Quench - Issue 107

VOYEUR...4 FEATURES...6 BOOKS...12 FOOD... 15 Fashion...18 PHOTOS...26 Travel...29 LGBT+...32 ARTS...34 MUSIC...38 Film...46

VoyEUr

Issue 107 March 28

Worth a try!

In the last column I wrote of the up and coming election process. Only two weeks ago, its seems like an age, as campaigning in the day, partying in the night, exhaustion and compulsive smiling make days seem like weeks but time pass in a haze.

I didn't win the position of Head of Student Media, but would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those individuals lucky enough to be representing Cardiff Students for the next year.

Losing is never fun, but just as all mums say, it's worth a shot. Over the next few weeks both gair rhydd and Quench will be looking for section editors to join our exciting team.

Whatever year you are in, whatever your level of experience - remember it is always worth a try. If you are interested drop the editors an email on the address at the bottom of the relevant page. I very much look forward to meeting the fresh faces who have the enthusiasm and passion to continue the hard work of the current Quenchies!

Dom Kehat

Hi I'm James, I'm a second year illustration student at UWIC. I favor a more hand drawn, organic way of drawing, especially with pen and ink. I have a little obsession with possible into my work! I'm inspired Check out more of my work here: http ://j ame ssw ain illu stra tion . wordpress.com/

Quench Quickie The Sun is out, so its PIMM'S O'CLOCK! Of course you know how to make it, but just in case- here is your recipe for that summer essential!

Take a shaker 2/3 full of ice and add 50ml of Pimms No.6, 25ml of Zubrowka vodka, of sugar syrup. Shake well and strain into a tumbler full of ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint and two short straws.

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vouyer@gairrhydd.com

VOYEUR

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n mock entire adline -"Sad little Me us Top Gear row (he rio the depressoto th i-n wi sem re the mo th ce As happened wi t into the news on us thr n bee s producer ha tiv ss rectne True-May, execu e nation"), political cor and run about Brian n ru l which d sia an n ver ru tro s ha con t d something vaguely ingly banal story tha sai o wh rs rde Mu r Midsome of plodsome 'drama' liberal media. o ACTUALLY reasingly nit-picking inc the in s fus a up e the kind of twat wh d kicke makes me sound lik t tha love trees so I ing il, say , Ma gin the be d Before I even d. But I don't rea ma e gon s ha on how to ss ice tne correc ularly take on adv thinks that political rn to drive and I reg lea her not to rat get uld for wo to t he gh t -May suggested tha much I had the foresi ue Tr ay! yw an accust m, Bu . tor correctly farted up a shits hug inner city youths d parts of the media an may rs ow sh rde the Mu r on me ies rit affairs where Midso of employ ethnic mino te sta sad rare the at the d we are now al thanks to ing him of racism an population than norm the of the re in mo at's e Th tag . ay percen fusty old man anyw actually bore a small youe a somewhat myopic Ar ly us ns tio vio op ob is the y th gu n wi publicity. Now, the of Opportunity sectio ND!) But beside the Equality Sussex? Or SCOTLA es? tri un Co job application. (just me Ho in? ita Br ted "We no y om htl Fr y? rig ow out of context? He ed nk White? Caucasian? Sn ya n bee 't te ven ha ow the quotes hate change". So in spi is it racist? Do we kn lot of change. People a e lik 't esn do t tha . t there he has a point have an audience ou se your blood to clot, ld die. so boring it will cau TE it! And they cou HA ey Th ge. an of the fact it may be ch te ha tie it's a ris if Ch en a Ev Agath kill the elderly.

Old people who read passive racism than se anyno did wn d bro an s, bly ng ssi thi po , he said stupid So, you know, rather ch he'd blems. But seriously mu pro y n ver sio t ub pen g do i d vin An sol handy way of ist before this? No. mer Murders was rac racist at all. There are one really think Midso Radio Times, if he is the m fro st ali rn jou a ow, he could make to ws ge producer of a lar sh choose to air his vie the as d an te, bsi d as Midwe the Mail's somewhere else. An plenty of forum's on little england values or sm rampage ali od ur blo ult of ltic och Powell rivers an argument about mu media m likely to go on a En the fro all far lly, are rea rs So we d. vie somer Murders rdly inciting hatre ha s wa he nbury , sto on gla nd Lo as st of already as green through the South Ea kes tness debate which is ma rec ing cor ort cal rep liti of po d a y has done is mudd going mad, but this kin 't isn ing ess yth ctn an t rre Co litical gly paranoid tha on sunday evening. Po producers increasin s TV s ead ke nh ma ski d P an BN is, it by nk y get falsely held up the Top Gear viewers thi as ary g itu yin ob clo ir pasted on the an example of they say will be soon Murders is at worst be racist. Midsomer to m y be put in the show ma edo fre ies rit for no rs mi as Marty ybe some ethnic ma t tha d goo ending and banal its ver d ne an cliched thinking, merely adds to the d an , ng thi No t ou so damned ch Ado Ab ved if people think now, but its sadly Mu ich will never be sol wh , ess ctn rre Co . debate about Political watch Downton Abbey leave me be, i'm off to rigidly about it. Now vouyer@gairrhydd.com

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FEATURES

What would you do?

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quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com

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FEATURES

Strip education? to fund

YES For reasons I am yet to fully understand, a couple of my girl friends and I ended up in one of

and earn money at night. It's a safe environment and it pays a hell of a lot better than maccy d's!"

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quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com

FEATURES

S I ED N D O I I V I N I D P O NO

We all know how expensive student lifestyles can be, despite our discount-loaded NUS cards and offers of double vodka redbulls under £2. The amount of advertising shoved into students' faces on a daily bit of extra cash to spend on a bender. But how far would you go for that extra cash? Would you date?

Would you strip? Would you fuck?

Personally, I wouldn’t. Escorting, for one, has several dangers. Some wrongly believe that escorting is just ‘being paid to go on a date’ and that sex is optional . If that’s the case, why isn’t everyone doing it? I’ve researched into this and escort agencies don’t hire girls (or guys) who aren’t open to the idea of providing ‘extra services’, mainly because there are plenty out there who will. So from this we can conclude that escorting embodies all of the drawbacks of prostitution; lechy, and potentially dangerous, men exposing girls to the risk of STIs and violence.

What about stripping? Get your kit off, no touching for good money; or at least that’s what the outside world assumes. Stripping can easily become more than that and women can be tempted to double their night's pay. The easy money made by doing these kinds of jobs can be addictive and it is one of the main reasons many women struggle to get out of the industry.

Furthermore, future professional employers are unlikely to look admirably upon students who paid work experience is more evidential of perseverance and determination.

Escorts and strippers are far more likely to be raped, and the likelihood of sexual assault is greatly increased in areas that host these businesses. Physical damage and psychological harm are almost certainties. All in all, it’s a very risky business and I think I’d rather just pop down to the Union Jobshop instead.

quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com

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Interview: Estelle Hart Estelle is the woman to talk to about issues affecting female students.

Quench about the dangerous lengths some women will go to in order to fund their studies.

I’m really concerned that the language of women’s liberation has been co-opted in recent years by the sex industry. I don’t think conforming to ideals of beauty that are dictated by the male publishers of lads' mags is empowering. I don’t think women will be empowered by learning how to pole-dance.

I also don’t truly believe we can talk about choice in a society where so much power is held by men; where women are told how to act and how to look from birth.

It’s really important when discussing issues like this to clarify that when I’m talking about women in sex work, I’m not criticising the women involved, I’m criticising a patriarchal society that forces women into certain roles and capitalist systems that exploit women. elected I want to carry research into women working in the informal economy including women involved in sex work.

I’m sure there are male students who are involved in this kind of work but when we look at ob-

the massive power imbalance in our society.

Women are constantly judged on their looks no matter what position they hold. Look at the treatSecretary, who faced constant newspaper articles about how she dressed and what she looked like. the week in magazine, but this didn’t diminish his standing as a world leader; newspaper articles didn’t focus on what he was wearing.

Women face an extra level of scrutiny that is entirely based on how they look.

I certainly think the rise of the cost of education will have an impact on the number of women students engaged in sex work. Rising costs coupled with the slashing of public spending will see some of those most in need of support denied it and forced to take up dangerous work simply to put food on the table.

Of course the idea that work in these professions will make you a fortune is misinformed. For example, stripping is not the big money business it’s portrayed as- well, at least not for the strippers, ten pay a fee to work at the club and most of their time is spent trying to earn enough to pay the fee. place where women can lose most of what they earn in a night for things such as “having hair out workers to earn money is ever-present with many women thinking they have to perform sex acts in order to earn enough to survive.

I think it’s only right that we put focus on how we protect women who work in dangerous environments, especially when we know how high the risk of being a victim of rape or sexual assault is for women who work in prostitution. It’s so important that there is money for agencies that support sex workers and in this climate of massive cuts, it's services such as these that are having their funding cut.

I also have a real concern that the normalisation and glamorisation of these industries will lead to more and more women working in them with little idea of their true face.

FEATURES

What lengths would you go to? takes a

Clinical Trials -

Selling Sex

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Drug Dealing

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quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com

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BOOKS

Reviews...

Dewi Prysor Lladd Duw Dewi Prysor’s Lladd Duw (which translates as Killing God) follows the story of two friends, Jojo and Didi, as they go into hiding after doublethat they must return to their forgotten roots in order to survive.

While the story is action-packed and rather dark at times, we are constantly reminded of the struggle of the rural town of Gilfach (used to represent rural Wales in general) to keep its community and religion intact as developers sets their sights on the town’s land, causing residents to begin to turn on each other. The main characters battle with themselves and their pasts as they return to their hometown, wondering if returning there might be a worse fate then facing the murderous gangsters chasing them.

Dewi Prysor’s previous books have been centred around the humorous existence of people on the edge of society, so this book is a far cry from his other works, but is equally as enjoyable and thrilling. This book effectively explores the darkness of the two friends’ pasts and seeks to explain how and why they went from two Welsh boys from a small coastal town to getting involved with a London gangster, which makes for a very good read.

Katie Dowling

Stieg Larsson The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Not only is this book decorated with many rave reviews and book awards, but its evolution into tion. Larsson’s best-seller is a crime novel set in Sweden, focusing around two main characters (Mikael Blomkvist and Listbeth Salander) as they into a mystery. The writing is simply superb: intellectual, well paced, descriptive. Perfection.

Well, almost. It may be nit-picking, but something I personally found annoying was the constant change of perspectives within a chapter.

Since reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo I’ve read other books, and I didn’t realise how much I preferred knowing which character was talking. Nevertheless, the minor inconvenience lines of a couple paragraphs did nothing to mar the glimmering story crammed with intrigue and excitement.

The tension Larsson develops is palpable and the novel’s high points peak like the crest of a rising wave, breaking to leave you reeling in the sand wanting more. Or something like that. This is a book that you can really get your teeth into, and biggest problem of all with this book is that it only has two sequels. Not nearly enough.

Craig McDowall

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BOOKS

Walker Percy Lost in the Cosmos Imagine you pick up a book titled Lost in the Cosmos. The back cover blurb asks “Why is it possible to learn more in ten minutes about the Crab Nebula, which is six thousand light-years away, than you presently know about yourself, even though you’ve been stuck with yourself all your life?” The cover is black, showing the planet Earth and the subtitle “The last self-help book.”

Question: Is Lost in the Cosmos: (1) A self-help book that’s got too big for its boots.

(2) A parody of a self-help book, containing hilariously funny send-ups of modern psychobabble, talk show therapy-speak and self-improvement mantras.

(3) A philosophical treatise, confronting the reader with strange and fascinating questions about who we are, what is our place in the cosmos, and why we are quite literally self-obsessed.

(4) A theory of semiotics.

(6) All of the above?

[Check one] You turn to the title page(s). The subtitles begin with “The Strange Case of the Self, your Self, the Ghost which Haunts the Cosmos”, and run through to “A space odyssey which gives an account of what can happen to an earthling astronaut if there is somebody out there and what can happen if there is no one out there”.

imagine that you have a telescope and are studying the night skies. Given a clear sky, the right equipment and a book of the planets, you should have no problem recognising Jupiter or Venus. Next imagine reading your horoscope. You read it, and it seems to describe you…only you looked at the wrong star sign. In fact, you can see yourself in the descriptions of all twelve signs of the zodiac.

The book asks a question: why can you recognise the planets after taking one look, yet have so much trouble identifying yourself from twelve descriptions, even though you’ve been stuck with yourself all your life?

You skim through the book, skipping to the end.

In one, a group of human astronauts encounters quickly identify the humans’ consciousness type as “C2”s, a consciousness that has “fallen into the pit of itself ”. The aliens ask a number of questions: “Repeat. Do you read? Do you read? Are you in trouble? How did you get in trouble? If you are in trouble, have you sought help? If you did, did help come? If it did, did you accept it?”

Question: Do you: (1) Laugh.

(2) Cry. (3) Find a “real” self-help book instead.

(4) Demand a proper review of the book, rather than a pastiche of the style of the book masquerading as a review.

(5) Go and read the book?

[Check one] Caleb Woodbridge books@gairrhydd.com

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BOOKS

The Pros and Cons of Free Stuff.

Cholera, -

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FOOD

Ooo...Al Fresco!

As summer edges ever-closer Gavin Jewkes tells us how to make the most of the early summer sun.

Sad as it sounds, al fresco dining is one of my favourite pastimes. Thankfully the unseasonably warm and sunny March weather has allowed me to indulge my passion a few months early. Hats off to you Global Warming. At the risk of sounding like a pretentious you-know-what, there are a number factors to consider when choosing your dining location if you’re gowith the perfect outdoorsy meal.

1) Vista – A good view is key, but not necessarily essential. I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy sitting out next to a lake, parkland or even the sea when manging on a delicious meal? However, this is Cardiff and so we may have to compromise on restaurants that capitalise on such locations. Why there aren’t more cafes, bars and restaurants positioned snugly along the Taff trail or Bute Park is beyond me, so if you fancy maximising those views then pack a picnic or get renegade with a barbecue.

2) Company – it’s important to choose your dining comparisons carefully. Don’t let someone who ‘feels the chill’ rain on your parade. It’s still March, so there might be a slight nip in the air – such a nip might force weaker members of your party to moan, thus ruining the pleasure of al fresco dining. If they are still adamant on joining you, get them to pack a jacket as a precaution.

3) Ambience – Good music and a good crowd can only

boost the pleasure of your meal. Pick somewhere that delivers on both, lest you be slightly underwhelmed by the experience. Head to Mill Lane for a bustling evening atmosphere that delivers a range of restaurants and bars that cater for a variety of culinary and musical tastes.

4) Food and drink – For God’s sake don’t get all the above factors right and then let yourselves down when it comes to the important stuff: the booze and eats. One of the drawbacks of al fresco dining is the tendency for dishes to get too cold, too quickly. Eat quickly to avoid disappointment and wash it down with a refreshing selection of beer and wine. Wagamama’s on the Hayes would be ideal for this – the food is so hot when it comes out that the helping hand of a Spring breeze is sure to make it easier to palette.

And so you have it, my guide to the ultimate al fresco dining experience. I advise you to make the most of the early sun before the dirge of exams and essaywriting chimes. Who knows if the ‘Great British Summer’ will be cooperative enough to indulge us in this activity, so get out there now before it’s too late.* Bon apetit.

N.B. As I put pen to paper on this article it’s gloriously sunny and I’m breaking a slight, but not grotesque, sweat. Apologies to all who read if, at the time of publication, the world outside your window is cold and gloomy.

food@gairrhydd.com

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FOOD

FASHIOINABLE FOOD!

FIFTIES

Britain had been left with a legacy of canned foods originally intended for rationing. Apparently though they seem to have become mysteriously fond of them. SPAM now featured in many a lunch-box across Britain and was even incorporated into cooked dishes such as fritters or casserole. Classic '50s meals mainly consisted of some kind of meat with plenty of starch in the form of dumplings or potatoes.

Or both, just in case. Possibly followed by jam roly poly. It makes you wonder how everyone Martha Partridge

The Martini is one of the most popular drinks and has spanned a whole century. It is renowned to be best when served as dry as possible. Although the Martini had been popular as a cocktail for some time, its image was revamped in the 1960s by the James Bond novels

by Ian Fleming. The drink was attributed to the

drink in the '50s and '60s, the vodka martini became one of the most popular drinks of the '60s.

Naomi Ramage

SEVENTIES Traditionally a Christmas tipple, snowballs were rife in the 1970s and thanks to Nigella Lawson’s love for them, they made a comeback in the 2008. And, If it’s good enough for Nigella..... impressions weren’t great! A combination of baby food and washing up liquid sprang to mind! And I'm sad to report that the drinking wasn’t far off the aesthetic promise either!

The actual taste wasn’t too shabby though, as the lime provided a nice zesty tang but the advocaat gave the drink a thick creamy consist‘DOWN IT FRESHER!’ is not advisable!

Jess Shotton

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food@gairrhydd.com

After a decade of post-war stodge and canned meat, the rising middle classes of the sixties were ready to splash out on some more exotic kitchens of British families and dishes such as Duck a l’Orange and Coq au Vin began to be a feature of family meals and dinner parties across the nation. Those lovely hippies had an selling granola, vegetarian dishes and carrot cake. So a bit of a random mixture during this decade, but I’m sure it was all very exciting.

Martha Partridge

SIXTIES SIXTIES

In the 1950s a variety of punches were often served at parties. The pina-colada became very popular at ‘Tiki’ parties and was considered ‘kitsch’. Hollywood also asserted the implied stylishness of drinking alcoholic All About Eve and Auntie Mame. By combining fashion, a glamorous lifestyle and the image of continuous drinking the media industry gave the act of drinking a veneer of sophistication. Frank Sinatra’s dulcet tones in One for my Baby refers to the drowning of sorrows with alcohol in a highly-fashionable manner.

Naomi Ramage

Originating in Switzerland, fondues reached the height of popularity at British dinner parties in the 1970s. For any who recognise the name but have no idea of what a fondue is, they are basically a large pot in which a base mixture of either cheese and wine, oil or chocolate is heated whilst guests sit around and dip in bread, meat, fruit or marshmallows depending on the choice of savoury or sweet base. According to tradition, if a male guest loses what he is dipping into the pot he must buy a round of drinks. If a female guest drops her dip, she must kiss those either side of her.

Matthew Collins

This week Food cast a glance back at the last sixty years to see what wonderful and bizarre dishes have been considered the height of popularity in their time...

EIGHTIES The 1980s saw the dawn of our love for food served quickly with microwaves appearing in homes across Britain en masse and ‘fast food’ chains rapidly taking off. With McDonald’s now serving over 58 million customers a day worldwide, I’m sure most could name at least something on their menu. But, I’d wager that none would be as bizarre as 80s favourite, the ‘McD.L.T’. Served in two halves- one half, bun and burger, the other, half bun, cheese and salad- the tagline was ‘keep the hot, hot, keep the cool, cool’, with the idea behind it being that, by keeping the two halves separate until just before eating, the burger would indeed remain hot whilst the salad kept its cool, crisp texture.

If you fancy a good laugh at what used to be ‘cool’ the original '80s advert is on Youtube.

Matthew Collins

The one word to describe the Cosmopolitan is `fabulous`. The vodka-infused cocktail became fashionable in the '90s due to the hit series Sex And The City`. The show presented the drink as the perfect accessory for the four `Sex and City` ladies. Holding their Chanel bags in one hand outrageously with gorgeous men in trendy New York bars. It’s no wonder why it became such a hit.

Olivia Spiller

NOUGHTIES Although claims could be made for Mojitos being the cocktail that best embodies the Noughties I'm going to have to insist that the award goes to the Caipirinha. The base, cachaca, is the national drink of Brazil. Importing cachaca only became possible in the last few years, after a Brazilian businessman noticed he couldn't get hold of caipirinhas in Europe, which explains why it only reached Britain properly in 2004. If you want to make one for yourself get hold of some cachaca, sugar syrup and lime - muddle together and voila!

Jasmine Joynson

Fashionable in the 1980s, Sex On The Beach is still a night-out standard. Everything about this cocktail right down to the name screams ‘student drink!’ Sweet and yummy, Sex On The Beach takes you right back to that mental summer spent in Ibiza raving with your mates. umbrella (Del-boy style ) this 'lil beauty is here to stay! Plus, all the vitamins from the fruit juice cancel out the mandatory kebab at the end of the night!

Jess Shotton

NINETIES Nineties cuisine seemed, for some reason, to involve a lot of mini vegetables. It was as if someone suddenly decided that having large vegetables on the table was a complete faux pas.

Remember mini corn, mini carrots and mange tout? I don't have a particular problem with small foods but I do sort of want to know why. So far my research has produced nothing substantial to explain the fashion for miniature vegetables. My only thought is the growing popularity of the stir-fry in the 1990s. Oh well - it may just have to remain a mystery!

Jasmine Joynson

Apparently people in north-east Asia were making a version of sushi as far back as 500BC. Unfortunately for us it only became available outside of restaurants in the early 21st Century.

The demand for this healthy, fun food has risen quickly since then and it's now available pretty much everywhere. Sushi crops up regularly in Charlie's Angels and Johnny English - it's not funny people, it's delicious!

Jasmine Joynson

food@gairrhydd.com

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FASHION

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fashion@gairrhydd.com

Cover: Coral blouse, worn backÂŁ38. This Page:

Spring into Life

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FASHION

Flower pleat skirt, ÂŁ55.

Flower bralett, ÂŁ14

Put a swish in your step with pleats, gathers and fold

fashion@gairrhydd.com

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FASHION

Double up on denim

Denim shorts,£30, UrbanRenewal. Blue Rinse sleveless shirt, £28, UrbanRenewal. Red pumps, £32

Pearl blouse, ÂŁ55.

Heart sunglasses, ÂŁ16.

Go against rainbow brights witH nude hues

FASHION

Photojournalism Blogs Boston The Big Picture www.boston.com/bigpicture Started in 2008, The Big Picture photo-blog has established itself as one of the most diverse hosts of photojournalism. Run by The Boston Globe, groups of photos from a variety of photographers are uploaded roughly two times a something big happens in the world, the Big Picture usually has a gallery up within a few days bringing you the photos that, much of the time, you wont see in the newspapers. Be prepared for some very striking images of events that are usually still in motion. Although most of the galleries cover serious occurrences, often quite poignantly, it is not all hard news.

There are just as many galleries covering the lighter sides of human existence with beautiful collections such as ‘Summer is Here’ and

The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/multimedia/ Seen as being at the forefront of providing up-tothe-hour news, the online photo and multimedia sections of the New York Times website offers its user a vast range of photojournalism galleries and slideshows. The site has introduced a new, groundbreaking way of displaying photojournalism through using audio/visual content. Considered to be a format that will be very common in the future, the website combines photographic slideshows with recorded audio and interviews from subjects as a proggressive form of photojournalistic newsreporting. One of the main sections of the website which is popular among users is the ‘Lens’ blog, which posts the latest photography, video and visual journalism on a daily basis.

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quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com

PHOTOS

Tom Armstrong and look at some of the web's most popular sites, inspiring you all with some of the best photography

No Caption Needed www.nocaptionneeded.com

With its subtitle of “Iconic Photographs, Public Culture, and Liberal Democracy”, No Caption Needed is not so much a conventional photo blog, but a provider of incredibly insightful short essays based on a selection of relevant images. By contemplating the visual and aesthetic properties of current event photographs and applying them to wider contexts, the entries take you beyond the surface of the photos and can really change the way you think about the nature of documentary photography. The 5-minute essays vary greatly, from political commentary and historical accounts to artistic analysis and discussions on the nature of perception, but all are kept grounded by the selected images. No Caption Needed is a must for anyone interested in looking a bit deeper at the images that make up the quickly moving world and often overlooked world of photojournalism. There is also an extensive list of photo-blogs down the side.

Flickr

www.flickr.com

Cardiff Student Media have set up a self-titled group on the photo sharing website Flickr. It has been one of our goals this year to get as many of your photos in Quench and gair rhydd as possible and, by starting this group, we have hopefully got ourselves a new and simple way to source student-taken photographs. If you already have a Flickr account then simply search for the group and start adding photos that you think we could use. If you haven’t, it’s really simple to set up and, for a basic account, completely free. Although we are looking for photos of newsworthy events, all entries to do with general Cardiff/student life are welcome. And, of course, all the photos we use will be fully credited.

Search for Cardiff Student Media in the Group Section of Flickr

quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com

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Charles Nicholson wins 'Humour' with this scene of a Moroccan butcher and friends.

The theme for next time is 'Geometric Beauty'.

Send entries to quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com

TRaVEl

Poland

Poland

Born and bred Polish national Anna Siemiaczko pays homage to this Eastern delight.

Taking a little excursion to the East may seem like an exotic idea, although some of you may be a bit wary of it due to the misconceptions you might’ve gathered from numerous vodka or plumber adverts. Yes, we pride ourselves on countless brands of delicious alcoholic beverages, however we do not consume them for breakfast, and we certainly can’t see any polar the streets of Kraków every weekend in search of cheap booze and if that’s what you’re after, prepare for the cheap indeed. A pound for a pint, reaching the maximum of two pound in the most fashionable pubs and bars, is something to happily expect. Also, the clubs are free.

You’ve read it right, no entry charges. relatively cheap access from the Bristol Airport. The city guarantees to cater for all tastes; not festivals taking place throughout the year, as well as tiny magical places hidden away around the city which Milgi fades in comparison with!

Gdansk, Poznan, Wroclaw would get my recommendation on the similar basis, although if you want your trip to be modern, fast, loud and very cosmopolitan instead of being arty and romantic, your best bet would probably be Warsaw. Prepare for higher prices to the rest of the country though!

Wherever you decide to start your journey, see as much as you can and be patient with those roads. If you’re thinking of visiting Poland at the height of summer, Kraków’s is probably your best bet, as its cobbled streets are teeming with street performers, horse drawn carriages and clubs that pulsate until dawn. Winter, meanwhile, is the best time to venture down south and experience the real mountain feel; whether you decide to do it in Poland or Slovakia, it’s bound to be fun regardless of the winter activities that take your fancy!

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travel@gairrhydd.com

TRAVEL

CONSERVATION CAN YOU ?

P L E H

INTERNATIONAL There are many ways we can get involved in animal conservation here at home, such as donating mon-

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Alexi Gunner

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travel@gairrhydd.com

COSTA RICA to do more than just scratch the surface of the country, so decided to volunteer for conservation work because it gave me the opportunity to get to know Costa Rica in a different way. Costa Rica has one of the world’s most diverse biospheres due to its mountain range and the number of volcanoes that are spread across the country. My conservation project involved monitoring and tracking dolphins and humpback whales. As top marine predators, dolphins and whales are excellent bio-indicators.

If the eating, mating or general habits of marine life change drastically it can be a good indicator of a change in the ecosystem. Tracking the whales and dolphins by boat was incredible. Dolphins are particularly social and travel in a group, which meant we got to see for ourselves the fascinating way dolphin language of clicks and whistles. We spent hours each day on board, following the group and track a mother humpback whale and her baby. They had been attracted to the southern coast of Costa winter. It was amazing to see the bond between the mother and her baby as we followed them closely.

I would recommend this opportunity to anyone, as not only did it open my eyes to be natural beauties of Costa Rica, but it also allowed me to play a part in the conservation of the country’s diverse and unique biosphere.

Miranda Atty

CHINA bladder by an untrained farmer, without anaesthetic . For 9,000 bears in China, this is a reality. The process of inserting the catheter causes the subsequent death of one bear for every one that survives.

The animals exhibit extreme signs of distress during this torturous process, including moaning, repetitive banging of heads against the cage wall and even chewing of their own paws. This monstrous display of animal cruelty is not declining in this 21st century but increasing, with 9,000 bears in farms this year compared to 7,000 last year. Surprisingly, illegal bear products are still most readily available and Taiwan. Chinese medicine doctors who advocate bear bile products believe that they have health orders. The disgusting thing is that the same product from bear bile believed to have these effects, is also available from a plant extract, but does not come with the same novelty associated with bear bile. task to convince the people of the third largest country in the world that they are wrong, but by going to www.care2.com you can sign the petition against bear bile farming and at least try.

Alice Evans

BORNEO Home to the oldest rainforest in the world, a whole load of creepy crawlies and a certain charismatic, hairy ancestor of ours –the Orangutan. During my time at Danau Girang Field Centre, Sabah, I encountered these marvellous creatures up close and personal on more than one occasion, but I fear that without urgent attention there will be none left for future generations to admire. Times are rapidly changing for Orangutans due to vast areas of rainforest being converted to oil palm plantations, forcing Orangutans into smaller and smaller pockets of habitat. The palm oil produced by the plantations is used in products ranging from chocolate bars to lipstick and so, as our desire for such products increases, so do the areas of rainforest cleared for plantations. To make matters worse, a lack of enforcement has led to the disregard of what little legislation protects the rainforest. By law oil palm plantation owners are required to leave a 50m deep rainforest corridor that should, in theory, stretch the length of the waterways. Regrettably this law has not always been adhered to, leaving behind a fragmented, rapidly fading habitat and a species in desperate struggle. Orangutan populations are declining because of our consumerism, so I ask you this: What is more important to you?

Lipstick or lives?

Sophie Watson

travel@gairrhydd.com

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LGBT+

Male?

Female?

Other?

A Word with The Bod I don’t know about you, but I find that my knowledge of miscellaneous crap has increased in direct proportion to my exposure to the internet. I’ve definitely come a long way since I was 11, not quite understanding what exactly a lesbian was (ironic, right?) and now as a student with plenty of free time (apparently) I do spend half my life online, googling things and following it all up in the early hours of the morning.... Because my general interests intersect with trans issues a lot, I’ve accumulated a good amount of knowledge on this subject and know that whatever we write in here isn’t going to even try to cover the scope of what it means to be trans. I don’t think that anyone who is comfortable with accepting society’s gender binary can really understand or empathise with those individuals whose gender identity isn’t as straight forwards as yours or mine. However, like I’ve said, the internet is a beautiful resource right at our fingertips so if you have a desperate urge to know more, never forget that google is your friend.

Kate Boddington

SHUH-MYON-CHKO INTRODUCES...

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Far from being a successful modern fable, the life of an average transsexual or transgender person can be a struggle, sadly well-reflected in the acclaimed 'Transamerica'. Freak stigma, questioned identities, exclusion and isolation restlessly haunt the majority of trans-individuals. Ignorance and fear are yet to answer for the abused lives of many. Upon hearing from a Cardiff University student that he does not actually believe in transsexuality I was left with a disappointing conclusion that there is still a lot to be done about transphobia.

"ARE YOU WOMAN? ARE YOU MAN? " Gender stereotyping adverts seem to be screaming this across Cardiff.

"ARE YOU WOMAN?" Imagine a penis dangling in your pants, your breasts are gone, your features turn masculine. You become deprived of the femininity you crave, an essential part of who and what you are. Disturbed?

"ARE YOU MAN?" Look down on your gentle curves, breasts sticking out of your new body, your sense of male pride gone, your voice squeaks. GO BACK, NOW, PLEASE? Thought as much. Now, you’re stuck. No going anywhere. Often referred to as a 'freak' or a 'weirdo'. Not to mention all the rest of it you face as an average human being. Nobody is asking for a trans-revolution. It’s simpler. Smile, don’t sneer. See, don’t ignore. Know. Care.

Anna Siemiaczko

LGBT+

transparent?

A gender agenda

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ARTS

Northern Ballet: Cleopatra

Previews

New Theatre 05/04 - 09/04 Forget Carrie 'ultimate modern woman' Bradshaw and cast your minds back to the vixen of the Nile, Cleopatra. This woman was anything but a singleton about town, carrying the troubles and woes of ancient Egypt on her shoulders as Queen, mother, wife and lover (naughty naughty). Intrigued by than composer Claude-Michel Schönberg's (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) and Northern Ballet Artistic Director David Nixon's artistic production of Cleopatra's trials and tribulations set to hit the New Theatre's stage this April.

It promises to be a spectacular performance and at only £5 a ticket (make sure you take your student cards), it is a bargain too.

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Kevin Sinnott: Discovery and Response Porthcawl Pavillion 13/04

Running Away with the Hairdresser, on display at the National Museum and Gallery of Wales, is one of Wales' most iconic paintings. And who is the artist? Well, unsurprisingly, it is Mr. Sinnott.

Good old Kev will be venturing down to Porthcawl's lovely seafront to discuss the inspiration behind the canvas and what it means to be a Welsh artist today. In this talk all present will be invited to ask questions and really scrutinise the man responsible for such vibrant and compelling paintings.

So, if you are an art lover and fancy a little road trip down to the sunny shores of Porthcawl grap your surf board, hitch a lift and head on down.

ARTS

Springing into

Llandaff Cathedral

‘There’s a Cathedral in Cardiff ?!’ Um, believe it or not, there is. Nestled behind some fancy houses in Llandaff, Cardiff ’s ‘ruby of the Taff ’ is a 30 minute walk from the bustling city centre. So why not combine a sunny spring day (slightly optimistic here I fear) with a picnic in Bute followed by a stroll into Llandaff to stretch the legs before hitting the pub? At least you can then justify the chips from Family Fish Bar en route home. of Jacob Epstein’s Christ In Majesty. This provides a dramatic welcome to all those visiting and is the latest in a long sequence of alterations 560, Llandaff Cathedral has certainly avoided dieting. Instead, it has swelled into the colossal building we see today because the Norman conquerors decided to expand it in 1120.

History lesson over this is a must visit attraction if you fancy gulping up a little bit of Welsh culture.

The west front of the Cathedral is recognised as one of the most notable examples of medieval art in Wales and contains some of the signature marks of this period, such as its Gothic arches and columns. following the Reformation of the Church, the building was left in ruins for over a century. The Cathedral underwent various partial restorations, and in the mid-Nineteenth Century some dudes operating under the title ‘Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood’ (ever heard of them?!) of which Rossetti, Burne Jones and Maddox Brown were all eminent members, were commissioned to complete this restoration process. As revivalists of the Gothic style of the medieval period, they were able to align their tastes with the Cathedral's own architectural heritage. A prime example of this is Rossetti’s triptych, ‘Seed of David’. And trust me – this is worth a look in: if you want to see any more Rossetti work you’ll have to shoot over the So whether it is a romantic rendezvous, a ‘cultural teaser’ for visiting parents (which could be followed by a meal in a snazzy Llandaff restaurant), or just an excursion to escape the swarms of shoppers, workers and street hustlers in the city, Llandaff is a day-out to add to the Cardiff Bucket List for anyone keen to broaden their horizons and experience a small dose of the architectural wonders of Wales.

Naomi Slade

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arts@gairrhydd.com

Arts scene Macbeth -

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Heather Arnold

the Wonderful World of Dissocia

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David Spittle

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Guys and dolls "Luck be a lady, luck be a lady tonight..." Leaving the theatre is almost more exhilarating than entering it. The colourful characters, wit and rousing songs deceive the reality of the ‘shadowy’ side of Broadway Damon Runyon originally depicted in his work. Guys and Dolls grabbed us from our seats and had us participating in the crap games, rolling the die and confessing our sins. Runyon was fascinated with the life of the hoodlums and the Salisbury playhouse’s adaptation of Guys and Dolls adhered to this. The lingo of the actors' ‘racy slang’ was constantly traded with the rather more elegant musical instruments as the cast dropped their lines to issue musical notes. Set in the years of the Depression and Prohibition, the musical eschews the austerity of its context with its playful wit and inevitable romances between Detroit and Adelaide and then Sky and Sarah. It was hard to miss a lyrical beat and we were cajoled at the end by a powerful encore of Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat Nicely Johnson was a particularly amusing character and the actor of Society Max accumulated some pathos. Safe to say, Guys and Dolls was brilliantly performed at the New Theatre and brought the glimmering lights of Broadway that little bit closer to home. Millie Flint

Protest fedur Sefydlwyd cwmni theatr Protest Fudur yn 2007, ac ers hynny mae wedi bod yn lwyfan i ddramodwyr ifanc i arddangos eu gwaith; bydded mewn tafarn, clwb neu mewn theatr. Yn ddiweddar maent wedi ehangu a chreu noson yn y Gymraeg, ac fe gefais i’r pleser o fynd i weld un o’r nosweithiau hyn yng Nghanolfan y Mileniwm. Roedd 6 drama fer yn cael ei chynnal, a thema’r noson oedd ‘Caethiwed’. Cafwyd amryw o ddehongliadau o’r thema yma; stori un o’r mwyngloddwyr o Chile, dyn sydd yn gaeth i salwch ar ei ysgyfaint, a merch sydd yn gaeth i’w ei dyletswydd i’w mam bregus. Ond fy hoff ddrama o’r noson oedd yr un olaf, ac mae’n saff dweud yn yr achos yma fe adawyd yr oraf tan y diwedd. Roedd y ddrama (gan Dafydd James) yn un dymuniad gan angel. Er efallai nad oedd yn ymddangos i fod mor ddyfn a’r darnau eraill, roedd yn llawn o gomedi a chwerthin, yn enwedig yn ystod y gân ar ddiwedd y ddrama wrth i ni ddysgu mai dymuniad y bachgen oedd i gael chwarae rhan Mair yn nrama Nadolig yr ysgol. Os oedd y noson yma yn unrhyw awgrym o’r dalent newydd o fewn ysgrifennu Cymraeg, mae’n ymddangos fod dyfodol disglair iawn o’n blaen.

Katie Dowling

Beachy Head Questions are raised throughout Beachy Head which science has failed to answer. play on a whole is a dark, sinister production as it attempts to answer questions about the boundaries between life and death, body and mind. The sentimental layer of the script re-traces the last glimpses of life before a suicide and thought-processes. The reasons behind his choice remain unexplained as the focus stays on thoughts before death and the effects of his death. One particularly powerful and unnerving moment is the Samaritan phonecall, which revealed the intricacies of the suicide victim’s mind.

Talking to the cast, they emphasised the importance of keeping the script as realistic as possible. Thus the Samaritan phone call is a typical call. This realistic representation is perhaps what makes the production so chilling as the audience view an almost real-life glimpse of a disturbed and distressed voice on the verge of suicide.

This emotional element contrasts with the clinical science aspect of the pathologist who calls a body

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devices, video cameras, spotlights and screens within theatre produces innovative results and carries the emotional detachment throughout the play. Yet, there is an inability to feel nothing after witnessing such a realistic and poignant representation of one man’s decision to end his life.

Asha Verma arts@gairrhydd.com

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MUSIC

MUSIC

Editorial Here comes the sun and, fittingly, a delightful shade of orange for the music frontpage. Of course, any sudden turnaround in climate conditions brings with it a certain brand of springtime musical magic and this year that has arrived in the form of 13 year-old Rebecca Black; her tales of grammar and seat-related woe have struck a resonant chord with an adoring audience who simply cannot wait to "get down on Friday".

We are, of course, joking. However, one issue which has caused a veritable uproar amongst the Cardiff community is the nefarious renaming of Cardiff International Arena to Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. While it may only be the intermediate, and arguably least important, title, it nonetheless paints an inaccurate portrayal of the city's largest music venue: the CMA (shudder) is a place for live music, not a high-quality car supermarket, no matter how competitive its prices may be. Still, the sun is shining so we must look on the proverbial bright side: at least the arena will no longer be confused with America's Central Intelligence Agency.

Michael Brown

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MUSIC

Previews

Kate Nash

Glassjaw

The Globe Wednesday 30th March

Solus, SU Thursday 31st March

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Friday 1st April

Kate Nash is returning to Cardiff after a four-year leave.

This is indeed a rare occurrence: Glassjaw return to the UK for two dates, one of which is, predictably, in London, the other, unexpectedly, in Cardiff. It would therefore be a shame to waste this opportunity to see one of post-hardcore's most acclaimed bands, right on our doorstep.

Despite releasing only two fulllength albums over their on-off, eighteen-year career, Glassjaw's

Get ready to be transported to Katy Perry’s mad world of blue wigs and food-inspired clothing.

Heading to Cardiff on the UK leg of her California Dreams Tour, the newlywed Mrs Brand has described her tour as having more of a pantomime feel; the I Kissed a Girl singer has lined up a Broadway-inspired tour of her latest album and is set to feature crowd favourites Firework and Teenage Dream.

Possibly the most exciting part of this gig is the fact that it will contain ‘Smell-O-Vision’. Yes you

for best female, Nash’s hype seemed to waver slightly after the release of second album My Best Friend is You was forgotten amidst an array of new female solo artists. However she is back on the road and set to entertain with her cockney-pop.

Nash is tying the tour in with her new project, The Rock and . This aims to encourage secondaryschool girls to get involved in songwriting and turn around a male-dominated profession in which only 14% of songwriters are women. Not just devoted to entertaining but also educating, she is dedicating her days off from the tour to visit girls schools.

Make sure you go down to The Globe to witness Kate’s long awaited return to Wales in a more intimate setting.

Emma Wilford

a wide variety of artists and, as such, their as-yet-untitled third album is extremely eagerly anticipated. The band's latest effort is the independent and selfrecorded Our Color Green (The Singles) tracks individually released over nine years, it certainly provides a reason for celebration upon their visit to Solus in the closing days of March.

Michael Brown

Katy Perry

is going to be transformed into a Cotton Candy Paradise and undoubtedly the best smelling venue in Cardiff. to her tour, it is certain that Katy Perry is very popular over here.

Expect a lot of screaming girls... and boys!

Emma Wilford

gairrhyddmusic@gmail.com

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MUSIC

Damage Control

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MUSIC

The result of attending so many gigs unprotected is usually tinnitus: a constant ringing sound, primarily noticeable when all is quiet. Basically, it’s like a permanent post-show whine, although that in itself may indicate that a small amount of damage has already been done. Not just a risk for the audience, a whole host of legendary musicians suffer with the condition thanks to a disregard for ear Jeff Beck and Thom Yorke to name but a few. Perhaps the most prominent victim of tinnitus is The Who’s Pete Townshend, who has said of the condition “it hurts, it’s painful, and it’s frustrating”.

In recent years that pain has been so great it has called into question the future of The Who entirely, Townshend stating “if my hearing is going to be a problem… we're . I can’t really see any way around the issue”. Similarly affected by the condition, Neil Young’s acoustic phase during the early 90s, in particular Harvest Moon, was as a result of his tinnitus troubles, rather than any kind of preplanned artistic direction.

So, what can be done to avoid this life-changing condition? For a start, cut down on the booze: drinking has been proven to increase the risk of hearing loss through damage to auditory nerves.

However, since alcohol consumption so often accompanies nights out to gigs and clubs, giving up drinking seems somewhat impractical, especially while at university. Short of breaking the intense

concentration of the soundman and asking to turn it down, earplugs are the only option to fully prevent future damage.

If “I can’t hear the music properly!” is your response to the prospect of earplugs, you’re using the wrong type entirely. When most people think of earplugs, it’s of cheery yellow foam cylinders but, surprisingly, Boots and Superdrug aren’t the most audiophile-conscious shops on the high street. Although inexpensive, these brightly-coloured stoppers are designed to block as much sound as possible and therefore tend to result in a severe loss of treble when listening to live music, resulting in a thoroughly unsatisfying listening experience.

Instead, keep an eye out for musicians’ earplugs.

These can be purchased from most music stores for around a tenner and are designed to attenuate frequencies equally rather than cut them out completely. In a way, the experience can be equated to a volume control on life as it doesn’t affect your listening enjoyment, just makes everything quiet enough to be manageable. However, one adverse side effect of these types, and of ear plugs in general, is that your singing voice may suddenly shoot up in the mix, so you’d better learn to love it. Still, unless cursed with the vocal chords of a tone-deaf, voice now rather than struggle to hear anything in the future, right?

gairrhyddmusic@gmail.com

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MUSIC

ALBUMS

A rundown of some recent releases...

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Pains of Being Pure at Heart Belong Slumberland

Zom-

7/10

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Stephen Springate

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Kassidy Hope St. Mercury -

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9/10 -

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Luke Owain Bolt

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MUSIC

Connan Mockasin Forever Dolphin Love Phantasy

4/10 I had never heard of Connan Mockasin before, but after reading the album’s press release I had high expectations. Unfortunately, it’s the album that doesn’t do the release justice, not the other way round. I have honestly never heard anything like this – I felt as if I had to be on hallucinogenic drugs to even begin to apeach other, which normally is a good thing, but here it is due to the fact that they all sound eerily, unsatisfyingly similar. Which begs the question: where’s the artist’s creativity?

Forever Dolphin Love, Mocklong!) starts off strangely, but gets better two minutes in, when it sounds jazzy and funky. This, however, only lasts for a few seconds before it reverts back to its psychedelic, irregular self and I feel as if I’m supposed to be lying

you’re left with is "please turn me

into the snat", which summarises my feelings exactly. After 36 minutes, I’m left dazed and confused.

The songs never went anywhere, as if they were just a preview of transported me to a different universe, although I don’t know if I want to go back. Either Mockasin tried too hard to be original and failed to bring his listeners along, or he spent the summer camped outside his parents’ house high and fooling around with experimental music that makes no sense to anyone sober.

Samantha Mueller

Buck 65

20 Odd Years Warner

8/10 As someone normally inclined to the indie side, you’d think I’d be jumping at the chance to slate anything labelled as Canadian hiphas so much hop. But going for it: it is far removed from the trashy, money-driven excuses for songs that dominate hip-hop.

This album is a well crafted mishmash of styles formed by collaboration with a range of Canadian

artists, and, as Buck 65 puts it, "lots of exciting music was Frankensteined".

There are some letdowns to its range: opening track Superstars Don’t Love starts with claps, seemingly setting you up for a full album of commercialised hip-hop. But from there on it all changes. Each track brings something different: the cover of Leonard Cohen’s Who By Fire featuring Jenn Grant is as folk as it gets, She Said Yes is a beautiful example of storytelling and Gee Whiz is something else entirely.

This album is a little lacking in energy; it certainly doesn’t make dance like a gangsta or smack a rap and hip-hop can be with a bit of humour and imagination;

Tears of Your Heart I instead got "the lyrics of this song are a curse. It would be cruel to print them here".

As a whole it might not have enough force behind it to be a truly fantastic album, but it’s innovative, funny and varied so it’s a damn good one.

Charlie Hammond

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MUSIC

Live

The Decemberists Bristol O2 Academy 8th March

On the 8th of March, the American indie folk band The Decemberists played the intimate O2 Academy in Bristol as part of their tour following the release of their sixth fantastic album The King Is Dead. The band Blind Pilot supported and blew the audience away with what sounded like a mix between Augustana and Belle and Sebastian. It got the mood set for The Decemberists, who after a monologue from the apparent mayor of Portland, opened with July, July!.

The great thing about The Decemberists is that despite being such a talented and successful band they’re light hearted and, despite the dark themes of some songs, all seem to have a sense of humour. They even let the drummer (who has also drummed for Elliott Smith) jokingly sing the blues. This is something I always prefer to bands that make no effort to relate to the audience.

The setlist was fantastic and included songs from all over their career like The Rake Song, the beautiful The Crane Wife 3, and possibly the best song I’ve seen live, Sixteen Military Wives. To

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make what had already been an amazing gig perfect, we managed to meet both the bands afterwards, leading to one of the most surreal moments of my life: the guitarist and bassist from The Decemberists gave us directions to Bristol station (they had refused to give us a lift in the tour bus). The Decemberists are one of the best live bands I’ve seen.

Luke Owain Boult

Jamie Woon Cardiff Arts institute 6th March Regardless of the act, there will always be an air of anticipation following those plateaued upon one of those horribly reductive and ultimately uninformative ‘this year’s ones to watch' lists.

Despite Radio One’s lack of ability to mediate between emerging artists and the record downloading public, airplay on what is still Britain’s premier radio station generates an almost insurmountable degree of interest or should it be morbid curiosity at those artists heralded as the next big thing(s). Rather expansive boots Under the circumstances it’s no wonder that Jamie Woon’s inaugural Cardiff performance is a sell out. As always, within the

context of the gathered masses, it’s hard not to get swept up by the tide of public approval and adoration; the general consensus being that if it’s being on Radio One, the radio station with the biggest radio station in the UK, it must be good, really, really good, right?

I’m afraid such hefty expectations are very rarely attainable, and I wonder if this performance would be sold out purely on Mr. Woon’s merits as an artist without the backing of Radio One. Purely speculative of course, but somehow I don’t think that would be the case.

That’s not to say Woon is in any way a bad performer, producer, or songwriter. He’s quite good at all three; his voice has a subtle smoothness to it that melts with every breathy note he whispers, dissipating elegantly into the collected crowd. But there is very little from the supposed postDubstep pioneer that is as exciting as his endorsees would have you believe.

I suppose my vitriol is somewhat misdirected; Mr Woon is a performer in his own right and I’m sure he has the potential to do some interesting work; It’s a shame that the media glare has overshadowed the artist it's trying to promote.

Jon Berry

Darkstar

Daedelus

Cardiff Arts Institute 24th February

Cardiff Arts Institute 11th March

Singles The Human League

D -

Never Let me Go Wall of Sound

7/10

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Never Let Me Go. It's of -

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Beth Crandon sense.

My Chemical Romance Planetary (Go!) Reprise

3/10

as a

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Plan-

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etary (Go!)

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Jon Berry Luke Owain Boult

Jon Berry

Spark Crave 679

5/10 Crave

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Harry Hunt gairrhyddmusic@gmail.com

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Film.

News.

He’s been going around the rumour mill for a The Dark Knight Rises leaked, with

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for X-Men fans all round, and perhaps a missed

reporting him as Alberto Fal-

Taken 2 Batman Begins , and the innate sequel to the surprise hit that saw him killing over its head.

, please, when hearing he would be helming the latest verine

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keep doing it.

EKB

and

TRASH

#21

TRAILER Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

week, so apologies for what is to

road to take.

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mour from the slew of shit before

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FILM

BEST

FOR...

...watching over and over again

...nursing a hangover

Annie Hall (1977)

Adventureland (2009)

...a perfect ending.

Stardust (2007) -

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.

Eleanor Jefferies

Eleanor Jefferies

Craig McDowall

film@gairrhydd.com

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FILM

FILM OF THE WEEK Submarine Dir: Richard Ayoade Cast : Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige, Noah Taylor, Sally Hawkins, Paddy Consandine

8/10 As may have been said elsewhere, Submarine mirrors Richard Ayoade's foremost acting characteristics in making an artistic virtue out of selfconsciousness, an assest out of affectation. However, he stands apart from such phillistines at NME who announce him as the coolest man in the UK and other such meaningless platitudes in that there has always seemed something authentic in his self

performance captures something equally genuine behind Oliver Tate's delusion and preTate demonstrating his insisttelling his own tale, in spite of his young years. He even gets

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round to penning his own obituary, taking us tangentally off to a daydream in which his imagined suicide, where the girl of his desire, Jordana among others carry his body mournfully through the suburban streets of Swansea.

He talks of smoking pipes, becoming a prominent thinker and as soon as he imagines it, he gets the girl (after the oh-so romantic gesture of pushing a large girl into a puddle). It's during the second act that the sweetness and humour derived from seeing Oliver's overbearing nature turns into something more moving. It's not that his relationship or his attempt to mend that of his parents brings him out of the self-created bubble, its more that it shines a light on his character and offers meaning in his self-obsessive methods. a subjective experience meanst that Catcher in the Rye was never optioned but maintaining clearly was never in Ayoade's purview. There is jarring awkwardness in Oliver's attempts to liking, namely when his parents sit him down, and the sublime Sally Hawkins explains and ad-

mits in a matter-of-fact way that she "gave Graham a handjob in the back of his van". Strangely, its moments like this which enable us to sympathise with Oliver and although we never see him oade does not shy from showing then, Submarine is very moving, especially when Jordana's family welcome him to their bosom, and moreso (spoiler) when Oliver's relationship falters and we remain painfully subjected to his inescapablly jealous glances over walls and through windows at Jordana. We, like Oliver don't like what we are seeing but can't bear to turn away.

Ayoade has made a startingly career, and it's a credit to his good humor that something as self-conscious a debut doesn't stead self-contained. Full of which will tempt rye smiles out thless has much to say and does it in a distinctive and witty way that deserves multiple viewings.

FILM FILM

Howl Dir: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman.

Cast: James Franco, Mary-Louise Parker, Jon Hamm

8/10 In spite of starring the elusive cult actor James Franco, Howl has not garnered as much attention as you would expect. This is largely down to the niche subwell-popularised 127 Hours. To reiterate; this-is-not-a-blockbust-

last century’s greatest poets, and is not aspiring to be a massive

berg’s reading of Howl at the

the second details the obscenity trial levelled against the poem, the third being an interview

imaginative, as well as sexually graphic at points. The colours and actions give vivid form to

and most visually striking, is an hallucinogenic animated retelling of Howl. This structure works very well at illustrating the differing importance Howl; as a work of art, as a cultural and social landmark and as a poem written by a visionary, and they counter each other. The interview with James Franco as ment to Franco’s acting abilities, and an interesting insight

who have not read the play, or do not know much about the Beat

it was impressive to see so much of his personality encapsulated in Franco’s performance. John Hamm’s performance as Jack Ehrlich, the lawyer who was defending Howl, as he runs rings around the censors is also both entertaining and interesting to watch. The animated depiction of Howl is visually striking and

draw you in and explain certain bits that you might not otherwise understand.

Of course, this is only going to appeal to a niche audience, but all the same I would recommend seeing Howl if you have any interest in the freedom of expression or excellent poetry. of passion, a very moving tribute to a true visionary. Poets and writers, prepare to have a new Alex Calvin.

film@gairrhydd.com

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FILM

Rango dir: Gore Verbinski cast: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy

5/10 It’s unlikely that anyone would have predicted Hollywood’s latest step forward in animation: a film starring an over-imaginative pet chameleon, running rampant in a Wild West setting. Still, if anyone can pull it off, it’s surely Johnny Depp – the most famous man to have made a name for himself in weirdly wonderful film characters.

There’s no doubt that Rango is a novel concept, and the style of animation chosen for the film is equally imaginative. Its strange and almost paradoxical hybrid of tactile realism and larger-thanlife character design is beautifully, grotesquely executed,

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perfect for the bizarre narrative that it enlivens. This ain’t your regular cute’n’furry fuzzball flick: the critters in Rango’s possy are hideous, fleabitten varmints in cowboy hats, so ugly that they’re bound to invade the nightmares of half the audience – this is a PG, after all. Indeed, parts of the film are undoubtedly too surreal for a young audience to really appreciate, and the film as a whole is too slow-paced to be considered all-ages. Parents will walk out of the cinema pleasantly surprised, whilst their five-year-olds ponder what in tarnation they just experienced.

It’s this failed attempt to bridge the generation gap that lets Rango down. Upon shedding away its oversaturated and oversimplified surface, it could have worked well as a serious, revolutionary adults cartoon, just as it could have retained its childlike whimsy by toning down the sinister half a notch. Instead, creepy, minimalist dreamscapes are pervaded by Nickelodeon slapstick, and copious cases of Dad

humor make many scenes an awkward affair.

It's frustratingly true that the potential’s there for something better. Depp and his mostly lesser-known cast of voice actors bounce off of one another with suitable charisma (a mariachi band comprised of sombrerowearing, fatalistic owls is a particular highlight). There are enough references to classic Western pictures to keep the pretentious movie-buff happy, and the film is brave in its attempt to mingle such oft-avoided genre traits into a kids movie.

Let’s not forget the spellbindingly gross animation, either.

Unfortunately, simply having potential won't cut it the overcrowded and competetive world of animation. Whilst it’s imaginative, ambitious and aesthetically mesmerizing, Rango leaves too much to be desired in the way of storytelling to be deemed a standout movie.

Matt Ayres

FILM

Wales One World Festival How I Ended This Summer Dir: Aleksei Popogrebsky Cast: Grigory Dobrygin, Sergei Puskepalis.

9/10 In a world where darkness never descends, the subject matter of How I Ended This Summer is spectacularly bleak.

We meet two meteorologists, Sergei (Puskepalis) and Pavel (Dobrygin) working together for the summer in Chukotka, on the eastern edge of Russia and a short swim from Alaska. One is an experienced, bearish man of the old school, set in his ways and suspicious of the young college graduate who’s laid back attitude and shirking of work confuses him to contempt. Daily contact with the mainland to

share results is a source of constant tension, with one recording his version meticulously on paper while the other uses a computer that looks oddly out of place in their archaic shack.

Sergei likes nothing more in tic trout for this family on the mainland, who he rarely sees and only communicates with through awkward dictated text messages. When he is on one of these trips, Pavel is told devastating news that he must instantly relay to his colleague.

When he cowardly fails, his guilt scends into a paranoid, perilous game of cat and mouse.

While the whole story is centred on the contradictory relationship of these two men, living and cooking together yet full of distrust and scorn, arguably the landscape is the third character. When the camera pulls back to reveal the sheer vastness of desolation and emptiness, the audience is given a real perspective as to how easy it would be

to lose your mind in this land of perpetual sunlight.

Pavel Kostomarov’s cinematography perfectly captures the different stages of fading light tering of sun through the clouds adding an austere hazy beauty to the sinister goings on.

Both men are revelations in their roles, winning Best Actor awards at the Berlin Film Festirespected, knowing the terrain and its dangers, while Dobrygin’s naïve graduate hides in a world of video games and immersive music, secluding himself and making him lose his grip on reality further.

Beating The King’s Speech, Black Swan and Another Year to win Best Film at the London Film Festival last year, How I Ended This Summer is an almost perfect fusion of psychological thriller, action adventure and Emily Kate Bater

film@gairrhydd.com

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FILM

(...in which we reminice, repute and revere cinema's most

eponymous

)

Johnny Depp

al, it's somewhat poetic that Johnny Depp's

Kids split and Depp decided to try his hand

on Elm Street. His destiny set, Depp was

Defining role: Edward in Edward Scissorhands (1990)

In his first collaboration with now-bezzie, director Tim Burton, Depp took a confident step out of teen star sensationalism and into something genuinely sensational. His embodiement of a robotic boy in susburbia was a unanimously praised performance that paved the way for similarly fantastic roles.

Street -

Edward Scissorhands to smalltown hero in alcoholic in

Also Recommended: has ever encountered.

Matt Ayres

)

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The Team Editor Dom Kehat

Executive Editor Sarah Powell

Sub Editor Matt Wright

Arts Katie Haylock and Kirsty Allen

Books Greg Rees

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Film Emily Kate Bater

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Music Michael Brown, Emma Wilford and Jon Berry

Photos Travel Clare Baranowski and Simone Miche

Proof Reader Asha Verma, Leonie Roderick, Jo Southerd and Morten Wright