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Good Vibrations. Issue
6
So, Beat-Herder has been and went, but another small festival is upon us like a meteorite of mayhem sent from Newport, in the form of Croissant Neuf. We shine a big lamp on Luke Howell (in an interrogation type way, like in them old musty detective rooms), who supplies us with a tasty basketful full of sweet Croissant answers.
Blue Demon- Out and about
Back in Liverpool there is a new decadence of heavenly-hairdressing residing in Static Gallery. We interview Rachel about her homely hairdressing, which has it’s roots in producing amazing haircuts and serving the legions of stylish people in Liverpool. There is now a more comprehensive Out and About section because GV has been roaming the nightspots of Liverpool, unearthing gems that you might like to discover at some point. Also, our new film critic, James Barnicle, has been given the task of reviewing a film once a month. First up was Public Enemies; was it for it’s merits or ferrets? The ‘Pool Music Vaults is another new addition, with our new jury for Liverpool music, Helen Weatherhead, seeing which bands are worth their weight in listening gold. So until next time, have fun and be happy! Editor and advertising manager James Wilson Also, Thanks to all the advertisers for deciding to advertise in this issue. Want to get in touch with the magazine? Then get paddling down the following communication streams: Mobile: 07507844511 Email: goodvibrations4@googlemail.com Website: www.goodvibesbrand.com MySpace: www.myspace.com/goodvibrations4 Facebook: add my name as Good Vibrations for details of magazine
Misery Guts- Out and About Thanks to all these people for their phenomenal efforts on this edition of the magazine. Well done and pat on your camel hump back. Design of front page Michael Prest Design and photographer Jenny McKevitt Design Sarah Coates Journalists Simon Keat, Julia Gordon, Anushka Tanna, Rowena Mbanu Cling Film James Barnicle The ‘Pool Music Vaults’ Helen Weatherhead Proof readers Simon Keat, Rowena Mbanu Photographer Stephen Atherton for GV club night photos
Want to Advertise in the magazine? Then ring James on 07507844511 A F F O R D A B L E R A T E S
On Wednesday 24th June, I visited the Static Gallery on Roscoe Lane to interview the owner of Watermelon Studio. I really didn’t know what to expect but when I walked in, I didn’t feel like I was in a hairdressers, where the atmosphere can sometimes be cold and soulless. I felt like I’d walked into the most perfect, little hippy den, surrounded by beautiful photographs from around the world, cushions, a tea and coffee corner, and oodles of colour and warmth. Watermelon Studios is run by Rachel Wigle who has been a trained hairdresser for over fifteen years. Canadian-born Rachel was initially trained in both cutting and colouring and has now learnt to work with hair of all different types, lengths, styles and colours… You had your training in Canada; do you find the hairstyle trends are hugely different to those in England? Well, I’ve been in England five and a half years now, so to be honest, I couldn’t tell you what the current trends are in Canada. People ask me questions about Canada all the time and I’m always like, I don’t know, I don’t live there anymore! (Laughs) Also, because I was trained as a colour technician, I worked for the manufacturer, so rather than being at the forefront of all the latest cuts, I was seeing all the newest colours that were coming in, which was pretty cool – all the new seasonal collections and stuff. In terms of noticing proper differences, I’m not sure…I would say that I noticed quite a variation in haircuts when I was in London! Many people say that hairdressing is an art form. Would you agree?
(Quick to respond.) Totally agree. 100%. I have my studio and that’s my artistic space. It’s definitely a studio and not a salon. Salons can be quite intimidating sometimes, with all those mirrors everywhere and that’s just not my thing. I’ve tried it – I’ve worked for a number of hairdressers, big and small, and having a small space to create my work is definitely what I prefer - hair is like a blank canvas, and it’s about creating different pieces of art to suit the individual. For me, hairdressing is all about passion, not about running a business, so in that respect, I definitely see it as an art form. If you had the chance to re-style a celeb’s hair (someone you love or hate), who would it be? Ah, that’s a good one. Probably a few. Let me think… probably Jordan, although I can’t believe I just said her name ‘cause I can’t stand the woman! I’d tell her to take those stupid hair extensions out! Ah, well that was going to be my next question. Her hair is your blank canvas…what would you do to it? Yeah, I’d definitely take the extensions out. I really don’t like any celeb that has fake hair. I just wanna yell at them to take it out and work with what they’ve got! Take Posh Spice for example, she used to have those horrible hair extensions but she got rid of them and got her hair cut into a bob. Man, it suits her so much and look at how many women went out and got their hair cut into a bob after that! I just believe that natural hair is so much nicer to work with, and it looks much better as well.
Do you think that bigger hair salons overcharge their clients, just because they can…? (Thinks) Erm, I guess overcharge is a bit harsh, but yes. Having said that, they charge those prices because they kind of have to. If you think about it, they’re running a business; it’s not just a private studio like mine. Bigger salons always have a hell of a lot more to pay to rent their space. Then there’s all the stock and the staff they have to pay. If you want to keep your business afloat, you have to charge more. In a lot of cases though, you are also paying for the name. It’s like anything really, if you’ve got a name established for yourself, then you can definitely get away with charging more and people will pay it.
Sum Watermelon Studio up in five words… Oh god, you’ll have to give me a minute to think about that one… Oooh, hold on (Rachel walks over to a poster that is stuck on her door) Ok, there are seven words written on this, describing Watermelon but if I had to choose five I’d say chilled, unique, creative, funky and, I know this is kind of two, but colour-expert. Ah, nice. Yeah, I’d agree with that. So, what do you think makes Watermelon Studio stand out from other hairdressers? Well, I’d say the obvious fact is that it’s a studio, not a salon. I think it’s really important to give all my clients my full attention and create a finish that suits them, not a trend that is laid out in all the magazines. I think a lot of other salons are more concerned about keeping their business churning, rather than looking at each individual client, whereas for me, that’s one of the most important factors. I always work around my clients so it’s never like a 9-5 job. I understand that people have different jobs and contrasting lifestyles so I take that into consideration by working late nights and at times to suit them. Ok, so this question is perhaps a bit of a personal one, but I’m sure you’ll be able to answer it…. I’m 22 and I still don’t think my curly, unmanageable hair has been given the ‘perfect’ cut. For all the curly haired girls out there, what tips would you give us so we can get the most out of our tresses? Firstly, you haven’t had the perfect hair cut ‘cause I haven’t cut it yet. (Laughs) (Laughs) Ah, well there you go. Ok, Well, I really hate the thought of straightening curly hair after it’s been cut, unless it’s for an occasion.
So many stylists are scared of curly hair because they just don’t know how to work with it, hence the fact they get the straighteners on it. My theory is, work with what you’ve got, and I stand by that. I always finish a cut after it’s dried so if my client walks in to the studio with curly hair, they’d leave with curly hair as well, unless, like I said before, it was for a special occasion and they requested something different. Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever had a hair cut and left the salon with curly hair. They always straighten it! Yeah, I remember when I first started working in quite a big salon in Liverpool. I won’t say the name. Anyway, I had a client with curly hair and I said to her I was going to blow-dry it curly for her. ‘Cause I was new I didn’t really know where anything was so I asked one of the other stylists for a diffuser, and she was like ‘what? We don’t have a diffuser here’ I couldn’t believe it – a top salon in Liverpool and they didn’t even have the most basic equipment to work with curly hair. Finally and this really is it. I’ll get out of your hair after this… where can we get more info about Watermelon studio?
Well, I’m currently in the process of launching a website – www.watermelonstudio.co.uk. It’ll be ready by the end of August, beginning of September and you can see a portfolio of my clients and the haircuts I’ve done, plus info about what I have to offer, price lists, where and when you can find me etc. (Rachel gave me a sneak preview of some of the pictures and they looked amazing. The shots were incredibly artistic and her clients all looked like professional models. So, watch this space and book an appointment with her before she has to start compiling a waiting list!) Get in touch about making an appointment at the following: Watermelon Studio Static Gallery 23 Roscoe Lane, Liverpool, L1 9JD Rachel@watermelonstudio.co.uk Contact number: 07722171692
Interview by the remarkable Anushka Tanna
Good Vibrations 21st May The Lemon Lounge Apple cannon, Blue Demon, Simon Keat Once again Good Vibrations brought us another interesting night, if somewhat more hardcore than usual. The night was held at the Lemon Lounge, which is one of Liverpool’s well established and respected music venues (although it is basically a room above a pub) and was the setting for Good Vibrations on the 21st of May. There were few quiffs and plaid shirts bobbing around, as the flavour of the night was partly rockabilly.
DJ Simon Keat wound the night down with a set of dance, hip-hop, funk and house, to name but a few genres, so it was a shame that the fan clubs scurried away with the bands instead of hanging around to enjoy the rest of the evening.
The opening band of the night were a Liverpool two piece named Apple Cannon who’s heavy sound was reminiscent of several punk and rock bands. They set the tone of the evening with a selection of songs, none of which I caught the names of, as the sound system was buckling under the extreme guitar strumming and screaming. Their songs were witty and they had a small fan base gathered in support.
This was the last Good Vibrations for a wee while, but don’t despair, look out my mateys for a special one off gig next year. Pick up the magazines and keep on the look out in the foreseeable future for more details.
Check out the bands music and future gigs at their MySpace’s, which are: Blue Demon:www.myspace.com/bluedemon13 Apple Cannon: www.myspace.com/deathbyappleseed
Review By Rowena Mbanu
The most enjoyable band of the night were the aptly named Blue Demon, whose blend of rock and roll, punk and country, made for a toe-tapping good time. As soon as they began to play, the atmosphere changed with pretty girls fervently swinging their full skirts to the beat and the Curious Dr Huff furiously slapping at his double bass strings. This psychobilly band was fast-paced and racy and shot the night with a sudden burst of energy; although they describe themselves as ‘the worlds angriest skiffle band’, I found they had a distinct air of jollity.
Blue Demon
By James Wilson and Simon Keat
Upstairs at the Zanzibar Friday 5th June 09 Georgia Strand, Misery Guts and Rumjig
Now that a large exodus of Liverpool students have gone home for the summer, the void in the city is filled by intimate little gigs like this one by Electric Sheep. In all my time going out in Liverpool I had never been upstairs in the Zanzibar; if you ain’t been up there, it’s like being in someone’s attic and provides cozy surroundings to do a gig night. When first arriving I was greeted with the overtones of a London songstress by the name of Georgia Strand, who had ventured all the way to Liverpool to play this one-off gig. She was an exceptionally talented singer and acoustic guitar player. She engulfed the audience with sweet melodies woven with guitar which left the crowd quite simply appeased by her. Misery Guts were up next and they proved an accomplished prospect with their mesmerising folk, reminiscent of a certain Neil Young. They provided a splendid folk journey to go down with their thought provoking lyrics, twisted and intricate melodies and by trying to do something a little bit different in a folk market which has become saturated in the last few years. On the few occasions I’ve seen Misery Guts they have two real stand out tracks in Spiders (their new single) and the mandolin driven Trying to be the Sun which was the their swansong for the evening and epitomised everything Misery Guts stand for. Rumjig, fronted by the inimitable Jules, took to the stage next and soon wove their beautifully crafted musical rug around us, warm
which would keep our souls all night long. Never afraid of dabbling in the political, Rumjig’s music often carries a strong message alongside their melodic and rhythmical sensibilities. They had the crowd in the palm of their sweaty hands and a few folks were tentatively starting to dance a little jig of their own by the time they’d finished. If that was not enough, Peter from Peter and the Wolf, who was also the sound engineer for the evening, decided to get up for an impromptu folk set. It was upbeat acoustic fare, which the crowd enjoyed immensely. They say some of the best things in life are spontaneous and this was true and was a fitting end to a tremendous evening at Club Electric Sheep. Check out and big up the artists on their MySpace sites and look out for their forthcoming gigs: Misery Guts: www.myspace.com/miserygutsmusic Rumjig: www.myspace.com/rumjiggin Georgia Strand: www.myspace.com/georgiastrandmusic Peter and the Wolf: www.myspace.com/peterandthewolfmusic
Ate Days a Week Cafe, 431 Smithdown Road, Sun 28th June 2009 Ate Days a Week is an uber-cool secret underground of musical happenings that occurs on the last Sunday of every month. Hosted by owner Ged, who makes the best scouse in Liverpool (he told me to say that, but he really does); I had a taste of the special for the evening which was scouse and it was absolutely delicious - thanks Ged. So, two scouse bands graced the café-cum-bar for the evening. First up were The Romleys, who have a very unique sound; it’s extremely retro and they have that classic sound, reminiscent of Waterloo Sunset era Kinks. All the songs were rather catchy and they created a chronicle of music that we all enjoyed discovering.
They were easy to digest, which ain’t a bad thing but I’ve heard this style of music before. It’s just that they never really got a boxing glove and KO’d me so I had to take notice. What I like about bands though is that they always have great moments, which in this case was a funky instrumental break which got the crowd engaged with some hand clapping. Their performance was positive for when they get the additional guitarist they are hoping to garner. I encourage you to come down to Ate Days a Week on the last Sunday of every month, or just come in for breakfast and tea through the week, you won’t regret it!
KynchinLay are a Britpop-sounding group, with the guitarist possessing the string in his musical bow of having produced Oasis’ Supersonic (back when they where good and still had meaning).
Retro stylings from The Romleys at: www.myspace.com/theromleys
By James Wilson Check out and big up the artists on their MySpace sites and look out for their forthcoming gigs:
Britpop with a promising outlook from KynchinLay at: www.myspace.com/thekynchinlay
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