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February Issue
Nicholas Hoult
boy becomes man
FASHION FORECAST THE HOTTEST SPRING SUMMER TRENDS FOR 2010
NEW YORK PURE’S ESSIENTAL GUIDE TO THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS
NITTY GRITTY
PURE goes behind-the-scenes at Shameless
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Nicholas Hoult: The Skins star is all grown up and making a name for himself in Hollywood
9-12
Shameless Special: PURE goes behind the scenes of the smash comedy drama
13-16
Women’s pages: Look good and feel great with our style, make-up and beauty tips
17-20
Trends 2010: PURE showcases all the upcming fashion trends for the year ahead
23-26
Men’s pages: Valentine’s dos and don’ts for the guys, plus style and product tips
27
Local talent: PURE chats to talented singer/songwriter John Deery
34
Beat that: Stine from Danish pop sensations Alphabeat talks about their new album and upcoming tour with Lady Gaga
38-39
Travel: Why New York is so good they named it twice
43
Glee: Why we love the all-singing, all-dancing smash hit show
45
Eoin McCarthy: The actor talks to PURE about playing Martin McGuinness in Mo
46-47
Come Dine With Me
48-49
Food reviews
50
My favourite things: This month, Radio Foyle presenter Stephen McCauley on what makes him happy
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Competitions: Goodies galore
PURE MAGAZINE TEAM 10 Carlisle Road L’Derry BT48 6JN t/ 02871 3777 07 PUBLISHING, EDITORIAL & PR: David Kavanagh, DIRECTOR e/ david@pureinc.co.uk Sinead Melaugh, DIRECTOR e/ Sinead@pureinc.co.uk Mary-Anne Mc Nulty, editor e/ maryanne@pureinc.co.uk Charlene McFeely, contributor e/ info@pureinc.co.uk Mark Duncan, contributor e/ info@pureinc.co.uk DESIGN TEAM: Noel Heaney e/ noel@pureinc.co.uk Martina Duncan e/ martina@pureinc.co.uk
AND NOW FOR THE LEGAL BIT The thoughts, views and opinions expressed within this publication are exclusively those of the author, and neither the publishers nor the editorial team accepts responsibility for them. Pure magazine is published by PURE INC Ltd and all information held within this publication was current at time of going to press. PURE INC Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors, spelling mistakes or amendments to be made. For further information please contact directors@pureinc.co.uk
PUBLISHERS MESSAGE Welcome to the February edition of PURE magazine - we hope you all managed to get through the festive season without too many hangovers! Here at PURE HQ we’re feeling well rested and delighted to be bringing you a cracking edition packed with exclusives, fun features and cutting-edge style tips. The centrepiece of this issue is our special Shameless feature. Our very own David Kavanagh loves rubbing shoulders with the stars, and he secured a fantastic coup recently by landing an exclusive, access-all-areas visit
to the set. The seventh series of the award-winning comedy drama started on Channel 4 this month, and we’re delighted to be bringing you a fantastic four-page spread filled with gossip and behind-the-scenes pics of the cast members who have made this show such a runaway success. And, if that wasn’t enough, we’re piling on the treats, bringing you some sizzling hot pictures of former Skins star Nicholas Hoult and an exclusive interview with the fantastic Stine from Alphabeat. We’ve also got our usual great mix of style, beauty,
lifestyle and entertainment pages for you to enjoy, and as always we’ve got more competition prizes than you can shake a stick at! Watch out, too, for local faces such as Radio Foyle presenter Stephen McCauley and singer/ songwriter John Deery. We’re proud to feature our native sons and daughters in the magazine, and will continue to do so when such fantastic talent exists right on our doorstep. Take care, and thanks as always for your continued support, David & Sinead
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CELEBRITY FEATURE
Boy becomes man... About a Boy and Skins star Nicholas Hoult is all grown up and looking mighty fine!
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CELEBRITY FEATURE
Who’d’ve thought the gawky teenager from the 2002 film About a Boy would grow into such a fine-looking man? We all witnessed his fledgling good looks when he starred in smash Channel 4 drama Skins a few years back, but now, at the tender age of 20, English actor Nicholas Hoult has blossomed into a bona fide beau! Bearing a striking resemblance to Tom Cruise (in all but height - he’s a statuesque 6’3”), Hoult has become hot property in Hollywood. Following an eye-catching debut in critically-acclaimed drama A Single Man, Hoult will next hit our screens in April as Greek warrior Eusebio in mythical blockbuster Clash of the Titans. We’ve managed to get hold of some super-stylish pics of young Nicholas for you to look at - enjoy!
Photography: Willy Vanderperre These pictures are reproduced with the kind permission of VMAN magazine. Go to www.vman.com to view their article.
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SHAMELESS SPECIAL
At home with the Gallaghers.... One of the most popular dramas of the past decade, Shameless has become a cherished national TV treasure up there with the likes of The Royle Family and Little Britain. To celebrate the arrival of the show’s seventh series, PURE has produced a special four-page feature packed with exclusive pics and backstage gossip from our recent visit to the set. To kick things off, PURE director David Kavangh reveals why he’s the show’s biggest fan... Like it or loathe it, Channel 4’s smash comedy drama Shameless has become a staple part of many people’s lives over the past six years. The realistic comparisons to modern day life may strike a chord with many, but to me, the most important attribute of all is that it surpasses the viewers’ expectations, season by season, with the most provocative storylines on the box, as well as sticking two well-deserved fingers up to the upper class stiffs for its unashamed lack of regard for the watershed. I love our city - honest I do - but it’s fair to say that, as a proud working-class people, we’re not a million miles away from the familiar cobbles of Manchester’s Chatsworth estate. If you look hard enough you’ll find mobile shops selling six different types of cigarettes, some French and Spanish, some legal, and the rest Russian
David (right) with Gerard Kearns, who plays Ian Gallagher
and unpronounceable - but for £2.25 a box, everyone’s a winner! What makes Shameless the best show on TV? First and foremost, the writing is impeccable. The gritty, deadpan dialogue is strikingly authentic and, refreshingly, a million miles away from the stilted exchanges of the ubiquitous period dramas elsewhere on telly that, while nice to look at, don’t reflect life as many of us know it. Shameless chronicles what happens in a povertystricken council estate, and it’s survival of the fittest in its rawest form. We may all feign shock at what we see, but the far-out storylines actually do occur within our city and throughout many, many more cities across the UK. Secondly, the casting is inspired. The show’s creators picked young, working-class unknowns to play the children comprising the dysfunctional
What the feck? David meets new cast member Pauline McLynn
Gallagher family and, boy, did those youngsters rise to the occasion. There’s no plum-voiced drama-school darlings pretending - badly - to be tough inner city latchkey kids here. The accents are real,and the performances are hugely authentic. Couple this with a team of superb character actors of immense calibre such as David Threlfall (Frank Gallagher), Sean Gilder (Paddy Maguire) and Tina Malone (Mimi Maguire) and you’ve got a show that, seven seasons in, is as fresh and uncompromisingly real as it was from the offset. So, when the call came through to visit the set of my most loved television show on TV, to meet the cast, and to find the inside scoop on the new season ahead, myself and my colleague Sinead jumped at it and had a friggin’ blast in the process! Turn the page to see how we got on...
PURE’s Sinead Melaugh gets cosy on set
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David and Sally Carman (Kelly-Marie Ball)
Shameless:
SHAMELESS SPECIAL
8 am
a knock next door, and we my hotel room, give Sinead in ly ear and l as excited as ght bri up I wake fan of the show and fee ive ss ma a I’m . set ident get ready to head for the ter and, as a former res series is set in Manches e Th t the y. Da tha t as tm fac ris the Ch r a kid on ly vouch fo ht years, I can personal eig turn r fo ong y wr cit a e us tak rio – glo of the y true to form ver is ss ele am Sh in red at I Chatsworth Estate featu utes – you’ll know wh keep walking for 10 min and tre cen y cit ter hes in Manc mean.
e On set at th Street life: Estate th or sw at famous Ch
Gerard Kearns at the script read-through
er) arl Gallagh tensor (C g in Elliott Tit lm fi eak from takes a br
8.33 am
Manchester. Wythenshawe Wythenshawe area of south We’re in the car heading for the as the largest council been notoriously referred to covers 11 square miles and has TV show on the box? to shoot the most authentic estate in Europe - where better
8.45 am
place is a sprawling mass of it’s hard to find the set as the TomTom is We’re in Wythenshaw now but I’m getting the feeling that my but it, ng gini ima I’m be May samey housing estates. we drive into the heart of the nt to give directions the deeper and an Asda sounding more and more relucta h two Essos, a Habitat outlet wit n tow of area t arke upm n. area. We come upon an sent us in the wrong directio the TomTom has rebelled and iron t cas e hug h wit superstore, and I’m convinced are greeted we take a sharp left turn and But just when all looks lost . Home sweet home! tion sta ice pol ate Chatsworth Est gates and the entrance to the
Something
kend... for the wee
9.02 am
Rebecca Atkinson (Karen Maguire) and Aaron McCusker (Jamie Maguire) str ike a pose
Griffiths nk: Ciaran Pretty in pi ire) shows off agu (Mickey M s his wheel
Organ grinder: Sinead strikes up a tune
We take in the notorious Shameless surroundings. Having visited the sets of many of the nation’s favourites over the years - Coronation St, Hollyoaks, Eastenders - I can safely say that, by far, this beats them all hands down. The show was originally filmed on a council estate in a different area in Manchester, but a few years ago the production team relocated here and built a £200k, purpose-built replica of the original. It’s absolutley massive, and my jaw drops in awe at the scale of this project and the attention to detail.
David’s Diary
SHAMELESS SPECIAL
11.07am
We’ve just spent the last few hours wandering round the set. It’s such a buzz seeing the Gallagher house with the carvan sitting in the yard, or the Maguire house with mental Mickey’s garish pink limo parked outside . But best of all was seeing The Jockey, the iconic pub that serves as the focal point of the show. It’s really weird, because the outside of it looks exactly as it does on the show, but when you walk through the door there’s nothing there. Oh, the magic of television! The inside of the pub is, like most of the other interiors, in a huge warehouse elsewhere on the set, so we head off to have a look. It’s really surreal being inside it, and I’m convinced Frank Gallagher’s going to stumble in any minute to order the first of many pints of lager!
David becomes the latest mem ber of The Jockey club
12.02pm
We’re ushered into the staff canteen to meet the stars of the show. I have to dig my elbow into Sinead’s side to stop her making the whimpering noise of the star struck fan, but she just can’t help herself. Over lunch we nip out for a sneaky cigarette with Mimi Maguire, played by Tina Malone. She gives us the inside scoop on the cast, tells us some hilarious tales about her time in the celebrity BB house and about her new novel. The vibe amongst the cast and crew seems really relaxed. It’s like one big happy family, and is probably a big reason why Shameless hasn’t gone stale after so many series.
Family ties: Sean Guilder (Paddy Maguire) with on-screen son Ciaran Griffiths
2.05pm
After lunch we head for a guided tour around the set with the press team. We’re amazed at the size of the set and how absolutely everything is made out of fibre glass. In years to come they should definitely keep the set standing as a living museum. We pose for photos in and around the Maguire’s house and ’accidentally on purpose’ stray off set for a sneaky walk around. We stumble across Karen and Jamie’s bedroom and get comfy underneath the covers, pose for snaps in Monica’s camper and Sinead plays a tune on the mysterious organ placed in the Gallagher’s living room … hmmm.
David campers it up...
4.40pm Our last chat of the day is with Pauline McLynn (Father Ted’s Mrs Doyle). Pauline has us in stitches with her backstage tales and storylines to come. We go down to the parade for lastminute snaps and take one final glance at this iconic set. After an exhausting day and a long journey it’s time to say goodby e to the team and the set – boo hoo! What a great day, what a great bunch of people, and what an insight into this amazing show! Until next time, Chatsworth x.
Not so scary up close: David with Tina Malone (Mimi Maguire).
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What lies ahead...... With a whopping 16 episodes, Shameless series 7 is unfurling with the usual mix of hilarious and controversial storylines. PURE got the inside track on some of the plot twists and turns to come and we’re delighted to be giving our loyal readers a heads up,so if youre an avid fan and don’t want to see these exclusive gems of inside info then look away NOW!
Frankly speaking Frank Gallagher (David Threlfall) finds a new love this series with the arrival of local narcoleptic librarian Libby, played by Shameless newcomer Pauline McLynn, the wonderful Mrs Doyle from Father Ted. Libby’s problems occur when excited and her passion for romantic literature arouses in Frank something that has been dormant for so long…. until he meets her mum Patty who puts a spanner in the works as the mother-in-law from hell.
A Child is born Eight months in from the tragic loss of Mandy, and the Maguire family are preparing to welcome a new addition to the clan - a baby son for Karen and Jamie Maguire (Portadown native Aaron McCusker). Baby Connor’s arrival doesn’t mean Joe will loosen his hold on Karen, who soon discovers that motherhood brings on some unwanted family traits.
Mimi’s got pulling power Tidal waves of shock course through the pub with the news that The Jockey’s got a new landlady – the formidable Mimi Maguire! Paddy has to come to terms with separate living arrangements, not to mention the fact that his alpha male pride has to deal with Mimi’s newly-acquired power.
The mad Maguires Hooker with a heart of gold Kelly takes her new godparent duties to the extreme, and with boyfriend Shane gets involved in wedding scams - but could there be the possibility of wedding bells ringing close to home??? And the ever-lovable Mickey Maguire and Ian Gallagher now share a bungalow together as the perfect odd couple.
Gallagher gossip
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Over at the Gallagher’s, Liam hits senior school and develops his first crush. Carl and girlfriend Maxine get adventurous in the bedroom, which somewhat complicates the relationship between Carl and his brother Ian.
.Top Secret.
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Steal her style Trend spotter Product reviews Designer focus
picture courtesy of French Connection
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WOMENS PAGES
BBC Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton Green/Black Shirt £25 - Miss Selfridge’s Grey/Black Floral Print Skirt £18 - Miss Selfridge’s
Black Handbag £30 - Miss Selfridge’s
Denim Shirt £30 - Miss Selfridge’s
Splurge
Black and silver sequin waistcoat, Miss Selfridge, £75
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Lilac/Black Floral Print Skirt £18 - Miss Selfridge’s
Save
Twist back waistcoat, Very.co.uk, £29
Steal ‘Be beau’ fringed
waistcoat, Matalan, £14
Say it with
perfume
cts All produ at le b a il a v a ms, Debenhaide Foyles
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a gorgeous perfume, so we’ve picked a scent for every age group that we think would be the ideal Valentine’s gift. Ladies, leave this page opened on the kitchen table and ensure you get a decent perfume from your man this Valentine’s!
Vera Wang Princess, prices starting from £31.32 (30ml)
Face Facts
Vamping it up
Stella Nude 30ml, prices starting from £35 (30ml) With calm hints of Moroccan rose and grey amber cut through with burst of spicy pink pepper, this scent is a seductive accessory for the self-sufficent but ultimately romantic woman. Stella Nude epitomises romance and desire, and gives the sheer scent of a young woman passionately in love.
Vera Wang Princess is the scent of magical romance with its blend of water lily and tahitian flower. With its vibrant and fresh feel, this perfume its perfect present for the ‘high school sweetheart’ this Valentine’s, while the heartshaped bottle makes the giver’s intentions clear!
Gucci Flora 30ml,
prices starting from £35 (30ml) * free 100ml body lotion with any Gucci Flora perfume while stocks last For the more mature in love, Gucci Flora is perfect. The sophisticated blend of citrus accord and rose marries well with the confident, mature woman, and is an ideal Valentine’s gift to mark a relationship that has been deep and long-lasting.
Look the part this Valentine’s evening with our handy four-step make-up guide guaranteed to make your man’s knees wobble!
Step 1 Skin: Give your skin a vibrant, peachy radiance with Clarins ‘Beauty Flash’ Balm (£26.50 for 50ml). This product gives an instant tightening sensation and smooths over any signs of fatigue. A great pick-meup, and the perfect start to acheiving a fantastic overall look.
with make-up expert Ana McKillop from Debenhams Smashbox counter
Step 2 Complexion: Whether you go for a dark, light or medium look, bareMinerals ‘Get started’ Complexion Enhancers (£39.50) are just the ticket. Brighten around the eyes, tan naturally, and give your skin a flawless finish. This great set contains four powders and three buffing brushes.
Step 3 Eyes: Girls, he’s going to be gazing into them all evening, so give your fella a great view of those peepers by using bareMinerals Tutorials ‘Smoky Eyes’ kit (£30). Get the smouldering, seductive and smoky look and wait for the fireworks to go off!
Step 4 Lips: Ladies, if Valentine’s Day goes to plan your lips are going to see some action, so make them as luscious and inviting as possible with Benefit’s ‘Posie Tint’ lip and cheek stain (£23.50). Pink is the colour of romance, and this delightful little lip and cheek stain adds an instant burst of colour that remains smudge-free well into the early hours. Go get ‘em, girls!
There are many ladies out there who want to be a bit more adventourous with their look but aren’t quite sure how to go about it. From time to time even the most conservative of us want to try on the vampy look for size, so who better to take inspiration from but the queen of burlesque herself - Dita Von Teese? The key to this tried and tested look is in the seductive pout and face-framing eyebrows courtesy of Smashbox cosmetics, and the application couldn’t be simpler. Create the perfect canvas: Photo Finish primer followed by Halo hydrating mineral foundation will get you off to a great start. Cover imperfections such as dark circles and blemishes with High Definition concealer and finish with skin-illuminating powder in Stardust for that effortless fresh-faced look. Blush should be high on the cheek bones and in a neutral tone; Blush Rush Bare would be ideal. Eyes: Photo Finish Lid Primer will neutralize discoloration on the lids and make your make-up last longer. Dust a neutral shimmer like Bliss from lash line to brows and a soft plumy shade such as Minx in the outer half of the crease. Apply a slick line of Jet Set waterproof liner in black. Layer on carbon black Lash DNA mascara and prepare to flutter. Finish with the magical Brow Tech to add shape and definition to and start practicing your sultry stare. Lips: For rich red lips try DoubleTake lip liner and lipstick pencil in cranberry with a tiny touch of gloss in the middle of the lower lip to accentuate your pout. For any beauty needs or questions call in to Debenhams Foyleside for a free consultation with Ana at the Smashbox counter.
Got a question? Ask Ana! email: ana@pureinc.co.uk
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WOMEN’S PAGES After: Sleek and chic!
Before: A very bad hair day...
Tired of spending countless hours trying to keep her unruly hair under control, PURE’S Charlene McFeely decided to put Suede hair and beauty salon’s exclusive ‘12-week blow dry’ treatment to the test... I was nearly electrocuted recently, and it’s all thanks to my kinky, disobedient hair. I spend over 30 minutes on my unmanageable locks every morning, so my straighteners finally rebelled at being overworked at Christmas and gave me a nasty shock.
“I spend over 30 minutes on my unmanageable locks every morning” The incident proved the final straw, so I decided something needed to be done. I’d heard good things about the ‘12-week blow dry’, an intensive conditioning treatment by Global. Pure keratin protein is infused into the hair cuticle, eliminating 95% of frizz and curls, leaving the hair nourished, shinier and virtually maintenance-free for 3-5 months.
The treatment is exclusive to hair salons, and Suede is the only one in Northern Ireland that offers it, so I hid my wavy mop under a hat and hot-footed it to their Carlisle Road branch in search of salvation. My stylist Amanda Page washed my hair with Keratin shampoo, which opens the cuticles in the hair, dried it off with a padding brush, then applied the protein. You leave it for 20 minutes, and rather than rinsing it out, it’s blow-dried into the hair. Even as it dried, I could see how shiny and smooth my hair had become, and by the time Amanda was finished with her straighteners, it looked poker straight. When she told me the treatment was going to last for at least three months, I have to admit I was a bit sceptical. A new hairdo can look fantastic when you leave a salon, but the magic can sometimes fade fast when the experts aren’t around to help. Well, girls, it’s been four weeks, and since then it’s been a
matter of of running the straighteners through my hair for just five minutes each day and it’s as sleek and glossy as the day I left the salon.
“Four weeks later, it’s as sleek and glossy as the day I left the salon” Suede also gave me Keratin shampoo and conditioner free with the treatment, which prolongs the effect and keeps the hair wellnourished. Amanda also gave me a fantastic cosmetic makeover, so when I hit the town that night I was looking great and feeling fabulous! At a cost of £140 - £160, the 12-week blow dry doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a really sound investment and definitely worth it if you’re wasting countless hours of your life trying to control frizzy, curly hair. At last, my bad hair days are a thing of the past!
Silk vest dress with metal sequin pouch belt
Grey dazzle sequin vest
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Quilted silk high collar coat
Having gone straight from university into launching her own label, Sophie Hulme is taking the fashion industry by storm. The London-born designer launched her own label in 2008 and her debut collection made an instant impact on the fashion scene. Famed for her unique designs, Sophie finds her inspiration from objects, clothes and ornaments she has collected throughout the years, and adds a little trinket to her pieces for each buyer to collect.
Sophie’s designs have a masculine feel to them which give a toughness to feminine pieces, and appeal to the non-girly girls out there who don’t want to take the ‘dollybird’ route. With this unique style it brings an interesting angle to women’s wear. Sophie has collaborated with every girl’s key to celebrity style, ASOS, and her designs can be bought at www.asos. com at affordable prices ranging from £45 - £125. For more info go to www.sophiehulme.com
Why we like her: Unique & stylish Feminine but with a masculine twist Collectable trinkets Clothes tell a story Easy to buy on ASOS.
FASHION
Spring/ Summer PURE brings you an invaluable guide to all of the upcoming season’s hottest looks >>>
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Dorothy Perkins Dorothy Perkins SS10 Short sleeve crochet cardigan £25 €40
Debenhams Red Herring Denim Tier Dress £35 €54
Frills, Denim, Pastels.
Available at ASOS.com
Debenhams Red Herring Pink Tier Dress £35 €54
Available at ASOS.com
D&G ss2010
Dorothy Perkins Dorothy Perkins SS10 - Still Life’s Denim peep toe heels £42 €60
D&G ss2010 Relgion Cookie dress
Debenhams Red Herring Lace Jacket £35 €54
£110.00
t level, This year will see denim taken to the nex pastel by ned while a softer, more ‘girly’ look defi colours and frills will be all the rage
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Dorothy Perkins Dorothy Perkins SS10 Floral cullottes £20 €40
Dorothy Perkins Cream ankle cuff platform £40 €60
Available at Dorothy Perkins
FASHION Debenhams Red Herring Blue Corset Dress £65 €101
Debenhams J by Jasper Conran Grecian Dress £60 €93
Structure & Draping
Relgion Biker Wash Jeans £70
Debenhams J by Jasper Conran Grecian Dress £60 €93
Relgion Victoria Leather Jacket £240.00
Available at New Look
Very.co.uk Fearne harem trousers, purple £35.00
be the first Get your finger on the fashion pulse and h draping: wit e to wear outfits that combine structur you’ll look chic, edg y and fashion-forward Next Next Spring Summer 2010 - Womenswear Puff Sleeve Dress - £40.00
Dorothy Perkins Cream ankle cuff platform £40 €60 Relgion Tropical Dress £85.00
Relgion Tropical Dress £85.00
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FASHION Available at ASOS.com Next Spring / Summer 2010 £22
French Connection
Harrington Jacket White/Red/Blue - £80
Crop trousers & Preppy.
River Island Brown Leather Holdall £35
Debenhams Maine Fairtrade Flat Twill Fron Nanotech Chinos £30 €47
River Island Brown Leather Holdall £35
Next Elastic Hem Jeans £35.00 French Connection Double breasted beige coat £200
Guys, embrace your inner metrosexual ir and sign up to the vivacious and debona ! sers preppy look. Blaze a trail in crop trou
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River Island Title: Nenton deck shoe £34.99 Available at ASOS.com
French Connection Mens Footwear SS10 Brown Leather Lace Up Boots -£135
Pick of the best: Make love not war Fashion spy Reviews
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A top quality aftershave helps get the romantic juices flowing, so we’ve come up with three distinct scents for each age group that will be the perfect gift this Valentine’s - fellas, make sure you show this to the missus before February 14!
Prada Amber Pour Homme, prices starting from £35 (50ml) Tailor-made for the sophisticated and mature man. This classy and professional fragrance with the masculine scent of sandalwood and suede is ideal for all you George Clooney types out there! The classic scent of mature masculinity.
Ed Hardy , prices starting from £28 (30ml) * free 200ml hair and body wash with any Ed Hardy aftershave With its energetic scent, Ed Hardy is a fresh and masculine fragrance. The unique scent of citrus and bergamot is hypnotic with a sharp edge. If you want your new young love to have the scent of masculinity, Ed Hardy is the one for this Valentine’s Day.
Three steps to great looking skin... Cleansing Foam, £16.02 The creamy lather deep cleans the pores removing any impurities, and leaves the skin feeling fresh. Unlike other cleansers this one doesn’t make the skin feel tight or dry. Doubling as a shaving foam, it’s even more ideal.
Hugo Boss White Edition, prices starting from £34 (40ml) *free 100ml Boss shower gel with purchase while stocks last
Energising Formula Gel, £27.03 This is great for all skin types. Leaving your face feeling moisturised and fresh, it’s great to put on after shaving. The gel leaves a cooling feel to your skin and reduces that tired look.
This energetic and fresh fragrance is the perfect Valentines presents for the ‘on the go’ modern man. There’s a of burst freshness with the crisp blend of citrus and spices that leaves an addictive scent.
Shiseido Anti-Shine Refresher, £25.03 This is especially great for oily skin. The gel reduces shine and tightens deep pores to give even looking skin. Only a small amount is needed and lasts up up 8 hours.
PURE gets the inside track on what the cool threads will look like this season...
Prep-tastic: Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass is all about the Ivy League flair
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Dapper: this outfit from top American designer Simon Spurr’s spring/summer collection is setting the tone this season
Guys, we know you like to stay one step ahead of the game when it comes to fashion, so we at PURE have had our spies out at the big fashion shows gathering all latest info on what all the cool boys will be wearing in 2010. We’re delighted to say that the ubiquitous mod look comprising skinny jeans and even skinnier cardigan looks to have had its day. This season, fellas, is all about the PREPPY look. Picture an American Ivy League University student with plenty of money to throw around who likes to summer in the Hamptons and you’ll get the picture. Or think Chuck Bass, the ultra posh rich kid who breaks all the girls’ hearts in smash US show Gossip Girl. This is a fantastic look; it’s clean, smart and ever so slightly camp - which isn’t a problem as all you straight Derry males aren’t remotely
insecure about your sexuality! And don’t worry; Daddy doesn’t have to own a yacht, and you don’t have to drink Chivas Regal or quote Greek epic poetry in order for you to pull off this look. All fashion trends are about having the confidence to make a statement and blaze a trail no matter what your social or economic background, so start planning your wardrobe for the spring ahead and watch the girls sigh with admiration! This look requires a little bit of courage, so the question is, guys: are you brave enough? Key looks: Double-breasted suits, slim gingham button-downs, plaid-onplaid, denim shirts, cuffed trousers and shorts, pastel slacks, white denim, espadrilles, knitted tank tops, man bags.
FEATURE
Guys, are you tired of being in the doghouse on Valentine’s Day because you didn’t give your girl the romatic day she dreamed of? Fear not, as PURE’s Mark Duncan has got some vital dos and don’ts on how to make this the perfect day for you and your missus...
Do the exact same thing you did last year, even if you managed to pull it off. Trust us, she won’t forget even if you have and it will get very boring, very fast. Have a little imagination and change it up a little....she’ll notice. Buy her the same gifts of petrol station flowers and a Hallmark card that anyone can grab at the last minute. Lingerie may seem a good idea, but be careful. Getting the wrong size will mean the end of your relationship and perhaps your life as you know it!
Forget, or leave it to the last minute. The most common mistake guys make on Valentine’s Day is forgetting all about it, then spending the whole day making excuses. You’re only digging yourself a bigger hole, fellas. Take a look at the countless hearts and teddy bears on shop windows; this might hint that the big day is coming up... fast!
Take her out for a meal, or for a few drinks and then start eyeing up other women. You risk an argument that you really don’t need to deal with and you may find yourself left sitting alone with the bill, and Valentine’s Day a distant memory you’d rather forget.
Get drunk. She wants to be treated on Valentine’s Day, not having to spend the night dragging you out of the bar and into a taxi. Odds are you’ll be going home alone and you definitely won’t catch sight of that lingerie you bought her.
Pamper her for the entire day. Do your research on spas and massage clinics in the area and send her away for a day of luxury. Or you can get a hold of massage oils and lotions in any pharmacy or body shop and do the job yourself. It means you’ll be spending the day with her and treating her beyond her wildest dreams...she’ll be like putty in your hands.
Plan it out beforehand and mark it down on your calendar. Try and get the day off, and persuade your partner to do the same. Plan the day in sections, for example, start in the morning with breakfast in bed, do something around lunch time, and plan a romantic meal or getaway at night. Being spontaneous throughout the day is also a good idea, as it will keep her guessing.
Quote some poetry at least once in the day; she’ll be impressed with your sophistication. But if you think you’re too macho to start whispering sweet nothings in her ear why not research some poems online and write a few lines in the card that you give her. Moonpig. com offer a great range of cards and you can personalise them for your partner.
Cook her a romantic meal. Instead of taking her out to a restaurant why not treat her by having you cook for once! Make her favourite food, decorate the table and splurge on a bottle of champagne. Marks and Spencer usually do fantastic meal ideas for those of you on a tight budget or who don’t even know where the kitchen is. You can “Dine in for 2” with their wide choice of food, champagne and wines.
Whisk her away for the weekend. Get out of the city and spend some quality time together for a few days. You can extend Valentine’s Day to a mini-break, relax and make it enjoyable for you both. Take it easy if you’re single by the time Valentine’s Day comes about. For a start you don’t have to go through the misery of what to do or get, but you should celebrate by getting a few of your single mates and making a night out of it. Romance is in the air during Valentine’s and you may just get lucky for next year!
REVIEWS Grooming made cool
PURE reviews American Crew, the male grooming brand that is the epitome of cool Guys, we know you like to look your very best too, so don’t go another day without getting hold of this season’s must-have grooming set. American Crew, the official suppliers to men, have created a Classic Holiday Gift Travel Bag Set that will meet all of his needs and keep him smelling fresh and looking in tip top condition. This gift is the ultimate in male grooming, not only for home but for his travels too, with a classic canvas travel bag with brown leather trimmings containing daily shampoo, stimulating conditioner, classic body wash, precision shaving gel and post-shaving cooling lotion. American Crew is the world’s leading male grooming supplier with care, styling, shave and fragrance products, so to find the nearest salon that stocks it visit Americancrew.ie or call 0208 399 5624.
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Daily Shampoo - Fantastic for dry hair and a sensitive scalp. Stimulating Conditioner - This provides unbelievable moisture to the hair and scalp no itching whatsoever. Body Wash - Leaves skin smelling irresistible with the classic American Crew fragrance. Also leaves skin feeling firm and moisturised.
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Precision Shave Gel - Makes shaving easier, helps give a close clean shave with less cuts and leaves the skin cool and fresh.
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Post Shaving Lotion - Prevents irritation to skin after shaving - great as an everyday moisturiser as well.
* PURE has teamed up with American Crew to offer 15 lucky readers the chance to win a set each (worth £40!), so be sure to enter. See our competitions on page 51 for more details.
INTERVIEW
Live music every night
Live bands every weekend
59-63 Waterloo St , Derry, BT48 6HD - tel / 028 71 267295 - Paedarodonnells@hotmail.com - holders of the traditional bar of the year award
LOCAL TALENT
This month Mary-Anne McNulty chats to singer/ songwriter John Deery about being back in Derry, his upcoming album and the joys of travelling through New Zealand in a camper van...
bloodlines apply to musicians in the same way they do to racehorses, then John Deery is a thoroughbred. The grandson of the late James McCafferty, Derry’s legendary master of music and song, John hails from an extended family whose name in this city is synonymous with song. “That’s where it all started,” the 28-year-old says, “singing by his piano when I was growing up.” John’s vocal talents ensured he was a regular participant at the Feis in Derry when he was younger, but it wasn’t long before adolescence and the inevitable desire to walk his own musical path beckoned. He formed a band with his cousin and brother when he was 15, cutting his teeth in the thriving local music scene. John has spent the last few years in Glasgow, where he’s emerged as a promising singer/ songwriter. Says John: “Playing in Glasgow has really helped me develop and I’ve made some good contacts. I ran the ‘Quiet Riot’ music night there for two years, and I’ve toured extensively throughout the UK and Ireland, and basically have been putting myself out there and hoping things take off.” John’s dedication looks like it’s beginning to pay off. Having recorded two self-released albums, he has now cropped up on the
www.myspace.com/johndeery
www.johndeeryart.com
radar of respected Irish music producer David Odlum, famed for his work on albums by former bandmates The Frames and Irish songsmith Luka Bloom. “David contacted me and said he heard my stuff on myspace and really liked it,” says John, “and he’s invited me out to his place in France next month to help me out with my new album, so I’m pretty excited about that.” The material for the album is already in place, with John’s recent travels in New Zealand acting as a major inspiration for his new stuff. He says: “I spent ten weeks touring New Zealand in a camper van with my girlfriend. The landscapes out there were breathtaking, and a fantastic backdrop to writing an album. I do quite a bit of painting as well, so it was great being out there and getting the creative juices flowing.” Currently back in his home town, John is getting some local gigs lined up, and hopes to get an Irish tour going in the summer to promote the album with the band he’s getting together. “Things are going really well at the minute,” he says. “I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing, and hopefully the album will open some doors for me over the next 12 months.” *You can find out more about John and listen to his music at: www.myspace.com/johndeery www.johndeerymusic.com
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amy adams
The Lovely Bones Based on the harrowing but beautifully written novel by Alice Sebold, this film does an admirable job of conveying the devastating effects of grief and loss detailed so well in the book. Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) has chosen his cast wisely, with the fantastic Rachel Weisz delivering a wonderfully understated performance as Abigail Salmon, mother of the raped and murdered teenager Susie (played by talented Irish youngster Saoirse Ronan). Throw in celluloid heavyweights such as Mark Wahlberg and the incomparable Susan Sarandon, and you’ve got a movie that has depth and emotional intelligence in spades. The subject matter is dark, but Jackson’s light touch ensures that the grim factor never overwhelms. With a running time of 135 minutes, the viewer will require a little bit of stamina, but the film’s pace and dialogue is so well-judged it won’t feel like a marathon session. A classy adaptation, and one that fans of the book won’t be disappointed by.
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Up Released February 15 Delightful comedy adventure from animation wizards Pixar that charts the exploits of an adventurous 70-year-old retired balloon salesman. Filled with magic moments and laugh-out-loud jokes.
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Leap Year The next leap year isn’t until 2012, but hey, when has Hollywood ever let the facts get in the way of a good story? This light-hearted rom-com isn’t exactly constructed from the stuff that dreams were made of, but there’s enough charm and quality acting in here to save it from turkey status. Amy Adams (Doubt, Sunshine Cleaning) stars as Anna, a driven American businesswoman who can close plenty of deals at work but can’t get an offer of marriage from her commitment-phobic boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott). Emboldened by the Irish tradition that allows a woman to propose to her man on Leap Year’s February 29, Anna follows Jeremy to Ireland, where he’s attending a conference, intending to get down on bended knee. Bad weather forces her to take a diversion via Kerry’s Dingle Peninsula, where she meets brooding and handsome innkeeper Declan (Matthew Goode). Can you guess the rest? The plot is pretty predictable, but this light-hearted romp is surprisingly enjoyable and a cautionary tale to wishywashy men everywhere.
This Is It Released February 22 If you didn’t manage to catch the limited run in cinemas, this documentary that captures the final months of King of Pop Michael Jackson is well worth a look. The last chance to watch this true artist at work.
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The Wolfman An updated version of the classic 1940s Hollywood film of the same name, this visual feast of a horror thriller delivers on many - though not all - levels. With its release date put back several times, we guessed the filmmakers were having difficulties perfecting this ambitious project, and it’s fair to say those difficulties can be seen at times in the finished product. Pace-wise, the movie takes a beat too long to hit its stride, while the storyline can be quite erratic and confused. Overall, though, the positives outweigh the negatives. A first rate cast, including Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins, lend a touch of class to proceedings, while the breathtaking cinematography and high production values make this such a gloriously stylish affair that occasional blips in the plotline become easy to forgive. The intense Del Toro smoulders as tortured werewolf Lawrence Talbot, and with plenty of action and effects keeping things rolling along, The Wolfman definitely comes with a bite.
9 Released February 22 With Tim Burton’s name attached as producer, it’s no surprise that this animated, action-packed fantasy has a distinctly dark and quirky feel. Voice talents include Elijah Wood and Christopher Plummer.
drive105 PURE would like to wish Drive 105 a very happy 1st birthday! Congratulations from one local enterprise to another
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Saw VI Released February 12 The sixth instalment in the notorious schlock horror franchise, this is ideal Saturday night entertainment for those with a taste for gore and suspense. A big improvement on the previous two films in the series.
www.drive105.co.uk Your voice Your community
Your Station
MUSIC
LISA HANNIGAN Folk enchantress Lisa Hannigan mesmerises fans on her triumphant return to Derry by Barry McGilloway The intimate surrounds of the Nerve Centre was the perfect venue for Lisa Hannigan’s return to Derry after a stint supporting the Oscar-winning Glenn Hansard and Markéta Irglová - otherwise known as the Swell Season - on their world tour. Hannigan emerged from the shadows two years ago after ditching her role as backing vocalist for Damien Rice, a brave and inspired decision which couldn’t have been taken lightly given the
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international acclaim of talented Irish songsmith Rice. She didn’t rest on her laurels and quickly recorded and released the amazing - and Mercurynominated - Sea Sew with the help of former Damien Rice drummer ‘Tomo’ and a host of musical friends. The usually rowdy bar atmosphere of the Nerve Centre was quickly hushed as the softly-spoken songstress opened proceedings with ‘Pistachio’, a hidden gem on the album which wasn’t released as a single. I was hooked instantly. Her presence, understated beauty and artistry was infectious. It’s unusual for a backing vocalist to demand so much respect as a solo artist, but this usually boisterous,
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packed venue was hanging on every line as she made her way through Sea Sew. As expected, the singles ‘Ocean and a Rock, and ‘I Don’t Know’ went down a storm. These were accompanied by new material and a lot of good-natured banter with the crowd. Undoubtedly overwhelmed by the reception she got in Derry, the accomplished Hannigan threw her heart and soul into the encore, the highlight of which was most definitely her cover of Depeche Mode’s ‘Personal Jesus’. A rare treat for the Derry music scene, and a gig that will not be easily forgotten by those who had the good fortune to witness it.
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Massive Attack Heligoland Released February 8
Sade Soldier of Love Released February 8
The cast of Glee Original Soundtrack Released February 15
Groove Armada Black Light Released February 22
The seminal trip-hop collective return with an innovative new album featuring guest vocals from Damon Albarn, Guy Garvey and regular cohort Horace Andy.
The sultry songstress steps back into the limelight with her first studio album in ten years. Nothing too original here, but great vocals nevertheless.
The soundtrack to the smash hit E4 show, this collection of covers performed by the cast sizzles with youthful exuberance and charm.
The London electronica duo return with their sixth studio album, which is being labelled as ‘the darker side of Groove Armada’.
Marina and the Diamonds The Family Jewels Released February 22 Debut album from quirky Welsh warbler Marina Diamandis. Florence and the Machine, watch your back.
WHATS ON
As a visual artist, Russell works mainly in photography with strands of her practice intertwined with object making and sculpture. Russell has exhibited both nationally and internationally. Russell has recently completed residencies in New York, NY and Winnipeg, Canada.
20th February
Stars in your Eyes City Hotel, Derry, 8pm This competition to find the city’s best musical impersonator promises to be a great night’s craic and, given the singing talent Derry is capable of producing, the £5 entry fee is an absolute steal. The event is being organised by members of the Changaro Trust to raise money for a school the group is developing in Kenya, which is another great reason for lending your support.
Famed for her peerless interpretation of folk and contemporary material, Ireland’s own Mary Black is rightly regarded as one of the finest female vocallists in the world. A truly class act, her welcome return to the Millennium is not to be missed.
21st February
Mary Black Millennium Forum, Derry, 8pm
12th - 24th February
Cracking the Code, Tower Museum, Derry This exhibition has been produced by the Somme Association and looks at the history of codes and code breaking, from ancient times to the present day. With particular reference to World War I and World War II, it also includes and interactive element. Can you crack the code?
This dynamic and fast-paced piece of dance theatre from Maiden Voyage celebrates the legendary George Best’s football genius and leads the audience through glimpses of his life, loves, lows, and triumphs spanning a 40 year period.
25th February
Best Waterside Theatre, Derry, 8pm
1st22nd - 13thFebruary February
Lady Russell Amy Gaga, - In Search Of The Other Crowd. ContextArena, Odyssey Gallery, Belfast, Artillery 8pm Street, Derry The queen Artist talk: Thursday of electro14th pop January, is bringing 2pm. her Monster Ball tour to Belfast. Expect scary outfits, outrageous dance routines and amazing pop tunes in abundance.
Dancing at Lughnasa, An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, 8pm Brian Friel’s classic drama set in 1930s Donegal tells the story of a bitter harvest for the Mundy sisters. Both painfully funny and incredibly moving.
22nd February
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Until 27th Feb
Amy Russell - In Search Of The Other Crowd. Context Gallery, Artillery Street, Derry
WHATS ON An essential guide to the upcoming events not to be missed
Jamie T returns to Belfast to tour the critically acclaimed ‘Kings and Queens’. As well as being Radio one Dj Zane Lowes album and act of the year Jamie T is widely tipped to do big things in 2010. With a huge student folowing and tickets reasonably priced at £16 this is sure to sell out quickly.
10 February
Jamie T Mandela Hall, Belfast, 8pm
23rd February
Christiane F. Nerve Centre Cinema, Derry, 8pm The new cinema season has begun at the Nerve Centre, and the programme is an exciting mix of classic, contemporary and foreign. Our recommendation this month is German masterpiece Christiane F., a shocking and controversial film about a young girl’s descent into the drugs scene of 1970s Berlin. Café Nervosa will be open for business before all cinema club screenings (Mondays and Tuesdays) with a special evening menu, so why not make a night of it? Log on to www.nerve-centre.org.uk for full programme.
Double MOBO winner Chipmunk brings his unique style of rap to Irish shores. The young grime artist is hot property at the minute, and this gig is sure to be a sizzling affair.
27th February
Chipmunk Aura Leisure Centre, Letterkenny, 7pm
REVIEW
It’s
at the Belfray
On the last Saturday night of every month, the Belfray Country Inn dusts down the disco ball to host a fabulous night of glitz and glam, cabaret and feather boas – Vegas Style! PURE’s David Kavanagh went along to check it out...
“the dance
on the door, so take heed, If you’ve not visited the troupe dazzled readers, and make sure you Belfray Country Inn in the the audience last 18 months, you’re book your tickets early to with some great avoid disappointment! missing out. It’s now moves that would under new ownership The meal was delicious: a full-on feast which included and has been completely have the cast of an oven-baked filled vol-autransformed from its previous Strictly green incarnation as the Inn at the vent, creamy potato and leek with envy” soup, an amazing sirloin stack Cross. The new hotel is luxury personified, decorated to the turkey and ham stuffed dinner with all the trimmings, and a scrumptious highest standards and the perfect peach and apple crumble for dessert with setting for weddings and functions. The monthly gala cabaret night is testament coffee. The venue was full to capacity and to pull this off perfectly is quite a tall order, so well to the Belfray’s culinary and entertainment done. expertise. Seats sell out weeks in advance The entertainment began with a really and if you’re lucky enough to get tickets, then professional musical introduction – all the you’re in for a fun filled night of entertainment and great food! Tickets are £35 a head and stops were pulled out, with water-based haze, projection laser lights and an amazing worth every penny. The price includes a five chandelier that disappeared into the ceiling just course meal with all the trimmings and a great cabaret show with professional dancers and before the show started! John Edgar, one of the owners, is also one great singers. of the stars of the cabaret show. He’s got a I went along last month and couldn’t believe great voice and is a born entertainer on stage how much fun I had. The venue was full to and had the whole audience clapping to his bursting and the management even had to turn away 80 people without tickets that night songs within moments. John and his team put
on a great show and put a huge amount of effort into the programme. I witnessed over ten costume changes throughout the evening and the musical numbers were fantastic, ranging from some great Broadway hits to Grease, Elvis and the Pretenders. The dance troupe dazzled the audience “the venue with some great was full to moves that would bursting and have the cast of the management Strictly green with had to turn envy, and they all away 80 people” ended the show with a great finale that had the whole auditorium on their feet; as if this wasn’t enough there was even a band to play music for guests until the wee hours of the morning. There’s a reason this night sells out well in advance. Partners Brian and John and their team made sure everyone was well catered for, with great food, great service and fabulous entertainment! What more can anyone ask for?
WHAT’S HOT
2. Paperboy App
1. Girls Can’t Catch
Gaming on mobile phones is really beginning to take off computer games, that is; not gambling - and the demand for retro classics such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Tetris is high. To date, more than two billion games apps have been downloaded worldwide, and the latest craze is for legendary 80s arcade game Paperboy. If you’re in your thirties then you’ll need no introduction to this highly addictive game, which sees the player guide a cycling paperboy through the suburbs to deliver the news, trying to avoid pitfalls such as manhole covers and growling dogs along the way. If you’re too young to remember the original, then check out this cool app at the iPhone App store and get playing.
This vivacious pop trio have been touring throughout the UK and Ireland, starting as support act for record label stablemates Girls Aloud before playing live shows at the Glastonbury and iTunes festivals. The girls’ infectious brand of catchy pop saw them hit the charts earlier last year with ‘Keep Your Head Up’, and they’re tipped for bigger and better things with upcoming single ‘Echo’, which is out this month. The pop trivia fans among you may be interested to know that the band’s name was originally offered to The Saturdays, but they turned it down - here’s hoping it’s a decision they don’t come to regret. Watch out Mini Viva and the rest - there’s some new girls in town.
4. Karl Pilkington
3. Passion Pit Here in the electronica-loving PURE office we’re at a total loss as to why this amazing American electro/funk five-piece haven’t been catapulted to superstardom, but we’ve got our fingers and toes crossed that the public at large will see the light soon. Lead singer Michael Angelakos’ soaring falsetto is a thing of true joy, while the band’s MGMT-like sound provokes instant toe-tapping and humming along from happy listeners. Passion Pit set the traditionally lacklustre afternoon slot at many of the major music festivals on absolute fire last summer, so if you haven’t already done so, get hold of their brilliant debut album Manners and let the head-bopping begin.
He’s the hilarious star of the show on the Ricky Gervais podcasts, and now the wonderfully deadpan Mancunian Karl Pilkington is set to travel the globe in search of the Seven Wonders of the World as part of a new TV show coming out on Sky. Broadcaster, radio producer and raconteur Pilkington will be no stranger to fans of the Gervais/ Merchant podcasts, where his bizarre observations and unique turn of phrase made him a bona fide internet phenomenon, and we expect his transition to the TV airwaves to be be equally successful. The show on Sky 1 is coming soon, but in the meantime you can experience the legend that is Pilkington by purchasing previous podcasts at iTunes.
5. Eliza Doolittle One of the key acts for 2010 for record label Parlophone, Eliza Doolittle has been ticking off all the cool ‘to do’ boxes in the last year. Rob Da Bank session for BBC – done. Fashion magazine support – done. Music Week making your shows ‘gig of the week’ twice – done. Her debut EP was a revelation; all gorgeously mellow, downtempo vocals, beautifully sparse arrangements and invitingly vintage vibes. Scratch beneath the pristine surface however, and you’ll find something that goes beyond a simple pop song, something more intriguing and tantalising. But then that’s something which easily applies to Ms Doolittle herself. Her debut album’s out in March, but if you want to get ahead of the game check out her music at www.myspace.com/elizadoolittle.
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“I need to compete with Lady Gaga’s crazy costumes!”
INTERVIEW
Danish pop sensations Alphabeat return to Irish shores this month to support Lady Gaga, whose tour comes to the Belfast Odyssey later this month. PURE caught up with the band’s female vocallist Stine Bramsen for a chat about the tour, upcoming new album The Beat Is..., and how she’s got a few costume ideas up her sleeve that even Lady Gaga will be impressed by... Hi Stine. We delighted to hear you’re supporting Lady Gaga on her UK and Irish tour. You guys must be pretty excited about that. Definitely! We’re really looking forward to the whole tour. Lady Gaga is one of the best pop acts around at the moment, so we feel very honoured to be included in her show. She said something in an interview about how much she liked us, so our people approached her people and she picked us as her support act, which was fantastic. I’m really looking forward to meeting “We’ve gone her, and I’m more poppy very excited about the on this alum upcoming compared to shows.
the last one”
Yourselves and Lady Gaga are coming to Belfast on February 22. How do you find the Irish
crowds? Coming to Ireland is always great fun. You guys certainly know how to enjoy yourselves, so hopefully this gig will be as loud and rowdy as the last one! Your fans will no doubt have the chance to hear material from your upcoming album
The Beat Is..., which is out on March 1, at the Odyssey. What can they expect? We’ve gone more poppy on this album compared to the last one, and have sharpened things up both sonically and visually. As a band, we’re all huge fans of the 90s power pop sound created by the likes of Snap! and Black Box, so we’ve tried to blend that with the more contemporary sounds of Gaga and Britney. A trademark of 90s pop was big, powerful vocals, so having the opportunity to take my singing to the next level is fantastic for me as a vocallist. You’re the only girl in a band of six. How do you cope with all that testosterone? I fit in quite well, thankfully! We’ve been together seven years so by this stage we all know each other quite well and can usually tell when we need to respect each other’s space. I think they all see me as being like a younger sister, so needless to say I get teased quite a lot! I can talk to the guys about most things, but when I want a girly chat I just call one of my girl friends back home in Denmark. You’ve been living in London for a few years. Do you get homesick? I’m not too bad. We all get back to Denmark to visit friends and family fairly regularly. Most of the guys have girlfriends back home, so they never stay away too long. The first thing I have when I go home is a sandwich made from a rye bread that’s difficult to get in the UK, and there’s also a particular brand of crisps I miss
that I only get in Denmark - it’s a bit like you guys and your Tayto! The song that catapulted you into the limelight was ‘Fascination’, which made the UK top ten in 2008. Your new single ‘Hole in my Heart’ is coming out later this month. How important is chart success to you? It’s something that has definitely become an issue, especially in the UK. Chart success wasn’t such a big deal in Denmark, but over here the reality is that’s it’s very important for the record label and the people around us that we perform well in the charts. We’re really pleased with our new material, and the video for ‘Hole in my Heart’ is very striking, so hopefully it will get a good reception. Lady Gaga is notorious for her weird and wonderful outfits. Will you be giving her a run for her money during the tour? Yeah, I’ve definitely been thinking about how I can step it up a bit to compete with her crazy costumes! Lady Gaga’s look is amazing and extreme, so I’ve been chatting to some friends of mine who are training as fashion designers and they’re going to design some stuff for me to wear on the tour. I’m really into headpieces at the minute, so the crowd in Belfast can hopefully expect to see some quirky pieces on me as well as Gaga! Alphabeat support Lady Gaga at Belfast Odyssey on February 22. Their new album The Beat Is... is out March 1.
GLEE FEATURE
Everyone’s talking about......
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GLEE FEATURE
PURE’s Mark Duncan on the show that’s been going down a storm on both sides of the Atlantic... A new phenomenon is taking over both our telly screens and music charts, and if you haven’t yet heard of it then it’s time to crawl out from under that rock… yes, it’s Glee! The E4 show is an uplifting and addictive American series that follows the lives of students and teachers who attend the William McKinley High School, and their involvement in ‘Glee Club’, a school choir run by music-loving teacher Mr Scheuster. Despite being unfairly dubbed in some quarters (probably by those who hadn’t bothered watching it) as ‘yet another High School Musical’, the show’s popularity has gone stratospheric, and the initial naysayers are likely eating plates of humble pie as we speak. It is littered with genius comedy moments intertwined with real everyday issues. Topics such as homosexuality, pregnancy and bullying arise constantly, yet the comic brilliance of the script serves as a relief and elevates the mood. Kids especially can relate to the show as the moral undercurrent both inspires and encourages you to be who you want to be. The snappy dialogue and postmodern humour echo the groundbreaking teen drama of ten years before, Dawson’s Creek, but what really makes Glee is the music, which blends in seamlessly with the dialogue. The unique musical arrangements of modern and instantly recognisable songs have had such an impact that the Glee cast have entered the UK charts and are set to dominate them for some time. This magic mix of real life dilemmas with comedy and song makes for a truly entertaining watch, and we predict there will be scores of school kids banging down the doors of music rooms across the country demanding their very own Glee Club. As the song goes: Don’t stop believing - hold on to that feeling!
The kids... Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith)
Who’s who
Finn is the star quarterback of the school’s football team. Tries very hard to retain his ‘macho tough guy’ image but risks destroying this by joining Glee club. Dates bitchy cheerleader Quinn but has growing feelings for wholesome Rachel, which gets complicated when preganat Quinn announces he’s the father of her child.
Suffers ridicule from her peers for being part of Glee and her over-enthusiastic dreams and ambitions of being on Broadway. Battles with her unrequited love for Finn and serves as his voice of reality to be yourself and follow your dreams at all costs. Her aura of ruthless ambition belies her lack of confidence around men.
Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer)
Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley)
Kurt is bullied by the football team due to his participation in Glee and his effeminate manner. Comes out as gay to Mercedes but for a time battles telling this to his macho father. Kurt has a crush on Finn and is jealous of Rachel.
The dramatic diva of the show, with a voice style similar to Aretha Franklin. She has a bold personality and is well-known for her trademark quote ‘Hell to the no!’ She develops a crush on Kurt without knowing he is gay and is hurt when he turns her down, but soon after she becomes close friends with him.
Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale)
Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz)
Paraplegic Artie sings and plays the guitar all whilst being wheelchair bound. Like the other members, Artie finds Glee to be an escape from the trials and tribulations associated with high school life.
Tina is a quiet and shy member of the club in the beginning, but she quickly begins to come out of her shell. She has feelings for Artie.
Noah Puckerman (Mark Salling) .
Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron)
‘Puck’ is Finn’s best friend and fellow member of the football team. Initially the premier bully of the school who snubs the Glee club, but later joins up. A womanizer who has flings with older females, he is actually responsible for getting Quinn pregnant.
Quinn is the head cheerleader of the school and president of the celibacy club. She is Finn’s girlfriend and gets very jealous when he starts to pay attention to Rachel. Gym teacher Sue Sylvester’s pawn in bringing down the Glee club from the inside out.
The adults... catch glee on E4, MONDAY NIGHTS, 9PM
Rachel Berry (Lea Michele)
Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison)
Terri Shuester (Jessalyn Gilsig)
In charge of Glee club. A former member, he’s passionate about the group, perhaps to get a little bit of his youth back. Married to high school sweetheart Terri and often struggles between his attempts to provide for his family whilst doing what he loves. Attracted to colleague Emma.
Married to Will. Desperate for a child, she experiences a hysterical pregnancy but keeps Will believing they’re having a boy. Threatened by Will’s commitment to Glee and insists he become an accountant to earn more money and provide for his family.
Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays)
Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch)
School guidance counsellor who has a crush on Will, yet hides this by dating the football coach. Obsessed with cleanliness and is Will’s voice of reality to pursue what he wants to do.
Sue’s motto ‘whatever it takes’ to win is a recurring theme throughout the show. Her snappy sarcastic comments are comedy genius and she battles for control of the school budget. Director of the school cheerleading team, her storylines usually revolve around her conspiring against Glee.
TRAVEL
Empire State of Mind
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Infamously tagged ‘the city that never sleeps’, New York is one of the most popular weekend break destinations in the world. Boasting top class shops, nightlife, cuisine and tourist attractions, visitors to the city are never stuck for things to do. PURE’s David Kavanagh enjoyed a weekend break there recently, and here he reveals his pick of things to do in the Big Apple.
TRAVEL
Get there
Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow It pays to have friends at high altitude, so I was lucky enough to fly to the Big Apple first class with Virgin at a reduced price thanks to my air steward pal. Virgin’s plush upper class suite was luxury personified, with a stunning bar, a seat that stretches out flat at the touch of a button, and an extensive a la carte dinner menu that boasted food far and above the standard airline fare. I had a huge TV screen that had a huge choice of movies, TV programmes and games, and felt really refreshed when we touched down - no cramped leg muscles or sleep-deprived hallucinations for me!
Shop
Eat
Century 21, Cortlandt St, Lower Manhattan Situated across the street from the former World Trade Centre site, this notorious discount department store is the place to go for outrageous bargains on all the top designer fashions and accessories. Obviously, no trip to New York is complete without doing a little window shopping at the ultra-exclusive designer stores on Fifth Avenue, but if you’re on a budget and want to take home a little cut-price bling, then Century 21’s the place to go. I picked up an amazing pair of Gucci sunglasses for $80, and now I can’t wait for summer!
The Gramercy Tavern, 42 East 20th St, New York One of Manhattan’s most acclaimed eateries, this is a classic American Tavern offering fine, contemporary cuisine in a landmark historic building. Top chef Michael Anthony cooks exquisite food, and his fish dishes in particular are top class. At $86 for a two-course dinner it definitely wasn’t the cheapest option, but I saved a bit in the days leading up to it by having a pizza slice or sandwich on the go for lunch, so I was happy to splurge. My meal was amazing, the staff were fantastic, and the surroundings wonderful.
Stay
Radisson Martinique Hotel, 49 West 32nd St, New York This isn’t the creme de la creme of New York hotels, but it’s relatively cheap and in a great location - it’s on Broadway in the heart of midtown Manhattan. The Martinique has a Travelodge type feel, but the rooms are clean and spacious and I found the staff very helpful and friendly. My friend and I paid $470 between the two of us for a three-night weekend stay in a twin room, which is fairly reasonable in comparison to some of the other hotels. We spent most of our time out and about, so all we wanted was a clean bed for the night in a handy location.
Drink
230 Fifith, Fifth Avenue, New York New York’s nightlife scene is notorious, and there are way too many hotspots to mention here, but a highlight for me was the hip 230 Fifth rooftop garden bar. I had an amazing overview of the city, and felt super cool sipping my cocktail and taking in the New York skyline. It was a really cold night, but the rooftop garden had plenty of heaters and the staff even provided us with blankets and snuggies! The drinks were a little expensive, but well worth it for the magnificent view.
Tour
Sex and the City Hotspots Tour This was a hugely enjoyable experience, and $24 really well spent. We were bussed round many of the locations made famous in the smash TV show, including Carrie’s Greenwich Village apartment stoop, the church where Saucy Samantha met the hot monk, and the glorious Plaza Hotel where Big got engaged to Natasha. We got to gorge on cupcakes at the Magnolia bakery and sipped cosmopolitans at Steve and Aiden’s bar ‘Scout’, and were shown clips from the show on the bus in between stops. A great tour, and a must for diehard fans.
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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
“Finally I have the confidence to
smile” “
Fed up with constant trips to the orthodontist and the inconvenience and discomfort of temporary fittings, Dungiven teenager Orla Boyle decided implants were the solution to the problem of her two missing teeth. Here, she tells PURE about the overwhelmingly positive effect the procedure has had on her life...
Before
After
off her gorgeous new Transformed: Orla Boyle shows
I have a condition known as congenitally missing teeth, so I’ve spent a lot of my life going back and forth to the orthodontist for treatment. Two of my front teeth were missing, so I had to wear a bridge to cover up the gaps. A bridge isn’t the most comfortable thing to wear, and it tends to fall out quite a bit, which can be a real pain.
“I was afraid to smile, and tended to put my hand over my mouth” Because I never felt I had regular teeth like everyone else, I was always a bit self-conscious. I was afraid to smile, and tended to put my hand over my mouth because I was worried people would notice. I’d heard of implant surgery, but was told this procedure can’t be done on people under 18, as their gums are still growing and you can’t do any surgery that would interfere with that. So when I turned 18 last year I was delighted that I would finally be eligible for implants. I was referred to Quayside dental, where Dr
What is an implant? Basically, it’s the modern replacement for a natural tooth, and the best solution to the problem of missing teeth.
asked PURE puts some ‘frequently es of questions’ to Dr Peter Hugh Quayside Dental Care
Peter Hughes got to work on giving me some new teeth. Peter really put me at ease, and explained everything very clearly. After some consultations, the treatment itself was carried out in July. The treatment took about an hour and a half - I was delighted how quick it all was. The implants took a while to integrate with the mouth before they could attach the finishing touches; the crowns. It felt great to look at myself and see a full row of lovely, permanent teeth there. He’d also put veneers on my middle front teeth, as they’d become worn from the burden of doing double the work, and the difference was amazing. Six months later and I only have to go to the dentist now for regular check-ups like everyone else. Thanks to implant surgery, I can bite into an apple without worrying, don’t have to cover my mouth, and finally have the confidence to smile.
The cost starts at around £2,000. Why so expensive? Implants are made from precision designed titanium and as a result are costly. We only work with highly skilled technicians from around the world to get the end result just right. Then there are several months of planning and after care, which is vital to get the most natural smile. Is it £2,000 per tooth, then? Not at all. If you have a few teeth in a row missing, for example, you can get one implant
”
“It felt great to look in the mirror and see a full row of lovely, permanent teeth”
Implants: the facts Hi Peter. Orla’s teeth look great. You must be pretty pleased with youself! I’m delighted for Orla. When I first met her she was very reluctant to smile and quite shy, but now she’s more outgoing and is smiling away! As a dentist, I enjoy my work, but my special interest lies in implants. You really get a sense that it’s made such a difference to the patient’s life, and that’s a source of tremendous satisfaction.
smile
but then put two crowns on it. That’s just one example, but basically the cost is determined by what the patient’s individual needs are. Do you get many people in Derry asking for implants? Each year the demand has steadily grown. I suppose that’s down to the fact that people are starting to get more of an idea of what implants actually are. I’ve done implant treatment for people of all ages over 18, and of both sexes. That said, there are less implants placed in Northern Ireland per head of population than anywhere else in Europe, so we’ve a bit of catching up to do. If I had missing teeth, couldn’t I just struggle on with a bridge or dentures and save my cash up for a holiday instead? Absolutely, but dental implants are the most successful treatment carried out in practice and over time are an extremely cost effective way of giving you back your smile and being able to chew foods you want when you want. Patients who have had implants tell us that it brought them more satisfaction than a holiday.
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BUSINESS
Bulletin board wh
o’s doing what in the local business scene
Out to lunch PURE’s partner in website design, Andrew Cuthbert, tells us why getting a piece of the action in the online market is the smart choice for potential investors...
Attention businessmen (and women!): Casa Italia on Queen’s Quay is launching a business lunch menu that offers a fresh and healthy alternative to the greasy food so many of us hastily consume at our desks. Owner and chef Tommy O’Brien has designed a special ten-day menu (there’ll be a different option for every day) that positively sings freshness, flavour and fine health. Whether your thing’s pasta, soup or salad, there will be something to suit; the common denominator is that everything is prepared fresh on the day. Starts mid March.
Starting together...
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Investing in an internet website can be a highly lucrative venture. Just ask Pierre Omidyar, the developer of online auction site eBay, who at the tender age of 28 is now the 156th richest man in the world. Or German businessman Andy Bechtolsheim. Just over ten years ago, he invested $100,000 in a project that would come to be known as Google. His investment today for a third share would be worth over $10 billion in assets alone, and continues to generate huge amounts of capital each month. Give or take a penny or two, he’s multiplied his original stake by 100,000. Not bad, eh? In the early days of the dot.com phenomenon, it wasn’t uncommon for the uneducated investor to pour money into internet projects, only to see their hopes dashed becasue they chose companies who, though they had lots of experience in website design and concepts, didn’t have the business savvy to go with it. But if you think that the dotcom bubble has burst for good, think again. Hook yourself up with the right people - those who have both the necessary technical and business expertise - and the net could scoop you some tidy profits. Some major advances in technology,
such as high speed broadband, and access to computers and the internet in general, have expanded the market size and made the internet the premier medium for accessing worldwide markets.The time is ripe for new ideas and new innovation, and in a time when property will take years to recover, online ventures usually show success or failure in roughly two-five years. Sure, some fail, but those that succeed can breed returns of up to a staggering 1000 %. Not a bad return, I think you’ll agree! Traditional investors need to move with the times as IT becomes a way of spreading bets using low value, albeit high risk investments, to bring a steady return. There is little comparison between a £100,000 investment in property which can breed a return of 8% per annum against a £100,000 investment in technology which can breed a £1,000,000 return in 18 months. The web is the new property boom, and with the right delivery partner investing in your own idea or someone else’s, huge returns are there for the taking.
For more information contact Andrew Cuthbert: Andrew@omnisoftservices.com
Best of luck to young Derry entrepreneur Joe Foster. Joe and his girlfriend Clare Brady (both pictured below) have launched a pioneering online business directory, izudoo.com. The website promises to be the number one port-ofcall for anyone looking for information on locally-based businesses. The directory will enhance the search for products, services and entertainment in the region. For more information on izudoo visit www.izudoo.com, phone 028 7122 6130 or email joe.foster@izudoo.com.
Clare brady and Joe Foster
Hat trick for Grafton
PURE would like to congratulate recruitment firm Grafton, who have just been awarded Recruitment Agency of the Year for the third year running. Joanne Quinn, manager of the Derry branch, told us: “The Derry branch is run by a successful local team. Working alongside myself are recruitment consultants Sally Campbell from Omagh and Helen O’Kane from Derry, supported by Catriona Campbell from Derry. We’re all from neighbouring towns and understand the North West marketplace and can tailor our recruitment offerings to best suit the needs for our clients and candidates alike.” Go team Grafton!
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL WEBSITES FROM £499
contact: directors@pureinc.co.uk
INTERVIEW
Native Dubliner Eoin McCarthy showed off a flawless Derry accent recently for Channel 4 drama Mo, in which he played Martin McGuinness. PURE dropped in for a chat with Eoin, who told us what it was like to work with the amazing Julie Walters and some of the best names in the business...
Eoin McCarthy (main picture) and, right, with Julie Walters in Mo
I decided not to meet Martin McGuinness ahead of doing the part. I didn’t want to try and impersonate him, or mimic him. The timbre of our voices is very different anyway, and I thought it was more important to get the essence of his character right. I watched TV footage of him and got hold of telephone transcripts, and this helped me get an idea of who he is. What I hope I portrayed successfully is a man who believes in what he’s doing, who has the respect of the British government, and who doesn’t open his mouth unless he has something to say. And one, I have to say, with a great sense of humour. To some in Northern Ireland he’s Nelson Mandela while to others he’s Atilla the Hun, but my objective was capture the essence of the man as faithfully as possible, irrespective of how various sections of the community regard him. Hopefully my Derry accent cut the mustard. The difference between the Belfast and Derry accent is probably very clear cut to the people who live up here, but to a Dubliner the difference between one Northern Ireland accent and the next is very subtle, so I was worried about getting it right. The director thought it was fine, though he’s an Englishman so that’s not saying much! A few of my Northern Ireland friends heard it and told me it was spot on, but they may have said that out of kindness and I’m not sure whether I got it down. The troubles didn’t really reach my orbit when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. Obviously we knew about the bombings and all the rest of it, but because we were removed from it all it was really like another country. Like any teenager I
was less interested in politics and more into girls and drinking and all the usual things. I remember going up to Newry when I was 18 and being mesmerised by the soldiers standing with guns at the checkpoints. To me it was a totally alien world. Being involved in Mo made me realise how little I knew about the political situation here. I was sitting at the read-through with Adrain Dunbar (David Trimble) and John Lynch (Gerry Adams). Those guys knew dates, names, reasons - they knew all of it - and I found that very humbling. Working on Mo has changed my outlook immensely. I’ve read up a lot more on the history of it all, and hopefully have a better understanding as a result. I’m taller than John Lynch, who plays Gerry Adams. In real life, Gerry Adams is taller than Martin McGuinness, so I hope Gerry doesn’t feel too hard done by that he lost a few inches on the screen! Working with Julie Walters was fantastic. She’s an amazing actress, and a very funny lady. The drama was really about Mo Mowlam’s story and she carries it brilliantly. Martin McGuinness and the rest of the Irish politicians act as the backdrop more than anything. Theirs is a story in its own right, and one which I’m sure will be made in the future. I’ve had parts in various Hollywood films but the lure of universal stardom doesn’t appeal to me. I had a taste of that when I played Derek Jacobi’s sidekick in Cadfael, and also when I was in an Irish soap for about six weeks, and I wasn’t crazy about people coming up to me and
thinking they knew me. What’s more important to me is earning the respect and validation of my peers and maintaining the integrity of the work. Two actors I hold in the highest regard are Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne. Every current actor in Ireland owes a huge debt to them for making our accent mainstream throughout the world. I remember doing a TV show in the early 90s and being asked to re-dub my dialogue because they thought nobody would understand me. The role I would loved to have played is Eamon DeValera in Michael Collins. I really wanted to be part of the Michael Collins project, and met with the director Neil Jordan, but sadly due to my Cadfael commitment things didn’t get any further. DeValera was revered in Ireland for so long, so when his duplicity was revealed it came as a huge shock. I would have loved to have played the scene in Michael Collins where he cracks up! I think Ireland would have been a very different place if it hadn’t been for the stranglehold he had over the country. I’m currently doing a play in Leicester called ‘The Lieutenant of Inishmore’, by the brilliant Martin McDonagh. As I get older - I’m 47 - I’m coming to enjoy the stage more. You get to be your own man, and I find it more challenging. I’ve had the priviledge of working with some fantastic actors in the theatre. I was doing a five month run opposite Dame Judi Dench and at one point I said to myself ‘hang on, this woman could wipe the floor with me’! So you have to try not to think about the calibre of those people too much or you’d never make it onto the stage!
COME DINE
Known for their hospitality and culinary skills, Carol and Derek Reddin’s dinner paty at their Fahan home was a great night filled with laughter, great food and a plush table setting that had a serious ‘wow’ factor ... Carol and Derek Reddin like nothing more than welcoming their friends into their Fahan home for dinner, lively conversation and a good laugh. The couple, who own design haven Carpet House & Interiors in Bridgend, enjoy kicking back at the end of a hard week at the office with some good food, wine and company. “I really enjoy hosting,” says Carol. “For me, the key is to pre-prepare as much of the dinner as possible so that you can spend plenty of time with the guests. When you’re the host, you want to make sure the conversation is flowing and everyone feels confortable, so Derek and myself always make sure one of us is in the room with the guests while the other is out in the kitchen or preparing drinks.” Carol’s ‘Come Dine With Me’ menu reflected her fondness for simple, yet different, food combinations where a premium is put on quality and freshness. “The monkfish had been caught that day at Greencastle,” she says, “and because it was wrapped in Parma ham it retained its flavour and moistness. I chose the black pudding and salad starter because it was nice and light, as there’s nothing worse than having your guests feel bloated before they even get to the dessert.”
“ you want to make sure the conversation is flowing and everyone feels comfortable, so Derek and myself always make sure one of us is in the room with the guests while the other is out in the kitchen or preparing drinks “
As is their tradition, Carol and Derek set the genial tone early on by serving a champagne aperitif, while interior designer Carol wowed the guests upon being seated with her stunning table setting, which boasted a cut glass candelbra centrepiece, a black glass table top with delicate little aubergine hearts set in, and some quirky little port glasses the couple picked up in Austria. Says Carol: “I always try and do something really nice with the table,” she says. “But while we have the setting very formal, we’re always keen to make sure the atmosphere and conversation is very relaxed - and that’s where Derek comes in. He’s a real entertainer, so there’s always plenty of banter and laughter between all the guests.” Derek and Carol’s dinner guests were three couples: Gerry and Maeve Fearon, Paul and Mary Bradley and Fintan and Jane Connolly. “All the couples are friends with each other, “says Carol, “so the conversation flowed nicely. But even when we have a mix of guests who perhaps don’t know each other very well, Derek and I are always keen to bring everyone together and set a friendly and inclusive tone for the evening.” Having prepared everything to the letter - she even had the black pudding laid out on the grill early on so all she had to do was fire it up! - Carol’s dinner party was a great success. “The only minor disappointment was that my chocoloate puddings shrank a bit,” says Carol, “but they had a lovely taste, which is the main thing. I tend to stick with dishes I’ve made before so there are no hiccups in the kitchen, and that would be my advice to anyone throwing a dinner party. That, and to avoid doing any recipe that requires filo pastry - I’ve tried working with it in the past and it was a disaster!”
Paul and Mary Bradley “The night was absolutely excellent,” says Paul. “The table was decorated like something from a top class hotel, and the food was fantastic. The difficult part now will be inviting them back to ours and trying to match this fantastic evening!”
4 6 Revelry: The hosts and their guests raise their glasses to a good night
Score: 10/10
COME DINE
MENU Aperitif Moet et Chandon champagne Starter Wild rocket salad with award-winning Clonakilty black pudding, dressed with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, topped with parmesan shavings. Served with thinly-sliced garlic pizza bread. Main course Fresh monkfish, wrapped with Parma ham, roasted and served with lemon mash potato accompanied with a hand-picked selection of fresh market vegetables.
Pure’s verdict:
Dessert Mini chocolate sponge with a soft dark chocolate centre, surrounded by a selection of fresh berries, topped with lightly-whipped fresh cream.
Carol gets the main course ready
Carol and Derek have an eye for the finer things in life. This is clear by the standards they set in business, so because of this I knew they would pull out all the stops and raise the bar for future ‘Come Diners’. Carol had the situation well in hand; all their guests we comfortable and seated with a glass in hand, and she and Derek were super attentive - everyone was relaxed, chatting and clearly having fun. She outdid herself in the kitchen, and had the meal organised and cooked like a military operation. It seems to us (and her guests) that Nigella Lawson better watch out as there may be a new contender for hostess of the year. With such high scores from her guests it will be hard for our next contenders to compete, but if you think you are up for the challenge contact PURE HQ and have a go!
To finish Selection of Italian and French cheeses, served with bite-sized water biscuits and crimson seedless grapes, with a vintage port digestive. Wines White: 2009 Alberice Pinot Grigio Red: 2005 Château Laucaussade St Martin les Côtes Bordeaux
Score: 9/10
Gerry and Maeve Fearon
Fintan and Jane Connolly
“Carol and derek were brilliant hosts,” says Maeve, “and we really couldn’t have faulted anything. Because we know them we weren’t surprised by the high standard of the food and surroundings, but I can honestly say that even if they were strangers they would still have scored top marks.”
“Carol and Derek’s night was brilliant,” says Jane. “The whole night was just great. The food was absolutely gorgeous and thats typical for Carol her cooking is always amazing. The presentation of the courses were perfection as well. The night went really well, and Carol and Derek, as usual, were the perfect hosts.”
Score: 10/10
Score 10/10
97.5%
THE REVIEWS
Martha’s Vineyard
by Mary-Anne McNulty When a restaurant boasts what is termed an ‘affordable’ menu, there tends to be an unwritten rule that the diner will have to make certain allowances in regard to the quality of the fare. You’ll go, have a reasonably decent meal, but in the inevitable post-mortem that takes place at home someone will say ‘well, the soup could have been a wee bit hotter’ or ‘my lamb was slightly fatty’. But you let the niggly things slide because the meal didn’t cost loads. We’re in Derry, after all, and nobody expects Michelinstarred cuisine. Martha’s Vineyard, tucked away in a corner of the Brunswick Superbowl leisure complex, is the epitome of affordable dining. The dearest bottle of wine on the menu is £13.95, all the starters cost less than £4 and the mains - with the exception of steak - range from £8.95 to £12.95. Yet in the ten years or so since I’ve been coming here, I’ve never once had to ‘make allowances’. The quality and presentation of the food here is always excellent, and could easily justify a heftier price tag. But then, the beauty of the place is that you can go for a really nice meal in comfortable and family-friendly surroundings without breaking the bank, and explains why the place was almost full on a rainy Monday in January a full week before payday. Our starters of spicy tempura chicken and pear and walnut salad kicked things off nicely; they were both fresh, tasty and beautifully-presented. The only qualm I would have about the starters
menu is that all three meat options are Asian-themed, so it maybe would be nice to see something on there that appeals to those with more conventional tastes. Our mains - fillet steak and sea bass fillets - were lovely, with the tarragon sauce accompanying the fish a particular revelation. I’m an absolute fiend for banoffee pie, so my dessert choice was pre-ordained. My dining companion, not as gluttonous as me, was a little disappointed there wasn’t anything a little lighter on the sweets menu - it had sticky toffee pudding, hot chocolate pudding and the like - but in the end was very pleasantly surprised by the lightness and delicacy of the chocolate orange cheesecake. For me, good service is as important as the food. I’d rather sit down to a pot noodle delivered with a smile than a dish prepared by Marco Pierre White himself set down with a scowl. Our server Melissa was friendly and attentive throughout, which was no surprise to me. You tend to see the same faces working here every time you come, which suggests the staff are happy at their work. And if they’re happy, we’re all happy. Our meal for two - including a bottle of wine and coffees - came in at £60, which I consider great value given the standard of the food. If you want your expectations to be not just met, but exceeded, then you really should check out this little oasis if you haven’t already done so.
Martha’s Vineyard, Brunswick Superbowl, Derry Tel: 02871 371999
THE REVIEWS
Gaslight Grill
by David Kavanagh A relatively new addition to the Derry eating scene, the Gaslight Grill is located on the corner of Foyle Street and the Walls and offers a tasty array of dishes with flavours from every corner of the world. I’d only heard the best reports about this restaurant over the past year, so my colleague and I went after finishing work one Friday evening to see exactly what all the fuss was about. I really liked the layout and interiors of the venue, which were very simple and clean in a slightly romantic setting. At first glance, the seating space appears deceptively small, but the Gaslight can feed 40 plus per sitting and it didn’t feel cramped at all whilst we tucked into our meals. As it was Friday, and after a hard week at the office, we decided to share a nice bottle of wine to loosen us up before our feast. There was a great selection to choose from, and all were reasonably priced. In the end we settled on the Vidal New Zealand sauvignon blanc, and just as we had our first few delicious sips, our gigantic-sized starters were presented in front of us - perfect timing! I chose the ribs and my partner an Asian bean salad; both dishes were devoured in no time, great flavours and just enough to keep us wanting more! We were indecisive when it came to mains, as there were too many tasty dishes on the
menu to choose from. In the end I settled on the fillet steak medallions and my colleague the sea bass. My steak was delicious: a great big chunky fillet, cooked perfectly and served with an amazing marmalade and red wine jus – perfection! My partner loves her fish dishes and she commented on how well hers tasted also, it was presented pleasantly and you could smell the flavours a mile off. We somehow found space for dessert - Baileys cheesecake and tart tatin - and washed it down nicely with a coffee. All in all, we had a great night. The food stands up to its reputation; if asked if we would visit again soon the answer would be a resounding ‘yes’. The only qualm I would have about the GG is the location. Personally I feel this restaurant deserves a better post code than some others within the town due to the high standards in taste and quality, but it’s nice to see that this establishment has earned its reputation by serving great food, rather than handy parking or dining promotions. It’s brought a bit of much needed va va voom back to Foyle Street and for that, we are all in debt. We definitely recommend a visit to the Gaslight Grill. Great food, fantastic flavours, reasonable pricing and nice staff – table bookings required to avoid disappointment.
Gaslight Grill, Foyle Street, Derry Tel: 02871 260708
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Stephen McCauley
BBC Radio Foyle presenter and champion of alternative and indie music, Stephen McCauley, tells PURE about the things in life that bring him joy...
Stephen presents After Midnight on Radio Ulster,Tuesdays, and Electric Mainline on Radio Foyle,Thursdays.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ALBUMS is the first Velvet Undergrund album, the one they recorded with Nico. I say it’s one of my favourites, as it would be impossible for me to choose from a list of around 200. Velvet Underground wrote the rule book on undeground music, and the song ‘Heroin’ from that album is probably one of my favourite songs of all time. For me it’s about love as much as it is about drugs and despair.
Iconic:Velvet Underground’s classic album
Altogether now: de-der, de-der de-der...
The joy of vinyl
Inspirational: the writings of Malcolm X
age
Idyllic: the Tuscan vill of Cortona
I LOVE LISTENING TO MUSIC ON VINYL. I don’t own an iPod or mp3 player, as I find that kind of compressed computer music always sounds very tinny. I really thought cds were as good as you’d get in terms of quality, but in the last year or so I’ve become a bit of a vinyl head and have come to love the sound you get from records. THE FIRST SINGLE I EVER BOUGHT was Aha’s ‘Take on Me’. I was only ten at the time, so I’m happy enough to admit to that one. More shameful, perhaps, is the fact that I have a Simple Minds album lurking in my collection somewhere, but I suppose the beauty of music is that it’s a journey of discovery, and there’ll always be a few questionable choices along the way. THE BOOK THAT HAD MOST IMPACT ON MY LIFE was Malcolm X’s autobiography. Something about the way he underwent a constant revolutionary process and was always fine-tuning how he saw the world really struck a chord with me. I read the book at a time in my life when I’d just handed in my notice on a job I hated and was dabbling a bit in radio but hadn’t made that leap yet, and his example of being able to radicalise your life and turn the tables round inspired me to do the same. MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION is a little village in Italy called Cortona. I went there for a wedding last year and have been absolutely obsessed about getting back ever since; it’s like something out of The Godfather. I also love going over to London as I have a lot of friends there, but overall I’m not as well-travelled as I’d like to be so I’ve made it a New Year’s resolution to try
and see more of the world. MY FASHION SENSE is, in a word, ‘incoherent’. I get most of my clothes from gigs I’ve attended, and there’s a great t-shirt site called redmolotov.com that I like. I feel very uncomfortable in a suit, and every time I wear one it berings me back to my days at the College, when I very reluctantly wore a uniform every day. THE BEST NIGHTS OUT are always the ones that are unexpected. When things take an impromtu turn it can become a really memorable night. I tend to go to Sandino’s and Mason’s, and I also like the Void Gallery in Patrick Street, which has a nice spirit about it. I LOVE DOING RADIO. Initially, it was because I got to play records for a living, but things have developed since then and the driving force for me now is that it gives me an opportunity to meet some fantastic people. My work colleagues at Radio Foyle are like a second family, and some of the people I’ve come into contact with over the past four years have been really interesting and inspiring. THE MUSIC SCENE IN DERRY is very healthy at the minute. There’s an attitude and energy here that is very unique to this part of the world, and which has thrown up great acts such as Here Comes the Landed Gentry and Teknopeasant. There are a host great young bands coming through as well like Wonder Villains, Future Chaser and The Q. For me, what defines the whole scene is a wonderful sense of artistic integrity and the emphasis on getting the music out there rather than the thirst for financial success. I’M A HUGE FILM FAN, and enjoy everything from blockbusters like Jaws and Lord of the Rings to independents like La Haine and Fahrenheit 451. I just watched the Robert Flaherty documentary Man of Aran and thought it was fantastic. It was made in 1934, when that subsistence lifestyle was beginning to die somewhat, so to see the islanders almost forced by Flaherty to relive that life by fighting with basking sharks and the like gave the film a real sense of drama.
We’re delighted to be offering one lucky couple an amazing VIP package consisting of superb quality prizes. Firstly, we’ve teamed up with the fantastic Casa Italia restaurant in Queen’s Quay, who are giving away a three course meal (a la carte) and a bottle of house wine to our winners.
The winning couple will also receive a ‘Month of Sundays’ free cinema pass courtesy of the Derry Omniplex on the Strand Road. And to top it off, our friends at Debenhams are providing a bottle of Hugo Boss White Edition aftershave and a bottle of Stella McCartney Nude perfume so you can
both smell gorgeous while you’re enjoying your sumptuous meal at Casa Italia or holding hands in the Omniplex! To enter, email both your names and address(s) to competitions@pure-mag.co.uk and mark your entry ‘VIP’. Please note: as this prize includes alcohol, entrants must be aged 18 or over.
In asociation with strand and
Casa Italia
and
Alphabeat Giveaway
Fragrances in asociation with
Courtesy of Debenham’s, Foyleside, we’re giving away bottles of the fragrances featured in our male and female product pages. For
men we’ve got Ed Hardy and Prada Amber, and for women it’s Vera Wang Princess and Gucci Flora. To enter, email your name and address to
competitions@pure-mag. co.uk. Mark your entry ‘fragrance’ and state your preferred choice of scent.
Are you an Alphabeat fan? The Danish pop sensations are bringing out their fantastic new album The Beat Is... on March 1, and we have five copies to give away. To enter, email your name and address to competitions@pure-mag.co.uk and mark your entry ‘Alphabeat’.
American Crew Giveaway
We’ve teamed up with one of the hottest names in male grooming, American Crew, to give away a whopping 15 Classic Holiday Gift Travel Bag Sets worth £40 each. These super-stylish kits contain top quality shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving gel and lotion, and are a must-have for all you discerning males out there. To enter, email your name and address to competitions@pure-mag.co.uk and mark your entry ‘American Crew’. Monopoly Giveaway
‘Board’ with life? Then why not re-discover your youth by having a good old-fashioned game of Monopoly? Courtesy of manufacturers Hasbro, we’ve got five sets of the world’s most famous board game to give away. To enter, email your name and address to competitions@pure-mag.co.uk and mark your entry ‘Monopoly’.
Debenhams £100 VIP card Margaret Coyle, Derry
Beyonce CDs Laura Love, Eglinton Martina McComish, Derry
Benefit cosmetics Caroline Fleming, Derry
Fragrances Laura Donnelly, Derry Tim Harkin, Derry Cara McCartney, Killea, Co. Donegal
Elaine Tierney, Derry Jane McLaughlin, Derry Eveline McCombe, Derry Donna Davenport, Letterkenny
Terms and Conditions The entry deadline for all competitions is noon on Friday March 26th, 2010. Winners are chosen at random and will be notified via email. The editor’s decision is final. Unless where stated otherwise, all entrants must be aged 16 or over.
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