INDIVID-U by Tobias Orrells

INDIVID-U

FOREVER FREE

THE INTRODUCTION ISSUE MINA . ELLIOT LANE KERRY CRONE. THOM NEAL + MORE

ISSUE 1

INDIVID-U INDIVID-U 2

INDIVID-U

The tagline for our magazine is INDIVID-U IS FOR U. This, in essence relates to our objective. To inspire U. To show U creatives and future trailblazers other new creatives, giving them a platform to share their work. We believe that everyone has a creative spark inside of them. Some are brighter than others, some slowly begin to flare, some spark out and some need fuelling. This is what we are here for. We, INDIVID-U are here to bring you that ignition, to help light that spark that lies within yourself. We all have talents, be it music, art, design or simply writing, all of these evoke emotion, and that is a powerful thing. So, in our introduction issue, we are excited to bring to you new creatives that are already carving out a path for themselves. Elliot Lane, a seventeen-year-old something from Wales has a new venture, which is already bringing him success. His simple doodles have become a force to be reckoned with as he takes them to material.

INDIVID-U

INTRODUCING: MINA - 4/5 INTRODUCING: ELLIOT LANE - 6/7 INTRODUCING: KERRY CRONE - 8/9 EXHIBIT A: DESOLATE SPACES - 10/19

Kerry Crone, a university student has already dipped her ink into the fashion world working alongside designer Mary Katrantzou for her collection in London Fashion Week. In her humbling interview she discusses this and her latest collection, and the themes behind them. We then meet Alex Davies, a musician whose love for music has been with him since birth. He recently appeared on Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Talent and now he speaks to us about his music and his past, all from the point of view of his childhood friend. From one musician to another we meet MINA, a twenty something French singer whose dreams of stardom are within her grasp. Her life and her family become a focal point, exploring the themes of separation between what your family want, and what you want. The final creative we meet is Thom Neal, whose Heritage inspired mens wear with a modern, new romantic twist is already making exhaustive rounds to catwalks all over the North. We speak to him about his work and his unique selling point, which he is proud to have. Introducing you also to the shoots, as we are a fashion and music magazine, we shot on location in Liverpool using model, Jessica Galley, whose beauty brought to life the decayed and deso late parts of Liverpool, inside and out. The shoot was particularly lucky with the weather, after a week of bad wet spells the sun broke out and we got some spectacular lighting. It is also at this point that we introduce you to BeaBeQu, our two page zine, bringing you all the new fresh designers and bands to sink your teeth into. They were chosen by me, the editor, as they are all people that inspire me to be creative at this current time. I am incredibly proud of this magazine, it is exactly what I hoped it would be. Filled to the brim with creative talent that are all too willing to share with you the secrets to their success. So soak us up like a sponge, let your inhibitions and passions run wild. We are all special, we are all INDIVIDUAL.

IS FOR U

WHERE WE WENT: INTO THE BASEMENT - 20/21 INTRODUCING: THOM NEAL - 22/23 INTRODUCING: ALEX DAVIES - 24/25 ZINE: BEABEQU - 26/27 EXHIBIT B: SOME LOST BLISS - 28/34

INTRODUCING 4

INDIVID-U

MINA

INDIVID-U

“

M I N A W I L L A L W A Y S S I N G

”

I just want to be a damn singer

So Mina, how are things at the moment regarding your music?

“No. You mean with my music or with myself?”

dad is a giutarist and I have grown up with music like Dire Straits, Anita Baker and Fleetwood Mac - it was going from rock to jazz to regae and obviously RnB.” “I was dancing a lot with my sister and singing with her so like it has always been there, it is in my soul and my only passion. Well I still have a passion for love but that comes through my music too. With the songs, they are based on things that have happened to me in my life, and all the songs are like a biography. Like I write when I am happy, sad or when I want to scream or when I’m frustrated. I dunno, the themes are stuff that have followed me throughout my life and I feel I have loved a lot, and sometimes I don’t get it back, sometimes I do, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. In the end they just become lyrics.” “Sometimes I sing songs that I wrote when I was 17 and I’m like, I can’t believe that I felt that way. Like love wise, I think I was really depressed, and it was completely synthetic, love wise. I could write a book from just my memories of love. And also, talking about my youth, I’ve never really had the support of my parents on it, they don’t give a shit.”

Both.

So your sister was the only one who cared?

“I have learned how to be confident, like I have never really been confident in myself but someone told me once that if you are not confident in your music then no one is going to believe it. If I don’t think my songs are good, why would I do it? Like it’s confidence but its not cocky. If I’m not confident then it’s not going to work.”

“Yeah since the beginning. I guess it started with my dad because he bought me a giutar but that is all he has ever done. I have 49 songs and he doesn’t know a single one. If it wasn’t for my sister I would not have been able to carry on. My family don’t push me, they want me to just have a normal job where I get paid and have stability. But that is not what I want, the day they will care is when I am successful, and only then.”

“There is this song by Jill Scott, that says: ‘slowly, surely’ - and that is exactly how it is going. It is hard to combine my studies and be a singer. I want to be a big singer and in a couple of months time I’ll be able to focus on my music. But like Jill Scott said - I just follow that at the moment.” Are you still writing music? “Yeah, I’m feeling really inspired at the moment. My music and my writing is getting really grown up and I think they are songs that are going to be hits. When I was 15 I started writing songs, I’m now 22. My voice is different, it’s older and better and I can’t wait to expose my new stuff to the world.” You seem really confident in your talents, is this confidence something you have always had?

TOBIAS ORRELLS SPEAKS WITH FRENCH SINGER MINA ON HER LIFE, MUSIC, FAMILY, FAME AND HOW SHE PLANS TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS FROM HER FUTURE

Going back to your youth, how did music resonate with you? And the themes of love and love lost in your music, are they things that you experienced young? “I would not say all of them are about that but the majority are. A true story that my dad told me was that when my mum was pregnant, he would put headphones on my mums belly and play it to me. I have grown up with so many different types of music, my

Does this push you to get success, to make them happy? “Yeah, it’s like I want to show them what I’ve got. I have always pushed forward so that my dad is musically proud of me, and it has not happened yet. I think he has only come to three of my shows. I mean, he is a busy man I get that, but I’ve wished so much that he would have pushed me more but in the same way, I

think he cares about me, not my music. Like if I’m not successful he wants me to have a background career. I don’t know what he needs to understand my music, maybe playing in front of a thousand people might change his mind, but I don’t know - regardless of how he feels I need to do it, I just have to keep going.” It sounds like you have a plan, what is it after university? “I have a year and a half deadline to be who ever I want to be, and if it doesn’t work I have journalism and business to back it up. Inside however, I will be dead. Like every morning I would wake up and question why it didn’t work. I believe in fate and it would be my fate if it didn’t work. I think it is a giant battle, for all wannabe singers. You have to be selfish and I recognise talent when I see it but I have to ignore it and focus on my own music. Plan wise, I’m going back to Paris, working up some money and then go to New York (MINA’s sister, lives in New York) and just work hard.” “Like I want to be famous but when I sing my songs, I just like when people want to listen to it. So fame is something but love for my music is different, that is what I want. When someone - I’ve had people crying when I have been singing my sad songs and its weird to say but I loved it. They are really appreciating it and seeing themselves in the music and I’m crazy about. I want to share, and give people emotions through my music. Happy, sad, whatever.” “I have to believe, if know one does then fine, but if I don’t then it is not going to work. I’m 22, let me be wrong, and realise that I am wrong. Don’t turn me in to a puppet, don’t decide for me. I have been independent in this country for three years, I have gone through so much with little support, I don’t like relying on people. I think that I am going to be OK, just wait for me.” Final question, in three words, what does music mean to you? “Emotional, truth and happiness. Bisoux.”

INTRODUCING INDIVID-U

ELLIOT L A N E

INDIVID-U

LANE, A 18 YEAR OLD WHO IS SITTING UPON A FASHION

GOLDMINE. ALL

THIS FROM HIS LITTLE SHED IN WALES

BEGINNINGS

“

It was a little art project in my garage, it was fun.”

”

t the age of 17, Elliot Lane has accomplished more than the typical teenager. Breaking away from the tender care-free image a teenager growing up in the mossy countryside would have, where skating and hanging around the village shop is the norm, Elliot has done something different. He has started his own business selling his doodles spawned from boredom - all from his garden shed.

“I was pretty bad at it in the beginning. I kept on dropping ink on them and stuff like that.” What was interesting with Elliot’s new venture was the fact that he did it all completely by hand. Working away in a shed at night in Wales is not exactly a pleasant experience. However, once the first couple of T-shirts were made, he began to hand them out to friends.

made stuff like shirts. I sold them for £10 so they would sell them for £20 because York is ridiculously expensive like London. From the money I made I bought a new press, a custom made one and it’s got all the bells and whistles on it and that was about a year ago. Thinking about it I have really only been doing this for about 2 years. Now I suppose you could call it a business because I do so much with it.”

Elliot and I share something in common; we are both from the same area. At his age I was busy watching television and making sure my MySpace page was fresh and colourful. Nothing crossed my mind about my future, or how I would use my talents to promote myself. In the outback, or ‘the sticks’ as it is known, a sense of security and nothingness is accepted. However for Elliot, a simple passion transformed the typical art teenager into a business man, a mini-mogul at just 17. This by the way, I do not have in common with Elliot.

“My first design was the rock, paper, scissors one which is on my Tumblr. It was just a doodle I had done somewhere and then I just gave them all away. I made 40 and I just gave them to all my friends.”

It’s hard to grasp at the fact that a 17 year old has managed to create a miniature empire for himself. Even Elliot has trouble grasping with it at times, leading to him to just shut off and do normal teenage things.

The essence of Elliot’s designs in the beginning was just for fun. A way to be creative and share with his friends. Soon however, Elliot handed his T-shirt to a friend, who happened to be a rising face in the modelling industry. This simple act of kindness transformed after his friend Matthew went back to work in London and told people about the Welsh boy who made T-shirts in his shed.

“In York I walked past this complete stranger and he was wearing one of my t-shirts and it was one of the most magical feelings ever. I possibly looked like a bit of a nutter staring at this man but like I put my logo on the back so it’s like design and screen print by Elliot. So when I go to the shop people are like, who’s Elliot? It’s definitely crazy too, seeing something that started out of defiance become a living. I don’t know what made me want to put it on a t-shirt, I guess because they are easy to print on and like its cool. Like you see other people wearing your designs and its like, really great.”

In the beginning, bored with the weight of academic work slowly pulsating at the back of his neck, Elliot chose to escape into his doodles. With the likes of Banksy becoming a source of inspiration to him.

TOBIAS ORRELLS SPEAKS WITH ELLIOT

“Well I think when I was about 14 or 15 like most teenagers interested in art I really into Banksy and street art like that. So I started doing stencilling in my shed and around Llanidloes (Llanidloes, a small town in Mid Wales) and then when I moved on to A Levels, I lost interest in art in some way because doing it in school. It felt forced so I didn’t do any art that I was supposed to do, I just drew whatever came to mind.” These doodles, which he began compiling in a scrap book slowly transform from ink on paper, to ink on fabric. Whilst visiting his brother at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he noticed the print screening art which was floating around. Whilst there, he attended an exhibition, which planted the seed. “When I came home I made a press out of an old wardrobe. I sort of tore it apart and it was really, really shit. And it kept collapsing and would only do one colour. That’s when I bought some shitty t-shirts online.” Working away in his shed, Elliot concentrated on learning the craft of print screening, a process that to him was definitely trial and error.

Like all things in London, new fads travel around fast, and Matthew’s friends and housemates soon wanted one. These housemates happen to be Imogen Poots and Hannah Murray, both actresses with Imogen recently going transatlantic and Hannah playing Cassie on the popular teenage show, Skins. Soon this little buzz began to create prospects of dollar signs and Elliot launched a Tumblr page showcasing his T-shirts. “I think it is important to say that it is definitely who you know. I put a lot into my designs, it might just be who you know but how I do them, my whole process of doing them is very time consuming you have to go over each line four times with a sharpie. So the hard work I put in to them I guess shines through to people, which is great for me.” Originally Elliot sold his T-shirts through his Tumblr at the cushy price of £5, a decision he says was something obvious to him, as they cost nothing to make. Following from this, he was contacted by a shop in York, who, interested in his designs, became a seller for him. “I started selling them in a shop in York called Purple Haze. It’s like a vintage boutique shop with hand-

“I never put school work first. I really hate school to be honest so my artwork always comes first there is no doubt in my mind - which is probably quite bad. I think I am quite relaxed with it all, I don’t think I would do it if I didn’t enjoy. Everyone asks me if I want to expand, but I find it enough trouble just supplying for one shop. It’s definitely a one man operation from my shed. I try to keep it as relaxed as possible. Like, if one day I do not want to do it, I just won’t do it - I’ll just watch TV. I want to keep enjoying it so therefore I don’t want to feel any pressure. If I had more time, I think I would expand it.” This enjoyment certainly comes through when Elliot, quietly utters: “The money is doing me quite well.” His laughter outshines his smugness and it is evident that this simple idea that turned your average teenager into a businessman is far from over. After our interview, Elliot got an unconditional offer from a London art school. Elliot’s T-shirts:http://elliotttees.tumblr.com/

INTRODUCING 8

INDIVID-U

kerry crone

INDIVID-U

ORRELLS

MEETS

WITH

DE-

SIGNER KERRY CRONE AND DICUSSES

HER

INSPIRATIONS,

HER

SUM-

MER WORKING WITH MARY KATRANZOU AND LIFE AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE

t a l e n t

“

i wanted leather so i ripped up my anties sofa. it’s ok though, it was old

It is hard not to feel immediately humbled when you meet Kerry Crone, a LJMU second year fashion student whose small frame and big blue eyes resemble something you would see in a well-drawn cartoon. She is delightful and her slight Scouse accent is subtle and soft, soft enough that when she laughs, a light airy chuckle fills the vicinity. Don’t take Kerry at face value however, during my interview with Kerry, her excitement and passion for her craft was evident in her hand gestures when discussing her latest collection, and how fashion became such a huge part of her life.

agination, leading to mass impact on her designs.

Sitting in a coffee shop, Kerry at first, timidly sips on her mango iced drink barely raising her head. She greets me with a wave and a simple smile that lights up her face.

Her new designs show a more gothic approach than her Autumn/Winter red coat, which was influenced by flowers and archaic buildings, specifically Speke Hall.

Talking for a while, she begins to relax and the ease in which she speaks about her design work comes to full effect.

Her response to my observation is somewhat of a surprise. She playfully and light-heartedly half agrees and notes that the Mayans use of sacrifice influenced her approach to her new designs in respect of the human body.

“I’ve been interested in art quite a lot since I was in school and I used to get my old clothes and I would customise them and stuff and my mum makes clothes as well so from seeing her do it, I would do it to and get my own patterns and stuff then make my own clothes.”

TOBIAS

Speaking about her childhood, Kerry’s eyes flicker upwards as she tries to recollect the dawn of her design origins. “She (mum) taught me how to sew and she would buy patterns from shops and design things. But I always felt that I wanted to make what I wanted to make and do it from scratch.” “Before I went to university I did a foundation course to find out more about design and the course was more about construction and technical skills so I wanted to learn how to be more experimental with design and not necessarily be perfectly made, but more creative.” This has clearly had an impact on how Kerry operates her creative brain. Her designs, shown at a Christian Aid fashion show in March, showed a girl whose use of construction and avant-garde was a clear salute to the likes of other creative designers like McQueen and Lavin. Conversation shifted to Kerry’s current work to date. Her new collection for her course is soon to be completed and her influences are apparent when she talks about her travels to the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, where her drawings of natural life could possess im-

“I took like loads of photographs and did drawings from them and rather than look at other designers and draw inspiration from there I would look at what I had drawn and put it on the body. The ancient Mayans drew a lot of inspiration for me and I used that period in my summer collection.” She shows me some sheets she printed, detailing her new collection, which only just shows her precision to getting her work perceived in the right way.

Drawing on her inspiration for her new designs, I ask her about her favourite designers, the ones that she draws inspiration from. “I really like Iris Van Herpen, because she is quite structural as well and she uses different materials rather than using different fabrics so she makes it more unusual. I really like Mary Katrantzou too; I went to work with her over the summer.” Conversation halts immediately. ing my interest in this, begins to her summer. She began by telling it made her want to become a

Kerry, noticslowly unravel me how much designer more.

“It was really good, it was hard work because you would be there from eight in the morning until three in the morning and you would have to work weekends as well.” For most this would be their idea of hell, working for free seven days a week. Kerry however does not stop smiling. “It was really good. I learned so much. I did a lot of pattern cutting and sewing and I worked at London fashion week and that was amazing.” She giggles and stirs her mango juice, mixing together the water on the surface and the juice below. Delving deeper into this experience that many would kill to have a claim on, I ask her if she felt nervous. She quickly

”

glances away and returns her gaze almost immediately. “I was really nervous to begin with, but everyone there was lovely. You settled in pretty quick and you weren’t made to feel like alone but part of the team.” Drawing from her answer, I ask her whether is confident in what she does. As soon as words leave my mouth, she fires back her swer in the delicate, sweet way only Kerry can

she the ando.

“Yeah, I have quite a lot of experience with sewing and I think that if something goes wrong then it doesn’t matter, I’ll just try again.” Her relaxed attitude is perhaps what is most interesting about Kerry. Her talent is obvious from her designs and sketches yet in person she hides it well. She is incredibly grounded and seems like the glass is half full kind of girl. Yet she seems like a lone fox in her world of design. The way she describes her production seems like an escape to a world only she can enter, and admittedly she agrees that she works better alone. I don’t mind working in a group but when it comes to my own personal collections I just like to work alone. I don’t really go out or drink; I just spend time designing and developing.” Our talk turns to her plans after what advice she would give to ing to design. Her answer reflects for being creative and her hunger

university and people wanther deep love to learn more.

“I think I’m going to find some little local businesses for a while and work with them and learn new things and brand myself. I really would like to go to London fashion week in the future but I don’t know if that is going to happen but otherwise I would like a little shop where I can just showcase my designs.” Finally,

her

advice

for

future

creatives:

“Just do it. If it doesn’t work then oh well, just go again.” My impression of Kerry did not change throughout the interview, she still resonated the sweet humbling girl whose talent and hard work only affirms her fierceness for her love of art. The only thing that was gained was more insight into a girl whose introverted and playful recount of her art only adds to her wisdom.

INDIVID-U

DESOLATE SPACES The concept behind this project is the idea of places that are desolate, decayed and damaged. Yet, they tell a tale, and in their beauty show imagination and creativity. In past times where these places were the holding ground for festering creative talent, they now lie undisturbed, drained of all past art that once thrived. INDIVID-U, a magazine that recognises creative talent has planned to explore two places that were once a creative hub. The basement of 83a Bold Street was once a place where artists who could not afford the luxury of a exhibition, would showcase their work to the public in the basement, the jagged brick walls still hold the flaky chipped paint that was once met with a thousand eyes. It is now a basement used for a shop. The surrounding area of Seel Street is still a place of creativity, however the outside and surrounding old buildings still hold the graffiti of years gone by that still shine colours of past times. This shoot, using vintage clothing provided by Pop Boutique, incorporates old artistic qualities of high fashion shoots, with a street grunge twist. The fashion, a spectrum of different styles and decades all eclectically mixed to show that beauty still exists and can be created in these desolate and old bliss places.

SOME LOST BLISS

DESOLATE SPACES HOW EVER SAD HOLD AN IRREVICABLE BEAUTY. LEFT ABANDONED THESE PLACES TAKE ON THEIR OWN PERSONALITY ALLOWING FOR US TO EXPLORE

INDIVID-U

SOME LOST BLISS. EXPLORATION CONTINUES ON PAGE 28

INDIVID-U

i n t o t h e basem e n t

INDIVID-U

ENTER A BASEMENT WHERE YOU CAN RELAX ON A BEACH AND ANXIOUSLY WAIT FOR A SERIAL KILLER TO END YOU by

An artistic extra-curricular activity turned into a thought provoking decayed art exhibition, highlighting the message of regeneration in an abandoned basement in the John Foster Building. Level six students collaborated and set up individual spaces, deep within the basement creating a maze full of macabre installations, ranging from a beach complete with sand and a deck chair to a table piled high with split, seeping pomegranates. Set in the back of the basement, visitors were exposed to a underground beach, with Hawaiian music and sand. The creator, Debrea lewis said: “went out a island just off Sicily to experience it and engage with what was happening on that island. And I saw the refuge that it was for people at the time, it was known as the island of milk and honey and that’s what I used.”

tobias

orrells

Debrea continued: ““The project was an architectural piece to claim a disused space and use it to show art installations. It was found by one of my lecturers, Patricia and I think she chose it to prove that art can exist in the most basic of places and turn the space into an exciting thought provoking place where we as artists had to work within limitations, which was exciting.” Louise Hastings said about her piece, a corner covered in illuminated umbrellas and chalk drawn circles said: “It’s about superstitions and the rituals around them. The circles represent that old tale of the devil hides in corners, and the idea is that when you are in the circle, you are safe.” “Kathleen Maginn showed her work by using a space where the viewer could explore what was already there before. Paining an old sink and

WHERE

sanding down a old shower block, visitors entered a regenerated space of glitter and gold. Kathleen said: “I really like the idea of regeneration, and the way that it can make people not feel disgusted by a place. The idea of a fresh lick of paint and a warmer atmosphere making people feel more comfortable interests me. It’s like we need these asthetics to feel safe.” The project was spearheaded by Professor Patricia Mackinnon, who located the space whilst on an aimless search. She said: “I’m just nosey and I wanted them (students) to get into this space which is so much a part of the university but it’s not used. So getting the students out and into the space was the initial idea.”

WENT

INTRODUCING 22

INDIVID-U

t h o m n e a l

INDIVID-U

“

working hard is something that i have become married to in a way

Graduating last year from the University of Northampton, Thom has not stopped for a single second. His appeal and love for menswear is his calling, and one true source for his creativity.

“I decided that I wanted to create a brand that was uniquely British. A lot of fabrics are produced elsewhere which is fine for other designers but not for me. I just want it to be British because I am proud to be British. The mix of English Heritage and a modern look both fascinates me and drives me. It’s to be able to meet in the middle of two completely separate ends of the spectrum and create something unique. That is what my collection is about. I guess you can say it is ‘alternative’ clothing, which to me is fine.” Thom’s designs include rabbit fur panels on two coats and two sheepskin coats. A wide range of materials that all have a conflicting flow. The shirting is quite simple, yet with little pleats and added length for the ‘alternative’ approach Thom appeals for. Trousers are mainly short, ankle basher style, with 4 out of the 6 pairs used on runways being straight legged rather than skinny.

MENS WEAR DESIGNER. TOBIAS ORRELLS

His motto for creating the garments is to make them ‘individual’. This however does not necessarily mean a heightened sense of ego with one’s clothing; but rather subtle details that make the outfit and the wearer unique. This uniqueness comes from Thom’s choice of fabrics.

SPEAKS WITH THOM NEAL ON HIS WORK

“It is all about the fabrics for me. Mixing different English made patterns or teaming them with a simplistic shirt or trouser really makes the fabric standout.”

Thom began the road to his brand by completing a three month internship with the ASOS men’s design team and working with Keko Hainswheeler, the outlandish designer whose work is more a burst of punk with imaginary ideas and decoration.

What makes Thom even more of an intriguing designer is his choice in where his fabrics are sourced - all of his clothing comes from the UK and his

“It was amazing. I learned so much and I really became a sponge. I soaked up everything I could and it really has led me to believe in my own work.”

use of English Heritage is what makes this British born designer’s work understatedly patriotic. The fabric Thom is referring to is Manx Tweed, Made in Scotland & England Wools and Rip Stop Nylon all of which are manufactured in the UK.

When asked whether this more secure self-confidence,

AND HIS INSPIRATIONS AS A DESIGNER.

e n g l a n d

Not one to be reckoned with he is quickly becoming a recognised designer with shows debuting all over the UK. Hard at work constantly with new ideas and materials, what lies in store for this boy wonder?

POSURE PRESENTING HIS TALENTS AS A

Thom Neal is a man of many talents. Fresh out of university he has managed to set the North alight with his powerful mix of English Heritage and flamboyant style.

THOM NEAL HAS ALREADY GAINED EX-

belief Thom

was a replied:

“Absolutely, you always get that thing where you’re not sure. It’s not necessarily just in the design world

”

though. But working with someone like Keko, you really start to hone in your artistic and creative being.” It is this artistic and creative skill that made Thom create the ‘DIE MIE’ collection for his graduate show, which emboldened Thom’s take on mixing British Heritage and modern dressing. This is shown through Thom’s use of colours. Bold yet traditional, the use of warm burgundy’s and royal mustard show a designer who creates his garments with the aspect of a cold chill waiting around the corner. The world is Thom’s oyster, and with regards to future plans, he has a short term and a long term plan. “I get asked this a lot by people who like my designs and honestly, having my own brand would be the long term plan as any new designers would be. Short term, working with Keko again, I would feel inspired every day.” Thom is a silver bullet in the business of fashion. His excitable tone yet laid back approach presents a person not affected by the industry. However don’t be fooled, his seriousness for his craft has only ever more intensified. “Working hard is something that I have become married to in a way. It can be easy to sort of get big headed with any success but you just can’t go there. Any advice I have for young designers is to keep going. Work hard and don’t expect things to come to you. It can be hard and there are definitely setbacks but you just have to take it as it comes and ride the creative wave believing in yourself.”

INTRODUCING 24

INDIVID-U

A L E X DAVIES ALEX DAVIES, ANOTHER PRODUCT OF WALES,

HAS

HAD

THE

MUSIC

BUG

SINCE BIRTH. PLAYING IN HIS ROOM SINCE HIS YOUTH HE HAS STEADILY

BANDED

FOLLOWING.

NOW,

WITH BRITIANS GOT TALENT, WHAT IS NEXT FOR THIS COUNTRY LAD?

INDIVID-U

“

b t p

n o y

“I was absolutely shitting myself. It was insane and surreal and I thought I had done pretty terrible

”

I have known Alex ever since I can remember. He had blonde hair and big blue eyes. He would always manage to hurt himself. He had no fear of the usual things kids would fear like falling over from running too fast, eight legged creatures or getting told off. 17 years later and after speaking with him he still has the all-knowing, easy voice that made us friends to begin with.

ter a year and half of having no money, a liver the size of a peanut due to excessive drinking of the ever popular yet slightly corroding White Lightening, Alex began to create music again.

His face on television was something of a celebration back home and on Alex’s face when Simon Cowell said he liked him, a bewildered and ecstatic Alex smiled from cheek to cheek. He plays it down now of course.

“I started making YouTube videos, as a way to keep doing music and then basically started gigging and people liked it.”

Alex has always been musically inclined. I remember this from nights spent at his where he would play the guitar whilst I played The Sims or watched some tiresome action flick on Five. His dedication for this love was obvious, even if it was not obvious to him. As soon as high school hit, me and Alex drifted in ways, we still hung out after school and went on adventures where he would pull up to mine usually covered in mud after biking around town. His music began to take on new forms, left behind was the Alex who would only play to himself, in his room with yellow and red air balloons dotted over the walls.

This new found self of becoming a one man band led to exciting prospects. However, being the boy that Alex is, his all-knowing quality stayed firmly in the foreground, and as some offers came in, he decided to leave it.

“I’ve already been to London where I made it to the final 100 and it’s already all been filmed but I didn’t make it to the final 40’s for live shows. It doesn’t really matter because I got loads of recognition from it, it was crazy.”

He remembers came eternally

the first imprinted

time he beon to music:

“One Christmas I got a keyboard from my dad and my brothers taught me a couple of notes and then kind of led on from there. Then in high school my brother introduced me to his mate’s son, Kirk who played guitar for a band and we started jamming. We managed to get a band together and did that for about seven years.” “It was just fun, like we would just play, laugh and do normal things teenage boys did. We just had guitars and lived in a shitty town.” It is at this point that things began to change for Alex; he left for University in Newport and became the typical student. Like many others, the new sense of freedom leads to new and exciting opportunities, leaving some of your old loves behind. “I came to university and I didn’t do anything for about a year and a half because nothing was the same. I didn’t have my band mates anymore.” This loss had nowhere to go but up, and af-

“A couple of managers saw my stuff and were interested but I think I’m waiting for the right kind of thing. And a song got posted on a couple of websites and posted on a Cardiff blog site and people began raving about it so that was the first recognition I got.” Then the unexpected happened. Now I have to interject, Alex never had any love for family television, except for Dick and Dom in the mornings when he would eat his way through a pack of Rice Crispies and laugh at the jokes. So the prospect of him joining Britain’s Got Talent was something he would have laughed at. And in the beginning, he did. “They had seen my videos and decided to contact me and they gave me an audition day and I was like, nah I don’t want to do it - and I didn’t go. They then rang my home and said that they really liked me and wanted me to come.” “So I ended up cracking and went straight to the auditions in Cardiff in front of the live audiences and stuff. So I basically just did it because in the end I thought it would be silly to pass up any opportunities.” When I asked him about Britain’s Got Talent, the excited kid who would do stupid shit remerged. “I was absolutely shitting myself. It was insane and surreal and I thought I had done pretty terrible so I just - yeah, was shitting it.”

“I’ve got people asking me to do gigs and stuff and I’m getting offered more money and people want me to advertise their gigs as ‘Alex Davies from Britain’s Got Talent”, and I think that there are not many people from where we are from that can really say they have done that, they don’t do anything like that.” This is true, there is something of a driving force in Alex, to get to the top after years of being bored, staring at the same four red and yellow spotted walls. “Everyone has been really supportive and it’s got me loads more gigs. I was back in town last Friday and I had a gig in The Exchange (local watering hole for the bored youth and lonely farmers) and it was the first gig after the whole Britain's Got Talent thing and the place was literally packed, you couldn’t move in there.” “Word of mouth spread around town because everybody knows everybody, and it was in the County Times, so it was surreal. There were people pointing at me, which was a bit odd.” From a small town where you could scream and no one would hear you, to centre stage in front of a high music executive is something people would laugh at where we are from. But he did it, and although he may not know what’s going to happen next, his passion for his music is stronger and more apparent than ever. “It is a lot of practice and it’s frustrating especially if you pick it up a bit older because it takes you longer to get there. Just mainly go with your gut feeling and not try and conform to any rules or any genre - that’s if you are writing songs. Also, always try and stay original and just enjoy it. I love it, I live for it.”

INDIVID-U +

INDIVID-U

BeaBeQu

INDIVID-U

A$AP ROCKY

STRFKR

Straight out of Harlem, the A$AP crew have begun to infect airwaves with their old school rap and heavy beats. Nostalgia ridden moments infect the listener with their song ‘Peso’ - where the beat is crisp and the lyrics are reminisent of the gangster rap era, where Biggie Smalls and Tupac reined kings.

Yes, that’s right, Starf**ker. Lovely little name for a 3-piece indie-electronic group from the States. Also known as: STRFKR (if you’d rather keep it PG rated).. they are definitely worth a listen if you like bands such as Architecture in Helsinki, Little Dragon, Foster the People and Chromeo. Combining a fantastic mixture of indie and electronica, they seem the have the ideal balance in order to fill the gap of the dearly departed MGMT

A$AP is known for ate, mostly self created timism and attention can’t help but evoke

the hype they creit however. Their ophigh (literally too) a sense of applause.

Their new song ‘Bury Us Alive’ is in the new film, Chronicle

Y 27

CLAUDIA LIGARI Introducing Claudia Ligari, she plays by her own rules and her avant-garde minimalist theme is causing mass buzz for this rising star. Debuting her S/S 2012 collection, the juxtaposition of femininity and masculinity is strong, showcasing a wide look for more than the typical fashionista about town. What is interesting is the structured shorts and boned shirts. Everything has a place and stayed there, the shorts were futuristic, playful, whilst the boned shirts added armor, a rhetoric f**k you to mainstream.

Deput album - LongLiveA$AP debuts July 2012

May’s hit list. Go to BeaBeQu.com for more content for your musings

INDIVID-U

PROUD

PRE-

SENT TO YOU BEABEQU, OUR SECTION THAT BRINGS TO YOU ALL THAT IS

NEW

MUSIC

AND

FASHION.

COMPUTER MAGIC Since 2010, Computer Magic has stayed on a steady course, rising like smoke higher and higher. She was building a following on her website, Myspace and her views on Youtube began to climb. However, the last time she signed into her Myspace was October. Computer Magic carries a dream pop/electro sound mixed with heavy percussion and gritty yet pretty beats. It is a definite listen in this year - a How To Dress Well but with added sweetness.

AZEALIA BANKS

JERVOIS JACKETS

Storming the charts the world over, Azealia Banks debut track, ‘212’ has become something of a anthem in 2012. Her potty mouth lyrics are further enforced by the back beat, which pounds and bops making the most nervous of dancers break. Not much is known about her debt album, rumours of push backs and spats have already left a mark on the new singer, however her YouTube views keep on climbing with tracks like ‘Bambi’ and a cover of Interpol’s ‘Slow hands’ set to make her a house hold name regardless.

Introducing Zoe Graham, a new up comer in all things beautiful vintage. She’s a fashion graduate and custom makes all her pieces (hence the price tag). She is literally re-modernising vintage, with a twist of a thumb and a stitch of thread. With bright patterns and bohemian designs, she is revamping the 90’s wash out look, bringing it pops of colour, making it truly individual. For some Jervoise joy, head here : h t t p : / / w w w. j e r v o i s e j a c k e t s . c o m /

INDIVID-U

LIVERPOOL HAS SEEN MAJOR DISTRUCTION AND REGENERATION. WE CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY THROUGH LIVERPOOL’S HIDDEN DESOLATE SPACES

INDIVID-U

IT WAS N I C E TO MEET YOU. SEE YOU NEXT MONTH

J U N E

INDIVID-U

IS FOR U