THE
QUEER ISSUE
CONTENTS ISSUE 120
Ed.Note Do or Die Features Fashion Books Arts Food & Drink Travel Photos Music Film
4 5 6 16 22 24 28 32 35 38 46
Editor's Note It’s 03:17 a.m. and I am sat alone in the Quench
Quench
In this issue of Quench
quench@gairrhydd.com
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Do or Die
Do or Die This issue of Quench is concerned with
homo. 1) Dabble in Drag
4) Pick a diva and become a hater.
follow:
2) Become a ‘scene-queen’ and visit a gay bar
3) Experiment with Porn (this goes to the gays, too)
quench@gairrhydd.com
5) Create a ‘gay jar’ and invest a thesaurus.
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Features
Homophobic Histories Hector Roddan looks at the history of the onging fight for LGBT+ rights 1533: Buggery Act Criminalises Gay Sex Introduced by Henry VIII, the formal criminalisation of homosexuality between men re-enforced contemporary prejudices. It would not be until 1967 that sex between consenting men marriage equality is still ongoing. Perversion and Prosecutions From the early eighteenth century, London's underground homosexual community was targeted by moralisers and campaigners concerned to clean up the "moral pollution" of the city.
Different A-genders?
prosecutions included the 1895 trial of playwright Oscar Wilde and the tragic suicide in 1954 following chemical castration, the then approved "treatment" for homosexualiy, of English code-breaker and mathematician Alan Turing (pictured left).
by transgendered people and other minority sexualities and gender identities. Yet across history, there have been isolated examples of individuals breaking the gender binary. For example, in 1654, Queen Christina of Sweden abdicated and took on male dress and became known as Count Dohna. (pictured right) However, it was not until 2004 that trans* people in the UK received full legal recognition for change of gender. The ground-breaking Channel 4 show My Transexual Summer (2011) for faced by individuals undergoing gender reassignment.
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The Fight Goes On... Other minority sexualities and gender identities (including asexuality, intersexism, genderqueer, pansexual and many more) remain poorly understood by those outside the LGBT+ bubble. Internationally, less than twenty countries have clear laws acknowledging gender reassignment. Meanwhile in the UK, welfare and support services in universities and schools are increasingly under threat due to budget cuts. Simialrly, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey recently governments' plans to introduce civil marriages for same-sex couples.
Features Launch of LGBT History Month LGBT history month was launched in Wales on the 1st February at Y Senedd in Cardiff Bay, the home of the National Assembly for Wales. The event included a range of guest speakers, each discussing the LGBT history from a unique angle and perspective. Gillian Clarke offered a touching poem inspired by the Ladies of Llangollen, who were one of the most renowned lesbian couple in 1800s. Another speaker was local historian John Davies, who presented a rich storyline of the emergence of LGBT rights in Wales. The launch perfectly contextualised LGBT history month, setting up later events to be just as successful.
LGBT History in wales Laura Gwilliams explores the array of events Cardiff has seen this LGBT+ History Month LGBT Staff Network ENFYS The evening of Febuary 22nd saw the meeting of the LGBT network 'ENFYS', which involves staff, PhD students and their friends and family. It was a great success in discussing not only the history of LGBT, but also areas where further improvement is needed. Matters discussed by members of the National Assembly for Wales included the issue of homophobia in sport, an issue which is particularly salient given the 2012 Olympics.
Still to come..! 7th March, 10-4, Pier Head in Cardiff Bay: Welsh Pride Exhibition A fascinating exhibition of the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* people in Wales. The exbiographies of many leading people who have presentation including poems, songs and readings.
features@gairrhydd.com
Cardiff Uni is Out in Sport As part of its commitment to tackle homophobia and transphobia, NUS LGBT has launched the Out in Sport campaign. It aims to understand the sporting experiences of lesbian, gay, bi and trans* students, in the hope of breaking down barriers which may deter individuals from participating in sport. The campaign will involve a number of surveys and focus groups across the country with students unions, sports teams and LGBT societies, and to make sport more inclusive for students of all sexualities and gender identities. The goal is to compile a report for students' unions alongside the launch of the Olympics.
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Features
Kicking Homophobia in the Balls Gavin Jewkes talks to the manager of Cardiff's only LGBT friendly football team about tackling homophobia in sport and overcoming the "coming out process."
A corroded portacabin that sits amid a row of caravans at the foot of Caerphilly Mountain is not,
Established in the summer of 2008, the Cardiff
features@gairrhydd.com
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mission in mind: inclusion and equality for all in sport with the plush suites found in the corporate labyrinth creates a different atmosphere from the typically
Features
volvement with the team is at least partly respon
For more information on the Cardiff Dragons visit their website: www.cardiffdragonsfc.co.uk
Out in Sport Justin Fashanu To date, Fashanu is widely considered
“Part of the reason for me joining the team was because I didn’t know a lot of people on the gay scene," says Murray.
he received very little support from
Gareth Thomas
after he announced his retirement from
friendly football team in Cardiff shows how sport
features@gairrhydd.com
John Amaechi
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Features
Sexuality Matters? Does the gender of the person you love have to affect your identity? First hand experience of dating both guys and girls suggests there is too much emphasis placed on sexuality, with big implications, says Holly Coleman... When I came to University I had a boyfriend and considered myself straight. To be honest, I hadn’t ever given much thought to my sexuality. Since the start of my time as a sexually activity teen, I had fancied guys. So when my long distance boyfriend called things off after just one term of Uni (I’m sure many freshers can identiof the heart break, and expected that the next romance in my life would be with another guy. I have now been in a relationship with my girlfriend for a year. I met her when we both started working in the same bar. We hit it off, and at ing. However, after a messy night out we ended up drunkenly sharing a kiss, which I initially dismissed as intoxicated fun. But then it happened again. And again. Before I knew it I was seeing her a lot, and really enjoying it. I realised that we weren’t just messing around, but that I had proper feelings for this girl. Perhaps surprisingly, not once did I consider the fact that I might be gay, or think about ‘coming out’, because I didn’t feel as though my sexuality had changed. I was simply falling for someone, and that someone happened to be female. However, society didn’t see it as so simple, and tions of being in a straight or gay relationship.
features@gairrhydd.com
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"
I didn’t feel as though my sexuality had changed. I was simply falling for someone, and that someone happened to be female.
What has been most notable is how people address the sexual aspect of my relationship. Acquaintances and even complete strangers seem to think that it is appropriate to ask how my girlfriend and I have sex. When the person I was having sex with was male, no-one would dream of approaching us to enquire what went on between the sheets, but throw two vaginas into the mix and all of a sudden it’s an entirely different story. For some reason people think that because it is two girls having sex, social etiquette and politeness need not apply. It seems to me that the perception of gay relationships being based solely around sex is still a common one. No-one asks if I am in love, but many feel more than happy to go right ahead and enquire as to whether or not my girlfriend and I use sex toys. Now, I’m not in any way saying that we shouldn’t discuss sex, in fact I think that breaking the taboo is very important, but asking personal and intimate questions to a couple just because they are gay isn’t acceptable.
Features
"
No-one asks if I am in love, but feel more than happy to go right ahead and enquire as to whether or not my girlfriend and I use sex toys.
then?’ Society focuses on categorising people into groups according to their sexual preferences. But what if you are heterosexual and happen to fall in love with a girl like I did? Does being in a relationship with someone of the same sex immediately make me gay? Or because I have had sex with men in the past should sort of person that I am, not by my partner’s penis (or lack thereof). As far as I’m concerned,
ous to my current relationship I had a boyfriend, they immediately respond with, ‘So you’re bi
"
I want to be defined by the sort of person that I am, not by my partner’s penis (or lack thereof ).
if someone makes you happy, and you practise safe and consensual sex, then what does it matter if that person is male or female? Slotting people into neat little categories fails to capture the rich array of sexualities found within the general public, and I hope that in the future we can
features@gairrhydd.com
When I am with my girlfriend it isn’t uncommon for people stare at us holding hands or for passersby on the street to double take when they realise that we are together. My ex boyfriend and I could literally snog each other’s faces off without anyone showing any interest whatsoever, yet now even the most subtle PDAs are picked up on. Guys in clubs have asked us to kiss whilst they reach for their smart phones so that later they can show their mates the ‘lesbian chicks who were making out’. This level of interest has been a bizarre contrast for me and although few people make aggressive negative comments, it can still be hurtful when my girlfriend and I are treated as a novelty, as entertainment, and not as any other happy couple in love. Witnessing this shift in how people around me now act because I have a girlfriend, not a boyfriend, shows that there is still some way to go before gay people are not made to feel different and separate.
Names have been changed to preserve anonymity.
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Features
Starting uni can be scary and stressful. Lemon Cottrell explores the specific issues faced by transgender students We all know how stressful and scary it can be London have been campaigning to get Trans* by worries about money, our courses, making friends, and a million other things, but some people also To make life a little easier for gay and bi students, Stonewall (a leading LGB charity) has released ‘Gay by Degree’, an annual guide to the includes a checklist of important factors such as LGB training for university staff and existence consistently ranks as one of the best places to be if But what about trans* students? There are a lot living in halls, attending lectures, even just being registered on the university’s system can cause issues for those whose legal name does not
NUS, the Trans* by Degree team have set the ball rolling with consultations and focus groups with trans* students in institutions across the
They’re hoping that the guide will be ready in time for late 2012, meaning that people applying to start university in 2013 will be able to consult is hoped that the upcoming national consultation will establish a checklist of support and services offered by different institutions, including whether they have trans*-friendly advice and guidance provisions available for students, trans*-friendly policy within the institution, the provision of gender-neutral bathrooms, the provision of trans* friendly changing rooms within sports facilities
trans* students features@gairrhydd.com
face all kinds of problems, from living in halls to attending lectures.
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Whilst many trans* people will tell you that their gender identity isn’t the most important them, it is still vital for us to make sure that our university environments offer the safety and
Features
God Loves EVERYONE..
been some of
the most prominent anti-gay because conservative media would rather report some of the people in my church did karaoke at
message from the Bible, it should be a message
would want to go there but we hadn’t given it a far between but sadly we’re all quite likely to have
particularly the young and future leaders of
see that the homosexuality of the Bible and of homosexuality is mentioned it is in the context of difference in culture and language that has tainted apologising for the way the church had treated
accept and understand this, like they have over
features@gairrhydd.com
tears, waving and one dancer even left the march
the message itself, but the human-crafted ideology
institutions are going to have to change, or die By the way, don’t be too offended by the Westboro nutjobs, apparently God also hates Sweden as
Paul Wilkinson
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Wales ONe world fESTIVAL lLOYD GRIFFITHS PREVIEWS. The Wales One World Festival has been a favourite of Quench's for several years now - bringing a staggering variety and quality of world cinema to cinemas across Wales for each of the last 10 years. Last year it opened in Chapter Arts Centre against the beautifully eccentic paradox of Red Carpet glammeditative Patagonia, garnering critical acclaim ate 'couples' travails, from Buenos Aries to Barry. doing exactly what the festival sets out to - melding the sensibilities and passions of both Wales and World cinema and fostering mutual understanding, but more than that being full of genuinely authentic tales and voices. The 11th year of the festival begins on the 18th March with Turksib, the
tural documentary, many of which will be presentThe latter category refers to Think Global Act Rural, Coline Serrau's exploration of the innovative farming techniques being explored to solve making foregrounded at WOW, and will be followed by a post-screening discussion chaired by representatives from Food Communities Wales, Riverside Community Garden and Sustainable Wales. Filmically, it should be enough to moisten your palette, but even more scrumptiously on the weekwith World dishes and local produce to enjoy. Amongst the other feted screenings will be the Welsh premiere of Jafar Panahi's This Is Not a Film rest for opposition to Iran's government, imagcreate cinema to men like Panahi. Most keenly anticipated by Quench is the pictured Tales of the Night, drawing on enchanting imagery from African, the Land of the Dead, Tibet and medieval Europe, that will surely appeal to those who've been beguiled by the likes of Studio Ghibli. Quench will be providing full coverage of WOW in the next issue, including reviews of Turksib and full previews, interviews and audience reaction to what looks sure to be a vitalising experience.
in Aberystwyth, Mold, Cardigan, Swansea and Newport until April 11th. It will present Welsh phy, glittering children's animation and agricul-
Read the latest previews, interviews and reviews walesoneworld.tumblr.com and follow the festival
features@gairrhydd.com
build a railway connecting Siberia and Turkestan. It's a rare event that will be keenly awaited by cinephiles - the invigorating ornamentation of a live score - produced and performed by Bronnt Industries Kapital. The symphonic production and spectacular imagery composes the story of the 'Iron Horse' and its tracks, no more rousingly as when nomads chase it across the desert - "driven forward by the score which draws upon pastoral melodies, Central Asian-style drones, and propulsive drum rhythms." It's an event sure to surround you with the spectacular possibility of cinema. From thereon, the festival will be running up
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Features
Lloyd Griffiths interviews David Gillam, director & founder of Wales One World. Argentina or Mexico but now there are probably 4 year. Now we are showing things such as Mongolian movies which you still can’t get to see in cinemas. people weren’t necessarily seeing and that peoCuba and you don’t know the actors and you don’t know the director, it doesn’t mean you aren’t interested in something about Cuba. So it was maybe someone would enjoy this in Aberystwyth.
I set up WOW 11 years ago so I organize a lot of the
In some ways it’s similar because it’s quite a small nation and Wales struggles to get images of itself up on screen, which is maybe a parallel with countries such as Portugal or Latvia who do have a big neighbor and have something distinctive to say because of that. So I think in some ways there are receptive audiences in Wales who understand references that directors are making more than others in different places in the UK.
reels etc. I have a few people working for me doing Marketing and we’re also lucky to have cinemas like Chapter who know how to put on good events such as Turksib Yeah, there are periods where Iranian cinema
passes so much. I think it’s a term which was a lot Things like City of God hadn’t been released,and Y Tu Mama Tambien that introduced Gael Garcia Bernal, weren’t as well known. Now it’s similar to world music in that it’s something that we all sample regularly.
Not too much of a difference – When we started WOW at places such as Chapter in Swansea or Cardigan,
features@gairrhydd.com
In a way, that everything is world cinema. People tend to make distinctions between ‘ british’ or
festivals across the world a year, which was quite remarkable. So you look at what trends are happening globally and try and focus on it for audiences in Wales. Even things such as Documentaries weren’t big 10 years ago apart from the occasional Michael Moore, but now there’s a revival of docs which are cinematic rather than just being on Think Global Act Rural, which I thought really highlighted and presented an issue that hadn’t been focused on before or did it in a distinctive way.
Chapter called Where Do We Go Now? which I saw
times and you could’nt get a ticket if you wanted to see it at London Film Festival. It’s exciting to see a comedy about women from the Lebanon that anyone can enjoy and that you don’t necessarily need to know anything about Lebanon to relate to it.
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Fashion
Queer Fashion Blogs -
Go Against the Norm! Are you sick of traditional fashion blogs with its homogcal gender notions, but not sure what blogs to follow? Why Leonie Roderick
2. Amlul.com ion trends with some of my friends, we concluded that those images are usually based on extremes
-
with over 6,500 followers you know you Dare to have a look - just be warned that ing feminine and masculine traits, as traditional gender dress notions are seen as both restrictive
straight, gay, bi-sexual or anything in between, be and enjoy!
1. TomboyFemme.com -
fashion@gairrhydd.com
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-
Fashion 3. Androstyle.Tumblr.com
show off their outrageous and often controchallenged, with one contributor comment-
4. FemmeGalaxy.com
Other inspiring and queer approved fashion mediums
For those wanting to do more than look at read the following blog, written by variaxy has evolved into a celebration and
-
might look a bit outdated, but do not let
and witty, and therefore a real must-read! Are you a real snob about the way you dress?
the-box fashion, art and lifestyle trends, for those who care just that little bit more
content, or just want to say hi, tweet -
features@gairrhydd.com
all current femme issues such as feminin-
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Fashion
Are Gay Men Better Designers? Anna Katharina Caseldine and Charlotte Palmer
YES designers than straight ones, and who better?
gued that the reasons for a male dominated fashion industry are historical, there may be more For my birthday my boyfriend bought me a
woman as to how they look, they always doubt Anna Katharina Caseldine
NO gay men in the fashion world are by and large
fashion@gairrhydd.com
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do it better than a woman who knows her audience more intimately? And in their effemi-
ter fashion designers is like saying straight men are better footballers, just because there is more of them in the industry does not
in the fashion world but only because they Charlotte Palmer ber the successful straight men and women
Fashion
Makeup can be such a drag Clutching the foundation brush in my shaking hand, I feel like Van Gogh. Except my canvas is a face, and I have both ears. There are many things on my bucket list; write a novel, become fluent in Italian, skydive… painting drag on a man is not high on the list. But, since our makeup artist was away, Leonie and I had a collective thought ‘It's only makeup, it can’t be that hard, can it?’ Always up for a challenge, we tried to recreate a drag face to see what it really takes. 1) Apply A LOT of foundation, especially if he has a beard. Apparently, if you apply prittstick to their eyebrows it hides the brow hair. Something to do with the texture. With a vision of life-long sticky eyebrows we decided not to put our model through this. 2) Get shmokey with the eyes. Do not be afraid of glitter eyeshadow, make it your friend, nurture it, and then smother it all over his face. 3) Since flippy rulers are a thing of the past, my ruler-less lines wiggle like cooked spaghetti. With this in mind I am not keen to try and draw on ‘straight
eyebrows’. We decided to pretend we had deliberately gone with the geisha look, instead of accidently making him look like he has a permanent frown. 4) Going with our (ahem) geisha theme, the lips have been shaped like little triangles. After some debate, we concluded painting past the lips and onto the skin was OK in order to get the fullest pout possible. After an hour and a half, we learnt applying drag makeup is hard, expensive, lips look weird really close up, and endless layers of foundation cannot cover a beard. Lucy Trevallion
fashion@gairrhydd.com
Nick says... The worst thing about it was that it's time consuming and you get poked in the face. It feels like a mask, a bit suffocating, I can see how it gives a drag queen confidence to perform and get up on stage. On the positive side they moisturised my face.
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Fashion Freaky Fashion :
Sadie Frost's 11 year old daughter proved love hearts aren't so sweet, wearing this dress with X-rated messages on 'don't give a shit' 'blow me' front row at Vivienne Westwood.
'Fragrance squirter' may not look desirable on a CV but Julien Macdonald and Richard Nicoll hired people to squirt the air in the front row to create the right ambience.
Vivienne Westwood said people today 'never looked so ugly' but people in their 70's had the greatest individual style.
A Day in The Life of London Fashion Week Hannah Davies Friday 7:30pm: Arrive at London six hours after leaving Cardiff with half an hour to get ready for 1pm:
8:20pm: consider sneaking in, until the security guard 3pm: 9pm: 7pm: 9:30pm: 10pm:
fashion@gairrhydd.com
Saturday 7:30am:
9am: 11am:
Sunday: 10:30am: while waiting for Lana Del Rey to arrive for the
own, which ironically has the thinnest material
10:40am:
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Fashion
fashion@gairrhydd.com
The glitter-inspired catwalk of Fyodor Golan, Topshop's NEWGEN exclusive T-shirts and the best of street style. Here's a collection of what all the most daring fashionistas were wearing to London Fashion Week 2012. Photos: Mia Holt and Hannah Davies
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Books
to lgbt or not to lgbt?
Sam Hickman examines the hidden homosexual subtexts in classic literature Looking back on classic literature, there is a very sparse collection of openly gay characters and plot lines, despite the existence of numerous LBGT+ authors. However, when we delve deeper
books@gairrhydd.com
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and characters embedded within texts. There is much debate whether or not Shakespeare was bisexual. However, one thing that is easily discernable in his work is the use of transtendencies in his characters and plots. Of course, the entire idea of Shakespeare’s time (for young boys to play female roles) is entirely ‘trans’ to begin with. The theme in Twelfth Night of men dressed as women and vice versa further illustrates this trans-tendency in Shakespeare’s writing. One example of this is Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein. ‘Now’, you may think, ‘that’s not very gay’. But it is! The male protagonist creates a male creature, which just so happens to have heterosexual views and, thus, wants a female mate. Frankenstein reluctantly makes said mate only to destroy it, then spends the next volume and a half feeling sorry for himself and ‘woeful’. These characteristics are unhelpful for the argument that Frankenstein is a straight character, as
is never consummated. In layman’s terms, Frank-
Furthermore, LGBT+ issues and characters are very subtly depicted in classic literature, for example E. M. Forster states in A Passage to India: 'No, not yet…no, not there.' At the end of his novel, this could either be perceived as a commentary on the racial and religious divide, or, it could be a personal commentary from Forster describing the legal state of homosexuality, as in 1924 (when the books was published) it was still 43 years before homosexuality was legalised. As for the modern literary canon, revolutionary texts such as The Color Purple by Alice Walker, with its graphic depiction of a lesbian relationship between the two main protagonists, paved the way for more liberal characters. However, less blatant than this is the ‘bromance’ depicted in Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited, which is described as a ‘romantic friendship’. How intimate the two men are with each other during the novel is altogether under-described. Therefore, the presence of LGBT+ characters in classic literature is clear to see, despite the often very subtle subtext in which they are depicted. Sam Hickman
Books
(REVIEWS)
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver What kind of mother hates her own son? Eva sists of a series of letters written by Eva to her estranged husband, Franklin. In her letters, Eva attempts to reveal the reasons behind Kevin’s killing spree, and her search for the truth becomes just as compelling as the reader’s. Eva’s inexorably honest narrative turns her unlikeable personality into a sympathetic character, yet the novel falls down in Shriver’s portrayal of Franklin. His insistence on Kevin’s innocence is unrealistic, and Shriver fails to convince me of Eva’s reasons for marrying such an unsupportive the moment when Kevin pours bleach into his younger sister’s eye - although we are never explicitly told this, in my eyes he has guilty written all over him - and Franklin blames Eva for leaving the bleach out and causing a ‘terrible accident.’ The novel has sparked furious discussion over whether Eva or Kevin is to blame for the outcome, but the point is missed here. It’s neither. Franklin’s continued optimism in the face of the obvious is far more sinister than Kevin’s destructiveness. It is Franklin’s deliberate blindness that allows Kevin to escape punishment for all the crimes he commits, and in an excruciating knife twist, Eva before he kills people that are a little too close to home. Kevin knows this is the worst case scenario for Eva. Utter genius. Alice Budden
from his grandfather, an immigrant silenced by memories of the Dresden Blitz. Extremely Loud balances a variety of voices and time zones, zipping between modern New York and WW II Germany with ease. That the transitions between the narrators are so natural is testament to the overarching message of the book: how we internalize large scale tragedy whether it’s a terrorist attack or a war - depends on our microcosms, so - listen now, this is important - we’ve got to be kind. Clare Welsh
The Patchwork Marriage by Jane Green A classic easy-read novel, The Patchwork Marriage deals with the problems faced by Ethan and his wife Andi, who is stepmother to his two children. In want of not ruining the plot, I will simply say that this family certainly has their fair share of drama and the root cause is usually their eldest daughter, Emily. Now, I am a great one for chick-lit novels, I read them like I drink water; but for some reason this one didn’t entirely click with me. It’s a good book, ties and disputes that can arise for a stepmother living with two teenage children. However, I found myself disliking most of the characters and I am unsure whether this is because they were designed to be real not likeable or, whether due to the sheer amount of issues dealt with within the novel, I just found them lacking depth and credibility. That said, Jane Green isn’t a bestselling author for nothing; I think this book could be something of a small pleasure for most, to be read with a cup of tea on a lazy day. All in all, the book doesn’t ask much of the reader; it is an easy and on the whole enjoyable read. Despite becoming a bit tedious in parts, the plot moves swiftly enough to keep you engaged. Bryony Parry
books@gairrhydd.com
Book
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Joanthan Safran Foer Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a book that - hilariously, heartbreakingly - dances naked in the face of genre. Jonathan Safran Foer already proved himself an original voice with his previous novel Everything is Illuminated. But calling Extremely Loud a novel shortchanges it somehow. Yes, the book tells a story. Is it linear? No. Are there pictures? Yes! Are they in color? As Oskar, the book’s protagonist, would say: ‘Oui.’ ‘I didn’t even think of the words and the images being so separate,’ said Foer in an interview with Penguin Books. ‘They came from the same place in that there was something I wanted to express, a story.’ And what a story. Extremely Loud follows Oskar, a child in post 9/11 New York as he knocks on doors and talks to cab drivers in an attempt to reconstruct a message he’s sure was left by his dead father. Foer’s latest book is a disco into the
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Ar ts
Making Men Move a Muscle Straight off the back of a critically acclaimed run in Edinburgh, Welsh based theatre company Shock n Awe bring Muscle to the Sherman for the start of their tour. But what on earth can be left to say about men in a society deemed sexist, misogynist and patriarchal? According to writer and director Greg Cullen, there’s everything left to talk about except the stereotypes.
Muscle was written based on a series of interviews carried out with men right across Wales. What inspired you to carry out these interviews in the
I was having chat with Paul Williams, the show’s choreographer and co-director of Shock n Awe Performance Co, and we decided that we wanted to make a show about men. Having brought up a son myself, I am aware of the confusion about the identity of the contemporary man. What does masculinity actually mean? We have ideas of masculinity given to us but then we don’t actually know in attitudes towards men that occurred since the end of World War Two.
arts@gairrhydd.com
We interviewed men from all walks of life, all sorts of amazing people. From miners to hippy farmers, Wales. We spoke to men who analyzed their situation and sought to change themselves. Some of the pieces are word for word what interviewees said to me, some are interpreted as dance, or dramas and some of the stories are autobiographical.
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Arts
How does Muscle merge together drama, dance
the Arts Council to embark on the Wales tour which we are kicking off at the Sherman on Do you have any tips for budding scriptwriters at
is how we have incorporated speech, dance and and challenging drama for the actors and they have to be multi talented. You don’t know what’s take on the challenge of playing female roles without stereotyping, or doing “drag”. The cast
organisations like the Sherman and the National Theatre of Wales and getting involved with their opportunities. Dirty Protest is a great way for writers to cut their teeth. It organises they always make sure they include a cherry
the myth that men don’t understand women. It’s a ludicrous idea anyway when you think that we have been brought up by women and in most cases fall in love with them too! And the show has already enjoyed a lot of success
Yes, we sold out three runs at Chapter with
can take stories out and put new ones in, so it’s constantly evolving. We had a great run at
Interview by Kirsty Allen
Performance dates: 14 - 17 March Sherman Cymru
reviews we and won one of the major awards
arts@gairrhydd.com
Award. We have also been granted funding from
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Ar ts
Reviews Elektro Kif - Sherman Cymru
Fans of electro and contemporary dance were treated to a wonderful mĂŠlange of both takes urban street style dance and gives it a fantastic twist.With an energetic soundtrack to complement the fast moving choreography, Elektro Kif is a must-see performance for all those that appreciate innovative talent. The eight man show is packed full of with one another to produce engaging and entertaining routines. The narrative is witty and humorous, showing scenes from classroom antics to a basketball match, while drawing on the importance of friendship and reconciliation through the beauty of dance. The show uses little props, keeping the choreography as its main attraction, with vibrant colours of clothing accentuating the complicated routines. The performers seem to move effortlessly, completing the body popping and break dance moves with ease and in some sense, with a brush of elegance.
arts@gairrhydd.com
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the individual characters that although move simultaneously with one another as a team, appear each to have their own individual style. The fun, light hearted and energetic
and engaging ride. With its especially composed soundtrack of techno, electro house and classical music, Elektro Kif is a must see performance that leaves you breathless at the very end. Charlotte Kilcar
Arts Avenue Q, New theatre Just minutes into the New Theatre’s latest commercial smash hit, you will begin to realise that this is not just another West End success Avenue Q talks about graduating with that doesn’t actually have any room for you. For some audience members, including this one, such a theme may cut a little close to the bone, yet by the time the curtain falls, Avenue Q leaves you feeling as though you could take on that world nonetheless. It will also leave you with a deep rooted respect for the lost art form of puppetry. Puppets aside, a special mention must go to a cast that consistently delivered and told a story of being a little bit disillusioned with
there) was kooky in a way that Zooey Deschanel could only dream of, with a far superior set of lungs. The soundtrack manages to be genuinely internet pornography to casual racism) and appealed to one of the youngest theatre crowds I’ve ever seen. Avenue Q proves that if the musical has the potential to truly strike a chord with twenty some things then theatre in general still has so much left to give to them. Even if all roads lead to Avenue Q, the future of the soon to be Cardiff graduate, make sure you see this show at a stop on the way. Kirsty Allen
Night of the Hunter Taking a novel and re-writing it for theatre, then casting, building, rehearsing and performing it
undertaking. With this in mind, you could be fordramatics. However, Act One Theatre Company’s original production of ‘The Night of the Hunter’ proved itself to be the dramatic surprise of the year. What made the production such a theatrical triumph was the rigid professionalism undertaken by all involved in its creation. To highlight
members. This included the sound and lighting ready intense atmosphere. The sources of unease could largely be attributed to the spectacle that was the stage design. The childhood nightmare that was the foreboding aged arch at the stage’s centre surrounded by discarded attic material of a hoarding spinster was a promise to the audience of the West-End quality show ahead. Act One’s ability to achieve this on a limited budget, time and student talent, remains Cardiff ’s greatest secret. Tom Webb
arts@gairrhydd.com
- Act One
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Food & Drink With the Wales VS Italy match still on everyone's lips, Simone Miche decides to sample some of the best of Cardiff's Italian cuisine and restaurants which take pride in placing Welsh produce on their menu... Nestled unassumingly between a few bars, shops and betting houses on Church Street in Cardiff's bustling city centre, it's easy to bypass Cafe Citta without giving it a second glance. But once you step inside its narrow doorway and experience its intimate, tastefully chic setting and sample its good, simple, Italian food, it won't come as a
Trebannio wine or a slice of their homemade tiramisu, with its generously booze soaked biscuits and creamy topping. Bouno!
become known as one of the best Italian restaurants in Cardiff, and not to mention, been given a place in The Guardian's 'Top Ten Places to Eat'. choose from and offers a selection of Italian classics; there are antipasti such as polenta- baked pings, pastas like Tagliatelle funghi e gamberettipasta with prawns and mushrooms, a few salads and great pizzas with authentic toppings like the tasty Pizza Citta – parma ham, rocket and parmesan shavings, and the traditional Pizza Patate – thinly sliced potatoes, rosemary, garlic and black pepper, which are served straight from a wood burning oven and come perfectly thin and lightly charred on the bottom. Of course, this Italian gem also prides itself on cious wines, and it would be a shame not to do a strong espresso, a glass of sweet and fruity
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Cafe Citta
Food & Drink
The MeatingPlace. The name of this little place on St Marys Street
ature student, I have a particular fondness for a play on words. I also have a particular fondness for restaurants who favour local produce and was
in Monmouthshire, smoked haddock served with a soft poached egg and hollandaise crushed new potatoes, Per las, a strong yet creamy welsh blue cheese, and endive salad, as well as crispy cod with tartar sauce, lemon, parsley and caper berries. with an array of traditional Welsh dishes and in the evening when the restaurant is buzzing with
charcoal-grey exterior scanning its menu, that
vegetarian would choose to lunch in a place which markets itself as selling wholly meat. But as well as 8oz rump steak and hand cut Maris Pipers, ox tongue and piccalilli and potato salad open sandwiches and clam, chorizo and butterbean broth, The Meating Place offers a healthy selecan open salmon beetroot and celeriac sandwich, which I learnt after tucking into it for my starter was made with sourdough bread from a bakery
temporary white walls, black and white photography, softly lit silver lamps, spotlights and large mirrors, cleverly mixed with dated farmhouse furniture and large exposed oak beams - and the staff serve marinated meat skewers which hang above its lamp lit tables, The Meating Place looks closer to a modern Portuguese steak-house than a simple Welsh tavern. But when on the hunt for good Welsh food I urge you not to disregard it, as its devotion to serving local Welsh produce will leave you chewing on exactly that.
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the clever people at The Meating Place also have a loyalty to fresh Welsh produce from local farmers and suppliers such as JT Morgan butchers in Cardiff market, and stepped inside, uninhibitedly.
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Food & Drink
Luke Jackson, Clare Matthews and Anna Raby reveal their pick of Cardiff's gay friendly bars and eateries...
PULSE
or
behaviour,
The heart of the Cardiff gay scene in every sense of the term, Pulse is very much a vital organ that keeps alive a community that is often marginalised by student populations. Whether this is down to dress which perhaps may not
with (gay inequality rant over), this has led to a divide whereby many members of the gay community stick to their favourite stomping ground, a place where they aren’t made to feel any less valuable as a customer just because they don’t act like a “lad” or parade their tits for specialist treatment. With Pulse there are no dress codes and a
On another occasion, an almost surreal albeit ever so slightly classier activity was marshalled, whereby a conveyor belt of boys were mummiqueen shrieked orders at them to run around as the audience chased them, unravelling/blatantly groping them – quite similar to the Coat of Cash on the Friday Night Project, but with the motive being to perve rather than to get rich quick. Some say Pulse is like marmite - you either love it or hate it. I don’t personally agree, however - it is equally sticky as the yeast-based condiment, seeing as obligatory puddles of VK are a regular feature of the to de-weld themselves if they wish to make a hasty escape. Yes, most agree that Pulse isn’t for the faint hearted, and with activities that involve bordertential to be publically bashed by an acid-tongued drag queen with a microphone, anyone going for
Luke Jackson monplace to have a heart to heart with a complete stranger in the smoking area and to have at least way. And this is aptly complimented by gloriously £2 for a double on a Wednesday, with weekends where. If this is not enough to tempt one over to AM at weekends, making it the go-to place for the truly hardcore or those looking to prolong their the light switch at a meagre hour. This being said, it should be pointed out that Pulse isn’t for everyone, and despite it being eco-
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ance that some struggle to fully relate to, but that others may well love about it most. For instance, one Wednesday night ended up being a bit much for my straight housemates after relentlessly nagging them to accompany me (a situation us gays are all too familiar with), when on arrival they were greeted by a row of butt naked boys thrusting to the beat of Lady Gaga on stage and being chucked off based on the rating of their private as bitchy and without designer garments.
Food & Drink
WOW
bar & deli
With friendly staff and reasonable prices, the gayfriendly bar “Wow” is a comfortable place for diners of all backgrounds. Originally, my plan was to go to the “Wow” deli to critique a sandwich. However, as three friends and I entered, the hunger-provoking layout of alluring sandwich choices, all at tempting prices, resulted in my “meal for one” becoming a “table for four".
“very British, tender lamb” and the meal itself
cuse to review a variety of meals along with the atmosphere and presentation of the bar. The hard-to-miss and funky décor with tonguein-cheek advertisements certainly produces a “feel-good” vibe. Oh, and wonderful food. With a distinct yet subtle taste, my home-made Leek and Potato Soup of the Day found the right balance between satisfying the taste buds without overwhelming them; tasty and fresh. Helly Wealleans described her Welsh Cawl to be made up of
say it lives to the hype of being, well, just wow.
Sideserf ’s nachos with a “generous topping of ultimate chilli” was left clean (and she’s not an easy evaluated his toasted Chicken and Chorizo “WOWwholesome bread”. So, even if the aesthetically loud interior isn‘t to
Anna Raby
BAR ICON taken the Cardiff gay scene by storm since it bar by night, it offers a wide variety of entertain-
thing a bit more special perhaps go for somewhere more upmarket. Supposedly “The place to be seen on the scene”, Bar Icon had a nice atmosphere. Overall, I would say Bar Icon is a gay friendly, fun, smile.
generous 2 for 1 cocktail deal. I attempted to order a Mojito and my friend asked for a Cosmopolitan but we were abruptly informed to get the deal, the tag was good for this nicely presented cocktail but it was nothing overly special. If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful night with your mates, this is the place for you. However, if you fancy some-
Clare Matthews
food@gairrhydd.com
ferno’ and ‘Iconic’. The decor can be ultimately summarised as accidentally retro: luminous lime green walls and beige makes for an interesting colour scheme and we sat in what could be described as a diner booth under the watchful eye of Marilyn Monroe and other Hollywood Icons. Disco balls swirled above, and euro trash music played creating a nice pre-clubbing atmosphere. The bar serves a wide variety of drinks at very reason-
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Travel
32
PARADISE LOST... Behind the Sun-drenched Utopian Curtain
Mum, Violeta. When Jen returned, I asked her to share her experiences. This is what she told me: “The people are very family oriented; families all live together in small houses because there is no money or space to expand. Property is not bought and sold by the people, only the government. So you can’t be a Cuban and go buy a new house, it has to be part of your family inheritance. It is really sad and life is HARD. There is no food. Everything is rationed. People get a little book every month and depending on how many people in their household determines how much food they get and it is never enough. There is never everything they need, like milk, bread, meat, eggs. There is only one of those at a time. When I was there they had eggs. That is
it, so every dish for every meal was made with eggs. Also, the kitchen in the house we rented for 2 weeks from the wall that you touched to the gas burner to light it. It was scary - you could blow something up. Yikes! There was the similar situation with the hot water. You had to go outside and turn on the burner and then wait half hour for it to heat up - even then it was only luke warm. Life is hard and uncomfortable. "Telephones, computers and TV’s are far and few between. Everybody shares with each other. Everyone has the same with cars. You are not allowed, nor do they make enough, to buy cars (hence why people drive cars from the 1950’s which are falling apart). You can only have a license if you are approved by the government and they will only approve you if you work in the Army or some gov't capacity. "Everyone is scared to talk negatively of Castro and the Gov't. They whisper and look around, almost brainwashed with fear that they will be heard and punished. "Health care is a joke. It is free but no one can get in to see doctors, and when they do, they have to take gifts to bribe the doctors to get treatment. It is terrible. Half the time, the machines (like the mammogram machine) are broken! "I would like to say that tourism is good for the country, the economy, the people. But unfortunately, live in poverty and cannot comprehend the glamour and appeal of Cuba for outsiders." "Cuba is beautiful, like a paradise, to look at, but to be a Cuban is hell. They live in HELL. Just writing about it makes me sick. It was hard to see the suffering." So the next time, you may be perusing travel destinations and stumble across Cuba - please spare a thought to what’s really going on for Cubans behind the glitzy tourism façade. Emma-Kate Marsden
travel@gairrhydd.com
Cuba is a relatively new tourist destination. Glossy travel brochures entice us with images of palmfringed white sand beaches, descriptions of the sounds of salsa and the taste of mojitos. And the Cubans still drive around in 1950s cars- how quaint. Well, sure, if you or I were to go to Cuba on holiday, I have no doubt that is exactly what we would experience: purpose built tourist resorts, another ‘fun in the sun’ destination, all be it a more expensive option than Lanzarote or Spain. A few years ago, I would have thought the same, and been happy to continue in blissful ignorance. However, when I moved to Miami my perceptions changed. Miami is a melting pot of different cultures, predominantly Latin and Cuban. Many of my now good friends from Miami are of Cuban heritage. My friends and their families have one thing in common- a fun, loud disposition and a warm and friendly way. Yet beneath their seemingly carefree demeanour, there lies heartbreak for many, particular for their previous generation. These people had to leave their homes, their family, their businesses, a country they loved to escape the relentless oppression that has engulfed their beloved homeland for so many years. Recently, one of my Cuban-American friends,
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Travel Travel Photo of the Fortnight: Gay Pride, Paris 2011 by Yasmine Canga-Valles
Gay Pride: Around the World Free, proud and different. As colourful as the Rio Carnival, you must go to a Gay Pride at least once in your lifetime. Even though it is a very serious and important event for the LGBT+ community, it is the most burlesque and outrageous affair you will ever encounter. The motto: dress to impress! And most importantly: be yourself. But where does Gay Pride come from? How and when did it start? On the night of 27 to 28 June 1969, the NYPD operated strong raids in the gay bars of Greenwich Village. The customers rebelled, passersby joined, the crowd grew and the police were forced to barricade themselves in Stonewall Inn and to wait for reinforcements. The altercations lasted three days. A year later, the New York gay activists organized a march to commemorate the event. This
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contended that “people should be proud of their sexual orientation” and that gender identity and sexual diversity are gifts. Gender identity is inherent and cannot be intentionally altered.
the hippie movements, its colours symbolise the diversity of the gay community with red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, royal blue for harmony and violet for spirit.
event. However, there are still lots of preconceptions about Gay Pride. For example, some claim that it is too provocative and frivolous. I would argue that accepting sexual diversity and opening our minds to homosexuality, whilst witnessing great entertainment, is what the Gay Pride is all about. A common misconception is that you have to be gay to participate. Everyone is welcome at Gay Pride and that’s what makes it such a heartwarming occasion. Gay or straight, I would recommend experiencing Gay Pride. It’s a great feeling to be part of a vibrant festivity that celebrates freedom and happiness. So, enjoy, be yourself and be proud of who you are at the next Gay Pride. If you are travelling this year, here are some of the dates of the Gay Prides around the world for 2012: Cape Town: 24 February - 4 March Tel Aviv: 3-9 June Sao Paulo: 7-11 June Lisbon: 23 June Paris: 30 July
Yasmine Canga-Valles
Photos
Spotlight on Students:
Photos
Brenna Mack Brenna Mack is a second year medic and has a passion for photography. She is currently running her own business as a photographer, focusing on fashion, beauty and commercial portraiture. Check out her work and like her facebook page at: facebook.com/brennamackphotography. For a chance to feature on this page send in your pics to quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com
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Photos
Photo Feature: Tony Parry
"We are but one pixel in the big picture of life." Lucy Chippindale spoke with Tony Parry, who has been photographing the LGBT scene in Cardiff since 2005. Tony Parry has been photographing the Cardiff gay scene since 2005/6. He describes himself as a voyeur with a camera, specialising in social documentary photography. Being good friends with the owners of several of the owners of the LGBT clubs and bars in Cardiff, such as Exit, Pulse and WOW, he has been documenting these clubs for years. Some ever since their openvibrant and colour scene we have here. His massively popular website hosts a beautiful array of galleries of locals and even celebrities out and about in Cardiff and gets over one million hits a year. I spoke with Tony and found out how he got into this kind of work. quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com
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was in the army in the 1970’s and was given a camera to photograph anything suspilens he took on a four-year apprenticeship at the prestigious studio Joe’s Basement in London. Here he worked in the black and white printing lab, producing images for famous names such as Joe Pascal (Magnum) and even David Bailey. Working in this 24 hour Central London lab with access to a full studio Tony learnt the photography trade hands on. Tony expressed a
feeling that photography is undoubtedly a skill, and experience like that was invaluable to his development. As Tony said, “I learnt more at my time there than any photography course could have taught me.” I asked Tony how he got onto the Cardiff scene in particular. He told me that it was tracted him to photographing the LGBT scene here. At the time he was happily living in the valleys with his partner but, unfortunately due to homophobic slandering from another photographer affecting his life there, he decided to move to Cardiff. In 2007 Tony got onto the club scene after meeting Roy, the manager of Exit, on a night out. Roy asked to see Tony’s work following a complaint from a member of the public (unfortunately not everyone wants their picture taken on a night out). However this worked out in Tony’s favour, as Roy loved his work and invited him to become his resident photographer!
Check out Tony's website: www.odyessyphotos.co.uk
Photos
experience Tony found that Cardiff ’s club scene focuses mainly on young students. Wanting his documentation to be more diverse Tony also established a friendship with the owner of The Golden Cross, a pub in town that caters for mature LGBT’s. I highly encourage you to view his work, as it is so vibrant and colourful, really relfecting the fun atmosphere in these venues. Tony offered a few key tips for aspiring photographers who wish to cover LGBT events: - always be persistent, but polite. - talk the right people, i.e. the venue owners, being friendly and open. - When working for magazines NEVER crop the photo! Learn to use the full frame when you shoot. - Remember the 4 golden aspects of photography: speed, shape, form and composition - Never slander other photographer's work (even if you don’t personally like it!)
quench photos@gairrhydd.com
I asked Tony if objections to his photography were a particular problem in LGBT casional objection, especially as there are those who live the double-life, often hiding their sexuality for a number of reasons. As for hazards of the trade, Tony admitted that he has even been spiked several times. However, in keeping a friendly, honest and open policy to his social documentation Tony always explicitly informs his subjects that the photo maybe be published and appear online. If someone objects then he simply deletes the image then and there and usually this is enough to ease any tension. He commented that when entering any club you are in the public sphere and it is in the interest of the public to document this. Published online these photos will last forever, giving us a beautiful visual history, which is something that should be highly encouraged. As Tony’s work really captures the fun and energetic vibe at these venues and he soon found himself being invited to photograph at the other venues in Cardiff. His work has appeared in Queer Street and 3Sixty magazines and he was even requested as the exclusive photographer when clubs have held celebrity nights, just see
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MUSIC Freaking Out: The Queer Legacy of Glam
Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes singing a cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit for a New York audience in 2008
Make-up painted like unicorn blood. Heels 6-inches tall. Jewellery so performative he could play it. Wait. He is playing it, as well as anyone in the audience who dares call him unmanly. “It’s this great combo of masculine and feminine,” says Kevin Barnes, singer for the Athens, Georgia band Of Montreal, in an interview with The New Gay. “…guys playing muscular sound-
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explains, referring to Glam Rock, a movement that not only spawned David Bowie and Lou Reed but, since the 2008 release of their album Skeletal treal. To give the unicorns on stage a context, a quick history of Glam’s bejeweled conception is necessary. Glam is the child of English psychedelic and art-house music, though the concept dates back to Elvis, or even Shakespeare (we’re talking genderbending performance). In the 1960s, artists began charging their instruments with electricity.
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1971: T.Rex appear on Top of the Pops and play their No. 1 hit “Hot Love” wearing glitter and satins. With acts like Alvin Stardust and Iggy Pop emerging a few years later, Glam was born with gyrating hips and disco balls for eyes. As much a fashion chameleon as a musical paradox, Glam is characterized by strong visual elements. These elements vary from artist to artist—the Rocky Horror Picture show, for instance, is a far cry from Elton John—but most Glam artists are similar in that they create personas, or alter-egos that exaggerate one or multiple aspects of their vision (Think Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, or Lady Gaga’s male persona Joe Caledrone). What makes Glam queer is the anomaly these personas present. Suddenly, a man in a leotard isn’t something to look away from. He’s something to look to, a symbol of power and expression. In the context of a Glam concert, gender is irrelevant. The musicians are freaking out, and you, the audience, freak out with them. You let yourself feel. And feelings are gender neutral.
Music “It’s not gay or straight or anything,” says Kevin Barnes, discussing Of Montreal’s Glam-inspired Skeletal Lamping, “It’s everything.” So what do contemporary musicians owe Glam? Though Glam in its original carnation disappeared in the second half of the 1970s, music, like fashion, is always recycling. Hence the glitter and high heels, frequent props in Of Montreal’s performances since 2008. Glam’s androgyny and sexual politics paved the way for acts such as Culture Club, Bronski Beat, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, with gothic and punk rock acts picking up on the make-up aesthetic. Marilyn Manson, Prince, and Placebo also derive from Glam--as do the shiny leggings I see so many of you beautiful people wearing around Cardiff. A kaleidoscope inverse of Traditional Rock,
and pink circles. Music’s not about that. It’s about freaking out. Clare Welsh
David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust
Barnes’ point is visualized in this diagram: The diagram shows what I hope by now is a well-known how we identify, and the sex we are born with are in no way related. If Barnes wears a dress to a concert, it does not mean he is gay. Also, a penis doth not a straight man make.
If you were to ask a straight person what they thought was typically ‘gay’ music, you would probably hear them say Lady Gaga, Madonna and Shirley Bassey. However, despite these being quite stereotypical of the ‘gay’ genre, there are also loads of musicians, who are not classed as ‘gay’, yet are widely appreciated throughout the LGBT+ community. Starting with ‘L’, the typical lesbian soundtrack is often Enya. This can be proven very easily; if you ask your ‘lesbian friend’ to name one of her albums, they usually can; point proven. However, lesbian music is not all ‘easy-listening’ as you also get quite a few punk and alternative bands, such as Tegan and Sarah. Gay music is a very wide genre, and often rang-
es from Your Song to Super Bass. The main stereotype that straight people have with ‘gay’ music is that it’s all dance and disco. In Gay clubs, this is very true; most of the time it is just chart music. However, the main difference between these clubs' music, is the way in which the music is treated. For example, in a mainstream straight club they play the track as it is without any additions or changes. However, in a gay club they extend and remix it; the breakdown could be twice as long, the introduction could have been lengthened and built up layer by layer; like a gay sponge cake. As for bisexual and trans-music, these vary just as much as the other two, and sometimes even more. Samuel Hickman
music@gairrhydd.com
LGBT+ music
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Music
INTERVIEW:
benjamin francis leftwich Jo Southerd caught up with the singer-songwriter ahead of his gig at The Globe
music@gairrhydd.com
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You’ve had a crazy year. The album only came out in summer and yet in the last 12 months you’ve become pretty massive, how does that feel? It’s good! I don’t feel massive, I still feel like we’re working away and playing as many shows as we can and doing good things. But it’s been wicked, I love playing music and it’s amazing that we get to come to places like this and it’s sold out, it’s a big compliment. Last time you were in Cardiff was for Swn Festival and that show sold out too. There’s been quite a buzz around you! How's your year been? It’s been really good. I’m feeling in a good
place creatively. Without sounding too deep, there’s been a couple of big changes in my outlook on life, as I’ve experienced more being away from home and I’m feeling in a really focused and good place, and just enjoying playing shows. So if you’re feeling quite creative is there much writing going on at the minute? When can we expect to hear about the follow up to Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm? I’ve got loads of new tunes, I’m playing a new one called Manchester Snow tonight, and I’m gonna be recording in a couple of weeks time. I’m in no rush, if it’s right then we’ll release them but if it’s not then
Music
Do you have a favourite place to write? Is there anywhere that particularly inspires you? I like Sydney. I’m half Australian, I’ve been out there a couple of times. I can write anywhere I feel comfortable but I do like writing in Sydney, I’ve spent the last couple of Christmas’s there. I’d like to go out and do some tours over there, it’s a nice place. You’re still so young at twenty-two; was Uni ever on the cards for you? Yeah it was, I’ve actually got place at Kent Uni in September but I don’t think I’m gonna go. They’ve been deferring my place for a few years. I think it was to do Politics or something like that. Really? Is that something you could see yourself going into? No (laughs) I think it’s the music. I don’t know much about politics; it was one of those kind of random choices.
inspirations have on your work? My biggest inspiration musically is Bruce Springsteen. In terms of songwriting, I think he’s an amazing songwriter and an amazing lyricist, and he’s always about the song as opposed to the style, you know? And I love Ryan Adams as well. They both have a positive impact on the way I look at music. Have you got many festivals lined up for this summer? You had a good stint last year. Yeah we did, I think we’ve got about ten booked in so far, and we’ll probably be doing more than that. I think I’ve been conand hopefully we’ll be doing Leeds and Reading again. I had a wicked time there last year.
Any stories? Not that I can tell you. Oh come on! No. Well the thing is, I was a bit worried about going back to Leeds festival, because I’d sworn never to go back. There was one time I blanked out for like thirteen hours. I didn’t drink anything or take anything but I literally went to my friend’s tent and ate a burger and then blanked out. It must have been dodgy because I just blacked out for thirteen hours. I’ll stick to pasta next time. Wow. Any other life lessons you can offer? Always remember that if you’re in a dressing room and you wanna make some tea, and there’s no still water and the tap water ter in because it boils and makes it still. Perfect. So I hear you’re quite partial to shark documentaries? How on earth did you hear that? (Laughs) I love them. Seriously. And there’s this amazing American programme where they actually dramatise battles between animals that would happen in the wild but it’s all done in 3D animation so they have like sabre-tooth tiger verses elephant, and they show what would happen if those animals actually met in a face off. It’s pretty epic. Sounds a bit violent to me. It’s not violent. It’s nature. Well, we’ve gone quite off topic. So what can expect from tonight’s show? I’m playing with a band tonight so I’m really looking forward to that. They’re my mates and they’re really good musicians so it’s wicked to be playing with them. And what is your favourite thing about being a musician? Touring is the best thing, by far, because you get to play music every night. And that’s what I love.
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we’ll wait it out, you know? There’s no real plan, I’ve written a couple of new songs that I’m really proud of. Whether they’ll be on an EP or an album I don’t know, but it’s
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Music
ALBUM REVIEWS the kabeedies
The Shins
soap
port of morrow
5/10
Top Tracks: * Bones * Santiago * L.T.
Despite the promising comparisons to artists as varied as Bombay Bicycle Club and Black Flag in their press release, Norwich’s The Kabeedies lack the innovation this variety might lead you to ex-
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since their music found its way onto Xbox adverts and Glastonbury stages alike. The jangly indie-pop tunes immediately strike you as perfect summer listening, with the catchy melodies and skittering drums seeming almost destined to soundtrack sunny-day road trips throughout August. The Kabeedies clearly wear their Bombay Bicyparisons can also be drawn to bands such as Vampire Weekend and Two Door Cinema Club. This is ence through clearly talented musicianship and a variety of vocalists who offer differing styles without ever making the album feel disjointed. However, despite their technical competency and the undoubted ‘fun factor’, the ten tracks offer little in the way of variation, leading to the album quickly becoming stale as the repeated lyrical refrains and guitar riffs transcend catchiness and instead just radiate laziness. Ultimately Soap swiftly becomes just another addition to the growing piles of throwaway indie that plagued the charts three years ago and seemingly refuses to bow out gracefully. There is potential here, but The Kabeedies need to show more innovation to truly stand out in the modern world of guitar music. Thomas Connick
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6/10
Top Tracks: * It's Only Life * September * Fall of '82
James Mercer has certainly come a long way since the formation of Flake Music in 1992, a band that would eventually evolve into The Shins as we know and love them. Over four years since the release of Grammy-nominated album Wincing The Night Away, Shins’ fourth full-length album: the long-awaited, much-anticipated Port Of Morrow. The record springs into life with ral, followed by what sounds suspiciously like an alien abduction before launching into new single, Simple Song. The driven, upbeat tracks Bait and Switch and No Way Down contrast nicely with the dreamy, mellow sound of September, while It’s Only Life and For A Fool have a slightly sentimental edge that reminds us that this is a band who have gotten older and really grown into their sound. In ten tracks of incredible versatility, Mercer showcases a whole spectrum of human emospine-chilling to the groovy and toe-tapping with total ease. With the likes of Chutes Too Narrow and Oh, Inverted World in his back-catalogue, Mercer’s fans will have high expectations for anything he now releases. So without comparing this record to his previous work, I can only say that Port Of Morrow is a pleasure to listen to, demonstrating some expert musicianship while staying true to the very unique Shins style we’ve become accustomed to. The album is subtle and wonderful, and I don’t doubt that I will grow to love it as much as the others. Jo Southerd
Music Shallow bed Top Tracks:
8/10
* Shield Your Eyes * Bible Belt * No Rest
Having been an ardent fan of this band since I saw them back in 2010 supporting Johnny Flynn, Dry the River’s debut album couldn’t have come steadily been making a name for themselves, making it on to the prestigious BBC Sound of 2012 shortlist. With their eclectic blend of music and impressive live presence this is set to be one of the most exciting releases from a new band this year. The problem with having such high expectations allows them to be so easily shattered and that is sadly the case with Shallow Bed, yet I hasten to add that this is probably because I have been such a big fan of theirs. For a less discerning listener Shallow Bed will sound beautiful, incorporating a wide range of tive rock. Lead singer Pete Liddle’s voice is stunning, set off with incredible harmonies. Songs such as Lion’s Den and No Rest build up to a climax of rich instrumental complexity, whilst the slower Bible Belt and Shaker Hymns have a striking fragility. The effortless epic-ness of their songs seems to dly, attempting intricacies that can at times seem messy, detracting from the beauty of their songs that made them so spectacular before. True not every song has this problem but I can’t help but
feel that their previous E.P versions were better. Despite this, the album is still a wondrous listen, displaying why I fell in love with their music emotive songs in an industry swamped with autotuned, empty music truly makes them stand apart. This is well worth a listen. Emma Wilford
enter shikari a flash flood of colour
8/10
Top Tracks: * System... * ...Meltdown * Ssssnakepit
use an innovative mix of genres to come up with quite a unique sound, which is bound to leave listeners either loving it or hating it. As the band admits, they are a marmite group. tronica, Dubstep and Metalcore, comes across as a gritty, angry, complaint of modern politics. The band expresses clearly their view that politics and the way society is run needs to change. It’s not a sophisticated message, nevertheless, it is easy to relate to and captures much of the mood young people are feeling at the moment. The lyric, 'They invested in the system that was beyond repair', sums up the whole album quite well. If you feel particularly angry at the world, or are looking for something to work out to, then I recommend giving it a listen. Ultimately it’s not going to be to everyone’s taste but if you like their earlier stuff then you’ll love this. Paul Wilkinson
music@gairrhydd.com
Dry the river
45
Music
LIVE REVIEW A round up of who's been performing recently
Ben Howard 02 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London 23rd February
music@gairrhydd.com
44
Turning up to 02 Shepherd's Bush Empire to see Ben Howard perform in his biggest headline gig yet, I didn’t quite anticipate the pulsating atmosphere this small time Devon boy would provide. The shy and incredibly modest 23 year old announced how his album Every Kingdom had gone gold that day as he declared his nerves at headlining a gig he formerly played as a support act. Ben’s performance was a breath of fresh air, his alternative take on pop with his clear cut vocals, acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics echoed and lingered in the air of the old theatre. Backed by a small multi-tasking band, with guitarist/ cellist/ singer India Bourne and bassist/ drummer Chris Bond, he managed to hype the crowd up in songs Only Love and The Wolves and reduce them to a self-confessed intimidating silence with Black Flies and Everything. Shepherd's Bush Empire, notorious for its chatty crowd, was in complete silence and utter awe when Ben took to the stage for his encore to perform Promise without his band. Recently announced to be playing at Beach Break in June this year, Ben is no doubt the perfect choice for the chilled festival, and if you haven’t heard him yet, make sure you do. Heather McLeod
Benjamin Francis Leftwich The Globe 20th February While support acts Fossil Collective and Ren Harvieu perform their enjoyable sets, the Globe becomes gradually fuller and fuller; and by the time Benjamin Francis Leftwich takes to the stage, the intimate Albany Road venue has about reached bursting point. Starting things off with new single Pictures, Leftwich instantly wins over the jam-packed crowd. The set is mostly built around debut album Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm, with a few added surprises: halfway through the show, Leftwich steps away from his microphone and silences the crowd for a totally raw, unplugged rendition of Maps, which is seriously spine-tingling. New song Manchester Snow seems to go down well with the fans, and an enchanting cover of Arcade Fire’s Rebellion (Lies) is another real crowd-pleaser. The singer seems relaxed and at home on stage, totally comfortable performing both solo and with his backing band. Between songs he is sweet and down-to-earth, informing us that the merch guy is an old friend of his who just wanted to tag along on tour, and asking us to be extra nice to him because it’s his birthday (which of course sparks an impromptu 'Happy Birthday’ sing-along). After a very short break from the stage, he quickly returns to begin a humble, no-frills encore with the huge hit Atlas Hands. The whole captivating throughout; it’s not hard to see why he’s acquired such an adoring, hardcore fan base. Everyone leaves feeling as though they’ve witnessed something special, and knowing that this boy is destined for bigger and better things. Jo Southerd
Music
NME Awards Tour:
Brand New
Two Door Cinema Club, Metronomy, Tribes, Azaelia Banks
The Great Hall
My original excitement for the tour was for one reason only - Two Door Cinema Club’s two-year old debut album Tourist History still gets me singing and dancing along. However, I left with a surprising new found love for Metronomy. It’s not that Two Door weren’t incredible; they played every song with passion and energy. The crowd didn’t stop moving from the opening Cigarettes In The Theatre, to the closing I Can Talk. Even the preview single Handshake from their new album sounded like a hit already. But Metronomy went beyond expectations. Their album, The English Riviera, doesn’t do them justice; The Look and The Bay had a fresh, more upbeat sound. Older singles like Radio Ladio were well received by their many fans who shouted along. The music/art combo of their individual portraits hung from the ceiling and ‘Iron Man’ light badges created a sense of fun that perfectly set the scene for Two Door, thankfully. Opening act Azealia Banks struggled to shout disappointingly dreary Tribes caused a dash to the bar. Despite this awkward start, with help from Metronomy, Two Door shone and my electropop heart still beats strong. Georgia Gibson-Ford
It’s been a while since Welsh fans were last treated to the wild threads of Brand New’s live sonic tapestry. Donning an acoustic guitar, Vincent Accardi begins proceedings by strumming the lonely opening chords of Welcome to Bangkok. His peers follow suit, chiming atmospheric octaves until a
mental has the crowd immediately captivated, Millstone to inspire an adoring chorus, mirroring the frontman word for word. Momentum continues to build as the band whirlwind through a series of favourites from their seminal album The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me and latest offering Daisy, peaking as they reach the overwhelming climax of Sowing Season. Any leftover ambience is promptly shattered for crowd-pleaser Sic Transit Gloria, Gloria Fades, and thus begins a new sequence of songs, this time plucked from the band’s second record Deja Entendu. It does seem a bit like Brand New are playing it safe tonight: from a wealth of diverse material they seem to have only picked the singles, and by The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows hardcore fans are craving a less predictable track to sway the balance. A return to form arrives with Limousine – its equal parts of sombre and furious lyricism are audibly represented with stunning guitar work and a crushing rhythm section. By its conclusion, the audience are silenced, and Lacey is in some kind of musically induced trance, croaking tragic poetry into the fray while Accardi makes the transition into Jesus, its signature arpeggios rippling waves of approval through the crowd. A Degausser and You Won’t Know, swelling and bursting into one-another with ferocious intensity. In the live environment, Brand New have expanded on their hardcore roots in exciting and unexpected ways, proving the limitless possibilities that alternative music can yield when songwriters decide to test new waters. Then again, dives into drum-sets. Matt Ayres
music@gairrhydd.com
The Great Hall 20th February
17th February
45
Film
film news
Silence Really Is Golden After having some time to plan what they would do with their windfall, the lucky swines who put a sneaky outside bet on The Artist months ago, when ironically nobody had heard about it, can now spend spend spend. As with the BAFTAs, The Artist Hugo but winning the bigger prizes. By the time it won nobody was all that surprised. However, I like what Edgar Wright had to say on Twitter, in normal terms a black and white
The Dead Carpet Whether it is an F-bomb or a nip slip, no award ceremony is complete without controversy. The Oscars found its culprits in the shape of Sacha Baron Cohen and, rather oddly, the late Kim Jong-Il. Baron Cohen was reportedly banned from the The Dictator and started to scatter the ashes, which supposedly belonged to the deceased Korean leader, only to be kicked off the red carpet.
Blown It With the Oscars over and done with you could be forgiven for thinking you had heard the last of the awards season for another year. However, the Razzies, the awards that prove you can polish a turd, are still to come and the nominations are getting the recognition he deserves with a record breaking 11 nominations.
Kick Ass 2 Given A Boot Up The...? If this is true then I may very well do a little dance, but right now I am taking this the sequel to Kick Ass will shoot this summer. He has made this promise before, but this time with the added promise that replacements have been found for the want a sequel without the involvement of the pair that brought the original to life Balls to the Wall
No Assembly Required
ď€
ing with all the treats it's become synonymous with; from screenings of classics such as Quadrophenia and The Elephant Man, another year of Puppetology, with world cinema of all varieties from serious dramas to Juan of the Dead clichĂŠ to say that there will be something for everyone.
MW
46
Film
trailer trash THe Raid Release: may 2012
From to Attack the Block, tower blocks have always provided an intriguing setting plary results. Following in this tradition comes The Raid, the latest effort from Welsh director, and former Cardiff university premise sounds simple but effective. A SWAT team plan a raid on only to get trapped halfway up. Under siege their ammo runs out and they are forced to resort to anything and everything around
MW
Oscars Round Up BEST PICTURE The Artist
The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius BEST ACTOR The Artist Christopher Plummer - Beginners BEST ACTRESS Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady Octavia Spencer - The Help
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A Separation - Iran BEST MAKEUP The Iron Lady - Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland The Artist - Ludovic Bource Man or Muppet - The Muppets, Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
Rango The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
The Shore
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Hugo Hugo - Philip Stockton and Eugene Lo Schiavo
Hugo - Robert Richardson
Hugo - Tom Fleischman and John Midgley
The Artist - Mark Bridges Hugo - Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Undefeated
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Saving Face
47
Film
sexuality on screen Yasmine Canga-Valles recaps the history of homesexual representations in cinema.
the time, and until 1974, the stance of psychiatry Something showed by Hitchcock in Rebecca, for entirely or, on the contrary, is subtle and On the other hand, Hitchcock seemed to be free
liberation. Probably more than in literature, feature of claim. The medium grew in this pictures caould reach the public more directly. However, it took a long time for the audience
ď€
screen. The Motion Picture Production Code prohibited the depiction or the reference to
Rebecca Train
48
Rope
Strangers on a
modern society, and especially in the USA, Brokeback Mountain two cowboys in the American West with the worldwide success it reached, the impressive number of awards it won, and the reactions it triggered, surely created a new dimension in this genre, a social impact with a deep resonance. Two years later, Sean Penn won the Oscar for Best Actor in Milk
Film
See for:
ď€
Aesthetic: Mulholland Drive Impact: My Beautiful Launderette History: Lawrence of Arabia comedy: The Fearless Vampire Killers and The Rocky Horror Picture Show Drama: Philadelphia and The Hours Thrills: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Black Swan
49
closet cinema For such a free-thinking, open minded society, coming out as gay should be considered an everyday occurrence. So why, therefore, should it be significant in having an effect on your acting career? Alice Marriot investigates...
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50
Film
chat shows, and even participate in interviews where they happily discuss their personal life to potentially millions of people all over the world. Therefore, are they then allowing personal
it is a common belief that takes time and often social change to alter. For some openly gay actors, it has become their typecast to be known as superbly acted the role of Captain Jack Hartness in both and Torchwood, yet he Is this, however, a result of his open attitude
stars such as Katie Price, who have made their income from their personal affairs, where do in the public sphere will have fans who look up to them as role models, so does this mean they have a moral obligation to present themselves
However, the critical question is how are
associations of his acting ability based on the roles he has played previously which include
Ricky Martin, who rose to fame in the UK and America as a camp pop singer and Matt Lucas, in Alice in Wonderland as The Tweedles. All of these people, although obviously comfortable camp entertainment during their career. Although they are clearly very good at what they
they can openly tell their agent that they are
though it is almost a feature of their personali-
would be so unusual or erroneous, but could you still picture them as the muscled, strong
danger of becoming detrimental to their career. Ashamedly, Rupert Everett told The Observer he regretted coming out due to the effortune at having regular work coming in as
themselves in more demure, sophisticated peron the matter of stereotypes. I think it would be commonly agreed that we should not draw conclusions from stereotypes, but this is not
they can be and how successful they can become. Thankfully, those actors who do come out have paved the way for a welcome social
ď€
Firstly, according to the dictionary, stere-
pretend not to care about this issue. It seems such an adverse state of affairs that today peo-
may be an unfair representation of a person,
51
Film Film
FILM Reviews The DescendAnts Dir: Alexander Payne Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller uniquely combines comedic elements with what is -
light, aside from the action roles we are used to seeing him such as the Trilogy Syriana of coping with grief by stripping away the ideological image of those passed away which is so common when remembering loved ones. Instead, dealing with his sole role as a father. He movingly when viewing a rose-tinted perspective of his life ematography including shots of serene beaches contrasts nicely to the emotionally dark storyline
depictions of American society and dark humour, -
because we live in Hawaii [people think] we live
from a boating accident. As sole owner of his fam-
cluding Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Ac-
recently inherited land for a large fortune, disappointing his relatives but maintaining his heritage, as he comes to terms with his responsibility as a
Alice Marriott
For what is essentially a tragic drama, the plot takes some surprising turns, with genuinely humorous lines, mainly coming from
ď€ delivering some inappropriately awkward oneliners, yet poignantly offers support to both Far from his frequently reported personal life, s marks a testament prov-
52
9/10
Film
The woman In Black Dir: James Watkins Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer Considering the success of the theatrical adaptaThe Woman in Black, I could only assume that this story would trans-
of familiarity and warmth and the audience therefore are desperate for his reappearance during several scenes.
Radcliffe to play the demanding role of a grieving, widowed father and sadly these doubts remained as Radcliffe failed to rise to the challenge and gives an unconvincing performance. I found myself becoming bored with the repetitiveness unfortunately presented with a (somewhat pleasreminded of his delivery in some of the culminating scenes of the Harry Potter series.
aid of re-established Hammer productions and accredited director James Watkins. Following a spectacular departure from Hogwarts back in
tion compensating nicely for some of its weaker
away from the Harry Potter franchise to take
old-fashioned horror with a happy ending which its potentially youthful audience will greatly appreciate.
solicitor sent to broker the sale of a deceased by a black-cloaked apparition bent on luring the
Becky Johnson play in creating a picture which truly embraces awash with a chilling miscellany of worn-out toys and creaky furniture, and I admit to having tension. I would advise, therefore, that the faint
7/10
Hinds provides the character with a strong sense
ď€
of its 12a rating, as it fearlessly depicts a substantial number of inarguably chilling scenes. Credit must also be given to Ciaran Hinds in his
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The team editor Gavin Jewkes Deputy Editor Lloyd Griffiths Features Alexi Gunner, Camilla Flint food Simone Miche & Chloe Slade books Alice Hughes fashion Leonie Roderick, Hann Davies, Lucy Trevallion travel Clare Baranowski & Lia Martin photos Tom Armstrong & Lucy Chip lgbt+ Hector Roddan, Laura Gwilliams arts Asha Verma & Kirsty Allen music Emma Wilford, Jo Southerd & Phil Kenny film Fraser Isaac, Matt Ayres, Morten Wright