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DITOR’S LETTER Ah, a magazine – how millennial of us. What a ballsy thing to do in this dying economy. But hey, that’s what we do best, right? Waste money on avocados, student fees and anything else currently overpriced. But that’s the thing. There’s a lot of misconceptions about the younger generation. We’re all lazy, self-entitled and uncommitted, yeah? Well actually, some of the most driven individuals I’ve ever met are part of the current youth generation. In fact, this magazine was made by this very generation. Condescend youngsters – remind them of their stupidity, if you like, but they’re going to be in charge one day. And Misfit realise that. We want to do something about it. It’s time to inform people about the big things. Not just the latest fashion trends and fad diets, but the unreported issues
that really matter. Why aren’t more people talking about gun violence, or lad culture? Have you ever heard of the eating disorder diabulimia? Misfit belong off the grid. We aren’t interested in following the norm, and you shouldn’t be either.
Look out for our easter eggs! We want to thank you for buying a print copy of Misfit magazine by giving you access to extra content online too. We’ve scattered a couple of codes throughout this magazine – if you find one, type it into the Misfit Extras section of our online website to unlock extra content. Have fun.
Juliet Sawyer Editor in Chief
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ONT ENTS Opinion
8.The Truth of Working in Retail 14. We Need to Talk About Lad Culture 25. Why is Gun Violence Still a Problem in the USA? 30. There’s a Difference Between Feminism and Man Hating
Lifestyle
12. 8 Million Tons of Plastic 22. Diabulimia 32. Vegan Brownies
Culture
34. Music’s Young Gun: Billie Eilish
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THE TRUTH OF WORKING IN RETAIL Words Lauren Sawyer
Somebody at work told me she thought everyone should have to work in retail at least once in their lives. And I guess I can see what she means. When I think about it, after working in retail for almost three years now, you can almost always tell when you meet someone who hasn’t. (Trust me. We know). Most of the time, it’s pretty clear to us when someone has never worked in customer service. Because frankly, if you had, you wouldn’t be so rude. Working in retail can be funny because a lot of the people who end up doing it aren’t necessarily there by choice. What I mean by this is a lot of us just wanted some cash while at university, or needed a job at the time, or just happened to never leave. Of course, that doesn’t apply to everyone. There are people who are actually passionate about the business.
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But, after a while you start to notice certain things that people do. For example, how many times do you think I hear someone say, “can you believe I only came in for the milk?” as they unload of mountain of shopping, or “that one must be free today!” when a product doesn’t scan first time. Cue my fake laughter for the thousandth time.
The thing about people is they all act pretty much the same. They all say similar things, have the same little mannerisms and habits. I go the whole day saying the same greetings, pressing the same buttons, doing the same actions, over and over again. Of course, it is my job after all. It’s what I’m paid to do. But it does get very repetitive.
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Sometimes, I don’t think my brain even registers what I’m scanning through, like I’m on autopilot. You could put a small child and a live alligator on the conveyer belt – doubt I’d even notice. 18-year-old Anna told me, “people get really embarrassed when they do things like forget their purse but it happens all the time. We’ve seen it all before, nothing anyone does could surprise me”.
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Opinion
That’s why it’s so nice when you get a friendly customer. Or one of your ‘regulars’ – you know, people you can actually have a conversation with and remember stuff about, rather than just repeating lines at like a robot. It’s weird how much you get to know about some people. I don’t even know your name, but I know you had chicken fajitas for tea last Thursday. It’s strange knowing so many random facts about people. Believe it or not, there are some people who don’t complain about store polices that you personally have no control over (I mean, I’m not the manager). And who don’t leave their rubbish with you (my till is not a bin) or continue shopping when the store is clearly closed (some of us have a bus to catch, you know). And people who don’t speak on the phone through the whole transaction (how about you ask me yourself if you want a bag, instead of snapping your fingers?). Of course, I am exaggerating a bit. Most people are fine and nice and polite. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t seen colleagues be told by a customer “maybe one day you’ll have a real job” despite doing a degree at the same time. Nearly half of students in the UK work part time as well, and 1 in 7 have a fulltime job while they study. I’ve heard colleagues be referred to as ‘it’, as if we suddenly don’t count as a normal human being as soon as we put our uniform on. 24-yearold Bethany told me, “I’ve had customers swear at me, ram their trolley into me and even throw cups of drink at me”. And one thing I cannot stress enough is asking for proof of age is not me purposely going out of my way to annoy you. I’m doing my job. It’s the law. If you think I’m about to just ‘let one slide’ and risk having to pay a fine or even lose my job, just because you want a cheeky
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Bulmer’s, think again. Especially if I’ve had a particularly bad day, if I see a customer I know can be a pain, I’ll purposely avoid serving them. If you’re a customer who’s previously been rude to another member of staff, we’ll know (trust me, we all know who you are). 20-year-old Matt says, “If I ever have a bad customer, it’ll put me in a bad mood for the whole day”. I’ve been yelled at so many times now I’m practically immune. Swearing at me won’t get you very far. Being rude will not help you get what you want.” And never underestimate the small power we have. It’s only small, but remember, I can always tell you your coupon doesn’t seem to be scanning (I guess you can’t get your 20% after all), or give you your change in the most inconvenient way possible (are coppers alright for you?). But no matter how much I’ve rambled on about working in retail, it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s important to know that most of what I have just said doesn’t apply to the majority of customers. Most people are decent and don’t look down on you. They see a person rather than a uniform. They talk about something other than the weather. Those people who tell me to have a nice day, before I even say it: you are my favourite kind of people. I know, I know. I must have really sold it. I bet you’re just dying to apply for a job at your local supermarket right now. But apart from getting paid obviously, I’d say giving a woman some flowers because she mentioned it was her birthday, seeing those parents with the cute baby that come in every week, and not to mention working with a group of lovely people: it can make it all worthwhile.
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Lifestyle
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8 million tons
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LAD CULTURE
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LA DS L LADS Everyone loves a lad. What would uni life be without the classic lad crew? Or a night out perhaps? They’re no harm. Just a bit of fun. But there’s a problem here. You see, given the opportunity, I am for the extinction of the over-hyped, toxic culture that comes with lads.
I like to laugh just as much as anyone else, but I’m concerned with the sense of humour that surrounds lad culture. I’m concerned with humour that has the purpose of making people feel uncomfortable. While a lad’s ‘locker room talk’ may be brushed off – or simply encouraged by his pals – there’s a point where enough is enough. There’s only a number of times I can hear rape jokes before thinking, ‘was this ever funny?’
Many lads are kind people when alone, yet drop them amongst their rugby team and he’ll start bellowing sexist chants and cheer along to alcohol induced groping attempts in nightclubs. Something they wouldn’t normally do is suddenly acceptable, in an attempt to ‘outlad’ their pack.
Cardiff Physics and History rugby team were one of many last year to join the ‘pull of pig’ bandwagon. They proposed a “fuck a fatty competition” at one of their socials in their Facebook group, which was aimed at those able to handle “higher poundage girls.” How the hell does any decent person look at a fat girl, killing it on the dance floor, and think, ‘this is a great opportunity to intimidate somebody, for nothing more than a few pats on the back from fellow fuckboys.’
These games are built around their shock factor. You are not doing this as a compliment. You are doing this to embarrass somebody. Is your masculinity so fragile that any female, who doesn’t meet your sexist, narrow-minded standards, must be degraded? News flash: some girls aren’t interested in you. You think that anyone you’d rate under a 10/10 needs to be mocked, rather than realising the fact that she probably doesn’t give a shit about you. She doesn’t need your attention to know she’s desirable. And here’s another thing: don’t assume every girl you offer a drink wants one. Don’t assume every girl you invite home
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wants to join you. We talk about cliques and hierarchies for girls, but the lads may as well be the queen bees for men – the ones who believe everyone wants a taste of them.
Whether it be because you aren’t single, you’re only out for dance with the girls, or you just don’t bloody want to go home with him, any declines are typically followed by some rude “you’re an ugly slut anyway” sort of comment. Any indication that you cannot be their possession causes them to step all over you. Pardon me for bruising that fragile ego of yours. This is why, too much of the time, lad culture has become a breeding ground for sexism, homophobia, and similarly vile ways of thinking. What was once just considered fun and games can kick start an array of instances of hate crime and sexual assault.
Opinion
There is a very fine line. On one side of the line is the nice, funny guy – he’s confident, talks politely to your mum, and he’s a gentleman. On the other side of the line is the misogynist. The lad stands firmly on this line. He has sexist tendencies, but isn’t labelled as an asshole because he makes us all laugh.
Take the cruel ‘pull a pig’ prank that seemed to blow up last year. This is a game in which lads try to hook up with the least attractive girl they can find on a night out – typically this is also an overweight person.
You may have heard about the racism scandal at Exeter University, March of this year. The law society’s group chat contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. “Two years on and this is still the funniest wrong chat” a member wrote. Well I’m glad to hear you’re all howling with laughter, over comments concerning a “race war” and jokes regarding “bomb[ing] the mosques”. I’m sure you’re all cackling away at your proposed plan to “go for a South Africa social; means we can add in gang rape.” Hilarious.
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LADS In response to the exposure of this group chat, Matthew Bell is the only member to comment. He stated, “I would like to make it publicly known that I do not honestly believe any of the things I have said.” Well thank god for that. He didn’t mean any of it – it’s alright, everyone. No harm done. Only one problem though: why the hell do you feel the need to say such disgusting things if you don’t support them?
Opinion
You may see their comments as little more than a joke, but these people are training at one of the UK’s best universities to work in the justice system. I don’t see anything particularly justified about the “dodgy blokes soc” group chat. Call yourself the class clown if it makes yourself feel better, but no good punchline ever ended in ‘I was only joking.’
Firstly, education is needed. There must be more information about consent, safe sex and respect. Current sex-ed lessons seem to do little more than show confused teens how to put a condom on a banana. The emotional side is just as important. Last year, The Tab discovered Bristol and Oxford were the only universities that made sex-ed compulsory. There’s a bigger picture, though. When it comes to pointing fingers at your local university’s rugby team, we have to remember that we all have a responsibility. Call somebody out if they’re overstepping boundaries. Don’t be a
There’s an infectious disease spreading, where one person gets away with this sort of behaviour and so everyone else feels free to join in. What would be considered inexcusable out of context is brushed off because it’s just part of ‘boys will be boys’ culture. All of a sudden, people are getting away with things that just aren’t okay. One in three female students experience sexual assault or abuse while at university. Last year, Buzzfeed’s investigation found that an average of 23 rapes or sexual assaults are reported each week, at pubs and clubs in England and Wales. That sound bad? Well, the figure is actually higher than that, with many assaults not even being reported. If only there were a way to stop this… oh wait… there is.
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bystander. And don’t do it yourself.
We’re all grateful for our freedom of speech – don’t get me wrong – but just because you can say something, that doesn’t mean you should. Just because you can call that girl a slag for not wanting a drink from you, that doesn’t make it okay to do so. There are plenty of things to joke about, and perhaps groping and catcalling aren’t one of them. If your laddy friend’s ego is fuelled by authoritative opportunities to belittle people, don’t give him a high five for his smooth banter. Tell him where to stick it.
Words Juliet Sawyer
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THIS IS NOT JUST A PAGE Misfit - Issue 1
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Sometimes we don’t see ourselves quite right right
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Cut this part of page off
cut page here
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Diabulimia Words Juliet Sawyer
Lifestyle
D
espite not officially being a medically recognised condition, diabulimia is a very real disease. Based on the words diabetes and bulimia, it refers to an eating disorder which can develop in type one diabetics. Type one diabetes is (currently) an incurable condition, where the body stops producing insulin. Unlike type two, there is no link to lifestyle and we don’t really know what causes it. We all know the struggle that comes with eating disorders and food. For many, it’s a constant battle between tackling hunger and maintaining control. But imagine if you could eat whatever you wanted, no matter the calorie content, and not only would you not put on any weight, you’d actually start losing it. This is what happens if type one diabetics stop taking their insulin. How? Diabetics inject insulin when they eat, as this is the hormone responsible for breaking your food down into energy. If we avoid taking insulin, sugar can’t be used
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and just builds up in our blood. Our body knows it must find an alternative to get energy, so it burns our fat. It’s the perfect diet, right? Well no. As eating disorders go, there’s no nice one. I’m not going to invalidate anyone else’s experiences, but there is an aspect of diabulimia which is really, really concerning. And that’s the domino effect it causes, spiralling out in to more and more life-threatening complications. The thing about diabulimia is that you’re battling all the typical problems that come with an eating disorder – weight loss, mental health problems etc. – but on top of that, you are trying to manage a chronic illness. Those with diabulimia must neglect their diabetes, in order to restrict their insulin intake and lose weight, which then leads to more problems. When our body burns fat, this makes a by-product called ketones. Ketones are a bit of a code red when it comes to diabetes. They’re the reason I’ve had days off of work, stumbling disorientated to the bathroom to be sick again. But it doesn’t stop there. Ketones are a short-term consequence to high blood levels, but what about the long term? Diabetics who stop taking their insulin suffer bad blood control, and over time this can cause some serious complications. We’re talking blindness, kidney failure, amputations – all the good stuff. So why the hell is such a worrying condition barely recognised? This is a condition which patients have died from, surrounded by eating disorder specialists, because they aren’t grasping links between body image and
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insulin. I get it – this is a rather specific situation, which we aren’t all at risk of. But that isn’t a reason to neglect those who do need help. 60% of female type one diabetics have experienced an eating disorder by the age of 25. There is only one charity in the UK for support with diabulimia, which is Diabetics With Eating Disorders (DWED). It was launched in 2009 by Jacqueline Allan, after the death of her friend as a result of the condition. I think the most worrying part is how bad things have to get before people actually turn around a say, “hmmm, I think there’s a pattern occurring here…” For the past 30 years, the number of women suffering from diabulimia has been fairly stable. However, what Jacqueline – founder of DWED – describes quite rightly as “really terrifying” is the rise in the number of men with diabulimia. Only 1% of male type one diabetics were said to be suffering in the 1990s.
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The latest study in Canada has seen this number rise to 11%. There are many diseases much worse than diabetes. But it is always there. You never get a day off from diabetes. Everything affects your blood levels, from food and alcohol, to stress and adrenaline. Even somebody with the best control will have highs and lows because that’s just how it works. And the pressure to control that – to steer away from complications – can be pretty hard hitting. So, I can understand why people say sod this. It’s so easy to just miss out an injection, and that’s why there needs to be more support in place for people taking a wrong turn.
We’ve got a way to go. And if people realised this, that would make a big difference. Just being able to take these patients seriously – to acknowledge diabulimia – would be step one to helping a patient. Don’t assume that somebody is just being a drama queen. “Stop being stupid, just take your insulin” is about as insensitive as telling an anorexic, “stop being stupid, just eat.” It’s not that simple.
The fact that this disease is not officially recognised in the medical world is deeply disturbing. It’s not just inconvenient – it’s costly. People cannot be formally diagnosed as a diabulimic, and this stalls treatment for a serious, lifethreatening condition. In fact, Jacqueline explains how there’s hatred around the name ‘diabulimia’ as it can be seen as a confusing title. “Eating disorders and diabetes are seen as very different conditions,” she explains. While patients use diabulimia as a way to lose weight, it isn’t necessary for them to starve themselves. Patients aren’t ticking the same boxes as an anorexic or bulimic. And this can cause a lot of misunderstanding. “I’ve had people say I can’t have diabulimia because I’m not making myself sick,” says Jacqueline.
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But despite misinformation, Jacqueline adds, “you’ve got to respect what the patients want to call it.” Diabulimia was first said by patients around 10 years ago, but it isn’t a new thing. “The act of omitting insulin has always been done, it’s just taken time for it to have a name attached to it.”
Misfit made a video about life as a type one diabetic with a catch. Only those who have purchased a print magazine can unlock the video, by using the code below. Go to the Misfit Extras section of our online website and away you go! Code: Dia6etic6609
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Opinion
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here’s only one way of putting it: far too many shootings have happened in the USA. Pulse nightclub, Parkland high school – they’re all adding up. These awful events should be horrific historical points, and yet their regular occurrence presents them as just another statistic.
Opinion
Let me tell you something sickening. Shootings may be even more regular than you think. The media will tell you when the most catastrophic ones happen, but actually the USA experiences mass shootings on the daily. You can even see it yourself at the Gun Violence Archive online. With each tragedy comes another speech from Trump, offering his condolences. But to be quite frank, I couldn’t care less for his kind words. If he really cared, why is the man in charge of this country
doing nothing about it? Of course, there’s the point that America gets money from the weapons. Last year, the amount of annual federal tax dollars collected from firearm sales was reported to be $123 million. What is also worth mentioning is the estimated $2.8 billion in hospital expenses used to treat USA gunshot victims the same year. Other than that, pardon me for putting people’s lives before money. Emma Gonzales, one of the survivors of the Parkland school shooting, has rightfully pointed fingers at the Politicians who send their sincerest apologies, yet have close connections to the NRA (National Rifle Association). In her speech which went viral, she said, “if the cut President wants to come out up to me and tell me to my face that it was a
terrible tragedy and how it should never have happened, and maintain telling us how nothing is going to be done about it, I'm going to happily ask him how much money he received from the National Rifle Association.” The thing is, despite what people argue, the Parkland shooter would not have caused the amount of damage he did if he was armed with a knife. Or any mass shooters, for that matter. I’ve heard people say countless times that the one thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun. But is this not missing the big picture? What’s better: getting cured from an illness, or being vaccinated against it in the first place? Regaining all the goods you lost in a burglary, or not being robbed to start with? Going along with this pattern, dare I say that instead of shooting a killer, we should cancel the situation out by taking guns out of the equation. We aren’t going on a hunch here. Plenty of nations practise gun control, including the UK. Australia had a mass shooting on the 28th of April 1996. Martin Bryant shot 35 people dead and injured another 18. Not a nice thing to do, right? Well Australia didn’t think so either, and they banned the use of semi-automatics and other military style weapons. They have had zero mass shootings since. The Parkland high school shooting, on the 14th of February 2 0 1 8 , w a s
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Misfit - Issue 1 carried out with an AR-15 rifle. This semi-automatic weapon has no place in the hands of the public. It’s not even necessary for hunting, where the point is to kill your prey in one shot. This gun fires bullet after bullet after bullet. But it’s not just rifles that need to go. Take handguns, for example – they are used in more USA shootings than any other weapon. The Virginia Tech shooting, which is currently the USA’s deadliest school shooting, was the result of a handgun. What is just as worrying is the availability of these guns. In 33 states, no background check is needed to buy a gun from a private seller. A 13-year-old in Virginia was turned away from buying beer, cigarettes, adult magazines or a scratch card, but successfully purchased a rifle within minutes. Now that’s messed up.
method of defence. But if you need it for protection, you are admitting that they are also a threat. You know guns are bad, you just believe that you with one is better. Let’s not turn this into an ego contest. Just admit that no guns are a safer option than relying on somebody having a better shooting ability than the killer themselves. With change being pretty non-existent, the responsibility has come down to the students. Parkland school survivors are at the forefront of March For Our Lives movement. On the 24th of March, their protest had at least 1.2 million people
The only thing Trump has so much as blinked in the direction of is the prospect of arming teachers in schools. A tweet of his stated that teachers “must be firearm adept & have annual training.”
involved in the US. May I also add that Trump – the man in charge of this country, with a duty to address problems and take action – spent much of this day at his golf club. Fuel a generation with dystopian novels and The Hunger Game-esque movies, then wonder why they are so fearlessly standing up for the important stuff. They aren’t going to back down. Delaney Tarr, another Parkland school survivor, stated, “The pressure is on for every person in power, and it will stay that way. Because they know what is coming. They know that if there is no assault weapons ban passed, then we will vote them out.” Ultimately, I could throw every argument under the sun at this, but it doesn’t actually change the fact that there is a problem. Defend guns all you like, they are still responsible for avoidable deaths. Things are bad, and that should be enough.
Words Juliet Sawyer
Add more guns to the situation – that will go down well. What teacher, or parent, is going to look at the aftermath of a tragic school shooting, and want to put more guns into the mix? And for any who do, it’s not as simple as giving somebody a gun and hoping they have a better, faster aim than the shooter. Don’t put a teacher in that position when the scenario should not have to exist. Yes, a gun is a pretty good
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Opinion
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There’s a difference between feminism and man hating Words Georgia Williams
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Feminism - the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of equality of the sexes. That sounds pretty good, right? There’s nothing wrong with women (and men) wanting equal opportunities for women. However, there is something wrong with ‘man-hating’ or wanting to be the superior sex. ‘Equality’ is the word of focus here. The misuse of the word ‘feminism’ or ‘feminist’ has led to the perception that us activists all hate men, are vegans and don’t shave our armpit hair. I’ve witnessed this distorted image first hand. I was lucky enough to be a press photographer at Reclaim The Night, a march held nationally to make our streets safe for women and girls and protect them from violence.To me, this is a great idea. A chance to make women and girls feel ‘equally’ safe on the streets, a march supporting feminism… or so I thought. On first arrival, only positive things could be said. Men and women working together creating placards to stand up for women’s rights for equality. It wasn’t until I read some of the placards, my view changed on how some people perceive feminism. One of the placards read ‘Dead men can’t cat call’. Tell me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t this seem extreme? Surely, wishing death on men isn’t wishing for female equality, more like female superiority? The danger is, that an uneducated passer-by will read this sign and think that all feminist’s hate men. That doesn’t bode well for people pain-stakingly trying to campaign for equality. One of the fellow marchers. Emma Doulin, a social worker from Exeter said: “I felt uncomfortable, I thought that I was marching to campaign for women to have the same rights as men. I didn’t think I was entering into a man rant.”
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It seems that this ‘male-bashing’ isn’t just confined to marches. The Washington Post has found that many journalists are writing about it. “Things have gotten to a point where casual low-level malebashing is a constant white noise in the hip progressive online media. Take a recent piece on Broadly, the women’s section of Vice, titled, ‘Men Are Creepy, New Study Confirms’ — promoted with a Vice Facebook post that said: ‘Are you a man? You’re probably a creep.’ The actual study found something very different: that both men and women overwhelmingly think someone described as “creepy” is more likely to be male. If a study had found that a negative trait was widely associated with women (or gays or Muslims), surely this would have been reported as deplorable stereotyping, not confirmation of reality.”
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So, what is the public’s view on feminism? Is there a confusion about what it is? Buzzfeed recently conducted a survey, asking: if you are not a feminist, why? 66% of the people surveyed said they don’t feel that feminism accurately represents equality. Could this be because of said ‘man-haters’ who go against the true meaning of feminism? Is this bad perception altering people’s views? It seems that there’s a clear misunderstanding about what feminism is. Men and women are guilty of thinking that it’s the motivation to make females superior. That’s just not the case - this misinformation is unfair on true feminists who work tirelessly, campaigning for equal rights. Next time you claim to be a feminist, think about whether or not you’re preaching hate towards men. The reputation of feminist’s depends on whether people want to portray it by its definition. Are you a feminist?
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Vegan Brownies Misfit - Issue 1
You will need: 5 tablespoons sunflower oil – and a tad for greasing 200g dairy-free dark chocolate 170 g self-raising flour 3 heaped teaspoons cocoa powder 180g golden caster sugar salt – just a pinch 230ml unsweetened soya milk 200g pecan nuts
Method: Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Grease up a baking tin (we use a 20cm x 20cm one) with a bit of oil, then line with greaseproof paper. Put a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water – make sure the base isn’t touching the water!
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Bung 150g of chocolate into the bowl and allow it to melt. Put it aside to cool – we’ll come back to it later. Sieve your flour and cocoa powder into a big bowl. Add the sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir in the oil, soya milk and melted chocolate until combined (see, we didn’t
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forget about the chocolate). Go nuts! Add your pecans and the rest of the chocolate to the mix, before pouring into your tin. Whack in the oven for 20-25 minutes – you want them cooked on the outside, but still nice in gooey inside. Leave to cool for around 5 minutes… if you can resist.
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Culture
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BILLIE EILISH Words Juliet Sawyer
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Culture
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Misfit - Issue 1
t’s a small stage at Islington’s O2 academy, London, yet the crowd is swarming in. They spill out onto the sides of the bar, cameras already in hand. An eager atmosphere is building up, as LA’s latest prodigy is minutes away from her final show on her first tour ever.
Culture
In an eruption of cheers and screams, a girl struts onto stage wearing shades and a yellow puffer coat. She jumps straight into her sassiest tune, Copycat, convincing everyone in the venue that she is a big deal. Maintaining her don’t-messwith-me poker face, she sings, “I don’t belong to anyone but everybody knows my name.” This is common attitude for anyone paving their way in the music industry – the most impressive part, however, is that she’s only 15. Billie Eilish has become a fascinating upand-coming artist, due to her young age and rapidly increasing career. A career she somewhat accidently fell into. At just 13, she uploaded the song Ocean Eyes onto SoundCloud, which was produced with musician brother Finneas O’Connell, in order to show her dance teacher for a choreographed routine. Pretty much overnight, a song recorded in her brother’s bedroom had gone viral, and she was signed to Interscope Records. The thing about Eilish is that she could quite easily come across as a spoiled brat, naively bragging about her fame at such a young age. But she doesn’t. In fact, in a lot of ways she’s surprisingly mature. She sings with intense emotions about guilt, betrayal, love – stuff no youngster should know about. And yet her lyrics are so convincing that you have no choice but to take her seriously. She recently explained
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to Harper’s Bazaar magazine, “Of course someone older has gone through more than maybe somebody who’s 15 … But that doesn’t mean they haven’t felt that pain or that love. You can be any age to feel anything, really.” As she treats her audience to a new, unreleased song, Listen, all is quiet and an almost vulnerable, soft voice still manages to dominate the room. Next up, she’s dancing to My Boy, her trappy tune which seems to be a middle finger to an ex. Regardless of the nature of the song, Eilish holds your attention. This may have been Eilish’s first tour, but she knows how to keep the crowd on their toes. Announcing the end of the show without singing one of her most popular songs, Bellyache, she darted off stage before anyone could argue otherwise. Moments later, she reappeared, grinning as she said, “fooled you.” Her music is good. Why? It’s just refreshing. Bouncing from electro-pop to grime tainted hip-hop, Eilish isn’t tied to a certain genre. Or perspective for that matter – Bellyache, for example, written by Eilish and her brother, is from the view of a psychopath. “Sitting all alone, mouth full of gum, in the driveway,” she sings. “My friends aren’t far. In the back of my car, lay their bodies.” The lyrics can be intense, perhaps painting Eilish as quite an intimidating individual. But surprisingly the girl with an EP named Don’t smile at me was very happy and approachable, while socialising with fans after the show. Within less than 24 hours of this successful gig, Eilish has already announced her return to London in February, performing at Heaven. A slightly bigger venue. For a slightly bigger artist by then, I’m sure.
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Yep, you’ve found another easter egg! If you’d like to see some of the video footage Misfit took at Billie Eilish’s gig, you can use the code below at the Misfit Extras section of our online website. Code: Bill27382
Misfit - Issue 1
Culture
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Misfit - Issue 1
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Misfit - Issue 1
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Misfit - Issue 1
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