VOL: 2 ISSUE: 9 23.03.16
THE COLLEGE VIEW
THE SUSS
THE 1975 Is money winning out over impartiality in music journalism?
Feature
BY FIONNUALA JONES
How one band’s album review could signal change in music journalism The 1975 have just released their sophomore record, ‘I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful, yet so unaware of it’. The LP went to number one in both the UK and the US, a first for the Cheshire fourpiece. The media has been unrelenting in its blanket coverage of the band. Rolling Stone, Noisey and The Guardian have all published thinkpieces on the band’s divisive nature. The NME have been the most vocal about the band in the run-up to the album. This emphasis has come a surprise. After all, this was the magazine that nominated them for Worst Band at their own awards ceremony in 2014 – an award they then went on to win. It got to the point where those in the comments section questioned whether the now-free magazine was being paid to push the record. Pitchfork Media was recently acquired by mass media outlet Condé Nast. Pitchfork is a media group that prides itself on being a fringe publication – the place you go to find out about new bands first before all of your friends. Condé Nast is the group which counts Vogue mag-
2
azine as one of its publications. On the acquisition, Pitchfork said, “We’re incredibly fortunate to have found in Condé Nast a group of people who share every aspect of our focus. Their 100+ years of experience in building brands marked by editorial integrity makes them a natural fit for Pitchfork.” Condé Nast’s chief digital officer Fred Santarpia said the acquisition brings “a very passionate audience of millennial males into our roster”. When is it appropriate – if ever – for corporate and independent publications to fraternise? How can we be sure that despite all of Pitchfork’s talk of editorial integrity, the person now pulling the strings, with the considerably deeper pockets, will be maintaining that? Reviews still carry weight, regardless of what your favourite artists tell you about never reading them. The pool of online influencers continues to grow. It’s gone beyond 20-something year old hacks on their laptops ranting about an album they hate. As a commodity, music is now being pushed across all socials, as sponsored content or
“How can we be sure that despite all of Pitchfork’s talk of editorial integrity, the person now pulling the strings, with the considerably deeper pockets, will be maintaining that?” otherwise. Consider the commercial effect of a relatively unknown band being featured in one of Kylie Jenner’s Snapchats. Corporations are recognising this global influence – that can be seen from Condé Nast’s worrying comments above. Should corporations and financial gain affect reviews or news coverage?
Absolutely not. If a music publication or journalist gives biased views on something purely for money, they sacrifice all basic integrity. Would it be naïve to say that money wouldn’t effect reviews and coverage? Absolutely. Now more than ever, it is harder to make money within journalism, especially the music side of the industry. The desire to make a profit now overrides wanting to remain impartial. Pitchfork’s alleged lean towards commercially sound reporting has been happening since 2010, according to some forums. A Nine Inch Nails re-issue was awarded a 9.5/10, despite the initial release receiving 5.6. The author of the later article even admitted the reissue brings nothing new to the table. Of course, these are all very much conspiracy theories, and it’s best to assume their basis is unfounded. However, it’s hard not to consider that
Photo Credit: Front page: the guardian; Page 2: www.northmusicscene.com; Page 3 cuindependent.com Page 4: festivallife.nls; Page 5: dailytrojan.com; Page 6: Aine Monk, bemireland.com; Page 7: Emily Crowley, Aoibheann Diver, Accessories Magazine; Page 8: Alana Laverty, Shirley Donlon.
there may a correlation there. From a label’s perspective, imagine how soul destroying it is to pump money into an album campaign, only for an editor to tweet his or her disdain for it. That shout into the void could prove extremely costly: much more costly than it is to pay someone off to say they love it. It would take an insider going rogue and willing to break a nondisclosure agreement for something, if anything, to come to light, similar to GamerGate. At the end of the day, money talks, and the temptation to earn more money can often be too much. Music journalists must look for other ways to generate revenue on their sites that don’t jeopardise their own integrity as writers. Independent publications and sites must be supported so that they can continue to thrive and deliver fairlywritten content.
Review: The 1975 — I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It BY FIONNUALA JONES
N
oisey – VICE Media’s music division – recently released a piece titled, “YOU ARE NOT BETTER THAN POP MUSIC”. The piece talks about a letter, which vehemently defends popular music, that an English nightclub specialising in rock music received. Choice lines include, “If you think you are superior to a One Direction chorus, you are a cunt” and “Sean Paul is catnip for sluts.” Similar to these sentiments, I would like to add that you are not a bad person for liking The 1975. NME’s Worst Band In The World in 2014 have come a long way since their self-titled debut. New record, ‘I like it when you sleep, because you are so
beautiful, yet so unaware of it’, (say that five times fast), is a tumultuous tumble through frontman Matt Healy’s brain. The band were heavily criticised for their investment into their band’s aesthetic, swapping black and white monochrome settings and leather jackets for designer blouses, baby pinks and glitter. The album doesn’t necessarily reflect this shift. Though more accessible, the album is not anymore happy, and certainly not any more upbeat. Change Of Heart is a slow motion waltz out the door of an old relationship, full of Healy’s signature quips, both deprecating and self-deprecating: “You were coming across as clever/ Then you lit the wrong
end of your cigarette … I’ll quote ‘On The Road’ like a twat”. Please Be Naked is an unfortunately titled instrumental that blooms in folds of fuzzy guitars and soft keys. Healy is acutely aware as to how he and his band are perceived in the media, as shown in the video for The Sound where various insults the band have received appear on screen. Lostmyhead and The Ballad Of My Brain refer to this identity crisis to varying degress of success. The latter lacks any structure, and the beautifully layered synths can’t make up for Healy’s wailing. The lesser sees the band play with tempo in a slowburning, raw jam. Highlights include She’s American, a glittering whirl-
wind of pop, taking swipes at the generation that popularised excess vanity: “If she says I’ve gotta fix my teeth, then she’s so American … “ It’s got a funky bass line that just won’t quit, and Adam Hann’s guitar lines twitch over the sparkling electrics. The production on this album is to the standard of most commercial pop acts releases – glossy and polished within an inch of its life. Obviously, this won’t be to everyone’s taste. But with tracks like UGH!, it works so well – packaged as a fizzing three minute pastel sweet. Dedicated to Healy’s ongoing love affair with drugs, what could have been a sobering listen is indeed a bouncing, tonguein-cheek pop romp.
‘I like it when you sleep’ is not a flawless album. Similar to its predecessor, it is overly bulky – at least two of the 17 tracks could have been shelved. The album title is as pretentious as they come, and does nothing to shake the reputation that they are nothing but vapid pretty boys wielding guitars. But maybe that’s the thing – they’re happy with their sound. They’re happy to be obsessed with their aesthetic. They’re happy to write pop music. On this LP, they make it clear that they will embrace the insults, as they step out of the shadows into the light, a more confident band. The 1975 play the 3Arena on Thursday the 24th.
3
European Festival Forecast
I
t’s beginning to feel a lot like summer. The grey skies and morning drizzle may beg to differ, but with Electric Picnic’s lineup launched festival season is right around the corner. LCD Soundsystem and Lana Del Rey are among the headliners at Stradbally this year, while superstars Kendrick Lamar and The National will top the Longitude bill at Marley Park in July. Although there are still plenty of more acts to be revealed for both, it looks like another excellent year for Irish festivals in 2016. If you failed to get your hands on a Picnic ticket after they sold out in record time, or maybe this year the idea of stubbornly dressing in your wannabe Coachella outfit in the unpredictable Irish climate doesn’t appeal to you, there may be an alternative. I’m not suggesting hopping on the plane to Palm Springs;
4
there are so many amazing festivals in Europe every summer that are reasonably priced - much more so than our indigenous offerings. Of course accommodation and flights are an additional cost but if you’ve been working part time then a festival abroad could be the perfect vacation. Here are several festivals well worth looking into: SZIGET Budapest, Hungary Fancy taking a trip to “The Island of Freedom?” Sziget is a week long music festival that takes place on a 266-acre island in the Danube river in August. It’s been labeled the European equivalent of Burning Man and has hosted an array of legendary acts over the years such as The Prodigy, Kings of Leon, and Blur. This year The Last Shadow Puppets, and Muse
are among the first to be confirmed. As well as the fantastic music, the festival also has a range of other activities available such as bungee jumping and lifesized foosball. A seven day pass is €249 while a five day pass costs €215.
passengers from Amsterdam to the Festival grounds with private beds and sanitary areas for all guests for duration of the festival. A three day ticket costs €136. Disclosure, CHVRCHES and Two Door Cinema Club play at Melt! this July.
MELT! Grafenhainichen, Germany
NOS ALIVE Lisbon, Portugal
Any electronic or pop music fans would do well to check out this festival. Known for its all night music (the sleepless floor festivities are ongoing from the minute gates open till they shut) Melt! has seen the likes of Kylie Minogue, M83 and Portishead grace its dramatic stages, set amongst the giant industrial machinery of the Ferropolis open-air museum. Not a fan of camping? You could sleep on a train instead. For an additional €199, the Mixery Melt! Train will take
Listed as one of the top twelve European music festivals by NME, the Portuguese festival boasts a stellar line up once again with Arcade Fire, Radiohead and The Chemical Brothers. NOS Alive is unique in that shows don’t start till 6pm and run through the night till 6am. Its prime location in the sunny capital of Portugal in July mean that there are several beaches and surfing spots a mere ten minutes away by train. It sounds like the summer we’ve all been dreaming
BY SCOUT MITCHELL
of. Tickets for NOS Alive are €56 per day or €119 for three days. Camping is available but must be purchased with the ticket. EXIT Novi Sad, Serbia The Guardian called it the best festival in the world in 2006. Ten years later, it’s still pretty great. Founded in 2000, the festival came about as a student movement, in the fight for freedom in Serbia. Originally taking place in Novi Sad’s University park, the festival was relocated to the beautiful 18th Century Petrovaradin fortress. Ellie Goulding, Wiz Khalifa and Bastille are all set to play this year. The festival takes place in July and the Exit package costs €149 which includes your ticket, accommodation and airport transfer.
Review: Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats at the Olympia Theatre BY GLEN MURPHY
T
he beautiful Olympia Theatre played host to the grooviest rockabilly party Dublin has ever seen. The men in charge of it all? Nathaniel Rateliff and his masterful band, the Night Sweats. Often at gigs the headliners give the support act a show out and a cheer from the audience for doing their set. Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit was the opening artist on the night and instead of just a thank you he got a personal welcome on to the stage from Nathaniel himself. It’s not often the frontman does the introducing and it shows his laid back nature. Vasquez opened the show with a smile, a wink and a quirky story about Mexican moonshine. Chilled acoustic vibes for the first four songs of his set slowly cuddled up to the still chatting crowd.
Lyrics about a friend dying in a plane crash and descriptions of modern war being “like Vietnam without the grass” stuck out over bluesy strumming patterns. The crowd warmed up as Vasquez launched into his last acoustic song before once again being joined by Rateliff and his full band. That was like flicking a switch. The crowd roared at the sight of the bearded headliner but the moment Vasquez picked up his white electric telecaster all eyes and ears were glued to him. Old fashioned rock and roll nearly brought the venue’s soundsystem to its knees with shrieking guitar solos and shriekier yet melodic vocals from Vasquez. The crowd had now fully embraced the man’s songs and his charm. Rateliff and the band left the stage quickly while Vasquez thanked the crowd and scampered off him-
self shortly after. About a half an hour later the men of the hour stepped into the spotlight. A rehearsed funk jam opened their set. First the lead guitar, then bass, brass, keys and drums welcomed Nathaniel Rateliff center stage to start their set off proper with the opening track from their self titled album. I Need Never Get Old got the crowd dancing straight away and by God did they know how to dance. Rockabilly music hit the town and the town hit back harder. The thunderous applause as the opener ended was met with a twinkle in Rateliff’s eye as they launched into Howling at Nothing. It began with an improvised honky tonk style keyboard solo from the man on stage right, flawlessly transitioning into the track’s groovy bassline. The song’s live tempo was unrecognisable from
its the middle-of-the-road studio recording and the ordinarily slow and smooth song Time was also played at double speed. Not that it made any difference to the band. Rateliff didn’t stumble his words once and the brass section gave their lungs worth in a performance strong enough to rival even the legendary E Street Band. Time went out on a big crescendo then total silence. The keys twinkled along with the stage lights, brass noises rose sharply from their brief respite and the drums brought the chorus in once again for a double time reprise. The balconies above the stage seemed as though they would collapse from the foot stamping. The song ended with a brief “go raibh maith agat” from Rateliff. Closing the set, the Night Sweats’ standout single, S.O.B, brought crowds
clapping along to a crescendo. The band went all in to set the audience alight one last time. The embers of their performance burned after they gave their goodbyes and left the stage. The crowd echoed the chorus and after a full five minutes at least, Nathaniel Rateliff and Night Sweats gave their encore. The drummer returned onstage and with the command, “on my count” out ran the rest of them. The trumpet gave a solo over the combined beat of the drums and clapping before the final chorus and the biggest finish of the night. The sold out crowd got their money’s worth in an epic night. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats have ascended to the top of the rockabilly world and with live shows with that much of a Mardi Gras atmosphere, they’ll be at it for a long time yet.
5
Travel Escape to the beautiful Barcelona
H
aving spent hours on end browsing flight fares on countless websites, I decided to take a three-day trip to Barcelona. I am very lucky that I have Fridays off in the final year of my course, but unlucky that my best friend is on Erasmus (or lucky, when it comes to travel). Barcelona is the most beautiful city I have ever visited, it even beat Bruges in the beauty stakes. The whole place is picturesque, from the cathedrals which line the city centre to the maritime views at the coast. I endeavoured to fill my days abroad with as many activities as possible, ensuring each aspect of the city could be seen and appreciated. Needless to say, I was
BY AINE MONK absolutely exhausted by the time I caught the flight home. Staying five minutes away from Arc de Triomf was a wonderful decision, firstly because it is a tourist attraction in itself, and secondly because it is a central and accessible location, both by foot and by Metro. This made it ever so simple to see all the sights in such a short stay. After spending some time at Parc De Ciutedella, located across from the hostel, and marvelling at Arc De Triomf, I decided to venture to other tourist spots, such as La Sagrada Familia. This cathedral is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Building commenced in 1882 and is still in progress. The cathedral was originally designed by artist Gaudi, inspired by bookseller, Josép Maria Bocabella. I also saw the beauty of Barcelona by boat at Las Golondrinas and from the highest point of Park Güell. After visiting the port of Barcelona, I strolled down the beach and stumbled
“The whole place is picturesque from the cathedrals to the coast.”
upon Ice Bar Barcelona. I had seen so many photos uploaded to Facebook of Ice Bar Amsterdam and was determined to give it a try. I felt like Queen Elsa in my very own ice castle. My travels became less touristic when I visited La Museu de Xocolata, a museum populated by sculptures made entirely from chocolate. I also stumbled upon La Museu de l’Erotica, a strange yet amusing expe-
Visit the hidden gems of Ireland
hing ly d am
In the midst of J1 forms and inter-railing maps, it can be easy to get swept away in images of some of the world’s most exotic destinations. Then looking outside your window
6
at grey skies leaves you questioning the sanity of the tourists that flock to our streets each week. But there’s a reason why the New York Times mentioned us in their annual
‘places to visit this year’ list, or why Rough Guide’s readers voted us one of the most beautiful countries in the world. To remind yourself why, here are some places you might want to visit this weekend: Carrick on Shannon: This vibrant town has plenty to do, making it the perfect student getaway. During the day you can walk along the pretty riverside, take a boat out on the water and explore the town’s shops. A short fifteen minute drive will bring you to Lough Key Park and the challenging ‘Boda Borg’ adventure rooms. The town comes
rience, where exhibitions showcased the wonders of the erotic world. I love animals and visits to Dublin Zoo, so when I discovered Barcelona Zoo nearby, I couldn’t pass it by. The zoo is enormous compared to its Dublin counterpart, featuring dolphins and the opportunity to see animals in a more natural environment, minus cages and high fences.
BY MICHELLE MARTIN
alive at night as it’s the country’s current hen and stag party capital. Ashford Castle: This fully restored (at the bargain cost of more than €69 million) Mayo castle lies in the middle of 350 acres of forest, park land, gardens and a lake. You feel as though you have been transported through time as you walk through the five star hotel’s elegant interior. A must see for any fans of Pride and Prejudice or Downton Abbey. Carrick-a-Rede: This country spot in Co. Antrim is where you’ll walk across a twenty foot long rope bridge. Not impressed?
What if I told you the bridge is over thirty feet high, above the sea, connecting two cliffs. The spectacular view looks like it was pulled straight from a movie and is surrounded by unique flora and fauna from the area. A fifteen minute coastal drive down the road is the Giant’s Causeway, or the opposite direction for the idyllic waterfall at Glenariff Forest Park. Kilcommon Swiss Cottage: This ornamental house located in South Tipperary looks like it came straight from a fairy tale and will sell you in one picture.
Feature How to choose the right foundation for you
BY ÁMY MULVANEY
C
hoosing the right foundation for your skin type can be a pretty daunting task. Whatever your skin type and whatever your preference, there’s a foundation that’s perfect for everyone. Dry skin – You’ll want something that won’t cling to the dry areas and will provide moisture and hydration. Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation does just that, while giving medium coverage and a dewy finish. Oily skin – One of the biggest struggles with having oily skin is finding a foundation that won’t slide off within a few hours. L’Oreal Infallible 24hr Matte foundation prides itself on its mattifying and lasting powers. Combination skin – Combination skin is a mix between dry and oily skin. Some patches may be dry, while others are oily, making it pretty hard to find a foundation that ticks all the boxes. Makeup Forever HD Foundation is oil-free and glides onto the skin
BY AOIBHEANN DIVER
A Marble Cake is essentially a brightly-coloured Madeira Cake. You can add whatever colours and flavours you wish: chocolate, orange, mint, vanilla or strawberry. It’s funky, delicious and impossible to say no to.
with ease. It gives medium to full coverage and, as the name suggests, gives a HD effect, which is perfect for photos. Sensitive skin – Clinique is a great brand for foundation if you have sensitive skin as all products are allergy-tested and 100% fragrance free. There are dozens of different Clinique foundations to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for. The Even Better foundation contains SPF15, helps to even skin-tone and has buildable coverage. High coverage – Whether
you want to cover spots and blemishes or just prefer full coverage, Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation is perfect for you. It has amazing staying power and gives amazing coverage. There are 38 different shades of the foundation, so there’s something to suit everyone. Natural finish – If you’re looking for something more lightweight with less coverage, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation is a very popular choice. It’s light on the skin and provides sheer coverage, while still having good lasting power.
Ingredients: • 175g margarine • 175g caster sugar • 3 eggs • 175g plain flour • 50g self-raising flour • 2 tablespoons milk • Food colouring/ vanilla essence/cocoa & hot water Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180˚C. 2. Prepare a deep seven inch round cake tin with greaseproof paper. 3. Mix the caster sugar and margarine in a bowl. 4. Add the eggs and
Spring into style this Easter ‘I
t’s time to ditch those dull winter clothes and bring out the bright and warm colours of spring. The question is, will you embrace the latest spring trends brought to us by the runways of Paris, London, Milan and New York? We have taken a quick look at what trends have repeated themselves on the runways: The slip on dress has come back with a bang and is as sexy as ever on the runways of Burberry, Pror-
sum, Roches, Emilio Pucci and Celine. This slinky and simplistic little number is definitely a staple piece for your wardrobe this spring. Vivid colors, graphic designs and high shine fabrics are a given at this time of year, and designers say it’s a must have for your spring wardrobe. Fashionistas just can’t get enough of these vibrant bursts of colours this time of year. Graphic super stripes are one of the main elements for Dolce and Gabbana and many oth-
ers. Ruffles was a trend that popped up in the shows of Michael Kors, Mui Mui, Roberto Cavalli and many others. Not only are ruffles making a comeback but the reawakening of the 90’s style has well and truly begun too. This was a big inspiration at the SS16 shows. Yves Saint Laurent inspired us to match our wellies with a little slip on dress along with an oversized jacket. I know it sounds a bit of an odd combination, but it
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.
mix again. Sieve in the flour and fold into mixture. Add the milk and mix again. Separate the mixture into small bowls. To each bowl, add a different food colouring, or the vanilla, or the hot cocoa mixture. Place alternative tablespoons of each mixture into the tin but do not mix them together. Bake in the oven for one and a quarter hours. Turn out onto a wire tray and allow to cool before eating.
BY SARAH MURPHY
works. And finally ladies, you will be happy to hear about a new trend: tiaras. Yes, you read that right. Models strutted down the runways of Saint Laurent and Mui Mui with gorgeous metallic and diamond encrusted tiaras rested on their heads. Move aside Kate Middleton, there
will be a lot of new princesses on the town this year.
7
Restaurant review: Xico
BY ALANA LAVERTY
Explore the tastes of Dublin with our fortnightly restaurant reviews. W
hen it comes to Mexican restaurants, Dublin has some of the finest. From fast food spots like Tolteca, Boojum and Pablo Picante to cooler, fancier places like 777 and Tuzo Mexian Kitchen. Xico, however, is in a league of its own when it comes to super tasty Mexican food and drink. Located in a basement on Lower Baggot Street, you won’t miss Xico with its fluorescent green and yellow signs. Upon entering, your eyes will take a few moments to adjust to the darkness of the dimly lit, ominous wooden tavern, which is reminiscent of the drinking houses from movies like Pirates of the Caribbean. The walls behind both bars are lined with glittering bottles of exotic spirits. On each table sits a candelabrum dripping with months worth of mul-
ticoloured candle wax and lamps made from bottles of Patrón. The biggest appeal of Xico, besides their delicious food, is their Monday nights which feature a live DJ, groovy tunes and half price on all food and drinks. After a simple membership sign up you are given a beautiful golden cactus keyring which is your key to an unforgettable Monday night. The hilarious and aesthetically pleasing staff encourage you to dance on the tables and after a few drinks that’s exactly what you’ll be doing. Hour by hour the lights dim and the music gets louder, transporting you from a dark Mexican tavern to an insane nightclub/ dance bar, packed with bodies from wall to wall. For food I would recommend the Chicken Tingo taquitos, the grilled/slightly
burned corn on the cob with coriander pesto and mexican rice. Their food is served tapas style, in smaller portions, so order a few for yourself and share with your table. Add in some chips and guacamole for while you wait, although the food is served quickly. On
a normal night these dishes would set you back €19 in total but on a Monday I paid just €9.50. The food is light, yet filling. A perfect feed for going on the drink. When a half price frozen margarita comes to just €4 make sure you try every flavour. My favourite is the
Shingle all the way: Bedridden for Xmas Christmas of 2014 for
me was spent bed-ridden. I had shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster. It is a viral disease of the nerves and skin with symptoms of headache, fever and tiredness. The disease is characterised by a blistering rash that usually develops on the torso but can appear on the head or neck. Happy holidays. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, so anyone who has had chickenpox in the past is at risk of developing shingles. The virus that causes chickenpox never leaves the
8
body so can reoccur later in life as shingles. Roughly 95 per cent of people have had chickenpox and are at risk of developing shingles. The same anti-viral medication used to treat it has been around for the last twenty five years. Even the effects of the medication are limited, only shortening the illness by very a small amount. The disease tends to be more severe in adults over the age of fifty. However a third of cases are diagnosed in younger people. Because I was twenty when I got the virus, my doctor was confused as to why I had it, considering I wasn’t
in the high risk category. When I explained that I had just dropped out of college and had been crippled with anxiety for months, she knew why. Long term stress and anxiety can weaken your immune system. This allowed for my shingles to occur. It’s easy to forget the impact that our mental health can have on our overall health. By not speaking to anyone and keeping my anxiety to myself I essentially gave myself shingles for Christmas. I’m left with a small scar on my shoulder, which is a reminder to me that not talking to someone can only do you harm.
There are a great range of services here in DCU. Counselling services by appointment are available, but if you’d rather a quick chat, give Samaritans a call. It’s
prickly pear. Their famous Mexican Bulldogs are amazing and consist of a bottle of sol sitting upside down in a frozen margarita. The club usually closes around 4am, with drinks being served until 3am so be sure to make the most of that discount.
BY ADAM DALY
a confidential and anonymous listening service. Lines are open every night 24 hours a day on Freephone 116 123.