The Skinny Student Handbook Scotland 2015 by The Skinny

.CO.UK

INDEPENDENT

CULT U R A L

J O U R N A L I S M

Contents

Start deciding how best to distract yourself from university with our cultural calendar for the next twelve months.

We profile Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, telling you everything you didn’t need to know about Scotland.

In case you hadn’t noticed, Scotland’s really good at musicking. Find out about the last decade in our musical histories of our three cities.

Cinephile? Hipster? Auteur? Find out what kind of film buff you’ll be come graduation.

The Skinny Northwest Comedy editor considers the, erm, ins and outs of Tinder

Your official initiation into the sweatpatched world of Scottish clubbing.

Get prepared for life after art school with our tips on how to find studios, funding and future best pals.

Presenting: a Showcase of work from some of our favourite grads from the region’s art schools!

How do you turn a chicken into a dinner? What should you put on the one shelf of cupboard you’ve been allocated? Let our Food editor be your spirit guide.

Everyone’s having more fun than you! You’re doing university wrong! Just kidding – You’re suffering from FoMO. Learn to live with it, courtesy of the Tech section.

Our Fashion section showcases a couple of talented grads, meanwhile administering your shot of back to school apparel inspo.

There are more ways to get involved with theatre than just bagging the cheap seat. Join a society! Our Theatre editor gives you the national round-up.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

THE SKINNY

Want to see the world but don’t have several grand squirrelled away? Readers tell us their experiences of working while travelling.

Student life has inspired loads of novels: but which campus character would you be mates with?

Get a head start on your cultural integration with our comprehensive guides to the best venues in town, from interactive breweries to crowdfunded burrito bars.

Coming out at university can be absolutely terrifying. But no fear, the Deviance section has your back. And some advice for you, too.

Editor: Kate Pasola Lead Designer: Sigrid Schmeisser Production Manager: Eve Somerville Contributors: Emma Ainley-Walker, Adam Benmakhlouf, Jean-Xavier Boucherat, Gemma Burke, Chris McCall, Jamie Dunn, Kyla Hall, Holly Rimmer-Tagoe, Michael Shea, Peter Simpson, John Stansfield, Imogen Stirling Illustrator: Raj Dhunna Maps: © OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA (openstreetmap.org) THE SKINNY Editor-in-Chief: Rosamund West Commercial Director: Nicola Taylor Sales & Marketing: Caroline Harleaux, Issy Patience, Nicky Carter, Claire Collins, Becca Strahan Company PA: Kyla Hall Chief Operating Officer: Lara Moloney Publisher: Sophie Kyle Get in touch: E: hello@theskinny.co.uk T: 0131 467 4630 P: The Skinny, 1.9 1st Floor Tower, Techcube, Summerhall, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL The Skinny is Scotland’s largest independent entertainment & listings magazine, and offers a wide range of advertising packages and affordable ways to promote your business. Get in touch to find out more.

E: sales@theskinny.co.uk All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the printer or the publisher.

2015 – 2016

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Heads Up Feeling like you’ve bitten off more arts and culture than you can chew? Oh, go on then, we’ll cut off the crusts for you...

Compiled by: Kate Pasola

September Might as well start the university year as you mean to continue – that’s right, consuming maximum brewed liquids and minimal education. Craft Beer Rising 2015 sees Drygate brewery opening its Glasgow doors for a festival of beer, cider, street food and live tunes on the 4–5 Sept. After that, check out something slightly less frivolous at Take One Action Film Festival in Edinburgh & Glasgow from 16–17 Sep. Hogmanay

December

Edinburgh goes berserk around this point of the year, which is handy because you’ve got revision to neglect. Mulled-wine and waffle-dine yourself at the crimbo markets throughout December, then stagger into 2016 (WTF) at Edinburgh’s gargantuan Hogmanay celebrations, complete with street parties, fireworks and ceilidhs galore (Dec 31). Craft Beer Rising

October

Go, go The Skinny. It’s our birthday. And we’re gonna party like it’s our birthday. Eyes peeled for a gloriously beefy issue of The Skinny and a fulsome line-up of celebratory shindigs and exhibitions too. Also celebrating a decade are Africa in Motion, who will be bringing another programme of cliché-slaying films to Glasgow from 23 Oct-1 Nov. Your dose of sonic art is also sorted – relief! – thanks to Sonica Festival which will be throbbing and undulating its way around Glasgow from 29 Oct-8 Nov.

November

Remember, remember, that The Skinny will be picking out a groovy selection from Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts’ programme for your delectation this month. Oh, and the fifth of November! Head to Glasgow Green for a stellar eve of bucky and gunpowder; and Meadowbank Stadium or Calton Hill if you’re in the big ‘Burg. Also, leg it to Edinburgh Castle on 30 Nov – it’s St Andrew’s day so entry’s free. 8

January

When you’re a student with a Hulk-esque metabolism and freshers’ resilience, ‘dry January’ can get tae hell. You’re probably a bit poor though, so just look forward to the haggis-fiesta that is Burns Night for now. Speaking of nosh, keep an eye out for the results of The Skinny’s Food and Drink Survey 2016 this month too.

February

February’s baltic climes are minging, but hopefully by now you’ve locked down with some lovely human from your tutorials just in time for Valentines’. But where to go? Catch some celluloid at Glasgow Film Festival (18 Feb-1 Mar), obviously. Or, if you’re riding more solo than Derulo, look ahead to a summer of getting tanned/laid with The Skinny’s travel special.

LISTINGS

THE SKINNY

March

Much to do about March-time, including but not limited to Glasgow Short Film Festival (16-20 Mar) – which will include the first screening of a new short by The Skinny Short Film Competition winner from 2015. There’s also RSA New Contemporaries – an exhibition of the sparkliest 2015 Scottish fine art graduates; Glasgow Comedy Festival (18-29 March); the impeccably named StAnza poetry fest in St Andrews (2-6 March); and finally the International Science Festival in Edinburgh (26 Mar-10 Apr)

other people’s success is a bit close to the bone around exam-time, get some Argentinian endorphins on the go instead at Edinburgh International Tango Festival (27-30 May).

June

YOU’RE FREE. TAPS AFF. Oh, it’s raining? Well, no, don’t celebrate with Netflix, you conglomerate of millennial loneliness and digital addiction. Go and interact with humans and the arts at Edinburgh International Film Festival (15-26 Jun). It’s EIFF’s 70th Birthday too, so a bit of glitz and flourish is to be expected, we imagine.

July

RSA New Contemporaries

April

Sun’s out (maybe)! Sprint over to Glasgow’s book festival Aye Write! to pick out some decent springtime reading material, or invest your time getting cultured at Glasgow International, a festival of visual art taking place on 8-25 Apr. Alternatively, go Pagan with your summer-ushering at Beltane, a fire festival straddling Calton Hill on the last eve of April.

Glasgow International Festival

May

Photo: Nick Milligan

T in the Park

All the knackered arts students get their gratification in May during degree show season, which kicks off in Dundee at DJCAD (20-29 May), before continuing into June with the beaut fruits of Glasgow and Edinburgh’s labours. If checking out 2015 – 2016

August

Photo: Jassy Earl

Go full throttle on getting to know Scotland via the wonderful/ridiculous T in The Park (dates 8-10 Jul TBC). In case you’re not acquainted with T, it’s the festival equivalent of a couples’ minibreak where you encounter the confusingly simultaneous realisation that A) your partner is the best thing on Earth but B) that they defecate daily. After that, you can dash home, scrub up and head to Edinburgh International Fashion Festival (23-26 Jul) and learn how to dress like an actual cool person in time for next semester.

Things were running a bit dry, arts and culture wise during August, so we thought we’d just point you towards the single largest arts festival in the human-inhabited universe. Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes place on 5-29 Aug coinciding with the Edinburgh International Festival, another biggie. Then there’s the Book Festival, usually cutting the ribbons at mid-August time too, and thennnn – oh… would you look at that… it’s September again.

LISTINGS

STUDENT HANDBOOK

THE SKINNY

The Skinny on Scotland Introducing: The Skinny’s guide to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee! Think of it like a dirty pint of insight, hope and graduate cynicism. Chug! Chug! Seriously though, chug Words: Kate Pasola Illustration: Raj Dhunna

EDINBURGH h hello, Auld Reekie recruits. No, don’t glaze over just yet! You’ll learn what Auld Reekie means later, I promise. But there’s no time for that now. You’ve got trivia, Edinburgh gripes and stereotypes to learn. First up, for the sake of continuity, here’s an update from previous editions of the Student Handbook on two of Edinburgh’s hot topics: Pandas and Trams. After briefly surveying Edinburgh Zoo’s panda cam, we can confirm that Edinburgh’s riveting pandas are currently sitting out of sightline of the panda cam. The trams for which we waited six years are mostly in working order, although no one has really mentioned them since a couple of yooths climbed atop a carriage in April and everyone got worried that ‘Tram Surfing’ might become a thing. It hasn’t. In terms of stuff that has become a thing in Edinburgh, the formula is Camden trends + a five month delay. So that leaves us with pulled pork, exposed bricks, doughnuts filled with things other than synthetic jam, craft beer served in purple and pink cans, acknowledging that people have food intolerances, making money out of those food intolerances, normcore and cat cafes. I think we’re already bored of cat cafes though – turns out, when cats spend their life being served on the side of an Americano like a Garibaldi biscuit, they aren’t the best of company. Speaking of company, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of who you’ll be spending the next four years studying alongside. There are the poshos who wear pastel Reeboks and tiny silver necklaces. They’ll spend the year trying not to be associated with you before eloping to New Town and communicating with you only through the medium of Facebook invites to their club nights. There are also the poshos who are actually really nice and will probably spend the year trying to look less posh by introducing manbuns, small

2015 – 2016

musical instruments and cartilage piercings into the equation. These folk tend to be embarking on spiritual/chemical enlightenment, too.

“In Edinburgh, the formula is Camden trends + a five month delay” Finally, there are the people who don’t feel poshenoughtobehereandendupperplexedbyeveryone else’s attempts to seem working class. Don’t worry about all that though – all dogma and dicta tend to be disrupted during August when the Fringe rolls round. Everyone’s just too busy flyering, monologuing, partying and bratwurst-eating to give a steaming shit about anything else. GLASGOW Living in the shadows of the total show-off that is Edinburgh, you’d think that Glasgow would feel a bit like an underdog, wouldn’t you? I mean, you wouldn’t blame them for harbouring a slight resentment that Edinburgh gets to host about sixteen million festivals per year while G-town gets a comparative diddly squit. But does Glasgow care? Does it fuck. Glasgow’s busy, man. It’s Scotland’s biggest city, for a start. When it’s not busy naming hurricanes after genitalia (See: Bawbag) or being a total wido (noun: cheeky dickhead, abbrev. from ‘wideboy’), Glasgow can be found doing stuff like opening burger places, hosting the Commonwealth Games and staging gigs for artists who can be arsed to include Scotland in their world tour. The homegrown moozak scene is absolutely belting too. On to the city’s personality: on top of its

STUDENT HANDBOOK

abrasive hilarity, Glasgow’s also quite cool, in an aloof, it’s-all-for-the-lols sort of way. Any city where the metro system is called the Clockwork Orange was always going to be a bit cool, wasn’t it? In terms of stuff to do, everything’s a-changing there. Nightclubs hosting feminist embroidery meetings, vegan restaurants sheltering record shops and record shops staging poetry slams. Nothing is certain.

“When it’s not busy naming hurricanes after genitalia, Glasgow can be found opening burger places” As a student in Glasgow, you’ll fit in just fine. There are about 130,000 of you, spread between Glasgow, Caledonian, Strathclyde, Glasgow School of Art and the city’s various colleges. The students mostly chill in the West End. If you’ve got no dollar (cheers, Davey Cam), get yourself some digs in the South-side. The city centre is good if you’re sick of ‘rifling’ in ‘hubs’ and ‘startups’ and JUST WANT TO BUY A T-SHIRT FROM URBAN OUTFITTERS FER CRISSAKES. Another great thing about Glasgow is that it’s full of lots of people giving lots of shits about important things. Things like social responsibility, equality, not poisoning the earth, helping poor people become artists, and helping artists help poor people. Sorry, did we get a bit deep there? Right, well instead of further philosophising, here’s a selection of classically ‘wegian news stories from the past few months to help orientate you: 1. Scotland’s first lesbian and gay same sex marriage took place on the night of Hogmanay. Isn’t that groovy? 2. In June, the RSPCA tried to rescue a ‘severely neglected’ donkey which turned out to be a fibreglass model of a donkey owned by a local Glaswegian reverend. 3. In early July, Nicola Sturgeon crashed a Ru Paul’s Drag Race-themed stag night. Allegedly. Now, that’s you up to speed, on you go. Glasgow’s your oyster, fresher. And you’re the soonto-be mocked pearl. 12

DUNDEE Dundee. What is it good for? Well, it used to be good for a few things, actually. After its successes in the areas of vegetable fibre harvesting, marmalade making and word-weaving, it surfed to fame on the back of the pleasingly alliterative epithet of “Jute, Jam and Journalism”. But, thanks to our best buddies globalisation and capitalism, Dundee’s been a bit screwed over in those respects. So, when we’re all getting our canvas from Primark (who in turn ‘buys’ it from India), our marmalade from whoever’s on offer in Lidl and our journalism from fucking Buzzfeed, it’s no wonder Dundee’s left at a bit of a loose end. Don’t worry though, the ‘Dee has its eye out for the next big thing, and by the grace of god it won’t let you forget it. It must be hard to spot the next big thing when you’re limited to the letter J, though, so we’ll let ‘em off with their stalling for now. In news concerning other letters of the alphabet, Dundee’s set to open its own V&A museum on the waterfront (at some point). It’s going to be the UK’s first design museum outside of London (hah, take THAT, England). And it’s not just reserved for Duncan of Jordanstone students and rich Londoners suffering too much FoMO to leave the place unvisited. Nope, the V&A claims it’ll be a ‘living room’ for the Dundonian population. A living room with a sea view – shwanky.

“Dundee – watch this space (for around three more years)!” It’s a bit redundant to tell you that most of the stuff you’ll want to do will take place somewhere in the vicinity of Perth Road, because let’s face it, you’re probably sitting in a cafe on Perth Road right now, aren’t you? But honestly, shuffle off the beaten track and you’ll uncover everything from a 24 hour bakery selling Scooby Snacks to a suburb where there’s mini golf, ice cream and a tapas bar so sensational that you’ll have to call three weeks in advance to get a table at it. Watch this space! (For around three more years-ish.) Actually, no, we’re not going to tell you what Auld Reekie means. Find out for yourself, it’ll be a nice ice-breaker at that shitty barcrawl you’re at tonight

STUDENT HANDBOOK

THE SKINNY

THURSDAYS AT GLASGOW CITY HALLS

PULSE-RACING, HEARTBREAKING, RAVISHING, JAW-DROPPING NIGHTS OUT…

FOR JUST £6 All Student Tickets for BBC SSO Thursday Night Concerts are just £6*

bbc.co.uk/bbcsso *Venue Booking fees of £1.00 (online) or £1.50 (phone) may apply. Proof of status required.

Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

A Decade of Defiance To get you up to speed on The Skinny’s ten year history we pay respect to a score of bands from Scotland and beyond who’ve played a part in defining our attitude Words: Chris McCall

2015 – 2016

Credit: Jassy Earl

Young Fathers

Chvrches

Credit: Amy Muir

ny title that dedicates a lot of time and effort to music can only be as good as the groups and solo artists that it writes about. We’ve been lucky to have been around for what must rank as one of the best decades for Scottish music of the modern era. Gone are the days when any act looking for success would be on the first train out of Glasgow Central bound for London. And so, to mark our first 10 years we’ve compiled a list of 10 Scottish bands and 10 from further afield who have all, in their own way, contributed to the success of The Skinny. Some are better known than others – we’ve profiled Glastonbury headliners to bands that split not long after we started out. All worthy of your further investigation. After the first edition of The Skinny was cobbled together by several pals in an Edinburgh tenement flat and sent to the printers, the next step was to organise a launch party at Glasgow’s oldest pub, Sloan’s in Argyll Arcade. Of the bands booked to play, the first was Mother & the Addicts, who were preparing debut LP Take The Lovers Home Tonight at the time. Fronted by Sam Smith – no, not that one – they were the perfect combination of Glasgow sass and outsider cool. As is too often the case, they lived fast and split too soon. Happily, the story didn’t end there. Smith would co-establish The Green Door studio in then pre-trendy Finnieston, and has helped give a legup to several other great bands along the way. He returned to the stage in 2013 fronting Casual Sex, a four-piece of obvious talent. While we still await an album, we couldn’t get enough of The Bastard Beat EP: “Even if this marks their creative high point, they’ve still achieved something special,” we implored. Another group that played The Skinny’s 2005 launch party was Uncle John & Whitelock, a muchmissed ‘horror R&B’ band from Glasgow. Formed

The Twilight Sad

MUSIC

Credit: Stephen Robinson Credit: JayJay Robertson

Run the Jewels

by guitarist Jacob Lovatt and bass man Raydale Dower, and bolstered by a variety of other musicians, UJ&W were not afraid of causing a scene to get noticed. Incorporating elements of performance art and general OTT theatrics into their sets, you never quite knew what to expect from an Uncle John gig. There was the specially created wooden shack they plonked on stage, or the time they projected a film over themselves to give the impression you were watching a silent movie. Their only album, the 20-track beast that was There Is Nothing Else, was deemed the 18th best of the decade by our readers. “Their spellbindingly brutal take on apocalyptic blues was both challenging and electrifying,” we recalled. Some UJ&W members would later resurface as Tut Vu Vu, while Dower is an established artist. It’s doubtful we’ll see their likes again. Any magazine loves to claim a scoop, particularly when it concerns a much lauded duo reforming for a one-off show. When we broke the news that Arab Strap were playing a solitary night in the tiny downstairs venue at Nice ’n’ Sleazy in 2011, “tickets, predictably, disappeared faster than subatomic neutrinos,” one of our science-loving writers observed. The sometimes sordid, but always blackly humorous lyrics of Aidan Moffat found the perfect home in Malcolm Middleton’s music when the pair began collaborating in Falkirk in 1995. Signed by the always far-sighted Glasgow label Chemikal Underground, a string of critically-acclaimed albums followed before they split in 2006. While The Skinny missed most of their years together, we’ve been privileged to closely follow their respective solo careers and other collaborations. Moffat would team up to great effect with Bill Wells – winning the inaugural SAY Award along the way – while Middleton showed no problem stepping up to the mic for his own blacker-than-black songs, such as We’re All Going To Die – possibly the 16

Uncle John & Whitelock

least cheerful Christmas single in history. From chaotic noise merchants to mature pop with alt-folk twists, Idlewild have come a long way in their 20 year career. By the time The Skinny had stumbled on the scene, the once Edinburgh-based group had signed major record deals, endured line-up changes and released several stand-out records. 2000’s 100 Broken Windows has proved to be the most durable, so much so our readers named it the best Scottish album of the decade. “We may think of Idlewild as ‘indie darlings’ these days, but back in 2000 ‘punk rock noiseniks’ was a more apt description...” we mused. “In that setting, and despite the learning curve, 100 Broken Windows is an astonishingly complete album, with huge leaps in musicianship, production and songwriting.” Following a four-year hiatus, The Skinny was delighted to welcome back Idlewild with an exclusive interview to promote comeback record Everything Ever Written. Glasgow’s music scene is routinely described as incestuous, given the number of bands in the city that share members or links to previous acts. But rather than resulting in an insular scene filled with groups who all resemble one another, it allows individuals to try out different things with other like-minded individuals. Take experimental duo Ubre Blanca. On the drums there’s Andy Brown, who until 2013 was keeping time for noise-rock quartet Divorce, and until more recently, postrock instrumentalists Remember Remember. On guitar, synths and programming we have Joel Stone, formerly of Glasgow’s leading mid-2000s dance rock outfit SHITDISCO – a major stylistic influence on another Skinny favourite, Errors – who also featured one half of the magazine’s satirical horoscope-writing team, Darren Cullen. We described Ubre Blanca’s first release as resembling a “synthdriven soundtrack to an undiscovered 80s horror classic,” but the pair were only really getting war-

MUSIC

THE SKINNY

FREE

C ULT URAL

.CO.UK

INDEP ENDEN T

JOURNAL ISM

Issue 90 March 2013

MUSIC Lapalux RNDM Deap Vally METZ Deftones

COMEDY Glasgow Comedy Festival – Sean Lock, Sanderson Jones, Luisa Omielan & Angry Beards

ART Social Sculpture at GoMA Collective Auction Edinburgh Film School

FILM Scott Graham on Shell Kim Moore on Hell Unltd

BOOKS StAnza

FASHION London Fashion Week A/W 13

CLUBS Matthew Herbert Electric Frog

TRAVEL International Festivals

med up. Last year’s Terminal Island EP was a space disco masterpiece. It’s fair to say The Skinny was a big fan of The Twilight Sad from the off. “One of the finest Scottish albums in years,” is how we greeted 2007’s Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters. Two years later, it was placed at number two in our list of the best Scottish LPs of the decade. “We are lucky to live in their time,” noted guest reviewer Adam Stafford. Over the course of four albums, several EPs and dozens of ear-splitting live shows, we’ve followed this Kilsyth group’s progress from cult concern to respected players on both sides of the pond. Frontman James Graham has occasionally hinted the band could call it quits due to the financial and logistical challenges of touring a band who earn rave reviews but sell comparatively few records, but they thankfully remain an ongoing concern. 2014’s Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave ranks as one of their best. There must be something in the water in the Falkirk district, as it produces musicians who follow a path wildly different to those from elsewhere in Scotland. Around the time the aforementioned Arab Strap were calling it a day, the wonderfully named Y’All Is Fantasy Island were achieving their peak critical acclaim. Led by the aforementioned Adam Stafford, the alt-folk group would add and drop members as they went, releasing a steady stream of singular EPs and LPs with consistently high quality – most notably In Faceless Towns Forever – until their eventual split in 2011. Stafford quickly reinvented himself as a solo performer: “A quick-thinking artist with a talent for taking looped guitar effects, beat-boxing and sharp hooks and combining them to create a sound that’s occasionally challenging but always satisfying,” is how we summed up 2013’s Imaginary Walls Collapse LP. In parallel to his music, Stafford is 18

also an accomplished filmmaker. His 2009 short, The Shutdown, written by novelist and long-term collaborator Alan Bissett, explores Falkirk’s often perilous relationship with its industry and won the Best Mini Documentary award at the San Francisco International Film Festival. From its very first issue, The Skinny has been supporting and promoting hip-hop artists based across Scotland. Over the last decade we’ve keenly observed the likes of Edinburgh’s Stanley Odd, led by MC Solareye, and from the west coast – Rutherglen, that is – the incomparable Hector Bizerk. Leading the charge in terms of winning international recognition are the Leith-based trio Young Fathers. They balk at being pigeonholed as a rap group – they just as often sing and chant on record – but hip-hop was their first love when they played The Skinny’s second birthday party back when they were called 3 Style. Fast forward to 2014 and they were picking up the Mercury Prize for their stone cold classic debut album, DEAD. The Phantom Band’s core members began making music together in 2002 under a variety of strange and wonderful names, but the group that established itself as one of the best in Scotland appeared seemingly from nowhere seven years later, with blistering debut LP Checkmate Savage – “a surging, shimmering cascade of inventive nous,” is how we nailed it down. The sharp lyricism and confident stage presence of frontman – and solo artist in his own right – Rick Anthony and the musical experimentation pushed by guitarist and visual artist Duncan Marquiss had taken time to perfect, and resulted in a deal with Chemikal Underground before most people had ever heard of them. Sophomore effort The Wants was memorably described by our reviewer as “pitched somewhere between Leonard Cohen and Looney Tunes,” while a brace of new albums released over a six

MUSIC

THE SKINNY

.CO.UK

INDEPENDENT FREE

CULT U R A L

J O U R N A L I S M

Scotland Issue 100 January 2014

INDEPENDENT FREE

MUSIC The SAY Award The Pixies Parquet Courts LAW

FOOD AND DRINK SURVEY 2014 The best places to eat, drink and be merry as voted by our readers

FILM EIFF Simon Helberg Ed Perkins

FASHION ART GSA Jewellery DJCAD & ECA degree shows LeithLate COMEDY Ask Fred BOOKS Eleanor Morton Scottish PEN Laura Marney SPORTS SUPPLEMENT With aerial pilates, CLUBS trampolining, roller Demdike Stare derby, urban running, Andrew Ingram bouldering & more

MUSIC Silver Mt. Zion East India Youth Honeyblood FILM Michael Cera & Sebastián Silva Jeremy Irvine BOOKS Emoji Dick Gimbal

CULT U R A L

J O U R N A L I S M

Scotland Issue 105 June 2014

STRANGE DAYS

CLUBS Croc v Croc ART Romany Dear Stephen Thorpe Omar Zingaro Bhatia COMEDY The Colour Ham THEATRE Manipulate Traverse 50 NOSTALGIA Across all sections

WARPAINT HERE TO STAY

month window in 2013/2014 confirmed their status as one of country’s most beguiling and rewarding acts. You can’t keep a good man down. When The Beta Band called it a day in 2004 – a decision some of us are only now coming to terms with – there was never any question that Steve Mason would continue writing and producing music. Working under several different aliases and with a variety of collaborators, the Fifer has shed the introspection and abject weirdness of the Betas to embrace a more outward looking view. There are few other artists who consistently promote such a radical political stance – while still managing to write a damn catchy pop tune – as evidenced on 2013’s superb single Fight Them Back. “Mason has tackled head-on a subject all too often viewed askance or bathed in metaphor,” we wrote in 2013. When not manning the barricades, Mason is still in touch with his softer side, teaming up with Richard X to produce 2010’s Boys Outside, perhaps his most focused solo work to date. Arcade Fire’s rise to fame was already under way when this publication first hit the streets, and the Canadian band would play an important role in helping establish the magazine’s credentials as a home to serious music journalism. The Montreal six piece’s debut album Funeral was released in the UK in early 2005 to universal acclaim, and would later be named our first ever album of the year. But it was when their second LP, Neon Bible, was due for release in 2007 that the fledgling arts mag stepped up to the plate by scooping the London music press and landing an exclusive cover feature. When LCD Soundsystem played their first gig at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange in 2004 as part of a joint-headline show featuring Soulwax and, bizarrely, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, few present showed much interest. But by the end of The Skinny’s first year 2015 – 2016

of publication, LCD Soundsystem’s creative driving force James Murphy had become the definition of New York cool – a concept he had memorably baited with the group’s first ever single Losing My Edge (“I heard you have a compilation of every good song ever done by anybody”). After three studio albums, a pile of glowing Skinny reviews and single-handedly redefining dance culture in the 21st century, Murphy announced the band’s end in 2011. Brooklyn experimental rockers Battles received their first ever UK cover feature courtesy of The Skinny, and have been regulars in the magazine since. Their debut album, Mirrored, is still spoken about in reverential terms by certain staff. “Watching this band play is an astonishing physical spectacle; utterly compelling and quite unlike any other gig experience,” we noted in a breathless live review from 2007. Happily, third album La Di Da Di is due for release in September – the same month as we celebrate our 10th birthday. It’s the best present Battles could have given. The National had already seen their sixth anniversary as a band come and go by the The Skinny hit the streets, but their break out album Alligator would drop that same year. That effort received high praise, but it was nothing compared to the worldwide acclaim that greeted 2007’s Boxer. By that stage the Cincinnati five-piece looked like they could do no wrong. “The National are not populists. They are a band one hundred percent committed to attaining musical excellence, on their terms,” we concluded in 2010, following the release of High Violet. “And yet, here they are, with a UK number 5 album (Billboard number 3) under their belt and five albums in, the world at their feet.” Their sixth – and most recent – LP received a slightly cooler reception, but their legions of fans on both sides of the pond await their next move with barely-contained excitement.

MUSIC

When two Bristolian pals with a love of Aphex Twin and Mogwai got together to make music in 2004, the results were never going to be landfill indie. Utilising a variety of instruments onstage and in the studio, from Casio keyboards to FisherPrice karaoke machines, Fuck Buttons are frequently awe-inspiring. The darkest of their three albums to date, 2013’s Slow Focus, cracked the top 40 and achieved another accolade in being named the best album of 2013 in our humble opinion. “Fuck Buttons strive more than most to maintain singularity within their work,” we nodded with approval. But our admiration for the duo goes back much further, having previously championed both 2008’s Street Horrrsing and Tarot Sport a year later. Hell, we even stuck them on the cover.

“Mogwai somehow retain an ability to surprise and challenge even their oldest fans” Summing up the appeal of Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, in a few short sentences cannot do justice to the consistent inventiveness and quality of her music. Cutting her teeth as a member of The Polyphonic Spree and touring in Sufjan Stevens’ band, Clark ventured out on her own in 2006 and has steadily built an international profile with a string of engrossing albums, which seamlessly blend elements of jazz, cabaret and indie-rock. We summed up her skill as “a magpie ability to mix her rock and pop lineages,” and rated 2011’s Strange Mercy as the finest LP of that year. “I’m positive that my music can turn people off,” Clark told us at the time. “They hear it and think ‘oh, there’s too much going on.” A statement with the quiet confidence of an artist who knows she’s heading in the right direction. While The Skinny has consistently championed Scotland’s burgeoning hip-hop scene, we still share in the excitement when an on-fire American rap group announces a gig on this side of the pond. We loved the Run the Jewels 2013 debut, hailing it as “swimming against the ego-obsessed current of mainstream hip-hop with scientific lyrical beatdowns and heavy electronic boom-bap beats.” A year on, and following an even better follow-up LP, Killer Mike and El-P finally made it on stage at Glasgow’s 20

Garage. Did they let us down? “Everything that makes this tag-team so appealing becomes fourdimensional in the flesh,” our reviewer panted. Roll on RtJ3. Reaching 100 issues is a landmark for any publication and requires a cover star worthy of such an occasion. When The Skinny clocked up its centenary in January last year we were pleased to get reacquainted with psychedelic LA indie-rockers Warpaint – whose self-titled sophomore album we would later rank as the best of 2014. “Warpaint are one of those bands that have a strange sonic signature, a definite something that’s entirely theirs,” we explained of the esoteric quartet’s intoxicating record. We were among the first in the UK to cover the four-piece when they hit the ground running with 2007’s Exquisite Corpse EP and eagerly await their next move. Mixing retro synths and the syrup-sweet vocals of Lauren Mayberry has proven a devastatingly effective combination for CHVRCHES. Rising from the ashes of Aereogramme, experienced Glaswegian producers Iain Cook and Martin Doherty decided they wanted to make some music that people might actually dance to. They they needed a vocalist, recruiting Mayberry – a former music hack for this very magazine – and the results were almost instantaneous. The first track they shared online – Lies – went batshit mental, as it’s known in the industry. “A bittersweet discord as Gothenburg, Glasgow and 1980s London collide,” is how we summed up its appeal when we first profiled the band in 2012. Second album Eyes Wide Open will surely cement their success on both sides of the pond. Another band with a stellar international reputation. Mogwai are a celebrating an important milestone of their this year. It was 20 years ago that three school pals formed a band named after a creature from Gremlins, which would grow to become one of Scotland’s most successful musical exports of the modern era. Now a settled five-piece, and still able to generate headlines thanks to their always brutally honest interviews, the band have shown desire to rest on their laurels, preferring a process of regular reinvention. Eight albums – and several acclaimed soundtracks – later, they somehow retain an ability to surprise and challenge even their oldest fans. “They artfully walk the delicate tightrope between chaos and calm,” was how we summed up their appeal in a recent live review. And so the ‘Gwai rage on. theskinny.co.uk/music

MUSIC

THE SKINNY

Citezen Kane

A Guide to Movie Tribes Film fandoms come in many guises. Here are just a few...

The nerd Here we have the easiest to spot of the movie tribes; they wear their hearts on their sleeves – or, to be more accurate, they wear the insignia of the movies they love on their t-shirts. They’re also the most powerful. Movie executives cower at their feet, creating movie worlds so dense with in-jokes that they become incomprehensible to anyone who’s not been schooled on comic book lore. But pity the poor critic who points this out. The pen may be mightier than the sword, but the comments left at the bottom of a comic book movie review are more brutal than Thor’s hammer. Where you’ll find them: Midnight screenings of the latest Marvel or DC movie; debating on Twitter which member of the Avengers would win in a head to head; in film review comments sections explaining to critics why they don’t understand the latest comic book movie Leading man: Any guy named Chris (Pine, Hemsworth, Evans, Pratt) Leading woman: N/A Favourite director: Joss Whedon Favourite film: Whatever is next in Marvel’s ‘Phase 3’ assault on our cinema screens

The auteurist Auteurists are the trainspotters of movie aficionados. They like to make lists and then meticulously check them off. They don’t just want to watch key works by the likes of Fassbinder or Altman, they want to see them all: the student films, the 8mm doodles, 2015 – 2016

Words: Jamie Dunn

the box-office bombs and the critical disasters. The auteurist’s favourite word is oeuvre. Peculiarly, they don’t refer to upcoming movies by their title like any sane person. Instead they quote the name of their übermensch creator – the film’s director. Warning: this can be confusing. “Have you seen the new Anderson?” they might ask. “Do you mean Wes? PT? Oh, God, not PWS?” Where you’ll find them: On letterboxd.com ranking Hitchcock’s career; organising their DVD collection by director; studying the latest Sight & Sound film poll. Leading man: Cary Grant Leading woman: Katharine Hepburn Favourite director: Orson Welles Favourite film: See Sight & Sound Greatest Film Poll

The cinephile Cinephilia is the dark realm in which movie love spills over into something more ecstatic. It’s closer to a fetish than a pastime. The whirl of a projector or the crackle of a scratchy 35mm print on screen elicits a kind of erotic revery. Like auteurists, the cinephile eats, breathes and sleeps cinema, but their movie love extends well beyond the auteurist’s canon. Their disposable income is poured into snap eBay purchases of out of print film books, faded first run movie posters and most importantly of all, cinema stubs. They’re on first name terms with their local cinema’s ushers and spend more time there during university than they will do in lecture halls.

FILM

The hipster

Where you’ll find them: At the cinema; seeking out rare one-off screenings; searching through online forums looking for torrents of out of print gems. Leading man: All of them Leading woman: All of them Favourite director: All of them Favourite film: All of them

The eclectic The cinephile’s taste is catholic, but the eclectic’s is non-sequitur. A screening of, say, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension will spill over into a double bill with Carl Theodor Dreyer’s Ordet without missing a beat. And after that they’ll watch Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Highbrow and lowbrow become mutable. Genres collide. It’s movie watching as schizophrenia. Where you’ll find them: Hard to say – Cineworld on Fridays for the opening of the latest blockbuster and at their local arthouse cinema the following afternoon for a matinee screening of a classic. Leading man: Daniel Day-Lewis and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Cera Leading woman: Tilda Swinton and Meryl Streep and Melissa McCarthy Favourite director: Béla Tarr and Zack Snyder and John Ford Favourite films: L’Avventura and Die Hard and Mary Poppins

The contrarian The contrarian is under some sick illusion that to be individual is to reject the mainstream. Ignoring critical consensus is a good thing: going against it in all instances feels perverse. The contrarian reckons Francis Ford Coppola didn’t really hit his stride til the late 80s, and is the only movie fan outside those signed up to the L. Ron Hubbard club to think Battlefield Earth is any cop. Most twisted of all: the contrarian’s favourite part of every trilogy is always number three. Where you’ll find them: In the kitchens at house parties explaining to people why Batman and Robin is superior to The Dark Knight; trolling critics with their unorthodox take on Danny Dyer’s career. Leading man: Adam Sandler Leading woman: Madonna Favourite director: Brett Ratner Favourite film: Showgirls 22

For the hipster, movies, like their facial hair and their on-trend boat shoes, are extensions of their personality. They tend to be drawn to filmmakers who, like them, show-off via an elaborate aesthetic, be that down to ostentatious camerawork or eyepopping mise-en-scènes. The soundtracks should be retro–electronic pop that sounds like a Eurythmics B-side, or little-heard British new wave tracks. Diegetic music should be played on vinyl or the most recent iPod. Where you’ll find them: Coen Brothers retrospectives; attending fancy dress parties in Wes Anderson movie cosplay; deciding whether to watch Lost in Translation for the eighth time or Garden State for the twelfth. Leading man: Bill Murray Leading woman: Greta Gerwig Favourite director: Richard Linklater Favourite film: Donnie Darko

“Auteurists are the trainspotters of movie aficionados” The ironist For the ironist, movies can’t be enjoyed on their own merit. Their appeal comes from the ironist’s superiority over the material. The ironist demonstrates their superiority by openly mocking the text. For some reason, this only applies to older movies. The ironist would never think of loudly taking the piss out of Fantastic Four, say, or the latest Zack Snyder film. The anachronistic acting in silent films, the heartbreaking emotionality of 50s melodramas or dated effects in seminal 70s sci-fi movies, however, are fair game. Where you’ll find them: At any retrospective screening, manically laughing like Robert De Niro in Cape Fear, ruining it for the rest of us; deciding on whether to watch The Room for the eighth time or Troll 2 for the twelfth time. Leading man: Nicolas Cage Leading woman: Divine Favourite director: M. Night Shyamalan Favourite film: Plan 9 From Outer Space Find film reviews, features, events, filmmaker interviews and more at theskinny.co.uk/film

FILM

THE SKINNY

THE PLEASANCE, EDINBURGH

Tinder Surprise We take a look at the shallow minefield that is internet dating and how Tinder’s potential for no-strings-attached sex might not be such a great thing Words: John Stansfield Illustration: Raj Dhunna

henever any new visual technology is invented it is immediately used to further the pornography industry. As soon as the nickelodeons began to litter the promenades of yesteryear there were smut pedlars with their own kinescopes of Flappers flashing their gussets. In the great video wars of the late 70s and early 80s, VHS helped see off competition from the vastly superior Betamax format by allowing pornographers to use their inferior product to further the ill-gotten gains of the San Fernando Valley. Where pornography has led the market, dating has not been far behind. Just google ‘80s video dating’ for a lesson in how not to woo the opposite sex – and also a reminder that technology existed before the internet, and that it was gloriously grainy. With the dawn of the world wide web (that’s what that fancy “www.” that you don’t even have to write anymore stands for, gang!) came, of course, the use of such high speeds of information for the furthering of interactive sex-watching, and its cosy bedfellow, interactive sex-doing. Internet dating has become a lot more socially acceptable over the years, to the point where kids will be asking their future parents which site they met on and ranking them from Craigslist to match.com. When computers turned into the handheld devices we now know as phones, it was of course the homosexual community that recognised the ease with which they could hook-up via the use of this technology with 2009’s Grindr. Somehow, though, it took the hetero world some three years to catch up, with Tinder taking its bow in September of 2012. As we’re sure you’re already aware, Tinder offers users the chance to be outwardly shallow by

swiping right to say you like the look of someone, or left if you think that they are a horrible wolfmonster that should be fired from a cannon directly into the sun. Unsurprisingly, it has also led to the ease with which people might put their junk on or in each other. Tread carefully with this new-found power, however. It’s not just the blows your ego will take when matches burn out quicker than those that lit Mars, but the fact that you are essentially meeting strangers that have one thought in their mind, and it’s definitely not to start a long and loving relationship based on trust. It’s for doing the no pants dance. Which is super cool, but watch out: for with every app home run there are at least 100 cautionary tales. For example, Tinder is a great place to go mugging. You already know they have a nice phone and are nearby, so why not just take a shiv and double your prizes. Alienating human contact by way of messaging people in the same room as you via your mobile telephone is all well and good, but until the thumbprint verification of a user can also check the blood and urine work (surely the sexiest phrase ever associated with Tinder) for venereal diseases then you’re risking your ovaries/testicles just signing up for a good time in the Tindergarten. And though everyone seems to want HPV since Lena Dunham’s character got it on Girls, it is sooooooooo 2014, guys. We’re not certain where all the good men or women are but you’re more likely to find out by talking to the ones nearby than checking if they’re good to go on your phone. You never know, the results may surprise you. Or everyone is awful and the world will be over soon. So don’t worry about it.

COMEDY

THE SKINNY

Credit: Matthew Beech The Caves in Edinburgh

You Gotta Fight… As Scotland mends its poor partying heart after the closure of The Arches, we get you up to speed on the club scene which remains. Spoiler: it’s sick as ever

his year the war on nightclubbing made its presence felt in Scotland with the closure of The Arches. At best, it was a decision driven by kneejerk reactionism and a total lack of regard for the people who work hard to keep Scottish nightlife exciting. Previously one of the country’s largest, most varied and successful venues, it was a painful experience for many – not just dance music lovers, but the countless communities of creatives who gathered and practised there outside of club-hours. It was a savage act, and served as a reminder that no matter how special you make a place, nothing is untouchable. But amid the bleakness of post-referendum austerity, it’s worth remembering the immortal words of Ramona, the Robert Johnson club’s mysterious hostess – “The good times are always now!” For all the danger, Scottish clubbing’s never been in ruder health, and it’s the party people that keep in that way. So party hard – your city depends on it. Fair warning for everyone who’s just arrived from south of the border – expect an altogether more intense experience here. Few could adequately explain what makes Scottish clubbing’s energy so distinct. Perhaps people are just happy to get out of the pissing rain, or maybe it’s the Buckfast?

Words: Jean-Xavier Boucherat

Countless DJs have suggested the 3am closing times prompt an urgency you don’t find in London, where hordes of melting youngsters are free to fester well into the morning. The late crew may despair. Don’t. It’s liberating, and if you’re still going you’ll no doubt catch wind of the parties we can’t mention here. Many locals with a bleary eye on the most cutting edge of programmes have always had a special attachment to The Art School. As home to the Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association, the venue has always been a particular favourite for those in need of a midterm blowout and perhaps has a more bold approach to clubbing than the more commercial spots around town. But don’t be fooled into thinking you won’t see the venue attracting huge names – in the last year alone, they have hosted the likes of Surgeon, James Holden and Lone as well as stellar local names such as Jackmaster and Alex Smoke. The venue’s appeal comes from its ability to attract such acts, while making sure it maintains a strong focus on new and experimental sounds too. It’s safe to say there were a lot of satisfied punters around when The Art School reopened in fine style, following a refurbishment process in 2014.

CLUBS

THE SKINNY

2015 – 2016

Alright then troops, enough of that. Here’s some ideas on when, where and why you should get heavy MWI.

The Heavyweights Let’s kick off with the biggest of them all. I’ll say this once for everyone’s benefit – Glasgow’s Sub Club remains one of the best on the planet, hands down. Twenty-six years on, it continues to attract the greatest names in house, techno and more on the weekly. It’s also home to one of Europe’s finest systems, employing a bodysonic dancefloor that literally roots the building’s foundations in sound. Regular nights include SUBCULTURE. DJs Harri & Domenic claim their weekly house music residency is the longest-running on the planet, but as they correctly observe, who’s counting? Their guests this year have included John Talabot, Roman Flügel and Berghain kingpin Nick Höppner.

Meanwhile, those living in Dundee had best familiarise themselves with The Reading Rooms. Housed in a former public library, the club has been going since 2002. Making sure it goes off on the regular is HEADWAY, the city’s longest running house and techno night. Previous guests have included Carl Craig, Robert Hood, and Levon Vincent.

The Sweatboxes

If you’re not one for the big room, or you’re after something last-minute that’s cheap and with reliable residents, you’re in luck – Caledonia provides. With so many smaller venues in operation now, these barely scratch at the surface. In Edinburgh you can throw down at Sneaky Pete’s. The Cowgate club is a very literal one-room affair – walk through the door and you’re right in the thick of things. Sneaks is now home to Auntie Flo & Esa’s HIGHLIFE residency, bringing you a globally-informed, endlessly fresh mix of house, boogie and more. Serious taste-making. Other local outfits making it happen at Sneaks include JUICE, whose past guests have included DJ Rashad, Ikonika, Addison Groove and Heurco S. Downstairs at Max’s Bar on Queen Street Glasgow you’ll find La Cheetah, the city’s best smallroom outfit. It’s tiny down there, partially on account of the space taken up by the Funktion-One system and serious-business booth. In the past it’s been the basement of choice for all sorts, including Nightwave’s booty-bass fuelled NIGHTRAVE parties, and more recently the We Should Hang Out More crew, bringing 100% positive vibes every The Subby is also the spiritual home of OPTIMO. time with their unhinged disco-funk selections. Founded in 1997, DJs Twitch and Wilkes have since Meanwhile, guests this year have included Benji B, seen their club brand go global, with appearances Pender Street Steppers and Jimmy Edgar. Beware on Boiler Room and RBMA, and shows in more – it heats up down there. Don’t expect to leave loocountries than you’ll ever visit. It’s been over five king quite as good as you did on arrival. years since the pair decided to call time on their Nice and Sleazy’s afterhours is a pretty differegular slot at the club, but their presence remains rent beast to the comparatively wholesome operastrong city-wide, and their anything-goes policy tion they run in the daytime. In some respects, remains in full effect – after all, what self-respecits inclusion here is fairly redundant because, like ting man or woman has never danced to Throbbing it or not, you’re going to end up there without Gristle’s Discipline before? being totally sure why. That said, it currently Over in the capital, keep your eyes peeled for boasts some excellent residencies from a local announcements from club-night curators crowd. Strange Paradise is the brainchild of NIGHTVISION – details on their third season are Glasgow’s time-delayed answer to Arthur Russell, due soon. The clubbing series has brought serious David Barbarossa. Barbarossa’s the type of guy heat to iconic venues across Edinburgh, including who from time to time will just open up his living Cabaret Voltaire, The Liquid Room, and La Belle room to the public to get rid of some records, his Angèle. Seasons one and two saw performances from collection’s that big. Expect global funk and disco Nina Kraviz, Eats Everything and Joy Orbison. from the outer limits.

“For all the danger, Scottish clubbing’s never been in ruder health, and it’s the party people that keep it that way”

CLUBS

THE SKINNY

The Wildcards

and Martin Buttrich. Definitely ones to watch out for. Next we’ll take a walk past Cowcaddens Tube and up into Glasgow North’s dark corners. In fact, The Glue Factory is such a wildcard these days that you can’t even depend on it for regular parties, but as this year’s collaboration with RBMA featuring Mykki Blanco proved, it’s still an incredible space to get wild in. The former industrial site is gnarly as hell though, so make sure you don’t mind messing up your shoes. Similarly unreliable on the line-up front are The Caves, a sprawling set of 18th century vaults underneath Edinburgh’s South Bridge. It’s a mindblowing space. Make it your mission in life to jump on any party they announce during your time here. Things have been quiet of late, but guests in the last year have included The Hessle Audio crew, Jacques Edinburgh’s Mash House is a multi-room venue Greene and Monika Kruse. built into a former church. A relatively recent arrival, Alright then grasshopper – that’s enough to the gig and club venue has already made an impact be getting on with. Have fun, don’t hassle the DJ with the sheer diversity of its programming. It’s too much, and don’t get caught. also home to the excellent TWEAK residency – the To get the chat on all the best club nights and events across minimal-lovers have been at it less than a year, yet Scotland, visit theskinny.co.uk/clubs already they’ve wrangled shows from Seth Troxler, Here’s a quick look at some of the more versatile spots on offer, all making use of unique spaces and all with a healthy disregard for anything so narrow as genre.

“Make it your mission in life to jump on any party The Caves announce during your time here”

Sub Club, Glasgow

2015 – 2016

CLUBS

To All Brave Graduates of Fine Art It’s one thing to spend years involved in intense self-discovery at art school, but what happens afterwards? Here is a collection of personal and informally crowdsourced advice on how to make that transition from art student to emerging artist Words: Adam Benmakhlouf

“T

wo years ago your sole objective was to get in here,” my friend Lauren was told by her tutor about halfway through her Fine Art Photography degree. “Now what’s your life ambition?” Maybe you’re a fresher, maybe you’re heading into your final year or perhaps you’ve picked this up as a fresh graduate. Sitting at graduation already on Jobseeker’s? Obviously that’s totally fine, just have some idea of what’s next on the agenda. You’ve just lost all your teachers, recent grads. Chances are, the drawback of a diverse student body now means a sizeable chunk of your friends have moved back somewhere. Or maybe you’ve just made the move to a new Scottish city. Either way, there’s a whole art community you’re now wittingly or unwittingly part of. Most of this (thankfully) not-so-elite set will occasionally go to/give a talk, or take part in a discussion or Q&A event. As a personal plug, The Skinny’s Art section also publishes a weekly column that rounds up these various talks and events – alongside free openings with complimentary booze. See theskinny.co.uk/art every Tuesday. Otherwise, keep a close eye on the websites and Twitters of Tramway, The Common Guild, Tramway, and Dundee Contemporary Arts. Living in a city is a cultural privilege, so as much as you (I) enjoy Netflix, try spending the odd evening talking about the thing you’re mortally passionate about. Speaking of those invaluable peers, why not take a punt at putting together a group exhibition? They’re a laugh and a good incentive to work out what the hell you’re doing. In Edinburgh, the relatively young Number Shop invites proposals via ali@thenumbershop.org. There are also places like Out of the Blue Arts Cafe with a range of spaces to rent. One of the major Scottish arts

exhibition spaces, Summerhall boldly invites proposals via info@summerhall.co.uk, supplementing their curated programme. There’s also the Satellites programme by Collective Gallery, which provides mentor support and an exhibition opportunity to recent graduates. Rhubaba, and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshops are also good shouts. In Glasgow, this year has seen The Old Hairdresser’s come into its own as a one-night exhibition space, so keep an eye on its website for its next call-out. Also keep close watch on the Telfer Gallery, the CCA and the Glasgow Project Room for its invitation for proposals. Generator in Dundee (along with Transmission in Glasgow and Edinburgh’s Embassy) run members’ shows that every year hang a huge array of work salon style, and are an accessible exhibition opportunity. Membership to all three of these indispensible art institutions is completely open, and usually made online for free or a negligible fee.

“Sitting at graduation already on Jobseeker’s? Obviously that’s totally fine...” Unpaid work: is it ever worth it? ‘It’ being the £4 food and £3.50 travel that may or may not be offered. Sometimes large institutions try their luck, because they realise young artists and students are as usefully vulnerable as they are generally maligned. Then again, there are genuinely grassroots festivals like Open House, where pretty

ART

THE SKINNY

much no-one is getting paid, but is as important to the Glasgow art community as it is unremunerative. So, when weighing up your options, ask: how reasonable is it for the volunteer-hunters to ask you to do the job for free, considering its size and funding, as well as the nature of the work? Then be honest – is this something from which you will learn something genuinely useful, and will it serve you well in the future? Getting more adventurous still, what about banding together with seven other students, setting up a voluntary Community Interest Company, finding then renting a suitable space, and leasing out studios? That’s just what some graduates from Aberdeen and Dundee did last year, making the Visual Artists Unit. If you’d rather not do the legwork, they’re providing ‘groups of emerging artists with generously sized studio spaces at affordable prices’ in the East End of Glasgow, making use of what would otherwise be redundantly large industrial spaces. Maybe you have your own idea for a brand new artistic and/or social enterprise, or perhaps you’re ready to ask for some money to support more time to work in the studio. It’s time to make applications for funding. Casting the net widely, physically speaking there is The Directory of Grant Making Trusts, an annual publication that covers about 2,000 grant-making charities. It’s expensive, so find a recent edition in your local library. Online, in Scotland the best resource is opportunities.creativescotland.com and there’s artquest.org.uk, too. Find a source of funding, then begin hours of self-reflection, writing, submit the application, wait, then find more funding and develop a coping mechanism to deal with the knockbacks. Suggestion: soothe rejection by making ten more applications in its place, because what matters is practice. After making a business plan and budget, and aligning yourself financially to allow for the expense, there are different studio space providers across the country. Generally speaking, it’s a one in, one out state of affairs at the moment. Just like flat hunting, a good first step is to make it known you’re looking for a studio, with subletting connections often being made through the six degrees of separation. For something more long-term, in Edinburgh there’s Rhubaba and The Number Shop. There’s also the incredibly sought-after studio spaces at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, which are leased to graduates on a three-year reduced rate, and can be shared between up to three studio-holders. Simi2015 – 2016

larly, in Glasgow there are the Glasgow Sculpture Studios, as well as the Crownpoint Studios (a part of which is managed by the Visual Artists’ Unit), The Whisky Bond, Studio Warehouse and the Grey Wolf Studios. Dundee has its very own Tin Roof Collective with small spaces starting at £30 a month. All across Scotland, the WASPS studios are run by a charitable organisation set on providing affordable studio spaces to artists. Generally, there is a waiting list and again it’s best to make an application as soon as possible.

“There is nothing more disappointing than googling an artist and discovering they’ve succeeded where Prince failed, essentially deleting themselves from the internet” What can you do right now, before making applications for studio spaces, emailing your soonto-be mentor or sipping on that sweet free wine at an opening this Friday? To quote the 90s one-hit wonder, “If I could offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.” So slather on some sunscreen, then please God post your work somewhere online. There is nothing more disappointing than googling someone potentially very interesting only to discover that they have succeeded where Prince failed in essentially deleting themselves from the internet. Just 10 years ago your predecessors had to print slides only then to pay P&P to send them around the galleries. Yes it’s been said before, but it’s worth repeating that the internet is magical, amazing, beautiful and terrifying. So learn the internet and get a website. Then congratulate yourself, because you’re now automatically one cajillion times more interesting than anonymous BSci, BEng and BSocSc graduate schemers – even if your salary will always be a fraction of those Waitrose-loving arseholes.

ART

The Skinny Showcase Our Showcase section is a visually-rich monthly celebration of local artists and designers at the beginning of their careers. Here are our favourite graduate artists from 2015’s Scottish degree shows Alice Chandler, ECA | Mary Watson, DJCAD | John Farrell, GSA | Laura Porteous, Gray’s School of Art

Mary Watson, Longest Fingernails

Mary Watson, Best Bitch

John Farrell

SHOWCASE

THE SKINNY

GALLERY

CINEMA SHOP

PRINT STUDIO CAFÉ BAR

152 Nethergate Dundee DD1 4DY www.dca.org.uk @dcadundee

Scottish Charity no. SC026631

THE SKINNY

Alice Chandler

Laura Porteous

2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

SHOWCASE

Things to Make and Chew Food is confusing, so we’ll keep things simple – here’s our guide to the basics of food, from the right way to buy a chicken to how to stop your friends accidentally headbutting restaurant staff Words: Peter Simpson Illustration: Raj Dhunna

o you’re all settled into your new digs, having rearranged the place to make space for that musical instrument you’ll probably give up on within the next few weeks. It’s hungry work, so it’s time for some food. But – and here’s the funny thing – you’ve got to deal with it yourself, rather than shouting the word ‘sandwich’ at any relative within earshot. Fear not, we can help. If you’re going to cook, you’ll need some basic kit. Key words here are ‘some’ and ‘basic’; not ‘loads’ or ‘bizarre and multicoloured’. Essentially, your student cooking equipment list runs like this – a big saucepan (for pasta and soups), a little saucepan (for stuff that doesn’t need to go in the big saucepan), two frying pans (one big, one small), a couple of ovenproof dishes and chopping boards, a metal sieve (which can double as a steamer with a little rejigging) and little and large knives. That’s the lot; no ‘flavour shakers’ or ‘slap chops’ required. Keep your kit list small, and spend reasonably on the stuff you do buy, and you’ll notice three things. Your equipment will last a while, because you went for the middle option in Ikea rather than trying to load as many cheap pans into one of those blue bags as possible. Your washing-up will never be more than a few pots and boards, so you’ll know straight away who’s taking the piss with the dishes (clue: it’s not you). And here’s the crucial bit – you’ll actually be able to take all your best cooking gear with you without giving yourself a hernia. You’ll probably move house every nine months for the next few years, and will thank us when all your pots and pans fit in one box. So your cupboard is full of bits of sharp metal and plastic; time to get some food! To the shops! Simple rules to follow here – first is to buy things whole. For example, don’t buy bits of chicken, get

a whole one and then break it into the bits you need. You’ll get some good use out of the knife and board from two paragraphs ago, you’ll save money, and you’ll end up with loads to eat now and plenty to stick in the freezer for later. Next, scout out your local shops and find out when they start reducing stuff to clear. If you live in any kind of vaguely studenty area then mini-supermarkets will be all over the place like a rash, so there’ll be plenty of opportunity to get half-price loaves of bread or family-size trifles for 20p. If you follow these two rules then you might just have some student loan left over to go to some of the lovely indie food shops your city has to offer; the kind of places that not only sell really nice stuff, but actually like to talk about it, and will even give you a bit of advice if you ask nicely.

“You’ll probably move house every nine months for the next few years, and will thank us when all your pots and pans fit in one box” As for cooking itself, there are a few basic building blocks and skills to familiarise yourself with. Explaining how to turn that chicken from earlier into ‘bits of chicken’ really works better visually than written down, so get on YouTube and check it

FOOD AND DRINK

THE SKINNY

FOOD SERVED 12-12, 7 days Speak to us for society and club sponsorship deals Pub Quiz: Tuesdays, 8:30pm 44 Westcross Causeway Edinburgh, 01316628741 /greenmantlepub /Greenmantle

2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

THE SKINNY

out. If you’re making a soup or sauce, you’ll need a mirepoix – that’s two parts chopped onion, one part each of carrots and celery. Cook that for a while and you’ve got the base for a whole load of recipes. And don’t throw away the browned bits at the bottom of pans and dishes – chuck in some wine or some stock and you’re on the way to making gravy. You aren’t nearly setting the flat on fire, you’re deglazing. Go you! Of course, sometimes you won’t want to cook, and that’s fine. After all, there is a whole world going on outside, so it seems remiss to not at least give it a chance. While the world of catering may not be entirely new to you, student life will probably be the first time you experience the grown-up embarrassment of having to wrangle a group of uncouth friends through a meal. There are a couple of simple things to remember – don’t leave your knife and fork or chopsticks crossed (it is variously bad luck and a sign that you’re still eating, even if there’s nothing there); and for the love of God, leave a tip (and try not to be a dick about it). And when you hit the pub, rest assured you’ll be greeted by a bewildering array of bitters, stouts, saisons, pales,

2015 – 2016

porters and other drinks with non-sequitur names and branding.

“If you live in any vaguely studenty area, mini-supermarkets will be all over the place like a rash” And you know what you should do? Ask the bar staff what they’d recommend – they spend their days behind the bar, so if anyone’s going to know what’s nice, it would be them. Or just pick the one with the nicest label – you’re students, you may as well experiment while you have the chance. theskinny.co.uk/food

FOOD AND DRINK

Living with FoMO FoMO, the compulsive concern that a person might miss an opportunity for social interaction or a novel experience, has attracted the attention of journalists and academics as they try to understand the effect social media has on our emotional wellbeing Words: Michael Shea

iving away from home for the first time can be an intimidating prospect. It’s tempting to hide in your room, log in to social media and see what your friends are up to. To make matters worse, your friends keep posting photos that show what a great time they’re having without you. Look at them having all kinds of fun; eating ice creams, playing with pandas, riding a Zeppelin (we didn’t know they still existed). If you’ve ever felt like this, you’re not alone. Welcome to FoMO. The Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) is a state of anxiety created by a compulsive concern that a person might miss an opportunity for social interaction or a novel experience. The idea has attracted attention in the last few years as researchers try to understand what effect social media has on users’ emotional wellbeing.

“More than simply Facebook envy, FoMO is a state of anxiety” Advertising companies have been quick to get in on the act. A report by marketing firm J. Walter Thompson describes the lucrative potential of FoMO. While advertising has always been based on the notion that people can be motivated by a desire to keep up with their friends, social media has intensified this effect by bombarding users with a stream of constant updates that exaggerate a sense of ‘relative deprivation’ (think holiday spam). But FoMO is about more than just Facebook envy. Some academics now argue that it creates a vicious cycle as heavy internet users feel increasingly lonely because they substitute social media for real, face-to-face contact with others, which further increases their feeling of isolation, and so 40

on. This can have a profound effect on the user’s state of mind. A study by psychologists at the University of Michigan looked at the impact of Facebook use on the ‘subjective well-being’ of young adults. They found that increased Facebook use correlates with a negative shift in reported life satisfaction and mood. Alarmingly, they found this trend not only on a day-by-day basis, but even at various points within a single day. So what’s the best way to deal with FoMO? We could remove the temptation entirely; throw our phones and laptops into the ocean? That seems a bit melodramatic. Social media is part of our lives now, for good or ill, so the only practical solution is to find ways to manage it.

How to deal with FoMO: 1. Recognise that it is based on a lie: The fantastic life you think you might be missing out on doesn’t really exist. Think about it. When was the last time one of your friends uploaded photos of themselves at the dentist or cutting their toenails for example. Social media is designed to show us the highlights of each other’s lives, like a nostalgic clip show focusing on the best bits while skipping all of the boring episodes. 2. Schedule in some screen-free time each day, ideally involving some face-to-face interaction with folks – you’ll be surprised how quickly you make friends when you don’t have the option to look at a screen. By following these simple steps, anyone can learn to live with FoMO and enjoy the freedom that comes with exploring the offline world. Failing this, just throw all your devices in the ocean and run naked on the beach. For more on all things digital: theskinny.co.uk/tech

TECH

THE SKINNY

2015 – 2016

Back to School No more excuses about missing lectures because you didn’t have a stitch to wear... Words: Kate Pasola

ou’re not Morrissey, and we’ve got your dose of academic apparel inspo sorted, anyway. Neutrals, muted tones and refreshed prep tailoring – basically everything you’ll need to get you on your way to first class honours. In a fashion sense, at least. Courtesy of recent graduates Joanne Thomas (Herriot Watt) and Irina Gusakova (GSA), with a dash of Harvey Nichols – because a student can dream, right?

Photography: Igor Termenon igortermenon.com Styling: Alexandra Fiddes alexandrafiddes.co.uk Hair & Make Up: Caroline McKeirnan facebook.com/pages/Caroline-McKeirnanMake-Up-Artist Photography Assistant: Rebecca Elizabeth Tate rebeccaelizabethtate.com Model: Lauren @ Tyne Tees Models / Colours Agency

FASHION

THE SKINNY

2015 – 2016

FASHION

THE SKINNY

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB 5 York Place | Edinburgh | 0131 558 7272 333 Woodlands Road | Glasgow | 0141 212 3389 www.thestand.co.uk

standedinburgh

standglasgow

@StandComedyClub

SCOTLAND’S FAVOURITE

COMEDY VENUES

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

THE SKINNY

Equus by Peter Schaffer (produced by EUTC)

Act Up Wondering where to find theatre societies, and which one offers exactly what you’re looking for? Here’s The Skinny’s handy run-down of what you can find and where Words: Emma Ainley-Walker Photography: Mihaela Bodlovic

ou’re just starting University. Chances are you’re ready to get your head stuck in to some societies, to meet like-minded people, and to start acting out a little bit. If drama is what you’re looking for, The Skinny has got you covered. Here’s our handy overview of where you can do it, how to get involved and which society is best for you – whether you want to write, direct, act or get your hands on the tech gear. Glasgow University is home to Student Theatre at Glasgow (STaG), who start the year with New Talent Nights, auditions for which take place during freshers’ week as an opening to bring new students into the society. As well as two mainstage productions a year, the society hosts mini festivals, including STaG nights, and the New Works festival. Each year student-penned plays performed as part of the New Works festival are judged by a panel of theatre professionals, with the winning production taken to the Edinburgh Fringe. With a space for new writing, as well as producing contemporary and classic plays, STaG invites students into all aspects of the theatre.

2015-2016

The Cecillian Society is Glasgow’s musical theatre society, boasting two productions a year. The first, this year Footloose, is produced in 24 hours, somewhat of a baptism by fire for new students. The second show is a large-scale musical worked on throughout the year, with students creating set and working on the technical side of things as well as performing and directing. The 2016 musical already announced is Bat Boy. Re-Act Theatre Group at Strathclyde University was founded in 2010 and aims to let all students explore their theatre skills. The Strathclyde Theatre Group, which began as a collaboration between the university and the people of Glasgow in 1971 continues as an inclusive theatre charity open to all. Dundee University’s only student-run drama society is LIP Theatre Company, which this year brought two student written plays – The Selkie and The River God and Paying The Piper to the Edinburgh Fringe. Their work throughout the year includes a comedy sketch show as well as a main, scripted theatre show.

THEATRE

The Edinburgh University Theatre Company lives at Bedlam Theatre, which becomes a hub during the Fringe, so it makes sense that Edinburgh University may have the most theatre societies. Les Escogriffes: French Theatre Society are there for those fluent in French and those muddling along, with the chance to act as well as getting involved in the technical, costume and set teams. The EUSC are geared specifically towards producing Shakespeare’s work, putting on a yearly show and hosting workshops that look into adapting the bard for the modern stage. The Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group offers the chance for students to direct, produce, choreograph and musical direct, as well as perform. They’ll be staging The Addams Family the musical later in the semester (auditions in early September). Theatre Group at Leeds University will be returning to campus after a trip to the Fringe with The Worry Monster and Five Drinks, both original plays penned by students and chosen by the committee to attend the festival. If it’s writing that you’re interested in, directing, or performing on a grand scale – perhaps not in venue size but as part of the largest arts festival in the world – this is a fantastic opportunity. They’ve already announced their first semester’s programme for the coming year, all chosen from proposals made by members of the society, so if there’s a show you’re dying to produce there will always be the opportunity to pitch it. If it’s musical theatre you’re looking for, the Leeds University Music Theatre Society looks for directors, musical directors, producers and actors to join their society each year. The first shows announced on their 2015 roster are Sondheim’s Assassins, as well as Ghost the Musical. The Opera Society put on two shows a year, but members do not have to have extensive background in opera to join. They’ll be putting on The Magic Flute in February. Open Theatre is the society that describes itself as ‘that little bit different,’ from devised shows to The Wind in the Willows and Ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata. As well as performance opportunities, there are also workshops for picking up new skills and exploring some old ones. The Manchester University Drama Society runs New Writing Showcases, which also offer great opportunities for student writers to bring their work to the stage. This year they take Facade, a new play penned and directed by Thomas Glover. 48

The Manchester University Musical Theatre Society is there for those who are musically inclined. Their most recent production was Titanic the Musical, which is in no way connected to the film, as well as putting on performance showcases and attending an inaugural musical theatre society festival in York. Fans of musical theatre can only hope that this is a festival that will continue. In the last academic year the society took home three awards from thirteen nominations at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) awards, winning Best Programme, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and Best Director of a Musical. Manchester Metropolitan University’s Cheshire campus has both Genesis Theatre and the MMUsical Theatre Society while the Manchester School of Theatre is developing a new arts and cultural hub at the University. Until then, their performances will take place off-campus at Manchester’s exciting HOME venue. Liverpool University’s Student Theatre society (LUST) is a musical theatre society putting on two shows a year, with Into the Woods coming up in December. The less saucily named Liverpool University Drama Society (LUDS) may be one of the most prolific, putting on four large-scale productions a semester, as well as workshops and theatre trips. Students are given the opportunity to act, direct, write, produce and work backstage as well. The opportunity to showcase work on large scale comes as well with a yearly production taken to the Edinburgh Fringe: in 2015 absurdist comedy A Traffic Jam on Sycamore Street. Liverpool John Moore’s University Drama Society boasts a Freshers’ Show on 12 Sep to kick off their year of events, followed by a Christmas show and end of year show, with plenty of opportunity for students new and old to get involved. The university’s recent history with the arts includes partnering with the Homotopia international festival of arts and culture. Amongst all this, the city is home to LIPA, where drama, musical theatre and performance aren’t as much societies as they are the reason for attending, making it an incredible cultural city for students interested in both participating in and watching theatre and the arts. With so much going on – and we’re only scratching the surface – it’s almost impossible not to get involved with a bit of theatre at university. Get all the latest on the theatre scene in your area including reviews, interviews and opinion at theskinny.co.uk/theatre

THEATRE

THE SKINNY

Credit: Gemma Burke

Want Job, Will Travel So you want to see the world, but can’t afford a gap year spent backpacking or volunteering? Three readers tell us their tales of travelling abroad while earning their keep

Teaching English

I never took a gap year or a year abroad, and consequently started to feel claustrophobic in Glasgow, my home city of six years. I thought about teaching. There’s always demand for people willing to teach English, so I applied to an agency for jobs teaching in China. Things took off quickly. Within a month of Skype interviews and demo lessons I was offered a contract to teach at a private school for a year in Beijing. Before deciding whether to move away, everyone I spoke to explained how lucky I was; how jealous they were. It frustrated me – they weren’t the ones who would have to uproot and live in China for a year. I adapted to life in Beijing very quickly. It’s strange how quickly we accept things after dreading them for so long. The main problem is the language barrier, but you can get by with a minimal understanding of Chinese. 2015-2016

The next concern? Actually teaching the children. I had no experience, but figured I’d catch up. And I did. We were given no training, but when classes went well it was enjoyable. Sometimes I had to check myself because my three hour day had consisted of singing songs and colouring with kids. One year was enough for me. There were times where I felt silly for giving up a good deal so soon, but I knew China wasn’t for me long term. I thought that living in a different culture would make me a bit less particular and fussy, but I was surprised to find that I was more stubborn and confident in my own opinions and preferences than ever before. To quote Confucius: “no matter where you go – there you are.” I went half way round the world to find out that I’m the same person I’ve always been. [Gemma Burke] For more information on teaching English check out the teaching abroad blog section on www.interexchange.org

TRAVEL

Credit: Leo Setä

Chalet host

There’s something about places like Méribel, where the 18-25s gather to ‘work’ a ski season. They’re in the middle of quintessential France whilst having roughly enough French residents to fill a Fiat Punto. Mostly you’ll be surrounded by Brits and Aussies who are either on a gap year, adventuring poststudy or who started that way and have decided to live winter season in France and summer season in Bali. With the ski area arguably the biggest and (one of the) best in the world, it’s a top destination if you want to ski/board your winter away. Conditions are always right somewhere, and it’s just as exciting for the novice seasonaire as it is for the veterans. It you want the best deal, head for a job at one of the high end chalet companies where you’ll get the likes of accommodation, ski passes, insurance, flights, and ski hire included, as well as the use of the hot tub and sauna when the guests are out. And sometimes when they’re in, too. Highlights could include having James Morrison 50

(’member him?) stay in your chalet, complete with his gang of tipping-shy pals. You also might wind up with a food and drink budget for your staff accom’, meaning you’ll earn c£500/month plus tips – and live off the latter alone. The other option is to go for the likes of bar work, where things are as laid back as they can be. However, you’ll likely end up with fewer freebies, accommodation that boasts no windows and bedrooms shared with up to six other staff members. Plus evening guests. Oh, and top tip – if hosting, don’t piss off your chalet chef. [Kyla Hall] For info, www.myjobsearch.com/careers/chalet-host.html

Busking

I am one half of Wonderful Exile – a professional music duo from Glasgow. We’ve been funding our travels around Europe for the past year entirely through busking. This invites a mixed response – non-musicians question street music as a viable

TRAVEL

THE SKINNY

profession, and musicians doubt their ability to earn enough on the street. But there really is potential for busking to be a professional occupation. I graduated in 2014 and my partner was considering a year out of university. We’d joked about setting off for mainland Europe with the guitar, and one day thought – why not? It would be an adventure, if nothing else. In September, we travelled to Amsterdam where our small store of saved money swiftly disappeared and we had to begin busking. Luckily, we had the natural appeal of being a couple, and a Scottish one at that. We wanted to stand out from other street performers – remain professional musicians, but still appear personable and approachable enough to appeal to passers-by. To hold their attention we looked at where our strengths lay and fit our songs accordingly. We turned dance pop into jazz, ballads into rock, indie into country. We also engaged with everyone who wanted to speak to us and listened to their stories. We’re sticking to Europe for now – it’s rooted within the culture to have street music, and therefore most profitable. We thought bigger cities would guarantee an audience but realised that these cities could drown us out. Instead, we looked for smaller places with less of an established music scene. I’d recommend Delft (The Netherlands), Lugano (Switzerland), Bruges (Belgium) and Aachen (Germany). A surprising number of places strictly regulate busking, require licenses, or even forbid it altogether. But we’ve found that these rules, and the police who enforce them, are to be respected but not feared. [Imogen Stirling]

Tour Guiding – English as a native language can come in extremely useful. Cities like Rome and Barcelona are full of UK folk showing tourists around, and there are loads of tour companies offering positions travelling from country to country leading excursions. Sound exciting? Well, head to www.transitionsabroad.com for more information. Club Reppin’ – where clubbing is essentially your job, all day (and night), seven days a week. Think you can handle that? Sure you can. Failing that, you could just be the responsible one who ferries the hungover populace to and from the airport and makes sure that all the party people are having a great time. Find out more at holidayrep.careerintravel.co.uk Party Hosting and Escorting – These options suffer a bit of a bad rep, but did Billie Piper teach you nothing? If the strings to your bow happen to be ones of charm and chat, this one is a genuine earner. Just make sure you’re in a country where it’s legal and that you’re supported by a reputable agency who’ll support and protect you if necessary. Head to the States – Anyone enrolled in a university or accredited post-secondary institutions can apply to work for a short time in the USA with a J1 visa. From there, there’s no restriction on the type of work available – from internships at blue chip corporations or experiencing the infamous USA service industry. Head to j1visa.state.gov/ programs/summer-work-travel to find out more.

Credit: Massimo Catarinella

Wonderful Exile haven’t finished their travels just yet. To see where they are and what they're doing, visit: wonderfulexile.com

Trying to find a way to make a dollar on your travels? Teaching and busking aren’t your only options…

2015-2016

TRAVEL

Credit: Kris Krüg

The Campus Novel Are you a Cher Horowitz or a Hermoine Granger? We trawl the canon for literary advice on university

tudent life has always been fruitful territory for writers: from Kingsley Amis’s comedic look at the pretence of academia in Lucky Jim (1954) to Muriel Spark’s disturbing depiction of an Edinburgh schoolteacher in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961). The campus novel genre, where the action centres on the goings-on of the university institution, became popular in 1950s post-war America and, as with many other cultural products (pop tarts and superhero movies included), quickly crossed the Atlantic. The heady mix of an enclosed space, institutional rules, competing ideas, and an inbuilt power relationship between tutor and pupil provides the key elements for a great narrative. With this in mind, we take a look at what bookish folk have to say on university life (note: this ‘advice’ may not serve you well).

On romance Literary wisdom would have it that you’ll inevitably become entangled in an awkward love triangle. Amid the freshers’ week bombardment of free shots 52

Words: Holly Rimmer-Tagoe

and awkward silences, you may find yourself romantically entangled with different people – advisedly not two people sharing your living space. Pulitzer Prize-winner and king of the comingof-age novel Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Marriage Plot (2011) depicts a trio of clever Ivy Leaguers juggling questions of semiotics with the writings of Plato. The protagonist, Madeleine, who is an English major ‘for the purest and dullest of reasons: because she loved to read,’ is forced to choose between Mitchell, a dutiful character who adores her and Leonard, an erratic and self-destructive science major. Similarly, Starter for Ten (2003), by David Nicholls, sees naïve, working-class Brian Jackson caught in a tricky situation between love interests – all the while obsessively collecting knowledge for the unnamed institution’s University Challenge team. Eugenides and Nicholls draw upon the romance plots of some of England’s renowned writers – Jane Austen in the case of the former and Thomas Hardy in the latter – in a bid to refresh the narratives for a modern audience. Both books take apart the prescribed nature of the romantic novel and question the concept of love in the age of dating

BOOKS

THE SKINNY

apps and social media. In the end, Madeleine shows a good deal of foresight in her use of an Anthony Trollope quote: ‘There is no happiness in love, except at the end of an English novel.’

temporarily live out their dreams of a bohemian, carefree life of excess. They may be a fan of the punk aesthetic, or simply not enjoy early mornings. Anyway, when amorality and excess is needed, who better to look to than Bret Easton Ellis? Ellis’s novel, Rules of Attraction (1987), On your fellow students focuses on a group of licentious and boisterous On that cheery thought, we move on to those people college students in Camden College, New Hampshire. you’ll be living with; yes, possibly the Ralph Lauren- Their outward pretence of exuberance masks vioclad, prosecco-popping people in the room next lence, depression and self-loathing and the novel door. The campus novel constantly returns to the becomes increasingly bleak. Ellis’s depiction of idea that the wealthy, academic elite will fascinate Classics students dressed ‘ike undertakers’ is later and repel you in equal measure. Donna Tartt’s echoed in Tartt’s The Secret History. debut novel, The Secret History (1992) – which is as (*literary slang for heavy drinking and all-night parties) beautifully written and enthralling as you would expect from someone who famously takes up to ten On academia years to finish a novel – follows Richard Papen as Although actual studying is thin on the ground in he becomes a member of an exclusive group of Classics students and is swiftly embroiled in their the campus novel (after all, nothing interesting pagan rituals, clique politics and, ultimately, murder. ever came from describing someone highlighting lecture notes in the library), we do get an insight The five Greek scholars making up the sect into the – frankly dreary – life of the university strive for academic genius, while alienating themselves from the wider student population and having professor. J. M. Coetzee’s Booker Prize-winning novel, a fondness for all-white clothing. Papen finds the Disgrace (1999), parallels the personal and the behaviour of the group increasingly bizarre and peculiar, but cannot resist their intoxicating com- political, as University of Cape Town teacher David Lurie is forced to deal with the fall-out from his affair bination of wealth and privilege. with a student, while the negative consequences F. Scott Fitzgerald’s semi-autobiographical novel The Side of Paradise (1920) also looks at pres- of South Africa’s apartheid regime become apparent. tige and tracks the unstable relationship between Pnin (1957), by Vladimir Nabokov, comically depicts the mishaps of Russian-born professor Timofey Amory Blaine and the young debutante Rosalind Connage at Princeton University. The book explores Pnin at a college in the US. Nabokov’s novel is best described as a tragicomedy; pain and humiliation the quest for status, prosperity and the eventual are hidden beneath Pnin’s continual bumbling. loss of both. The success of the novel convinced Fitzgerald’s love interest Zelda to marry him and its Zadie Smith’s On Beauty (2005), meanwhile, sees publication is seen as the beginning of their life of two professors, Howard and Monty, compete for professional status amid a wider clash of values, celebrity and revelry in the Roaring Twenties. culture and ideas of race. Elsewhere, the life changes that accompany Every so often a book disappears in a veil of meeting a new group of people and moving to a new city are best illustrated by James Joyce’s depic- anonymity, only to suddenly reappear to renewed tion of a Dublin student’s transformation in A Portrait critical and commercial success. One such book is of the Artist as a Young Man (1916). The protago- Stoner (1965), by John Williams. Initially published nist, Stephen, decides to pursue the life of an artist to a lacklustre reception, Williams’s novel has subwhen he becomes disillusioned with the institutions sequently been dubbed ‘the greatest American of education, family and religion. Joyce is never an novel you’ve never heard of ’ by The New Yorker. easy read, but your dedication will be richly rewar- Williams manages to find poignant intricacy in the ded by this supremely crafted and complex novel. anonymous and undistinguished life of an English professor. The conclusion: professors might appear wary and aloof, but they are just as complicated On partying as you. The bohemian lifestyle* is a central component Find book reviews, features, events, author interviews and of the campus novel. Invariably, a particular section more at theskinny.co.uk/books of students will use the university experience to 2015 – 2016

BOOKS

Venue Guide

2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

Illustration by Raj Dhunna

VENUES

EDINBURGH

THE SKINNY

Edinburgh 11

Food & Drink

Music

Art

Clubs

Comedy

Books

Culture

2015 – 2016

EDINBURGH

18 46

22 13 44

27 15

Edinburgh FOOD & DRINK VENUES 1 | Palmyra Pizza

22 Nicolson St | 0131 667 6655

Superfoods and quinoa come and go, but falafel wraps are here to stay. Flash your student card and a bounty of reasonably priced, delicious Middle Eastern food (or, alternatively, pizza) will fall into your hands. And they’re open till god knows when in the mornings too, you lucky drunkard, you.

2 | Rotato

30 Buccleuch St | 0131 667 6205

These aren’t any ordinary baked potatoes. They’re not even Marks and Spencer’s baked potatoes. They’re bloody brilliant, spit-roasted Rotato potatoes, slathered in almost any topping your academically enlightened brain desires. Even cheesy beans.

3 | Marco’s Pool Hall and Pizza Bar 79 Grove St | @marcospoolhall

Bit of a pool fan? Into your pizza? You’re in luck, student and person of diverse interests – Marco’s has both! And a large telly dedicated to ‘the footy and Game of Thrones’! It’s a short wander out of the centre, but that’s a small price to pay for pizza, pool and GoT.

Bar 50

5 | Bar 50

50 Blackfriars St | @Bar50Edin

Bar 50 is Smart City Hostels’ in-house watering hole, so if you’re back from your gap year and missing that laid back, everyone’s-a-potential-pal vibe typical of travel hostels, give this one a go. It’s also reasonably priced, and we’ve heard the Innis and Gunn battered haddock is a winner.

6 | Kanpai

8-10 Grindlay St | 0131 228 1602

No, no, come on, you deserve better than Yo Sushi. Give Kanpai a try, just down the road from ECA, and we swear that those stacks of blue dishes will become but a distant, vaguely regrettable memory.

7 | The Greenmantle

44 Westcross Causway | @Greenmantlepub

Homesick for the hometown local? Not to worry – adopt The Greenmantle as your surrogate comfypub. It’s the kind of place where there’s prawn cocktail crisps nailed above the bar, Guinness aplenty and build-your-own-burgers on til midnight. You’ll feel right at home in no time.

8 | Biblos

1 Chambers St | @biblosedinburgh

Kilimanjaro Coffee

4 | Kilimanjaro Coffee 104 Nicolson St | 0131 662 0135

Cult favourite Kili stubbornly refuses to provide WiFi; and we students bloody love them for it. The Most heavenly mochas in town, enjoyed in perfect, notification-free bliss. The natural light which floods through the glass-fronted shop makes a nice change from your rickets-inducing halls kitchen too.

Again, bring your student card and you’ll be drunk in about a tenner’s time. Spacious and comfy, it’s a strong choice for big old meet’n’greets with whatever society you’re currently leeching onto. It’s also handily close to your Cowgate clubs, along with the Jazz Bar and Whistlebinkies.

9 | Snax

118 Buccleuch St & 15 W Register St | @SnaxEdinburgh

If you’re still wearing last night’s Rightguard, it’s not brunch, alright? It’s a fucking fry-up. Snax is more than just a deliriously cheap greasy spoon, and not just because it does paninis and baked potatoes too. It’s a statement. It’s the reclaiming of hash browns and potato scones; a triumphant celebration of down to earth British breakfasting.

EDINBURGH

THE SKINNY

10 | City Cafe

19 Blair St | @TheCityCafe

Hungover but worried you’ll feel like a failure if your dickhead flatmate snapchats you in Snax for the third afternoon running? Enter City Cafe, a cracking American diner by day and drinks spot at night. Oh, and they’re generous when refilling your cup of coffee. Or ‘Joe’, if you will.

Spit/Fire

11 | Spit/Fire

26B Dublin St | @SpitFireBars

The mid-moniker punctuation isn’t an empty affectation – this place is named Spit/Fire for a reason. Spit’s the name of the upstairs bar-eatery, named after its rotisserie-based menu. ‘Fire’ is the cave below: stocked with 12 draught lines, copious numbers of whiskeys, bourbons and gins, and sixteen trillion canned and bottled beers.

a judgey distance. They thought we’d tire of the cheap, sumptuous Thai food, the smiley service with lovely haircuts, the oddly endearing communal dining style, the utilitarian cardboard food boxes. But we didn’t tire. And we shan’t.

14 | 10 to 10 in Delhi 67 Nicolson St

In all honesty, you’re spoilt for choice, curry-wise in Edinburgh. Got a fat wallet thanks to the Student Loans Company? Ignore the crushing dread that it’ll run out within a fortnight and treat yourself to dinner at Mother India Cafe. Or, if you want to fill up on something for a fiver, head to Mosque Kitchen. Kismot’s your jam if you’re in the mood to risk being spiced to death for the bants, and Red Door’s a good’un if you’re armed with Y.O.B and want to bring it along. That said, 10 to 10 in Delhi’s a decent compromise between all of the above, and what’s more, you get to enjoy it all in the setting of a rainbow, floor-cushioned den.

15 | Andrew Usher & Co (Formerly Usher’s)

32B West Nicolson St | @AndyUsherAndCo

Although intimidatingly well-stocked, this super duper pub is cool with letting you sample whatever piques your interest. They’ll also serve you a halfer if you’re on the fence. Never again will there be reason to freak out and order a “smokey” number which tastes like bacon. Unless you like that one, of course (weirdo).

16 | Brass Monkey

14 Drummond St & 362 Leith Walk | 0131 556 1961

12 | Cult Espresso

104 Buccleuch St | @CultCoffeeEdin

Interested in speciality coffee but don’t want to have to pretend you understand what a pour-over is? That’s okay – the charming fellows at Cult’ll whip you up something, sans smugness. They rotate their coffees on the reg too, meaning you’ll probably sample a new kind of bean every time you visit.

This one used to be a local secret, but we’re just so proud of it that everyone’s now in on it. A perfect location between Pleasance and the Bridges, with pub quizzes and cheap bevvies, what more could you possible require? A cosy back room with mounds of mattresses and a cinema screen? Oh, go on then...

13 | Ting Thai Caravan 8-9 Teviot Pl | 0131 225 9801

Although most of Edinburgh rejoiced when this attractive Thai street food spot took permanent residency near Bristo Square, some cynics kept 2015 – 2016

EDINBURGH

Brass Monkey

Credit: Eilidh Baxter

Cult Espresso

17 | Mary’s Milk Bar 19 Grassmarket | @marysmilkbar

Y’know when you’re in the mood for ice cream but Phish Food just won’t do? That sort of mood where the only thing that’ll scratch the itch is Italian gelato created by someone who trained in Bologna at the prestigious Carpigiani Gelato University? We feel you. Get yourself to Mary’s.

med into town and decorated its walls with stuffed pig heads and neon signs. Charismatic staff, cheap cocktails for students, Asian street food for dinner and live entertainment; think Benidorm, except with tongues firmly in cheeks.

21 | OX184

184-186 Cowgate | @Ox184

New kid on the block OX184 boasts all kinds of selling points. A mile-long bar stocked with a legion of beers, ciders and spirits. The nightly DJing and live music. The dealbreaker? OX184 has its own woodfired grill and serves a handsome BBQ menu until 2.30am. Sold – to the hungry fresher at the back.

22 | Union of Genius Lovecrumbs

18 | Lovecrumbs

155 West Port | @hellolovecrumbs

Lovecrumbs is the Instagram filter Valencia embodied in cafe form. It’s a cake-filled fairyland where ‘gluten free’ is double Dutch. There’s even literally a window seat where you can lounge and smugly work your way through a wedge of violet and bramble cake for the viewing pleasure of the Edinburghian public.

8 Forrest Rd | @UnionofGenius

Sainsbo’s soups might be on 3 for 2, but rotating the likes of minestrone and carrot and coriander wears seriously thin. Join the Union! They’ve got six different soups on offer every day, pulling out the stops to suit vegans, veggies and gluten-free eaters. Seasonal, locally sourced, and blummin’ delicious.

19 | New Amphion, Teviot House Teviot Row House | @EUSA

Part of Edinburgh University’s Teviot building, this gem is chronically overshadowed by its overrated internal neighbor, Library Bar. The nautical themed, open plan New Amphion is way better. Comfy sofas, plugs for your laptop and cheap nachos. It’s also staffed by students, meaning there’s a distinct absence of judgement if you buy one single latte but steal the WiFi all afternoon.

Victor Hugo

23 | Victor Hugo

26/27 Melville Terrace | @VictorHugoDeli

Everyone heads to this scarlet-painted delicatessen on the corner of Marchmont under the impression that they’re heading out for some brunch-time eggs and coffee, pure and simple. Only issue is that Victor Hugo’s is an absolute cornucopia of hangover-slayer dishes, and you’ll be stuck deciding what you want for about fifteen minutes.

24 | The Piemaker

38 South Bridge | 0131 558 1728

Paradise Palms

20 | Paradise Palms

41 Lothian St | @edinburghpalms

At some point this semester you’ll find yourself weeping as you lug 14 new social anthropology textbooks home from Blackwell’s in the middle of an Edinburghian thunderstorm. You’ll be ravenous and will have only £1.47 in your pocket. The Piemaker will make you feel like the world is okay again.

Earlier this year, the batshit Paradise Palms slam60

EDINBURGH

THE SKINNY

2015 – 2016

25 | Pomegranate New Town 1 Antigua St | 0131 556 8337

This gorgeously green and pink recommendation is one for the New Town-ers. Pomegranate serves up the tastiest mezze dishes drawn from Lebanese, Moroccan, Iranian and Saudi Arabian cuisine. It’s also BYOB, and although only beer or wine is permitted, there’s no corkage charge, which is pleasing.

26 | Illegal Jack’s @illegaljacks

In a stroke of undeserved bad luck, Edinburgh’s favourite outlet of burritos and banter was forced to close last year due to flooding above their restaurant. But by sheer might of will (and a handsome Kickstarter campaign), the chilli con champions will rule again from their new premises near Edinburgh Uni. Good to have you back, Jack’s.

or you can nip along to the Foodsharing Network meetings and Social Justice Film Nights and help put the world (and your appetite) to rights.

29 | Bedlam

11 Bristo Pl | @bedlamtheatre

Home to Edinburgh University Theatre Company, with its iconic red door and newly spruced interior, Bedlam is exciting, be you a punter or performer. If you want a belter of a Friday night, grab a ludicrously inexpensive pint of Thistly Cross from the lovely cafe and laugh your spleen out at homegrown improv troupe The Improverts.

CULTURE & SHOPPING VENUES

Traverse

30 | Traverse

10 Cambridge St | @traversetheatre

Word Power Books

A theatre affectionately known by its many supporters as the Trav, this one’s a mainstay on our list of recommendations. It’s regarded as one of the best Scottish platforms for new writing, so you’d be foolish not to pop over and take advantage of their student concession prices.

27 | Word Power Books

43-45 W Nicolson St | @WordPowerBooks

So, you’ve had your mind wrenched open by that guy on your floor who keeps talking at you about Tony Blair, where to now? Word Power books, of course. It stocks a huge range of political, arts and cultural literature; and you can also grab magazines and zines that are hard to come by elsewhere. They hold some decent talks and discussion groups, too.

28 | Shrub Swap and Reuse Hub

Stills

31 | Stills

13 Guthrie St | @shrubcoop

23 Cockburn St | @StillsEdinburgh

A wee hub promoting all things warm and fuzzy and good for the environment/your purse-strings. Take along your old belongings and directly swap for new things, or collect tokens to save up for a treat. The Wee Spoke Hub will fix your bike for you,

Into your photography? Stills on Cockburn Street is a modern photography gallery which hosts exhibitions, competitions and all sorts of workshops to help you hone your digital and film photography, photo manipulation and graphic design skills.

EDINBURGH

THE SKINNY

32 | Out Of The Blue Drill Hall 36 Dalmeny St | @ootbdrillhall

Credit: Neil H

Yep, we’re talking about an actual TA Drill Hall here. Funnily enough, it’s pretty well suited to its new purpose – a bustling hub of artistic creativity. With regular exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, monthly flea markets and vintage fairs, it’s wholesome and awesome and everything between-some.

quirky wee gift shop and a damn good cafe. Keep an eye out for a wicked line-up of workshops, fairs and talks, too.

37 | Summerhall

Summerhall Place | @summerhallery

Reason number one Summerhall’s the bomb: it’s The Skinny’s new Scottish home! There are infinity more, but a few we’ll share are the onsite brewery and gin distillery, the myriad events, gigs and shows taking place, the courtyard which adds a little European plaza chic, and the bloody lovely onsite cafes and bars.

Cameo Cinema

33 | Cameo

38 Home St | @cameocinema

All art deco, dusty and intimate, the historic Cameo makes going to the cinema feel like a real treat again. They screen everything from the mainstream to the obscure, and even host sleepover film nights and live events. A perfect date spot, especially if you head to the Cameo bar afterwards for a nightcap.

34 | Filmhouse

88 Lothian Rd | @filmhouse

Indie cinema Filmhouse skims the cream of everything from arthouse to blockbuster (and the weird stuff between). Our 2014 Student Handbook noted that a cheap matinee ticket was the price of an underwhelming supermarket sandwich. It’s now £4 – somewhat inflated, but still cheaper than a turkey footlong.

35 | The Stand

5 York Pl | @standcomedyclub

The Stand comedy club is a good one if your ribs are needing tickled. Now, when we say this place is intimate, we really mean it. Turn up early to grab a safe seat, unless you’re okay with becoming front row joke-fodder.

36 | Fruitmarket Gallery 45 Market St | @Fruitmarket

If sculpture’s your thang, the Fruitmarket Gallery will see you right. Along with two floors of exhibition space, they’ve got an incredible selection of art and photography books and magazines, a 2015 – 2016

Summerhall

38 | Coda

12, Bank Street | 0131 622 7246

It’s hard to choose only one of Edinburgh’s charming record shops, but Coda pipped the others to the post. They stock everything from golden oldies to platinum newbies, and should you want something a little more niche, they’ll consult a bunch of databases and try to sort you out.

39 | Tribal

248 Canongate | 0131 558 9019

When the self-mutilation urge hits, go to Tribal. It’s cheap for students, clean, professional, and they’re lovely enough not to laugh at you if you chicken out. Not that we’d know anything about that...

40 | Sneaky Pete’s

73 Cowgate | @sneakypetesclub

Sneakys’ reputation as a tiny wee club now precedes it entirely – but don’t let that put you off. Size isn’t everything, it’s what you do with it. And if you’re cranking out 150 decibels of sweet, melodious funk into the ears of sweaty happy people, then size actually means nothing at all.

41 | Bongo

66 Cowgate | @bongoclub

This one’s so popular that basically the entire student population rallied on its behalf when it

EDINBURGH

Cafe Grille offers music,

food & atmosphere to hang-out in.

Quality home made burgers, delicious breakfasts, tantalising cakes & barista coffees all for the right prices: • Scottish breakfast • French toast • Eggs benedict • Chicken chorizo burger • Beef/ lamb burgers • Salads • Ice creams • Coffee/teas

Sit-in or

takeaway

Plus: Games room downstairs!

There’s more online Get up to date news bulletins, video premieres, extra online listings and online only content on theskinny.co.uk Visit our mobile site to have an easy to use listings service at your fingertips @theskinnymag /TheSkinnyMag

Illustration: Stewart Armstrong Cafe Grille Ltd • 32 South Clerk Street • Edinburgh • EH89PR

THE SKINNY

faced closure. Probably something to do with its gloriously diverse selection of clubs, its wicked resident DJs, and finally, the student kryptonite: I Love Hip-Hop on Tuesdays.

are a bit pricier but for your dollar you’ll get a classy dram and the opportunity to party in the kind of club where anyone from Los Campesinos! to Ben Pearce turn up to weave musical wonders.

42 | Jazz Bar

48 | The Caves

Alright, alright, let us include one spot where you’ll need more than shrapnel to pay for a beer. Shh, listen. For a couple of quid, you can hang out in this sexy little cave and listen to some of the best jazz, funk and soul around until the Reekie sun rises.

You get a bit desensitised to stuff happening in caves when you’ve lived in the ‘Burgh long enough, but c’mon! Clubs in a cave! It’s also a magical place to hold a ball, so bear that in mind when you’re social sec for the ultimate frisbee society or whatever.

1A Chambers St | @TheJazzBar

8-12 Niddry Street South | @cavesedinburgh

43 | Hive

15-17 Niddry St | @clubhive

Appalling in all the right ways, the Hive is one of the best dive clubs in town. The music is mainstream, the drinks really, truly flow (even onto your shoes!) you’ll see more UV painted nipples than you can shake a Jägerbomb at. To quote T-Swift, don’t say we didn’t, say we didn’t warn you.

44 | Boteco do Brasil

49 | Henry’s Cellar Bar 16 Morrison St | @henryscellarBar

One of the city’s few low-cost hire venues, Henry’s attracts a diverse bunch of musicians that you wouldn’t see in conventional haunts. It’s got that awesome community vibe where you can talk to strangers without feeling creepy/getting your head kicked in. And it’s below Lebowski’s – perfect for post-gig White Russians with your new pals.

47 Lothian St | @botecodobrasil

A nice wee Brazilian bar upstairs, a hurricane of Shakira and tequila downstairs, Boteco’s your saviour when you’re thoroughly done with being forced to dance to Disclosure. Reclaim your night out and take it to Brazil. And by Brazil, we mean Boteco.

45 | The Liquid Room

Electric Circus

9C Victoria St | @liquidrooms

Every cloud has a single lining. Even your club burning down. The Liquid Room recovered like a champ 50 | Electric Circus 36-39 Market St | @circusedinburgh and lives on to dazzle and deafen its punters with Yes, it’s exactly how it sounds. There’s even a room a bespoke lighting and sound system – and some which underwent a refurb to make it look like a fairimpressive DJ appearances too. ground ride. You’ll find karaoke rooms and photo 46 | Wee Red Bar booths, award winning cocktails and diverse club Lauriston Pl | 0131 651 5859 nights. It also manages to tempt some artists into Found in the territory of Edinburgh College of straying from the Glasgow gig-strip, bringing in Art, but fret not – your fears of asymmetrical hair- some corkers for intimate live gigs. cuts and chats about pumpkin brownies are unfounded. This place churns out great gig after great 51 | The Argyle Bar and Cellar Monkey gig. It also hosts the brilliant Hey QT, an LGBTQI night with a safe space policy “because boogie-ing 15 Argyle Pl This cosy corner pub with a charming interior is for non-jerks only.” and good drinks selection is joined by the Cellar 47 | Cabaret Voltaire Monkey basement which plays host to music 36 Blair St | @cabaretvoltaire and comedy and gives you students a chance to Nestled beneath the anxiously touristic Royal Mile let your hair down without annoying the locals lies a staple of alternative music culture. Drinks upstairs. 2015 – 2016

EDINBURGH

17 2

Food & Drink

Music

Art

Clubs

Comedy

Books

Culture

Glasgow West End

39 66

15 GLASGOW

THE SKINNY

42 38 51

2015 – 2016

GLASGOW

20 29

10 22

32 50

11 27

City Centre

Glasgow

4 | Squid and Whale

372 Great Western Rd | @glasgowsquid

...And to continue the themes of beer and marinethemed supremacy, you can’t go wrong with the wee Squid either. The kitchen serves a mixture of South American, Mexican and Louisiana Creole dishes – and a heap of seafood specials too.

Credit: Ross Fraser McLean

FOOD & DRINK VENUES

Project Café Squid and Whale

1 | Project Café

134 Renfrew Street | @theproject_cafe

Fitting snugly into the trend for multifunctional venues sweeping Glasgow, The Project Café serves up a feast of tasty, conscience-friendly food with a side order of creative invigoration. There’s always something going on, be it an exhibition, a gig or a workshop. Sweet escapism for anyone who needs to feed their face with cake and their soul with humanity.

5 | Tchai-Ovna

42 Otago Ln | 0141 357 4524

There are over 80 different teas on offer at TchaiOvna, and it’s vegan-tastic too. For that very reason you’ll be fighting off fellow tea-slurpers, yogi-moms and shaky businesspeople for a space, but be nice. Plenty of floor cushions to go around.

6 | Glad Cafe

1006A Pollokshaws Rd | @thegladcafe

A day-to-night venue where you’ll find locally roasted coffee and treats by the day and indie/electronic music by the moon. It’s a creative and cultural magnet in the south of the city; Glasgow’s pride and joy. Inn Deep

2 | Inn Deep

445 Great Western Rd | @inndeepbar

The clever people at Williams Brothers brewery are responsible for the thing of glory that is Inn Deep. Repeated victors in our Food & Drink survey, this riverside haunt has got its beer and burgers down to a winning formula. And that formula includes fishtanks.

7 | Juice Garden

223 Byres Rd | @juice_garden

3 | Hillhead Bookclub 17 Vinicombe Street | @hhbookclub

Face it, you’re not going to spend much of your life in an actual library this year, so why not make up for lost time in a pretendy one? This bohemian pub is practically made for youthful fellows with its vinyl soundtrack, comfort food and strawberry mojitos on milkshake budgets (literally, they’re about three quid). 68

Glad Cafe

This place might make you feel a bit like a Kardashian, but you’re just going to have to over-look that. Juice Garden’s got a menu of beautiful juices, smoothies and soups, and the cafe itself is decked out with comfy white furniture, fake grass, and groovy technology mounted into the tables. Who needs nature when you’ve got astroturf and iPads, ey?

GLASGOW

THE SKINNY

lessness firmly on its sleeve. Where other vegan menus suffer from a heartbreakingly dull reliance on avocados and the adjective ‘smashed,’ Mono triumphs. It also microbrews its own ginger beer and lemonade with Williams Brothers – and there’s a bonus record shop too (see 27)! Where The Monkey Sleeps

8 | Where The Monkey Sleeps 182 W Regent St | 0141 226 3406

There’s too much to say about this beauty within a restricted word count, so let us throw some key terms at you for a bit instead. Sandwich shop. Rockthemed. ‘The Meathammer.’ Sofas. Art. Smoothies. Milkshakes. Rock-themed. Sandwiches. ROCK. THEMED. SANDWICHES.

12 | Lebowski’s

1008 Argyle St | @lebowskis_west

Do you like milk? Are you prepared to have your sober brain drenched in milktastic bliss? Would you consider drinking a White Russian which contained Buckfast? Why are you still taking this quiz when there’s a White Russian bar waiting to make you the happiest dairy-drinker alive?

239 North St | 0141 221 0061

Getting your teeth stuck into Charles Bukowski is all part of becoming a student cliché, so you might as well visit Chinaski’s. Named after Bukowski’s alterLebowski’s ego, it’s good fun and delightful food. If the prices are too steep, stick to drinks and revel in the glamour of your growling stomach, just like Bukowski 13 | Drygate himself. (Just kidding, drink responsibly blah blah). 85 Drygate | @drygate Ever cracked open a little hoppy number and won10 | The Butterfly and The Pig dered if you’ve got it in you to brew a beer of your 151 Bath St | @ButterflyAndPig own? Well, brewery/pub/beer garden Drygate’s got Almost like visiting your granny’s: think dated decor, you covered. Try your hand in the studio, or sample mismatched, cloud-like couches, huge portions of one they made earlier. Along with the Drygate range, homemade food. Pop round for a tasty lunch with they stock a handsome selection of guest beers too. a slice of indulgence for afters, or take advantage of B&P’s alcohol license. You thinking what I’m thinking? If you’re thinking champagne-drenched afternoon tea, then yes, I can confirm you are thinking what I’m thinking.

Credit: Spider Dog

9 | Chinaski’s

Drygate

14 | Artisan Roast Gibson St | @artisanroast Mono

11 | Mono

12 Kings Court | @monoglasgow

Enter Mono, the vegan fortress which wears its meat2015 – 2016

Stop right there, sleepy student. Stop going to boring chain coffee churners. Visit the lovely Scottish coffee magicians at Artisan Roast instead. The beans are roasted on-site in their ‘roasting den’, it’s comfy, and the resident bakers’ treats are truly scrumptious. Ooh, and there’s tea, too.

GLASGOW

19 | Rum Shack

657-659 Pollokshaws Rd | 0141 237 4432

Ox and Finch

Bringing a Caribbean flavour to Strathbungo, The Rum Shack is more of a cornucopia, stocking over 30 rums, from Angostura to Rhum Agricole. Food is served from ‘The Caribbean Kitchen’, meaning you can look forward to flavours of such. And there’s a steady stream of reggae on the sound system, obvs.

20 | Bistro

15 | Ox and Finch

404 Sauchiehall St | 0141 237 4347

920 Sauchiehall St | @OxAndFinch

This one’s a bit pricier (one to bear in mind for when the folks are visiting), but it’s tapas; so the amount you fork out directly corresponds to the amount you fork in (to your mouth). The dessert menu is also a triumph.

This one’s for when you clamber out of your chosen Sauchiehall Street bar and become a carb-craving drunken hulk. No tablecloths, candlesticks or set menus in sight – Bistro is no more and no less than your ideal stop-off for chips and pakora.

16 | Taco Mazama Renfield St | @tacomazama

These guys are all about the burrito. Filling-wise, the usual suspects are on offer, with pulled pork a favourite among Mazama fans. If you fancy your Mexican fare in a different configuration, tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas are up for grabs too.

17 | The Hanoi Bike Shop 8 Ruthven Ln | @hanoibikeshop

Now everyone’s finally realised that Vietnam’s cool thanks to the dozens of ‘Exploring Vietnam!’ photo albums on their newsfeeds, this place isn’t going to be a cult secret for much longer. Get a table at this brilliant Vietnamese street food joint while you can.

WEST on the Corner

21 | WEST on the corner

@westonthecorner | 160 Woodlands Road

Want sensational beer, and want to consume it in a beer garden? Head to WEST. No, we’re not engaging in some snide Western supremacy here. WEST is a Brewery, and one that brews its nectar according to the 1516 German Purity Laws. Lush.

22 | Meat Bar

142 W Regent St | @meatbarglasgow

The Hanoi Bike Shop

23 | Big Licks

18 | Piece

1185 Argyle Street | @biglicksglasgow

1056 Argyle St | @pieceglasgow

To get you up to speed on the culinary vernacular, a ‘piece’ is a sandwich here. That in mind, it’s not difficult to determine what this deli is all about. Piece’s sandwich menu is terrifically comprehensive, with dozens of sarnies on the go. 70

Head to this carnivorous hideout if you’re got meat on the mind. Their burgers feature a selection of scandalous toppings (anyone for a Filthy burger?), and there’s something to please the meat-adventurers too. Because why have a normal meatball when you can have a smoked rabbit and bacon meatball?

Remember slushies? The brainfreeze, the glorious hit of probably slightly illegal preservatives and colourings? Oh, and the ultimate badge of honour, an indigo-stained tongue? Re-live the joy at Big Licks ice cream parlour. Or, y’know, get an ice cream sundae if you want to be all grown up about it (borrrring).

GLASGOW

THE SKINNY

2015 – 2016

27 | Monorail Records 12 Kings Court | @monorail_music

Social Bite

Tucked away in the corner of Mono, you’ll spot Monorail – a fiercely independent record store with a particular devotion to vinyl. As well as carrying new releases, Monorail stock an extensive selection which caters for even the most eclectic tastes, including all types of rarities, oddities, secondhanders, reissues, and releases from local talent.

24 | Social Bite

105 St Vincent St | @socialbite_

Sick of gnawing on a sub while guilt gnaws at your conscience? Well then, get yourself to Social Bite, the sandwich shop trying to make a difference. 25% of its employees are formerly homeless people, and all of its profits go to good causes. You can even buy a sandwich for a homeless person through the Suspended Coffee project, too.

Cass Art

28 | Cass Art CULTURE & SHOPPING VENUES 25 | Good Press

5 St. Margaret’s Place | @good_press

Run by a group of artists, designers, publishers and facilitators, Good Press is a gallery and bookshop combined. They effectively make original works of art available to everyone. Even those who don’t consider themselves zine-connoisseurs can be eased into this inky wonderland by having a rifle among their totes, prints and cassette mixtapes.

63-67 Queen St | @cassart

Whether you’re a devoted artist, a hardworking art student or if you’re just trying out a new hobby, these guys have got everything you could possibly need. The impossibly neat shelves are stocked with a huge range of art tools and supplies — and there’s student discount too, of course.

CCA

29 | CCA

350 Sauchiehall St | @cca_glasgow Good Press

26 | Tribe Two

1 Bank St | @tribetattoo

You’re in Glasgow. Obviously you’re going to want to get some metal in those ears at some point. Tribe Two piercing and tattoo salon is just off Great Western Road, a perfect location for a spot of bodily mutilation between lectures.

A multi-functioning arts venue which puts on quite the magnificent spread of contemporary film, music, performance and the odd painting too. It hosts six exhibitions every year and also houses the bookshop Aye Aye Books, studio and gallery space for artists and the offices of what they refer to as ‘cultural tenants’, such as Playwright’s Studio Scotland and Vanishing Point.

GLASGOW

THE SKINNY

30 | Gallery Unit

33 | Tron Theatre

Gallery Unit (also known as G Unit and Gallery UNIT, amongst others) is a non-profit art space located on the first floor of the The Savoy Centre in Glasgow. Founded by a group of students who met during their studies at Glasgow School of Art (as many of the best galleries in the area are), it’s an up-andcoming hub of talent and clever curation.

The Tron Theatre stands out in its city centre location, and the theatre it hosts stands out too. Up until 2014 it played host to Glasgay! festival, and continues to host Celtic Connections and the Merchant City Festival. The 16th Century building also boasts a rather swanky theatre bar, too.

140 Sauchiehall St | @GalleryUnit

63 Trongate | @trontheatre

34 | Glasgow Film Theatre 12 Rose St | @glasgowfilm

With a fair bit more charm than your average cinema, GFT’s famed for its Art Deco design and old-timey ambience. It’s been part of Glasgow’s cultural scene since 1939, and now hosts a range of international releases, rare and late night screenings, as well as acting as the hub of the Glasgow Film Festival each spring. Transmission

31 | Transmission Gallery 28 King Street | @transmo_gallery

This gallery’s been on the go for ages. Established by a group of GSA graduates in 1983, it seeks to encourage interaction between its members to create an inspirational atmosphere. You’ll also catch annual exhibitions of members’ work, and a bunch of film screenings too.

GIG AND CLUB VENUES

Hug and Pint

35 | Hug and Pint

171 Great Western Rd | @thehugandpint_

Tramway

32 | Tramway

25 Albert Dr | @glasgowtramway

Few spots are rooted more deeply in Glaswegian history than Tramway. Over the years it’s spent its days as a tram depot and a transport museum, before its reincarnation as a performance and exhibition space. Tramway 1’s forte is hosting performance-based events, and Tramway 2 is the primary gallery space. Keep an eye on Tramway 2, it’s hosting the Turner Prize exhibition this autumn.

2015 – 2016

In June 2015, Hug and Pint held open its arms and began its mission of offering nights of tremendous music to Glasgow, one beer-y hug at a time. If the joint’s name feels familiar, that’s probably because it was taken from the title of Arab Strap’s album Monday at the Hug & Pint. A top notch spot for chilling, collaborating and performing music which would make Moffat and Middleton proud.

36 | Òran Mór

Byres Road | @oranmorglasgow

The Gaelic translation of ‘great melody of life’, Òran Mór is pretty aptly-titled. It’s a converted church which acts as cultural centre and meeting place in the West End. There are two bars, two restaurants, a nightclub and a blazing roster of gigs, too.

GLASGOW

THE SKINNY

37 | Bloc+

40 | King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut

An edgy and credible basement bar, Bloc+ hosts gigs from unsigned and established acts most nights of the week, ranging from low-key acoustic offerings, to achingly hip electro, to skull-crushing heavy metal. They also host a fortnightly ‘Blochestra’ night, where local musicians pop down and collaborate, cover, and curate their way to a night of musical wonder.

Another niche-defying institution, King Tut’s has its finger in lots of pies. It’s a cosy basement bar with comfort food and pool tables, but upstairs you’ll find one of the best intimate gig venues in the country. It’s also widely known for being the place where some chancers called Oasis were first spotted and signed up in 1993 – whatever happened to them, eh?

117 Bath St | @blocglasgow

272A St Vincent St | @kingtuts

41 | Sub Club

22 Jamaica St | @subclub

Nice ‘n’ Sleazy

38 | Nice ’n’ Sleazy

Subterranean home to legendary dance night Subculture, amongst myriad others, Subbie pushes the musical envelope week in, week out, canonising its resident DJs and providing a space for local up-and-comers and big name guests alike – a natural haunt for the very finest talents. It should be noted that the soundsystem is likely to rip your face off if you stop by unprepared.

421 Sauchiehall St | @nice_n_sleazy

Sleazy’s has transcended its former reputation as an indie niche where you might occasionally spot the guys from Arab Strap. Even so, it remains home to some of the city’s most intelligent, openminded gig bookers, who regularly hand the stage over to acts that others would barely consider music.

Broadcast

42 | Broadcast Credit: Sean Anderson

427 Sauchiehall St | 0141 332 7304

SWG3

Juggling both established acts and underground local talent like only a Glasgow music venue could, Broadcast usually has a pretty eclectic line-up. Shows take place downstairs, and the charm of Broadcast’s upper floor lies in its tasty stonebaked pizza. Fuel up, you’ve got moshing to do.

39 | SWG3

43 | La Cheetah

This one’s come a hella long way since its days as a decomposing grotto and hipster’s wet dream. The once bleak-as-midwinter interior has been transformed into a sleek, haunting auditorium. You’ll probably drunkenly bump into one or two of the chillingly talented creatives who’ve contributed to the clubs and gigs at SWG3 too, which is always pleasant.

Not only the club with the sassiest moniker in Glasgae, La Cheetah’s also known for its diverse range of banging clubs, cherry-picked from the vast brambles of the musical spectrum. There are plenty of big names on the go here, but pretty much anyone who gets behind the decks at La Cheetah knows how to pull off a scorcher.

100 Eastvale Pl | @SWG3glasgow

2015 – 2016

73 Queen St | @LaCheetahClub

GLASGOW

44 | Stereo

48 | O2 ABC

Another of Glasgow’s master of all trades, Stereo’s a vegan cafe, bar and music venue. It draws a mixed crowd of students, granola folk and tune-punters. You can also expect some of the bigger promoters, DIY outfits and curious independents all to appear. Often the host of gig after-parties, but some of Glasgow’s finest DJs have been known to crash, too.

Originally home to Scotland’s first cinema, the ABC has become one of Scotland’s toppest notch gig venues. Well, two of Scotland’s toppest notch gig venues, actually. There’s the delightful Art Deco concert hall, and a smaller ABC2 which comes complete with an intimate, clubby vibe. Expect big bands and student friendly club nights.

45 | Flat 0/1

49 | The Buff Club

The thinking behind Flat 0/1 is that everyone knows that flat. The party flat. A place where the decks are out, the booze is deluging and everybody in the room is gyrating until the small hours. The furniture’s from the 70s, the tunes are from whenever. Oh, and the drinks are from the supermarket (or that’s what they’ll have you think…)

None of your awkward shuffling to chillwave-math rock mashups here. Head to The Buff Club if you want to throw some absolutely formidable shapes. Classic hip-hop, funk, R’n’B and soul all come a-pumping from the speakers, along with some more niche treats from guest DJs. Go with it, it’s all good.

22-28 Renfield Ln | @stereoglasgow

300 Sauchiehall St | @02ABC

162 Bath St | @flat01_glasgow

142 Bath Ln | @thebuffclub

50 | O2 Academy

121 Eglinton St | @O2academyggow

46 | The Barrowlands

244 Gallowgate | @TheBarrowlands

A total institution. Most people – Glasgow resident or otherwise – have probably been to a gig in this Gallowgate musical wonderland. There’s a ridiculous starry façade and a sprung floor which allows Barras crowds to jump higher and go crazier than anyone else. At least 40% responsible for Glasgow’s reputation as a wicked crowd to play for.

The Academy knits together the notions of intimate gig and enormo-tour, making it the kind of venue which truly makes Glasgow’s music scene. Formerly an Art Deco cinema (for a change), the mega capacity allows for established acts from near and far. Pleasingly, they don’t stick to the same ol’ genres either.

51 | The Garage

490 Sauchiehall St | @garageglasgow

The Garage is open every day of the year, and its size and scope makes it one of the most popular student venues in the city. Constant gigs, a steady stream of club nights, a steadier stream of drinks promos and three rooms with a range of musical styles on offer mean The Garage has something for every student taste. The Barrowlands

20 Scott St | @artschool_

47 | 13th Note

60 King St | @official13thnot

Thanks to astonishingly cheap overheads, the 13th Note has spent its life allowing all manner of mentalists to have their wicked musical way in the crumbly cellar. For this very reason, it’s established a reputation as an uncompromising believer in, and supporter of, live music in G-town.

52 | The Art School A certified staple on Glasgow’s student clubbing scene, the Art School Union is not your run-of-themill union. After extensive refurbishment, it has re-established itself as a cultural and clubbing powerhouse in the heart of Glasgow, regularly serving up nights of dynamic, ambitious and creative student hedonism. Look out for student fave Freaky Freaky on Saturday nights, PVC on Thursdays and ongoing opportunities to catch an impressive roster of touring musicians.

GLASGOW

THE SKINNY

Sign up for the Zap! Top Ten events direct to your inbox every Thursday PLUS special offers and competitions FREE. theskinny.co.uk/zap

theskinny.co.uk @theskinnymag /TheSkinnyMag

2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

Illustration: Elena Boils

Culture

21 15

Food & Drink

Music

Art

Clubs

Comedy

Books

7 14 16

5 11

19 20

12 10 9 13

Dundee

8 DUNDEE

13 THE SKINNY

Dundee FOOD & DRINK VENUES 1 | Sol Y Sombra 27 Gray St | 01382 776941

Nice to get out of the city, isn’t it? A fifteen minute bus ride will bring you to Broughty Ferry, a beachy little suburb where you’ll find this incredibly popular tapas bar. Despite never spending even a quid on advertising, they’re so packed that you’ll need to book ahead to secure a seat. Slightly pricier, but quite the treat. And for dessert, see below...

Phoenix

5 | Phoenix

103 Nethergate | 01382 200014

Schlap-bang in the centre of Dundee and straddling both the pub genres of ‘Old Man’ and ‘Bohemian Cool Person,’ Phoenix is a definite shout if you just fancy hanging around, flaunting your free time like the lucky dickhead you are. It’s loved by the locals too, so you might get some decent non-fresher chat if you keep your ears open.

6 | Drouthy’s

142 Perth Rd | @drouthys

Visocchi’s

2 | Visocchi’s

40 Gray St | @visocchis

Staying in Broughty Ferry, Visocchi’s started out over fifty years ago as a traditional sweet shop, before venturing later into the gelato arena. With what’s been pinned as the best ice cream in Scotland by all kinds of movers and (milk)shakers, it’s no wonder Visocchi’s has queues right outta the door.

3 | Tonic

141 Nethergate | @TonicDundee

Would you like to consume a 24oz burger? Who doesn’t want to consume a 24oz burger, right? Well, Tonic’s got that pretty much covered, along with a wicked atmosphere, drinks at prices that won’t slay your meagre maintenance loan and squishy chairs fit for lecture dodgers from far and wide.

Managed by the same bunch of edge-maestros that are behind Edinburgh’s woodfired hipster den OX184, Drouthy’s is as hip’n’happening as you’d expect. They keep things simple, but make sure there’s plenty going on, whether you’re ravenous for hearty grub or craving an ale.

7 | Brewdog Bar

Chamber Building, Panmure St | @brewdog

You know what you’re getting with Brewdog – which is handy in Dundee, ‘City of Discovery’. This branch of the Fraserburgh craft beer monolith is bang in the middle of the city, and inside you’ll find the usual Brewdog scenario: wooden furniture, loads and loads of beer from home and away, and surprisingly refined meat and cheese boards.

4 | Art Bar

140B Perth Road | 01382 641366

Practically on top of Duncan of Jordanstone art Brewdog Bar school, this one’s a bar especially for the art folk of Dundee. Thanks to the creative clientele and their cravings for out-of-hours arts, you can look forward 8 | Clark’s Bakery Unit 3, Annfield Row | @clarks24hbakery to open mics and regular live music slots. Drinks Rescuing hangry people in Dundee since 1950, are beautifully affordable too. Clark’s Bakery stays open all day (and night!) long. 2015 – 2016

DUNDEE

Home baked cakes, pastries and burgers that’ll clog yo’ arte-ries to boot. Heard of the helicopter yet? Won’t be long til you do. They’ve just opened a new outpost on the Perth Rd, too. Seriously, wave cheerio to your coronal health.

9 | Duke’s Corner

13 Brown Street | @dukescorner

Beer, BBQs and bands is what Duke’s professes to do best, and to be honest we’re sort of inclined to believe them. They’ve got 30 bar taps which deliver a whole host of ales and craft beers into the happy bellies of Dundee punters, smokey pub grub all day long, and a decent roster of live music most nights of the week. Chuck in a beer garden out back and it all starts to become clear – Duke’s has nailed it.

10 | The West House

Dundee Rep

12 | Dundee Rep

Tay Square | @dundeerep

The Rep is home to one of the country’s most renowned theatre companies, but also accommodates some of the best touring theatre productions as they make their way around the UK. It’s not all highbrow stuff though, you’ll also catch a bit of stand-up, dance and live music there too.

2 West Port | @thewesthouse

It’s a younger resident of Dundee’s bar-restaurant scene, but The West House is a good’un if you fancy drinks and snacks in a chic setting. All white walls, big windows and champagne flutes suspended in anticipation above the bar, it’s a nice place to be. Don’t be freaked out by the mention of champagne flutes, though. The cocktails, fancy beers and intriguing Italian dishes come with a seasoning of reasonable pricing – always a winner with ye scholars.

Generator Projects

13 | Generator Projects

Unit 25-26 Mid Wynd | @generatorproj

CULTURE & SHOPPING

Generator was launched in 1996, and has provided a space for new and established artists to exhibit their work ever since. Its projects are run by a team of six artists who rotate every two years, keeping things super fresh and exciting. Oh, and membership is a fiver. A FIVER.

14 | The McManus

Albert Square | @mcmanusdundee

Built atop a former marshland, The McManus has suffered its fair share of structural difficulties. DCA But it’s returned better than ever after a major structural refurb, and back to demonstrating the 11 | DCA history of Dundee in an impressive fashion. Those 152 Nethergate | @dcadundee feeling peckish after perusing the gallery can What’s got a two screen cinema, professional print- sip on something caffeinated under rare rays of making kit and features heaps of high profile exhi- Dundonian sun, too. bitions? DCA, that’s what. Basically a Mecca for Dundee’s artist community, DCA also has its very own cafe-bar and a gift shop, making it a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours browsing and people watching. 80

DUNDEE

THE SKINNY

15 | Metalurgey

19 | Underground

A triangular tattoo and piercing shop found at the corner of Dock St and Commercial St, this place is our recommended putting-needles-in-yourface shop. They’ve got a talented group of tattoo artists on the go there, too – just don’t waste them on an infinity loop on your wrist.

Tell you what’s helpful when you’re with a group of new pals who have inconveniently diverse tastes; a mixed music policy at a club, that’s what. Underground’s recently been refurbed, so it’s all shiny and new, too!

40 Dock St | 01382 204440

South Tay St | @undergroundvip

16 | Groucho’s record shop 132 Nethergate | 01382 228496

Records! Getcha records here! Groucho’s is a trove of second-hand vinyl, CDs, DVDs, videos and concert tickets. Jonny Marr once called it “the coolest record store in Britain,” so there’s that, too.

17 | Dundee Women’s Trail dundeewomenstrail.org.uk

A trail of 25 plaques dedicated to some badass bitches who made Dundee the almost-wicked place it is, including Janet Keiller (the hero who invented marmalade) and Jean Thomson (thought to be Scotland’s first ever female police officer). Complete with an interactive map and spanning four centuries of history, it’s feminist AND fun AND free. A decent way to get yourself stuck into the streets of ol’ Duntay, too.

Fat Sam’s

20 | Fat Sam’s

31 South Ward St | @fatsams

With the best student activity going on midweek at Fat Sam’s, Wednesday’s the time to visit if you’re on the prowl with your scholarly pals, but on any given day this place is usually packed with students taking a well deserved break from their studies/gaffa-taping bottles of cider to each others’ hands.

21 | Kage

St. Andrew’s Ln | @kagedundee

“But I’m an alty kinda guy/gal!” you cry. And we hear you! No fear – get your fix of metal and rock at Kage with a ‘K’. It’s not the biggest club, but all the better for cosying up with a like-minded clan of equally alty humans at the weekend.

BARS & CLUBS

22 | Buskers

15 Ward Road | @buskersdundee

Reading Rooms

18 | Reading Rooms

Self-proclaimed title holder of “Dundee’s Best Mid-sized Music Venue Located Centrally At 15 Ward Road, Dundee” (quite the accolade), Buskers remains a reliable location for those fancying some live music. Catch local and touring bands, along with rock and indie nights too.

57 Backscroft | @thereadingrooms

Festooned with camouflage roofing and full of people pilled out of their joyous minds, the Reading Rooms is a bit different. It’s loud, intimate and sound-tracked by everything from afrobeat to hiphop. And, to quote a Dundonian correspondent “It also seems to think that it’s the fucking Wigan Casino or something.” Not necessarily a bad thing. Buskers

2015 – 2016

DUNDEE

How to Come Out at University ...because people can be total jeb-ends sometimes. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back Words: Kate Pasola

oming out, whether you’re doing it during freshers’ week at a liberal university or as a toupé-wearing Tory, is a tremendously brave and usually terrifying thing to do. While UpWorthy would have you believe that coming out is seriously THE most heartwarming, mind-blowing thing you’ll see this week(!), truth is we don’t live in a high production value viral video, and some people are total bastards. Here’s Deviance’s guide to coming out at university, ft. advice from a bunch of glorious grads and students. We’ll start with the total bastards Sure, the baby boomers have finally got their head around the fact that it’s not okay to bend their wrist at people à la Ricky Gervais to imply potential gay-ness. And yes, the word ‘queer’ has beenreclaimedfromschoolbusbullies.Butunfortunately, closed-mindedness still lingers like a societal fart. Take reassurance in the fact the world – especially the part you live in – is commando-crawling its way towards some sort of equality. Pretty soon, that perfect-arse who thinks sexuality is fodder for an impromptu stand-up set will be left outside alone with fewer pals than Anastacia circa 2004. Binning people Some people won’t be able to get their head around your decision. It’s not your job to teach them tolerance, and it’s not your fault if they aren’t able to accept you. Hang out with the people who do accept you. They’re good’uns, them ones. Cracking funnies If the ignorance is coming from a friend or family member you don’t want to lose, encourage a little humour into the situation. Jokes are a pretty useful device for helping people desensitise themselves to these sorts of things. As long as you’re comfortable with that, of course. Labels Some people find it really handy to whack a label on themselves. It’s a shortcut which helps them to align with certain groups, activities and circles.

That said, it can also be stifling to live up to a label, especially if the one you’ve been using (or the one that’s been stuck on you by well-meaning pals) doesn’t comprehensively reflect the sexy intricacies of your youthful brain. If you don’t fancy the permanency of a label but want to come out to someone, just drop some fact or a handy hint into conversation which indicates your sexual preferences. They’ll get the gist. Eventually.

“Unfortunately, a world of closed-mindedness still lingers like a societal fart” Reinvent yo’self To adopt a very stale aquarial metaphor, moving from a cloying secondary school or small town to a gorgeous urban metropolis is like being dragged from a tiny fishtank and flung into the ocean. But it’s an ocean where none of the other fish know you and where you’ll meet starfish and seahorses and sea cucumbers. Also, in this metaphor, you can suspend the laws of the land and transform from a clownfish into a crustacean and NO ONE gets to tell you otherwise. Be the crustacean you’ve always wanted to be. ...but don’t worry if you’re not sure who yo’self is yet You may well have done a heap of soul-searching and arrived at a destination of multichromatic sexy-fun-times (congrats!). But also, you might not have got round to that yet. If so, don’t worry that there isn’t a fully formed identity to rush into once you’ve come out. To share the experience of a top notch lady I know, “I remember being like ‘Oh my god, now I’m a lesbian what am I going to wear?’” Her answer? “Obviously just wear the same thing, dumbass. You don’t have to dress like other lesbians. Though that is fine too. Rock that plaid girl.”

DEVIANCE

THE SKINNY

2015 – 2016