THE WORLD IS YOURS
April 2016 - n째 13 - www.lebonbon.co.uk
Photographe : Flavien Prioreau www.flavienprioreau.com flavienprioreau@hotmail.com Modèle : Gaëlle Tollu
EDITO
Founder Jacques de la Chaise Business Development Vuk Levkovic Editorial Manager Margaux Décatoire Editors Benjamin Harvey and Taylor Viens Art Director Tom Gordon Graphic Designer Charlotte Duriez Contributors Elodie Hazelwood, Will Cox, Rob Swaine, Seki Lynch, Sonny Syah, Aisha Badmus, Alicia Streijffert, Ana Haya Sauvage, Chloé Hunt, Alexandre Terry Photographers Zac Dimitrov www.zdravkodimitrov.com Ella Hermë www.ellaherme.com Partnerships & Events margaux@lebonbon.co.uk Contact us hello@lebonbon.co.uk Le Bonbon Limited 21 London Terrace Hackney Road E2 7SQ – LONDON
Springtime is upon us and with it the inspiration to think optimistically about the dawn of summertime, to think about the budding flora, the awakening of wildlife from hibernation. The birth of opportunity that the sunshine affords. As twenty-somethings living in a city saturated with information, nuance and culture, the way we choose to live our lives is not based entirely upon our own decisions, it ebbs with the constant shifting of time. Unless we shut ourselves away from the way the city evolves, it’s billboards and work-driven, consumerist, mentality; we do not see it for what it truly is - an epic place in the most romantic sense of the word. This issue of Le Bonbon has been all about exploring the new. This issue of Le Bonbon will take you to a sunbathed studio where Tamzin Lillywhite crafts some creative leathers. You will feel the effortless coolness drawn from the fuzzy surfer sounds of Parakeet. All whilst sat, sipping at the delectable, sweet Le Bon Cocktail in-house mixologist Seki Lynch has designed for you, and if that’s not your speed we tempt you with East London Liquor Company’s finest spirit batches– as well as at-home brewing recipes. It is an issue where we invite you to look at the amazing place in which you live. You’ll taste the delicious creations of La Ferme’s farm-to-table kitchen, and have the opportunity to try some Northern Italian delicacies from La Polenteria. We wish you a pleasant April from everyone here at Le Bonbon. Don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers!
Benjamin Harvey and Taylor Viens
Advertising and enquiries Vuk@lebonbon.co.uk 079 8365 1644
1
IT'S BEEN A YEAR. IN YOUR FACE LONDON! LET'S CELEBRATE. 8TH OF APRIL 2016.
CONTENTS
04 2016
6
8
La Ferme
Tamzin Lillywhite
10
12
14
ELLC
Parakeet
The Roundhouse
16
28
30
La Polenteria
Tinder Trials
Le Bon Brewer
3
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LE BON TIMING
The D.I.Y. Art Market @ Epic Dalston The D.I.Y. Art Market is a celebration of London’s independent publishers and emerging/established artists, championing original and unique items an art market for lovers of all that is D.I.Y. and self published. Showcasing a curated selection of over 60 artists, it’s a great place to discover a new wave of publishers and artists, all exhibiting
Le Bon Birthday @ Number 90
and selling an eclectic range of original
Baby Le Bonbon London is growing up! We’ve
items.
blown out our first candle and eaten our cake.
Where : Epic Dalston, 13 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BH When : Sunday 10th April, 11:00am 06:00pm How Much : Free Entry
A year ago, Le Bonbon embarked on a journey across the Channel and decided to settle in East London. We’ve had fun, we cried, we drank, we danced, we met a huge amount of new and exciting people – and some less exciting people! So much has happened in one year, and none of this would’ve been possible without our beloved Bonboners. So… LET’S CELEBRATE TOGETHER!
Where : Number 90, Main Yard, 90 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN When : Friday 8th April 08:00pm – 04:00am How Much : £7 in advance - £10 O.T.D Timelapse # 2 @ Electrowerkz What if just for one night you could switch off and disconnect from your day-to-day life? Timelapse encourages you to do just that. Adding an artistic sense to London’s underground electronic music scene, Timelapse is perhaps more of a musical discovery than just a party. Timelapse’s second London episode will follow the same concept, but this time Michael Gracioppo and Salior & I will be stealing the limelight.
Where: Electrowerkz, 7 Torrens Street, Islington, London EC1V 1NQ When: Friday 15th April 11:30pm - 06:00am How Much: £10 5
LE BON COQ Text Taylor Viens Picture Jimmy Maury
Transport yourself to the French Countryside at La Ferme La Ferme London is an unpretentious farm-totable service that came as a remedy to the haute cuisine French mainstay restaurants of the capital. La Ferme offers everything one would expect from such a service: a warm and comfortable dining room filled with farming heirlooms and a rotating seasonal menu of traditional French dishes– all with a personal touch so frequently missed these days. Thanks to La Ferme, you don’t need to cross the Channel for quality cuisine sourced from the French countryside.
in Parisian wholesale markets,
is like entering a small family
along with his family and
business in Provence. True to
regional recipes to the bustling
its market heritage, the front
London market scene. Originally
door transports you into a
a collection of market stalls
lovely delicatessen replete with
supplying cheese, charcuterie
everything French: a wall of wines
and produce, La Ferme started
crafted from old crates from an
serving hot food– becoming well
orchard, a massive selection of
known for their Tartiflette and
pâtés, terrines and impossibly
Bourguignon (both now on the
delicious cheeses.
winter menu), and the kitchen was born.
Passing through the delicatessen into the dining room, the
Located on the Farringdon
first thing you’ll notice is the
Road end of Exmouth Market,
hundred-year-old farming
this is the first fixed premises
equipment adorning the walls.
for the nascent restaurant.
Picture wonderfully aged leather
Its youth is not to be equated
goods, authentic gardening
with inexperience, however,
equipment with a century’s
as La Ferme’s owners have
patina, and lavender shudders–
been sourcing only the
all taken from François’ family
At the ripe age of 23, François
freshest ingredients– and it
home in the southwest of France.
Guerin brought his background
shows. Walking into La Ferme
This, paired with the terracotta
6
floors, the stylish and spartan
The products are carefully
is unfussy, quality French cuisine,
tables, and the lamps handmade
selected every morning so as
and they have fun doing it.
by one of the owners give the
to provide their evening diners
Every Monday La Ferme hosts
dining room an unpretentious
with the best, and seriously
a Jazz Night jam session for its
and elegant Provencal feel.
authentic, French gastronomical
diners, completely free of charge.
experience– or “bistronomic,”
They have a monthly wine tasting
If the atmosphere is what brings
the enthusiastic François likes
night and a set-lunch offer (for
you in, the food is what will make
to joke.
only £12.50– including a dessert!) that changes weekly for all its
you stay. The menu is seasonallyrotating, with all the meat and
La Ferme’s mission is to provide
neighbours. Not many have
produce sourced directly from
fair and true food to their
mastered the deli, restaurant,
the south of France. It always has
customers, and a testament
market stall combination– but it
four meat dishes, two fish and
to this is the rotating door of
is not hard to see why La Ferme
a vegetarian option– allowing
repeat customers, many of
London has been able to, with
everyone to find their own
whom claim it is the best (and
great success.
happiness amidst the seasonal
most reasonable) French cuisine
surprises. Indeed, having their
to be found in London. It is a
—
own line of importation (partly
taste of home for the city’s large
organic) is reflected in the
expatriated French community,
diversity and freshness of the
and a breath of fresh air into the
food, as well as in the price–
sometimes rigid French dining
reasonable for such a menu.
experience. Simply put: La Ferme
La Ferme London 102-104 Farringdon Road EC1R 3EA Tel: 020 7837 5293 lafermelondon.com 7
LE BON ART Text Taylor Viens Picture Max Barnett
The Autodidact Leathersmith While you will find Tamzin Lillywhite’s beautiful creations on the catwalk at your local fashion week, this leathersmith is cut from a different pattern. Classically trained under a country saddler, Tamzin polished her traditional leatherworking techniques at the University of Westminster Fashion School. All her pieces are handmade– down to the stitching– in her London studio, with only the highest quality, responsibly sourced British leathers. Her pieces have been popping up across the fashion industry, worn by Academy Award winning costume designer Sandy Powell and model Lara Stone.
mid-conversation knife strokes
Coco de Mer sell many of her
through quarter-inch thick
pieces.
leather, executed with a deft precision, illustrate her
Tamzin makes it all: sheaths
upbringing in a family that all use
for her gorgeous collection of
their hands to work. Perched
knives, leather skirts and shirts,
above the City, her studio–
bespoke commissions aplenty,
filled with inspirations from
and we even saw one of her
animal skulls to fully outfitted
famous harnesses in miniature
mannequins– is a chaotic dream
on the skull of a deer in her sun-
space that smells like just the
bathed studio. Something else
right amount of leather.
we saw in her studio for the first time: tutti-frutti colored harness
The luxurious leathersmith is
leathers à la 1920s Cartier; a new
seemingly fearless. Tamzin is
collection concept?
constantly pushing the limitations of leather, reinventing the
With her traditional style of work
material in almost every iteration
in saddlery leather and timeless
imaginable. Her hands-on
brass fittings, Tamzin brings
style led to the eponymous
old-school finery to her modern
brand that has worked across
collections. The collections
the fashion industry. In haute
take up to a year to design and
couture, Tamzin has sold
produce, and are inspired by cult
pieces at Selfridges and worked
classic films. The pieces from her
with designer Tom Ford. On a
‘Blade’ collection are so spot-on
Tamzin started working in
naughtier note, she has teamed
they looked like they walked out
leather when she was sixteen
up with many lingerie brands,
of the infamous blood rave scene
years old, and it shows. Her
notably Lascivious Lingerie, and
from the 1998 production. The
8
‘Predator’ and ‘Blade Runner’
more environmentally friendly,
and accessories that could
collections are creative to the
Tamzin fights the stigma around
compliment almost any outfit.
point that, had they’ve been
animal skins. To this end, she
created in the 90s, they surely
donates her excess leather
Keep an eye on Tamzin Lillywhite.
would have found their way into
to universities with fashion
Effortlessly humble, she also
the now notorious films.
programmes, and takes on
offers leatherworking classes in
‘waste’ leather from factory
her beautiful studio, available to
While film and costume design
leather farming. In fact, she
all levels of technical proficiency–
may be the future for the Tamzin,
uses the recycled leather to
where you can learn some tricks
the brand is still producing its
teach master classes at Central
of the trade and make your own
characteristically quality goods.
Saint Martins, London College
accessories!
Her entire line is fabricated
of Fashion and Northbrook.
from sustainably sourced,
Tamzin’s pieces also fight the
naturally tanned leathers– and
notion that leathers are only
is completely chemical free.
for the S&M crowd, making
Striving to make her practice
playful and inventive garments
—
www.tamzinlillywhite.co.uk IG: @tamzinlillywhite 9
10
LE BON DISTILLER Text Taylor Viens Photo Courtesy of ELLC
East London Liquor Company: Sensory Salvation East London Liquor Company is trying to bring locally produced spirits to London once again. Only two years old, the brand is expanding its production, and footprint, as more and more locals are biking or walking over to pick up a bottle, or to enjoy cocktails in the beautifully designed space.
salvation. The feel of hand-blown
including wood-fired oven pizza,
glass, the imposing copper stills
this is sure to be an amazing
in front of the canal, the light
spot– well worth the trek– for
smell of juniper dancing around
ice-cold Negronis, great food,
the room and the taste of some
and warm summer evenings (not
of the best gin to be found in
to mention distillery tours and
London. Producing around 600
tastings!). The outdoor expansion
bottles per batch, the company
will be matched in production,
has become a mainstay in the
and ELLC is adding something to
East End, and has been steadily
the spirits menu: whisky. For this
growing around the same ethos
you’ll have to wait unfortunately,
that gave it birth: to make great
as they’ve yet to release a batch,
products that are accessible
all aged on-site.
In an effort to bring distilling
while being innovative. They use
back to London’s East End,
100% British wheat in their small
We’re very excited about the
East London Liquor Company
batch productions, flavoured
expansion of ELLC, and who
produces and imports
with botanicals that are very
wouldn’t be? Their aesthetic is
handcrafted gin, vodka, rum and
much at home in an English herb
second only to the deliciousness
whisky. The company is located
garden, like bay, sage, thyme.
of their spirits.
Bow Wharf, and is far from your
ELLC has already expanded into
—
traditional Gin Palace.
Borough Market, and is now
in the old glue factory in historic
What a place. East London Liquor
location to double the outdoor
Bow Wharf 221 Grove Road, London, E3 5SN
Company (ELLC) offers sensory
area. Soon to offer a full menu
eastlondonliquorcompany.com
renovating their Bow Wharf
11
LE BON ETOILE Text Benjamin Harvey Picture Courtesy of Markio Doi
Parakeet makes music How do you talk about Parakeet without mention of Yuck, Billy Hayes or Stevie Pope, Wavves, The History of Apple Pie and Brooklyn NY? Without thinking about the muddy brown lapping shores of Bournemouth, Art Deco music halls, birds, fashion; D.I.Y., dry ice, ticket stubs and that quote by David Foster Wallace which has it that, “if you are immune to boredom, there is literally nothing you cannot accomplish.”
had me thinking it was a place
band mate James Thomas were
in which I would struggle to feel
set to fly out to New York where
comfortable, a setting just a few
they had a couple of shows lined
gauges apart from the ‘notice
up. “I think it’ll be pretty similar
me notice me’ attitude present
to here, maybe it’ll snow,” she
in other retrofit coffee houses
says as we sat and waited for
that have appeared in the many
Thomas to arrive.
old train arches, warehouses and sweatshops of East London. It
Formed in 2011 as an
didn’t help that I was ill prepared
independent project from
for the interview. I’d listened to
Yuck, The History of Apple Pie
a couple of tracks by the band
and Joya, Doi and Thomas’
but knew very little about where
separate projects respectively,
they had come from or where
they have never quite settled
they were going. Mariko was
on a set methodology. For
sat, wrapped in a colorful satin
their first release ‘Tomorrow’
jacket, her head sunk into her
which appeared on their debut
I met Mariko Doi at HURWUNDEKI
shoulders, the jacket pulled and
E.P that shares the name, Kid
off Cambridge Heath road. The
stretched to cover her hands like
Harpoon guitarist Jon Jackson
place had always intimidated me.
mittens, it would have made little
accompanied them. “We haven’t
Its community-based-project
difference if she were sat outside
really had a solid group. It’s like
aesthetic and the dense bulging
in the blithe early March winter
we are the main band and then
waft of expensive ground coffee
air. The following week Doi and
we just pick up people along
12
the way.” Thomas tells me when he arrives. Parakeet have this raw, sparse fuzzy pop sound, a composition of driving beats interplayed with Doi’s arresting vocals and miasmic surfer punk guitar noise. It's a surf culture full of aerials, sunshine and cut backs, tattoos and beach beers. It is both difficult and simple to place them. For sure they channel a communal influence from the likes of Veronica Falls, DIIV and stretching back further a dollop of Teenage Fanclub and Dinosaur Jr, but what sets them apart, it became clear through our conversation, is that there is no desire to present any kind of community practice to the world, what they do just kind of happens. A new single, ‘Sugar Rush’ taken from their imminent L.P Kasa has them kick down the doors and smash up your home until it flips into this eloquent chorus hook doused in melodic syrup, flicking the V to the ubiquity of shoe gaze noise bands. Parakeet makes music. With a number of dates lined up in London in the coming month, after the duo return from a stint playing shows in the U.S, most notably the hip kids festival SXSW, Parakeet will have you detained by their slick approach when playing live. Like a kind of collage, their hands-on D.I.Y. attitude is constantly evolving, never stilled and never complete, but lies ready in waiting. —
www.parakeetmusic. bandcamp.com 13
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LE BON CHARITY Text Elodie Hazelwood Photo Ellie Pinney
The Roundhouse, a place to grow Each year, the Roundhouse works with over 3,000 11-25 year-olds, helping them to realise their full potential through creativity. The Roundhouse aims to work with young people who have been excluded, marginalised or disadvantaged by society, aiding them to find pathways back into education, work or simply to enjoy a wider cultural life.
Much of this activity takes places
In addition to this, the
in the Paul Hamlyn Roundhouse
Roundhouse offers opportunities
Studios where there’s a range of
to secondary schools, colleges
brilliant facilities including media
and pupil referral units. The
production suites, band rehearsal
organisation also runs a free
rooms, media labs, a recording
Teacher’s Education Network
studio and the Bloomberg TV
for London based education
Studio. The Roundhouse Info
professionals of all art forms
Base is also a dedicated space
and phases to share knowledge,
inside the Studios where all
develop skills and seek advice
11-25 year olds taking part
on cultural and creative projects
in Roundhouse projects and
and opportunities for young
activities can get help and
people and schools.
support from a Youth Support A majority (60%) of the young
team.
Some young people who have taken part in projects at the
people who take part in programmes at the Roundhouse
Also housed in the Paul Hamlyn
Roundhouse have gone on to
are facing significant socio-
Studios is Roundhouse Radio – an
build brilliant careers in the
economic disadvantage. Where
online radio station. The station
creative industries. But others
they may have missed out
provides a platform for the next
take away something more
on experiences growing up
generation of radio talent to
fundamental than that,
the Roundhouse gives young
push the boundaries of music
entrepreneurial skills – improved
people the chance to thrive in
and speech radio. Since 2006
confidence and self-esteem,
a creative environment. This is
the youth-led station has given
stronger team-working skills, a
done through various drop-in
over 1,200 young people the
reduction in social isolation. And
sessions, projects and long-term
opportunity to learn technical
importantly, they’ve generated
courses in music, performing
radio skills, develop creativity
their own individual employment
arts, circus and digital. Courses
and get a foot into the radio
pathways.
range from music production to
industry. Each year the station
—
vocal coaching, devising theatre
is run by two Trainee Station
to writing poetry and radio
Managers – all of whom have
presenting to film production.
gone on to work in the industry.
More information: www.roundhouse.org.uk 15
LE BON GLUTEN FREE
La Polenteria offers Healthy Eating on the move
La Polenteria brings all the passion of Northern Italian cuisine to the heart of Soho. The recently refurbished restaurant is the first 100% gluten-free Italian kitchen in London, on a mission to show the city that healthy (and gluten-free) does not mean free of flavor.
La Polenteria’s goal is simple, to
but their homemade pastas and
promote healthy eating– without
ravioli are also very popular! As
sacrificing taste or tradition–
gluten-free eating grows more
for the tight schedule and the
prevalent in London, this unique
tight budget. In the restaurant’s
fusion restaurant (did we mention
sleek and simple dining room,
polenta is vegan?) is rapidly
you can expect a comfortable
growing, breathing a new life into
and casual dining experience.
old Italian classics. La Polenteria
The food is delicious, offering a
is also involved in the community:
novel fusion between tradition
sponsoring the Coeliac UK’s Virgin
and modernity, bringing all
Money London Marathon: offering
After twelve years in the financial
the passion for cooking and
a pre-theatre menu, as well as
sector, La Polenteria founder
community so characteristic of
work-lunch specials!
Gabriele Vitali wanted to get back
Northern Italian cuisine. On the
to his roots. In order to create
other hand, the state of the art
Text Will Cox
what would become his first
kitchen also embodies fast and
Photo Ella Hermë
foray into the restaurant world,
friendly cuisine in a perfectly-
—
Gabriele drew on his memories of
positioned balancing act –
eating polenta every week at his
without sacrificing any of the
grandmother’s communal table
taste, or health benefits!
in the hills of Bergamo. Now, the tradition lives on: giving you the
La Polenteria is the only
taste of the traditional Italian
restaurant in London to
dishes within Central London,
specialise in polenta, offering
a community that never stops
interesting takes on healthy,
moving.
fresh and homemade dishes–
16
64 Old Compton Street London W1D 4UQ Tel: 020 7434 3617 lapolenteria.co.uk
LA POLENTERIA
lindashakesby.com
Eastern vintage & FairTrade handicrafts
spring-summer collEction Free glass of wine*
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Gluten-free Italian Kitchen Phone : 020 7434 3617 64 Old Compton Street - London W1D 4UQ info@lapolenteria.com * Choose from Bardolino (red) or Pinot Grigio (white) / Only monday to thursday
meroretro.com
L'ERBOLARIO
Y O U R
AD
H E R E
Call!
Free samples Cosmetics & Beauty Phone: 020 3601 8130 106A Upper Street – London | N1 1QN erbolario.co.uk
079 8365 1644 vuk@lebonbon.co.uk
HUCKLETREE SHOREDITCH
AIDA £5 to spend in-store*
One day's free hotdesking Menswear - Womenswear - Homeware - Café Phone: 020 7739 2811 133 Shoreditch High St - London | E1 6JE aidashoreditch.co.uk * Minimum spend £30. Offer available in store only / Valid until 30/04/2016
Shared office spaces in London 8:30am to 8:30pm Alphabeta Building Triton Court, Finsbury Square, London huckletree.com
THE RESTORATION
10% off all home furnishings
Vintage – Furniture – Home accessories
CHOI’S
Free kid’s craft class*
Workshops - Bespoke Jewellery
Phone: 079 9057 3889
Phone: 077 2052 5199
Unit 1 Bouverie Mews, 2 Bouverie road
226 Bethnal Green Road - London E2 0AA
London | N16 0AJ
@ChoiChois
the-restoration.com
*Check schedule for “Kids craft day” on Choi Chois Facebook
OUI MAMAN Need a nanny? Register before 30.04.16
SIGNORELLI
Enjoy an afternoon tea
and get 15% off agency fees* French Nannies in London Phone: 020 7313 6582 26-36 Wharfdale Road - London N1 9RY contact@ouimaman.co.uk ouimaman.co.uk
Come with a voucher for a free glass of Prosecco Bakery - Pasticceria - Catering Phone: 020 8534 4972 7 Victory Parade, East Village - London E20 1FS ciao@signorelli.co.uk
* Placement made before 30.06.16, terms and conditions apply
STRIP WAX BAR
£50 off Laser courses or packages*
London’s N°1 hair removal specialist
APPESTAT
Enjoy a FREE coffee or tea with your BRUNCH Coffee – Delicatessen – Gallery
Phone: 020 3651 3600
Phone: 020 7226 5457
164 Upper street - London N1 1US
102 Islington High Street – London | N1 8EG
* Minimum spend of £500
appestat.co.uk
LA FERME
VINTERIOR
One Cocktail offered*
10£ off with promo code BONBON10
French products, delicatessen & restaurant
Vinterior
Phone: 020 7837 5293
The easiest way to BUY and SELL furniture with character
102-104 Farringdon Road - London EC1R 3EA
Find unique pieces from London’s best vintage
www.lafermelondon.com
boutiques and private collections
* On mondays starting from 7pm
vinterior.com
CONSERVATORY ARCHIVES
UDDERLICIOUS ICE CREAM
Free plant*
Flavour of the month Competition
Invent a flavour on our website*
Vintage goods – Plantae Phone: 077 8552 2762
Home Made Ice Cream in Islington
493-495 Hackney Road – London | E1 6JE
Phone: 020 7359 7777
Tuesday to Sunday 11.00am - 7.00pm
187 Upper Street - London N1 1RQ
FB: conservatoryarchives
*www.udderlicious.co.uk
*on spending over £15 – offer available on week days only
LE BON WALL
Poll position for potential band name, we need you’re help – Jesus H Christ and the A Bombs – Cream Cheese and
Good wishes to everyone in the South, I’d not be who I am today without
the Dick Lips – Deep Communion – Flat White and the Bitter Tones – Pom Pom POV – Crash Course in Jazz – Mike Hunt and the Itches – Dazed, Confused and Ham-fisted Feminism – help @
you Rhiannon
webandbandweband
ur dear day to o th ir b y p on p Le Bonb A big ha ux from a rg a M frenchy aris xxx Team P
Lukasz, morda, come to Paris next month, Anton wants to see you ;-)
Anything is possible BDH
Sometimes it’s the little things
Simplicity is key, I
that really matter
seem to have lost
David C
Let’s drink, fuck, break-up and make love... baby it’s your charm EHA
mine Lin Yundi
Ai Wei Whale, Lion Gander, YokomOno Dragon, Bas Jan Adder, Gorden Manta ray Clarke, Martha Rooster – here’s remembering Amsterdam and all the high brow jokes along the way – CWAD 2015
Let me pull you apart like the smoky slow-cooked joint of
We’ve got the boot, Troy Deeny’s boot, we just don’t think
Dishoom, it’s been a blast Ben
Gangster miss! - Rebecca and the year six class of 16 in Limehouse
Karina x
Big shout out to the folks at
Today is the day, let’s seize it honey
pork you are.
you understand! He’s a supersonic man, he’s better than Zidane, we’ve got Troy Deeny’s boot – the Watford F.C travelling fans posse
25
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LE BON COCKTAIL Text Seki Lynch
Bunnies, Beards and Booze We’ve been expecting you since we first donned our puffers, packed our sheets with goose-down and shivered our way to work. We get flickers of you in March; daffodils, lambs, lengthened light catching us coming home from nights out, but it's not really until April that we can safely utter your name... Spring!
practical joke that's run on a bit
fear for your masculinity. Prior
too long. We're still waiting for
to this time and certainly before
Boris Johnson to pop up on telly
the 20th Century, pink was as
grinning and let us know it's over,
manly as a lumberjacks short and
"April Fools'!"
curlies- and we've seen just how the hipsters have revived that
Often I’m asked, “what’s your
with face pubis galore adorning
favourite cocktail?” It’s like being
Shoreditch men! A small, but
asked your favourite book, film
tasty twist, here's to an April with
or meme - it really depends on
egg on your face.
your mood. Since Spring brings, come sunset, the pastel pinks
Bugs' Clover Club
and blues of a cherry blossom The first relation to tomfoolery
and borage- the backdrop to the
and April came up in Chaucer's
silhouettes of stone buildings in
The Canterbury Tales. In the
London Town- I might be inclined
'Nun's Priest's Tale' a proud
to a Clover Club. Born in 1896 to
cockerel named Chaunticleer is
a Philadelphia men’s club of the
fooled by a fox into crowing- the
same name, which held meets
fox takes him by the neck and
in the Bellevue-Stratford hotel,
carries him off. However, later,
this Easter bunny pink drink is a
the vulpine villain is himself
refreshing mix of gin, raspberries,
outfoxed by the cock, who
lemon, and egg white.
convinces him to open his jaws a moment in order to call off
For those of you who think it's
his pursuers, the cock takes this
rather effeminate to be seen
opportunity to take refuge in a
holding a beverage the colour of
nearby tree. Skip to today and
a Power Puff Girl, be not fooled,
our Etonian Mess in government
it was only advertising in the '40s,
makes it difficult for us not to
geared towards selling gender-
believe someone is playing a
specific clothing that made you
50ml Gin 25ml Lemon Juice 20ml Sugar Syrup 1 Egg White 2 Large Strawberries Method: 1. Muddle strawberries in cocktail tin. 2. Add all ingredients to shaker tin. 3. Dry shake (without ice) to emulsify egg white. 4. Wet shake (with ice) 5. Double strain and into a cocktail coupe. 6. Enjoy! 27
LE BON ESSAYE Text Aisha Badmus
The Tinder Trials The reasoning… The options were very black and white, with no desperate hues of grey in between. Either I find a suitable partner or go through the painful trials of meeting ‘suggestions’ put forward by my mother AND my father (who has joined this crusade), related and many unrelated aunties, and the anxious grandparent awaiting my nuptial before she meets her maker.
comes first, mother says. She is
7.
Coffee Meets Bagel
undoubtedly pushing marriage
8.
OkCupid Dating
aside in favour of grandchildren.
9.
Match.com
However, the real foundation to
…and, of course…
their worries centres around a
10. Tinder
looming event – the unspeakable
Surely I should find a suiter by the
age milestone – turning thirty.
summer.
There is nothing more concerning for Nigerian parents than having a daughter, single, at thirty.
(Self-imposed) rules and regulations…
So, a pact has been made: 2016 an attempt will be made to find
I follow a rabbit down this dating-
the bae.
hole, but not without a rule for
The question is where to start?
myself:
I could be introduced via friends
“Thou shall not be thirsty…”
and colleagues. I could read the
One shall not double-tap,
lonely hearts ads in the back
swipe to the right or select a
I make my family seem ghastly –
of the Metro. I could go speed
potential bae based solely on
some members admittedly are,
dating. This is 2016 and the first
their aesthetic. All potential baes
but it is not as extreme as I’ve
stop shop for a potential babe is
MUST make minimal effort to
made it sound. Their ‘concern’
downloading a dating app.
sufficiently fill out the ‘about me’ section, which one MUST peruse
is warranted, to a degree. No – they don’t want a son-in-
So it begins…
with an open-mind, or at least try to.
law, necessarily. Or not yet, at least. What they want, like most
1.
Tastebuds
parents, is for their child to be
2.
MeetMoi
with someone, in relationship,
3.
Bristlr
building towards something
4.
Hinge
Starting with Coffee Meets Bagel,
– i.e. children and marriage,
5.
Short Singles – I am 5’4’
application anxiety kicked in: do I
interchangeable, whichever
6.
London Dates
tell the truth and nothing but the
28
Application anxiety…
truth? After all, I don’t want to
black and white. Wait – should I
seeking, canal walking, Sunday
be dismissed without someone
tell them I am Muslim or not?
lazing, Netflix watching, cinema going, origami making, travel
getting to really know me. Yet ironically that is what I am doing,
B. Me dressed in a lace unitard
seeking, diary writing Aries with a
assuming they have taken the
as a cat for a birthday party
wicked humour and a deliciously
time to even read my ‘about me’
I.
abrasive nature.
box. Before application anxiety
cosplay nerds and geeks.
I appreciate when my date: is a
cue picture profile angst!
II. To sexual pervs who may
combination of Scott Pilgrim (or
think I am into S&M.
any character played by Michael
This would likely appeal to
Cera), Wolverine, Bane, the Joker
What picture to use? A. An illustrated portrait of me
C. Use both A and B, but crop
and Batman.
in a headscarf
my body out of B so it’s just my
Yup – there’s honesty for you, or
I.
face.
at least honesty in this present
This would likely appeal to
moment.
artists and art fans. II. The headscarf infers that I
And my actual profile?
Now, let the Coffee meet the
am Muslim without putting it in
I am: a cat-loving, bookshop
Bagel.
29
LE BON BREWER Text Rob Swaine
An Introduction to Home Brewing This small island loves beer, and that is no secret. In fact, London was built on the stuff. Another poorly kept secret is that craft beer has established itself as the future of beer making and consumption. With the opening of what seems like a dozen new micro-breweries each week, this explosion shows no sign of slowing.
hopped Indian pale ales, deep
guide to making your own beer
chocolatey stouts, intensely
for enthusiasts and dreamers just
strong wobble-inducing barley
like us.
wines, and beyond. To bring the dream to life, you’ll It has become commonplace to
need some basic equipment
hear heated debate among pub
and ingredients. Wilko is a solid
goers as they make their own
place to start, offering affordable
assessment of the guest craft
entry-level gear and brew packs.
ale, like a football fan shouting at
However, for those less timid
their team on TV as if they were
who are looking to get serious
the coach. But can we transform
from the get-go, check out the
from the passionate spectator to
Malt Miller website for more
Dedicated pubs like the Draft
become the coach, and actually
hefty, space-age looking stainless
House on Goodge Street,
brew it for ourselves? Do we have
steel setups. Aside from being a
intimate tasting shops such as
to rely on a master brewer to
quality design, the SS Brewtech
BottleDog in Kings Cross, as
create a champion pale ale, or
brew bucket looks stunning on
well as craft beer home delivery
can we make it in our very own
the kitchen counter and acts as a
services are rife, and making a
kitchens?
real conversation starter.
for a watered down Carlsberg
To quote Barack Obama, “Yes
In terms of ingredients, for
when ordering a beverage at the
We Can!” And it’s fun to boot.
your first batch it’s best to
bar.
But where to begin? First, I’d
follow a recipe, not to be overly
suggest going old school and
ambitious and to let someone
The term ‘craft beer’ itself is a
buying a book, of course. For
else do the thinking for you
catch-all for a wide variety of
instance, Greg Hughes wrote
while you learn the ropes.
beers, encompassing heavily
‘Home Brew Beer: a step-by-step
Without getting too scientific,
killing. No more need we settle
30
malt-extract brewing is easily achievable in small quantities at home and exceptionally rewarding. Using raw ingredients as part of this brewing method makes you feel like an instant craft master. You’ll find a plethora of websites out there offering recipe packs such as Brew UK and The Homebrew Company. Many of the bigger players in the business even offer ingredient packs too these days, so if you fancy having a go at recreating a Fuller’s London Pride, just fire up the stove and get cooking. But remember friends, it’s unlikely that you’re going to create a Meantime-style smash hit on a first attempt. As your buzzword-bingo boss at work may or may not say, the key to this is expectation management. Welcome to the long game.
31
LE BON CREATIVE Text and illustration Benjamin Harvey
Rabbit: A Short Story Tomas was looking out of the window. Wearing marigold gloves, his desperately stained Bart Simpson tee shirt and plaid pyjama bottoms, Tomas was looking out of the window.
back and forth, side to side,
to arrive, he’d be there to collect
slowly and out of time.
them. If they did, he’d tend to open them even if they weren’t
Tuesday’s are Tomas’ day off. He
for him. He’d say he misread the
would wake up early, just as his
name on account of his crippling
partner would leave for work,
dyslexia, which had become a
he’d go down into the kitchen
personal joke amongst he and
to make breakfast. He’d grate
his friends. A pan slipped from
A kind of half beat thud and a
heritage tomatoes he’d got
behind the rack and a domino
gushing whoosh of suds drew
from the market the day before,
effect of plates clattered
from the washing machine as the
cut big chunks of garlic, chop
together.
mute budding daffodils outside
cilantro and soak stale bread in a
bent in the spring air. Each dirty
bowl of olive oil. This was routine
In the park opposite the
plate he sunk into the basin of
in springtime. After breakfast
window a bunny rabbit stood
soap foam and warm water slowly
he’d take a walk to the betting
still between gaps in some
fell out of view, he’d wipe and it’d
shop, place low return bets on
shrubbery. The park was modest.
emerge ivory white. The drying
the mid week games and head
Some public fitness equipment
rack was quickly filling up and the
home via the corner shop where
and a play park for children.
washing had become a balancing
he’d pick up a newspaper. He’d
Revolutions began to whirr as
act. Wire torched in the
take the day to catch up on the
the washing machine slowly
background, ‘German Shepard’s’,
news, on social media, and clean
pushed his trainers upwards until
and Tomas was swaying his hips
the living room. If parcels were
they thud down once again. The
32
rabbit, a deep grey kitten with
rabbit began hopping in wide
the marigold gloves-around and
wooden like marble eyes, alert,
circular movements. Bounding
Around and AROUND-until the
stood or sat (Tomas wondered),
and accelerating the rabbit ran
circle became so small it was as
for a disturbingly long period
on a tilt, around and around,
if the bunny rabbit was chasing
of time, as if it was a discerning
always hitting its original spot.
its own tail. In a brief poof the
toddler. Soiled napkins uttered
Faster, almost oating above the
rabbit shot up its own ass and
about the blossoming shrubs.
surface of the park, in a kind
disappeared. The vibrations of
of whirlpool the rabbit moved
the washing machine burred
In a mute moment as the
at such a speed, circling slowly
loudly in the corner and pops of
playhouse noise of inside the
inward towards an invisible axis.
soap bubbles crackled falsetto in
kitchen stayed constant, the
The warm water pushed against
the kitchen sink.
33
LE BON MYSTIC
Aries
Cancer
How lucky can you get? April is your month, Aries.
Flowers are blossoming, the sun is coming out, hay
Not only will you finally start to see the light at
fever is about to hit you hard in the face… Sorry
the end of the tunnel in terms of projects – finally
Cancer. April will be all about balancing between
knowing which direction to head - you’ll also be
extremely good situations and deceiving ones.
at peace with your feelings. That doesn’t exclude
Work will be great because you’re in a very efficient
moments of weakness in which you might take a
mood, but you’ll probably feel hopeless when it
step back and question your motives, but remember
comes to others around you: everyone will piss you
to let go: nothing too bad can happen. Oh and,
off. But to be fair, as long as your relationship with
watch out for a newcomer… Someone might be
yourself is on point, why bother? Just wait until the
worth your time, so step up your dating game and
fog disperses…
get back on track!
Taurus
Leo
You’ve been wanting to splurge on a ton of random
Saturn in conversation with Jupiter tells me that
and useless items, and April is the right time. Your
you will face great danger – of the emotional kind
hard work will finally be rewarded and you’ll be
– starting around the 10th. We're talking box-
showered in gold! Unleash your inner shopaholic
of-chocolates-and-bottles-of-wine-and-binge-
and indulge, although you should probably keep
watching-Bridget-Jones bad. But if you can survive
grounded and avoid spending your fortune down
the stormy seas, know that there is land ahoy, and
to the last penny, as you might want to be able to
oh, the land is beautiful, like some tropical island
eat something other than plain pasta. Forget about
full of juicy coconuts where you can get a killer tan
those parasites intruding your thoughts every other
to make all your friends jealous. In a word, hang in
minute. They’re not worth your time anyway: great
there trooper.
ideas at work await!
Gemini
Virgo
Wow, did we mention you look good? You look
Have you ever heard your gran whisper that old
great. Have you been working out or gone vegan or
saying “YOLO”? Well, it's time you listen to her.
something? Expect a few compliments this month
Now’s the time to do what would usually make you
because you are the sunshine that's missing in this
tremble at the thought. We’re talking action, both
grey, sad kingdom. However, it might seem your
professionally and in your love life. Dare to kick
boss is oblivious to it (or maybe he's just wearing
procrastination right in the balls and shoot fear
sunscreen, the bastard) so don't get too full of it,
of failure right between the eyes. For a few days,
the patron could make you come down from your
anyway. Then calm down, no one likes a maniac for
cloud. Anyway, your charm could prove useful to get
too long - do you really want to end up like Justin
what you want from a certain someone you might
Bieber? You just need a bit of motivation to get your
meet in the middle of the month…
spirits up.
34
APRIL 2016
Libra
Capricorn
Someone had to pull the shortest straw. Sorry
You will be brought to a fork in the path this month.
my friend, but April will be a tough one. You'll
Which of these two roads will you chose, dear
survive. But you're going to feel a lot of tension and
Capricorn? The road less travelled may be wise,
incomprehension around yourself in the second
but are you up to the challenge? The other is paved
half of the month. You might feel rejected by some
with yellow brick and seems far more appealing. We
friends for things that you thought were behind you:
know you aren’t a fan of the lollipop guild’s tunes
but hey, things change darling. All this frustration
but the alternative may lead to lions and tigers and
will be felt by your partner who will eventually
bears (oh my!). Chose wisely, one of the options set
complain about your performance in the bedroom –
before you will have repercussions you far prefer to
were you even trying? As a great philosopher once
the other. Decisions, decisions ahead…
said, on the eve of death: always look on the bright side of life.
Scorpio
Aquarius
April will be a quiet, long-haul flight without
Aquarius! You will be blessed with lots of love
turbulences. Sit back, watch a film or two, listen to
this month. Remind yourself that it may not
music, sleep… just chill, basically. Everything will
matter if your special someone is not necessarily
run smoothly - almost too smoothly. There’s only
astrologically compatible to you. Use the stars to
so many episodes you can watch in a row before
make it work, or alternatively, to make it last long
wandering out of a paralysing and boring vortex - as
enough to have fun. Keep it light and things will
paradoxical as this may sound. Be a bit daring and
fall into place. It’s all aligned for you this month
get out of your comfort zone during the day, but
and lucky for you, sweet moments lay ahead. Love
the night is yours. Grant yourself anything you feel
interests are waiting for you to make the first move
like because nothing will be holding you back for a
and we wish you all the best in your April endeavors.
change.
Sagittarius
Pisces
Dearest Sagittarius, we beseech you to heed our
I see you, praying whilst flicking through the
warning. The Ides of March have come and gone but
magazine, hoping this month's horoscope will
we are sorry to say that you aren’t out of the woods
grace you with a bit of spiciness. Well, rejoice. You
yet. This month will challenge you on an emotional
will be burning up early April and perhaps meet
level. Tread lightly for the next few days, who knows,
someone new around the 22nd. Be careful not to
something may be slithering around your feet.
get too carried away, though. You don't want all hell
Beware of new acquaintances or of those who seem
to break loose because you were distracted for a
to have serendipitously appeared in your life. After
minute. Creativity will be at its finest so be sure to
all, he who made kittens put snakes in the grass.
make good use of it - it’s time to shine.
35
LE BON SNAPSHOT
36
37
LE BON AGENDA Sponsored by Dice
Klaves and the golden filter 8th April ÂŁ5 MOTH Club Having already toured with Nicolas Jaar and delivered a stunning breakout EP with People/Oh No through the great PMR, Klaves is rapidly becoming one to keep a fervent eye on. Skream, Annie Mac and Tensnake have peppered Klaves all over BBC Radio 1 whilst SBTRKT, Catz n Dogz and Monki are among a series of A-Graders also quick to support the young Polish prodigy. On April 8th, Klaves touches down at MOTH Club alongside the jilted electronic brilliance of The Golden Filter.
Years & Years 8th April ÂŁ28.50 SSE Arena Wembley After scoring a number one album and single, it's fair to say that 2015 has belonged to Years & Years. The darlings of the blogosphere have spent the year smashing performances at gigs and festivals across the globe, and have dominated playlists with their instantly addictive brand of synth pop. Having sold out two nights at Brixton Academy, this date at SSE Arena Wembley is the icing on the cake. Get ready to lose your voice singing along to hits like King and Shine.
38
LE BON AGENDA Sponsored by Dice
Jack Garratt 15th April £19.50 O2 Academy Brixton Over the course of 18 months we’ve seen Jack Garratt rise through the ranks of Shoreditch’s small stages through Shepherd’s Bush’s three tiered expanse, to find a home this April at Brixton Academy. It’s a look that’s nothing short of huge. Selling out London East, West and centre, his tracks are an explosive and vibrant flood of skittering hooks and daring production. Last single Weathered was a heart-striking slice of sentimental romance paired with overwhelming crescendos. Live he delivers, switching between instruments with a frenetic energy, bringing his perfect pop to life with an infallible passion. Get a ticket and watch him blow up.
Nao 26th April £12.50 Village Underground It's time to pay attention. A standout artist in the current crop of uber cool songstresses, NAO has been picking up fans across the globe. With a sound that jumps between nu soul and R&B, the Hackney born solo artist is set to be the next big thing. Releasing a couple of EPs and after collaborating with revered producer A. K. Paul, NAO has now turned her attention towards her debut album. With an enviable style, a voice that'll have you so captivated you'll forget to breath, and with more charm and sass than Beyoncé, NAO is a name you won't get a chance to forget.
39
LE BON ADDRESSES
AIDA
HUCKLE TREE
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87 Charterhouse Street
Shoreditch | E1 6JE
Clerkenwell | EC1M 6HJ
Phone: 020 7739 2811
Phone: 020 7336 8634
APPESTAT
MERO RETRO
102 Islington High Street
2 Bradbury Street
Angel | N1 8EG
Dalston | N16 8JN
Phone: 020 7226 5457
Phone: 020 7686 6807
CHOI’S
OUI MAMAN
226 Bethnal Green Road
Lighterman House, 26-36 Wharfdale Rd,
Bethnal Green | E2 0AA
King’s Cross | N1 9RY
Phone: 077 2052 4995
Phone: 020 7313 6582
CONSERVATORY ARCHIVES
SEESAW STUDIOS
493-495 Hackney Road
3 Stanford Mews,
Cambridge Heath | E2 9ED
Hackney | E8 1JA
Phone: 077 8552 2762
Phone: 020 7254 5671
EAST LONDON LIQUOR COMPANY
STRIP
221, Grove Road
164 Upper Street
Victoria Park | E3 5SN
Angel | N1 1US Phone: 020 3651 3600
LA POLENTERIA 64, Old Compton street
THE RESTORATION
Soho | W1D 4UQ
2 Bouverie Road
Phone: 020 7434 3617
Stokey | N16 0AJ Phone: 079 9057 3889
LA FERME LONDON 102-104 Farringdon Road
SIGNORELLI
Angel | EC1R 3EA
7 Victory Parade,
Phone: 020 7837 5293
East village | E20 1FS
ERBOLARIO
DICE
106A Upper Street
www.dice.fm
Angel N1 1QN
Buy Tickets with no booking fees!
Phone: 020 3601 8130 VINTERIOR www.vinterior.com
40
* Je veux toujours plus de looks.
LONDON IS OUR PLAYGROUND: SEESAW STUDIOS. www.seesaw-studios.com