Smoke Mag Issue 11

uwsu.com/mag

october 2016 ¡ ISSUE 11 ¡ FREE

exclusive

interview with crown the empire PG.14-17

cinnamon spice and A seasonal slice PG.10-11

young & talented interview with Ollie and

the dj society PG.8-9

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INSIDE

TEAM Amy Avent

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF amy.avent@smoke.media

IMANI LIVINGSTON

DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF imani.livingston@smoke.media

A word from the editor

JOSHUA HACKETT

MANAGING Editor JOSHUa.hackett@smoke.media

cristian angloni

COMMENT Editor cristian.angeloni@smoke.media

LAREB NASEEM

MUSIC Editor LAREB.nASEEM@smoke.media

NOEMI MARTINI

ARTS Editor noemi.martini@smoke.media

CHINA TEBB

ARTS Editor China.tebb@smoke.media

TIA-ROchelle jones

FASHION Editor tia.rochelle-jones@smoke.media

omar balde

FASHION Editor omar.balde@smoke.media

HOLLY PATRICK

LIFESTYLE Editor HOLLY.PATRICK@smoke.media

kIEra chapman

LIFESTYLE Editor keira.chapman@smoke.media 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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o n g ra t u l a ti o n s , you have survived your first month at university! If you have made it through the past few weeks without cracking, then you will surely survive whatever the rest of the year throws at you.

However, freshers comes with the dreaded fresher’s flu which has been passed around campus, making us miss those dreaded 9am lecture’s (oh what a shame!).

But, I am sure that a few 9am’s have already been skipped due to the awful H word. If you haven’t quite yet mastered how to handle a hangover then see our hangover guide, giving you the essential tips on how to avoid and tackle the morning after feels on page 24-25.

The end of fresher’s means that it is almost winter! Winter brings sniffly

noses (which I am currently suffering from), the knitted jumpers and the infamous seasonal drinks which start to appear in every cafe across the UK. Issue eleven includes a hysterical insight into seasonal drinks by our one and only Kiera Chapman, on pages 10-11, in addition to a recipe to make your very own Pumpkin Spiced Latte without having to spend a third of your student loan on one from Starbucks.

Winter aside, we are very excited to bring you an interview with Crown the Empire, after Music Editor Lareb attended their gig in Kentish Town, along with an exclusive from one of the band members on pages 1417 as our main feature this month!

To stay in the musical spirit our Young & Talented feature is the University of Westminster DJ Society, with their president Ollie Green.

Head to pages 8-9 to read about him creating this new society.

Thank you for picking up a copy and I hope that you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together!

Amy

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INSIDE

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COMMENT PG. 4-7

FEATURES PG. 8-17

UNHEALTHY HEALTH OBESSIONS & SEXIST PAY FOR MALE MODELS

Crown the empire interview and young & talented

ARTS PG. 22-23

MUSIC PG. 19-20

free art galleries & a review of the latest tim burton film

Alessia Cara album review & a night with sunset sons

FASHION PG. 26-27

LIFESTYLE PG. 24-25

LFW: Kaoska Fashion Show & underground designers

Tube observations, bonfire night in london & a guide to hangovers

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COMMENT

Health and gym...

Are we putting trendy diets before our happiness?

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By Cristian Angeloni

ow-fat, no carbs diets and religious attendance to the gym has become the expected lifestyle for anyone who “cares about themselves”.

However, is this lifestyle actually healthy or just conforming to a societal standard?

The ever increasing concern over body image that is spreading among young people is a phenomenon not to be taken lightly. The new ideal body type is a semi-bodybuilder, with muscles as defined as if in a Michelangelo painting.

My consern is, what this phenomenon doing to

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ready to be explored and practiced. So why are we devaluating other disciplines (such as dance, volleyball, basketball, cricket and so on) in favour of some mainstream trend? It just makes no sense at all.

people’s self esteem.

“Firstly, it “People are being should be pointed discriminated out that the against for not gym is not for being gym fit or everyone” not having a gym Another very concerning membership” “habit” is the obsession over

Is this what our society has reduced us to? And where has the principle of loving people in all shapes and colours gone?

That is why we have a countless variety of sports

clean eating and organic food.

Although, the idea of eating clean and organic may make you feel better about yourself, how good is it actually for your mental health?

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...Fashion or obsession?

Eliza Moyse, a clean eating “victim”, has recently shared her experience on The Guardian.

Her obsession with eating “clean” - as if any other type of food was “dirty” - led to anorexia and orthorexia. Additionally, she was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety due to her constant concern over avoiding processed food and carbohydrates.

“At first I did this all to feel better in myself and then it became about losing weight.[…] Because of my eating disorder I have body dysmorphic disorder and have always feel more overweight

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than I am.”

In addition, mental health experts have expressed their concerns around the topic.

Since it seems to affect mainly teenagers (Eliza was 16 when she started clean eating), it poses a serious risk to their wellbeing.

It could cause eating disorders, OCD and even death if taken to its extremes.

Social media has played a big role in this too. In fact, many food bloggers are promoting this sort of “healthy lifestyle” without realising the disastrous consequences that it can have on vulnerable people.

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“I think health food bloggers have a big influence on young people and they should make it clear that everything should be eaten in moderation.” - Eliza Moyse.

“don’t feel guilty if you want a burger” So don’t feel guilty if you want to cook yourself a pizza, or go out and eat a burger. As long as you keep yourself active in your own prefered way, then you are fine!

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COMMENT

IS THE MODELLING INDUSTRY SEXIST TOWARDS MEN?

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BY YI HU HUANG

n an era where feminism has crashed into us like a wave, the search for equality is more important than ever. The main issue? The difference in pay between males and females.

Why should a man be paid up to 30% more than a woman doing the same job? If she were to sue the company for gender discrimination, would that do any good? It would probably be brushed under the carpet, and she may or may not get what she wanted discretely, without gaining much media attention. But this means it will happen again and again as the change isn’t being

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publicised.

“men are paid 75% less” An example of where the opposite might occur is the modelling industry. Male models earn up to 75% less than women: “I had a brief today that came in and it was ‘male model, [pay] £1,500’ and the female model was £5,000, for the same usage,” says Elizabeth Rose, manager at Premier Models. “Women get paid more [because] advertisers say women spend more money on beauty products.”

While stereotypically correct, it is of common knowledge that men are taking a lot more care of themselves nowadays.

They’re roaming around the beauty sections now in department stores, unafraid of showing that they take care of themselves. They’re no longer lounging outside the fitting rooms because they’re roaming around the menswear section.

However, male models and their managers are making a stand to pay discrimination in this particular industry, ensuring that men are paid the same as women are, that makes a change!

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COMMENT

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ARE PRIVATE HALLS WORTH THE PRICE WE PAY?

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BY ABIGAIL WIDYA ooking at three private halls with most Westminster residents (Victoria Halls, Raffles House and Tufnell House), their rents go as low as £180, £199 and £240 pw respectively (at least £9,180 for 52 weeks).

With that amount of money, private halls are more luxurious in terms of furniture, size location.

Although halls are “cheap” for London, but to a student that might still be way too much.

According to the NUS/ Unipol research, studio flats have increased from 6% in

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2011-12 to 29% in 201516. Yet maintenance loans haven’t risen to accomodate rent increases. A new fulltime student in London received a maintenance loan up to £10,702. Whereas continuing students received up to £8,009 for courses starting in September 2015 and £8,202 in September 2016.

“the price of studio flats have risen by 29%” The rent for Victoria Hall

was £6,984 per year in 20152016, and as the term passed the price rose by 0.7% (£7,560). Comparing that with the raise in maintenance loan’s, up to 2.35%, it should not be a problem.

Yet a national student rent strike organised by NUS is happened on the October 19th, against high living costs and the scrapping of the maintenance grant. This has been an on going problem since as far as the year 2000, student rent rises has always been an issue that add up to their debts. This shows that students still can’t afford the price of private halls, which they are forced to stay in.

Higher rent prices in London are inevitable, and the government has tried to help by increasing our maintenance loans, but we still find ourselves panicking when rent is due. Despite the facilities private halls offer, they are still way too expensive for students.

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FEATURE

young & Talented

introducing the dj society and ollie green by noemi martini

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estminster’s new DJ society, otherwise known as ‘Pxrple Moon’, founded by second year music student Ollie Green, is like not your regular society. It is a music burgeoning music business.

“The aim of the society is to bring students from different courses together”, explains Ollie, who created the society six months ago.

The society now has ten core members, each with their own style and musical direction, within the genre of electronic, techno and house music.

Their music is the perfect mix of house and electro with a sprinkling of jazz.

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Their new EP will reflect their unique vibe, entwined with a darker undertone which will be created by the lyrics. In their own words, “this EP will be an infusion of deep and edgy sounds”.

“Their new EP will reflect their unique vibe” Ollie Green, the founder of The DJ Society moved to London from Plymouth, Devon to follow his dream of working in the music industry by enrolling into Westminster.

But he explained that Devon was too limited for him, he needed to

move to the capital.

After attending one of his sets in Proud Camden it’s hard to imagine that Ollie, was once a college student in the quiet southern county of Devon, as he stood in front of his DJ decks, at Proud Camden, where he regularly DJ’s.

“Devon was too limited for me.”

As well as a student and an emerging DJ, Ollie is also a lighting technician at the Cirque le Soir Club, providing him with plenty of experience to run The DJ Society and take their aspiring music business to new levels.

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

Cinnamon, Spice and a seasonal slice Kiera chapman tAKES A SIP OF THE autumnal TREND The warming autumnal months are looming. Noses are as ripe as Pink Ladies and chins are nestled amongst fleecy collars and scarves.

Oh, and your hands are firmly grasping a Toffee Nut Latte.

Standard.

As soon as the leaves start to fall and turn a flashing auburn (although this is becoming later and later thanks to good old climate change), coffee shops are out in force, with pin ups and boards scattered across the country advertising the humble seasonal beverage.

Why do we flock as a nation to get our hands of these sweet, fragrant creamy swirls of joy? What is the appeal and how is it even possible that the trend continues to grow?

A Gingerbread Latte started off with a few shots of syrup but now renders a calorific masterpiece with an entire house dolloped on top - village people included.

The drink that generates the most commotion is the man, the myth, the legend: The Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Can we take a moment to muse the fact that it’s not even orange? The majority of Brits who sip upon this creation have never even eaten a pumpkin before, as opposed to our friends the Americans and Canadians, who make a point of eating Pumpkin Pie as part of the traditional Thanksgiving meal. I for one have never chomped on its orange flesh.

I’ll quite happily scoop out it’s innards, carve a suggestive image on it’s skin and leave it to innocent children’s interpretations on my door

Eggnogg Gonna Happen - It’s impossible to find a drink without a splurge of spice around autumn . .

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stop but you have me at bye with pie.

The hashtag #PSL (commonly confused with #PLL) only spurs the drink’s mass consumption on.

My favourite is The Gingerbread Latte. Some chain coffee shops chose to use this flavoured syrup all year round, but spruce it up for commercial purposes around autumn. BA Journalism student Leanne Hall, an ex Costa Barista, has a strong personal dislike to the gingery cinnamon, nutmeg blend but can still see the appeal of it around the festive period. “People love it at christmas because the flavours and smells are rich and warming; I think they find them comforting.”

The Eggnog Latte follows suit to the Gingerbread and is perhaps a more traditional Christmas drink. It’s often neglected and isn’t as trivial as the others - it’s an acquired taste. To be honest, it should be the favourite as the Google definition for eggnog claims that it ‘may or may not contain alcohol.’ You don’t get that kind of magic in a grating of ginger.

For those who aren’t a fan of caffeine, there’s an array of hot chocolates to choose from. The hot chocolate emerges more as a dessert or warm sundae as opposed to a liquid purchase that quenches one’s thirst.

Leanne recalls a time she had to make an orange hot chocolate: “there’s the orange syrup, the hot chocolate, a chocolate orange disc on top and a sprinkle of glitter.” The

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glitter presumably makes it ‘seasonal’ and is the finishing touch as though it were a ribbon draped around a present.

Other hot chocolates consist of Starbuck’s Peppermint and Costa’s Forest Gateau.

The visual elements added to enhance the drinks are all for aesthetic reasons - they also help establish the drink on it’s own as a brand.

Internet bloggers participate in seasonal halls and showcase the most essential purchases of that particular period, including drinks and file them through an alluring filter on their Instagram. Enter: Zoella aka Zoe Sugg. A young woman with so many scented candles, her room is an aromatic fire hazard. She relishes in seasonal baking and goodies - she has an extremely sweet tooth and has been known to sip on a #PSL or two throughout her internet reign.

Campaigns are launching in brute force: harder than ever. Nowadays a drink is not complete without it’s own glossy byline and slogan. “The marketing campaign that Starbucks put into the build up to the release each year is phenomenal, but at the end of the day, it’s just a seasonal flavour,” China Tebb, who studies BA Contemporary Media Practice, explains.

Starbucks tend to portray drinks as experiences through advertising and what is more tempting the promise of obtaining festive joy by buying a cup of it?

The seasonal drink is merely just another another product of consumerism except this time, in the form of a having a whipped cream crown and sickly after taste.

Perhaps the it’s best type of consumerism - the type that gives you diabetes.

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Create your own #PSL Ingredients (For 1) 1 cup milk, divided 1 tablespoon white sugar, or more if you like it sweet 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup brewed espresso Method Whisk ½ of the milk, sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat.

Simmer for 5 minutes. Whisk in remaining 1/2 cup milk.

Pour milk mixture through a fine sieve to remove pulp.

Return milk mixture to saucepan and simmer, whisking, 2 minutes. Add espresso and whisk until foamy (this should be for another minute or so) SUBSTITUTE: Pumpkin pie spice for ¼ of teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg.

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FEATURE

Halloween decoded: A Holiday vs. Consumerism

By Asya Gadzheva

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f somebody mentions October, you would most likely think of a pumpkin.

Admittedly, the entire month has become a synonym of an internationally recognized holiday: Halloween. But have you ever even attempted to understand what it is about?

Consumer culture has it all conveniently figured out: piles of candy, decorations, even skimpier costumes, and pricey parties. There will be plenty on offer. You will like them and, next year, buy more of the same.

Here are a few examples of how Halloween has become based around business:

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Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and virtually everything that tastes like or has a pumpkin on it, have become a token of Halloween. Pumpkin pieflavoured vodka and cream cheese are just some of the insanities that will be appearing on the shelves this year.

Candy, lots and lots of it. It does not matter if it is crunchy or chewy, but you have to buy some for the trick-ortreater’s.

D e c o r a ti o n s .

Jack-O’-Lanterns aside, outdoor and indoor decorations are the most excessively bought items around Halloween, and the overwhelming diversity is to be blamed. Naturally, you might want a few gravestones and skulls in your garden, but you should probably draw the line when you start Googling ‘ scary toilet decorations’.

Food has recently received a lot of attention and creativity. Every cake, biscuit or bun will have some sort of Halloween theme to it by the 1st October.

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FEATURE

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onsumerism has transformed once a humble celebration of nature’s cycles into a low budget horror film set. With a never ceasing supply of stereotyped ornaments, the industry is not only manipulating us into buying the same items again each year, but, far worse, into false cultural appropriation of a holiday, which abstained from ‘adorning homes with symbols of death and evil’ to attract attention.

Decorations were meant to scare vengeful spirits off, and so were costumes.

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Halloween bath bombs.

Because why not? Soaking in cinnamon and baked pumpkin is surely the new luxury.

Not only are Halloween centric products being sold everywhere, Halloween isn’t complete without dressing up as ‘what ever you can find at the last minute with some fake blood’.

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Costumes were originally used to conceal one’s identity and flesh.

Somewhere along the line the skirts became shorter, the tops scantier, and the inspiration behind them highly questionable.

What went wrong?

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Parties.

Yes, s e r i o u s l y .

Halloween has never been about partying. Its Pagan roots lie within honouring the dead and protection from bad auguries. So where did stuffing into crowded rooms and drinking green liquids come from?

Halloween is a business revolving around a sense of common identity. That is what makes it problematic but nonetheless accepted.

It is part of our pointless mundane consumerism, a meaningless label on packages and shelves. But, as long as you can dress up and carve a pumpkin, what does it really matter?

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FEATURE

INTERVIEW WITH CROWN THE EMPIRE BY LAREB NASEEM CTE RETURN WITH THEIR LATEST ALBUM ‘RETROGADE’

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usic Editor, Lareb Naseem, interviewed Crown the Empire’s lead singer Andrew Velasquez and Rhythm guitarist Brandon Hoover before their gig in Kentish Town. Taking the time to discuss their new album, Post Malone, Kim Kardashian and a crazy story involving the lead singer’s mum being robbed.

Let’s get straight to it! As we are a student magazine, I wonder do you have any memories/fondness of education or books?

Brandon: School Sucks!

Andy: Ahaha- totally. I’ve been getting into reading Carl Sagan’s cosmos, it’s a little bit sciencey, we’re into that. Our album is based on cinema and it’s really cool to implement science in our songs for comparisons and stuff.

Your new album is great by the way, it’s beautiful.

Andy: Thanks I appreciate it.

So, next question, you guys have done multiple world tours, do you have a favourite country or fan base?

Andy: Erm, I think Tokyo. We were just there for the first time and it was wild. Also,

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Glasgow, Scotland, for some reason just goes so hard for us. Russia was weird, [to Brandon] do you remember how weird Russia was? [to Lareb] Russia was one of our biggest crowds as a headliner, we weren’t expecting many people to know us, but it was really cool.

Other than the album which you have been working on, do you have any other ongoing projects?

Andy: Just little ideas here and there as to how we can expand and get our music out there, such as short films.

Are there any filmmakers in particular which you would like to work with?

Andy: Erm, you know what, there is a list of really cool film makers out there, but things just haven’t worked out. It’s just us bouncing ideas off each other at the mo’

“I have been in the band since i was 16” What is it like sharing the stage with Hands like Houses and Of Mice and Men? Andy: It’s great, we’ve done a

few runs together and there has always been great energy and vibes. They crush it every time, and it’s so interesting to see how we all take on this genre and express it in our own way.

Have you guys ever thought about where you would be now if you hadn’t gone down the music path?

Andy: For me, I’ve been in the band since I was 16. So, I’ve never had a job, I’ve never done anything else, so for me it is such a weird possibility for me that I can’t really picture. But I dunno, maybe I would be in college. Brandon would be working at ChickFil-A- the family business- a strip club [laughter]

“Post Malone auditioned to be in the band” Because I heard that Post Malone auditioned to be in the band?

Andy: Oh yeah! That’s such a good story, and he just did a song with Bieber which is pretty cool. Every time I see him, he has new jewelry...

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And new grills right?

Andy: Haha yeah, interstingly enough he told me that he could get me a set for freeso i’m definitely going to get some grills! So get over it.

Can’t wait for the new look!

Oh yeah expect it!

I heard that Benn Suede recently left the band, how has that affected you musically?

Andy: He left right before we headed to the studio to record this album, it definitely affected the dynamics of the group. There was a pseudo politics behind decisions musically, essentially it all came down to smaller issues becoming bigger than they needed to be, and things just didn’t click anymore. He got an opportunity to do his thing, and took it, and we are so happy for him! No hard feelings at all- we still hang whenever we’re in LA.

Are there any artists, musically, that you would like to work with?

Andy: Oh, hmm, yeah. I would love to do a colab with Post [Malone], I know we were just talking abou him, just for the sake of how weird it would be, because he does have a punk rock vibe, I know that he does hip hop now but he used to do rock, so it would be cool to see what we could do together.

FEATURE

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CROWN THE EMPIRE, LOOKING VERY RETRO

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FEATURE

“I would love to collab with post malone ” Do you guys have a favourite song or band at the moment?

Brandon: Yeah it’s f***ing, [starts humming a tune] Andy: Oh yeah! Cage the Elephant, the other CTE, I’ve started listening to Nothing But Thieves too, their intro is great I was listening to it for ages last night.

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Your intro is great too by the way, I was listening to it on the way here, and the bus passed like a million billboards of Kim Kardashian, I felt as though I had been transported to like some weird sci-fi/ world.

Andy:Haha that’s hilarious- ah the world loves a bit of Kim K. Did you hear what happened to her?

Andy: Ah yeah she got robbed right? Weird, my mum recently got robbed not too long ago, f***ing crazy she pulled out a

gun out on the guy.

Brandon: Wait, what?!

Andy: Oh dude! You didn’t hear that story? Long story short right, my mum came home one day from work to find an imposter claiming to be our dog sitter. So, the girl claimed that she was from the company that my mum had hired to look after our dog bla bla- my mum was taken back by this and has always been quite paranoid so was wary of the whole situation and fired the company. The next day, she was sat at home and someone walked through

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the front door- she knew asap because we have this security system installedevery time someone walks in a short ‘dibidibidi’ noise is played. She immediately grabs her shot-gun- walks towards the front of the house calling out- and is faced by a tall tattooed guy.

By this point my mum cocks her gun aims it towards the guy- now he has his hands up claiming that he was the new ‘dog sitter’ to which my Mum explained that she had fired that company. Now at this point, my mum leads the guy out to the front yard, orders him to drop the key and lets

FEATURE

didn’t story came ork to ing to he girl om the m had ur dog taken always o was uation y. The home hrough

17 him know that if she ever saw him again she’d f***ing kill him.

Brandon: OH WOW! Andy: Yeah she didn’t tell me until I got back home from tour, and I was just so taken aback like Jesus- crazy story right? Ha! Wow that is crazy. That is all the time we have, but thank you for talking to us, and we wish you luck on your tour!

Crown The Empire’s latest Album Retrograde is available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.

Minciment et, audande licimet quam faccaer chicipsum illorunt aut litium comnihicab intus.

Nonse nis aut el.

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MUSIC

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Alessia caraknow-it-all

BY CHINA TEBB

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erforming at the MTV Video Music Awards in just jeans and a t-shirt without an ounce of makeup on seems like a modern-day nightmare to a good majority of us. However, for fresh talent Alessia Cara, it’s just another day in the office Her debut album KnowIt-All dropped in late 2015 and it’s been making a huge impact on the music industry ever since.

Detailing the innerthoughts of an anxious teenager at a typical, out-ofcontrol party, she managed to encapsulate a feeling that thousands of teenagers experience in their youth, in just over three minutes. The song became an ironic hit at parties among young people and rightfully so, since it speaks to the social-outsider in all of us.

The album is about selfacceptance and having the

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ability to do whatever we aspire to without being put down by those who doubt us.

It’s the kind of song that you want to scream at the tops of your lungs or dance to at a festival. It’s a feet-tapping, finger-clicking, feel-good tune with a deep underlying message that I think all of us need to hear at least once in our lives.

“The album is refreshingly original” The tenth track on KnowIt-All was released as Cara’s third single. Scars To Your Beautiful is yet another ultra-relatable song that touches on self-acceptance once again. The album is refreshingly original and seems to have a song for whatever issue young people may face in modern

society. Know-It-All takes the listener on a journey through some very personal issues on Cara’s part, however in releasing the album, it has become quite clear that she’s not the only one who suffers with issues such as anxiety, self-confidence and regret at the young age of twenty.

“The album is about selfacceptance” As far as debuts go, Alessia Cara has created something truly successful, and by simply being herself, which is a rarity in the modern music industry. She has stepped up the game for other young musicians in the same genre by proving that sometimes it’s not about the costumes, the makeup, or even the production; sometimes it really is just about the music.

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MUSIC

Songs I’d recommend: ‘She Wants’, ‘Somewhere Maybe’, ‘Tick tock’ & ‘Bring the Bright Lights’

An intimate evening with sunset sons

BY ALEX CLEMENT

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ith another UK tour starting in O c t o b e r, the boys from Sunset Sons have outdone themselves.

The band, consists of lead singer Rory Williams, Robin Windram on guitar, Pete Harper on Bass and Jed Laidlaw on the drums,.

The boys originate from the South of France and have climbed ladder and into our hearts with their music.

I first heard them back in November whilst they were the supporting act for Imagine Dragons on their world tour. Everyone around me clearly knew who they were and the lyrics to their songs. I didn’t. But as soon as the first song was played,

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I was instantly hooked.

Earlier this year, I won a competition, where the prize was to see them perform at their album launch party, based in a small pub in London with only 40 guests.

“it didn’t feel like it was a concert for paid fans” I was so close to the band I could hold out my hand and touch them with ease, it was sensational. They sang a few songs from what was their new album at the time, as well as older songs which, I think are some of the best

songs to have hit the rock/ indie scene.

The night was completely magical, it didn’t feel like it was a concert for paid fans, it was more intimate than that and it was amazing.

After the boys performed their songs we got to meet them, they were so laid back and relaxed that they as if we were their lifelong friends.

To top off the night, I won an additional prize after guessing the size of Pete’s feet (11 and a half).

I have a feeling that this new album, Very Rarely Say Die, definitely won’t be the last, and I am for sure going to be keeping a beady eye out for the next huge hit.

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Smoke radio playlists from mid october

A List Anne-Marie – Alarm Ariana Grande – Side to Side (feat. Nicki Minaj) Bastille – Send Them Off!

Calvin Harris – My Way Craig David – Ain’t Giving Up (feat. Sigala) Digital Farms Animals & Cash Cash – Milionaire (feat. Nelly) DJ Snake – Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber) Dua Lipa – Blow Your Mind (Mwah) James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha – In The Name of Love Sia – The Greatest (feat. Kendrick Lamar) The Chainsmokers – Closer (feat. Halsey) The Weeknd – Starboy (feat. Daft Punk) Twenty One Pilots – Heathens

B List Bruno Mars – 24k Magic Gavin James – Nervous – The Ooh Song: The Mark McCabe Remix Hailee Steinfeild – Starving Jax Jones – House Work Jonas Blue – Perfect Strangers (feat. J.P. Cooper) Kings of Leon – Waste a Moment Mike Perry – The Ocean (feat. Shy Martin) NEIKED – Sexual Niall Horan – This Town Offiah – Trouble Olly Murs – You Don’t Know Love Passenger - Anywhere The Chainsmokers – All We Know Zara Larsson – Ain’t My Fault

C List Blossoms – Blown Rose Catfish & the Bottlemen – Twice Chase & Status – All Goes Wrong Clean Cut Kid – Make Believe Craig David – 16 Frank Hamilton – Saturday Night Gorgon City – Smile (feat. Elderbrook) Green Day – Still Breathing Kanye West – Famous (feat. Rihanna) Kideko & George Kwali – Crank It (Woah) (feat. Nadia Rose & Sweetie Irie) Leo Stannard – In My Blood Slaves – Spit It Out The Japanese House – Face Like Thunder

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22

ARTS

free art galleries & muesums to visit in lOnDON

S

BY china tebb

o you’ve managed to survive fresher’s and now you’re trying to get your teeth into that confusing lecture timetable as well as explore your new stomping grounds. Luckily for you, London is one of the few cities where nearly all the art galleries and museums are free to enter.

There are hundreds to choose from and they won’t cost you a penny, so you’ve got absolutely no excuse to be sitting in your room bingewatching the newest season of Narcos. It’s time to get out and experience some culture, so here are some museums and galleries that are a mustsee this autumn:

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Saatchi gallery nearest tube: sloane square

One of the most-visited contemporary galleries in London, the Saatchi is the place to go if you’re searching for fresh, upand-coming artists and exhibitions.

the v & A museum nearest tube: South kensingston

The V&A has a extensive collection ranging from medieval tapestries and stained glass, to the most comprehensive selection of dresses in the world.

GUILDHALL GALLERY nearest tube: Bank Set amongst the ruins of an ancient Roman Amphitheatre, the Guildhall holds Victorian and London-centric art that details some of the most historic events in the city.

Natural history nearest tube: South kensington

You’ll need a whole day to explore this jungle of a museum. Famous for the incredible architecture and the extensive collection of dinosaur skeletons, this is the perfect place to visit.

11/10/2016 17:50

ON

book corner

REVIEW: TIM BURTONS LATEST MASTERPIECE

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BY SASHA WICKENDEN

The picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray, first published in 1890, is a philosophical novel, which has long shone in the ʻBooks to Read Before You Die’ lists. Causing an outrage in the eve of the 20th century, this book portrays life in London, both the glamour of aristocrats and the ugliness of the poor - it certainly abounds with it all.

The main focus, is on Dorian Gray, a young man whose looks leaves anyone who encounters him breathless. Drugged by his friend, Lord Henry’s rather hedonistic and haughty philosophy of life, Dorian sells his soul to the Devil, wishful for immortal youth and beauty while the portrait, painted by his friend Basil Hallward, bears the burden of his following sins.

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T

im Burton has returned once again to bring audiences another tale of the strange and unique in the movie adaptation of Ransom Riggs’s Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children.

Following clues left by his Grandfather (Stamp) to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he travels to a mysterious island in Wales. He stumbles across a magical place called Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and there he meets Miss Peregrine (Green) and children of ages all having a special power.

“This film will make you laugh, cry and smile”

As he is welcomed to their home and gets to know them the mystery begins to unfold however this brings unavoidable danger with it.

It is a very Burton-esque tale including strange creatures, stop motion and an army of skeletons. Most importantly it focuses on characters that are different and misunderstood which have always been the subject matter of his work. Despite the darkness within this story it is a great tale of fantasy, family, love, friendship and embracing one’s quirks. This film will make you laugh, cry and smile and will leave you wanting more. Miss Peregrine has the potential to join Beetlejuice and Corpse Bride as a classic Tim Burton film.

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24

LIFESTYLE

How’s it hanging? one drink always leads to another

HANGOVER hell 101

BY KIM PARKINSON

– a student with years of experience

Lesson A: What is a “hangover”?

A hangover can transform motivated and energetic students into lazy sloths.

Common symptoms caused by excessive alcohol consumption, range from memory loss, to dizziness, to throwing up.

Lesson B: How to get a hangover

1

Make sure you don’t drink water or eat anything substantial before, during, or after you consume alcohol.

2

Drink lots of alcohol quickly.

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3

6

Lesson C: How to deal with a hangover

7

Mix your drinks. You know the rhyme “beer before wine, and you’ll be fine”? Well ignore it.

4

Avoid the tube. Heat is the worst for those in a hungover state. Instead, go outdoors and get some fresh air. If you are too lazy to go outside, use a hairdryer on the cold setting. It should do the same job.

5

Sleep all day - become nocturnal for the weekend.

Get wet. Engaging with water will help ease hangover symptoms, which are mainly caused by dehydration.

Eat. Some experts suggest that bananas, eggs, and other foods near the bottom of the food pyramid are the magic cure for a hangover. From experience however, try the superfood pizza.

Lesson D: How to never get a hangover

8

Just don’t drink alcohol.

Apparently it’s good for your health.

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ng with ease mptoms, sed by

experts ananas, foods e food cure for erience perfood

Remember remember…

Bonfire Night is fast approaching and where better to experience an explosive display than in the capital? Here are some worthy making a note of in your diary:

wimbledon park 3rd November

Alexandra palace 4th November

battersea park 5th November

southwark display 5th November

harrow display 5th November

wembley park 6th November

ngover

alcohol. ood for

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TUBE OBSERVATIONs In a rush? It’s still not an excuse for rudeness says Holly Patrick

A

complete lack of courtesy arises on the London Underground.

Anybody who has ever used it will know that you must sacrifice all personal space barriers when using any form of London public transport.

We willingly do this but it doesn’t mean we like it.

Knowing this however, you would have thought that we would try and make ours, and fellow travelers journeys a little bit easier by being a Good Samaritan.

Instead, the common theme of underground etiquette is to ignore everyone who needs help and just think of yourself.

It seems such a shame that so often, parents, pushchairs and children are left to struggle up the steep and narrow steps, occasionally being bumped into without a word of apology or an offer of help. That’s another thing, since when did we start accidently shoulder barging each other people and not apologising? At least acknowledge that they are real people and you are not in the hospital scene out of the film Ghost.

One thing we can universally agree on however, is how old is old

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enough to give your seat up? This is something a lot of people struggle with. Do you give your seat up and risk offending someone because unbeknown to you, they are only 37; or do your keep your seat to avoid insulting aanyone, but risk having the whole tube think you are a moron, and worse cause actually physical pain to the person you won’t let sit down?

Let’s look at it this way, if you are able bodied enough to stand up, then stand up, even if there is a whole carriage full of empty seats.

Why? Because we should all be grateful for our legs.

“Tube etiquette is dangerous ground” Tube etiquette is dangerous ground, but fundamentally if we remember that everyone else who is using the same transport is also human (with the occasional dog), just like us, then everyone’s journey might be a little more bearable, and not so much like a sweaty mosh pit at Metallica concert.

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26

FASHION

LFW:AN INSIGHT INTO THE KaoSKA FASHION SHOW

F

BY MIRIAM COCUZZA

rom the 15th-20th of September 2016 London hosted one of the most important events of the year: ‘London Fashion Week’. LFW isn’t all about ‘It girls’, such as Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner pacing the runway with their expensive dresses, but also new rising designers that presented their brand new collections at the ‘Double Tree Hilton’ in Marble Arch on the 24th September.

The fancy location hosted the Kaoska Fashion Show 2016, The show raised funds for Cancer Research UK, but it also provided new designers a platform

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of exposure. The exclusive fashion show was presented

by Diana Ellis Jones and began in the evening, in one of the main rooms of the Hilton Hotel.

“LFW isn’t all about it girls” The event itself showcased the work of nine designers among which Nico Di Donna defined his collection as an “organised mess”, During a private interview Hira Malik said “I have been working 24 hours for the past couple of weeks to get ready for this fashion show

“I was so excited – she continues – and I am particularly proud of the long silver dress”, the one that the model Angelina Kali wore and received resounding success.

The event show cased the hard work of others designers such as: Tony Q-Golf, Nikki, Faye, Olga Kakoeva, Tony – Gold and Zibbi London.

To entertain the public, the Kaoska Fashion Show 2016 also hosted Karl William Lund, known from the BBC Eurovision show 2016, who delighted the public with the song “Miracle”, that perfectly matched with the aim of the night of raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

11/10/2016 17:57

TOP PICKS who to follow on instagram this month

london’s young fashion designers

BY TIA-ROCHELLE JONES

msrosiebea.com 18 Year old British Fashion Design student.

Perfect if you’re a lover of floral patterns, girly textures and pastels. @rosietheginger

As one of the most influential cities for fashion filled with young students, the rising stars of UK fashion are gradually getting younger with some designers as young as 16. As young Londoners are becoming more experimental, underground designers are becoming more popular and here is who you should be looking out for:

Draw In Light Design duo Harriet Barford and Polly Wilkinson hailing from East London with a penchant for simple monochromatic design with natural inspiration @Drawinlight

Uncivilised Another young design duo centered around easy to style key pieces, such as these

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black shorts which can be taken from day to night and winter to summer. @weareuncivilised

Tiar Johnston If you’re looking for animal print minis or sequin two pieces then look no further!

Tiar sells handmade unique and affordable items on her Depop store, perfect for guys and gals who love a bit of quirk. @tiarjohnston

ISOLATED HEROES A lesser known label worn by the likes of Miley Cyrus and Pixie Lott, Isolated Heroes specialised in heavily embellished jackets, dyed faux fur coats and satin 90s co-ords. @isolatedheroes

erikabowes.co.uk Fashion Communication student, often features layers and breathable fabrics for both fashion and comfort. @erikabowes

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