april 2017 · ISSUE 16 · FREE
smoke.media/mag
tour South america on a budget PG.14-17
exclusive playlist for us by low steppa PG.10-11
the coat that turns into a tent PG.26
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INSIDE
TEAM editor
Lama El Khamy mag.editor@smoke.media
Deputy Editor Katherine Cenaj
mag.deputy@smoke.media
Managing Editor Joshua Hackett JOSHUa.hackett@smoke.media
A word from the deputy editors
Comment
Michael WarD & Jasmin Goken mag.comment@smoke.media
MUSIC
Miriam Cocuzza & mark hoskin mag.music@smoke.media
Arts
Kristiyan Stefanov & Louis Holder mag.arts@smoke.media
lifestyle
peony hirwani & kaz bosali mag.lifestyle@smoke.media
fashion
kate reichardt & omar balde mag.fashion@smoke.media with the help of the outgoing 2016/17 editorial team
SMOKE MAG is produced monthly by a team of student volunteer editors and contributors. SMOKE MAG is published by the University of Westminster Students’ Union, but views presented do not necessarily mirror those of UWSU or the editorial team. If you would like to make a complaint or comment about our journalism, please contact the managing editor, Joshua Hackett, in the first instance.
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Can you guys believe that it’s been an entire year already? I hope that you have all had as much personal growth as my team and I. Each issue that we put together is created with you in mind to find a way to leave you with something memorable. Every individual within our team carries with them a unique light that our editor Amy finds a way to use and push them all to their best abilities and I hope that you meet someone who is able to bring the best in you like she did for us. It is with a heavy heart that I let go of my role and hand it over to someone that I know will do it justice, Miss Katherine! Imani x
Hi Everyone! It’s nice to meet you all! Although I’m sure you will all miss the old team just as much as we will, I’m so happy to be part of Smoke Mag 2017/18 and I can assure you that we will world endlessly to make it as fantastic as it can possibly be. I hope you guys love our first issue together as a team as much as we loved creating it - stresses and all! Anyway, I hope you all have the best summer and I look forward to seeing you all in September to see what the new year will bring us all. Katherine x
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INSIDE
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COMMENT PG. 4-7
FEATURES PG. 8-17
MUSIC PG. 18-21
ARTS PG. 22-23
LIFESTYLE PG. 24-25
FASHION PG. 26-27
ARE ANIMAL ACTIVISTS PUSHING IT TOO FAR? & HIPSTER HYPE OVER WAFFLES
WESTMINSTER’S CLIMB THE ATTICK & STRANGE LYRIC MEANINGS
BREAKING BAD HACKNEY STYLE & DESTRESSING AS A MAN
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SOUTH AMERICAN DREAM & A NIGHT AT LONDON’S NEW VENUE PRINTWORKS
A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE: DON JUAN & BEAUTY AND THE BEAST REVIEW
HUMANITARIAN FASHION & DO IT YOURSELF FASHION
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COMMENT
Animal Rights activists: too fur? Catherine Maria Garner Reidy discusses whether protesters are taking it too far
In 1996, Anna Wintour found a dead raccoon in her soup, accompanied by “this is for the animals, fur hag” at the Four Seasons in New York. Although this may be one example of when Animal Rights Activists take it too far, it is by no means a solitary incident. Whether it’s Kim Kardashian being pelted with flour bombs or the late Joan Rivers having her mink coat splashed with red paint, activists have always found a way to make front page news. But it’s not only personal attacks that get them a bad rep. PETA, in particular, is known for pulling off pretty wacky stunts. Promoting
ideas such as “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” where one female protester posed naked on a barbecue over a “meat is murder” sign. It’s easy to see why animal rights activists receive their fair share of eye rolls.
“Activists have always found a way to make front page news” However, perhaps the key is to look into why these people are protesting in the first place. Over 75 million minks and foxes are bred each year and are often
genitally electrocuted to limit damage to their coats. On top of this, factory farming is a massive drain on resources and we allow this every time we buy beef. Preaching often has the effect of pushing people away, and I personally think that a non-judgemental approach to raising awareness is probably most effective. But should we be telling activists to keep their approach “gentle”? Ultimately, people can’t always keep up with all the horrific injustices happening in the world, and maybe what we need is something big and bold to catch our eye and make us stop for a second and question things.
Image by Karel Navarro
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What the hell is the point in “national days”? By Marta Brzozowska We’ve all heard about these days that are supposed to be there to celebrate the people closest to us. These are all pretty well known days, when you choose to honour your loved ones. So when did we become a nation of people who celebrate a National Thesaurus Day? Where did we go wrong? Of course, it can be pretty nice to get away with devouring a huge pizza in one sitting just because it’s National Pizza Day, but have you ever wondered if it is even official? Who was the person who said “Hey, I like pizza, let’s make today the national day for it!” ?
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The truth is, anyone can create such a day, and all they need to do is to promote it and wait for it to catch on. So if the question is whether every national day is something special or whether it has to mean anything, the answer is simple - no, it does not.
“The truth is, anyone can create such a day” But just like with everything in life there are some bad and some good things. So no, not all of these
days are completely useless (now, I am not saying that puppy day is useless, let’s just call it less meaningful in comparison to others), some of them may actually do a lot of good. Take Red Nose Day for example, it’s a loud and quite global campaign, which included many vloggers and social media activists. They raised a significant amount of money, all under this silly sounding name. It proves that although we may celebrate ridiculous national days like Festival of Sleep Day, Trivia Day or Dress Up Your Pet Day, all of which appreciate something we love, some of them might actually be used for a good cause.
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COMMENT
bubble waffles: the Hipsterisation of food Jasmin Goken discusses the mistery of bubble waffles Milk, sugar, butter and a few fairly common herbs, that is about all you need to make an original Chinese egg waffle. Yet somehow the money makers and hipsters of the food world have managed to turn something so simple into the next big dessert hype in London. The Hong Kong natives Tony and Sunny are the creators of ‘Bubblewrap’, a site that sells the century old dessert from the streets of Hong Kong since last month on Wardour Street.
of cronuts. Nonetheless, are we starting to go too far to get a new food kick? It’s not only the egg waffle, but there are now also deep fried sushi burritos and pho wraps. They might be delicious but it is questionable whether all of them are hype-worthy.
“we have become too uncreative in our own cooking”
After all, is it really worth buying a wrap containing the ingredients of a Vietnamese noodle soup when you can just get the actual soup? It makes me wonder whether we have become too uncreative in our own cooking and have to steal and adapt food from other countries to find new culinary thrills. In the end, I guess it is to each their own. In the long run, who can really be bothered to argue with hipsters about the point of their lifestyle’s existence?
“Are we going too far to get a new food kick?” Admittedly, the waffles have hype potential judging not only from looks but also flavour. With batter tasting like matcha, chocolate or regular waffle, and the addition of a fruity finish on the inside, egg waffles really do make a great treat. Being a complete foodie myself, I love finding the weirdest new sensations to eat. From the Freak Shake in Shoreditch to whatever shop sells the latest version
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image by Karolina Sulcova
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why you should Date people from different cultures By Kate Kulniece Life is full of surprises. If there was one thing that was not part of my plan, it was an Indian boyfriend. My narrowminded Latvian thinking did not go further than beyond my own people. The tall and fair Latvian boys; ‘latvju bāleliņi’, as we call them.
“you could fall for a ‘foreigner’ like i did” In London, one thing is inevitable – you will meet people from a diverse array of backgrounds, and you could fall for a ‘foreigner’ like I did. Let me tell you
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something, cliché, I’ll admit, but he has been one of the best things to happen to me and my then-non-existent love life. Not only has my relationship gifted me with someone who laughs at my jokes (purely out of courtesy) but also, exposed me to a different culture. My Hindi skills now are not limited to a poorly pronounced ‘Namaste’ - now I can proudly name all my favourite Indian foods. Food! It’s probably (definitely) the chief bonus you’ll get for letting your hips loose with that hot international student you spot across the messy Mondays dancefloor. I did and now I’ve got roti, masala dosa and gallons of dahl running through my veins.
But while food and an Indian accent can cheer me up any time, it’s an Indian guy who understands me on a much deeper level than any Latvian ever has.
“Dive into what life has to offer” We have learned to not stress over opinions on our size, fashion and interests; so why our relationships? Throw away your fear and stereotypes, instead dive into what life has to offer. Diversity is one of the pleasures of living in London; if not for love and connection, then at least for food. My only concern now is how pale I look next to him.
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FEATURE
printworks - london’s hottest new venue by mark hoskin WE SENT ONE OF OUR MUSIC EDITORS TO CHECK OUT WHAT EXACTLY PRINTWORKS IS ALL ABOUT - HE WAS NOT LEFT DISAPPOINTED.
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ust months after London’s clubbing culture appeared to be facing the biggest threat it’s ever seen, the capital was handed one of the biggest additions it’s seen in years. Meet Printworks – a 6,000 capacity industrial warehouse which used to house the largest printing press in Western Europe, where you can rave all day to your heart’s content. On just the second weekend of opening, UKF, Snowbombing and Shogun Audio hosted a bass rave, and we got to join in on the fun. The venue strikes you as the perfect place for a rave as soon as you enter. The lobby sees queues for drinks, toilets, and cloakrooms, but, as soon as you walk upstairs, the sheer bass vibrating through your body gives you a sense of what you’re in for.
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Coming in from the back of the main arena, you’re faced with what seems like a never-ending crowd all facing the artist currently on stage which is raised just two metres above the floor. It’s hard to know whether to look at the stage, or the state-of-the-art lighting beaming along the vertical strip of ravers.
“The venue strikes you as the perfect place for a rave” The event saw Printworks host a lineup full of drum & bass giants. Kicking off at midday with special guest Feed Me, and powering throughout the day with a support lineup that featured
Friction, Dimension & Netsky, this saw the crowds flooding into the 6,000 capacity venue to dive into a full day of heavy bass, ahead of the main attraction of the evening – genre-defining superstar, Sub Focus. Kicking off the hour-long set with the favourite ‘Rock It’ he whipped up a frenzy of commercial classics, as well as some crazy bass tunes, and even teased us with a few new tunes. Even after 9 hours of constant raving, the crowd weren’t stopping until the lights came on. Hard-hitting, fist-pumping, and mosh-heavy riddims saw Sub Focus headline with style. With some of the best visual production the country has ever seen, it’s clear that Printworks is made for Sub Focus.
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PRINTWORKS IS LONDON’S NEW ARTS AND MUSIC VENUE IN SURREY QUAYS.
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UXF X SNOWBOMBING AND SHOGUN WAS THE FIRST EVENT HELD AT THE VENUE THE VENUE ONCE HOUSED THE PRINTING PRESS THAT SERVED THE EVENING STANDARD
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FEATURE
A CHAT WITH DJ AND PRODUCER, LOW STEPPa Sonakshi Sharma sat down with low steppa backstage to chat about his breakthrough and his career idols.
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n just a few short years, Low Steppa has become synonymous with bass house to such an extent that it’s nearly impossible to mention one without the other. From his explosive bootleg of Route 94s ‘My Love’ to playing BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend his journey has been remarkable. How are you this evening? I am great thank you. I’ve just got here so am getting a drink and getting in the mood. It’s a cold winter night in London and am looking forward to playing tonight. When did you realise you wanted to pursue music as your career? I think it was when I was 14 because I have been djing since I was 18. I was pretty young and I knew that I have to make music and it has to be different. Why did you choose Low Steppa as your stage name? That’s a very good question and I don’t really have an answer. But, I think it was a few of us in a flat drunk where I live in Cannock. I decided I was going to make music and we just went with a different name. I can’t really tell you how it happened but am glad it did. Earlier, I wasn’t sure of the name Low Steppa but it just works. Did your parents support
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your choice of music as a career? My parents were always cool about my choice of music. They never told me not to do it, but I guess at that time they never really understood it. When I started djing it wasn’t like now where everyone’s a DJ. I never knew any DJs so I taught myself. It was a lot different back then for them. Now they are very supportive of it and I don’t think I could ever do this without them.
“When I started djing it wasn’t like now where everyone’s a DJ” Are there any musicians you who admire from the past and present? Well, from the past it has to be Prince, he was incredible. At present I admire Deadmau5 for his music. Since we are on this topic, are there any artists who you would want to collaborate with? Well, there was Prince, but that won’t happen obviously. Some old school house
heroes like Eric Morillo and Roger Sanchez are great. It would be great to work with them. You have gained immense fame in a short span of time. What do you think you owe your success to? I am again very excited about that because I have done a bit of dance music but now am really close to what I wanted to do. House music is my style of playing and it’s just the fact that I love what I do that has got me here. Do you feel surprised when people ask you for pictures? Yes (laughs) actually just yesterday I was talking to my team about it. Kids often get their t-shirts for me to sign them and say amazing things to me, I guess i’ll never get used to this.
Catch the full interview at smoke.media/ interviews
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AN EXCLUSE PLAYLIST FOR SMOKE MAG BY LOW STEPPA
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Low Steppa - Can’t Lie (Low Steppa’s Deeper Mix) A rollin techier version of my new single Can’t Lie, works in deeper or banging sets for me. Thick_Dick - The_Sky_(Erick_Morillo_and_Harry_ Romero_Extended_Mix) I have been playing this loads, really reminds me of the style of house from around 2000 that got me into it, glad to see Eric and Harry making stuff like this again. 4A Low Steppa & Dennis Quin - Viking Brotha A little roller from myself and Dennis Quin, fun to drop into my sets, forthcoming Simma Black. Truth Be Told - In The Party (Luvstuff’s Bassline Remix) Wicked remix from the Luvstuff lads, got a tech vibe but still comes with a nice b line. Justin Martin - The Feels (Low Steppa Remix) A remix I’ve recently done for the legendary Dirtybird label, kept the beats groovin but with a kind of Jungle style bassline. Full Intention - I miss U - Full Intention Remix Real good times vibes here, piano, great vocal and drops into a nice roller, good to break up the sets. Chris Carrier - Fever Tree Wicked house vibes here, littler bit of disco vibes, real nice. Adryiano - On My Side Again, a real nice slab of house, catchy vocal, great for a warm up or chilled out session. Kyle Watson - That’s Kinda Wavy As usual super clean sounding production from Kyle, killer bass in this, love the synths. Scott Diaz - Lovesick (Scott’s Studer Dub) What a vibe! Loving Scott’s work every time! This is one of my faves from him, deep and groovy.
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FEATURE
Why I think: youtubers are crap
by Michael ward Zoella earns £50’000 per month. A twenty-seven-yearold vlogger from Wiltshire, who bakes cupcakes, paints her nails and has meaningless conversations with her brother on camera, earns £50’000 per month. That’s more than the average annual household income. So how has this girl online made such a name for herself? Essentially, she has captured the imaginations and aspirations of tween girls on a global scale. The winner of a Nickelodeon Teen Choice Award, placed number 34 on FHM’s 2015 sexiest woman
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alive list, over 1 billion YouTube views. There is no denying her success.
“she is the embodiment of a well behaved british girl. boring boring boring” The research process for this piece (suffering through several of Zoella’s videos) left me feeling damp.
From the outside, it seems she lives in a world as perfect as her ‘girl next door’ personality suggests. From her perfect hair and geeky glasses, to her YouTube star boyfriend. It’s all so predictable, and I think that is her appeal. She really is that cute, she really does enjoy baking cakes, and nearing the grand age of 30, she really is that boring. Her PG attitude is welcomed by the parents of her young audience, she is the embodiment of a well behaved British girl. Boring boring boring. She is not alone in
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appealing to this young, PG audience. A list of the UK’s most influential YouTubers revealed that Zoella topped the list, with her brother Joe Sugg and boyfriend PointlessBlog also placed within the top ten. They dominate this market. The content these individuals produce: pranks, makeup favourites, tutorials, challenges, all lack creativity, originality and most importantly a sense of anything that is more than trivial. As online content continually grows in popularity and the younger generation source their role models, icons and passions from what they observe online we need there to be greater variety of content
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that young people can engage with. This ironically comes at a time where there is the highest level of consumer content production ever. No longer do audiences rely on broadcasters for content, we make our own.
“the youtubers we see today are a twodimensional virus” Ask a 12-year-old what they want to be when they grow up, no doubt ‘YouTuber’ will be in the selection of career aspirations. If this is
what they have been inspired by, then I am saddened. The next generation will be dull, rule abiding, nonprogressive and intellectually unchallenged. The YouTubers we see today are a two-dimensional virus, infecting imaginations of young people, numbing their creativity and rebellious teen spirit. Yes, these YouTubers are successful, but they lack the creative and rebellious nature which prevents young people from becoming submissive and unimaginative. Young people have always pushed society forward in a unique way, if this is the future of Britain, cultural progression is doomed.
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FEATURE
the south american dream on a budget
Ancient civilisations, diverse cultures, friendly folk and cosmopolitan cities. There is nothing that Latin America doesn’t have to offer to the world traveller
by kate reichardt
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ummer is coming, but is it possible to have a life changing experience on a low budget? Young people are constantly saying how badly they want to explore the Latin American region and have that “transcending experience”, but holidays in South America are either advertised as super exotic and incredibly expensive; or as too much of a headache to plan a low-budget trip. The truth is however; South America is probably the cheapest place you can travel to. After doing extensive research and having lived in the region for 20-years I can guarantee that £6.5 a day covers all kinds of daily costs and on average a hostel bed costs £5 per night. If you are lucky, sometimes locals welcome travellers
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into their homes, insisting on nothing in return but showing you their culture and way of life. There is nothing like the South American hospitality. The most expensive part of the trip is buying the plane tickets so my advice is to travel during the offpeak season. For instance, In March you can get round-trip fares to Rio de Janeiro for about £500.
“South America is probably the cheapest place you can travel to” Here’s a South American itinerary suitable for summer, tailored to the young and
broke. You will find a fair amount of relaxation, adventure, city tours and enriching experiences. It is impossible to cover the whole region without going overboard, but you are about to discover the most precious hidden gems.
Brazil Start by buying a plane ticket to Rio de Janeiro - one of the cheapest fares I found was £360 for the end of May. In the cosmopolitan city that never sleeps, the place where a tan is achievable all year round, you will definitely have the chance to enjoy the iconic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. A must-see is the giant statue of Christ The Redeemer up in the mountains, 710 metres above sea level. Here you
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view from cerro santo tomas, pAraguay by anibal ovelar
can experience the amazing panoramic view of the city. For the more adventurous, tour the Favelas, the Brazilian slums, which I guarantee is something you haven’t seen before. Next, travel to the Iguassu Falls, a region that is shared between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It holds the largest waterfalls system in the world. The views are breathtaking, as nature in action often is. The sighting of exotic species is also very common in the area. You can take a bus to our next destination from Ciudad del Este (Paraguayan side of the Falls) to Asuncion for just £12 -Rio to Iguassu Falls plane fare £56 -Iguassu National Park entrance £29
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Paraguay Known as the heart of South America for its strategic location, Paraguay is the only bilingual country in the region, speaking Spanish and native Guaraní. Hop on a bus from Ciudad del Este, the paraguayan side of the Iguassu Falls to the capital Asunción for a city of cultural history.
“Paraguay is the only bilingual country in the region, speaking Spanish and native Guaraní”
The strong suit of Paraguay, only known to a few, is the ecotourism. The breath-taking views of the nature reserves are often enjoyed solely between you and your guide, who can lead the way to a hidden waterfall in the forest called Salto Cristal, to the Ybyturuzu mountains or the Cerro Santo Tomas, to name a few. Agencies organise group activities from the city centre, taking you to the forest, hills and waterfalls on bikes or terrain vehicles for as cheap as £6. The traditional neighbouring towns of San Bernardino and Areguá are not to be missed. These towns were built around the shores of the Lago Ypacarai and it has been rumoured The Beatles vacationed here in the 1960’s, not only because of it’s sheer beauty
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FEATURE
but also because of a love that stemmed from the fact that absolutely no one had any idea who they were. The markets lining the towncentre display crafts from the native tribe: the Guaraníes. -Guided tour £10 (party of four) -Bus ticket Asunción to Areguá/San Bernardino £1.5 -Asuncion to La Paz (Stopping at Santa Cruz) £50
Bolivia Another popular hotspot amongst western travellers is Bolivia which homes the largest and highest salt desert in the world: Salar de Uyuni. From La Paz, night buses run to Uyuni where you can experience a jeep tour to the unique salt desert and take in the views of the world upside down as reflected in the salt. The capital La Paz sits at nearly 12,000 feet in a bowl ringed by mountains and is filled with native customs, making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in Bolivian culture. The Mercado de Brujas ( W i t c h M a r k e t )
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offers the tourist the unique opportunity to experience tradition and get acquainted with native crafts, handmade items, medicinal plants, and amulets. All of which are elements used for Aymará rituals of the natives. A cable-car system called Mi Teleférico, where gondolas glide up and down the hillsides, skimming the skyline only costs 30 pence for a one-way ticket. -Tourist bus to Uyuni £25 -Bus from La Paz to Cuzco (Stopping at Copacabana) £27
Peru Last on the list is the land of the Incas, the ancient empire. Start with one of the most important Peruvian cities, Cusco, previously the capital of the Incan Empire. It was declared a World Heritage site in 1983 by UNESCO, and is commonly referred to as the Rome of America. The Peruvian culture is filled with legends, gods and isolated ancient cities, the most notorious being Machu Picchu. Built before the XV century, the city considered an architectural masterpiece and was named in 2007 one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Machu Picchu is strategically located between the Andes Mountains and the amazonic forest, which was the reason it stayed hidden from the modern world until the early XX century. The Peruvian culture is filled with legends, gods and isolated ancient cities, the most notorious being Machu
Picchu.
“The Peruvian culture is filled with legends, gods and isolated ancient cities” There are different ways to get to the city: for the more adventurous, hiking the Inca trail is a very attractive option. It takes you on a scenic route which lasts approximately three days. However, the most convenient and fastest option is public transport: a train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and then a 15 minute bus journey to Machu Picchu. -Macchu Picchu entrance £30 -Round-trip ticket: Cusco to Aguas Calientes £67 Finally, it is time to return home. Plane tickets in July from Cusco to London retail for about £600, but you can bag yourself a cheaper flight if you choose to travel from the country’s capital: Lima. My last tip for saving money on a student-friendly budget is to plan in advance but sometimes spontaneous trips are unforgetabble ones. I will leave you with the famous saying “you can always make more money; but you cannot make more time”. Explore, Grow and Discover.
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let’s climb the attic! HUGH FROM “CLIMB THE ATTIC” ANSWERS TO MIRIAM COCUZZA ABOUT FUTURE PROJECT Where did it all start and how?
What’s behind name of the band?
Climb the Attic started in a bedroom a couple of years ago when I decided I wanted to be part of a rock band and began writing songs.
We were playing with names and I liked the sound of the word “climax”. Also, Ronnie and I coincidently grew up in an attic so our band name reminds us of our sweet and chilled time living back home.
“YOU CAN EXPECT SOME HOOKY CHOURS AND HEAVY RIFFS” I met Ronnie (guitarist) at University in London and I already knew Callum (bassist). We tried out a few drummers but we now seem to have found the right one with Stanley (drummer), a good old friend of mine from college.
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the
OUR DREAM IS TO PLAY A SOLD OUT SHOW AT WEMBLEY STADIUM
You’re recording a new EP now, how is it going?
If you look yourselves in ten years, where do you hope to see your band?
We are about to hit the studio to record some new material we have been working on and the first single should come out between mid May or early June. Our first EP “Escape the Occupation” was pure rock’n’roll, it was us without filters. You can expect some hooky chorus and heavy riffs with the coming singles.
We hope to still be able to make music we love and play to bigger audiences and in different part of the world, and we’d be honoured to take part of some of the biggest UK summer festivals like Leeds and Reading, but I think our dream is to play a sold out show at Wembley stadium, it just doesn’t’get any better than that.
To see the full article go to Smoke.Media/interviews
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five song lyrics that mean what exactly?
DELMAR TERBLANCHE DISCUSSES THE HIDDEN MEANING OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS THAT ARE NOT THAT ROMANTIC after all...
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ames Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful’ is not romantic, at all. If you thought it was about love and roses, the famous singer confirmed that the song was actually about stalking another man’s girlfriend. Well, here are some other famous songs whose more…interesting meanings slipped right past us.
Every Breath You Take by The Police “Every vow you break Every smile you fake… I’ll be watching you” The lyrics of this frightening stalker anthem speak for themselves, however Sting’s crooning may persuade us otherwise.
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Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams “Me and my baby in 69” Ah, a classic rock song reminiscing on the 60’s summers of love and positivity and apparently 69 doesn’t refer to a year, but rather the sex position. Presumably during the summer.
I Don’t Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats “Tell me why, I don’t like Mondays I want to shoot The whole day down” Do you like the weekend? Do you hate Mondays? Do wish there was a song about it? Well too bad, because this one’s actually about a school shooting in Cleveland.
Closing Time by Semisonic “One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer. Closing time. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.” Closing Time is superficially about a bar shutting its doors. But it’s also a metaphor for the passage of time. And it’s also about songwriter Dan Wilson becoming a father and leaving the womb.
Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler “Once upon a time there was light in my life but now there is only love in the dark” The perfect 80s love song melodramatic vocals; a huge drum break; lyrics about vampires screwing.
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ARTS
REview: Beauty and the beast BY CHANTELLE PARTRIDGE
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ull of beauty, but not at all beastly. A classic Disney tale gets a revamp in this live action extravaganza, which exceeds all expectations. To even attempt to explain the magical sense of belonging this film has encompassed is simply impossible. From the phenomenal casting that brings some of the greatest actors of our time on screen, to the special effects that are beyond beautiful, this film truly brings an aesthetic and musical appeal that is hard to find in today’s modern cinematic exploits.
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Dan Stevens as the Beast and Emma Watson as Belle couldn’t be a more perfect fit; not to mention their surprising singing abilities. Both, however, are just two of the stars in an outlandishly gifted cast.
“Disney has always been at the forefront of change” What brings about the appeal to this retelling is the subtle changes to a tale as old as time. Disney has
always been at the forefront of change, with daringly bold choices regardless of the consequences that may unfold. The studio has never wavered its morals and this film is no exception. The introduction of Le Fou, Gaston’s faithful accomplice, as a gay character, was a powerful social commentary and a warming encouragement for the LGBT community. Beauty and Beast is the perfect accompaniment to any family cinema excursion, showing audiences both young and old the importance of love through adversity.
04/04/2017 21:46
Book corner
REVIEW: DON JUAN IN SOHO
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ARTS
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BY ALESSANDRA BERTOCCO
by Alex clement From the get go, you are drawn into a world of pain and suffering – which doesn’t exactly sound appealing I understand. Though the book is rather short, in the end it feels like you’ve been reading it for a lifetime. Not because it’s dull and boring, but because the story takes a hold of you and it doesn’t let go. It isn’t until the final page that you can bid farewell and finally put the book down. Originally written by Siobhan Dowd, who sadly lost her life to cancer before she could finish the book. The writing was then picked up by Patrick Ness who brought us the final release. A Monster Calls is the story of Conor, a young boy who is trying to cope with his mother’s illness, a father who lives thousands of miles away with a new family and his neat freak of a grandmother.
on Juan is back (in Soho) and he wants to meet you. All of you.
Ten years after its premiere at the Dormar Warehouse, Patrick Marber’s tribute to Moliere Don Juan in Soho is running at the Windham’s Theatre until June, with an irresistibly magnificent David Tennant at the helm. The play narrates the adventures of Don Juan, a.k.a DJ, a cruel seducer who spends his life feeding on pleasure. No matter if he has a loving wife, Elvira (Danielle Vitalis), Don Juan’s lust knows no ends and no remorse. Tennant embodies the spirit of a charming anti hero, bringing his personal touch to the story with out-of-the-book jokes that are always on point. The audience succumbs to Don Juan’s hunger for pleasure. The play would not be the same without a remarkable
Adrian Scarborough and the sparkling support of the stellar, Dominique Moore. The energy, enthusiasm and passion of a brilliant cast make the play funny, breathtaking, sexy, full of surprises, vicious, unforgettable. It explores the darkest side of the human soul with a bright light. It restores hearts by showing pure, honest, selfconscious destruction. The Windham’s Theatre, with its marvellous ceiling and chandeliers, disappears as the story takes over coming to life around the spectators from the very beginning to the shocking, epic meaningful last scene. The reaction of the audience is as overwhelming as the play: the standing ovation goes on until the curtain goes down for the very last time. The theatre feels colourfully magical, yet twisted. It is pure talent on stage, a must see. A bewitching pleasure to the heart.
Some of the scenes are brutal and make you feel for Conor, and others make you think twice about who he really is. Is he really a weak little boy, or is he something more? The illusion of him being this weakling shatters the further you read, and you become aware of Conor and more importantly, The Monster.
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04/04/2017 21:47
24
LIFESTYLE
How to De-Stress when you’re a guy BY DELMAR TERBLANCHE
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e-stressing” is not something most guys will admit to needing. Like moisturising, expectations of rugged masculinity have doomed this important and useful activity to the world of the “un-manly” and, hence, forgotten. But that’s silly. Stress affects everyone, and everyone deserves a few strategies designed to destress them.
Go to the Gym We start off with the most classically manly technique around. Exercise, particularly aggressive exercise, works wonders. Anything which lets you exercise your energy and frustrations will do wonders for your stress levels.
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Listen to Music Listening to the right music for your mood is like letting a third party do the feeling for you. And as weird and potentially unhealthy as that sounds, it works a treat. If you need aggressive music, try Death Grips. Something pained; Radiohead. Or for soft melancholy: Mogwai. The list is endless.
peace and Quiet “The Quiet Place Project” is among my favourite parts of the internet. It is a website designed to filter out the white noise which infects so much of our online world - after all; we’re bombarded with more images more rapidly than at any other time in human history. This philosophy is a useful one - moments of
detachment, of just walking in nature, of letting go of the hyperstimulation of modern life - these are essential for true de-stressing.
“everyone deserves a few strategies designed to destress them” De-stressing is a curious beast. It can be equally well served by intense aggression and utter calm. But key to any of these methods working is the admission (to begin with) that de-stressing is needed, and that any notion of it being “unmanly” belongs firmly in the trash heap of psychiatric history, crunched up in the corner while you meditate and relax in the centre of the room.
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LIFESTYLE
25
BAR’S OF THE MONTH
PIEMINISTER Home to the legendary pie and mash feast with craft beers and ciders sourced from west country. Nearest Tube Station Farringdon
TRAILER HAPPINESS An intimate bar, serving the finest classic and original cocktails with Tiki Twists Nearest Tube Station Notting Hill
THE GIBSON ‘The Bar’ where cocktails are like a work of art, an oasis of selling world class cocktails. Nearest Tube Station Bank
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BREAKING BAD HACKNEY STYLE BY PEONY HIRWANI
S
ince our methamphetaminemerchandisers left our screens for good in 2013, there’s been a Breaking Bad shaped hole in our lives. To our relief that emptiness has been filled, in the deepest darkest streets of the up and coming area of Hackney Wick. Hiding round the corner of a very plain looking building there’s a very familiar looking RV truck (almost exactly like Walt and Jesse’s wandering lab) ready to fill our lives with Breaking Bad goodness. On entry a bearded man in a yellow jumpsuit and blue gloves appears, reprimanding the group to “get cooking, yo!”, to continue the meth lab inspired theme the bar boasts arrangements of bubbling beakers lined up next to glass flasks, petri dishes, bottles of solutions and trays of blue crystals. Heisenberg’s glare looks over your shoulder continuously from the back wall partnered with
instructions which tell half of the bar ‘how to make a rum punch named Blue Flynn, named after Walter Jr. The other half is instructed how to make Saul Goodman’s C2H6O Sorbet - a very strong, slushy-styled daiquiri. The W.W formula technique used to cook the cocktails is mind-blowing, the blue crystal ship, full of Meth (of course it’s not real meth, they’re toffees) is like a dream come true and almost makes you want to shout “YO, Skinny Pete, check this out yo. This is some crazy sh*t Mann” in true Breaking Bad style. For just £30 each, you and up to ten friends can experience the amazing Breaking Bad experience in Hackney. Your ticket grants you entry into the RV, and the chance to cook two cocktails for your own consumption. If you’re looking for a brilliant, crazy experience full of mayhem and sticky fun for two hours, ABQ London is the place for you.
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26
FASHION
Humanitarian Fashion BY kate reichardt
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he living proof that people working within the fashion industry are contributing to make the world a better place is 22-year-old Angela Luna. A graduate from Parson’s School of Design Class of 2016 and founder of Adiff, a humanitarian start-up focusing on using innovative designs to solve global issues. Adiff aims to provide clothing and aid to those in need, funded by purchases from the brand. It was created in response to the current refugee crisis; with Luna designing different garments, each providing a solution for a basic need. After doing intense research, the designer identified the challenges that refugees face day to day and realised that some of them could be remedied through design. She developed jackets that turn into tents, sleeping bags, backpacks and other
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objects considered by refugees as lifesaving. All her garments are unisex and one-size, ensuring warmth and protection from the elements a primary concern.
“Our mission is a focus on transparent, ethical, and sustainable production” Aiming at becoming successful brand and
a
also to give back, Luna established a business plan which consists on designing these multipurpose garments and selling them through the online creative platform kickstarter.com. For each purchase of a jacket (£157), a modified version of the garment goes to a refugee; or alternatively you can just donate the modified survival gear to a refugee for £70. Even if you just buy a tee or a baseball cap profits from her kickstarter page go towards supporting humanitarian initiatives. “Our mission is a focus on transparent, ethical, and sustainable production. The brand not only assists refugees, but also creates awareness and education about the global issue itself, using fashion as the medium”, said Luna.
04/04/2017 21:51
TOP PICKS
do it yourself fashion
FASHION
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BY Brenda Zini
This spring and summer we will see a big change in what we find on the shelves in the high street stores, from ruffles to camouflage, these are the looks that you need to bring into your wardrobe. Ruffles are one of the newest looks hitting the high street, whether it is a ruffled top or a skirt, ensure that you add them to your collection. Another trend popping up is the statement sleeve, for an instant fix to your dull winter outfit try adding a jumper with a bell sleeve, anything with a unique twist to the sleeve will freshen up your look. For the male fashionistas, big shoulders are one of the trends for this spring/ summer, giving the male body a taller structure. Finally, this season camouflage is making a return to the highstreet. The shop stores are war-like after the sun has finally made an appearance, so get ready for it with some army prints.
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W
e all have clothes that are just sitting in the back of our wardrobe unused, but don’t want to throw, but thanks to DIY fashion making a return you can finally get them out of the closet, and turn them into something that you will wear again. The first tip for renewing your clothes is using badges, pinning a few badges to your jacket or to the hem of some jeans will instantly freshen your look, giving personality to your old clothes and giving them live again. Any type of badges goes, it’s up to you and your style.
“You just need to be a creative”
splashes creating a complete new look out of any item. If you are looking for a different way to renew your old clothes, try taking some scissors to them. An old pair of jeans can be brought back to life with some new frayed or asymmetrical hems. Don’t just limit your jeans to the wrath of scissors, try cutting the sleeves of a shirt, or a neckline of a tee, you’ll be amazed as to how you can create a whole new top from just a few snips. You just need to be a creative to try DIY fashion just let your own style flow. Use each tip in a way that suits you, but don’t be afraid to try something new. At the end of the day, if it goes wrong you won’t be sad about ruining a pair of ancient jeans.
If badges aren’t your thing, and you want to get a little more creative - get your house paints out and have some fun. You can do a Pollock or just paint half in white or another colour, get some old jeans or an old denim jacket, just be bold. Painting can turn out to be a little messy. An easier solution is bleaching. With bleach you can create your own pattern, do gradient of colour, or even just some
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28 back.indd 1
24/08/2016 12:31