In The Middle Issue 3

In The Middle Issue 3 17.10.14

Will Self

Music • Clubs • Fashion • Arts • Lifestyle and Culture • Society

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Credits Editor-in-Chief Jasmine Andersson editor@thegryphon.co.uk In The Middle Associate Editor Jamie Taylor inthemiddle@thegryphon.co.uk Music Andrew Kemp Daoud Al-Janabi Oliver Walkden Emily Watts Clubs Harriet Shepherd Maddie Davison Fashion Esther Eldridge Jessie Jones Claire McQue Tiffany Grous Emma Clark Arts Hannah Woodhead Melissa Baksh Rachel Groocock Beth Galey Lifestyle and Culture Benjamin Cook Jess Murray Katie Dawtry Society Carina Derhalli Maddy Keating Columnists Ellie Parkes Jen Pritchard Creatives Ben Sandin Frazer Sparham Sophia Kossoski Head of Photography Sam Broadley

In The Middle

Credits

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Contents 6 Leeds locals Eagulls are most definitely on the rise. Lead man, George Mitchell, gives us his thoughts on the music industry, touring and much much more.

8-9 Brotherhood Sound System is one of the most popular nights in Leeds. We spoke to co founder Will Sanderson on how they started up, where they’re going and why.

14-15 The Henry Moore Institute is one of the UK’s best galleries outside London. We give our thoughts on their latest exhibition: Gego’s Line as Object.

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Our cover star and controversy courting author Will Self talks sharks, Orwell and hispterdom in this week’s feature interview.

This week, Gentlemen’s Hour shines the light on Alexander Wang’s very exciting upcoming collaboration with H&M.

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13 Jack O’Connell’s reputation is growing all the time. The former Skins actor’s latest role is in ‘71; an action packed thriller detailing The Troubles in Northern Ireland that we review this week.

Central America might not be the first place on your list of must-see destinations. That’s not to say it doesn’t have much to offer though. We give you the low down on the musts in the region. You might be surprised.

21 LUU’s Wine Society give us their best wine buys for less than ten English pounds. Don’t mind if we do.

In The Middle

Contents

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You’re Dead!

by Flying Lotus

Our Love

by Caribou

The Night is Young

by The 2 Bears

Originally created as the antidote to the epidemic that is ‘Starbucks jazz’, You’re Dead! is undoubtedly the most potent anaesthetic of all time. Instantly soothing, the sounds of an orchestra warming up ease you into Steven Ellison’s latest offering. The transition from this world to the next is by no means smooth – flooded by bursts of saxophones, screeching prog rock guitar and frenzied cymbals, You’re Dead! is a fully immersive experience.

The voices of Kendrick Lamar, Captain Murphy and Snoop Dogg seem to wash over in a haze as you become increasingly fixated on the intricate jazz melodies that snake throughout the album and the pulsating double-pedal beat (or is that just a remnant of life from the other world?).

However, the album isn’t as straight forward as administering four short courses of analgesic – ‘Ready Err Not’ and ‘Turtles’ meditate on the enrapturing nature of the astral plane, a world of ethereal dark synth and videogame samples. This equanimity is but a short respite before the climatic ‘Descent Into Madness’. Herbie Hancock’s splattering of sharpened ninths in ‘Obligatory Cadence’ is reminiscent of Badbadnotgood’s melancholy blend of jazz fusion, spiralling you into the unknown once more. FlyLo’s feverish chanting in ‘The Boys Who Died In Their Sleep’ brings to life the graphic artwork provided by guro manga artist Shintaro Kago - comfortable is the last thing that Ellison wants you to feel. In collapsing the barriers between this realm and the next, Ellison has simultaneously fused together the unthinkable combination of jazz, rap, hip-hop, prog rock and electronica into the perfect 38 minute dose – and it is lethal.

[Emily Watts]

Dan Snaith aka Daphni aka Caribou has dabbled with a plethora of genres over the last decade, all his work proving a childlike playfulness as he tampers and manipulates melodic beats and sounds. Setting the benchmark with 2010’s Swim encompassing stunningly defined works of art, Our Love is another striking step forward, but perhaps a more emotional one, in this personal journey.

With each track seamlessly following on from the last, one is definitely transported on an intergalactic saga, a somewhat beautiful marriage between the Canadian producer’s head and heart. Whether you’re psyching yourself up with ‘Silver’, or preparing to make it to ‘Mars’ (a most haunting track, seemingly never ending) before finally setting yourself free at the end, releasing yourself into the atmospheric bubble created

by Snaith. Though supposedly the piece-deresistance, ‘Second Chance’, featuring female RnB vocalist Jessy Lanza seems to drift apart from the magical voyage of the album and just doesn’t float my boat. Soundtrack of the summer, ‘Can’t Do Without You’ and title track ‘Our Love’, featuring multitalented collaborator and longtime friend Owen Pallett, are unique from the rest, with intimate undertones adding texture and soul.Snaith’s increasing confidence with his own vocals set Our Love apart from previous records.

Echoing throughout, his iconic, timeless falsetto adds a certain sense of vulnerability and delicacy to the show stopping tracks, making it dancey yet meditative. As an elder statesman of the club scene keeping 80s house alive, Our Love is definitely a contender for best album of the year in my eyes - a fluid story that gets your toes tapping, feet flapping and hands slapping, perfect for any late night. Get your “we liked him before he got famous” flags waving.

[Ellie Wilson & Flora Tiley]

London dance duo The 2 Bears’ newest LP, The Night Is Young, offers a quite unique listening experience. The album will instantly get your head bobbing, with an array of rich backing vocals and some down to earth lyrics to bestow on your ears, but the over-insertion of people speaking or sampled quotes does make you turn off at points, like in ‘Mary, Mary’, and the at times lack-lustre vocals, detracts from what could be a well-made dance album.

The better tracks on the album include ‘Angel (Touch Me)’, a great example of a well-engineered dance track which you will no doubt be singing by the end. Alongside its well layered beats and vocals, the piano chords add a hint of 90s dance. ‘Not This Time’ is also well worth a listen, its fabulous crescendo opening and funky bass line are sure to reel you in. The chorus is bluesy, frank and heartfelt in its lyrics, but the dance elements give it an encouraging, determined edge which makes it the catchy, sassy, ‘not to be made a fool again’ track that it is. The album’s final track ‘Sleepwalking’ opens with the sounds of a tropical forest, continuing on the melodic, warm feel of ‘The Night Is Young’, but is far more gentle and dreamy with sweeping piano chords. It also provides a nice contrast in vocals with the use of distortion and auto-tune, although it might have been just as nice without them. All in all, the album has its good and bad tracks; the simpler tracks with less elements are a better listen, whereas tracks like ‘Son of the Sun’ and ‘Run Run’, which incorporate verses in an African dialect, an MC and a clash between techno and a fantastic gospel choir, make it feel like too much is going on.

[Stephanie Uwalaka]

In The Middle

Music

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The Neighbourhood Stylus 09/10/14

Natalie Holmes Belgrave Music Hall 09/10/14

The Neighbourhood, otherwise known as ‘The NBHD’ to their most dedicated fans, are an intriguing band. Coming seemingly out of nowhere, this California five-piece have descended on the music industry in a whirlwind, with their song ‘Sweater Weather’ catapulting them into mainstream radio fame and gaining them many new fans. After performing at Reading and Leeds in the summer, where they had a raucous reception despite their early slot on the NME stage, their winter UK tour has been highly anticipated.

Leeds College of Music graduate Natalie Holmes stopped off at Belgrave on the penultimate day of her UK tour, clearly excited to be playing in the city that encouraged her musical pursuit.

Having had the venue moved from the Cockpit after its sad closure last month, the slightly larger setting of Leeds University Union seems to only have been a good thing for the band, who manage to pack out Stylus. Opening with ‘Female Robbery’, the band’s chilled brand of indie rock is complimented by their choice of simplistic white strobe lights and a dark stage.

A real stand out track is ‘Jealousy’, released online by the band for free. The extended sax solo and RnB edge on the song goes down a treat with the crowd and shows that the band have a few strings to their bow in terms of what they can make fit their sound.

Vocalist Jesse Rutherford is one of those hypnotic frontmen you simply cannot take your eyes off – and not just because his outfit choice tonight is a fedora hat, an ‘I heart LA’ t-shirt, sunglasses and a cheetah print coat. He introduces downbeat anthem ‘West Coast’ in his California drawl “Who’s got love for the west coast?” to a raucous response from the crowd.

The band close with ‘Afraid’, a song which pretty much epitomises teen angst and it is delivered with as much of a punch as the aggressive chorus of the song requires. Tonight’s gig seems to confirm that The Neighbourhood are one of those bands who are going to be around for a while. [Emily Clarkson]

Having released an EP each year she studied here, she had a wealth of songs to choose from and wasn’t intimidated about delivering a wide array of them. On this occasion, she played some back catalogue gems, right from ‘The Simplest Things EP’ through to her latest release ‘Over & Out’. Assisted by a drummer and guitarist backing, her live sound was immediately more enticing than on record, bringing an abundance of life to Belgrave.

Think Gabrielle Aplin meets Marika Hackman; what strikes you about Natalie is that the moment this girl opens her mouth you are captured by her voice. She flawlessly hits every note, shaping the melodies to perfection. The melismatic lines of ‘Birds Eye View’ were breath taking - not many singers’ voices are as overwhelmingly powerful as hers, and the charm that she carries with it is unmistakable.

She took us all on a heart-felt journey with her songs, but I think it’s safe to say a highlight for us all was her cover Frank Ocean’s ‘Thinking About You’. She captured the groove and installed her faultless vocals, finishing off with a drooling guitar solo from guitarist Sam. After a final night in London, Natalie is heading on the road again, this time supporting Sam Brookes on his UK tour.

Unfortunately they won’t be stopping off in Leeds, but make sure you watch out for Natalie to get a taste of her live splendour.

[Hannah Taylor]

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Music

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Eagulls Lower Than Atlantis The Key Club 08/10/14 In a packed Key Club, Lower Than Atlantis take to the stage to deliver an exclusive secret set. They’re rock stars, yet their demeanour suggests otherwise. Frontman Mike Duce is charming throughout the night and coolly exhibits a rare honesty in his gratitude for fan support. At one point Duce tells of their ‘weird day’ in which they had to play in HMV ‘with the lights on!’ Obviously a major rock star problem.

Nevertheless, armed and ready, the band explodes into ‘English Kids In America’ sending the club wild. Hands are up and voices cheer; one gets the impression that the fans are in a very special place, for soon Lower Than Atlantis will not be playing small clubs anymore. Although the sound at times is a bit murky, no one can deny the tightness of the band itself. Along with fan favourites ‘Ain’t No Friends’ and ‘Beech Like The Tree’ Lower Than Atlantis perform their recent single ‘Emily’ and every single word is shouted back to them. Despite the vocals sounding like they’re being recited in a cave, the band power on through with a myriad of voices singing along to help. There is one exception; the bands’ rendition of ‘Love Someone Else’ is rather tepid, however, when the band launch into ‘Here We Go’ all doubts are dispelled. For this song the soundman has got his act together and the full package was delivered; finally.

Their show demonstrated a band in transition. The concentration of dedicated fans illustrates the cult following Lower Than Atlantis have whereas the fact that small gigs like this are advertised as ‘secret’ shows illustrates the band’s ever-increasing popularity. Despite suffering some technical issues, the small show offers the fans a real opportunity to engage with Lower Than Atlantis on a level that just can’t be achieved in a bigger venue. [Jake Leigh-Howarth]

In The Middle

George Mitchell, lead singer of Leeds post-punk band Eagulls, is a busy guy.

After releasing their debut album, touring America and doing a summer of festivals, you’d forgive the band for wanting to take a break. Yet just a month before they head off on another tour of the UK, he’s had a chat with In The Middle amid writing the follow-up.

Though Mitchell himself is from Derby, the band met in Leeds, and were so reliant on the city’s architecture that Leeds is undeniably part of the band’s constitution.

In fact, Mitchell believes that the architecture of the city is integral to the music scene in the city, that most of the houses around Burley have basements means that practice space is ample, lending itself to more guitar focused bands as opposed to London, whose deficit of space Mitchell believes to be responsible for the more bedroom-y digital bands. The city has also left its mark on the band’s lyrics as Mitchell is influenced by his surroundings, particularly the contrast in between his lifestyle and the sort of people who drive “stupid, fancy, cars”, which he blames Leeds for.

For Mitchell the hardest part of being in a band is the relentless travelling. While some With the band’s with new-found success might see this as one of the more glamorous aspects, the truth is that even for moderately they’ve found that they’ve had to save successful bands like Eagulls, travelling is shows in the city for special occasions. One little more than hours spent driving to play such occasion is the upcoming show for a show, only to get straight back in the Halloween, which the band are exerting complete control van once the show’s over in order to finished. Rarely do they actually get to see the With the decay came the create a much better atmosphere.

This towns and cities they play. Mitchell also has maggots which end up in is in stark contrast to the other sorts issues with the nature of the music industry a life-cycle which the song of shows that the band plays, support at large. Unfortunately we live in a reality was about, the feeling that slots and festival slots. Eagulls have where the major record companies exert anxiety is never ending recently toured with post-punk revival a disproportionate amount of influence on the rest of the music stalwarts Franz Ferdinand, gigs that Mitchell industry, effectively creating a narrative feels are distinctly not Eagulls shows. “There where if you start small you stay small, was like twenty people who came to the gig who knew about us so they were hard shows arguably diminishing the value of music. to play. But at the same time you could tell The best part of being in a band however, that people enjoyed it […], it was quite an for Mitchell, is being able to release your accomplishment to be honest, playing in music, and to have creative freedom. Having front of like a thousand people and winning come from a visual art background it’s them over knowing they didn’t like you at unsurprising that this is the part he enjoys the start”. most. Indeed being in a band means more The band are currently working on their than being able to be creative sonically and Mitchell is responsible for much of the band’s second album and Mitchell hopes that they’ll artistic direction, having designed their logo be in a playable state by the start of their and come up with the wonderfully bizarre October tour. However, even recording has video for Nerve Ending, which features a proved a challenge in the past. As a band brain slowly decaying. The video was inspired so renowned for their live sound it was by the song’s lyrics, dealing with nerves and important to them that this translate on to anxiety, which naturally lend themselves record. Initially the producer they worked to an image of the organ responsible for with on their first album had never seen those things, the brain. Once they had this them live and the initial demos proved to initial concept locked down they “thought be lacking something, it was only after more about it, and with the decay came the producer had seen the band that both the maggots which end up in a life-cycle parties were content with the result. which the song was about; the feeling that You can see the results in action when anxiety is never ending.” On whether he gets nervous before performances, Mitchell says Eagulls play the Brudenell Social Club on that he gets a sense of anticipation rather 31st October. [Alex Fowler] than nerves but the same couldn’t be said for the rest of the band.

Music

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Weekly Chart Ekranoplan Coil [All Caps] Deep-but-punchy, Bristol/London Bass styles from UK favourites, Kowton and Julio Bashmore.

nthng Community [Lobster Theremin] Powerful yet humble, stripped back techno from newcomer nthng.

Hodge Flashback [Hotline Recordings] A seven-minute trip of psychedelic looped bleeps that rolls along on some very weighty bass.

Todd Osborn Medium [Running Back] Shimmering synthesizer goodness, retro - inspired instrumental pop jam.

Good Life Beaver Works 11/10/14 DJ Set Review Considering Good Life’s 1st Birthday tickets sold out more than three weeks in advance, it’s no surprise the night was a triumph. Full to the brim with 90s kids dancing to the likes of Jamiroquai and Oliver Dollar, Beaver Works was the perfect setting for such a highly anticipated night.

As always, Good Life pulled out all the stops to guarantee its attendees had a good time. Beaver Works was given an impressive makeover to ensure it suitably resembled the 90s. A giant ball pit took over the newest room, filled with excited and slightly confused party revellers.

Adding another dimension to the Good Life experience was the addition of what can only be described as a huge igloo. Full of people passed out on blow up beds, the igloo provided an entertaining light show; the atmosphere inside however was slightly overbearing and unfortunately unnerving.

In terms of music, the night did not disappoint. Headlining Beaver Works’ newest room was Girl Talk who transported punters back to the 90s with some classic tunes. As usual the basement lived up to expectations. Playing host to the likes of Late Nite Tuff, the room was packed out with keen ravers until the early hours of Saturday morning.

Although the event has only been up and running for a year, it has already established a pretty big name for itself, so for those of you in Leeds, I highly recommend you bag yourself a ticket for Good Life’s next event. Get in there quick though, because they’re guaranteed to sell out fast. [Joy Haggard]

Dj October Jaffa [Skudge] Dub techno epic, repeating piano chords are overlaid by a sidewinding synthline.

In The Middle

Clubs

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Into Leeds Brotherhood Sound System There was something quite beautiful about being in an underground Leeds club, surrounded by 200 Leeds students, listening to the sounds of a Leeds based label co-founder, on a night run by three Leeds graduates. Leeds, Leeds, and more Leeds. Tuesday night highlighted the real scope of where Leeds was on the dance music map; producing countless artists, labels and sound systems, this small student filled city has become the epicentre for underground UK bass music. One of Leeds’ most recent success stories is the progression of Brotherhood Sounds and their development from a small solitary night in a Manchester basement into one of Leeds’s most renowned sound systems, and have exported their brand to numerous festivals across Europe. It’s taken Silas, Snare Surgeon and Titan four long degree-filled years of putting on events for them to finally get the opportunity of producing their very own record label which they were very excited to talk to us about. We talk to Will Sanderson, also known as Snare Surgeon, about the story of Brotherhood, the city of Leeds, and of course the creation of their new vinyl record label.

So, Will, first things first, how did the three of you meet? And what were the early developments of Brotherhood?

At Brotherhood we never wanted to ground ourselves to one genre.

Basically George and Silas were together in Manchester, organising a couple of unprofessional nights, but nothing was substantial and it was in Leeds when I met up with them two. I came to university from London, with a passion for vinyl which was the primary reason that drove me and Silas to become friends. We both had turntables, had the same taste in music and spent the majority of the first semester playing off the back of each other in our own bedrooms. I constantly look back and think that if I hadn’t come to Leeds and never stayed in Boddington Halls (previous student residences closed in January 2013) then me and Silas wouldn’t have met, Brotherhood would have still probably progressed but without my intervention. From the bedroom we went onto Bigger than Barry, becoming residents in our second year. Playing before Plastician and a crowd of 300 was huge for us, really giving us a taste of the dance culture in Leeds, and giving us the publicity that we needed to get on the ladder. I would say it was very much an organic growth, and didn’t take place over night as you can imagine.

As you’re hosting Pangaea tonight, a fellow Leeds graduate and co-founder of Leeds based Hessle Audio, do you feel that Leeds as a city has provided you with a perfect environment for developing as a sound system?

Yes definitely. Leeds is a city with an in-

In The Middle

grained dance music culture, with a number of clubs covering a number of genres providing events for anyone and everyone. Our favourite club in Leeds to hold a night was always Holbeck Underground, back when we hosted xxxy and Girl Unit it was a really great vibe, but for certain circumstances it’s not suitable to be used as a venue anymore. Full Circle Emporium was also another venue that really impressed us, again to much of our disappointment it closed down recently, and we would have definitely held a night at these two clubs this year had they still been open. We knew from the start that Wire was a club that we would be playing many nights at because of its Funktion One sound system and great management team.

Obviously because we played at Beaver Works in front of a crowd of 1,400 for our first birthday party we loved that venue, but we are on the lookout for another venue for our events in the future due to the amount of closures lately.

Originally Brotherhood was founded in Manchester, how does Leeds’ dance scene differ to other cities in the UK? Particularly your home town, London?

Leeds is, granted, a much smaller city than London. Everyone within the scene knows each other, giving Leeds this ‘community’ across all genres which you could argue aided our success as we were able to bring in DJs to play for us from other sound systems and vice versa. London is so big though and there’s so much competition making it much harder to get known and Brotherhood probably wouldn’t have been as successful Music and Clubs

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if it was in the capital. For Leeds’ size the music scene is ridiculous, people I know that are from London say it’s better, but because many of my first experiences of the dance music were in London I couldn’t choose between them, but Leeds definitely did help me, Silas and George develop the sound system.

cords and at the very beginning Brotherhood I wanted to be part of a vinyl record company, even though I don’t DJ with all my records. The first release (Limbo EP) is from Bristol based DJ Otik, coming out digitally on the 13th and vinyl on the 15th, he also headlined our label launch party. Graduating from university and staying in Leeds rather than moving back down to London spurred You could say that you’ve just come off us on to produce a label. the most exciting summer of your lives playing at numerous festivals in the UK It’s easier said than done however, and even and overseas, and even hosting a stage at the smallest level we’ve had our teething at Gottwood. How did you find that? problems, one of them being the closure of distribution vinyl management company ST Yeah man, Outlook festival in Croatia was Holdings which has slowed down our procrazy, the surroundings of an abandoned gress. But we still plan on producing records fort certainly made the whole experience and our next release will consist of a couple much better, everyone is on the same vibe of mine and Silas’ tunes, and the third and that week was the standout week of our release is something we’re really excited summer. Simon Scott, founder of Outlook about. At Brotherhood we never wanted to and Subdub and a man at the very heart of ground ourselves to one genre, as you can Leeds’ successful music culture, has created tell through our variety of nights, something Europe’s leading bass music festival, which we hope to carry on with our label. we were proud to be a part of last year and just shows that Leeds is at the very epicentre One last question, if you could work of underground UK bass music. Gottwood with any DJ past or present whom again was a great experience, playing at fes- would it be? tivals was something that we never thought we’d accomplish, and something we defi- Well I had always wanted to play with nitely want to be a part of in the future.

Oneman, as he was one of my favourite DJs while growing up and learning how to mix, So as it was the label launch at the Wire so playing with him at Bigger Than Barry two weeks ago, has becoming a vinyl re- was a real pleasure. I’ve also always wanted cord company always been an ambition to play with Ben UFO (another Leeds of yours? And will you continue putting graduate who created Hessle Audio along on events or will the label be the prime with Pangaea) so it’d be good to get that focus for the foreseeable future? organised in the near future. [James Bate] Well the label had always been a desire of mine, ever since collecting up to 1000 reReview A few years before the foundation of Brotherhood Sound System, Pangaea was involved in a dubstep night in Leeds called ‘Ruffage’ and then forever became a pioneer for the production of cutting edge new sounds which stretched beyond Leeds, giving him and the rest of Hessle Audio, Ben UFO and Pearson Sound, the recognition they deserved. Like the guys at Brotherhood, Pangaea never wanted to be anchored down to one genre, and has flirted with dubstep, grime and now breaking through the boundaries of techno.

This new interest was the main influence for his set at Wire, supplying the crowd with bass heavy tunes, raising many a fist to the sky. The infamous freshers flu may have been responsible for the smaller than expected turnout for a Brotherhood event, but the increased space gave the crowd more room to enjoy Pangaea’s master class. Though the night did not have the magnitude of some of Brotherhood’s successes in the past, this was a special night for Leeds bass music. The Brotherhood/Hessle combination should make us proud that we all live in a city that has such a diverse music culture.

In The Middle

Saturday 18th October Richard Dawson and Rhodri Davies at Wharf Chambers, £5 Solo and collaborative sets from noted experimental folker and free harpist.

Thursday 23rd October Galaxians at Wharf Chambers, £4 Leeds preimer live disco duo start kick off their UK tour in support of their latest release.

Friday 24th October Good luck making a choice this Friday, it’s a busy one...

Dead Prez at Wardrobe, £13.50 Incendiary political rap elders look to educate you.

How to Dress Well at Belgrave Music Hall, £11 Very in vogue mix of RnB and down-tempo electronica.

Rødhåd at Wire, £10 A rare dose of DYSTOPIAN techno in Leeds.

Savour it.

Onra at HiFi, £10 Disco vibes with an international palette.

The Pop Group at Brudenell Social Club, £17.50 Bristolian post-punk agitators perform seminal best-of in full.

Gig Guide

Music and Clubs

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This Week We Love... Vintage Kilo

Froots of Fashion

It’s time to start weighing up the pounds… in clothes!

Those familiar with Leeds will know about the Vintage Kilo Sale that comes to Trinity Church. You may then know that the first sale kicked off last Saturday.

Head in and receive a purple bag for a small admission fee of £3 for early bird (11am-12pm) or £1.50 general admission (124pm). Then you enter the glorious floor of old and unique clothing.

Start hunting through the treasures to find your perfect vintage haul.

This sale can be compared to TKMaxx; you are not guaranteed consistency, but you are guaranteed amazing finds for cheap prices. The best part is that you can even find a designer amongst the midst. Classic Levi cut-off shorts, and potential Wrangler shirts are in abundance, but you have to get down there quick to find the perfect pair.

Although the area resembles a car boot more than a shop floor, the rummaging is all the more exciting than racks in Topshop. The sheer quantity of vintage and retro clothing makes it worth your while. Furthermore they replenish stock throughout the day, meaning you are bound to find something.

For £15 it is said to you can get around 4-5 items in a kilo. Moreover, if you are lucky to be on a treasure-finding spree then two kilos will become £20.

You do not have to be a confident retro wearer. If you are, then you are completely in your element. If your style is a less bold, then you can still benefit from the vast amount of timeless denim jackets and shorts, good selection of accessories, and perhaps even grab a pair of Converse. For anyone who wants to grab a vintage find for (at long last) a student price then this is the place you will want to be saving for. [Jasmin Vincent]

As summer transitions to Autumn and Autumn to Winter (rather quickly in Leeds) we find ourselves crying out for the comfort of the warmest materials we can find. Yet fear not our prayers have been answered with the resurgence of furs and shearling, and they are back bigger and brighter than ever. But who can we thank for this saving grace?

Looking through fashion history we hail back to the golden age of Hollywood. The women were glamorous and the fur was luxurious.

Coats and stoles hung elegantly off women and helped create the image we now envy for its sheer decadence.

As we know fashion comes round in cycles and recently we have seen a resurgence of fur on the runways -- although we prefer the faux version ourselves.

Let’s return to this season where textiles have benefited from advancements in technology, giving us evolutions in pattern and print - and what an evolution it has been. The neutral and natural shades have been tossed aside and the colours brought out. If the style didn’t make enough of a statement before now is the time where furs and shearling are to be worn to make an impact.

In the major fashion houses we have seen lashings of fur. At Prada bold and bright coloured shearlings were favoured. At Miu Miu we saw pastel shades in long haired sheepskin which created gorgeous fluffy coats. Burberry kept it cool with the resurgence of the classic aviator style shearling. Of course not even our student loans can cover the cost of this investment. Thankfully the high street is there to provide us with affordable alternatives. With such a bold style Topshop inevitably has it covered, and we can also look to H&M and River Island for more classic styles at even more affordable prices.

Yet how to wear these gregarious fashion pieces? With the loudness of colour and texture it should be clear enough that simplicity in the rest of your outfit is key. Skinny jeans and plain white tees for effortless cool during the day. To transition into evening add some heeled boots and chunky gold jewellery or alternatively play with contrasting textures. Leather look jeans and a silk shirt in black teamed with bright shearling and faux furs. Your coat should be your statement piece. Have fun with it. [Isla Tweed]

In The Middle

Fashion

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Seasonally Appropriate Decisions For the truly sartorially invested, shifting from one season to the next can be a tumultuous experience. When we’ve spent our summers dreading the first bite of frost and enjoying those few hours where it was just-about-warm-enough for bare legs. However it seems every year, just as we’re reluctantly hanging up our florals and warming to the idea of a piece of shearling hugging us into the wind and sleet, the fashion capitals turn this on its head.

Every September New York kicks us off with the standards for what we’ll be wearing next summer. ‘But how can this be?!’ echo millions of voices as we are stood straddling the seasons; the vibrant brights we have been looking forward to trying this winter in one hand, the other still clinging to the hem of the season-just-gone’s black and white a-line number.

Alas there is hope yet. Some trends just keep creeping in from season to season, changing and evolving each time. This means the savvy shopper can use their mystical powers of prediction. There is opportunity to invest in items that will translate fluidly through the mood swings of seasonal transit.

1. Pretty Power.

Known more for spring than winter this lace riddled pretty-girl phenomenon crops up every year with a new face on the same body. This winter designers swooned over sheer fabrics, floral watermarks on fabrics and cascading skirts that looked either full of secrets or woodland creatures. The focus remains first and foremost on the most dainty and luxurious of fabrics. However from spring to winter this year the focus has been more on the elusive side of things.

Though these women appear flighty and

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stereotypically feminine, they pack a punch.

Whether it be summer’s fierce contrasting structure or winter’s gothic take on things, this is a trend not for the faint hearted.

Feminists take note, this is a great sartorial opportunity to shake things up.

2. Monochrome Magic Black and white is always a safe bet from all sides. Flattering, chic, minimalistic and also a chance for experimentation.

This winter Dries Van Noten printed eyeboggling swirls on a structured coat, whilst Balmain had top-to-toe clashes in peplums and pencil skirts. A fresh way of wearing this is choosing a side; keep it restricted to one piece or clash different prints from piece to piece. Combining metallics with the look also feels cool and futuristic.

3. From the Sole.

Sportswear is always at the forefront of designer’s minds come the summertime and this year was no different. Scuba chic took over channelling inspiration from a more obscure sport giving the look a fresh and, again, futuristic face. The trainer however was the most essential item. Female cries of joy rung out from the shows as it sunk in that we could be comfortable whilst being completely on point. Well our heels are saved for yet another season and are set to be blister free even until next summer.

The high street snapped up this trend and Topshop and H&M filled their stores with a plethora of options. H&M are a go-to must with their metallic numbers which straddle two trends as well as two seasons. Because after all we have to have our chameleon wits about us. Go forth and juggle. [Jessie Florence Jones]

Precious Metals Why dwell on the past, when the future looks so bright. Metallics are in the spotlight after seasons of being kept in the dark; they are ready to take centre stage once again, after a much needed revival. Surfaces are covered in a sphere of jewel tones, applied to modern textures for a fresh update. With iridescent foils and lamé fabrics paying respects on the catwalk, designers are taking full control of the situation by amping up to full volume.

From decadent ‘Rock n Roll’ vibes at Saint Laurent to polished ‘City Slickers’ at Antonio Berardi; nothing is falling short of extravagant this season.

With a galaxy of colours from copper ores to space- age silvers, the palette was brought down to earth with references to the elements. All of this refreshing in a time of technological domination.

Modern

synthetics keep the aesthetics versatile, allowing you to translate an outfit from day to night in a flash. For understated cool, try pairing a neglected pair of jeans with these golden kicks from H&M for £29.99 – guaranteed to brighten up any day.

For maximum impact with minimal requirements, blend a small dose of metallic into the psychedelic recipe of modern tailoring. Provide an easy solution for any inner magpie tendencies and unearth Topshop’s midnight blue number for only £25. Balance the look with an A- line skirt; and scarce jewellery, for an outfit that packs plenty of punch.

Go for the gold. Why would you settle for anything less?

[Francesca Marcari]

Fashion

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Gentlemen’s Hour What do Donatella Versace, Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfield, and Lanvin all have in common?

The answer; they’ve all collaborated with high street fashion giant H&M. Now Alexander Wang, the first American to collaborate with the store, is readying his collection for its worldwide release in November.

In contrast to other designers who took archived pieces and rejuvenated them for a high street audience, Wang has started from scratch and created a new and exciting collection for both his loyal followers and H&M customers. It encapsulates the Alexander Wang essence, focusing on performance and sport whilst costing considerably less than his usual pieces. Finally one of our favourite designers is accessible to all.

The collection is heavily sport themed; think sweatshirts, vests, shorts, leggings, trainers and even boxing gloves. The latest campaign images feature the likes of model Joan Smalls, kick boxer Rivaldino dos Santos, and even West Ham footballer Andy Carroll. If you want to walk straight from the pitch to the nightclub then look no further; tops are priced at £39.99 on average, with vests at £24.99. Although you can pay up to £69.99 for a pair of shorts, the garments are of a noticeably high quality.

It’s a nude affair It’s safe to say that a nude lipstick is an essential component to any every day makeup bag. It compliments the most outgoing outfits and intensifies the most dramatic eye looks. This year, however, there has been a revolutionary development in the working of the nude lip in that it can now create the whole makeup look all by itself.

Nude lips may have been previously seen as a little tame and perhaps even a little boring.

Yet they hold the power to be the very focal point of a whole makeup look; highlighting wonderfully the shape of the lip. There is very little that needs to be added, with the right liner-lipstick commixture, some intense black mascara will compliment it just nicely.

MAC’s ‘Whirl’ pencil and ‘Faux’ lipstick is

Beauty

the perfect combination for a nude, matte lip with subtle tones of pink. This particular combination is ideal for one who may have a paler complexion; the paler pink colours will accentuate the skin tone. If your skin is more of an olive tone MAC offers another nude lip option.’Spice’ lipliner and ‘Velvet Teddy’ lipstick make a terrific pair that still capture the desired dramatic finish. Don’t be afraid to line those lips maybe a little bigger than they are; an overdrawn, striking lip shape has never been more on trend.

Whoever said nude had to be boring?

[Ella Crabtree]

In keeping with the Wang essence, everything is kept classic in black, white, or shades of grey. Although on trend, it would’ve been good to see Wang introduce some colour into this brand new collection, especially as he’s catering for a brand new audience who may not be familiar with his earlier work. Alexander Wang’s statement style is very on trend this current season. However, it does feel like Wang has gone slightly overboard with his namesake; there’s ‘Wang’ on jacket cuffs, beanies, leggings, and waistbands.

One more thing, Goggles. Yes, you read that right, goggles are going to be a thing, though apparently not worn over the eyes but placed on the forehead. Wang certainly knows how to make a statement.

So come November 6th prepare yourselves for the crowds and queues as Wang’s collection hits stores in over 250 H&M stores worldwide.

Save the date, this is shaping up to be one of the hottest high street collaborations ever, as well as one of the fashion highlights of the year! [Grant Wilkinson]

In The Middle

Fashion

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Photo: Crab Apple Films

‘71 an intense thriller Film Review

Worse, whilst still willing to put the horrific violence of The Troubles on screen, the film pins the majority of the blame not on the warring republicans and unionists, or on the ineffectual military leadership but instead on a group of vaguely Machiavellian military intelligence officers, thereby pulling its most powerful punch. Exploitation cinema has never been shy about commenting on the This comparison unfortunately does ‘71 most heated political issues of its time so for no favours. Whilst Bloody Sunday was ‘71 to avoid controversy entirely is a bizarre decision. unafraid to tackle the larger issues behind ‘71 does succeed the nightmarish excellently as an events of the era, ‘71 intense thriller ignores them, instead and some respect keeping the focus must be given to on the protagonist: the filmmakers for rookie soldier ignoring the political Gary Hook (Jack undercurrents of their O’Connell). Although setting.

However, this gives O’Connell this decision to the opportunity to continue his winning streak from last unflinchingly show one of the darkest year’s Starred Up with a powerful, physical chapters in British history without asking performance, it ensures that many of the any of the tough questions means that ‘71 is characters are thinly drawn, somewhat only good rather than great. limiting our empathy for their nightmarish [Peter Brearley] day-to-day existence.

In his first feature film as a director, Yann Demange has created an intense thrill ride through the hellish urban heart of Belfast during The Troubles of the early 1970’s. With its frenetic, handheld style, ‘71 is reminiscent of Paul Greengrass-directed thrillers and (most pertinently) his Ireland-set drama; Bloody Sunday.

Jack O’Connell continues to rise in this tale of the Troubles

In The Middle

Arts

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Photos: Henry Moore Institute

In The Middle

Arts

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Gego: Line as Object Gego’s delicate geometric sculptures float in the Henry Moore Institute The Henry Moore Institute present the first solo exhibition of Gego, a Venezuelan artist fascinated by using line as object, blurring the mediums of drawing and sculpture. The exhibition takes a selection of the artist’s work spanning 34 years and presents a small but interesting exhibition of her pieces, taking us through her experimentation with material, shape and form.

The first section of the exhibition displays smaller works in the series Drawings without Paper, where stainless steel wire and other metallic cables are twisted and coiled together then flattened onto the gallery walls. The result is semi-three-dimensional pieces resembling television aerials or mechanical microchip wirings, simplistic line drawings without paper.

As you move through the exhibition Gego’s work becomes more sculptural. One of her first pieces, Vibration in Black, slowly swings while hanging from the ceiling, the painted aluminium twists catching movement in the air, the sweeping curves blurring each other, almost kaleidoscopic. In her other pieces triangles of twisted wire are hooked to make hexagonal globes attached together, reminiscent of some sort of extruded chemistry sculpture, atoms fused together. The stacked towers of these fine wire triangles allude to Gego’s architectural training, the shapes fragile in material but structurally robust.

The exhibition has a delicately industrial feel, each piece mathematically precise, works that would not be out of place in a science museum.

Alongside the three-dimensional works the Henry Moore Institute have placed equally geometric watercolour paintings and Gego’s preliminary sketches, displaying the imagery behind her larger works. One wall contains about ten small photographs of the sculptural works sliced and intricately woven flat into brightly coloured and detailed pictures.

The exhibition is beautiful, and the robust yet delicate sculptures fascinating, an exhibition arranged to illustrate the development of Gego’s techniques and her style. I would highly recommend popping down to have a look between lectures; the calming gallery environment provides a delightful escape from the library. [Graeme du Plessis] Gego: Line as Object is open until the 19th October, entry is free.

In The Middle

Arts

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Comedy Central Live

Photo: Facebook/LUU Events

Mark McDougall gives his thoughts on Stylus’ monthly comedy showcase which this time around featured Andrew Ryan, Carl Donnelly and Gary Delaney.

LUU’s monthly comedy showcase, Comedy Central Live, is a new addition to the campus calendar and on walking into the usually rowdy Stylus early on a wednesday evening, it was difficult to know what to expect. However, from the beginning, what was in stall turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

audience, it was generally well received although his set of anecdotes varied in their success rate. Some relied on the drug and gap year themes and others were genuinely engaging and enjoyable to experience.

Unsurprisingly, the highlight of the evening was Gary Delaney’s routine.

After modestly entering the fray, Delaney delivered one liner after one liner and thrilled his unsuspecting guests with intelligent, sometimes edgy and relentless humour.

One liner after one liner, Delaney threw relentless rounds of humour to the unsuspecting guests.

All Day Breakfast welcomed guests with their melodic jazz tunes and the relaxed mood lighting and modest set combined for a gentle and warm atmosphere. Andrew Ryan was the first to grace the stage and in keenly focussing on audience interaction, Ryan took his slot to a fair chunk of those in attendance. Specifically picking up on students and a suspiciously relaxed looking audience member, he suitably managed to get the audience on side. They opened up, interacted and were suitably warm by the time he left the stage as those who followed him would have hoped.

The combination of these three comics made for a successful evening and one that exceeded expectations.

Despite the small turnout, with some promising bookings lined up for the modest price of five pounds this is an event that is sure to grow and grow. [Mark McDougall] The next Comedy Central Live event will be on 12th November in the same venue.

Next up was Carl Donnelly. Although some of Donnelly’s subject matter seemed to be forcibly targeted at his student

In The Middle

Arts

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dcc

Super Smash Bros.

Photo: BagoGames

Handheld Mayhem

Dapper Laughs Who let this plonker on TV? When Dapper Laughs was first described to me as a misogynistic, out-dated, highly criticised TV personality, my preconceived idea of what the show would be like went along the lines of something only available on Fox, filmed on a handheld camera with tumbleweed rolling about in the background. I was very unpleasantly surprised to see this man wandering the streets on London followed by an ITV film crew and being given the power to manipulate poor vulnerable men with obvious confidence issues. His idea of ‘pulling’ women is much like poaching. He recommends the correct camouflage and strategies as if the number of women a man’s slept with should be displayed on their shag-pads mantelpiece much like that of an ivory tusk.

Honestly I’m not sure where to begin with this one. Daniel O’Reilly, alter-ego Dapper Laughs, has recently risen to fame through the people’s power of popular demand. He began by posting short ‘comedic’ clips on Vine while working as an Estate Agent before moving to put on his own stand up performances and has now landed his own TV show on Mondays at the oh-so-accessible viewing time of 10:30.

To write this review I was asked to watch the two episodes of ‘On the Pull’ now available on ITV player, but after viewing the first 22-minute instalment I’m sorry to say I couldn’t face the second.

However, for some unknown reason people seem to love him. ITV’s head of comedy commissioning, Kate Maddigan, says: “Dapper Laughs is brilliant new talent so I’m excited to bring him and his risqué brand of humour to ITV2.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to risqué humour but this show has taken it a step too far by involving everyday participants and laughing at them for their lacking sex lives to be considered as ironic.

Among many outrageous Vines, an early one of his includes, “Just show her your penis. If she cries, she’s just playing hard to get.” I’m sorry, but what? That’s straight up condoning rape culture, no two ways about that. Frankly I think it’s a little frightening, if not slightly unbelievable, that this idiot is on our TV screens as a direct effect of people watching his acts online. What the hell does this say about what people find amusing?

But maybe I’m being a little harsh, could young Dapper just be a little boy stuck in a greasy orange shell with too much power just looking for a bit of attention and to make people laugh? Possibly, but from my perspective it doesn’t make him any less of a plonker.

[Mira Mookerjee]

In The Middle

Pikachu just electrocuted Zelda. She’s sent flying into the path of Pac-Man’s punch, which cannonballs her through the Mushroom Kingdom, into the villager from Animal Crossing which knocks your score up two points.

If you’ve played a Smash Bros. game before, that probably sounds familiar. If you haven’t, then know that that is what you’re missing out on. It is exactly as ridiculous and over-the-top as it sounds, and now that the series has made the jump to handheld, that ridiculousness is more accessible than ever.

Super Smash Bros. for 3DS is the fourth instalment in Nintendo’s all-star fighting game franchise, and the first to be released on handheld as well as console. The idea of the game remains as simple as ever - up to four classic Nintendo figures are thrown into an arena and attempt to launch each other from it. That’s it.

Within a few minutes you’ll be beating up Mario and co. like a pro, learning how it all works. That’s the beauty of Smash, a concept so sublimely simplistic that button-masher and calculated combo-er alike will have crazy amounts of fun.

It caters for all with a wealth of modes, from the classic progression through randomised battles to a big-boss fight, to a platformer-style competitive race for power. You’ll never feel lost for something to do, and ten minutes can be put in as easily as a five-hour competitive binge. It’s perfect for those awkward breaks between lectures, or as yet another tool for procrastination.

Whatever mode you play, the core of Smash remains the same: beat shit up. This is Nintendo in their element, and they’ve built a bruiser that belongs in your pocket. Such a frenetic game might sound overwhelming on such a small screen, but Smash has been optimised with platform-appropriate stages and considerate controls - and it still looks spectacular.

Better yet, it feels spectacular. Punches pack exactly that, a punch, and there’s nothing more satisfying than landing a perfectly-timed smack, launching your opponent into the void just as your game looks like it’s about to go south. Though the 3DS circlepad can be fiddly, making it tricky to pull off specific moves, it’s a minor frustration that rarely affects the fun.

Characters remain the biggest draw, though, and with 49 to choose from - plus the new customization system - finding a favourite to turn into a personalised, smashing machine is harder and better than ever. Pick a familiar face from your childhood, someone new - or even yourself. The introduction of playable, fully-customizable Miis means you can arm yourself with a megablaster and live out your childhood fantasies of beating up Mario’s enemies. Well, my childhood fantasies. [Jack Bromley]

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An Interview with Will Self Having recently released his new novel, Shark, the subject of his recent event at Ilkley Literature Festival, In The Middle grabbed an interview with the controversial author to find out what he had to say about sharks, Orwell and hipsterdom…

We’ll start by asking about your new book, Shark. As the title suggests, sharks reappear throughout your novel as a theme and an image. What drew you to this idea? What is its meaning for you?

As a child I was attacked by a shark while snorkelling in the Caribbean off the island of Antigua; it almost gently relieved me of the little toe of my left foot. It was a curiously liberating experience, for ever since then I’ve never been frightened of sharks, believing them to be creatures that only attack and kill humans who lack the necessary respect for them. (I concede, I’m probably wrong about this!)

You’ve said in the past that you don’t “write for readers”. Do you find this liberating as a writer? Do you worry that this means your audience may not get the message of Shark? Is there a message at the core of Shark?

There are ideas, but no ‘message’ if you mean something that could be written on a fortune telling card. I write for those people who are interested in reading what I write – and on the basis of this tautology I am never likely to be disappointed.

I think the time of the serious novel is coming to an end – not the novel driven by suspense, sex or violence. New literary forms will indeed emerge, ones suited for bi-directional digital media. They will be interesting – and I’ll be interested to see them, but as some one educated and trained to write paper books, they won’t be for me.

As a columnist and writer it’s fair to say you’ve courted your fair share of controversy. Do you revel in this? Is it a conscious decision to pursue this controversy? Or just a consequence of being sure of your own convictions?

My motto is, I just want to be understood. I also take seriously HL Menken’s contention that the role of journalism is ‘to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable’. If I’ve ever courted controversy it is only in the cause of satisfying these two requirements.

I think the time of the serious novel is coming to an end – not the novel driven by suspense, sex or violence.

What’s it like returning to the same character, Dr Zack Busner, over twenty-five years?

It’s like he’s never gone away – and he hasn’t; but I think I’ll kill him off soon… Or maybe not.

Shark will form the middle chapter of a trilogy which includes your previous work, Umbrella. Can you give us any hints about the direction you’re going with the next book?

Well, such hints would only be of interest to those who had read the first two parts of the trilogy, and I suspect none – I repeat none – of your readers will have done this, so, no.

You’re now in the third decade of your career as a writer, what continues to drive you on?

You recently described Orwell as “literary mediocrity”. Do you think it’s your duty as a writer to take risks and avoid complacency? Do you feel it is literature’s duty to be challenging and complex?

I never described him as a ‘literary mediocrity’, I said that the way he was worshipped by a certain kind of, specifically English person, put me in mind of GK Chesterton’s dictum that ‘the English love a talented mediocrity’. It isn’t that Orwell overall is mediocre – far from it – it’s that the apparent clarity of his prose gives succour to those who don’t wish to assimilate difficult or different writing.

Given your recent comments about our generation’s obsession with “hipsterdom”, have you ever considered that you may not be able to keep pace with the changing face of modern culture? Is that an issue a writer ever needs to worry about?

Well, I have no intention of keeping pace with the changing face of modern culture – why should I? I’m 53, I can reasonably hope to be dead within 25 years, and the culture I have already will certainly suffice to last me out my days. [Benjamin Cook and Jessica Murray]

Trying to express what I think and feel – and what I believe other people to think and feel as well.

How do you see literature remaining relevant as an art form in the future? I’ve read that you believe the time of the novel is coming to an end, do you stand by this?

In The Middle

Lifestyle and Culture

19

“I Met Him On Tinder...” Shark Online dating sites have changed the way we meet people. Once upon a time, or so my parents have told me, the dating game was far more challenging than what it is today. Those were the good old days of approaching a stranger in a bar, getting to know them and making them laugh to achieve the ultimate goal: a match. Is it possible now that meeting that special someone is as simple as a ‘swipe right’?

Tinder -- if you haven’t already heard -- is the dating app of 2014.

Connecting individual’s Facebook profiles to its system, the app makes finding a partner seem easy. Users face the rather amusing task of rifling through a potential ‘date material’ pictures in order to determine whether or not that person is worthy of progressing to the next stage. If you like the look of someone, you swipe right. If you don’t, it’s a swipe to the left. When both parties find each other attractive, you’ve guessed it, it’s a match. Successfully snagging a match opens up a conversation platform for hopefuls to ‘get to know’ each other better. You’re in. As easy as that – right?

For the newly single, the dating playing field is a daunting prospect, so on the surface Tinder seems like the perfect gateway for those not-so confident in finding a potential partner. The app, however, has created tremendous controversy. People aren’t taking Tinder seriously, viewing it as a bit of a joke and passing time with friends by rating people’s appearance and laughing at the ‘idiots’ they might stumble upon. This makes it hard for serious Tinder users to decide whether or not the apparently perfect other they’ve matched with really does want a date, or if they’re just fooling around with their mates. How embarrassing.

Tinder also has its own GPS tracking system. Of course it does.

This feature makes it easy for users to find people in their area but because it’s so easy to snag someone local, the Tinder experience has developed a reputation that might not have been its initial intention.

People are using the app for casual hook ups over finding a longterm partner, which casts even more doubt over its trustworthiness and ultimately lowers the respect people might once have given it.

That being said however, some claim to have found love thanks to the simplified dating phenomenon. Google it, and up pops a seemingly endless stream of Tinder lovestories, including couples who have even progressed as far as walking down the aisle together.

Sadly though, as debated as the issue might be, it appears hard to justify that a swipe can really turn into something exceptional.

Except for those lucky few, anyway. [Amy-Beth Harrap]

Photo: Viking

Will Self

Set mainly in the 70s, Shark centres around the residents of Concept House in London. Created by Zach Busner, the house acts as a live-action experiment against the use of psychiatric hospitals.

The roles of ‘doctors’ and ‘patients’ are abandoned and each member is requested to view all residents as equally sane, while the term ‘mad’ is reserved for those who support a system which categorises people under such vague banners.

Dr Busner will be familiar to anyone who has read Self’s previous novel, Umbrella and several of Self’s other novels. Shark actually forms the second of a trilogy, with Umbrella being the first, but actually comes as a prequel to its predecessor.

Despite this, it is certainly not necessary to have read Umbrella before picking up Shark. However, it is definitely helpful to read the book’s blurb before beginning, as without knowing any context, (like the fact that Busner is a psychiatrist) the word ‘confused’ cannot even begin to describe the experience of reading the first few pages.

Using the same narrative style as Umbrella, Shark is very heavy-going.

The novel reads as a single stream of consciousness which slides between speakers with little more than a change in tone to alert the reader. If a lack of chapters or even paragraphs were wearying enough, Self abandons all use of quotation marks and instead differentiates between narrative, speech and internal dialogue via a selection of italicisation, ellipses and hyphens.

have accomplished something, certainly a lot more than say, picking up a copy of 50 Shades.

The first part of the novel thrusts its readers into a sequel of conglomerated memoirs, varying from members of Concept House to those connected to the residents.

The journey is a heavy one, with themes of sexual, child and drug abuse and the question of what constitutes madness. The reader is jostled along, buoyed by frequent bubbles of dark comedy.

Threading a way through such deflections into the past, we are presented with a day-inthe-life of Busner. In particular, Self explores the difficulties Busner has in conversing and connecting with the others he is living with.

From the moment he is introduced, there is a tangible and often difficult distance between him and the others which makes his narrative in many ways more interesting than some of the others. However, it is the scenes of Busner’s experiences with LSD which truly swing the action of the novel into gear and fully immerse the reader into the narrative.

If you are looking for a nice fluffy read for those lazy Sundays or a quickie to fill the time between lectures, this book is not the one for you. The novel slides between subjects and speakers, approaching readers with the speed and surprise of a passing train.

However, once the barrier in the language is pushed past, the narrative voices take come into their own and before you know it, one of the finest reading experiences of this year is over. [Laura Rowlands]

The reading does get easier in a surprisingly short amount of time, and the attention it requires to complete the book leaves you feeling as though you

In The Middle

Lifestyle and Culture

20

Get Lost in Central America

Return of the Gastronaut

Central America is a tropical isthmus that connects North and South America. It lies on the Pacific and the Caribbean Coast, making it rich and diverse in both Latin-American and Afro-Caribbean culture.

“Tharavadu” in Keralan means ‘family house’, representing the observation of traditions and all things familial. In this regard, Tharavadu has certainly stayed true to its name. Upon entering, we felt as though we were being brought into a home, where every dish has been specially crafted to capture all the unique flavours of traditional Keralan food.

Sailing between picturesque islands, trekking through dense cloud rainforests, seeing spectacular wildlife, climbing ancient Mayan ruins, dancing in lively salsa bars, walking through bustling markets and visiting historic coffee and chocolate plantations – Central America is jam packed with adventure. Let’s get planning the trip of a lifetime in Panama.

Casco Viejo The old city is much quieter and a lot less touristy, making you feel as though you’ve travelled back in time. Beautiful colonial buildings and old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages are a far cry from the skyline of sky scrapers and heavy traffic that pervade the main city. Narrow cobbled streets are pathways to quirky bars, restored churches and cathedrals, and authentic restaurants.

The San Blas Islands Close your eyes and imagine a turquoise sea so clear it is a window to the colourful coral and tropical sea life that it houses. Imagine burying your feet in white sand so warm and soft that it feels like you’re embalming them in layers of silk.

Can you feel the wind’s soft breeze cool your skin from the sun’s powerful rays and hear the sporadic fall of coconuts from the palm trees? No, this is not heaven. This place exists and is truly paradise.

The San Blas islands comprise of 378 Caribbean islands, of which 49 are inhabited by the Kuna or Cuna, the indigenous people of Panama and Columbia. They are incredibly friendly, and for a small fee invite you to stay on their islands.

Here, you can learn to live without electricity, sleeping in wooden huts or in hammocks under the stars, catching and eating your own fresh food, snorkelling along the reefs and playing with the local children.

Bocas Del Torro Bocas Del Torro is another favourite for travellers due to its laid back rastafarian and hippy vibes. The community is mainly made up of West Indians, Latinos and resident gringos, all of whom are extremely welcoming. It is also an eco-tourism favourite, with its lush tropical vegetation and marine wildlife make it the perfect place for diving and snorkelling. [Talia Balkin]

In The Middle

Tharavadu offers up the best in Keralan cuisine

The décor was subtle, with traditional paintings and statues complimenting the dining room. As we reached for the menu, we were certainly impressed. Although overwhelmed at first sight, with everything from dosa-based dishes to mouth-watering curries on offer, Tharavadu’s knowledgeable staff helped us narrow our options.

We started with a plate of chilli paneer, and an assortmed platter of popadoms, murukku, banana chips and pappada vada, accompanied with a selection of coconut, mango and vegetable chutney. All were sumptuously flavoursome. Still wanting more, we ordered the Meen Koottan, a traditional fish curry that is a favourite amongst Keralan fishermen. Seasoned with a host of spices and a tangy punch of tamarind, it was an aromatic dish that left our taste buds yearning for more.

The Vazhuthanaga Curry was another flavour house, with generous chunks of aubergines cooked in a zingy cashew sauce. For those familiar with the traditional Indian daal, the Sambar would be a good choice too. Sambar is a popular lentil-based vegetable curry, cooked with tamarind and a combination of vegetables. This was all accompanied by poori, a fluffed whole wheat bread, and appam, a rice-based pancake. Light and crispy at the edges, yet soft and fluffy in the centre, it was the best possible canvas to smear every curry we had on the table.

For dessert, the Payasam is perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Served warm, it is a milk-based pudding delicately flavoured with cardamom and coconut, with jelly-like vermicelli, raisins and cashew nuts. Presented in a modest cup, it is the perfect serving to round off a hearty dinner. However, should you wish to stay on the leaner side, a cup of masala chai served with a dash of milk is another great way to end a splendid evening at Tharavadu.

The menu is reasonably priced, with many dishes designed to share - if you can be so reasonable. Tharavadu also offers a great lunch deal from Tuesdays to Fridays. For a mere £5, you will receive Thali – a selection of three curries, a side dish, rice, dosa and an assortment of chutneys.

Now in its fourth month, it is already firing up the Indian cuisine scene. Describing themselves as ‘a change to the normal curry house’, their regularly updated menu ensures this restaurant is definitely without peer. The staff are amiable and attentive. And the food? Utterly authentic and wholly honest. Simply put: delicious.

[Charlotte de Drouas]

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Interview: Activities Exec We interview LUU’s Activities Exec Fiona Metcalfe on how to help your society.

What does your job involve?

My job is to oversee the 300 plus clubs and societies and to help and facilitate them to be the best that they can.

Why do you think it is important for students to join a society?

They are a fantastic way to make friends, meet like-minded people and to discover what your passions are. They also give you valuable transferable skills. I gained a lot more skills that I could take into the workplace through experience with societies than I did on my course.

Have you got any specific plans this year to build and increase the popularity of societies?

In comparison to this time last year, we already have 1,100 more people signed up, so we are already doing really well. By the end of last year we had over 20,000 memberships, I would like to build on that.

Do you have any specific tips for choosing a society?

I would look at the GIAG programme, because that shows sessions which are either heavily discounted or free, so you aren’t committing to the sign up fees which can build up. You can go and have a taste of different ones and then choose your

favourites.

Do you have advice for societies on how to promote themselves?

Social media is where everyone is. Utilise the Union platforms. You can have you posters on the big A-zero boards, and the television screens in the Terrace and the Union foyer where you can advertise for free. You can get overloaded with flyers and I think people often pick them up and put then straight in the bin.

I am hoping to talk to the guys in the Edge and get the student radio bookmarked onto the machines to see how we can utilise the machines in there to advertise societies.

Working with halls of residences is good as well. And the student radio, the student paper...Lots of ways!

How can societies get in touch with you?

I have my surgery hour 2-3 on Monday so if you have any questions for me come in then. I am really willing to listen and keen to help out, but I can only do that if I know about the problems.

[Maddy Keating]

Best Booze Bargains Stop wine-ing, here’s Wine Soc’s list of cheap and tasty wines for under £10.

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Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Cotes du Rhone Red £7

Aldi’s Toro Loco Tempranllo Red £3.75

In The Middle

3 4

Cono sur Bicicleta Light red £6.99

Pecheron Grenache Rose £6.99

5 6

Ca di Ponti Cataratto White £6

Casa Maria Verdejo White £6

Wine Soc meet Tuesdays, 7.30pm in LUU Room 4.

Membership: works on a tiered-sustem from £8 - £60 a semester.

Next GIAG: Chamapagne Masterclass 14th Oct, 8.30 pm LUU Room 6.

Society

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Calendar Events 17th October

18th October

19th October

20th October

21st October

22nd October

23rd October

5-7pm

11am-2pm

8.30am-7pm

6-8.30pm

7-10pm

4-8pm

6-8pm

Wing Chun GIAG. LUU Room 6. Free.

Learn to defend yourself in this Chinese martial arts class.

6-8pm Eastern European GIAG. Common Room.

Free. Get the Eastern European experience with traditional food and dancing.

Yoga GIAG LUU Room 4. £2.

Relieve your postfresher blues with this intensive 3 hour session.

5-8pm People and Planet Capture the Flag GIAG. Outside the Union. Free.

Relive your childhood playing this classic game on campus.

Gliding Aviation GIAG. Meet at Parkinson steps. £29.

Only for those with a head for heights.

1.40-7pm Sushi Making with Veg Soc. Meet at Parkinson steps. Free.

Add some variety to your diet and learn to make these tasty bites.

HerCampus Pamper Evening. LUU Room 1.

Free.

Enjoy a relaxing evening of beauty treatments and cake with friends.

7.30-11pm ‘Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s Punk Soc’. Old Bar. Free.

A night for all Punk fans, from ska to hardcore.

MathSoc Pub Quiz.

Terrace. £1.

Are you a Mathlete or a Plastic? Find out by testing your knowledge at this quiz.

6-8pm Discover South Asia.

Business School SR G.31. £2.

Explore the culture’s delicacies in an evening of food and dance.

Karting with Motor Soc. Meet at PPIK Leeds. £23.

If you have a need for speed get your adrenaline rush Go Karing.

7-9pm

FabSoc does Bingo.

Common Room. £1.

Come along for the chance to win lots of pizes.

8-10pm

Swing Dance Trial Indoor Rock GIAG. LUU Room 6.

Climbing. The Edge.

Free. £3.

Swing back to the 30s Test your nerve and and 40s in this taster strength climbing to class for all levels. the top.

[Carina Derhalli and Maddy Keating]

Society Snaps Harry Potter Sorting Ceremony Tense atmosphere as members waited for their turn. photo: Sam Lewis

LSTV Live Game Show Speed-dating experience of every aspect of filming, broadcasting and presenting a TV show.

photo: Sam Broadley

Wine Soc’s David vs. Goliath Wines A relaxed evening of blind-tasting 16 wines as participants slowly got redder in the face! photos: Sam Broadley

In The Middle

Society

23

Know shit, Sherlock

unwittingly positively alarming. The possibility that someone might be interested enough in you to make those judgements somehow triggers an Orwellian fear.

Unplucked eyebrows, uncut hair, a hole in a jumper, broken shoes, a streaky fake tan, an uneven shave – these are the sort of things you leave unchecked, you console yourself with the thought ‘nobody will notice’, ‘people have better things to worry about’. But not everybody. Not all people. Those narrow eyed inquisitors see everything. Down to the last nose hair.

It’s bad enough to think they might notice the personal indiscretions you know are there, but assume others aren’t aware of. But what about the details even you can’t see? What will they deduce from those?

I am not instinctively observant. My natural disposition is probably akin to something like a pebble at the bottom of a stream, most things endlessly rushing over my head. Without making an effort, drastic changes in my immediate surroundings go totally unnoticed – a friend’s new car, a new shop on my road, mother’s haircuts – that sort of thing.

Until an occasional lump of driftwood would come along and knock me over the head, I was very happy in my watery oblivion.

As a result, observant people always scared the bejesus out of me. I found the idea that they might turn their beady eye on to me as I gambolled about

You console yourself with the thought ‘nobody will notice’, But not everybody.

Thosenarrow-eyed inquisitors see everything. Down to the last nose hair.

It’s a bit like a super-power, perceptiveness. Take Sherlock Holmes – essentially, the Victorians’ favourite super hero. I’m pretty sure he even wears a cape. Or a capey-coat at least, so my analogy still stands. Holmes’ superior perceptive abilities are such that he can take advantage of the tiniest aesthetic betrayal. Probably not most accurately described as a modest chap, the man still never claimed to have magical powers or superhuman aptitudes. Only a ‘natural scepticism and inquisitiveness towards the world.’

We make deductions all the time – some are more obvious than others. I remember friends telling me once about the One Night Stand Game they used to play. Sitting in the front yard of a house on Brudenell Road on a Saturday morning, they would try to spot the unfortunate souls scampering home in last night’s get-up. Boys are harder to spot so you get bonus points.

Trying to figure people out is a natural instinct.

For some more than others, yes – but if you make an effort, it’s surprising what you can correctly surmise.

A little smear of green paint behind the ear of a friend in combination with a slightly croaky voice might lead you to question whether they went on an Otley Run the day before.

I’m loving this new found deduction technique, but I will offer a word of warning. Exercise with caution.

Linear scars on the hands and small cuts along the knuckles could be an indicator of a person’s new foray into baking (oven burns and nicks from lemon zest grating) – but it could equally mean a penchant for cage fighting. So before you strike up a conversation about the Bake Off final on the night bus, you might want to be absolutely sure of the assumptions you make. [Ellie Parkes]

When snacks attack looking at you snack-a-jack minis), that desire to feel ill and guilty after every meal is back with a vengeance. Those long displays of Dip Dabs and discount kettle chips they have running alongside the queues in shops? They were made specifically to trap me. I arrive at the till, arms heaving and eyes crazed, shove a £10 note into the cashiers face and flee into the night in a cloud of sherbet.

As you can tell, my diet and I are not completely in tune with each other. But we’re managing, we’re making do. We’re getting along just fine. Then into this satisfactory arrangement comes an ugly presence. The words “Great to Share” linger over me like a judgemental relative,solidifying my shame into one nifty marketing phrase.

Around this time of year, whether because of the turn in the weather, or the rush of homesickness from not having seen my mum for two months, my consumption of “snack foods” really hits its peak. Snack foods are inescapable. I’m talking crisps, biscuits, sweets, those little versions of biscuits that pretend to be sweets because they’re in a bag, cereal, chocolate. My dependence on Kinder Beaunos has taken over my life. Now nothing tastes right unless it’s filled with a sickly hazelnut mousse.

I arrive at the till, arms heaving and eyes crazed, shove a £10 note into the cashiers face and flee into the night in a cloud of sherbet.

That’s not fun! I’m not having fun! You mean five Maltesers in a packet the size of a baby’s fist. The fist that a baby is shaking in anger because even it wants more Maltesers because five is not enough Maltesers. Since when was having having less of something considered more fun? I’ll try that logic on my tutors. ‘Oh this essay isn’t under the word count. It’s FUN SIZE!’ Don’t worry everyone, think you’re not having enough sex? WRONG. You’re having a FUN SIZE sex.

We get enough judgement and stress about our eating habits from the media, our friends, our rapid weight-gain, our doctors.

We don’t need the food itself acting like we’re doing it wrong. It’s not like the dietary information, which, let’s be honest, I should probably be checking. These little additions are totally pointless: nobody appreciates their input. So ignore the slogans and have a good, self-depreciating laugh about refusing to share a share-bag of Minstrels. Because the only acceptable portion for you in this world is the portion you choose for yourself. Up to and including that phase where you have to lie down and not move in case you vomit.

I have a real issue with the portion control imposed upon me by the pointless words printed on packets. Oi, Cadburys, you’ve made the Dairy Milk now piss off. You have no business telling me how much of it is acceptable to eat in one sitting. Those Pringle adverts where it’s a group of attractive people all sharing a tube at a party?

RIDICULOUS. The only way to enjoy Pringles is alone in a dark room, Naturally. [Jen Pritchard] with scissors nearby to hack open the tube when you can no longer After spending summer conscientiously reach your pudgy hand to the bottom. eating dried fruit, nuts and fake crisps (I’m And then you get the unmitigated disgrace that is “Fun Size”.

In The Middle

Columns

I’d say success is really driven because of my mum, I’m doing it for her - I’m a big mummy’s boy.” - Mike Humans of Leeds