jump higher ing columns, where he said that beat signed photos than Stephan Hawking. es in my garage is a box of 15,000 The second item that currently resid t 300 of them through my neighbours’ doors, and, abou of me that no one wants. I posted posted them back. ally within 48 hours, people had actu ht it to make me feel depressing, is a Hummer. I boug The third, and perhaps the most straining my out with seat r’s drive the into b clim like Mr Big Dick, but I can’t even n I was of an old injury, which occurred whe was thigh. This strain is a recurrence cheerleading that se reali now I tise. prac ing warming up for cheerlead a mistake. are just as depressing ¬– The rest of the items in my house edition copies of Sinaed first Phil, Dr. from os motivational vide first season of Cold plete com the m, O’Connor’s latest albu Feet. You get the picture. at is that your life What I’m essentially trying to get worry about these can you t leas At e. wors could be a lot was when I n actio any got I things ¬– the last time Edna, she was was in high school. Her name was was the school she 30 pounds heavier than me, and secretary. lar basis, and, Also, I speak to the Queen on a regu may see about penis to be honest, I agree with her. My but at least it as much daylight as Stevie Wonder, knows when to stand.

Lad the fuck up, you little bitch.

Nicholas Clegg

Regards,

voyeur

robbie

Red, white and blue (sponsored

by Pepsi) It's billed as the Greatest Show on Earth every year, but with old mods and copious ads Robbie Wells feels slightly different about the spectacle...

A

lright! Woo! USA! Go Team!

Let's do this! And many, many more ways to show that you’re American and you’re excited.

Is it any wonder that the world hates them? Not only do they run the world, but they do so with a smile on their face, and with every single emotion in their heart firmly on their sleeve. What I wouldn’t give to be the stereotypical Yank, blindly patriotic with simple pleasures like baseball and guns. Instead, we live in Britain, a grey, withering beast, constantly trying to recapture its former glory by hanging out with the popular kids across the water.

Of course I’m joking, who would honestly want to live in a country that thinks that The Hills is good quality TV? Last weekend however, I sampled American life as I chilled out with the guys, a six pack of Bud, some chilidogs and the spectacle of the year: Superbowl XLIV. Who are they kidding with the Roman numerals by the way?

Having never really watched American Football, I was only ever expecting the same as with all other American sports; high scoring, pointless celebrations and ads.

You see, Yanky doodle dandies like a sport with lots of points, so that there’s always something quantifiable going on that their little heads can get around. But when it comes to basketball, for example, you can’t get excited by a basket, because it’s almost inevitable that the opposition

06 /robbie@gairrhydd.com

team will trot down the other end and score two points back. As for the celebrating, I prefer to see a bit of passion, not some twat prancing around trying to rub it in. Again, is it any wonder everyone hates them?

And the ad breaks in the US dictate what sports can even get on to TV. Two halves of 45 minutes in soccer makes it a nightmare that television companies cannot comprehend; there’s no chance of racking up the same £141million in ads that the Superbowl does without stopping play every 30 seconds.

"How can there be a minute of analysis for five seconds of game time?"

But as I sat down and picked my team for the night, the New Orleans Saints, the sense of occasion took over. The ridiculous pomposity, the vacuous chants of USA and the warbling, elongated version of the national anthem didn’t seem to irritate me as it should. The game kicked off and the swell of anticipation in the crowd caught me. It was beautiful.

And then it stopped.

We were now watching the guy from the F1 trying to pretend like he knew about American Football, and the most unexcited pundit ever droning on about tactics and plays, replaying the footage that I just watched. How can there be a minute of analysis for five seconds game time?

Fortunately, when the ball was in play it was often exhilarating, but it does make you a bit proud of the BBC, that we don’t have to put up with that kind of ad culture. I shit you not; there was a sponsor for the half time show and a separate one for the half time analysis. I don’t understand how Bridgestone managed to justify the hefty £3million price for advertising at the Superbowl. Are they genuinely expecting a spate of impulse tyre buying?

The Who, who played the half time on top of a giant mod symbol looked as dated as they are, but I was grateful for a good ten minutes without a break, even if it was filled

by Pete Townsend doing the same arm spinning shit that he’s been doing for 50 years.

Despite being the most painful armchair sport to watch, as long as you’ve got your Bud, your bag of Doritos, your Rolex watch and your Intel processor, it is actually pretty damn enjoyable.

Though for some reason, I’ve now got an overwhelming urge to buy some Bridgestones for that car I don’t have.

blinddate

Blind Date Did love blossom for this couple or did the evening wilt away?

"He didn't offer to walk me home which was a bit of a downer! "

Gareth

1.So what were your first impressions?

She was very friendly and chatty and seemed like a really nice girl.

2. Best & worst bits?

I wouldn't say there were any worst bits, it felt pretty natural, like chatting to a mate. No really awkward bits either, it was good.

3. Were you listening....? Give us a fun fact about your date?

I was listening... perhaps a couple of annecdotes I'm sure she'd rather I didn't repeat!

4. Any embarrassing moments?

Housemates investigating halfway through the date was pretty embarrassing.

5. Describe her in three words?

Outgoing, friendly and chatty.

6. Were you nervous? What did you do to get ready?

Not really, a little nervous beforehand but it was fine.

8. So will you be meeting up again?

I doubt it, I would say hello if I saw her about.

9. Did you have a "lorra lorra" laughs together?

We shared a few jokes, it was pretty relaxed and fun.

10. And the infamous chuck, fuck or marry?

I can't imagine marriage at my age so it'll probably be chuck.

Ena

1.So what were your first impressions?

He seemed really nice and friendly, reminded me a bit of my ex though which i don't know if that's a good or a bad thing?!

2. Best & worst bits?

The date in general was really good as it wasn't awkward at all, however he didn't offer to walk me home which was a bit of a downer!

3. Were you listening....? Give us a fun fact about your date?

Ummm... that he hitch-hiked to Morocco last year?

4. Any embarrassing moments?

No not that I can remember, although his mates did ‘happen’ to walk pass which i think he was more embarrassed about than i was!

5. Describe them in three words?

Friendly, talkative and interesting.

8. So will you be meeting up again?

Probably not, but I wouldn't mind bumping into him in a club or something.

9. Did you have a "lorra lorra" laughs together?

Yeah we did, I laughed quite a bit which is always a good sign that a date is going well.

10. And the infamous chuck, fuck or marry?

I'd have to say chuck!

The couple enjoyed their meal thanks to The Flora on Cathays Terrace. A friendly local with good food and a relaxed atmosphere. Cheap and cheerful perfect for your hangover!! Call 029 2040 5038 for bookings and information about their quiz nights.

blinddate@gairrhydd.com / 07

features

The diamond

08 / features@gairrhydd.com

features

in the rough Had Audrey Hepburn not accepted the lead role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, would we know her as the icon she is today? Kate Bennett gives us an insight into the life of the 50's starlet and explains why we should look up to her.

W

hat makes Audrey Hepburn so inspirational that 17 years after her death we still carry purses, bags, and hang posters with her face on them? She was once called the most beautiful woman in the world, nobody could make the LBD and a cigarette holder look as elegant as she did. Her leading roles in films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Funny Face firmly established her as one of the greatest actresses the world has even seen. Yet behind the sensational hairstyles lay much more than your average skinny celeb...

"Yet behind the sensational hairstyles lay much more than your average skinny celeb" Despite all the above, Hepburn was “normal” like the rest of us, however clichéd that sounds. Often when questioned about her beauty, Audrey would admit that she didn’t see herself as beautiful, she was always aware of her big feet or the bump on the bridge of her nose.

Far from using this as an excuse to spend millions of pounds on plastic surgery or to acquire a drug habit, Hepburn learnt to live with her per-

ceived imperfections like the rest of us. It’s this part of her character that prevented her from pulling paparazzi stunts or abusing her P.A, but gave her a good perspective on life and the world of showbiz. Hepburn was always appreciative of the praise she received, always aware that she must work to maintain her standards so she was renowned for always being on time, never declaring that everyone waited for her or she was too famous to be told what to do.

But there’s much more to the story than that. Audrey, or Edda as she was known during her time in occupied Holland, knew a thing or two about suffering. Her experiences of starvation and fear of a repressive regime inspired her charity work with UNICEF. In her own words: “I was in Holland during the War... and food dwindled. The last winter was the worst of all. By then, food was scarce, and whatever [there] was went to the troops. There’s a big difference between dying of starvation and malnutrition, of course, but I was very, very undernourished.

Immediately after the war, an organization, which later became UNICEF, instantly came with the Red Cross and brought relief for people in the form of food, medication, and clothes. I was one of the beneficiaries with other children. I’ve known about UNICEF all my life.”

However, it was in the wake of her first divorce that she began her work with the charity, choosing to throw herself in to helping others instead of wallowing in self pity. Towards the end of her life, between 1988 and the time she died in 1992, Hepburn worked in some of the most disadvantaged communities of Africa,

South America and Asia. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Audrey always had a deep sense of morality and her ethics were very important to her. Her parents were fascists, although they never supported the Nazis or the Holocaust, and so disgusted by their politics and social values she distanced herself from them. The absence of Hepburn’s father in her life since the beginning of the war was a cause of great heartache for her. Years after the war had ended her first husband, Mel Ferrer, found her father through the Red Cross. Despite the fact that he was unable to provide the affection she so longed her she forgave him and continued to support him until his death.

"Hepburn was 'normal' like the rest of us" In answer to the question I first posed, Hepburn remains an icon because despite her obvious beauty and the advantages that being a famous actress brought her, she was able to see beyond the A-list lifestyle to the great need in the world and she played her part in helping to fulfil some of it. It was her deep compassion for people which led her away from becoming self-centered and motivated her devotion to helping others.

features@gairrhydd.com / 09

gay

bye-sexual Sara Stanford argues for the abolition of labels when it comes to sexuality, by describing her own. And that doesn't mean she's a lesbian,. alright? Alright.

F

irstly, please allow me to clarify: Kate Winslet is not bisexual. Sorry to disappoint anybody reading at this stage, but the reference will soon become clear.

Up until fairly recently, I thought that I knew all that there was to know about sexual orientation.

You’re either straight or you’re gay or you're just claiming to be bisexual until you make your mind up, right?

Not so much. It turns out some people like men, others like women, some like both and some just aren’t all that fussed on either. Apparently, it has been suggested that we are all bisexuals (although many efforts in Solus discredit these claims — Ed.), I remember the very first time that I thought about fancying another girl. It was during Titanic and it was the aforementioned Miss Winslett (fit.com). Being only twelve years old at the time, I was quite confused about what it meant to be gay, and I’m pretty certain that I hadn’t even heard of bisexuality.

Although I knew that some people were attracted to the same sex, I didn’t realise that it was so normal. I always thought that it was something embarrassing to be ashamed of. And for years I didn’t challenge this, brushing aside my feelings towards other girls and teaching myself to believe the messages that all of the magazines kept telling me, and that it was ‘probably just a phase'.

At the age of eighteen and after much thought, I grew more certain of my sexuality and eventually admitted to myself that I was bisexual.

10/gay@gairrhydd.com

I finally built up the courage to confide in my best friend. It was the most petrifying text message that I have ever sent.

Bisexual individuals, like those who identify as gay or lesbian, are faced with the daunting prospect of ‘coming out’, deciding who to tell, when to tell them and how to say it. Fortunately, I have been ridiculously lucky with my closest group of friends, who make me feel as though being bisexual is normal, which of course it is.

On the other hand, I do think that I’ve had my fair share of weird and wonderful reactions, from people telling me outright that bisexuality doesn’t exist, with statements such as ‘you’re not gay, you’re just confused’, to my Dad (oblivious to my sexuality) discussing ‘greedy bisexuals’ at an intimate social gathering...

Thankfully, I can see the funny side. According to some people, it’s just not possible that I could be attracted to both men and women: I must be confused. It’s always nice to be told those kind of details.

I have an advantage of sorts because I don’t know how it feels not to be attracted to both men and women. At the moment, bohemian is in. It’s trendy to be different and a little bit ‘edgy’. I am not for one second suggesting that sexuality should be seen as fashionable — but rather that by being more open and accepting of diversity in general terms will have a positive impact upon difference in sexuality. Hopefully bisexuality will lose its stigma.

It’s only more recently that I have truly realised the prominence of the limiting bisexual stereotype

in mainstream society. It is a term that is often closely associated with connotations of experimentation and promiscuity. The portrayal of bisexuals within the mainstream media often reinforces the notion that people who are attracted to both sexes are ‘just going through a phase’ or ‘dabbling' and therefore never really taken seriously.

I think that my main qualm surrounding the topic of sexual orientation is the desire to label.

For some reason, it seems that you can’t just fancy someone who happens to be the same sex as you.

What is wrong with experimenting in having relationships with people of both sexes if you are attracted to them? Instead there is a pressure to decide whether it means that you are gay or straight.

These rigid categories leave no room for trying out and experiencing new things. By being forced to adopt a label, you are forcing people to make judgement and to decide whether to accept you or not.

Who would have thought that being open-minded and attracted to both gender would cause so much unnecessary confusion. Akin to anything slightly different from the ‘norm’, inevitably bisexuality has its fair share of prejudice, and it would be naive to assume otherwise.

Debates surrounding the subject will no doubt continue for many years as people try and fail to understand why and how someone could be attracted to a person rather than a gender. I can only hope that people stop putting me into a box when they find out I play for both teams.

gay

"I hope people will stop putting me into a box when they find I play for both teams" gay@gairrhydd.com / 11

food

CALLING ALL SUSHI VIRGINS Are you intrigued by the popular trend of eating sushi? Or are you appalled at the prospect of eating a lump of recently-deceased raw fish? Whether you’re disgusted or shy, Lucas Owen gives us an unrestricted and honest introduction to the Japanese phenomenon of sushi.

B

efore you recoil in horror with visions of a live mackerel turning up on your plate, let’s just clear one thing up straight away: Sushi is not raw fish. That’s called sashimi – and yes it’s an ingredient – but it’s far from the central theme. Sushi literally means ‘constructed rice’, and appears in every true sushi dish. It’s filling, high in protein, and most of it doesn’t have a strong flavour (raw fish does not taste like fish!), resulting in a small, but very satisfying meal.

It’s also extremely healthy, so it should come as no surprise that the Japanese live longer than any other people on Earth.

If you’re a total sushi virgin, the little taster packs you can get from places like Boots and M&S are an ideal place to start. There’s no raw fish involved, but there is normally butterflied shrimp and smoked salmon, so you can orientate yourself to the concept and flavours of sushi.

Inside these taster packs you’ll find maki (small rolls of rice, wrapped in seaweed with a flavour in the middle - something like cucumber or red pepper) and nagiri, which are simply small blocks of rice topped with fish.

12 /food@gairrhydd.com

A Western invention of Japanese inspiration is the ‘California roll’, which is a larger maki without the seaweed and more filling in the middle.

"You can impress any potential love interest with your superior culinary knowledge."

On their own these morsels can get quite boring, so you’ll normally find a little bottle of soy sauce for dipping your maki and nagiri, and a sachet of pickled ginger that will aid digestion while cleansing your palette as you move from one dish to the next. You’ll always find these accompaniments wherever sushi is served. Sometimes you’ll also get wasabi, which is a bit like strong horseradish and will strip the lining of your mouth in 0.2 seconds so mix sparingly into your soy sauce, if at all.

If you’re feeling adventurous you

might try out one of Cardiff’s sushi restaurants, complete with a novel food conveyer-belt so you feel like you’re having your dinner in a Wallace & Gromit animation, or perhaps in Tokyo. The most prominent among these restaurants is YO! Sushi, which has just opened inside the new St David’s 2 shopping centre, and is part of a nationwide chain and also offers 25% off for students!

Individual plates of food, both hot and cold, trundle alongside diners who pick up anything that catches their eye, and at the end of the meal the server will simply count up your plates and charge you accordingly.

You’ll find a whole wealth of variety at a sushi bar, from simple maki rolls and sashimi to deep-fried prawns, chicken teriyaki and spicy noodles.

Some plates are more expensive than others, but they’re all colourcoordinated so you know how much or how little you’ve spent as you go along.

As well as shrimp and salmon, you’ll normally see some more unusual flavours whizz past, like eel (‘unagi’) and sea urchin (not for the faint-hearted), fish roe, and delicious slithers of raw tuna, which is far tastier than cooked tuna and has a

food more subtle flavour. If your sashimi ever smells ‘fishy’, don’t eat it, it’s normally a sign that the fish has spoiled, but cleanliness standards in Japanese restaurants are high and this should never be an issue.

Alongside your meal, green tea makes for a healthy and cleansing beverage, but for the brave and boozy among you there is plum wine (very sweet and syrupy) or saké (fermented rice wine which, in reality is as appealing as it sounds).

As someone who doesn’t really like fish, I urge you to try sushi.

Sushi restaurants make for a fun and very different experience (YO! Sushi has little fizzy water dispensers at every seat!). Despite what you might expect, you will never be served anything that is still breathing. Instead it’s a nutritious, reasonably cheap, and tasty meal, as well as giving you massive social kudos that you can use to impress any potential love interest with your superior culinary knowledge. Go!

So apparently it's Shrove Tuesday on the 16th...

...which is a valid excuse to eat pancakes again all day!

Your basic, idiot-proof recipe: Basic pancake batter: 100g Plain flour 1 egg 275ml milk Pinch of salt Sift the flower into a bowl, make a well in the middle, add the eggs and whisk together. Add the milk and salt and whisk into a smooth batter.

The consistency is about right when it is thick enough to coat a wooden spoon.

Standard (yet amazing) pancake fillings: • Sugar and lemon juice - Simple.

Unfaultable.

• Nutella (and whipped cream???) Indulgent.

• Jam - Safe.

• Ice-cream - Surprising!

• Blueberries and cinnamon - Sophisticated.

• Maple syrup - Effective.

• Stewed apples - Mature.

• Bananas and strawberries - Nutritious.

And because it’s always good to try new things: • Burritos! Chilli con carne, sour cream and cheese on top, under the grill for 10 minutes. Done.

• Bacon and maple syrup. Try it, try it, try it!

• Ham and cheese. Grilled. So continental!

• Sausage and scrambled egg with ketchup. Why not?

• Chicken, mushrooms, garlic and sour cream. Succulent.

• Chocolate sauce and orange segments. Terry’s.

• Lemon curd and raspberries. Nice, apparently.

• Make your pancake look like a face and leave it on your housemate’s pillow.

• Layer a load of pancakes on top of each other with mince and cheese and pretend it’s a lasagne.

• Make your pancakes really thin and small, roll them up with fried cabbage, eat them with chopsticks and pretend they’re spring rolls.

• But DO NOT put pancake mixture in the toaster.

food@gairrhydd.com / 13

goinginterviews out

Back on the

Baby Train

Quench sent Joe Shervell to meet Babyshambles drummer, Adam Ficek and to find out why it would take far more than a fire alarm to derail a gig.

14 / interviews@gairrhydd.com

interviews going out

O

n a cold winter night, nothing warms the bones quite like a predictably energetic performance from Babyshambles. As the capacity-crowd in the Union’s Great Hall grew more and more restless, whispers abounded that the infamous frontman, Pete Doherty, wouldn’t be playing. When the band finally stepped through the stage door, sighs-of-relief were overwhelmed by thrilled screams as the band made their way to the stage, led by Doherty; wine bottle in one hand, cigarette in the other.

Opening with Baddies Boogie, the band manipulated the crowd into a frenzy, powering through an explosive set; notably the storming renditions of fan favourites Delivery and Fuck Forever.

The only hitch arrived with the sounding of the fire alarm, but after a brief evacuation of the venue, the band continued to immerse their fans in an outstanding performance. After the gig, I was able to ask a few questions to the band’s drummer, Adam Ficek.

He told me the tour was going really well: "it felt good to be getting out on the Babyshambles wagon again after doing loads of Peter’s solo work and Roses Kings Castles stuff (Ficek’s side project).

There's nothing like a 'Shambles show

for getting some energy out there."

He told me, "the gig was a buzz, especially the fire alarm incident. We were just getting warmed up and someone decided to set the alarm off!" However, a question about best and worst gigs made it clear that this wasn’t the worst thing to happen during a Babyshambles gig. "I got knocked out with a wine bottle once at the Piper Room in Rome. It hurt." The best gig, he said, was in the Wembley Arena. "It’s one of those places you always aspire to play if you grew up in London."

Moving onto where the band met, he informed me "I knew Peter from the band scene around the Old St area of East London; I was playing on sessions he was doing outside of the Libertines so it was a natural progression into the band." Drew (bassist) met Peter through Patrick (ex-guitarist) and Mick (lead guitarist) knew Peter from his old haunts in Camden.

Inspiration, for him, he claimed came from personal experiences, as well as other music: "bands with more of a DIY ethic" and surprisingly, from the telly. He revealed that there were plans to release an E.P. within the next few months. With rough plans for an album to be released in the not too distant future, it's exciting times to be aboard the good ship Albion.

interviews @gairrhydd.com / 15

interviews

Te a

w i t h .66 o f

D e cima l s

Photos: Tom Armstrong

16 / interviews@gairrhydd.com

interviews

Tom Rouse meets two thirds of Decimals and learns about screaming, Amy Winehouse's exercise regime and Batman.

F

or a band whose lead singer claims to have done thousands of interviews, or perhaps because of this, Decimals were remarkably guarded when it came to answering questions.

When we asked whether they’d prefer normal or weird questions their answer can best be summarised as: “Any question we could ask, they've got an answer for; would prefer weird questions but would give weird answers to normal questions anyway.”

"Amy Winehouse just got drunk in the gym" For the first five minutes the most animated we saw them was when their tea arrived, however after this much needed caffeine boost they opened up a little and we settled down to an interview which felt more like a conversation than work. For those of you who are, I imagine, unfamiliar with the band, Decimals consist of Alex, Alun and Gethin, who was sadly absent due to real world demands.

Readers not familiar with Deci-

mals will probably better know Alex from his previous band the Automatic, where he has the dubious distinction of being known as that guy who screamed on their songs.

Understandably, he considers Decimals to be a far more mature group musically than his previous venture, arguing that when he was in the Automatic “we were just a bunch of kids in school so we were never going to sound mature because we weren’t”.

For those not particularly interested in the British indie scene, Alex’s face is probably more familiar from appearing on Never Mind the Buzzcocks in the same episode as Amy Winehouse. The trick to maximising television time from Buzzcocks according to Alex is to make a twat of yourself however, thats something of a tall order when you're sat alongside Amy Winehouse who “just got drunk in the gym.”

Being relatively unfamiliar with the actual art of singing and in particular screaming in songs, we were understandably curious about the effect that night after night of gigs and screaming down the microphone would have on your voice. However as both Alex and Alun pointed out, there is nothing unnatural about screaming: “A tiny little baby can scream all day because they scream from the right place and do it natu-

rally. They’ll never get sore throats because they do it in a purely natural way.”

"A tiny little baby can scream all day" However, Alex did admit that after two or three weeks of solid touring that he generally needed a day or two of as little communication as possible. Do bear that in mind if you decide upon graduating that your only chance of success in life is to front a metal band.

The interview was wrapped up with a quick discussion of things that are vital to every student living in Cardiff, nights out: “Not Metros”, favourite biscuit: Bourbon, ideally served with a cup of tea, and Alex’s favourite cartoon character, Batman: “he’s royally pissed off at the world the whole time and doesn't actually have a proper superpower: he's just rich”. With that it was time to go, though not before an attempt to blag our drinks on Quench’s expense account only to realise that no such account exists.

interviews @gairrhydd.com / 17

travel

SOUTH KOREA

The future is coming, and it's coming from South Korea. Oli Franlkin travels around the country and talks technology, food and toilets.

18 /travel@gairrhydd.com

travel

S

outh Korea is a place of two worlds. Two worlds unlike anything you have ever seen. From the moment you step off the plane at Seoul Incheon, prepare to have your expectations shattered and your mind blown. And most of all, prepare to be just a little bit terrified.

South Korea is a country that epitomises the future. Here in the UK, some may be disappointed that life in 2010 has not evolved into some Blade Runner-esque dystopian metropolis. Well to you I say go to Korea. For one, the toilet talks.

That’s right, you heard me. The toilets talk. Not only that, but often, in a bizarre display of lights and (to me) incomprehensible Korean they will give you a spring clean afterwards, then themselves, and then finally they say goodbye, have a nice day. It makes R2-D2 seem retro.

But that isn’t all. In airports and shopping centres, motion triggers along moving walkways set off video adverts on the huge plasma screens alongside you, filling you in on the latest holidays and electronics. The Sat Nav in my taxi from the airport featured a detailed 3D map of every building, so that when you leave your car it will literally walk you to your apartment in one of the many megaplexes that litter the meticulously planned suburbs.

Once you step inside your hotel room or apartment, it is only the beginning. A plethora of webcams and TV screens, incorporated into everyday appliances, allow you to video chat with your friends remotely as you go about your business.

Want some dinner inspiration?

Watch an advert on the fridge door as you go for a snacking spree.

Want to know how to cook it? Then use the plasma screen set into the extractor above your oven, of course.

One of the biggest success stories of globalisation, South Korea has developed with unprecedented speed over the last three decades on the back of its flourishing technological expertise. Once exploited for low production costs, the country’s businesses have surged to the forefront of global technology industries, with huge names such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai all

homegrown South Korean success stories. Around the globe their influence is massive, but none more so than in their country of birth.

Here the big corporations dominate the landscape, owning everything from cars and TVs to apartments and even hospitals and schools. Dystopian future indeed. But rather than some overcommercialised metropolis, what instead you find in Seoul is a city of breathtaking modern architecture and graceful efficiency.

Parks and rivers are dotted through the streets, filled by pedestrians as they flit between their offices and thriving local restaurants. And what restaurants they are. It is astonishing that despite the streets back home being littered with crap knock-off Chinese and Indian restaurants, Korean food is unheard of; and yet it eclipses both altogether.

That might be a strong state-

Korean food is unheard of; and yet it eclipses Chinese and Japanese cuisines altogether. ment, but I guarantee it warranted.

The restaurants that litter the streets of the residential districts are packed every evening: in Korea, the majority of the populace eat out most days of the week.

Huddled around tables in restaurants teeming with life and steaming with delicious produce, the waiting staff hand out small menus; but they are often ignored. The majority stick to the Korean classics; a delicious array of marinated meats and seafood delivered to the table raw.

In the centre of the table lies the true magic of Korean cooking, the gogi gui: the Korean barbecue. A sizzling grill at the heart of the feast, the marinated treats are tossed on with an individual’s chopsticks and cooked to their personal liking. And what a liking.

Accompanied by various banchan (side dishes) such as the Korean

signature dish kimchi (a wonderfully spiced pickled fusion of chilli and cabbage), local vegetables and rice. The fantastic dinner is often served with the traditional spirit soju, brewed from rice, that has an intriguingly sweet, burnt flavour.

Seoul is a magnificently diverse, breathlessly grand city. The modern sights include the Olympic park, host of the 1988 games, which since has been wonderfully reused as a landscaped wildlife reserve, outdoor museum and recreation area for the vast populace.

But crucial to any visit to Seoul and South Korea is to delve into the history of this great country, and it is here that the true two worlds of Korea emerge. Wonderful palaces are scattered throughout Seoul, the grandest being the Gyeongbokgung royal palace. The ancient site is simply stunning, with the traditional slatted roofs, wooden floors and screen doors impeccably restored and maintained in one of the iconic pieces of Korean history.

What is truly magisterial about Seoul is this duality: the humbling contrast between the ancient and the truly new. In some cases, the growth that has come with globalisation has lead to the careless destruction of historical artifacts and sites in favour of the growing bottom line. It is clear that tradition and preservation of culture are just as great a concern to the Korean people as the unrelenting surge of technology and growth.

This caring lies at the heart of this great country. The people have a polite, resolute and unwavering charm about them – a humbleness that perhaps endures from the times before LCDs, digital cameras and microchips brought unimaginable growth to such a small, traditional nation. For many, those times are still strong in their memory.

South Korea is then very much a country of two worlds, but two worlds remarkably, wonderfully in balance. It is almost too fitting that the flag portrays Ying and Yang: two forces, equally important but perfectly balanced.

Saying that, I’d still give the talking toilet a miss.

travel@gairrhydd.com / 19

travel

Cuba.

Today and the reality of tomorrow.

Reflecting on a recent visit to Cuba, Tom Armstrong discusses this interesting country and the struggle it faces in its desire to develop.

Photo: Tom Armstrong

20 /travel@gairrhydd.com

travel

I

t is rare to read about Cuba without hearing about the Revolution, Socialism, the Castro brothers and, of course, Ché Guevara. This is not just because of atypical politics and romantic idealism, but also due to their presence penetrating even the most trivial aspects of the society.

However, after spending a month travelling the whole length of the country, continuously having my preconceptions shattered and swept into the gutter, I wanted to make an attempt at giving an insight into what Cuba actually is now, as opposed to the usual reports of its turbulent and magnificent past.

January 1 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s triumphant march through Havana, and no doubt every national event for the 12 months after was a platform for more parades, speeches and parties in recognition of the fact. During the 30 days after the International Workers Parade on May 1, I was witness to an extraordinary blend of national pride, excitement and resentment that stretched from the tobacco fields in the West to the remote fishing villages in the East.

To even begin to understand the situation in Cuba the impact of the relatively new industry of tourism has needs to be recognized; it is seen as an excellent source of much-needed personal and national income by many Cubans. This is due to the currency available to tourists, the Convertible Peso (CUC), being about twenty-five times stronger than the regular peso that Cubans get paid in. Whether a doctor or a farmer, the average wages there are about £20 a month. This not only means that it is common for Cubans to have a second, tourist related job, but can also create a situation where a barman who receives tips in CUCs earns more than a state paid surgeon.

The existence of CUCs and the unfavourable exchange rate, created in an effort to get some serious money from tourists, along with a lack of hostels, make Cuba an expensive country to travel (the numerous small guesthouses are your best option, with many owners providing a level of genuine hospitality and amiability I have little encountered

elsewhere). A large proportion of visitors are pretty wealthy, staying in the huge inclusive resorts on the north of the island. This appears to give Cubans an inaccurate depiction of the kind of lifestyles lived in the world outside their borders; a skint nineteen-year-old backpacker seemed something of a novelty.

Although Cubans are not paid much, they have access to statefunded healthcare and education systems that far outshine those of countries of similar economic stature, and which can even compete with ‘First World’ nations (the UN puts Cuba’s average life expectancy as higher than that of the USA and Portugal). Housing and jobs are also provided by the state, putting Cuba’s level of employment at thirteenth in the world (the UK is sixty-fifth).

Despite this, Cuba is still thought of as an impoverished nation and many Cubans remain discontent.

"A nation with the drive but not necessarily the direction for positive development" The injustices that exist, like unequal housing, press censorship, strict foreign travel restrictions, a three-strike-then-prison rule on ‘hassling’ tourists (in reality used to discourage socialising with foreigners), and reports of brutality cause an anger and resentment that runs deep for many. These factors are picked up on by the western press and governments and used to push the idea of Cuba as a dangerous, human-right infringing, oppressive and failed nation.

Such is the presence of progovernment propaganda and icon worship, on billboards and in the state-owned newspapers, you could almost think that Cuba is still in the process of casting out the oppressive Batista regime of the 1950s and fighting guerrilla wars in the jungles.

However, in reality, what is left is a

product of glory days and a society struggling against both internal and external pressures for change.

And Castro’s government may well clutch to the final strings of the past, for that was a time of promise and development for all Cubans. Fifty years on however, the majority of the Cubans I met, from farmers rolling cigars from their own crops, to students dancing in town squares, and guesthouse owners enjoying a somewhat comfortable life, all gave a general vibe of wanting change.

The same system that, at first, meant freedom from the corruption and oppression of the time has now become the very thing causing restriction and frustration among the population.

The nationalisation of the country allowed the quality of life to move away from abject poverty, to a basic standard. However, for several reasons, as much the fault of Western trade restrictions as the imperfect Cuban government, a plateau has been reached. Cubans want what we have, they only see the positive aspects of a capitalist society: the rich tourists on holiday and the glamour on the occasional broadcast of MTV. What they don’t realise is that, in theory, they have a good thing going on and that the Western model of consumerism may not be the best route to follow. If Cubans continue to fight the oppressive aspects of their society, yet keep the original ideology of united national progression over commercial gain and commodity accumulation, they could find themselves part of a never-seenbefore societal system with benefits from across the political spectrum.

What I saw in Cuba, on top of the incredible combination of Latin American spirit and Caribbean beauty, was a nation of extremely interesting (and interested) people with the drive but not necessarily the direction for positive development.

If you ever go to this beautiful and intriguing island, go with an intention of showing the Cubans the realities of our world. Go to break their preconceptions, as they did mine, and give them a chance to make a truly educated decision on what happens next. Change there is coming, from inside and out, and so far they have only seen one side of the argument.

travel@gairrhydd.com / 21

travel IN F BRITA BEST O

. . .Swindon!

Swindon; star of DIY SOS, briefly mentioned on The Office, and home to the lovely Simone Miche. She explains why this ridiculed town may deserve its reputation, but is all the more loveable for it.

I

magine my horror when I read a brief history of my home town, Swindon, stating that its name is derived from the Saxon words swine dun meaning ‘pig hill’, or ‘the hill where pigs were bred’.

Not exactly the type of information I want sprawled across the internet when I’m perpetually stuck in a battle, proving its worthiness to those who insist on describing it as (excuse the pun) ‘little more than a pig sty’.

Yes, the town centre is built on a gently sloping hill and smells a bit like manure, and I’ve heard that the government pin posters on prison walls encouraging inmates to look to Swindon for opportunities; but doesn’t all of this simply suggest that Swindon offers interesting geography and a location teeming with prospects? That it supports local agriculture and is inhabited by intellectuals who are heartfelt and welcoming; not absent-minded mud-dwellers like its piggy past-time might imply.

‘Interesting, intellectual, welcoming?’

I hear you cry. That my friends, was merely an introduction to Swindon’s many enchantments.

Situated in the heart of Wiltshire, on the edge of the Cotswolds;

22 /travel@gairrhydd.com

Swindon is the perfect location for exploring the splendour of surrounding areas: namely Lechlade, Burford and Burton on the Water. That’s not to say that its void of its own natural beauty; the towns largest public parks, Lydiard Park and Coate Water are more than apt for a bit of exploring or moseying Sunday afternoon strolls.

"Don't be a stranger to junction 16" . Thirty minutes down the M4 and travellers are rewarded with a shopping haven, live music and theatrical finery on offer in the city of Bristol, but you don’t have to go far if its entertainment you’re looking for.

Swindon has a vibrant night life, an array of cosmopolitan restaurants, two cinemas as well as The Wyvern Theatre and The Art Centre: an intimate little venue offering a great mix of music, comedy and drama.

What’s not to like?

I would even go as far as saying that there’s something ‘magical’ about the place. Of course I’m referring to the fact that Swindon is home to none other than the ‘magic roundabout’ which according to SwindonWeb is the ‘most well-known roundabout in the world’.

The roundabout received its claim to fame in 2006, appearing on DIY SOS when Nick Knowles visited Swindon and its cultural delights.

I’d like to think that Swindon has aspired to bigger and better things than day-time television since then; being mentioned in series two of comedy phenomenon The Office for example.

So if you ever find yourself meandering down the M4, don’t be a stranger to Junction 16 and pay Swindon a visit. If you are convinced that there’s more to this expanding town than ill mannered simpletons and the smell of poo, then you could make a day of it and experience Swindon’s gems by jumping on the train. If you have a student railcard and book in advance you could get there and back for little over a fiver each way. Let me know you’re dropping in and I’ll make sure I pop the kettle on. Bacon sarnie anyone?

Spring's Softer Side

fashion

Take a trip to the countryside with billowing chiffon, bleached denim and delicate lace, toughened up with laced-up boots and masculine accessories.

Photography: Oli Franklin Models: Kate Eaton and Emily Rose Cater.

Clothes: Models' own.

fashion@gairrhydd.com / 23

fashion

24 /fashion@gairrhydd.com

fashion

Make a play for quirky accessories such as a bowler hat to earn extra style brownie points.

fashion@gairrhydd.com / 25

fashion

The Trench Coat: perennial classic for spring

26 /fashion@gairrhydd.com

photos

les

collages Bored? Got some time to spare? Why not try a collage...?

A

collage is not an easy thing to do. I’m gonna get that out there right now. Picking the images is tough, because everything can go wrong if you pick the wrong ones. And after that, framing them is just as difficult. Fear not- I’ve got some advice.

It’s best to find a set of images that compliment one another, and even better if they tell a story- of an event, or maybe of a person. I’ve gone with a pair of photoshoots with the lovely Patience, and I planned the themes (colourful and dark) long before the shutter button was pressed.

Once you’ve taken your photos (or stolen them from the internet/a friend/the government) take your time and play around a bit- try to get some details in but also some that set the scene. You can use the detail shots as filler between wider photos. I’ve gone with geometric based collages here- partly because I’m a bit OCD and partly because it’s my style. It’s well worth experimenting with ripped page effects (use Google to find tutorials on how to add ripped edges) and angles too, but I just prefer this look.

Repetition can work, but it can also look pretty shite- so be careful and stick to a good variety of shots in the main. If you’ve spent the time you don’t want it to look shite...

Try to vary your shapes, but not too much. I've gone with just squares and rectangles, and with them it's best to try and stick to similar proportions on all your frames. Frames is where repetition probably is worth trying.

The other route is, of course, pritstick and scissors- print your photos out and rip 'em up to arrange them on paper, or on your wall. Just like all photography, it's all about experimentaion.

28 /quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com

photos

"Just like all photography, it's about experimentation."

quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com / 29

photos Words and photos: Jake Yorath Model: Patience Lewis

Girl

Film I

on

t's pretty easy to set up a home studio really- even without professional equipment, all you need is a big blank wall (or a sheet) and a couple of desk lamps.

For this shoot, my very expensive and complicated flash was not working, so a pair of six pound lamps provided most of the light. I have quite a large space to work with and a nice big, blank wall and so it's possibly easier for me than some, but you'll always find something if you look.

Lamp positioning will be fine as long as you try not to point the light directly at your subject, and try not to light too much from underneath- neither of those two is flattering in the slightest. Otherwise, the creativity is down to you...

30 /quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com

photos

quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com / 31

photos

The final entry to Quench Photographer of the Year is this interpretation of props by Christina Mackie entitled Skittles. Now we'll

bundle off all the entries to the infamous photography team of Ripley & Ripley, the agency responsible for some of the world's

32 /quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com

most famous shots of the likes of David Beckam, Radiohead and the Honda F1 team. Watch this space for news of winners!

photos

quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com / 33

books

If You Like This...

A

Short History of Tractors in Ukranian by Marina Lewycka is the story of a divided family coming together to try and rid their father of his new gold-digging wife, Valentina.

"The novel captures the hilarity of the dysfunctional family" Vera and Nadezhda’s father is stuck in the murky past of the USSR and, remembering the famine he endured there, is determined to save the young woman and her son from Ukraine. Valentina on the other hand will stop at nothing to secure the Western life of luxury she dreams of. This novel beautifully captures the hilarity of a dysfunctional family, combining it seamlessly with the melancholy truths of the suffering of Ukraine in the Second World War. The engaging tone of the narrator along with the dark secret that looms over the family will keep you feverishly turning pages until the end.

Then You'll Love...

T

he Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon is the story of a boy with autism investigating the murder of his neighbour’s dog, uncovering some whopping family secrets on the way.

From its first person perspective this novel gives a fascinating insight into the workings of its main characters mathematical mind.

34 /books@gairrhydd.com

"He uncovers some whopping family secrets"

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

by Paul Torday focuses on belated coming of age of the story’s unlikely hero.

Alfred Jones falls in love for the first time whilst realising that he is a pawn in the political manoeuvrings of the Western government. It has been praised as a comic tale of politics, dreams, faith and fish.

Emma Pocklington

books

Selling and Saving Online

by Ian Peel Pub: Rough Guides

T

here have genuinely been points in my life where the poverty has been so great I have found myself cutting the mould off out of date bread in order to save the almost edible remaining third. They are the sad moments, generally correlating with the end of term and deadlines, in which selling a kidney looks rather appealing and prostitution is a viable option. We have all been there, cautiously nibbling at toast, all too aware of the oc-

The Ground Remembers

by David Matthew Scott Pub: Parthian Books

W

elsh author David Matthew Scott’s The Ground Remembers is a novel which weaves together issues of family, rivalry and the degeneration of society around the central plot of the mysterious disappearance of Helen. The story is set ten years after her disappearance from a pleasant suburb and follows her two best friends, and love interests, Phillip and Edwin, as they spend a day reliving the events of their childhood with Helen.

casional green spot.

Lucky for us, Rough Guide has come to the rescue, releasing Saving and Selling Online, a book which is effectively twenty chapters of how students can avoid eating mouldy bread. Whilst the eBay and Amazon chapters are simply failsafe guides to sites any logical person has been successfully using for years, other topics such as "Travel for less" throw up some really worthwhile recommendations for ways in which to

"It is twenty chapters on how students can avoid eating mouldy bread"

The premise of the book is an intriguing one and the mystery of the events surrounding Helen’s departure raises interest. Scott’s portrayal of suburban life is adept and explores the minutiae of everyday life, such as wondering what the regulars in the pub or your neighbours hide from the prying eyes of others. Tales of family tensions or the rivalry between Phillip and Edwin for Helen’s affection resonate with truth and maintain interest when the mystery aspect of the plot appears to be stalling. The Ground Remembers is raw, unapologetic prose and Scott is unafraid of detailing the less savoury aspects of the modern working class.

However, Scott’s work is still developing and at times the novel strays into clichés and becomes confusing due to the fluidity of time.

The split narrative between characters enables interesting twists, yet the immature narrative of Edwin sometimes feels like the contrived

lower the cost of a holiday in the sun. Furthermore, the "House Hunting" section — with its advice on landlords and letting — has never been more appropriate in the scrabble for houses that Cardiff is always prone to at this time on year.

Undoubtedly the best section is "Site for Freebies". Far from just offering the odd site that may, with any luck, throw a moisturiser sample and banana flavoured condom your way, there are actually some things on offer you would want. Readitswapit. com is a site where people give away their books in return for one of yours. For free. There are some very expensive reference books on there for the taking. On top of this, eatwithalocal.com, is loads of people promising up a good old free meal because, well, it’s nice to be nice.

So there we go- a meal gained, a book gleaned and several pennies saved, and all in a books read.

Dom Kehat

writings of a teenager. Still, the greatest problem for me was the lack of characterisation. In spite of a great deal of detail about the lives of the characters, they never seem fully formed or particularly likeable, and so at the climax of Scott’s novel I found myself still caring very little about the outcome.

Elizabeth Blockley

"Scott is unafraid of detailing the less savoury aspects of the modern working class" books@gairrhydd.com/35

books

IN MEMORIAM Robin de Peyer gives his own obituary for the disgruntled author turned recluse that took the world of post-war American literature by storm.

L

ast week, pioneering American writer J.D. Salinger passed away in the quiet town of Cornish, New Hampshire, where he had lived as a recluse since the fifties. Best known for his 1951 masterpiece, The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger has been revered by literary critics and angst-ridden teenagers alike for his flagship novel, as well as his less-famous, but equally wellreceived, short stories.

"He captured the disenchantment of life in the city" Salinger has been accredited with capturing the overwhelming sense of disenchantment and detachment, which remains central to perceptions of both adolescence and life in the bright lights of the city. Holden Caulfied, Salinger’s 15-year old hero

36 /books@gairrhydd.com

of The Catcher in the Rye, provides the author with the perfect outlet for an exploration of the ‘phony’ society with which he was so disaffected.

Caulfield’s angry, sarcastic and often hilarious narration has allowed successive generations of young and old readers alike to relate to his dismissal of most of both his elders and his peers as ‘phonies.’

The storyline of Catcher is simple and unfussy; after being kicked out of yet another expensive prepschool, Caulfield takes to the streets of New York City, living in a state which encompasses both poverty and excess. His perceptions are fascinating, and his quest for company in the city leads him to rendezvous with prostitutes simply to ‘chew the fat’ and call up old friends whom he later remembers he found to encompass the traits which he despises.

The Catcher in the Rye encompasses the freedom and radicalism which was developing within postwar American literature, and remains unrivalled in its ability to capture the imagination and emotions of so many readers. To this day, it sells

250,000 copies every year, and has sold over sixty-five million copies worldwide in the 59 years since it was first published. Salinger guarded his legacy to the end, and has filed multiple law-suits in order to ensure it never becomes a film.

Salinger’s other works consisted largely of short stories, many of which made their bow in the New Yorker magazine, an infamous platform for intellectuals and writers alike to this day. However, it is The Catcher in the Rye for which he will be remembered most fondly.

By all accounts a difficult man, what can be gleaned of Salinger’s private life indicates that he was, like Holden, a rather awkward man full of contempt for the institutions which society attempted to impose on him.

Salinger fought in World War Two for four years, including landing on the Dunkirk beaches on D-Day, an experience which shaped his later work.

"A recluse of mythical proportions" Salinger quickly became exasperated with the spotlight of the New York literary scene, and moved to the small town of Cornish. Whilst he has reportedly written vast amounts of material privately, he has not permitted his work to reach the public domain since the early sixties. Salinger died on 27 January 2010, aged 93. A recluse of mythical proportions, his story-telling and narrative abilities have seen him reach the highest echelons of the literary world.

More importantly though, his work continues to encapsulate the despair and bitter humour of generations of readers around the world.

arts

G

ot an exciting experiment from your Year Eight introspective artist phase that didn’t quite make the big time? Don’t panic, it’s not over yet. Get on Michael Landy’s website and apply to recycle your failed art project into, well, art. In a brutally post-modern paradox, Landy intends to slowly create a 600m3 cultural skip to dispose of works of art. The Art Bin will be installed and piling high in the South London Gallery until March 14 2010 as a self described "monument to creative failure." Hmmm. Need I say more? The website warns that the doorway to the gallery is only 210 x 122cm: just in case you were planning on taking your 600m3 skip as a piece of failed art.

Oh, wait.

I

’m sure many of us have stumbled a few times in our lives. I would wager a lot of times by the state of the pavements in Cathays. But hopefully not into a rare 105 year old work of art. Recently, an art student fell into Picasso’s The Actor (1905) in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. She caused a six inch rip in the lower right corner of the 80 million painting, halving its value. Though the tear can be repaired to that of a ‘pencil line,’ art appraisers have surmised that the painting will never recover its original value. That was one expensive stumble. Interestingly enough, the student has chosen to remain anonymous.

Of course she did.

T

urner prize winning Chris Ofili, famed for punctuating his canvases with elephant droppings brought back from Zimbabwe in his luggage, is showcasing his paintings in Tate Britain. The works include the collection The Upper Room, which has strong religious connotations as a collection of twelve paintings of colourful rhesus macaque monkeys flanking a thirteenth. When first exhibited, a conservation biologist commented that the rhesus macaque ‘display a deeper degree of compassion for each-other than human beings.’ And you thought it was just a load of crap.

Arts update

arts@gairrhydd.com/37

arts

arts seen This week Dom Kehat gets an exclusive preview of Lesley Guy's upcoming exhibition 'If...' at g39. She lets us know if its worth you checking out.

B

ased in Sheffield, Lesley Guy's exhibition in g39 is her first complete showing of "Baby Animals", an interesting collection of 24 pages from a child's colouring book which have been altered, shaded and manipulated creating pretty and equally a wee bit spooky results. Evolving from a desire "just to colour in", Lesley saw the pages within the book as "a space for experimen-

Fat City Club Night

F

at City is one of Cardiff’s most exciting new nights.

Created by two of Cardiff Uni’s very own students, it mixes the hustle and bustle of your favourite venue with all the crafty fun of those classic kid’s parties we all remember.

Gwdihw’s ramshackle interior, sporting everything from bunting to a stag’s head provides the perfect

38 /arts@gairrhydd.com

tation, having rules imposed but taking from it what she wanted".

Beginning with a very simple but beautifully shaded picture of chimps, the work progressed, with optical allusions, abstract shapes and completely unrelated images making each page completely unique. it became a studio practice for Lesley, and when she did not know what to do, she would pick the page she liked least, so ultimately the result

mattered little. In her own words, Lesley "removed the barriers so she could only succeed", and whilst I may know little about art, I find the whole process intriguing, and the results even more so. A strange little collection, in a very worthwhile gallery. A convert to art I am not, but to colouring in? Go take a look for yourself.

Dom Kehat

venue for a night that offers something a bit out of the ordinary.

cardboard boxes, googly eyes and pipe cleaners for the "create your own robot and monster" competition.

The laid back and friendly atmosphere really reflects the creators’ attempt to provide a different night in the name of fun and charity, and their success is clear in the impressive £300 raised for the Disaters Emergency Committee as well as a selection of truly impressive cardboard creations.

So if you fancy a bit of arts and crafts along with your dancing why not try something new and head to Gwdihw for the next Fat City on 24th February.

Becky Honeycombe

"a night that offers something a bit out of the ordinary" The live jazz band and music made to get even the most reluctant of visitors to dance sit comfortably alongside tables filled with people busy creating their masterpieces of

arts

The Junket Club Live Comedy

The Norwegian Church

C

ardiff’s fabled Junket Club returned on February 2 with a Norwegian-themed spectacular that saw pickled herrings, Viking helmets, Norwegian puns and A-ha, ensured an evening of top-class comedy and frivolous fun was enjoyed by a lucky-ticket holding crowd.

Held at the Norwegian church in Cardiff Bay, Comediennes Josie Long, Maeve Higgins and Isy Suttie graced the Junket Club stage, while audience participation was encour-

Much Ado About Nothing Act One Production

YMCA Theatre

M

att King and Ruth Millington’s adaptation of the play was wonderful, perfectly poised between a professional interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy and a selfadmittedly downscale, distinctly student production. The script

aged through literary bingo and a limerick and joke competition.

The evening was warm and friendly, with (Norwegian) biscuits and snacks being handed round throughout the night. Norwegian flags were waved while Josie Long delivered a classic performance with her unique, endearingly and friendly style. Isy Suttie, of Peep Show fame, presented a disappointing array of comedy songs, while Maeve Higgins was witty and charming.

The Junket Club has been running now for just over a year, and prides itself on its intimate and unique comedy events hosted in original locations, that combine not only quality comedians, but fun games, crafts and audience participation.

Previous events have been held in

a forest, Techniquest, the National Museum and an artist’s studio. A true treasure of the underground Cardiff arts scene, the Junket Club remains a small and perfectly formed evening of unpretentious entertainment.

Having developed a small but dedicated cult following, tickets are desperately hard to come by but are well worth tracking down for a truly enjoyable evening of comedy entertainment that is friendly, welcoming and charming. Tickets are around £8-10 and all profits go to charity.

Search for The Junket Club to find out about the next event, and be warned, sign up fast or miss out.

Gareth Ludkin

was condensed in a way that detracted little from the original, placing greater emphasis on key scenes and the wittiest puns.

What really carried the performance though was the cast. Nathaniel Smithies was fantastic as Claudio, particularly during the stunning marriage scene. Tom Wansey, playing Leonato, frequently stole scenes with impeccable one-liners. Similarly, Chelsea Gillard’s Dogberry and Darren Freebury-Jones’ Don Pedro both had the audience floored with masterful comic performances.

However, the show was utterly stolen by Ciaran Price as Benedick and Sophie Brown’s Beatrice, with

the pair putting on two best performances I have ever seen during a student or professional production.

Sophie switched between dazzling wit and floods of tears effortlessly, so much so that she commanded the audiences' entire attention. Benedick's portrayal was similarly flawless. His command of Shakespeare was utterly pitch-perfect, with every line, speech and soliloquey made his own.

The performance sold out every night, and deservedly so. Act One have once again demonstrated the huge wealth of talent amongst our ranks in Cardiff.

Oli Franklin

arts@gairrhydd.com / 39

C zeching out the N arts

With a view to explore a side of the arts only a minority get to see, Camille Lavoix travels to Prague to witness what goes on behind the scenes at the Czech National Theatre.

E

arlier this year, when I visited Prague for the first time, I had already decided that seeing a production at the legendary National Theatre was a must. I haven’t read tons of historic books about the capital of the Czech Republic, but I just knew it was one of these special places where History with a big H transpires. Luckily, the costume designer was keen to fill in my blanks and there I was, eager to embark on a private tour.

We jumped from the red tramway, one of Prague’s charming particularities, and entered by the artists' entrance. First stop: one of the loges or theatrical boxes where several beautiful dresses especially

40 /arts@gairrhydd.com

made for a coming opera were located. The designer explained that just one of these creations takes her about a hundred hours to sew. It was very heavy and I wondered how the singer could breathe, let alone move.

" It’s a magical experience" Every single detail was exquisite, and being in the costume department was very much like being a Disney princess looking into a royal wardrobe. Before leaving the opera loge I really wanted to

try on this huge and complicated white flowery hat that I could easily imagine on a Chanel podium or in a museum… Enchanting but not so handy.

In the middle of this effervescence stood THE major piece: the dress Carmen will wear for the final act, so long that it must have been twice my size. My guide explained with a melancholic smile that the hundred of little frills in different tones of red she has sewn will inevitably be damaged during Carmen's acrobatics act.

After this, we moved to the top of the theatre and perched very high, looking down at the stage where the dancers were stretching under the vigilant eye of the choreographer.

arts

National Theatre

We could hear the spectators gathering on the other side of the curtain, and tension was at its maximum for the artists.

To start the first show, Santa

"Just one of these dresses takes the designer about a hundred hours to sew" Says Cut It, the 16 dancers, directed by the creative duo Johan Greben and Uri Ivgi, jumped on-stage with an original choreography specially created for the corps de ballet of the National Theatre. The dance was very futuristic and, though the themes of freedom, passion, sex, individuality, unity and escape were all taken from the original Carmen,

many visual symbols were related to the source piece. For example, all dancers were dressed in black apart from the principal one who was in red. The dance style was innovative because it resulted from the contrast between the classical ballet and Greben and Ivgi's style.

Indeed, traditionally there is a view that classic dancers always need to be ‘up’ and the duo's trademark – in their own words – is ‘down down down.’ The outcome was just fantastic, with an incredibly wild energy and a lot of jumps to express the two extremes. I was moved, but I also laughed at the weird postures, which seemed to take more inspiration from the Kama Sutra than from the original Carmen.

During the break I admired the theatre in itself, with the inscription “NÁROD SOBĚ” – Nation to itself – reminding the audience that the theatre exsists thanks to the generosity of the Czech people who funded its construction.

The second production was

Causa Carmen directed by Mat Eks. I found it interesting, but loved the classical version so much that the modern Nordic interpretation of Carmen, with bohemians dressed in cold blue and green dresses. was hard to accept. I found that the abstract nature of a futurist style of dance suited the first show, but was frustrating in this version. The literary version of Mérimée being so rich and fascinating, I was disappointed that this ballet didn’t really tell the story and was so modern that it lacked grace. I might be too traditional but when I go to see Carmen I expect Spanish sensuality: a dark and handsome Latin lover and warm colors.

At the end of my experience in Prague, I found myself taken with the theatre itself, yet dissapointed the traditional expectation was not met in the second show. If you can make it to the Prague National Theatre, don’t hesitate: it’s a magical experience.

arts@gairrhydd.com / 41

Mephedrone

going out

Choose life. Choose an Education. Choose lowrent student accommodation. Choose cheap noodles. Choose drinking your volume in alcohol, vomiting, and starting all over. Choose experimenting. Choose illicitly procured substances from a variety of pharmaceutical sources. Choose a synthesised cathinone, primarily used for plant fertilisation.

Choose 4 - m e t hy l m e t h c a t h i none. Choose mephedrone. But why would I want to go do a thing like that?

42 / goingout@gairrhydd.com

going out

Hedonists everywhere are piling new club-drug mephedrone up their nostrils, yet nobody seems to know exactly what it is. John Berry takes a closer look...

I

t seems an impossibility of late to read a newspaper without being confronted by a fresh government scheme planning to outlaw various legal highs.

We’ve all heard the Daily Mail’s typically sensationalist horror stories about the decline & moral decay of the ‘yoof’ into GBL abuse, or ‘coma in a bottle’ and other such illicit substances. It seems that already outlawed drugs have become too much of a behemoth, too heavily researched already to smear effectively without being opposed by all manner of opposition. Especially when considering that among partygoers, the primary drugs of choice such as ecstasy are considered by some to be less dangerous than alcohol & cigarettes.

But I digress, legal highs have become au fait with drug culture, and as with any trend adopted by the youth, the conservative middle classes take it upon themselves to shield society’s younger strata from any morally reprehensible activities we may indulge in. Mephedrone presents a particularly appealing prospect, highs without the possibility of conviction for possession?!

What more could the morally corrupt youth of today ask for?

Several months ago the whisper of a new drug filtered hastily through the proverbial grapevine. A completely legal substance offering a high mirroring that of MDMA, but at a fraction of the price. Mephedrone quickly became the intoxicating weapon of choice amongst a vast cross section of those with a penchant for hedonistic drug use. With

The Lowdown Also known as: M-Cat, Meow, Plant Food Street Price: £10-£20 Not to be confused with: Methadone

my curiosity amply fanned, I looked into the buzz surrounding mephedrone. A Google search revealed endless pages of hits selling the substance, bizarrely as it sounds, as a plant fertiliser. Some even offered free delivery within the London area, providing the order to be of a large enough quantity, whoever said drugdealers were a blight on society?

"It presents a particularly appealing prospect: highs without the possibility of conviction" Anyone with access to a credit card can acquire anywhere from a single gram to kilos within a matter of days. The websites dodge any legal issues with a simple disclaimer, every one, some more overtly than others, claim that mephedrone is not for human consumption. Although I do wonder about what sort of horticulturalist needs up to 5000g of mephedrone at any one time.

As with any new product, whether it’s an electronic device or a designer drug, there are generally questions raised surrounding its safety within the mass-market.

With mephedrone being such a new choice for recreational drug use, there have been no ongoing studies as to its long-term physical and psychological effects. In November of last year mephedrone shot to the attention of the national press as 14year-old Gabrielle Price’s died under the influence, but the degree to which the drug played a part in her death is still unknown. It’ll be quite some time before the newspapers' speculation will be proved to be

moot conjecture or valid concern.

It can be argued that the sales of mephedrone are little more than am uncanny exercise in filling a gap in the market. As many party-goers have noticed over the past year, MDMA, the chemical constituent of ecstasy, has become increasingly hard to obtain. Peddlers of mephedrone have seen a surge in business amongst party-goers looking for a high that resembles the euphoria experienced on an ecstasy high. A customer base was noticed & exploited. Maybe if Alistair Darling had adopted such uncanny financial forethought, the economy wouldn’t be as fucked as it currently is. Being such a cheap substance to acquire has also surely led to its increased popularity. Let’s compare shall we?

While mephedrone is available online for as little as £5 per gram, cocaine resides in the ballpark of about £40+, and a recent juncture with an anonymous drug dealer in a club toilet revealed that a gram of MDMA was being sold for a whopping £50 plus. I’m not doing a Bsc in Mathematics, but it’s pretty obvious why an impoverished student would choose the far cheaper mephedrone as opposed to it’s far more expensive, far more illegal, counterparts.

Upon entering studentdom, whilst it isn’t explicitly expressed nor coerced, it is generally accepted that a degree of the student populous will use the halcyon daze of higher education to experiment, whether it be with alcohol, sexuality, or illegal substances. Add to this an extreme lack of money & the equation leads to a single conclusion; mephedrone, until shown to be dangerous, will continue to grow in popularity amongst student party goers. It seems the age-old adage "ignorance is bliss" is particularly apt.

As to why someone initially thought it’d be a good idea to snort what they had been using to fertilise their plants with, I have no clue.

Hell, I’ve never seen anyone drink a bottle of Baby-Bio.

goingout@gairrhydd.com / 43

going going out out

Recommended

Disco of Doom

The Big C-Y-N-T

Aperture: Live

Tuesday, February 16

Saturday, February 20

Friday, February 19

Undertone

Miillenium Music Hall

Clwb Ifor Bach

nother fortnight, another TRAFFIC mash-up. It's the night that's getting everyone talking and Tuesday the 16th will be no exception.

Having played to huge crowds at events including Glastonbury and Glade festivals, this is an unmissable opportunity to catch Disco of Doom in an intense, atmospheric setting. Tom Real, one half of the mighty DoD, will be spinning his tunes for a whomping two hour set.

TRAFFIC regulars will know exactly what to expect with UV paint splashing around, face painting as standard and enough free toys and food to satisfy any raver looking for something a bit different.

here's no doubt about it folks, this is big. It's C-Y-NT's third birthday and they are pulling the stops out.

Heading up the almighty line-up is Italian duo Crookers. The pair have earnt their place at the height of the scene with their expansive remixing skills, gaining massive recognition in 2008 with their work on Kid Cudi's Day and Night.

Second on the rosta is a man who is surely inexperienced in playing a supporting role, it's Krafty Kuts. Big breaks with soulful, funky infusions will be the order of the day.

As if that wasn't enough, they are joined by house heavyweight Jesse Rose and Crystal Fighters who will be playing live.

A

T

44 / goingout@gairrhydd.com

I

f there's one thing that will always please a crowd, it's live dance music.

Junglists Aperture present a showcase of some of the finest talent in the live drum and bass field.

Jungle Drummer and counterpart DJ Fu will be battling away mixing bass driven bass lines with frantic live drum beats. They combine to create and wild and furioius experience.

Well reknowned vocalist MC Deeizm will be returning to Welsh Club to prove exactly why she is the hottest name in the MC circuit.

An interesting forray for the Aperture crew, it may prove to be an exciting lesson in why DnB is anything but dead.

music

music live:futureoftheleft feature:bethanelfyn

local:review zoo pop, buffalo, 1st feb

C

at Mouse Cat play jangly pop complete with a triangle. Their Holloways-style ditties affect in three ways. 1) They take us back to the triangleplaying fun of childhood, 2) Our bodies instinctively shuffle along, resulting in mass bopping.

3) Their set was like a little ray of sunshine you can't help but smile to.

OK's Libertine-esq melodies are the perfect scaffolding for bluntly honest lyrics - 'You know you're never gonna be a star.' Somehow we all ended up singing along despite never having heard these guys before, and we weren't the only ones.

Elephants secure a big round of applause for lead singer Owen, a pint sized wind up toy, jumping around on fast forward while cranking out Vampire Weekend-style pop-rock. And if the dancing didn't get us riled up, whacking out a loud speaker did the job. Owen's motto is 'party on or die!' and he gets an A star for effort.

Farthing Wood spurted out a fountain of emotionally-charged lyrics over mellow guitars. The violinwork was a highlight, despite a guy complaining that 'everyone has a violin these days.' I disagreed.

Luci Trevallion

albums:fourtet

newsinbrief c-y-n-three years old

D

oes anyone remember when C-Y-N-T was a makeshift little club-night back in 2007, where it changed venues every other week? It seems strange now; C-Y-N-T is one of Cardiff's most popular club-night brands and this winter celebrates its third birthday.

A home from home for lovers of drum and bass, dubstep, techno, house and any other forms of dance music you can think of, C-Y-N-T boasts a history of events that are - for Cardiff in particular - pretty fantastic, and completely unrivaled in our city. Erol Alkan, Drums Of Death, Simian Mobile Disco, Audio Bullys, Boys Noize and High Contrast have all hit of the decks since 2007 amongst many, many more.

Anyone who can bring such high profile artists to Wales deserve, in our book, all the popularity that C-YN-T enjoy.

Fortunately, things look set to continue in a similarly spectacular fashion in the coming months. Many of you will be aware of last week's appearance by Faithless and to follow this, Crookers, Krafty Kuts, Jesse Rose and Crystal Fighters will join C-Y-N-T for their third birthday celebrations on 20th February.

It's an appropriate way to celebrate a much deserved success story.

the vulcan lounge opens

T

hose students who call Cathays home will no doubt have witnessed and mourned the closure of The End pub on Salisbury Road towards the end of the last decade. That's a joke, by the way. Good one, Quench Music.

In all seriousness though, praise be to the folks over at The North Star - they're the new owners of the premises and have given the place a huge overhaul over the past few weeks and re-opened it as The Vulcan Lounge, a far more stylish and accommodating prospect by all accounts. Not that there was anything especially wrong with The End, but more that there was nothing especially right, either.

The story here is that The Vulcan Lounge also offer a new opportunity for live music and possibly the only one in Cathays. The focus on live performance is set to include acts on several nights of the week, and there's more than enough space for students to get involved. Expect your normal array of pub events, but with a focus on open mic nights and acoustic sets. So whether you're a budding musician in desperate need of some limelight, or just craving somewhere better than the Woodville to watch the football, be sure to go and investigate.

music@gairrhydd.com / 45

music-feature

Bethan

elfyn

Sculpting the local scene: Phil Guy learns Bethan Elfyn's plans for 2010...

A

fter joining the BBC in 1999 it sounds like things have been a bit busy for Bethan Elfyn. A brief scan of her résumé will reveal DJ appearances at Wakestock, Greenman and Reading Festival with all-girl disco collective The Vinyl Vendettas, band management, running record labels, magazine editing, presenting weekly shows on BBC Radio 1 and various ventures with Mr Huw Stephens.

As if things weren't hectic enough, Beth's set to continue her weekly night at Buffalo Bar, where she presents her pick of the UK's best unsigned talent. She talks to Quench about the prospects of the New Year, and what she has instore for Cardiff's locals.

Bethan, your weekly night continues at Buffalo this year – what can we expect from it in 2010?

The night is really about having an open mind about music. They might not be the biggest names in the business, but they are absolutely cracking, fantastic bands from all over the UK and a heavy emphasis on great local talent too.

You seem to have a real passion for undiscovered talent, whether local or from other areas. What is it about new or less established bands that fuels this enthusiasm?

Getting to know bands who are on the first rung of the ladder is, to me, a bit more ‘real’ than fuelling a bloated music industry who try and dictate to us what to listen to and

46 /music@gairrhydd.com

what to like. The musicians and bands I book are either starting out, or making music for the love of the music still, and generally not careerist about their gigs. We are a community, the gigs are a connection, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

Is there any kind of trend to the acts you book or are interested in?

their regular haunt, and have taken on board that they will see and hear something truly original and brilliant each week, but there’s room for plenty more. If you’re passionate about new music and new bands, do pop down and support the night.

Also, feel free to suggest bands to me; a lot of the regular crowd always do and there have been plenty of discoveries thanks to them.

I guess my natural inclination is to enjoy something quite indie or folky, that’s always been the case, and we’ve had the best reaction to bands like Stokes, William, Evening Chorus and Lucky Delucci who have a plethora of instruments on stage.

Plenty of glocks and maybe a banjo or ukelele or two. I also love the energy and sheer passion that a more punky or rock line-up will bring to the table and people are a lot more psyched at the end of the night, so I’ve tried to plan a couple of harder line-ups for the future too.

Why Buffalo? Is it a venue you favour in terms of live music?

Does the night act as an extension of your radio show? Can we expect overlaps in the music you present through them both?

Vinyl Vendettas are set to DJ – is this a permanent fixture, and what’s the plan for VVs in 2010?

Definitely. I probably discover the music through the bands getting in touch with me via BBC Introducing, and the ones I’m most excited by I want to see play live. We’ve had all the good Welsh bands play of late like Mechanical Owl, I Am Austin, Oui Messy, Harbour, The Saturday’s Kids, Ivan Moult, Silver Gospel Runners and so on and so on. But the night has a long way to go. I’m very grateful to those who have made it

I started DJing at Buffalo and putting on the garden events last summer on Bank Holidays, etc.

They’ve been a really supportive club and practically sponsor the night. Without their backing, it just wouldn’t be possible to sustain a weekly night. Also, I need to thank previous team members Jon, Annika, Tommy and currently Liz who are the practical machine behind the night.

Various members of Vinyl Vendettas have been down to get the party going and I’m sure it's set to continue. Also, each Thursday we have a variety of bands DJing after their set. Last week Run Toto Run played an amazing electro set – it’s always fun to see some influences after hearing their original music.

All in all, it’s a night where everyone can get involved. Justin Toland has been filming the nights and you can see clips from the live gigs online

feature-music

and Dan Potts from Cardiff Students' Union has been interviewing the bands for Xpress Radio.

If anyone reading this wants to get involved with live visuals or live art or come play the night, just pop down with your ideas and come talk to me.

Bethan Elfyn & Friends, Thursdays at Buffalo from 8pm.

BBC Introducing in Wales, Wednesdays from 12am, Radio 1.

music@gairrhydd.com / 47

music-feature

Race Horses

Welsh-bred and galloping into 2010: Nick Pritchard meets Dylan Hughes from the hotly-tipped locals, and discusses their roots and growing acclaim...

D

id living and growing up in Aberystwyth have an impact on your music?

How would you describe your live show?

Yeah I suppose. When growing up we were away from the cool Manchester, Liverpool, London kind of music scenes. We weren’t really aware of what was going on musically, so we listened through a lot of old records and a lot of new ones as well. There weren’t many bands in Aberystwyth, so that’s one of the reasons we moved to Cardiff.

Aberystwyth was a great town to grow up in.

Energetic I think! It’s quite different from the record, we never tried to make our music sound like us live. It works for some bands to have a record with a really live feel, but for us it’s difficult because we like to record stuff with maybe a string arrangement or different instruments that we don’t have on stage. The live show’s got a lot of dynamics in it which I like. It’s got some really heavy and harsh bits and then some mellower moments.

What bands have had an influence on you as a band?

What’s the most memorable thing that’s happened live?

Quite a lot of stuff, initially we were really influenced by 60s bands such as The Beatles and The Kinks.

Also bands like Yellow, so you get that kind of element. Although I think our influences change quite often, we’re influenced by a lot of contemporary bands such as The Fiery Furnaces, and also Welsh bands like Gorkys' Zygotic Monkeys and Super Furry Animals. We’re really into 60s and 70s stuff mostly.

In terms of mishaps? Sometimes our equipment breaks. When we played a dodgy venues our singer got electric shocks off the mic! For ages we couldn’t understand what he was doing, I thought he was trying to be a bit Iggy Pop. But the most memorable thing is probably when the gigs go well. We played a couple of really good gigs in Cardiff recently – ones in Welsh Club that were really good!

Would you say that you are 60s revivalists?

Are you pleased with the reception that your album, Goodbye Falkenburg, has had?

No, I get why people say that - because we love 60s pop songs, and there are elements of this album that are mid-60s influenced. Live, we’re into Krautrock and modern sounds.

48 /music@gairrhydd.com

Yes, definitely. It’s always nice when people say they like the album and we’ve had some really good responses. The album is sort of like

a collage of songs that we recorded over six months in different places.

I’m really happy; there have been some amazing reviews, and not too many bad ones!

Is there any sort of framing concept to the album?

Well we kind of said after making the album that it's sort of dreams and memories of this old sailor. At the time of recording it we weren’t going into it thinking about that. We did the album and realised that it’s full of different dreams, stories and memories, and it’s got a very loose nautical theme to it.

Your music is often sung in Welsh, is that consciously done, or what comes naturally to you?

Well we all sort of speak Welsh together in the band; most of the songs are in English though. The reason we mainly sing in English is because we are influenced by English music, and films we watch.

There are some in Welsh because a lot of the bands we like are Welsh.

We love Super Furry Animals and Gorkys' Zygotic Monkeys. So singing in Welsh comes naturally, but so does singing in English. It’s not a conscious effort to sing in Welsh but neither is singing in English.

Goodbye Falkenburg is out now on Fantastic Plastic Records...

music-albums

Four Tet There Is Love In You

Domino

A

fter having had our appetites whet by last year’s utterly fantastic collaboration EP with dubstep giant Burial, Kieran Hebden, a.k.a. Four Tet, kicks off 2010 with a bang via his fifth full-length album. For those unaccustomed to his unique sound, it’s best described as a mix of electronica, IDM and folk.

The fact that such an assorted collection of genres can be used to classify his work stands as a testament to how innovative the music is.

It’s difficult to know where to start when trying to describe this album to people. Every track on There Is Love In You is an ever-evolving whirlwind of layers, building in complexity whilst maintaining an infinitely listenable status. The songs largely follow a formula of a simple beginning gradually building in intensity with every new instrument and sound. The result is just under 50 minutes of some of the most captivating material I’ve personally heard. Despite the digital nature of many of the synths, the album feels organic, as if every song was left to grow of its own accord. On every listen there will always be a new musical layer in the background that you may not have heard before, and this clearly adds to the longevity of the album. Vocal samples are used sparingly, but to great effect.

Angel Echoes has a brilliantly manipulated example that at first seems strange but quickly becomes intrinsic to the rhythmic nature of the track whilst still keeping an ethereal hold over the mix.

After every play of There Is Love In You, I can’t help but smile. You genuinely feel like you've just been privvy to somthing truly special and unique. No track ever veers too far away from an upbeat, lilting mood, and the result is what is arguably some of Hebden’s finest work. I would put a great deal of money on seeing this album high on the "Best of 2010" lists. I’m calling it now.

Sam Smith

9.

50 /music@gairrhydd.com

Dark Tranquillity We Are The Void

Century Media

B

ack in the ‘90s, Dark Tranquillity were something of a landmark in death metal, defining the melodic ʻGothenburg’ sound common to so many bands these days. Having put Sweden on the map as hotspot for this musical subculture, Dark Tranquillity have slowly run out of steam as time passed, but there is life in the old beast yet.

Having avoided the various accusations of ‘selling out’ thrown at similar bands (In Flames, Children Of Bodom, etc), Dark Tranquillity continue to produce decent music.

This album, for better or worse, is no different; there are no bad tracks on display here, although nothing totally stands out. Dark Tranquillity struck the right balance between

melodicism and brutality a long time ago, having reached their creative limit, and making this just one more album to put on their résumé. But being unoriginal doesn’t make this a bad album: in its 45 minutes of running time, Void fits about as much epic riffage, raging speeds and general awesomeness as one could desire. Songs have a tendency to lodge themselves in one’s mind the first time they’re played, and they’re welcome to do so – Dark Tranquillity were obviously doing something right.

"There's life in the old beast yet" Basically, if you’ve never heard this band before, and must hear their music with the absolute guarantee of 21st century production values, buy this album. If you have heard them before, you might as well buy it, too.

George Carpenter

7.

albums-music

The Strange Boys Be Brave

Rough Trade

P

erhaps the best way to imagine what Texan bluesrockers The Strange Boys sound like is to think of a really anarchic house party where a few drunken cool kids swagger in with an armoury of saxophones, harmonicas and guitars, intending to make a big, happy racket.

Fittingly, this record was recorded at a place called The Distillery, which sort of reiterates the idea that these guys are into their good times. Even among the quieter, more stripped down moments like the acoustic All You Can Hide Inside, there is a sense of puffy-eyed lust-for-life which could power a soundtrack for the type of morning when you wake up with your head in a pizza box and certain other parts of your anatomy in a photograph that could ruin your chance of a future career in politics.

Otherwise, it’s all about thrusting guitars and harmonica drones, casually furnished with singer Ryan Sambol’s craggy Southern drawl.

Four Tet

Esmée Denters Outta Here

Tennman

E

smée Denters is living the Cinderella story, and her debut album Outta Here is the slipper that fits. As in many modern romances, Esmee’s story begins on the web. Her cover songs on Youtube earned a whopping 133 million hits, and sparked the interest of her own idol, Justin Timberlake, who has adopted her as the first artist on his own label Tennman Records.

Esmée Denters' catchy debut single and title track Outta Here catapulted the Dutch 21-year-old into the UK Top Ten, but the slipper started to rub when the potentially career-affirming second single Admit It fell somewhat short and was met with limited success. True, she has a nice voice, if a bit shrill, but the novelty of a diamond in the

rough (that is the internet) wears thin in this monotonous album.

Esmée was heavily involved in the creative process of the album as co-writer on most tracks and her style streams nicely into her mentor’s own genre of R'n'B. However, the thick electronic sound of the album places it too close to wornout pop to place her as a serious contender. As is resonant across the genre, she harmlessly imitates other artists, rendering her sound a little too familiar. Regardless of this, a well-chosen next release could bring Esmee’s happy ending into sight.

Despite my general scepticism, Love Dealer will be pumping out of our radios, and it’s certainly a grower. She’s already the number one most subscribed-to musician in the history of YouTube, and this tune (featuring JT) could be just what Esmée Denters needs in order to secure a place in the nation’s subconscious.

Jessica Wretlind

5.

"There's a sense of puff-eyed lust for life" A notable highlight is the title track Be Brave, where bright and airy guitar stabs are tethered to a mucky soul melody. Also, there is the classily titled Laugh At Sex, Not Her, which conveys the impression of being very insightful lyrically, if only Sambol’s drawl was easier to decipher.

To a certain extent, it may be difficult to say that The Strange Boys are always completely original on their second album. However, you get the sense that this record validates itself in capturing the very essence of good time rock n’ roll, for which The Strange Boys should be applauded.

Matt Wright

7.

music@gairrhydd.com / 51

Future Of The Left

music-live

Jesca Hoop Barfly

3rd February 2010

H

ave you ever heard it said that discovering a new artist is like meeting a new friend? If you believe this then you could describe my discovery of Jesca Hoop as like meeting a friend who you instantly connect with and greatly admire for all their brilliance yet modesty.

The sticky-floored setting of the Barfly made for a suitably understated first meeting of this underappreciated talent.

With a name so cool it makes me want to remove the two redundant letters from the middle of my own name, Jesca’s musical quirkiness could easily be compared to the likes of Regina Spektor or Imogen Heap. But to dismiss her as just another kooky female singer-songwriter fails to recognise her uniquely genuine charm.

Arriving on stage be-feathered and accompanied by an ad-hoc collection of friends (who she admits haven’t performed as an ensemble before – not that it shows) Jesca’s warm, down-to-earth nature is instantly apparent. The set takes the

52 /music@gairrhydd.com

shape of an ongoing conversation between Jesca and the audience (a mixture of witty quips, crowd banter and song suggestions) interluded

by Jesca’s beautifully lullaby-like songs.

"Her warm, down-to-earth nature is instantly apparent" Musical highlights include the consumerist critique Money, giving new life to that age-old observation that ‘money makes the world go round’, and swinging jazz influenced Out the Back Door made use of a voice distorter inkeepingly disguised as the handset from a classic black phone. Throughout, Jesca’s flawless voice makes you wonder why, in the recent embrace of the female vocalist, she has been comparatively ignored. All I can say is that it was nice to meet you Jesca and I hope you will befriend many more through your music this year.

Jess Pritchard

Future Of The Left Clwb Ifor Bach

28th/29th January 2010

F

uture of the Left do what they do best: bring the noise to our eardrums. Excited? You fucking should be.

Anticipation settles like dew over the huddled mass. The trio get in, set up, and command your attention like Derren Brown with something shiny. FOTL delve right into their catalogue of savage grooves with an ensemble from Curses and Travels With Myself and Another like you know you want them to.

The brooding rhythms see some zealous attendees open up into a frenzy of I-don’t-give-a-fuck-aboutyour-face and elbows-all-overthe-place dancing. This deluge of menace slowly dissipates further along the crowd but nonetheless it usurps the hips of some less-willing movers (come on, they can’t really resist), sending them into a staccato dance of sloshed pints and slight sweat. Hey, it’s all cool; it’s just the effect these guys have.

Crowd-pleasers such as Manchasm and Drink Nike bleed through the speakers and reverberate in your head cavity. Each song

Bellowhead

live-music

is punctuated with some of the finest banter in live music that has the crowd laughing with a certain unfortunate heckler landing a foot in his ass. Oh yes. Pleased? You fucking should be. Every song is begrudged, enigmatic, and raw.

Friday night was a similar affair.

The room was more intimate, yet the softer ambience could not anchor down the trio’s indefatigable stage presence. Front men Falco and Kelson continued baiting the crowd. Maybe they’ve got the taste for launching foot into biker ass? I’m positive that heckler’s cheeks are now clenching in instinctive fear.

FOTL effortlessly know how to put on a great show. They’ve got the energy and electricity to leave you engaged and smiling, their presence sure to carve an avaricious niche in your mind. You certainly won’t find another band like them.

In the end, drummer Jack Egglestone continued to play as Falco dismantled his kit in that patented conclusion; whilst Kelson was paraded around the room still strumming bass and screaming incoherence that filled the room in a cacophony sure to make everything that comes after seem pale in comparison. Surprised? You fucking shouldn’t be.

Alex Mathias

Bellowhead Clwb Ifor Bach

28th January 2010

B

ellowhead are one of those bands that defy categorisation thanks to their mysterious mix of folk music with a whole host of other genres. The brain child of Jon Spiers and Jon Boden, two stalwarts of English folk. They consist of 11 musicians playing over 20 instruments between them, combining the traditional folk arrangement of string and brass sections, but with the added luxury of a percussionist who wields just about everything you can think of.

After being nominated and winning the BBC’s ‘Best Live Group’ in the 2005 Folk Awards after having only been together for a few months, much is to be expected of Bellowhead’s live performance.

They opened with Fakenham Fair, a song from their most recent album, which soon had the crowd moving.

The rest of the first half went quickly, and it soon became clear that the band are a well-gelled group of individuals in their musical prime. The band play a mix of new material and old favourites,

including the song Jordan that first propelled them on to the folk scene with its haunting bagpipe introduction and its punchy violin melody.

The band finished the first set with the hugely popular Whisky is the Life of Man, which cannot fail to be a crowd-pleaser despite Boden’s best efforts to mess up the lyrics.

"The band are a well-gelled group of individuals in their musical prime"

The second half was the same blend of old classics with new songs, but with more instrumental pieces. It was great to watch various members of the band interact with the audience, and it showed that despite being in the middle of touring, Bellowhead still find the time to enjoy their music and to joke around with each other on stage.

Geoff Kingston

music@gairrhydd.com / 53

music-singles

Marina & The Diamonds

singles round-up

Twin Atlantic Lightspeed Red Bull Records

8.

Lightspeed Champion

The Maccabees

Marlene Domino

Empty Vessels Fiction Records

6.

The lads from Glasgow continue to prove their deserved position at the forefront of Scottish rock with a third single from their recent mini-album, Vivarium. This wee number doesn’t waste time warming up, promptly exploding into a chorus of buzzsaw guitars and pounding tribal rhythms, topped off with reckless attitude from Sam McTrusty’s fiery Gaelic tongue. Biffy, watch your backs. MA

Those familiar with Dev Hynes previous output will be aware of his penchant for jaunty staccato.

Marlene is very much in that same vein of wonky folk-pop. Hynes’ talent is undoubtedly his ability to distill elements from seemingly polarised musical styles (listen for the neo-disco violin breakdown), into something wonderfully energetic & fresh. JB

The Big Pink

Ellie Goulding

Velvet 4AD

7.

With such hype surrounding The Big Pink, it’s easy to regard their latest release with a degree of cynicism, but upon listening Velvet opens up a vast & undeniably brilliant level of musicianship. Behind layers of electric noise & feedback, Velvet is a gorgeous foray into the various virtues of noise. Think My Bloody Valentine fed through a laptop with a pinch of Jim & William Reid’s songwriting talents. JB

54/ music@gairrhydd.com

Starry Eyed Bigger PIcture Music

8.

She's been hailed as the sound of 2010, which is rather funny considering she sounds shockingly similar to those that have preceded her.

She's essentially another pop act with a synthesiser. Distinguished

by Goulding’s nasal, high-pitched crooning, Starry Eyed perfectly intersects the line of catchy pop and dance-floor killer. No prizes for originality, but a gold star for an unashamedly feel-good winter hit.

RW

7.

Handing vocal duties to Roots Manuva is definitely an interesting move for The Maccabees' latest single. Think less bumbling Maccabeean charm, more Manuva’s credible, if a little intimidating, cool.

Seems like the once sweetly innocent indie boys (remember the songs about teenage romance?) are trying desperately to show musical development. JP

Marina & The Diamonds Hollywood Neon Gold Records

4.

Does no-one else have a problem with this? Have Kate Bush and Siouxsie Sioux suddenly been wiped from history? Because if they haven't, then where's the value in Marina's watered-down, Topshopfriendly versions of their trademark vocal eccentricities? This is T4fodder, made purely for girls to shop to, and it manages to borrow and then insult the talents of some of the 1980s finest female super-icons as well. So I don't like it. PG

film

It's a Boy Girl Thing This week Lloyd Griffiths and Jody Tozer investigate the gender divide in film, shoes and realising that Love, Actually is a compromise.

V

alentine’s day has visited us again and whilst many may have been silently weeping of loneliness, the couples of this world might not have had such an easy time of it either. February 14th may mean cuddling lovingly on the sofa but it also means the male of the species may have to endure an evening of romantic films. Now, being a female myself, this sounds great, but why should it be this way? What if the world was different, and us girls went “Hey, let’s watch a nice beat-theshit-out-of-each-other film!”. With this in mind, I decided to endure an evening of ‘man films’ to see how I would cope in such an alternate universe.

First of all, I fathomed that the person who would know the best in the genre would be my own dad.

Being a man who turns his nose up at the slightest whiff of a non-warrelated monologue he was ideal, and recommended 300 as his favourite film. Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, while containing the expected scenes of almost constant

56 /film@gairrhydd.com

fighting, it was put together in an artistic way. This is definitely one that the ladies can also enjoy as they’ve sneakily added a little dash of romance with many a toned sixpack to peruse.

"Let’s watch a nice beat-the-shit-outof-each-other film" There is one film my guy housemates have been on about for a while, the epic Taken. The film stars Liam Neeson. You know, the nice, caring father from Love Actually helping his son in his romantic endeavours. This proved to be a red herring. In Taken he plays a hard ass, tough guy jetting out to France to save his daughter from the grasp of women traffickers. I decided to watch this film with my mum. Not a great idea. Half way through she nearly bailed on me: “I don’t think

I can watch any more of this, my heart is thumping too much”. After much coaxing, I managed to get her to finish the film. If my mum is anything to go by, some ladies might not enjoy this film unless you like an action-packed thriller and large Eastern European death tolls. For the third and last I opted for the classic gangster flick Scarface. The violent scenes in this film were pretty good (I'm getting a bit desensitised now) however, at three hours long I found myself daydreaming of shoes and chocolate, all those classic girly things we think about.

I came away from this feeling desperate for something where people didn’t die. Even when it was over, it haunted my dreams, waking in a sweat thinking that someone was breaking into the house to most definitely kill me. These ‘man films’ haven’t totally convinced me that I can enjoy them in the future but there are a few surprise movies out there like 300 that I will think twice about before labelling them as ‘not for me’.

Jody Tozer

film

Illustrations: Morgan Applegarth L-R: Scarface, Rocky, Dirty Dancing and The Notebook

bravely taking it upon themselves to spend an evening in the opposite sexes

I

’ll admit I’m not exactly a pro when it comes to dates, never mind date movies. Curbing my pretentious side is a must. Not everyone wants to discuss how Blade Runner is defintely about the Heideggerian concept of death. I far prefer something cinematically affirming (I’m unsure whether this refers to dates or films?) and once thought it was a good idea to see Shooting Dogs, a film about the Rwandan Genocide, on a date.

"It doesn’t do much for a date seeing people being macheted" Even allowing for the fact the review suggested there might’ve been a love story in there somewhere,

it doesn’t do much for a good date seeing people being macheted. In an effort to meet the lovely ladies of Cathays halfway on my obviously constant throbbing stream of dates, I prepared for a date movie marathon with my lovely housemate. I decided to begin safely with Movie #1 so 90 mins of Ronsealed Movie magic is on the cards - Where better than Date Movie to set off from? Apparently, anywhere! Watching what seems to be 100 youtube injokes clipped together into an unintelligible whole abruptly ends when the image of a cat humping a dead relative's skeleton is rendered too much, being as unfunny as it is lewd. In an attempt to salvage the first of my date nights, I skilfully suggested Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window.

Okay! Okay, it is a hint of my pretentious side, but also a love and redemptive story in itself, as the incapacitated Jeff spies and contrives a story of a murder in the opposing apartment blocks. All of this happens as he fails to wholly love the beautiful and loving Lisa (Grace Kelly) who stands beside him, all the while the

audience feeling self-consciously voyeuristic with Jeff. All the tension dissipates in a dazzlingly redemptive final sequence, ending with Jeff doubly hurt but reaffirming his love for Lisa as well as our love of cinema. There. Told you it’s a love story, cynical gits!

Admitedly though, this is hardly commitment to girliness so far.

Legally Blonde, I choose you! I have to say, I was moved a scary amount by this 'be yourself' tale. I'm sure it's familiar. The story of a girl too pretty for her great intelligence rang oh so true. In all honesty though, I found once I stopped taking LB seriously, we thoroughly enjoyed it! Although Witherspoon's character doesn't make it easy to empathise, her gradual change rather cheesily does, as we soon saw her hidden depths as a lawyer and feisty competitor.

Also, being visually funny, it makes a good icebreaker, allowing you as it does to have a laugh. And finally make you sound cleverer with that Blade Runner reference!

Lloyd Griffiths

film@gairrhydd.com / 57

film

Just like Heaven?

Ahead of the release of the much-anticipatedThe Lovely Bones, Steve Wright talks to Peter Jackson about the process of adapting the film to the big screen.

P

eter Jackson is not a man to turn down a challenge, at least on the basis of his filmography. His various projects have involved man-eating aliens (Bad Taste), matricide (Heavenly Creatures) and faux-documentaries (Forgotten Silver), followed by his delving into Hollywood mythos with a certain Middle Earthbased film trilogy you might have heard of, followed by his delving into Hollywood mythos with King Kong, which to this date is still arguably one of the only decent re-imaginings in recent history.

58 / film@gairrhydd.com

Yet, even his lengthy back catalogue was to prove inadequate preparation for the task ahead of him; filming the adaptation of Alice Sebold’s acclaimed novel, The Lovely Bones.

‘Adapting The Lovely Bones was really the hardest thing we’ve ever done in our lives’, says Jackson, looking impressively trim ahead of the film's UK premiere in Leicester Square. ‘It’s an incredible story that affects you emotionally, but the book itself is not really structured as a film, and so it became a challenge to re-organise the events of the book

in order to make them more filmfriendly.’

‘This is one of those wonderful stories that defines a genre, you can’t really label it as one particular thing, which widens its appeal, but it also makes the film-making process more difficult. Some people like movies to be packaged as a particular genre, but this story doesn’t allow itself to be labelled in that way.

Thinking about how you take a story like this, that affects you on such an emotional level, and trying to preserve what was so powerful about the book, it’s so easy to see it slip

film a pretty easy decision because to us the film wasn’t about a murder, it was about the events that came after.’

Although The Lovely Bones has been largely ignored in the awards season, Stanley Tucci has garnered Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his role as the sinister Mr Harvey, a persona that is a million miles away from his previous roles in the likes of The Devil Wears Prada and Julie & Julia, although as Jackson said, persuading Tucci to go against type took some doing.

‘I think it was very close - he almost turned it down, but once he was able to talk to us about the physicality of the character, I think he felt that as long as he could look at himself in the mirror, and not see himself, but instead see Mr Harvey, it would give him a sense of comfort. Creating the physicality of the character was important for Stanley, but I know it was a tight decision. We had to really talk him into doing the film.’

As well as proving to be a challenge to make, the film-making process also caused Jackson to re-think his approach to his own life, particularly regarding his family.

"It shows how quickly disaster can find you" away in the film-making process.’

One of the most important decisions to make in order to preserve the film’s identity was regarding what to show. In the book, twelve year-old Susie Salmon (played in the film by by Atonement’s Saoirse Ronan) is brutally raped, murdered and dismembered by her neighbour George Harvey (Stanley Tucci).

With an intended PG-13 audience in mind, something inevitably had to give, although this is something Jackson apparently didn’t lose much sleep over.

‘It was always important to us that the film be about love, and the ways in which people react to Susie’s death, and how they subsequently cope. It was ultimately

‘I think the film shows you how quickly things can turn around, and how disaster can find you, which is how life works. But also, we feel that it's a positive movie for young kids to see. I have a daughter who’s the same age as Susie, when we showed her the movie she said ‘Dad, if it was me, I would have gone down there with Mr Harvey too’, so she’s already thinking about what she would do. It’s good that that particular instance of things can be portrayed, and ultimately we wanted to have the film feel positive, so that was very important for us.’

One of the main talking points of the film has been its portrayal of the afterlife, with its depiction here

drawing strong criticism from some quarters, most notably from American and right-wing critics, for its apparent representation of heaven without any semblance of God.

"This film was the hardest thing we've ever done" 'What you see in the movie is what’s called the 'in-between’, it’s a sort of twilight zone that Susie finds herself in between heaven and Earth. You’re welcome to put whatever you like into that.'

Despite his clear unwillingness to be drawn into a religious debate, he is more forthcoming about his own beliefs upon being asked whether he believes in the afterlife.

'Yeah, I think I do. That’s my answer, I think I do, I’m not certain, but whenever I doubt that, I think of the stories I have heard from various people regarding their experiences with people who have passed on, some of the stories I’ve heard have been very compelling, and really make you pause to think that there has to be something. I don't believe particularly in organised religion, but I believe that everyone should be free to believe what they want, it’s a fundamental right that people should have. But I do think that there’s probably some scientific aspect, I can’t believe that we are who we are because of brain cells or whatever it is, I do think some kind of energy, a spirit or a soul or whatever you want to call it survives after we die, and after life I have no idea.'

As the interview draws to a close, Jackson draws on his reasons for making films, which turn out to be refreshingly apt.

‘If you’re making a film, you’re making it because it’s what you want to see, I like Alfred Hitchcock’s quote: ‘Some people’s films are slices of life, mine are slices of cake’. The reason why I go to movies is to escape, and so the reason I make films is escapism.'

The Lovely Bones is released in cinemas nationwide on Friday February 19.

film@gairrhydd.com / 59

film

Precious Dir: Lee Daniels Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'nique, Paula Patton

P

recious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (to give it its full title) is the traumatic account of a 16 year-old obese girl living in Harlem who experiences severe emotional and physical abuse by her parents.

The film is punctuated by entirely necessary scenes of cruelty that almost compel us to turn away from the screen. Claireece 'Precious' Jones (Sidibe), is a girl born into a life no one would want. Impregnated twice by her father, the film shows her during the second pregnancy as she is abused by her poisonously brutal mother (Mo’Nique). The opportunity for escape comes in the form of creative expression: by attending the ‘Each One/Teach One' school where her confidence slowly grows as she is supported by her teacher, Ms Rain (Patton).

60 / film@gairrhydd.com

I found the film to be like a harsher, more intense Cinderella where a somewhat passive girl is tortured by merciless parents and cruel classmates, only to be saved by a patient fairy godmother of a teacher.

Sidibe's performance is excellent and very convincing, although some scenes are disturbing, with real life situations being depicted at their most extreme. A supporting role from Lenny Kravitz as a male nurse adds humour to the film, while Mariah Carey portrays a social worker trying to persuade Precious to come clean about her abuse.

"Sidibe is very convincing."

The character of Precious is used as the vessel for so many different overlooked segments of society and makes many important statements to the viewer. Backed by Oprah Winfrey, this Golden Globe winner definitely leaves a mark in the audiences’ mind.

Aysar Al-Rawi

9.

Youth in Revolt Dir: Miguel Arteta Cast: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi

T

here are two givens in any Michael Cera film: the first is that he will play an awkward virgin; the second is that, at some point, he will run, and will look awesome doing it.

Based on the 1993 novel by C. D. Payne, Youth in Revolt follows 16–year–old Nick Twisp (Cera), as he, in a perhaps clichéd manner, attempts to win the heart of his holiday sweetheart, Sheeni Saunders (Doubleday), who is far more attractive and intelligent than him.

There are two obstacles in his way however: the first is her jock ex-boyfriend, Trent, and the second is the fact that they live many miles apart.

However, Twisp has a plan. This plan, in short, essentially involves being bad.

It would be harsh to say that this

film

film failed to deliver in the comedy department; there were plenty of laughs throughout, however nothing that will have you rolling on the floor (or ‘ROFLing’ for the cooler readers).

However the main disappointment of this film is that it fails to give us anything that we haven’t seen before; Nick Twisp could essentially be swapped out for any of the other characters that Cera has played before in the likes of Superbad, Juno, and Arrested Development.

"This is one worth seeing."

I haven’t quite decided whether that is really something to complain about though, as I’ve yet to meet a person who doesn’t like Cera’s awkward stumblings through childhood.

Either way, despite the fact that the film doesn’t bring anything new to the table, it is still a very funny film, and one worth seeing if you find yourself with a spare few hours.

Paul Stollery

7.

The Princess and the Frog Dir: Ron Clements Cast: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Oprah Winfrey

T

he long-awaited return to Disney’s traditional handdrawn animations sees the young Tiana (Rose) become the studio’s first African-American princess in this reworking of the brother Grimm’s fairytale The Frog-King.

Tiana’s fairytale story is set in the thriving jazz era of 1920’s New Orleans. The jazz element adds some horn-blowing, guitar-strumming, sparkling musicality in this throwback to the traditional musical animations of pre-CGI Disney. Living with ambitious parents in downtown New Orleans, Tiana is raised to work hard for a brighter future possible only through effort and sheer determination. A gifted cook, she dreams

of having her own restaurant in the French quarter of town, and wishes on the evening star to help make her dreams come true...cue prince/ frog Naveen (Campos) and voodoo baddie Doctor Facilier, and the plot becomes pretty obvious from there.

The attempts to socially modernise Disney through the representations of mixed cultures in the film are an admirable new element, while Tiana’s ‘work hard and be successful’ motto also provides a refreshing change to the usual fairy godmother mumbo jumbo. However, whilst the vibrant splashes of colour and sprightly musical ensembles don’t fail to entertain, the storyline never really excites, although some comic moments from alligator Louis and Ray the firefly will entertain any Disney loving audience.

Ultimately, it fails to recapture the magic of past Disney classics, although it retains the beauty of any Disney film in that it doesn’t fail to make you feel sort of warm inside.

The dazzling colours, sparkling stars and dreamy animation remain romantic, and whether you are two or twenty, you will still enjoy this film in all its Disney splendour.

Charlotte Fennell

6.

film@gairrhydd.com / 61

film

Best Film For... believe in

... unveiling a cold, New

...Making you

Face of Vampire fiction

soul-mates

Daybreakers (2009)

Benny and Joon (1993)

Spirited Away (2001)

Sometimes it’s easy to feel down.

Your friends have all found someone and that person you had your eye on doesn’t even know you’re alive, and with Valentines right around the corner, the whole world has seemingly coupled up. It might just be easier to make fun of the couples and resign yourself to the single life. Well, you now have a film to make you rethink and help you get back on the horse.

Ironically, the film centres around the unique relationship between Benny and his mentally ill sister Joon, whom he cares for.

Taking care of Joon and her strange episodes dominates his life. That is until Joon accidentally wins Sam (played by Johnny Depp) in a game of poker. From this unorthodox beginning, watch the tender and awkward romance bloom between the two. Perhaps most sweetly characterised by their declaration of love — 'I-I love You.' 'Me Too.' 'Don't Tell Benny.' 'Okay.'

One can’t help but think that there must be someone out there for everybody.

It is no surprise that this was the first (and so far only) anime film to with an Academy Award, and is the highest-grossing film in Japanese history. The whole film was drawn by hand, a truly remarkable feat in today’s computer-happy age.

If that doesn’t steal your heart then plucky ten year-old heroine, Chihiro, and her adventures in an enchanted world, will surely take the biscuit. The story line is complex and compelling, with subplots weaving themselves around the funny and likable characters.

Favourites include No-Face, a strange and elusive spirit and the ‘soot sprites’, cute creatures that you will have you seeking them out in pet stores later. For hardcore filmies, the Japanese edition with subtitles evokes the true culture behind each carefully hand drawn scene. For others,Disney dubbed Spirited Away in conjunction with Pixar. Either way this film will leave you gasping for more unique and quirky storylines and hankering for more hand-drawn Japanese animation, which, dare I say, may even outstrip Walt Disney himself.

Claire Travers

Set in 2019, the world portrayed is strangely relatable, with shots of the London underground and skyscrapers framing the battle between the human survivors and vampire bourgeoisie. Although the vampire film of the year was undoubtedly New Moon, I fear Daybreakers has been tragically overlooked. It can certainly compete in the eye-candy category, boasting Ethan Hawke as the golden-eyed, vampiric hero; both an intelligent and a suitably tortured soul. The emotional journey he progresses through provides a good grounding for an otherwise clichéd plot line. There is, of course the fair share of jetting arteries and severe blood-letting: it is the bloodfest to end all bloodfests.

What is unique, however, is the struggle to retain some humanity in the modern vampire world, in which coffee comes with blood and sugar, and pure human blood is corked into vintage champagne bottles.

So if Twilight and New Moon just weren’t your thing, I would strongly recommend giving Daybreakers a shot.

...redefining your ideas of Japanese animation

film@gairrhydd.com /63

albums-music

These New Puritans Hidden

Domino

P

romotional interviews with leader Jack Barnett described Hidden as ‘very 1970, but also quite 1610, 1950, 1979, 1989, 2005 and 2070’, prompting a fair few sniggers and perhaps rightly so. These New Puritans are not known for their restraint, and known even less for their humility. Look at the score below though: look who’s laughing now.

Shortly after Beat Pyramid’s release, an interview revealed that Barnett had been ‘writing some songs on bassoon’, but few could have expected something this complex, or something this accomplished. Where Beat Pyramid delved into electronic trickery, nail-gun percussion and brash guitar-work, Hidden opts instead for intricately arranged woodwind and brass sections, choirs, sub-heavy beats and near-immaculate pacing that throws off the inconsistencies of the debut. Beat Pyramid was electro-pop, slightly experimental perhaps, but easily adapted for dance-floors. Hidden, on the other hand, is a mournful soundtrack for some battlefield of the distant future. It seems to deal with a conflict between the natural and the synthetic as the organic, sombre sounds of traditional instruments and choirs play off glitchy electronics. It’s not a particularly pleasant conflict either: tracks We Want War, Fire Power and Attack Music all pulse with an ominous foreboding, as Barnett whispers cryptic tales of conspiracy and mysticism.

Though the grandiosity of the record is undeniable – we’ve already established that restraint is not in Barnett’s vocabulary – it’s invigorating to hear a band going for broke, and doing it with such conviction. Hidden is as close to unclassifiable as it’s possible to be in pop music but it manages it without being impenetrable. For being the most enigmatic record in recent memory, and for its uncompromising ambition, Hidden should be legendary.

Phil Guy

9.

Yeasayer

Yeasayer Odd Blood

Secretly Canadian

U

pon first hearing Yeasayer’s new album, Odd Blood, I couldn’t help but feeling a little betrayed, a little bitter. Their debut had been a bizarre masterpiece, kneading together various forms of world, folk and electronic music into a beautifully eclectic piece of experimentation. It was an intangible mess, but that was all part of the charm. So you can understand my confusion when presented with this altogether new entity, a masterful piece of unashamed pop.

Of course there’ll be the haters, and in truth I can see where they’re coming from. At first glance, the follow up to 2007’s All Hour Cymbals is far too clean to be as good as its predecessor, surely?

Where are those moments lost in a colourful blend of whirling noise that

has become such a trademark of their sound? Whereas most artists tend to go weirder as they venture deeper into their musical styling, with Odd Blood it could be argued that Yeasayer have done the complete opposite. A more complementary view to take, however, would be that they’ve simply refined their weirdness into a more manageable enterprise, one that’s as easy as it is exciting to indulge in. It seems then that this is still the invigorating oddball that you expect from Yeasayer, but they’ve become so apt in their craft that it’s embedded in what can also be enjoyed as a wonderfully joyous bit of pop.

The more I listen to this album, the more I realise the vastness of its appeal. Lovers of Animal Collective-esque peculiarities will find joy in its sheer diversity, from hip-hop influenced Love Me Girl to the electro-balladry of I Remember, while the record’s light and catchy construct still make it accessible for the masses. A master class in modern music.

Simon Roach

9.

music@gairrhydd.com / 49