SEE INSIDE: INTERVIEW WITH UP AND COMING IRISH SINGER-SONGWRITER MARIA KELLY ADVICE FROM OUR ESTEEMED PRESIDENT ANDY GEEKS (RODEO PENIS) 2018 RELEASES IN GAMING AND MUSIC SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON IRISH FILMS FEATURING IN THIS YEAR’S AWARDS SEASON
Volume XXIV, Issue 5 30th January 2018
OTWO CONTRIBUTORS ISSUE 5 XXIV EDITOR Aoife Hardesty DEPUTY EDITOR Ruth Murphy ART & DESIGN EDITOR Joanne Olivia OTWO CO-EDITORS Claudia Dalby Dylan O’Neill
CONTENTS Hey everyone!
GAMES EDITOR Katie Lalwani
MUSIC EDITOR Cian Montague FOOD EDITOR Aurora Andrus FASHION EDITOR Shane Cullen ONLINE OTWO EDITOR Conor O’Boyle CHIEF OF ILLUSTRATIONS Meadhbh Sheridan CHIEF OF PHOTOGRAPHY Phoebe Ireland STAFF WRITERS Clara Brannigan CONTRIBUTORS Chloe Byrne Andrew Geeks Mary Sheehan Conor Capplis Senan Tuohy-Hamill Sambhavi Sudhakar Danielle Crowley Seán Delaney Jessica Nugent Paurush Kumar Mary Meabh Park Helen Fitzgerald Aoife Mawn Adam Lawler Rachel Hannon Aoife Muckian Fiadh Melina Gavin Tracey Fiachra Johnston
Arts & Literature 5-8 Games 9 Film & TV 10-13 Interview Maria Kelly 14-16 Music 17-20 Food 21 Fashion 22-25 Travel 26 Aperture 28
LETTER FROM EDITORS
FILM & TV EDITOR Alexander Glover
Welcome back everyone, new semester new you, etc. As you may or may not have noticed, OTwo has gone through some changes while you’ve been away (see elephant above, don’t talk about it). This issue, we are excited to introduce some scandal to our pages, because UCD is short on scandalous events. The Arts and Literature section will be telling us all about “Tell-All” books and why they’re so popular. Also, we’ll be asking if buskers are really worth the change we don’t give them. Page turn, new section, we have Games. Up for discussion this issue, is Nintendo’s new cardboard box. Marketed at approximately $70 a kit, it’s a bargain for a substitute for a child’s own imagination. Moving on to the section that often finds it difficult to distinguish reality from Black Mirror, Film & TV looks at what films are currently in the cinema. You know the cinema? That old building in town that Varadkar is trying to get millennials to house share? Keeping up with OTwo’s proud history of diversity, we have another article which heavily references Bollywood cinema, because everyone knows there are only three countries which produce films: the U.S.A, Ireland, and India. Due to the current economic climate at the OTwo, we’ve had to tighten our belts and take on extra roles. This is why for the Music section, Mystic Mittens has written about what to expect from 2018 in the world of popular noise. We asked ArtsSoc ‘What are you listening to? It was hard to track them down between the demanding and extensive contact hours that Arts students are subjected to… remember that the next time you encounter one of them. For the Food section this issue, we’ve donned our deerstalkers to bring you a report on UCD’s favourite burrito supplier: Boojum. Apparently, there is a flashy new Turbo Boojum being opened that will significantly reduce queue times. Unfortunately, it’s not in UCD, probably because Katie left. Moving on to the runways of London’s Fashion Week, in our Fashion section we have yet again moved to bridging the gap between men and women with a new gender-neutral catwalk. Far from what we thought would be replicas of the iconic Ned’s Declassified gender-neutral uniforms, we at OTwo welcome the change to social norms. We also want to advise our readers, especially those who are trying them out for the first time, heels are a killer. Finally, take a trip to the exotic South American nations of Chile and Bolivia, in our Travel section, and imagine a place where grey skies are not the norm. We hope these articles will add to a fun and memorable Semester Two for everyone. Keep reading, and keep writing!
xoxo C l a u d i a a n d D y l a n
Soapbox:
The Joys of James Joyce
Mystic Mittens Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 18 There is an old saying that dates back to the late 1890s: Seize the day! Pisces Feb 19 – March 20 Even though you may feel like a poor unfortunate soul in Week 2, remember the library is still open outside of study week. Aries March 21 – April 19 This is the semester you’ll defy gravity, academically speaking. Taurus April 20 – May 20 A 3-year undergraduate degree wasn’t meant to last forever. Gemini May 21 – June 22 Are you a good person or are you a mad person? It’s such a fine line, isn’t it? Cancer June 21 – July 22 Today may be for you, but tomorrow is for me! Leo July 23 – Aug 22 Don’t dream it, be it. Virgo Aug 23 – Sep 22 What good is sitting alone in your room? It’s Semester 2, ask that person out! Libra Sep 23 – Oct 22 A good way to relax is to put on some tracks with a CD you bought in a store. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 19 Do not let other people get you down, remember: A person’s a person, no matter how small. Sagittarius Nov 20 – Dec 21 One’s impossible, Two is dreary, Three is company, safe and cheery. Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 19 What would you do for love?
Imagine a place of learning and enrichment - a host of peace, giving the gift of a still silence, and home to knowledgeable brains immersing themselves in dense texts. A library may come to mind. You know, the sliding mahogany ladder, stretching to piles upon piles of light blue and deep wine book covers. The anciently-daubed pages, mellow with age and beginning with a swooping, spiralled letter “S.” The dust blown off the leather. The stern finger to the lip of the librarian, to dampen your excitement as that clever child from school sits reading Luther’s Theses. That trusty library, you know? - No, no we do not know. Allow me to set the scene with three Ps: People, Pressure, and Printer jam. The ‘errk-errk... er – r – errk’ of a chair. It is that individual who seems to have, ever-so-suddenly, developed rapid, incontrollable spasms in their leg. Shaking the chair and along with it, my desk. Bouncing their entire leg from bent toes, hitting the underside of the table. It’s like an orchestration of a new kind of percussion, perhaps to be used for torture. With every ear-splitting squeak, I feel myself getting closer to abandoning my degree. I had to fight the urge to congratulate fellow students on not only coming to the library, but simultaneously completing 20k! “What an achiev- Oh, wait no, they have their headphones in.” Their heavy, laboured breathing forces me to question if I should call a doctor to treat their chronic asthma. The terrific tunes blaring from massive Sonys also float over to my desk and block them from their own bronchial breaths (as well as the munches of the grub they are sneaking). I can hear you, believe me. If in doubt, don’t breathe through the mouth. Wading through a maze of perspiring students, what is that I see? A socket - a beautiful, electrically-charged socket. I prance to the corner-seat. Joy washes over me like a light mist on a blistering day, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet sounds, doves fly to freedom, my curls bounce in slow motion – and it all stops. My dream of having a charged phone dies, as I see a jacket decorate the chair, or even better, a sole scarf. ‘Sound,’ as they say. All this, combined with a jammed printer gobbling up my money, irritates me to say the least. However, I mean no offence. We are all students, all doing our best. Sniffling noses, persistent coughs, and squeaky shoes are what make us human. These wonderful attributes of others bring out our own emotions, even if they are utter… frustration… and… fury. Illustaration: Meadhbh Sheridan Words: Chloe Byrne
OTwo //
Advice from Andrew J. Geeks I’m looking forward to the Rodeo Penis coming to UCD, but I’m concerned it might be too big for me, should I get more practice? When Campus Services told me that UCDSU had invited a Rodeo Penis to UCD, I honestly thought my vocation as late-night performer, Andrew B.J. Dicks, had been revealed. Truthfully, I was upset not to have actually been asked to perform, as the supplementary income would have been welcome (I don’t even receive the highest wages in UCD). I first coined the term ‘Rodeo Penis’ after watching a Netflix Australia documentary on the mating habits of kangaroos, wherein I learned that, despite the fact that female kangaroos have three vaginas, male kangaroos often immediately move on to copulate with another female after intercourse. If you’re not experienced, you might hurt yourself. Coming from the real Rodeo Penis, I can tell you that you need to lube up and strap down. How can I get a Westminster award? And should I write a book about my experiences? That Katie Ascough would go on to be crowned once again by another institution, just as useless, ill-informed and hopelessly misguided as UCDSU, has bewildered liberal students and pundits alike, and it stands to her credit as a vessel for propagating senseless, cruel, and misandric slander that anybody would listen to her. Although those who tend to pay attention to the Westminster Awards are often as self-inflated and disingenuous as the awkward characters inhabiting the SU corridors, who could deny the human affinity to recognition of any kind? I thought that, generally speaking, when one wins an award for Human Rights, it’s usually for working towards their furtherance. But the times have clearly moved on since I was hunkered down in the utopian, progressive South-Western Tasmanian Technical University. Back then we thought we knew what was what. My advice to you, dear Humanitarian, is to ignore the social, mental, and physical plights experienced by your friends, family, and compatriots. Ignore them as loudly as possible. Perhaps even by denying, to their faces, that these people exist. Better still would be concerted efforts to re-disenfranchise women, the poor, and the uneducated. Burn down schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods - explain that they’re sources of false hope. Campaign for a redistribution of wealth to the top 1%. Why shouldn’t they have the other 50%?
What’s Hot,What’s Not NOT Hot
Twitter Memes
Final Semester
If you don’t have a Twitter account, you’re missing out. Even though Twitter is a social media site for real-time news, a popular trend is the use of memes that start with “Favourite this tweet and I’ll compliment you in approx. 200 characters.” It’s nice to be nice and does wonders for self-esteem, when you can figure out which one is about you.
For some students the return to college post-Christmas marks the final stretch of their degree. Then they have to worry about jobs and accommodation and rent and repeat fees and career goals, and whatever happened to nap-time?
All-Stars 3
it’s set to return in 2019, what the hell?! Does HBO expect us to procrastinate for a whole year just to further procrastinate while we watch the final season?
For those of you who don’t know RuPaul’s Drag Race, why are you reading an Arts and Culture magazine? All-Stars 3 kicked off on January 25th and sees your favourite queens (and Thorgy Thor for some reason) return to battle for $100,000. It’s like Project Runway meets America’s Next Top Model, but gayer. Red Dead Redemption Rockstar Games have said that the highly anticipated sequel will be released in Spring 2018. The original RDR was praised for its storytelling and shocking ending, and I for one am really looking forward to this game’s release.
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Return of Game of Thrones
Certain Youtubers There are certain youtubers who are not hot and have no sense of decency or common sense and I’m not even going to say their names because they don’t deserve the publicity. If you watch the news, you know who I’m talking about (casts side-eye).
OTwo // Arts & Literature
Shaping the Narrative Mary Sheehan analyses the popular genre of “Tell-All” books and the scandal that surrounds them.
By diving into a tell-all book, the reader might even feel a sense of superiority in which they now have premium access to their favorite famous person’s life.
Ultimately, the difference between turning on E! and reading a tell-all book lies in the level in which a person wants to be distracted, and how much effort they’re willing to put in to this distraction. By picking up a book written by a celebrity about themselves, readers are putting time in their own lives aside to dive into the struggles and successes of someone else. These books do not sell because of the quality of writing, or even because of their interesting narratives and stories. Rather, we as consumers devour these books in order to be distracted from the own mundanity of our lives or from our own perceived failures of not acheiving our 15 minutes in the spotlight. If we can read a celebrity tell-all book in which the person of interest overcomes adversity in a situation which is worse than our current one, or even told in a funny way, don’t we immediately feel better about ourselves? Different from newspapers and tabloids, a tell-all book (whether written by the celebrity themselves or a ghost writer) makes us as readers feel a somewhat privileged sense of knowledge about this person. We as consumers often view this type of literature almost as a diary, as if we are privy to some parts of this person that we wouldn’t be otherwise. A newspaper article or interview has a barrier between the celebrity and the reader: the journalist. A tell-all book is a peek into what they want to present as their inner self. A primary example of this is Amy Poehler’s tell-all Yes Please. From watching Poehler in various comedy roles, we know as a population that she is funny. However, her book allows access to her poignant thoughts such as, “the only way we will survive is by being kind” in contrast to her narratives regarding her prior drug usage. Many readers who look to celebrity tell-all books are
looking to hear that people they idolise have been able to overcome similar challenges in life. Tell-all books, while seemingly revealing and open, are very carefully edited and filtered. Celebrities use this platform to sell the best version of themselves, yet we as consumers are consistently buying into it. In the case of celebrity tell-all books, the general population enjoys them as a means to dip our toes into a world that is not our own. As a society, we tend to fixate on the lives of famous people simply because it’s easier to praise or criticise someone else over ourselves. We’ve certainly all watched a “who wore it better” segment on TV or in a magazine only because it’s easier to judge someone else than to look inwardly. By projecting insecurities on celebrities, we take the heat off ourselves as individuals. By reading celebrity tell-all books, we dive into a world outside our own for a little while. As a society, I’d like to think we care more about facts than scandal. In reality, scandal sells more. Tell-all books regarding the past lives of former Playboy models or of outlandish actors or comedians will gather a larger viewership than a memoir reflecting the quiet life of an unknown individual. The recent release about the Trump presidency in the USA has proved extremely successful. Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff, offers insight into an undisputably fascinating and troubling time in American history. Fire and Fury makes bold claims against Trump’s mental health, his intellect, and general stability as a leader. This book is selling in record numbers due to its revelations of scandal in the White House, including Trump’s possible collusion with Russia during the 2016 election. If this book were a passive collection of anecdotes regarding Trump’s successes as a leader, readers would not give the book a second glance. Instead, as readers and as people, we are fascinated by the outrageous. We would rather read something revealing about a stranger than something benign and uninteresting.
By projecting insecurities on celebrities, we take the heat off ourselves as individuals.
While we turn to tell-all books as a source of fascination and of distraction, they remain a crucial element to celebrity culture. However, celebrity “tell-all” books fail to stand up to their name, revealing only PR approved material that could boost someone’s career. The rampant consumption of this type of nonfiction reflects a great deal more about ourselves and the world we live in.
Pictures: staticflickr.com
Celebrity culture is rampant and invasive. We now want to probe even further into the lives of people we idolise, hate, or feel somewhere in between about. There are the obvious reality TV stars, such as the Kardashians, who supposedly allow us to delve deep into their lives. Tell-all books differ from television in that they require a certain amount of effort and dedication. By diving into a tell-all book, the reader might even feel a sense of superiority in which they now have premium access to their favorite famous person’s life.
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OTwo // Arts & Literature
‘Dancing Through Life’- Styles on BROADWAY
Picture: Rhea Cassidy
With the an ever-growing movement to modern styles of dance on stage, Conor Capplis looks at the evolution of dance on Broadway.
Opera and musical theatre have been popular forms of theatrical expression for hundreds of years, and one key element has been bringing these exciting and heartfelt tales to life: Dance!
The 1955 film production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! pioneered the use of jazz, square dancing, and tap to further enhance the excitement of farmers and cowboys.
Since the Ancient Greeks toyed around with the idea of having musical ensembles on stage dance around to enhance the performance, we have been enjoying this art develop into its contemporary form today. The choreography that we see on stage in modern Broadway musicals such as Hamilton, The Lion King, and In the Heights serve as fine examples of what Broadway has come to be. Dance on Broadway is so much more than just a spectacle to wow its audience. The fascinating study in Dance in Musical Theatre by Stacy Wolf and Liza Gennaro, gives an insight into the industry tips and tricks behind those well-choreographed Broadway dances
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fans know so well. Behind the surface of what we see as entertainment, dance can be used as an exploration of character in psychological terms, as a narrative tool, as an unspoken aspect of libretto or as a transitional device. The styles of dance on Broadway vary widely today. Starting from a resurgence of dance in theatre in the mid-20th Century, producers and choreographers began to get creative with how dance could be used as a tool to better tell a story. The 1955 film production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! pioneered the use of jazz, square dancing, and tap to further enhance the excitement of farmers and cowboys. Its famous Dream Ballet sequence incorporated melodies from the show with various forms of ballet, mime, jazz, and other dance techniques, in a way that dazzled the protagonist and the audiences who were still new to seeing dance on Broadway used so creatively. Oklahoma! went on to become a modern classic, with audiences still drawn to theatres today to experience the show first-hand. Another film musical, which used dance in an innovative way on stage, was Stephen Sondheim’s West Side Story. This Romeo and Juliet inspired musical has gone down in history as one of the greats, having its lively and chaotic dance numbers at its core. With further examination of the use of dance in Broadway shows over the years, it’s not hard to find yourself in awe of the talent that has graced the stage. The 1999 production of In the Heights, set in New York, was filled with traditional Latino dancing, something that seemed bizarre on Broadway only half a century earlier. The dance element suddenly became one of the main attractions for audiences to see the show, changing perceptions for what dance should be in musicals. The passion brought to the stage imitated the hustle and bustle of city life and all its social elements,
blossoming into a beautiful arrangement of dance. Though these classic 20th Century musicals have cemented the foundation of dance onstage, it’s easy to see why modern audiences are flocking to see the classics of today, live onstage. The latest musical sensation Hamilton takes us back to revolutionary America, with a hip-hop and rap twist. The use of contemporary music and dance styles are fresh and appealing to a new generation, and modern audiences are latching onto it, gaining worldwide fame and popularity.
The passion brought to the stage imitated the hustle and bustle of city life and all its social elements, blossoming into a beautiful arrangement of dance.
Looking at the evolution of dance in musicals over the past few decades, we can see that dance has developed from being an isolated spectacle on stage, to a relevant art that is intertwined deeply into the rest of the performance. The future of Broadway will always dabble in nostalgic influences from the past, and looking at the latest musical productions to take the stage, it’s exciting to anticipate what’s to come.
Quiet Days Quiet days full of nature surround me with their silence. How peaceful it is to wander freely amongst the dense emerald enclaves. My thoughts drift across the sky of my mind like the cirrus clouds above. Clutter drips from my brain as drops fall from moist treetops, as mud envelops my path. If only everyday were like this. If only my mind was always free. By Senan Tuohy-Hamill
OTwo // Arts & Literature
The Way Madness Lies
Picture: Rhea Cassidy
Mental health is being discussed more and more everyday, Sambhavi Sudhakar looks at how mental illness is portrayed in the theatre.
Mental health is a subject of much avid discussion in recent years. A topic that is generally approached with more sensitivity and caution than that of physical health, mental health has always garnered much exploration and attention in literature, film, and media. It is often associated with either romantically-oriented plots or depicted as psychologically stirring narratives that explore the complexity of human nature. Regardless of Plot art serves as an excellent platform to educate masses on the complexities of mental illness. There have been several stage productions on the subject. Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Long Day’s Journey Into Night, contains autobiographical elements as it chronicles his own family’s addiction to alcohol. The depiction of a family divided by substance abuse serves as an influential narrative in educating audiences against indiscriminate consumption of any element that may pose a threat to its individual, social, and emotional stability. Korie and Frankel’s Grey Gardens, a musical adaptation of the documentary of the same name, follows the lives of Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edith “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale. This adaptation narrates the tale of a mother and daughter who regress from a socially sound status to poverty and ruin in their dilapidated home. Obsessive compulsive disorder, dementia, and schizophrenia are among the illnesses highlighted by this show and it does not shy away from the stigma surrounding
them. Much like Long Day, both pieces are instrumental in carrying a strong message with regard to familial unity and stability being of utmost importance. A study conducted by L. Yotis, C. Theocharopoulos, and C. Fragiadaki observes how theatrical performances can be effective in reducing the stigma directed towards mental disorders. The study also explored how playback theatre involves certain techniques which familiarises actors with the effective portrayal of mental illness on stage. In this manner, there is an effort both on the part of the performers and the audience to gain a fresh perspective on mental health and its intricacies.
Theatrical performances handle subjects like mental health far more cautiously than other forms such as film.
Mark Liermann’s Water by the Spoonful showcases two parallel storylines in which the principal characters are suffering from addiction. A former war veteran named Elliot suffers from PTSD and is addicted to pain killers.
The second storyline follows the lives of characters suffering from cocaine addiction attempting to resolve the problem by interacting on an online platform. As both the narratives intertwine, the prime characters derive emotional strength from their interactions with one another. Given the social isolation of characters due to their addictions, the play makes an attempt to stress on the importance of communication and solidarity amongst people. Even musicals have been impactful in their depictions of mental disorders. Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey, chronicles the life of Diana Goodman who is suffering from bipolar disorder. The story depicts how her illness impacts herself and the rest of her family, as Diana has both good and bad moments while the story unfolds. The 2017 Tony Award winner for Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen, follows the story of a teenager suffering from anxiety. Praised for shining light on how his social life is shaped by anxiety and how social media and the internet can serve as contributing factors, it is no wonder that the musical took home a total of seven Tony Awards in 2017. Theatrical performances handle subjects like mental health far more cautiously than other forms such as film. This is owing to the fact that film productions often dramatise the illness. In this respect, many films of the drama genre often employ mental illness as a theme to orchestrate romance between the main leads. Similarly, many films of the horror or thriller genre use the theme
of mental health to portray incidents of crime and violence. This leads to the illness often being either trivialised in favour of romance or stigmatised as deviant, an occurrence which seems relatively absent in on stage performances.
Film productions often dramatise the illness Bare: A Pop Opera, written by Damon Intrabartolo, draws deeply on cultural context and their influence on an individual’s mental health. The show follows the lives of two young Catholic boys, Jason and Peter, who fall in love in a highly conservative community. The musical drives home the disastrous results of being deeply pressured by a repressive society and the efforts people will go to in order to maintain the social norm, irrespective of their own mental wellbeing. The above productions serve as honest portrayals of mental illnesses which are impactful in terms of reaching out to the audience. In more ways than one, these productions address the complications with regard to mental illnesses, studying how they are deeply intertwined with familial, societal, and institutional factors. They are presented objectively, with ample attention to finer details affecting mental health.
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OTwo // Arts & Literature
My Favourite Book:
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet was, for me, one of those rare stories you didn’t fully realise you needed. Chambers introduces the multispecies crew of the Wayfarer, a ship that builds hyperspace tunnels to easily traverse the galaxy, as they embark on a yearlong journey to a job in a little-known region in space.
This is a snapshot of an intergalactic world, and manages to touch on almost every question that begets the reader.
It’s a simple plot, but an immensely fun book to read, brimming with enthusiasm and the wonder of the universe. The main journey revolves around the characters’ personal voyage. Much in the same vein as the original Star Wars films or Guardians of the Galaxy, the book focuses on the camaraderie between the characters, and on the relationship between themselves and the wider world. Unlike other stories in this genre, there is no chosen one or evil personified to defeat. All the characters are ordinary, but extraordinary in being so. From the human crew to their reptilian pilot and their AI Lovey, the characters are the stars, and everyone grows through the novel’s course. The sci-fi and fantasy genre is often an excellent backdrop to explore larger human themes. Big themes in this book are friendship and family. The characters deal with many challenges, from personal loss to interpersonal conflict, all of which are written in an incredibly humane and empathetic way, making it easy to emphasise with
any or all of them. Another aspect that stood out for me is that this book created a complex world that enhanced the personal stories without distracting the reader. The topnotch world building gently teased out the structural and political aspects of the Galactic Commons and how it came to be. The story is also sprinkled with nuggets of well thought-out physics. Diversity, something which I feel is challenging to do well, is magnificently pulled off. Non-binary characters and references are common. Same-sex relationships, disability, and the associated ostracism, and the differences between various cultures and lifestyles all feature, and do not feel forced. This is a snapshot of an intergalactic world, and manages to touch on almost every question that begets the reader. This story enfolds the reader in a comfortable embrace you will not want to leave. Fun, optimistic, and sincere, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is a breath of fresh air, and a balm to the soul.
Picture: static.pexels.com
A little book with a long title, Danielle Crowley explains why Becky Chamber’s debut is the sci-fi book you’re looking for.
Are Buskers Sweet Songbirds or BANG out of Tune? Many people coming to Ireland from abroad like to talk about the vibrant atmosphere; the chatting, the friendly faces, and the general buzz around towns. An integral part of this atmosphere, particularly in Dublin, are the buskers who are out on the streets every single day, regardless of the weather, delivering a tune to those passing-by. However, busking in Ireland has recently become the subject of some debate with restrictions being considered on where,
Music and performance on the streets helps to build the image of what people imagine Ireland to be.
how, and when buskers can perform. It begs the question: Are buskers sweet songbirds or bang out of tune? Recently, Dublin City Council passed a number of by-laws restricting buskers and street performers in the city centre. This comes with an upsurge of relief, particularly among business owners, that see performers as little more than irritants. One might make the argument that busking in the streets is barely a step up from begging. At least, that is the rationale behind the complete ban on busking
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in cities such as Paris. Furthermore, it might be argued that buskers only add to the ever-increasing noise of the city, which not only contributes to noise pollution but also may discourage people from coming into the city to shop. While you can be tempted to see this point-of-view, it can be difficult to believe. Ireland has always had a wealth of musical talent. We have always had a reputation for a lively and fun atmosphere. Dublin, in particular, is now seen as one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities in Europe. The presence of buskers on Ireland’s streets serves to help and improve this atmosphere and image. Music and performance on the streets helps to build the image of what people imagine Ireland to be. It creates the atmosphere for which Ireland has gained its popularity and also helps to display the wealth of talent that Ireland has to offer. Yes, it does add to the noise of the city, but what is the alternative? Would you prefer to listen to the noise of cars and buses, or perhaps the shouting of someone having a fight? Wouldn’t you rather hear a young sprightly fiddle-player, or a singer-songwriter belting out the songs they wrote in their bedroom? Yes, buskers are loud, but they block out the miserable din of the city and create an atmosphere that is welcoming and lively. If busking were to disappear from Ireland’s streets, it would certainly be missed. There is no replacement for the atmosphere that street performers provide, and if they are contributing to noise pollution, it’s a positive contribution.
Picture: hbieser via pixabay.com
Séan Delaney weighs in on the issue of Dublin’s busking scene.
OTwo // Games
Nintendo Labo: Great Innovation or Load of Old Rubbish? The Nintendo Switch was undoubtedly one of the major gaming highlights of 2017. The ‘hybrid console’ saw soaring demand, with its key appeal being its ability to easily transform between a home console and a portable gaming device. Now seeking to push the limits of the Switch even further, Nintendo recently surprised everyone with its latest product announcement: Nintendo Labo. These Nintendo Labo kits consist of cardboard flat packs which can be used to build a host of ‘toy con’ creations including a piano, a fishing rod, and a wearable robot suit. It’s when these cardboard builds are paired together with the Switch, that the magic truly happens. Suddenly, the user is able to play their constructed piano, use the fishing rod to reel in an on-screen fish, and transform themselves into a giant rampaging robot. Since the announcement of Nintendo Labo, there have been mixed reactions online. Many applaud the creative nature of these IKEA flat-pack type kits, which offer a unique blend of video game and traditional toy. Some saw the product’s potential application in education through encouraging
Picture: wikimedia.org
Katie Lalwani takes a look at Nintendo’s latest product announcement and whether it will live up to the hype. children’s creative development and problem-solving abilities. It could also inspire an interest in engineering, coding, and arts and crafts from a young age.
Many applaud the creative nature of these IKEA flatpack type kits, which offer a unique blend of video game and traditional toy.
Not everyone is a fan of the idea however. Some were quick to call the product a gimmick. Many questioned how a few pieces of cardboard and string could be so expensive. It is unclear whether the builds and accompanying mini-game will provide more than shortterm satisfaction and if players really are
getting their money’s worth. Others have raised concerns about the sensibility of encouraging young children to use such a fragile and expensive piece of technology as physical toys. Regardless of its pitfalls, Nintendo Labo is a perfect example of Nintendo bringing innovation to the gaming industry. It can be seen as a further development for the future of virtual reality gaming, an area which is currently seeing great interest. Currently available for preorder, Nintendo Labo will hit the shops this coming April. Starting off, there are two different kits on offer: a variety kit and a robot kit. Both contain the materials needed to build the ‘toy con’ as well as a game cartridge to work together with the Switch. While the trailer offers a sneak
peak at what the future has in store, it is clear that this is just the beginning for Nintendo Labo. There is limitless potential for the product to develop further, with more kits and new ‘toy con’ varieties certainly expected to come. There is plenty of potential for crossovers with main Nintendo titles such as Super Mario and Zelda with games featuring ‘toy con’ peripherals. Overall, it is difficult to say just yet whether the Nintendo Labo will be an innovation that endures or a short fad. Regardless of its success, the product fulfills the need for fresh ideas in the industry and may push other games companies to think outside the (cardboard) box.
Games: What to Look Out For in 2018 With some big franchises making a return as well as a host of fresh new games, Katie Lalwani takes a look at what to get excited about. With new major console releases, developments in 4K gaming and plenty of great games, 2017 was a year to be remembered. It will be difficult for 2018 to live up to all the previous year had to offer. But that doesn’t mean a quiet year for the gaming industry. Here are just some top picks from this year’s upcoming fresh batch of game releases. 2018 sees the return of a number of big blockbuster hits including Far Cry 5. The game is set in the fictional Hope
County, a rural area in the American Northwest, under control of the tyrannical cult ‘Eden’s Gate.’ Players are tasked with taking on the doomsday cultists and their leader Joseph Seed, promised to be “the biggest and most ruthless, baddest enemy Far Cry has ever seen.” You traverse a sprawling open world with new weapons, allies, and animal companions at your disposal, as you liberate Hope County. This year also sees the release
of the long awaited follow up to Red Dead Redemption. Set before the original, the game follows the story of outlaw Arthur Morgan. Aside from hints within the game trailer released at last year’s E3, details of the story are still under wraps leaving fans of the original game speculating on what’s to come. It remains to be seen how the promised
The game offers ample opportunity to sail to islands, seek out buried treasure, and drink plenty of grog while taking on rival pirate crews along the way.
online multiplayer mode will work, how expansive the map will be and whether John Marston, the beloved protagonist from the original, will be making an appearance. Familiar franchises are not the only games to get excited about, with a host of new games also coming our
way. Buddy co-op adventure A Way Out sees two players take on the roles of prisoners Leo and Vincent. The goal is to work together to break out of prison and evade the authorities. Melee brawls, shootouts, and thrilling car chases with a friend definitely make this game one to watch. Another worthy mention is Sea of Thieves, a fun multiplayer pirate adventure game which finally has a release date this year. Players band together to crew a ship and fare the high seas as they navigate through the sandbox style game. The game offers ample opportunity to sail to islands, seek out buried treasure, and drink plenty of grog while taking on rival pirate crews along the way. With the unexpected major success of last year’s Player Unknown Battlegrounds, expect the gaming scene to be flooded with Battle Royale modes as everyone tries to get in on the action. Crazy Justice, Hunt: Showdown, and The Darwin Project are just a handful of games currently in development which may make an appearance this year. Amongst those games keen in unashamedly ripping off PUBG, expect a number of games with their own unique take on the last man standing trend including those with the addition of teams, storylines, and more. With plenty on offer from major franchise returns to brand new titles, there is certainly something for everyone coming out in 2018.
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OTwo // Film & TV
Review: Den of Thieves Director: Christian Gudegast Starring: Gerard Butler, Pablo Schreiber, O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson Writer: Christian Gudegast Release Date: 2nd February Reviwed by Alexander Glover Den of Thieves is your typical cop film about bank robbers planning the heist to end all heists. Nick O’Brien (Butler) leads an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff ’s Department, which goes by the name of ‘The Regulators.’ The unit has been surveilling a criminal gang called ‘The Outlaws’ made up of ex-military men.
The film is full of bad-cop clichés and a lot of Butler’s dialogue seems forced and quite unnatural. This is writer Christian Gudegast’s directorial debut and he does a commendable job. There are some excellent action sequences and the film has a highly entertaining climax. The film also has strong cinematography with some stunning visual imagery and beautiful pan-out shots of Los Angeles. The film falters however in its story and dialogue. Whilst the story is not bad, it is one that audiences will be familiar
with thanks to most bank robbery films. There are striking similarities with Heat (1995) starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, but Butler and Schreiber are no match for that iconic duo. There are strange psychological games going on between Nick and Merriman but the two usually remain silent in their interactions. The film is full of bad-cop clichés and a lot of Butler’s dialogue seems forced and quite unnatural. He plays a cop with such disregard for the law that he smokes in every public place he visits. With that being said, the acting is decent in spite of the poor dialogue. Butler’s performance is delivered with his typical physicality. We see that O’Shea Jackson Jr. is an actor capable of more than just impersonating his father. 50 Cent does most of his acting by way of facial expressions with a noticeable lack of lines. To ensure the action was done well, the cast underwent two weeks of military training and it shows. The casting team also placed a strong emphasis on picking only those with serious muscle mass. Aside from Jackson Jr., everybody seems to have trained hard for filming, Butler says he gained 25 pounds for it. At two hours and twenty minutes, the film is unnecessarily long. The action scenes that bookend the film are nail-biting, but a lot of the scenes in between
could have been cut. The scenes which attempt to give the characters’ backstories are the weakest except for ‘the prom scene’. This one adds comedic relief and shows a human side to the Outlaws.
In a nutshell: This film does exactly as it says on the tin. It’s an action-packed, high-octane, predictable bank robbery flick with great cinematography and decent acting.
Review: I, Tonya Director: Craig Gillespie Writer: Steven Rogers
Starring: Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, Sebastian Stan and Paul Walter Hauser Release Date: 23rd February Reviwed by Jessica Nugent
I, Tonya is the biopic of Tonya Harding, an American figure skater who shot to fame in 1991 after becoming the first American to complete the notoriously
difficult triple axel. Despite her skills on the ice, it was her soap opera-like life offscreen that made her a household name and makes for the perfect drama.
Margot Robbie does an excellent job of making the audience fall in love with Tonya. While she initially comes across as tough, we later see a more vulnerable side to her character. Brought up by a single mother who is excellently portrayed by Allison Janney, Tonya is shown little to no affection. From the minute Tonya begins to skate, her mother is there to push her to her absolute limits, resulting in an extremely tense and hostile relationship.
Margot Robbie does an excellent job of making the audience fall in love with Tonya.
It isn’t until Tonya meets her husband-to-be that she seems happy. However, their relationship isn’t as healthy as it initially appears to be. Despite Tonya’s tumultuous relationship with both her mother and her husband, skating remains her priority. The only thing in the way of her Olympic dreams is fellow American teammate and rival Nancy Kerrigan. Tonya is the underdog you can’t help but root for. She is the opposite of everything we expect from a figure
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skater. She’s brash, bold, and aggressive, a product of the turbulent environment around her, but when she steps out on the ice she’s at home, the epitome of elegance and class. With every jump, you can’t help but hold your breath and hope she sticks the landing. Although Tonya’s story is dark and gripping you will find yourself laughing throughout this twisted comedy. A lot of those comedic elements come from Janney’s performance, whose blunt and unpleasant nature is so outrageous, it’s hilarious. ‘Motherly’ is not a word that comes to mind. This transformative role can, however, be described as award-winning, with Janney taking home a SAG award for her role as well as a Golden Globe for Best-Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. Those familiar with Harding’s story will be aware of the controversy that surrounded her when rival Kerrigan was attacked and left unable to perform in the National Championships. This film shines a light on how it all affected Harding and what her involvement in it really was. The use of cutaway ‘interview’ scenes allows the audience to feel closer to Tonya, especially when the fourth wall is broken. In a nutshell: A strangely hilarious depiction of Harding’s turbulent life, delivered by a stellar cast.
OTwo // Film & TV
The Importance of Award Shows
Picture: staticflickr.com
With award season upon us, Dylan O’Neill asks why we still love award shows despite not always agreeing with who wins.
Be it the Academy Awards or the Emmy Awards, the BAFTAs or the IFTAs, these red-carpet events celebrate the productions and the people who dedicate themselves to bringing us entertainment. But aside from the “who wore it better?” lists we see the next day, what is the point of these shows? “It’s an honour just to be nominated” is a phrase that is used by many actors and directors, shortly after they are shortlisted for an award. Besides being a humble response to anyone who asks, there is some truth to go along with it. Accolades are featured prominently on any advertisement for a film or television series because it informs the audience that a group of people, whose opinion we are supposed to trust, deem it worthwhile to invest their time (and money) in that production. This starts a snowball effect as more and more people begin to watch the films or television series to remain up-to-date and maintain relevance in the conversations surrounding it. The following grows until the production has a worldwide audience and its actors gain name recognition. In this way, being nominated basically guarantees viewership by peer-pressure alone. However, with some films and television series, the opinons of critics do not always reflect the views of the general audience. A prime example of this rare phenomenon is when Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever (1995) received three Oscar nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Effect
Editing, and Best Sound. One would assume that with three Oscar nominations the film would be well received by fans, but on the contrary, fans scored it a disappointing 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, commenting on the ridiculousness of the alterations Schumacher made to the Batsuit, complete with nipples.
Members of the Academy (the people who decide the winners and losers) can’t be too harshly judged.
Probably the most notorious case of critics praising a movie that was objectively terrible is Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009). Astonishingly, members of the cast and production team commented on the film’s failings. It says a lot when the director of a movie is on record saying he thought “it was crap.” Despite all the complaints surrounding the production and the miserable score of 19% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing. This meant the film could advertise as being Oscar-nominated.
Members of the Academy (the people who decide the winners and losers) can’t be too harshly judged. Sometimes they get it wrong, sometimes they don’t. They were responsible for Moonlight (2016) winning Best Picture, a movie which follows the life of a gay man of colour. A win which carried greater importance than just the presenting of a statue, as it sparked conversation on the topics of gay and civil rights across social media. If we take a look at the world of television, and the Emmy awards, the most controversial moment from 2017 was the snubbing of screen legend Oprah Winfrey, for her role in the HBO movie The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. This movie showed viewers the life of Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman whose cells were used (without her consent) to create the first immortal human cell line. The Hollywood Foreign Press (HFP) is also guilty of its fair share of misjudgement. 50 Cent’s hit television series Power somehow managed to be over-looked in every category of the Golden Globe Awards, despite being the second most watched cable series, after Game Of Thrones. This occurred every year since the show’s inception to date. However, the HFP has also garnered much praise over its decision to award Best Motion Picture and Best Television Series to Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Handmaid’s Tale, respectively. Both winners highlight the mistreatment of
women in modern society and have been referenced in many social protests in recent months. So why do we continue to tune into these award shows when there is clearly so much disagreement between fans and critics over who and what should win? Yes, to see what people are wearing on the red carpet is a legitimate answer. The more obvious answer is of the proud history of recipients using their allotted time to highlight important issues of the time. Take for example, Halle Barry who after receiving her Academy Award in the category of Best Actress, acknowledged the historical significance of her win, “This moment is so much bigger than me... It’s for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened”. In 2017, upon receiving the Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime achievement, Meryl Streep recounted how Tommy Lee Jones once said: “Isn’t it such a privilege just to be an actor?” and publicly denounced President Donald Trump for abusing his privilege in mocking a journalist with a disability. Issues such as these reach an extended audience when household names in entertainment use their time to promote a cause, bringing it to the forefront of peoples’ minds. Award shows hold great importance in today’s world because they reward the people we idolise for their work in informing us of the lives of the people around us.
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OTwo // Film & TV
Social Cinema
Pictures: staticflickr.com
With societal issues becoming the theme of everything from films to TV advertisements, Paurush Kumar investigates the effectiveness of using film to make an impact.
Films have the tremendous power not only to entertain but also to bring about social change. Big films have the power to reach large audiences around the globe and can be used as a helpful medium to educate audiences. Films which bring up taboo topics can be challenging because the audience wants entertainment; the primary purpose for which films were initially intended. Sometimes it can be difficult for a person to understand what discrimination, poverty or suffering feels like until one experiences it. Films can act as the medium to make people realise how it feels because they have the power to transfer the person to an altogether different realm, while still making the point hit home. They make you empathise with the characters that may or may not exist in real life and they make you realise hardships which audiences may never have known existed. Social Cinema began in the middle of the last century and has been aimed at penetrating the communal issues of society from then on. Movies like Ordet (1955) and The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979) spoke about societal issues post-World War II. The story of a person willing to die by choice against the societal norms was well depicted in the film A Short Stay in Switzerland (2009) and the Bollywood film Guzaarish (2009). Made in Dagenham (2010) speaks
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about the unequal pay of men and women that was prevalent in the 1960s and still remains an issue in today’s society. The firing of people because of their sexuality was well portrayed in the Tom Hanks’ film Philadelphia (1993). This is also seen in the Indian film industry where movies such as My Brother Nikhil (2005) made people aware of the mistreatment and sacking of people because of their disease.
It is essential for a film dealing with social issues to also be interesting and entertaining and this is where the writer’s role comes into play.
It is essential for a film dealing with social issues to also be interesting and entertaining and this is where the writer’s role comes into play. The recently released movie Ribbon (2017), the comedy 9 to 5 (1980) and Disclosure
(1994) all spoke about harassment at the workplace. They portrayed the issue in different lights as a drama, a comedy, and a thriller, respectively. This shows the many ways a writer can tell an important story. The films must be entertaining or else nobody will go to see them and then the impact they could have on society is wasted. Many films have attempted to portray social issues but have failed to capture the eyes of large audiences. The failure of these movies suggests that audiences were not ready to digest the on-going evils prevalent in society, especially if they were made with a serious undertone. It is also possible that one does not want to face the hardcore reality of today’s society. This might be because the people want to ‘escape’ from reality and venture into a world where nothing is real. However, the recent critical and commercial successes of the highly controversial yet entertaining Udta Punjab [Flying Punjab] (2017) and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) have paved the way for more cinema which deals with serious issues in a funny way, at least in India. Pink (2016) was a film that made a huge impact on audiences all over India as did Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016) which dealt with some taboo topics such as desire and a woman’s consent. Lately, the environment has been a
huge cause for concern. Films such as The Day After Tomorrow (2004) and 2012 (2009) show highly dramatised versions of the destruction climate change can have on our planet. These films, while being exaggerated and over the top, make viewers consider how they are impacting the world around them with their actions and consumption. Off-screen, actor Leonardo DiCaprio is just one of many who has spoken about their concern for the rising temperatures due to global warming and have tried to change the world for the better. Bollywood actors like Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Amitabh Bachchan have appeared in films or TV advertisements for free to raise awareness of the social evils that are still prevalent and need to be eradicated from our society for the better. Not only that, celebrities have refrained from celebrating certain festivals because they can cause immense pollution and also joined forces with a few NGOs to help eradicate certain social evils of the community. However, it is not the actions of big film stars that are going to change the world. Actors, screenwriters, and filmmakers, use their platform to call the rest of us to action. We must listen and rise up against the evils at play in today’s society.
OTwo // Film & TV
Shining a Spotlight on Irish Film
Pictures: flicker.com/wikimedia.com
With the recent success of Irish actors and productions in Hollywood, Alexander Glover takes a look back at some of the best Irish films from the last few decades.
Oscar buzz is at a fever pitch now with just over a month to go until the ceremony. Irish eyes have been drawn to news of five Irish nominations. Saoirse Ronan has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her part in Lady Bird. This comes after her win at the Golden Globes and marks Ronan’s third Oscar nomination at just 23 years old.
For such a small, isolated country separated from Hollywood by the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland has certainly made its mark on Tinsel Town over the years.
Kilkenny-based animation studio, Cartoon Saloon has also received its third nomination, this time for The Breadwinner which faces tough competition from Coco for Best Animated Feature. Suggesting three could be the magic number for the Irish on the night, costume designer Consolata Boyle picked up her third nomination for her work on Victoria & Abdul. The final two Irish nominations go to Martin McDonagh, the Irish-British writer and director. His film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, has been nominated for Best Motion Picture and Best Original Screenplay. McDonagh has previously won an Oscar for Best Short Film in 2006 with Six Shooter.
For such a small, isolated country separated from Hollywood by the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland has certainly made its mark on Tinsel Town over the years. In fact, the Oscar statuette was designed in 1929 by Dubliner Cedric Gibbons who was the head art director at MGM. Gibbons is also Ireland’s most decorated Oscar nominee and recipient, being nominated for 39 Academy Awards and winning eleven of them. 1989 kicked off somewhat of an Irish film renaissance with My Left Foot receiving five Oscar nominations. Daniel Day-Lewis won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his turn as Christy Brown and Brenda Fricker won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Christy’s mother. The film missed out on Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay as did Jim Sheridan for Best Director. The following year saw a Best Actor in a Leading Role nomination for Richard Harris for his performance in Sheridan’s The Field. Harris is best-known among this generation as Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. 1993 saw seven Oscar nominations for Sheridan’s In the Name of the Father but unfortunately no wins. His impact on Irish film cannot be understated. Following this run of Oscar-nominated films, Sheridan went on to write and direct other influential Irish features such
1989 kicked off somewhat of an Irish film renaissance with My Left Foot receiving five Oscar nominations.
as The Boxer, In America (three more Oscar nominations) and most recently The Secret Scripture. His most surprising work came in 2005 when he directed 50 Cent’s biopic Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
The early noughties saw important societal issues being delivered with Irish wit in the form of comedy dramas.
Aside from Oscar-nominated films, the nineties and noughties saw some of the best Irish releases. Roddy Doyle’s ‘Barrytown Trilogy’ includes three films that are always ranked among the best and most loved of our country. 1991’s The Commitments, 1993’s The Snapper and 1996’s The Van are all hilarious renditions of ordinary life in Dublin in the 1990s. The late nineties saw successful period pieces such as Neil Jordan’s Michael Collins starring Liam Neeson, Jordan’s The Butcher Boy and the adaptation of Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. The early noughties saw important societal issues being delivered with Irish wit in the form of comedy dramas. 2004’s Adam and Paul deals with the issue of homelessness in Dublin. The film manages to make audiences laugh out loud whilst also being deeply touching. That same year Irish audiences were treated to the brilliant Inside I’m Dancing (also known as Rory O’Shea was Here). A 25-year-old James McAvoy stars as the titular character who is wheelchair-bound due to muscular dystrophy. He enters a home for the disabled and brings fun and freedom into the life of
Michael (Steven Robertson) who has cerebral palsy. Continuing this trend, Neil Jordan’s Breakfast on Pluto was released in 2005. The film stars Cillian Murphy as a young trans woman who leaves her small Irish town in the 1970s to go to London where she feels her gender identity will be overlooked. In recent times, Irish animation has been well-received by the Academy and audiences alike. 2009 saw nominations for both The Secret of Kells and Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty produced by Cartoon Saloon and Brown Bag Films, respectively. This was followed by Song of the Sea’s nomination in 2014.
Here’s hoping 2018 will be the year the Irish win big at Hollywood’s most-coveted award ceremony.
2015 marked a return to Oscar-form for Irish film talent with seven nominations shared between Brooklyn and Room. The latter was written by Irish Novelist Emma Donoghue. American actress Brie Larson won the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the film. Unfortunately, not many of the great Irish films can currently be found on Netflix. Those that are currently available and are worth checking out are the recently added In Bruges starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, Handsome Devil which was nominated for Feature Film of the Year at the IFTAs, Young Offenders and Sing Street. Here’s hoping 2018 will be the year the Irish win big at Hollywood’s most-coveted award ceremony.
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OTwo // Interview
Hollow Stitches: An Interview With Maria Kelly
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OTwo // Interview
I met with Maria Kelly just before she left for Berlin to record songs for a new project. Still shaking off the last remnants of a Christmas cold, she suggested meeting in The Good Food Shop for a coffee.
I write really introspectively and …when I was younger I was really bad at expressing how I was feeling and I think I started songwriting to do that myself.
As with any music artist, the most interesting question is always “how did you get started?” Maria just smiled, no doubt expecting the question, “When I was younger I used to busk on Shop Street and play outside the town hall.” For the Mayo native, her final year in BIMM Dublin Music College is just a small part of the journey. Kelly’s first single ‘Before It Has Begun’ was released by Veta Records in 2015, and has been described as a fusion of atmospheric alternative folk, taking influence from the likes of Daughter and Staves. “The basis of it is folk, so I started playing guitar to Irish traditional music.” Among some of the other artists that have influenced Kelly’s music are Kina Grannis, Orla Gartland, and Regina Spektor. Speaking about Regina Spektor she says, “I loved her ability to story tell and she had this really kooky way of writing and singing.” With the recent release of her debut EP ‘The Things I Should,’ she has begun to listen to the singer/songwriter Phoebe Bridgers. The tone of Kelly’s music shows the
journey she is on both professionally and personally. “I write really introspectively and …when I was younger I was really bad at expressing how I was feeling and I think I started songwriting to do that myself.” Her writing sparked the interest of Matt Harris, co-founder of Veta Records, who offered to work alongside Maria and produce and distribute her songs. “He just saw me play at a gig and he basically just liked what I was doing.” However, social media has played a huge part in helping spread her music to listeners. “Spotify is great once your song gets picked up, because so many people can hear it but it’s quite difficult to get your song picked up and get it in playlists. I find Instagram is great. People take things in visually, much more than they do on Facebook.” After three years of working with Veta Records, Maria has played shows across Ireland and the UK, performing in venues such as the Servant Jazz Quarters in London, the Great Escape and Electric Picnic. One of Kelly’s favourite venues to play at is Workman’s. “The sound is always really good. It also feels like someone’s old house.” Used to more intimate settings, Kelly found visiting the National Concert Hall, where she will be performing in a couple of weeks’ time, “surreal.” “I feel like it would be a lot more formal, and a bit more serious, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
One of Kelly’s favourite venues to play at is Workman’s. One of the highlights of last year for Kelly, was winning the RTE 2FM’s Other Voices vote, and travelling to Dingle, Kerry to take part in the eir Other Voices Festival. The festival featured acts from both Irish and international artists. Wyervn Lingo and Sigrid were just two of the big-name stars at the festival that
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OTwo // Interview
Kelly met (or was in the vicinity of, being too star-struck to say “hello”). “The actual experience was amazing. We were treated really well. It was really weird being in front of loads of cameras, but we had our make-up done.” Now with a fan-base of over 3,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, is it any wonder that Kelly has been asked to support artists such as KT Tunstall, James Vincent McMorrow, Marc Cohen, and Billie Marten? Kelly certainly didn’t believe it at first. “It was just insane. Every time I hear it I’m just like ‘that was me!’” Having artists such as these in her corner, Kelly says, is a real confidence boost. “It’s easy to get lost in everything like with the album and social media and when you get to do stuff like that and you see people who are obviously established, giving you the thumbs up, that’s really reassuring.” Her work over the past few years has not gone unnoticed. Kelly was both terrified and elated to be named one of the Irish Times “50 People To Watch.” She felt both the pressure to write music and the excitement of someone thinking that much of her in 2016. Overall, Kelly
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said that the article brought a lot of “positive things” to her. “A lot of people saw that article, I think I gained more of an audience from that, it was just another confidence boost really.” More recently, following her hometown concert in Westport, Kelly was named one of Golden Plec’s Picks of 2018. “I got to hang out for the day and chat loads about my songwriting which I always love to delve into.” The positive thing about being selected for this award, is not only the article that was written, but they also promise to share and promote the artist’s work. At this point, Kelly looked bashfully at her drink, recounting how she met one of the writers at an industry festival, and happened to mention that it would be “very nice to do the Golden Plec’s thing. Maybe I just sweet talked him, I don’t know.” Looking to the future, Kelly plans on releasing a single with her friend, singer/songwriter Ailbhe Reddy, but her big project of the year is to be released in April. Coinciding with her thesis, Kelly plans a whole physical release surrounding the theme of mental health. “I’ve
Kelly was both terrified and elated to be named one of the Irish Times “50 People To Watch,” feeling both the pressure to write music and the excitement of someone thinking that much of her in 2016.
just been writing about it a lot recently and bringing it more into my everyday conversation with people.” Opening up about her experience with social anxiety, Kelly said how remarkable it was for her to discover just how many people it effects. One day she was working on a song and she asked on her Instagram account if people would describe their experience with social anxiety. “I took loads of the words used to describe social anxiety and filtered them into my song. I want to release that basically as this project and just be really vocal about what it’s about.” One particular story that moved her was a woman coming up to her and telling her about a song called “Dark Places,” which contained a very literal description of what it feels like to be depressed. “She made this really good point that people, especially in Ireland, are very afraid to look at the dark.” Keeping with her more intimate line-up of gigs for 2018, Maria Kelly will be playing in Fumbally Stables on February 15th. Maria’s latest single ‘Hollow” is now available on Spotify.
OTwo // Music
A Serious interview with Super Silly Speaking with bassist and rapper: Solo. Mary Meadhbh Park discusses the music and future of Super Silly. from the people that we listen to and we take what we need and think, ‘OK, how can we morph this? How can we make this amazing sound?’” Super Silly’s music is certainly
When I’m producing the music, I’m putting myself into the music but I’m also thinking about other people who are listening to it, like, what do I want to make them feel.
unique. In ‘Not Ready to Leave,’ they incorporate R&B, hip-hop, and funk influences, with psychedelic bass interludes and a touch of beat poetry. This fusion of genres is a common feature of the group’s work. “They have funk elements in them, and then the way we sing, the way we ride the beat… we’re playing with rhythms and we’re trying to get people feeling things they’ve never felt before,” says Solo. The lyrics of ‘Not Ready to Leave’ comes across as both meaningful and relatable. The pre-chorus, for example, goes: “Tunnel vision blocks away the truth/Don’t judge me for the path I choose/I still know where the truth lies/Let me skate a little longer on this thin ice.” I ask Solo about his song-writing
Super Silly is made up of four young musicians: Solo, Grvz, Whodis, and Glory, who all met playing gospel at church. They released their first single, ‘No Pressure’ in 2016 and since then have played many festivals and gigs all around Ireland, including the Cork Jazz Festival, Hard Working Class Heroes, Sim Simma, and Forbidden Fruit. ‘No Pressure,’ went on to get a lot of online attention after a remix was released with Australian production duo, Odd Mob. I meet Solo on his own, and he has a humble air about the success of the track: “It was our first song – as corny as it was, people just liked it.” He picks one word to describe the group’s sound: “progressive. We’re trying to do something that hasn’t been done before. We’re trying to create the same type of energy Travis Scott would create, but with live instruments… But making [them] not sound like live instruments.” He offers good insights into the workings of the music industry, saying, “Music is changing at such a fast rate and people are adapting to it… You listen to Travis
process. “I’m a writer first, I like to be poetic with what I write... When I’m producing the music, I’m putting myself into the music but I’m also thinking about other people who are listening to it, like, what do I want to make them feel…I want to transcend my emotions into the music so that they can feel how I’m feeling.” Super Silly have found a perfect balance between serious and fun. Their music captures what it is to be young right now, with a mixture of self-discovery and anxiety along with optimism and positivity. Their backgrounds also play a part in their music: “We’re still very African at heart. We represent where we’re from, but we also represent Europe, and we represent Dublin, and we represent Ireland.” It seems important to the group to bridge the gap between present and future. Super Silly are releasing a new single in February, and a four-track EP in May. Solo won’t give much away, but he promises that we’ll like what we hear. Some of Super Silly’s tracks can be found on Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, and iTunes, but Solo suggests that going to a gig is the best way to get a real sense of the group: “The energy is insane… People go crazy! We love playing live.” Showing confidence for the group’s future, Solo remarks: “We plan on taking over the year! 2018 is our year, and I know that for sure. He adds “We played a lot of big festivals last year, not necessarily the biggest stages, but this year you’ll find us on the big stages.” As Super Silly grow and evolve, they are definitely a group to be watched out for. Solo is emphatic: “You’ll be hearing a lot of us!” Super Silly play It Takes A Village on April 14th and Button Factory on May 19th. New single ‘Here’ is released March 2nd, EP released May 11th.
Scott, Future, and then you listen to the 1975… and like they’re almost trying to bring people to their time.” Super Silly come across as artists
We’re trying to do something that hasn’t been done before. We’re trying to create the same type of energy Travis Scott would create.
above all else. Solo seems genuine in his desire to be authentic and original, something that isn’t so easy in the music industry right now. “We’re not trying to be someone else, we take inspiration
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OTwo // Music
Gig Guide
Radar: Jane
Willow
Cian Montague chats to rising star Jane Willow about her upcoming debut EP, musical influences, and opening for Glen Hansard
RAT BOY – 3 FEB – GREEN ROOM AT THE ACADEMY Following the 2017 release of his debut album, Rat Boy is primed to take on an Irish audience, equipped with snarky attitude, high energy, and a unique blend of musical styles. Heavily influenced by indie rock, hip-hop, and ska, 21-year-old Jordan Cardy has come out swinging. Narrative-driven lyrics tackling current events as well as more personal topics, accompanied by melodic guitars, ensure an exciting and entertaining show. Tickets from €19.35. Check it out if you like: Jamie T, Arctic Monkeys, Blur. WILD BEASTS – 15 FEB OLYMPIA THEATRE Given the announcement of their disbandment last autumn, this may be the last opportunity to see this acclaimed British indie group. Initially bursting onto the scene nearly fifteen years ago, the four-piece are no strangers to an Irish crowd, having previously performed at Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit, and Longitude. The band’s latest works, EP Punch Drunk & Trembling and full-length Boy King, have seen an unapologetic lyrical embrace of lust, virility, and mortality, achieved through relentless synth, thumping bass, and distinct vocals ranging from piercing falsetto to smooth baritone. Tickets from €28.50. Check it out if you like: Nine Inch Nails, Everything Everything, or Future Islands. CORY WONG – 23 FEB THE SUGAR CLUB This Minnesota guitarist honed his impressive skill and style through recording and touring with names such as Gene Simmons, Ben Rector, and most notably Vulfpeck. Wong met them at a house gig in 2012 and has frequently collaborated with them since. Following a recent crowd-funding effort to support the production of his latest album, Cory Wong and the Green Screen Band, Wong reaches Dublin with funky, eclectic sound and striking visual aesthetics in tow. Tickets from €15. Check it out if you like: Thundercat, Khruangbin, Lettuce. THE UNDERACHIEVERS – 24 FEB – GREEN ROOM AT THE ACADEMY N e w Yo r k h i p - h o p d u o t h e Underachievers have had a whirlwind five years, which produced three studio albums, one EP, and a further three mixtapes. The influence of producer Flying Lotus is evident in this psychedelic hiphop act, whom he signed to his label, Brainfeeder, in 2012. Since touring with Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, and others back in 2013, the duo have further harnessed their relaxed vibe, fusing experimental hip-hop with a classic 80s New York sound. Tickets from €19.50. Check it out if you like: Vince Staples, A$AP Mob, Mick Jenkins.
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For many students, post-college life can be daunting. Jane Willow, a singer-songwriter who graduated from IADT last year, knows all about the grind of pursuing a music career. Originally from the Netherlands, Willow, now 28, moved to Ireland some seven years ago and studied sound design in college. For her, the future must involve a dual career: “For most people in the creative industries, it’s not enough money, so you have to do a lot of things.” So currently, while recording and gigging, Willow is also searching for a sound design internship or assistant post.
Last August, Willow opened for Glen Hansard in Vicar Street.
Willow cites Irish artists Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan, and Glen Hansard as key influences on her sound, as well as Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, and Joni Mitchell. In November, she managed to raise over €4,000 for the recording of her debut EP, through the crowdfunding site Fund It. The six-track project is due to be released this summer. “It’s a full band deal,” explains Willow, “It’s going to be centred on my voice in the songs, but then there’s going to be interesting texture.” She says it should, “hopefully [have] a varied sound.” Willow’s single ‘On My Mind,’ released in November, seems a good indication of this. The track is lushly produced, with piano, cello and percussion, as well as Willow’s own guitar, but it is the tender vocals that demand the listener’s attention. It’s clear that Willow greatly values integrity in songwriting: “It has to be something that I believe, or feel, or think… and it has to move people. Just be real in what you do, and people will gravitate towards that.” Booking gigs and raising her profile has been hard work, but she has had lucky breaks, too. Last August, Willow opened for Glen Hansard in Vicar Street. She had asked a well-connected friend if he could get her a ticket for the show. “And then he just called me and was like, ‘You’re opening for him,’” she laughs, “I was like, ‘Yeah, whatever.’” A lot has happened since then, too. “I’ve had the fundraiser, two gigs with my band, about twenty gigs on my own… I’ve been doing this for quite a while now, but now I seem to be getting the reactions that I always wanted!” Willow offers some advice to young people attempting to follow a similar path: “Be honest with people about your dreams and your desires… Nine out of ten times, you will get a ‘no,’ but the one time you get a ‘yes’, that will push you to keep going.” Passion requires persistence. Jane Willow will be playing Music Showcase in Dun Laoghaire at 7:30. Tickets are €5 for four performances.
OTwo // Music
What to Expect from Music in 2018
Pictures: Gage Skidmore via staticflicker.com/ Jose Francisco via flickr.com/ wikimedia.com
Aoife Mawn outlines what to expect from popular music artists in 2018.
Predicting what’s going to happen in the world of music over the next 12 months is pretty near impossible. Sure, we can discuss the album releases, the big comebacks, the festivals, and so on, but really, anything can happen. 2018 is shaping up to be a huge year, but what do we think we can expect? You couldn’t escape ‘Despacito’ last year, and Camila Cabello has been ruling the airwaves with her Latin-inspired track ‘Havana.’ It looks like we haven’t heard the last of Latin pop: it’s predicted that this year we will hear more mainstream artists try to get in on the trend, as Justin Bieber and Beyoncé did last year. Since One Direction announced their hiatus in 2015, there has been something of a lull on the boyband scene. Given that 2017 was such a massive year for K-pop, and groups like BTS in particular, perhaps we can expect boybands to make a comeback, and in a stylistically new direction. Speaking of comebacks, we can’t ignore the imminent return of some classic noughties indie favourites. We haven’t heard any new material from Arctic Monkeys in almost five years, the longest they’ve ever left us hanging, but a new album is slated for release this year, and shows have been announced. We can also expect projects from Franz Ferdinand, their first record since 2013’s Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, and the Fratellis, whose superb 2015 album Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied seemed to slip through the mainstream
cracks somewhat. George Ezra performed excellently at last year’s Glastonbury, and is due to release his new record in March. We’re sure to hear his acoustic pop songs being played to death over the coming months, but it will be a welcome return from an artist who has pretty much nailed his sound. Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne should be releasing their debut albums this year and it will be interesting to see how they perform commercially, compared to the other former members of One Direction. On the topic of ex-boybanders, Justin Timberlake is also bringing out his fifth solo effort this Spring. We’re pretty much guaranteed to get the song of the summer from this, but we may want to pull our ears off come August, when we feel it’s all we’ve listened to this year. Azealia Banks is due to release her second studio album this year, and it will be interesting to see the result, considering the controversies that have often overshadowed her music. Charli XCX brought out two well-received mixtapes, as well as the anthemic ‘Boys’ last year. Hopefully, an album in 2018 will help her find the pop success she deserves as an artist in her own right, and not just as a featured voice. Although claiming that more material was on its way, Kanye West has largely dropped off the grid since 2016’s The Life of Pablo. He allegedly spent part of last year holed up in the mountains of Wyoming, working on new music. Naturally, this has made
for one of 2018’s most keenly anticipated releases. For those who enjoyed Frank Ocean’s run of songs in 2017, he has promised that 2018 will be even better, hinting that he has something in the pipeline.
Given that 2017 was such a massive year for K-pop, and groups like BTS in particular, perhaps we can expect boybands to make a comeback, and in a stylistically new direction.
Last year, Cardi B shot to super-stardom with ‘Bodak Yellow;’ remarkably becoming the first female rapper to top the US charts with a solo single since Lauryn Hill, back in 1998. Now the world waits with bated breath for Cardi B’s next move. Whether or not a debut album materialises this year, we’re sure to
hear lots from the newest member of the global rap elite. The absence of Glastonbury from the 2018 festival circuit gives room for other, smaller festivals to snatch bigger names for their lineups. European majors such as Benicàssim and Sziget always prove popular as a holiday for students, and with Kendrick Lamar and Mumford and Sons already announced for the latter, this trend is sure to continue. As for Electric Picnic, the organisers are known for picking a mix of older and newer artists to try to appeal to everyone. The Academic have just released their debut album Tales from the Backseat and are almost a dead cert to appear. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds were one of the biggest acts in 2016, and with a new album out, it’s impossible to rule them out for a return. Other Picnic diehards, such as Seasick Steve and the Strypes, spring up nearly every year and will inevitably appear again. With big returns come big tours, and we’re sure to see many of our favourites stop by. We wait with excitement for Marlay Park to announce its list of summer concerts. Like every year, 2018 is sure to have comebacks and breakups, smash hits and disappointments, along with plenty of crazy stories we could never have imagined. One thing that’s for sure is that we’re looking forward to all of it.
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OTwo // Music
Pictures: wikimedia
Album Reviews
tUnE-yArDs I Can Feel You Creep
First Aid Kit Ruins
Review by Cian Montague: This fourth full-length album from Tune-Yards arrives some four years after their last release Nikki Nack. The project remains the brainchild of Merrill Garbus, but now bills bassist Nate Brenner as a full member. I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life features the wacky, hyperenergetic, eclectic sound that we have come to expect from Tune-Yards. Each song is a cacophony of bouncy or squelchy synths, drum machines, handclaps, bass, saxophone, ukuleles distorted beyond recognition, and more. The parts are rhythmically distinct, intersecting in odd places, and creating a textually dense collage of noise. Above everything bursts Garbus’ voice: remarkably versatile, it shifts from joyous to shudder-inducing, from whisper to scream, sometimes resampled so that it glitches or even whirrs. Garbus’ socially conscious lyrics remain, too. Themes include environmental conservation, feminism, and most prominently, white guilt. ‘Honesty’ challenges determined ignorance of inequality, with a simple question: “Do you really wanna know?” ‘Now As Then’ provides a thought-provoking meditation on white artists’ borrowing from black influences. ‘Colonizer,’ is perhaps the most explicit self-critique, with Garbus lamenting: “I smell the blood in my voice.” These are heavy issues, but Tune-Yards manage to keep it fun through catchy arrangements that you can dance to. Tracks such as ‘ABC 123’ and ‘Look at Your Hands’ are positively infectious. The album only struggles when the tempo is turned down. Slower tracks like ‘Home’ and ‘Who Are You,’ while pleasant enough, simply cannot captivate the way much of this album does.
Review by Rachel Hannon: A first-time listener to First Aid Kit might be surprised to learn of their Swedish nationality, such is their exceptional communication of American-style music. With Ruins, the fourth album of their career, sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg appear to have cracked the industry with the eloquent use of their characteristic country-folk sound. It seems clear that this band’s rise to stardom is far from over. The title track exemplifies the tone of the album with the use of pedal steel guitar and vocal harmonies in thirds, along with the lyrical theme of loss. ‘My Wild Sweet Love’ and ‘Hem of Her Dress’ are more uplifting tracks, with sophisticated drum beats and faster tempos being brought to the fore. Showcasing deft lyricism, rhythmic and dynamic play, as well as a choir and triumphant brass, ‘Hem of Her Dress’ can be viewed as the climax of the album. On the other hand, the album’s lonesome lyrics can be somewhat repetitive, especially on melancholic songs such as ‘Fireworks,’ ‘To Live a Life,’ and ‘Nothing Has to Be True.’ Furthermore, there is plenty of room for improvisation in the vocal lines of the album, but the strict harmonies do not seem to adapt at any stage. That said, the shifting of sounds under the sisters’ voices allows for a welcome sense of spontaneity. In a nutshell: Still firmly in the country-folk mould, Ruins manages to be both feel-good and heavy-hearted, proving a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
In a nutshell: I Can Feel You Creep is an admirable inward examination, and it encourages the listener to do likewise.
Glen Hansard Between Two Shores Review by Adam Lawler: Glen Hansard has always trodden a difficult line between rootsy authenticity and larger ambitions. The two sides of his artistic identity are clear in the way he downplays his world-conquering achievements while discussing his art with what many would dismiss as “notions.” It’s easy to see why he remains divisive in his home country: is he a purveyor of raw ballads of humane warmth, or a pretentious chancer? This album will not settle this debate, but with this collection of revived older songs Hansard is at his most direct and free-rolling. ‘Time Will Be the Healer’ is an unbearably graceful echo of the Swell Season song ‘I Have Loved You Wrong,’ while ‘Wreckless Heart’ soars with vulnerable majesty. Hansard’s voice is as affecting as ever, buoyed by deft production from the man himself. Nevertheless, there is no denying the patchy nature of the project. Hansard himself has admitted that the lyrics are too vague, and all of the musical paths here are well-worn. However, the inconsistencies reveal a fascinating undercurrent. Hansard’s lovers, often referred to as “woman” or “girl,” are always the instigators from whom he is “setting forth” and “movin’ on,” and their thin characterisation inadvertently says more about his own faults. This is the plaintive howl of a wolf who has been alone for so long that he can’t bend himself into the right shape for another, and it feels almost too real. The title hints towards a feeling of transition, something which may bridge the disparity between ambition and humility in Hansard’s future projects. There is nothing more human than uncertainty. In a nutshell: An inconsistent collection of sweet, simple songs with a darkly bitter core.
What are you listening to? Arts Society Lisa (Arts Day Convener): Declan McKenna - Humongous Hayley (OCM): MK - 17 Kash (Secretary): Glass Animals - Gooey Hannah (OCM): Eminem feat. Ed Sheeran - River Katie (Ents Officer): Dermot Kennedy - Boston 20
OTwo // Food
Gotta Go Fast: Boojum Tackles Queue Times In New IFSC Store Aoife Muckian reports on Boojum’s announcement to open the new Turbo Boojum store which will have touch-based ordering screens to cut down on queues. to the Sutherland law building. UCD students and other customers of Boojum have been rewarded for their patience with a recent announcement made by the burrito bar to roll out an initiative to shorten queue times. In their IFSC store, which will be named “Turbo Boojum,” customers will have the ability to order their food electronically by
Picture: dublintown.ie
On October 16th, Boojum brought a food truck to campus under what the UCD Estates’ blog described as a “twoweek trial.” The surprise proved to be a treat for many students but like many Boojum locations, the queues were lengthy. Students sacrificed their free hours to stand in the impressively long queues that snaked along the path next
touch-based ordering screens. Touch-based ordering screens are becoming increasingly popular with fastfood restaurants as a means to ensure that the food is delivered to the customer as quickly as possible. McDonald’s has gradually embraced this ordering system in Ireland over the last two years. The first Irish McDonald’s store to include the self-service ordering option was in Kilkenny, and since then they have been installed in several other outlets, most notably on O’Connell Street. The fast food giant planned to introduce touch-based ordering screens in 2,500 American restaurants in 2017 and is projected to implement the concept in an additional 3,000 US stores in 2018. Efficiency is at the heart of Boojum’s incentive to introduce the system to its IFSC store. Boojum’s marketing manager, Nuala McMenamin has been quoted saying, “We asked our customers recently what was important to them when visiting a Boojum store. After food quality and customer service came queue speed, which is primarily driven by payment speed.” Customers have the option of ordering and paying off the touch-based screen and then picking up the order from a collection point, or can stick with the traditional method of queuing up to order and pay.
If this initiative proves successful in the new IFSC store, it may be rolled out to other Boojum stores operating in the country.
Efficiency is at the heart of Boojum’s incentive to introduce the system. The new store’s location may prove
successful for the company, as it will be situated in the IFSC, which holds up to 38,000 employees (as of 2015), employed under 500+ firms. The new store will also be located within a 15 minute walk of Trinity College Dublin, and 7 minutes from the National College of Ireland and so will likely attract students. Unfortunately, no plans have been unveiled as of yet to bring the burrito back to UCD.
Review Póg Aurora Andrus reviews Póg restaurant in City Centre. are all paleo and oh so yummy with a fresh coffee. The restaurant itself is very nice, bright, and has a good atmosphere. The staff are very friendly and the food generally arrives quickly. A word of warning about the small size: it gets crowded quite quickly. There are only a few tables inside, so you are encouraged to share
Póg, a small health food restaurant on Bachelors Walk, packs big punches. This place appeals to the health conscious eater and does so well. The menu ranges from raw juices and smoothies to protein pancakes, avocado toast, and a build-your-own salad bar. They offer many low calorie, healthy food options, and despite a recent price increase, their food is still relatively affordable and definitely worth it. Póg has been open since 2014, and may be one of the best quick, healthy options around.
Their protein porridge is fantastic, made with coconut milk, protein powder, and a dash of cinnamon. At €4.50, you can’t go wrong. Toppings are €0.50 extra and your options are a plethora of fruits, nuts, and seeds. For an Instagramworthy touch they garnish the dish with an edible flower. The protein pancakes are out of this world – for €10 you get four utterly irresistible pancakes, layered with your choice of two toppings. The avocado toast is great if you’re in the mood for
something savoury. Four pieces of multi seed toast are covered in mashed avocado, parma ham, chilli flakes, and rocket making this simple dish one of the best items on the menu. Póg is one of the only place that can make a proper matcha lattés, and they do it well. The portion is generous, the flavour is great, and the beautiful latté art adds that extra touch. If you are craving a salad, there are thirteen on the menu that cater to all. In addition to all that, they do freshly baked treats that
Póg is one of the only places that can make a proper matcha latté, and they do it well. tables with other people, and during their busy time they only allow tables to sit for 45 minutes. Overall the experience is great and definitely worth your while. The food is sublime. Póg boasts coffee and teas of the highest quality and ultimately it is a perfect spot for grabbing a quick, healthy bite.
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OTwo // Fashion
Wonder Women Celebrate Year of the Woman in style with these eclectic pieces
Clothing kindly sponsored by: Om Diva boutique, 27 Drury Street, Dublin 2
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Shane Cullen Stylist Joanne Olivia Photographer Mauricia Goldup Kate Lally Models
OTwo // Fashion
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OTwo // Fashion
MAC’s Mixtape Madness Clara Brannigan reviews MAC’s highly-anticipated collaboration collection.
The result of the two brands coming together will bring a vibrant collection unlike any other. MAC has created looks for Scott’s fashion shows for several seasons. Scott has always been passionate about make up, making it a key feature of his shows.
Scott told Vogue that working on a fashion show is “like working on a silent film.” Scott has expressed his admiration for MAC as they bring a pure slice of high fashion and professionalism. These two brands will combine to produce a vibrant and eclectic collection unlike any other. He has taken inspiration from his relationships with musicians like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj who have never shied away from bold outfits and dramatic make-up looks. The diversity of customers’ skin tones and undertones has been taken into consideration, as well as colour combinations for different styles and colourings. Scott has aimed to create the ultimate beauty mixtape, where colour shifts from the runway into everyday lives to create self-experimentation and expression. There is something for everyone in this collection. For darker complexions there is bold flashes that are full of contrast like the shade ‘Violetta,’ a bright purple lip within the ‘Future Emotion’ lip palette. The palette, priced at €30, contains nine striking colours like ‘Carmine Rouge,’ a deep red with bluish undertones, and other tones that will pop on pale or darker skin tones. The boombox-shaped eye shadows come in 29 shades ranging from hot fuchsia to lime
Scott has aimed to create the ultimate beauty mixtape, where colour shifts from the runway into everyday lives.
green and retails at €65. The Cheek palette ‘Acoustica’ consists of pearly powder highlight, a matte bronzing powder, and a mid-tone pink blush with a satin finish, priced at €30. The detail, and dynamic range of this line, showcases Scott’s commitment; he did not just stamp his name on generic products. The collection will debut on February 8th at selected MAC stores. This collection is an ode to 90s hip-hop, projecting a kaleidoscope of colours. It certainly appears to be an iconic launch that may be worth the investment.
Picture: staticflickr.com
Jeremy Scott, creative director of Moschino has teamed up with MAC cosmetics for the first time. What makes this collaboration different to others comes from Scott’s extensive fashion industry experience, that he can transfer into makeup. Scott is anything but subtle in his aesthetic, his career, and his personal life. The line is expected to be full of manic colours, intense shimmers, and highlighter hues. Make-up lines have been under pressure to step up their diversity following Rihanna’s Fenty beauty line, and this appears to be the collaboration for just that.
A Menswear Moment Shane Cullen reviews the annual London Fashion Week Menswear extravaganza.
Abley has no fear in putting on a show and is known for bringing childhood imagination to life.
One of the hotly anticipated shows of the week was Henry Holland’s label, “House of Holland” collaboration with Ben Sherman. The unisex collection opted for a “Heart and Soul” concept, containing parquet printed jackets, textured knits, and velvet bomber jackets in autumnal colours of golden yellow and crimson. Ben Sherman accessories, including oversized scarves and bags,
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were also given the retro Holland touch to complete the looks. Despite not having a runway fanfare this year, Vivienne Westwood remained a major talking point of LFWM. Instead of organising an array of outfits, Westwood played a two-minute feature film titled Don’t Get Killed. In this film, a group of models wear Westwood’s unisex Autumn/Winter 2018 collection whilst carrying Union Jacks and EU flags. The film acted as a political commentary on the ongoing impact of Brexit in the UK. Westwood’s collection for this autumn went with mis-matched spots and stripes, dramatic tailoring, and Wonder Woman t-shirts. The established designers were not the only ones wowing LFWM-goers; young designers were also making waves with their shows. Alex Mullins, a former runner-up in the L’Oreal Professional Young Designer Awards, dared to be bold with his menswear offerings this year as he decided on a mix of tie-dye meets tailoring. Another young designer that caught people’s eyes was Charles Jeffrey, who celebrated his first solo show. Jeffrey’s theme was ‘queer hedonism;’ face paint and drag were features of the show. Drawing this year’s LFWM to a close with childhood nostalgia, designer Bobby Abley incorporated Looney Tunes characters into his clothing. On Abley’s “Bobbyland: Where Everyone Is
Welcome” catwalk, Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny and Tweety Pie were used in printed sweaters and faux fur dungarees, complemented by models wearing teeth grills. Abley has no fear in putting on a show and is known
for bringing childhood imagination to life. Last summer, Abley ended his show with the Teletubbies walking down the runway. February’s London Fashion Week has just become more exciting.
Picture: staticflickr.com
London Fashion Week Menswear (LFWM) returned this month in all its creative glory, showcasing a combination of new and established designers. The four-day event, now in its eleventh year, has extended into bigger and bolder territories than ever before. With a range of exciting collaborations and catwalk novelty, LFWM attendees were spoilt for choice this January.
OTwo // Fashion
The New-tral Catwalk Rachel Hannon discusses how designers are opting to ride the gender-neutral wave. “Undercover” by Takahashi presented us with long pleated skirts, as well as black cropped leather tops, all worn by men.
By covering the faces of those who walk the runway, they have allowed for discussion on the societal constraints on gender.
gendered styles, and gender fluidity. Perhaps the next step is to make it easier to find gender-neutral clothes on the websites of these popular high street labels, instead of having strictly divided women and men’s sections. As founder and designer of LaneFortyfive has said, “you don’t look at food and
The Leskela couple also showcased a genderless style, in what could be described as a casual category. From long layered black tops, slim-line coats, to puffer jackets, this casual twist on the gender-neutral style is not only allowing the idea to become more accessible, but is also enabling high street retailers to adapt to the trend. John Lewis, Zara, and even H&M each provided their take on blurring the boundaries between
say it’s going to be eaten by a man or a woman, so why should it be any different for clothes?” It is opinions like these that are diminishing the female/ male binary in the fashion world and pushing towards accessible, open style over a gender divide.
Picture: cloudfront.net
Since 1972, the Pitti Uomo festival has been held twice a year in Florence, to showcase men’s clothing from designers around the world. This year, there was a difference. The new direction in gender-neutral clothing, which was first exhibited earlier this month, has begun to pave the way for a more forward-thinking approach in the fashion industry. This is something that the Pitti fashion addicts of the 1970s may not have been able to comprehend. The models on the catwalk are no longer wearing long, tweed busy-business men jackets, but are now pushing the gender boundaries of fashion. By covering the faces of those who walk the runway, they have allowed for discussion on the societal constraints on gender. Some of the main leaders in this silent revolution include Japanese designers such as Takahiro Miyashita and Jun Takahashi, as well as Finnish couple Timo and Niina Leskela, and CEO Claudio Del Vecchio. Part of Del Vecchio’s vision was to include female models to highlight the fact that this show is not all about males. Miyashita’s exhibition “The Soloist” led viewers to question the gender of the models by covering faces with hoods, and diverting attention to the futuristic sports-wear.
Campus Chic Name: Jason Course: Arts, 3rd Year Favourite part: Vintage shirt, it’s actually my mums!
Name: Martin Course: Successful Graduate of UCD Favourite part: My mum got me the jumper, it helps me pick up chicks.
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OTwo // Travel
Atacama desert and Uyuni— Bolivia In dizzying Bolivia, Fiadh Melina discovered the beautiful reflective salt flats and a border with no toilets.
If I had to associate a place with the word ‘dizzy’ it would be Bolivia. There, I spent nights trying my best to sleep with a spinning head, thanks to days spent on cliff tops of over 4000m, my jaw dropping over the height, staring at horizons I couldn’t quite believe. Bolivia, which shares borders with Chile, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, is one of the poorest countries in South America. However, what it lacked in infrastructure it flourished in culture and beauty. Where the other countries we’d visited had had a close resemblance to home (or at least the cities did) Bolivia was something else altogether. The border crossing from Chile, on an organised tour from San Pedro de Atacama, gave us the first hint of what was to come. Our car pulled up alongside other tourists and we were advised about both the lack of toilet facilities and the fact that we should eat something. Some snacks were waiting for us in a little mud shed: sandwiches and some bottles of water, the star treatment, while we waited for our chance to go through border control. Inside, we were met with a table, two guards and a handy Bolivian stamp to the passport. Barely a glance was passed at my face or my ID page but sure a stamp is a stamp and I got it! After we were granted passage into Bolivia, our guide brought our humble group of six, a mix of English, German, and Irish, on our four-day escapade across the Atacama Desert. Our destination was Salar de Uyuni, the biggest salt flats in the world, and because it was rainy season, the salt flats basically became a giant mirror. These tours can be done from either Uyuni town in Bolivia or San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. As we were coming from Santiago and headed to Peru, it made sense to do it northbound. Be sure to research all of the tour operators, as the prices vary hugely, while the quality of the tour remains much the same! The first thing you notice about the Atacama is that it’s big, really big. Horizons stretch on in every direction, sometimes broken by volcanic rock formations that look something like a scene from The Land Before Time or a lagoon
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mirroring the slender legs of flamingos and gaping blue skies. The second thing that hits you, at varying levels for everyone, is the altitude sickness. Dizziness makes you feel drunk when you’re trying to sleep at over 4000m and eating is a little tricky when your innards aren’t able to settle, but the purest starry sky in the world makes it worth it. After a four-day journey, we were treated with a sunrise on the Uyuni salt flats. While Uyuni is no gem of a town, and actually we felt a bit uncomfortable there due to a strange wild festival that was being held at the time, this didn’t take away from the incredible bordering salt flats. We saw the sunrise in doubles, our pictures were unreal (despite my awful camera phone) and the memories are indescribable. The day was spent exploring the flats, the salt hotel, and salt mounds, using every opportunity to take ‘perspective pictures.’
Barely a glance was passed at my face or my ID page but sure a stamp is a stamp and I got it!
Bolivia is massive. We learned this as we crossed overnight on a bus to La Paz after our tour had ended. A ten-hour bus journey brought us across questionable roads that made for great stories, but unpleasant travelling, and our later 40-hour bus journey to Lima in Peru brought into perspective the dizzying vastness of the South American countries. Despite the length of the bus journeys, travelling by bus rather than aeroplane meant that we could see the life and culture of the outskirts that you would miss entirely from the sky. A South American adventure was definitely something to cross off the bucket list, and the landscape was breathtakingly beautiful even if dizzying at times!
Fatal Fourway
OTwo // Fatal Fourway
Favourite Cult Classic Film Fiachra Johnston
Dylan O’Neill
Picture Credits: Mark Coyle
Gavin Tracey
Aoife Hardesty
They Live I’m here to chew bubblegum and review movies, and I’m all out of gum. If you want to talk about the greatest cult films, no era compares to the eighties, and no film can contend with legendary director/composer John Carpenter’s They Live, a simple movie about a simple man fighting aliens disguised as humans. This film has everything you could possibly want from an eighties action flick: a killer soundtrack filled to the brim with dirty synths and menacing strings, dialogue so cheesy you can’t help but love it, including the now famous “kick ass and chew bubblegum” line, and the greatest, I repeat, greatest, fight scene in all of cinema between lead actors Keith David and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (The wrestler-turned-actor before The Rock made it cool). This is a film so manly, so soaked in testosterone you’ll have a full beard and lingering societal pressure to never express emotion by the time the credits roll around. With something to appeal to the serious cinema-goer and the casual movie fan, the action nut and the cinematography appreciator, this film was bred to be a cult classic through the sheer fun of it all. You will not be disappointed by the joy that this movie brings.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Despite not having the best cinematic production quality in history, Rocky Horror has a special place in my heart, being a part of many a Halloween costume and making up a considerable amount of Spotify playlists. It’s your typical story of boy and girl get engaged at best friend’s wedding, car breaks down, and they seek refuge in the mansion of what most would describe as: a homicidal weirdo, I say: misunderstood scientist. The first time I saw this movie was at the tender age of 14. At first, I thought it was just another musical with catchy songs. It was only when the character of Dr. Frank-n-Furter was introduced that I quickly realized this was a different kind of musical. As I grew older and continued to re-watch it on a loop when I was sick, or bored, or just wanting an escape, it meant more and more to me. The film isn’t for general audiences and is definitely not something I would watch with my parents in the room, but it’s popularity lies with these characters coming together and being themselves. Be it a hero, heroine, ex-delivery boy, or blonde Frankenstein monster. This movie will have you leaving the theatre (after midnight) repeating: “Don’t dream it, be it.”
Withnail and I The 1960s were a time of excess in every aspect. Drugs, alcohol, new experimental music and the counterculture of the 1950s beatniks evolved into hippy culture and free love. London was a city at the heart of the 60s, home to Jimi Hendrix and Soho, with a vibrant and buzzing centre at its heart. Withnail and I depicts what so few films do, the inevitable death rattle of the 60s and the long gray comedown of a decade. Set in London in 1969, it depicts two out of work actors, the eponymous Withnail and the unnamed “I,” as they try to escape their mangey London existence, their filthy flat, and their unusually verbose and philosophical dealer. Retreating to Withnail’s predatory uncle’s country cottage, they set off in a dilapidated old Jaguar, and have, to put it mildly, a terrible time. What is most striking about the film is the palpable sense of decline and decay, juxtaposed with the decadent and extravagant. The depressed and alcoholic Withnail drinks lighter fluid as he covers himself in ‘Deep Heat’ while wearing an exquisite Saville Row suit. The once great Jaguar is reduced to a junker. The country cottage lays in a state of ruin. All of the old Georgian buildings that surround them are being bulldozed in the background throughout the film. It is a beautiful and hilarious film, as well as being a poignant reflection on the eventual collapse that follows decadence.
The Princess Bride To watch this film is to enter a world of adventure, sword fights, true love, torture, revenge… It tells the story of a mysterious man (Wesley) cloaked in black who is attempting to rescue Princess Buttercup (his one true love) from a group of brigands. The Princess Bride features the greatest sword fight scene of all time. Our hero, fights with Inigo Montoya (a pure legend) on top of a steep cliff face, both fight with their left hands until Inigo reveals he actually isn’t left handed and switches his sabre to his right hand. Your heart pounds in your chest in excitement as he looks like he has bested Wesley, until Wesley also swaps his sabre to his right hand, as he is also not left-handed! If I may give you one spoiler alert: Inigo Montoya is not a bad guy. He has his own revenge subplot going on where he’s searching for a “six-fingered man” whom he intends to kill upon meeting, greeting him with the line: “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Believe me, that line will give you delightful goosebumps and shivers down your spine every time. This film has everything you could possibly want in a cult classic; ridiculously over the top lines, cheesy plots, and a pervasive feeling of comfort, hope, and goodness and all set to a soundtrack written by the incredibly guitarist Mark Knopfler, of Dire Straits fame. To not love this film, would be “inconceivable!”
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APERTURE My Winter Break
Joanne Olivia
Aoife Hardesty
Ryan O’Donnell
Claudia Dalby
Brían Donnelly