Quench - Issue 119

The Cyborg Issue

CONTENTS ISSUE 119

The Cyborg Issue

Ed.Note Do or Die Features Fashion Food & Drink Arts LGBT+ Photos Travel Books Music Film

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Editor's Note -

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Do or Die

Do or Die If ignoring sci-fi films has taught us anything, it's that robots are there to be abused.

Lucy Trevallion suggests some of the most accomodating -

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Features

Clare Welsh

reflects on her own cyborgisation, and asks 'are we losing face?'

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Alex Bronsen has been on Facebook for six years. “When will I be forced into having a Facebook Timeline? I hope never. But if I do, my banner is going to be mad inappropriate.”

So says Bronsen when confronting one of the many incendiary design changes implemented by the social networking site. When Facebook undergoes a change, it is typically followed by a period of user backlash.

Tweaking the layout, it seems, disrupts a Feng-shui: In a poll of 4,100 users conductfound the Timeline “worrisome.”. Another

Imagine every song The Beatles produced condensed into one minute. The Facebook Timeline is the visual equivalent for human

activity. At a glance, we see the user in the now: photographs, maps, and descriptions of their current life. Clicking a tab on the right snaps the page to previous years---2011, 2010, 2009— whose origin is the eerily human “Born.”

At the Facebook developer’s conference in September 2011, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the goal of the new aesthetic was “to design a place that you’re proud to call your home.”

Here in my bedroom---surrounded by unwashed coffee mugs, paintbrushes, and pictures of friends---I am struck by Zuckerberg’s use of “home.” Like it or not, my Facebook page is a projection of my living space. I “Like” my local coffee shop. I post photographs of paintings I’m working on, and there, on the left margin, are my friends:

Features CLARE WELSH

Social Plug-ins further increase publication of users activity outside Facebook Privacy settings simplifi ed, in an attempt to encourage users to be more public with their personal information.

Facebook introduces Beacon Advertising, outsourcing personal interests to corporations.

“When will I be forced into having a Facebook Timeline? I hope never. But if I do, my banner is going to be madly inappropriate.”

ted’, talked; as in, how many have shared my oxygen in a face-to face exchange of feelings, ideas, and spontaneous wit? Do I know these people?

Am I losing Face?

That Facebook exists is no surprise (Remember Myspace?) What is surprising - unsettling, even, is the extent to which many users personalize Facebook. To have a developer change your layout is to have a stranger sneak into your room and hastily rearrange

your underwear.

How long until the Facebook Timeline conhas become a living space, we have entered an age where the line between human and robot is blurred. With this cyborgisation comes a modicum of immortality. When we die, our Facebook pages go on living.

If Facebook introduces an epitaph feature, user Alex Bronsen will be the last to sign on.

When he does, though, he wants to be in death as he was in life, or at least in print: “madly inappropriate.”

Clare Welsh

features@gairrhydd.com

Perhaps this is why Facebook users resist change. Their pages are virtual bedrooms.

To go online is to relax in a safe environment.

You can listen to music, watch videos, or, if you’re feeling social, enable the chat and have friends over.

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Features

The humiliation the online community felt when the gay girl blogger championing equal rights from Damascus was revealed to be a middle-aged man from Georgia is a more painful example as to why some of us are pleading to slow down and realise we need more context when we speak to each other.

Of course, being able to communicate without showing your face is a great opportunity for others. Debt collectors in the US have be-

in contact with their targets and hound them for what they owe. The most uncomplicated On the other end of the scale, the question is whether what we read is becoming unconstrained from the limited medium of paper, or rather People used to be far too tactile to start using Kindles, yet now more and more are happy to requestion what the point was if you couldn’t feel the weight of the paper between your thumb and

the library, faded and torn from age, to encounter the distinct smell of pipe tobacco. He made

brary can easily be reduced to a palm-sized tablet. database to be effortlessly downloaded again. ones, and those that nay-say have more fear for change than common sense. Not only is it and more people easier and better access to literature, but also saves endlessly on resources. literature would equate to freedom. But somewhere along the optimistic crusade, the seams began to tear. Amazon were caught 2 years ago quietly attempting to un-publish over 114,000 copies of Animal Farm and 1984: erasing already bought copies. The irony is self-explanatory, but the fact that already having purchased something doesn’t promise you absolute ownership brings out anxiAnd neither has e-publishing always brought an publishers from Penguin to HarperCollins have already begun offering exclusively online editions of releases to try to stop libraries purchasing them for what they see as hard copy piracy.

Digitising communication may be providing us with a microphone louder than anyone could ever will always be consequences when we can’t see

to open up and experience. For him all the romanThe words displayed on a Kindle are essentially that of a paper title, except that all the surroundings have been stripped away. Colour, smell, the odd stain or two, and the texture have all been And essentially, that’s all that matters. Using technology to change how we view what we read

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life easier. The countless shelves of someones li-

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Alexi Gunner Illustration by Isabel Larner

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Features

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Features

The Most Memorable Robots of our Time.

anything you want him to be and anywhere you

bot

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Features

Cyborg Society?

Lloyd Griffiths explores our relationship with technology and it's representation in sci-fi.

er an ideological pole around which all modern

more robotic?Able to be programmed and ma

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Sheep?

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Fashion

The cool, the odd and the just plain creepy: The Future of Fashion Leela Thomas

Fang Shoes

Spot the Connection

Sophie Chamberlain

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Sophie Chamberlain .

Fashion LED LIGHTS...

FOR YOUR TEETH

Magnetic Nails

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Leela Thomas

Sophie Chamberlain

Spot the Connection

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Fashion Fly-Lashes

Sophie Chamberlain

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If Fly-Lashes are a little too extreme, why not be inspired by these fashionable lashes...

Fashion

spot the

connection You will never look at shiny nails the same way once you know your little pot of polish probably includes fish scales. They are usually referred to as ‘pearl essence’ on ingredient lists, but actually come from the Herring, and are used to give iridescent product like nail polish and lipstick their shimmer.

It may not be common to see a snake and stick your face near its mouth, hoping to get spurted with venom. However, snakes in Brazil has been ‘milked’ for their venom, producing Glamoxy Snake Venom, a ‘botox in a bottle’ treatment which blocks nerve impulses and induces paralysis to reduce wrinkles.

Spot the Connection A London salon is currently offering a bull semen hair treatment. Apparently the serum adds shine and nourishes protein-deficient hair. After your hair is washed, the serum is applied and left to sit in your hair for 45 minutes before it is rinsed and blowdried. But don’t worry; as the semen is refrigerated its strong smell has been eliminated.

In the future: Get pretty by predrinking your bath water

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Beer doesn’t usually spring to mind when visualising a healthy lifestyle. Now students can finally breathe a sigh of relief, as so-called ‘beer baths’ are the latest up-and-coming beauty craze. After being developed in Austria and Czech Republic over the last decade, beer baths have become increasingly popular. The vitamins in the yeast have been said to nourish and dry out oily skin.

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Fashion

An Apocalyptic Night Out?

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Fashion

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Mortensen- Great Dad. Crappy Dresser.

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Food & Drink

the future of

food How exactly will we be able to produce enough food to feed almost another 2.5 billion people by 2050? Simone Miche and Chloe Slade discuss a few of the technological advances of the food industry in the near future...

Desert greening Adaptable algae Algae has been a constituent of Eastern diets for many years, and the fact that it does not require precious farmland in order to grow make it an appealing crop, what with the world becoming ever crowded with the population predicted to boom by an extra 2.5 billion people by the year 2050. But it’s not just its consumable properties which has seen algae tipped as the big player in the future of crops, it's also used as fertiliser, soil conditioners, animal feed, and most importantly, as fuel. Algae is capable of growing in arid land and could potentially produce up to 10,000 gallons of oil per acre; much more land-friendly than other crops such as maize. The CO2 released when the fuel is used is offset by the CO2 the algae requires for photosynthesis making in a green fuel in every way.

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in the not too distant future you could be eating greens packaged with the label ‘grown in the Sahara’. British inventor Charlie Paton has high hopes for seawater desert greenhouses which utilise seawater to cool and humidify hot desert air humid climate of the greenhouses from where the air then passes into an evaporator, where tubes of cold seawater subsequently cause the condensation of fresh water which is collected to cultivate both plants in the greenhouses but also to nourish the local environment, improving its productivity.

Such greening technology is already being implemented in the ambitious planning of the Great Green Wall of Africa, which aims to grow a 15 km wide, 7,775 km long area of greenery, spanning the breadth of the continent with a view to prevent the southward spread of the Sahara.

Artificial Meat

Food & Drink

Its true. Instead of rearing cattle in picturesque pastures somehwere in the middle of Wiltshire, Britains farmers could soon be clad with white paper jump suits and blue plastic gloves, growing vats.

The world-wide call for meat is growing ever louder as western eating habits spread to China and other rapidly emerging eonomies. With this, er, as the pressure on cultivated land, water and energy from 'live' (more literally than ever) stock becomes too much.

Whilst the question of taste - as cultured meat

Diet-tech: Taste Technology

do not - could hinder this food phenomenon's im-

near you as early as next year. Call me conservative but, quite frankly, I'm not lovin' it.

If you struggle to stay on the straight and narrow when it comes to low calorie diets and can’t help but opt for the juicy burger and golden chips over the healthier-than-thou green salad, then help may soon be at hand. It comes in the form of new technology, patented by the food and agriculture giants; Cargill. Using a taste tissue imaging system, scientists can simultaneously observe and measure the cellular responses and interactions of taste buds when they are stimulated by sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, sourness and umami.

The hope being that the imaging system will ento be added or blocked in processed low calorie food in order to enhance the ‘realistic’ taste and textures.

8/10 Insects

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Now this I'm in to. And if you've been to Asia and experienced the street food markets in Bejing or Bagkok you may be too. Indeed, if the majority of Africa, Latin America and Asia's food industry comprises of a vast selection of locusts, grasshoppers, spiders, wasps, worms, ants and

beetles, why can't Britains? And with street food looking to become the new food fad within the isles according to Richard Johnson, organiser of the British Street Food Awards, what better time than now, I say, to introduce a few tasty critters onto their stalls and the British menu.

As well as a new-fangled experience, the advantages of 'micro-livestock' farming are endless.

The creatures are far better at converting plant biomass into edible meat than even the fastest growing livestock, they emit fewer greenhouse gases and they can thrive on paper, algae and the industrial wastes that would normally be thrown away. And for the health concious, these little bugs are rich in protein, low in fat and cholesterol and high in calcium and iron too.

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Food & Drink

Is

Heston's Molecular Gastronomy?

the Future of Food

We’ve all heard of porridge. But c’mon, snail porridge? Some of the latest developments in the wontoo weird. So is this really the future of cookery? late, tantalise and shock the taste buds are already making their way into some of the most expensive not just something of a fad, detracting from the long established classical school of cookery? I think not. In my opinion the world of cookery is striving to create new and enticingly unfamiliar dishes, whilst continuing to pursue the perfection I am of course only voicing an opinion, though there is however a man who can speak with the utmost authority on the issue and who could quite possibly be the founding forefather of the future of our food; Heston Blumenthal. Heston Blumenthal as you may already know is famed for incorporating bizarre taste combinations into somewhat avant-garde and extravagant dishes, as well as his restaurants’ countless awards for their innovative and molecular gastronomic approach to cuisine. The pursuit of perfection, in the words of the man himself, is something that the self-taught chef continues to strive for, namely through his unconventional use and intricate understanding of the molecular science of food.

For those of you with after-hours access to the university’s science labs, you may want to grab a pen and paper. Some of Heston’s techniques include the use of test-tube water baths for the most delicate of cooking, and most famously the use of the sous-vide (under vacuum) technique to create the most succulent steak. For dessert, he favours the use of -78.5° dry ice in his intriguing creation of egg and bacon ice cream, or as can be found in his new TV program ‘How to cook like Heston’, a savoury cheese-ontoast icecream-Sunday! So it seems likely that what

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dining will continue to divulge in the extravagant and extraordinary, but what about in the world of good, hearty home cooked food?

Unfortunate-

ly, with the new ‘Heston at home’ book and his TV show mentioned above, even the humble Sunday night chicken dinner may not be safe. pes that follow the trend of such unique and impes demonstrated seem to focus on challenging and improving one’s technique in the kitchen, so that we at home may also aim for excellence in the food we create. In an attempt to captivate your curiosity, for an undoubtedly winning combination of taste-bud theatrics, ice cream and chocolate, I would recommend attempting the ‘Exploding chocolate Torte’ from Heston’s new book.

Overall, it would seem that the future of food lies not just in a better understanding of the science of cooking itself, but in taking increasingly exciting and adventurous steps to make the experience of each and every dish as good as it can possibly be, if you will, the pursuit of perfection.

"How to Cook Like Heston" can be seen onWednesdays at 8pm on Channel 4

George Davies

Food & Drink

the college

house Imagine a place which has the best of British where you can gorge on a selection of homemade goodies any time of the day, be it breakfast lunch or dinner, like granola bursting with oats, raisins and nuts, freshly made med veg and mozzarella focaccias, pizza slices the size of a kitchen tiles and nibble on white chocolate and raspberry cookies Now stop imagining and wake up to the beautiful reality that this place exists, and can be enjoyed with just a short walk from the library or your humble student abode, to North Road where this little gem is situated just opposite the Blackweir pub.

The College House is a cosy little cafe, co-run (the Italian) who pride themselves on making exceptionally good coffee and other Italian treats, like Choc Cioks, thick Italian hot chocolate, and

laptops milling around its large old oak diningschool-style tables, sipping coffee from steaming mugs, fraps and iced teas and taking advantage of its lunch time deals, where for as little as £3 you can get a focaccia, made freshly from scratch that morning, a cookie or a piece of fruit and a small Friday it’s open til 7pm in the evening, and on Thursdays, the atmosphere has a little more buzz style thin-based pizzas from 5pm until around 9 or, well, whenever they’re all gone!

Simone Miche

"good exceptionally coffee and other treats

Italian

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Ar ts

Back to the future of film Quench Arts explores filmmaker Tacita Dean’s latest exhibition FILM at the Tate, which laments the loss of analogue film making in the face of the digital revolution. The exhibition evokes the black monolith from science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey and projects on to it the question of technology versus technique in visual art.

Quench Arts re-

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When digital stops attempting to be the same as film, its incredible potential will start to reveal itself

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Will Stokes

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REVIEWS

La Traviata, Welsh National Opera

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Arts Piaf - The Songs: Eve Loiseau, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

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Je ne regrette rien Asha Verma

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Has technology become the show?

No...

YES...

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Tom Webb.

Kirsty Allen

LGBT+

Cyber-tex Everyone loves a good gay subtext.

Granted, some texts may be more 'sub' than others, but the fun is in the diggin'!

Wall-e Did this Pixar classic camply scream 'aging gay man' or 'lesbian butch-femme love story' at you? Perhaps there is more going on than meets the cornea scan. Pretty sure Freud would have something to say about the prevalence of a Bonsai Tree anyway. I'll leave the fascination with women's undergarments, disinterest in sports and a love of shiny things to draw your own conclusions.

Bender Okay, this could be a bit of a long shot. But with a name like 'bender', I couldn't let this pass me by. The year 3000 wasn't quite like Busted had predicted, they forgot to menred-head from old New York, with a name you could cook a canapĂŠ with. Kiss my shiny metal ass? Yeah, you wish!

gay robot

c3po Brings about the age old riddle; gay or just very very British? It's a tricky one. Teaching his, 'best friend', the ways of etiquette, with such an impeccable posture that you could balance Gok Wan's biography on that shiny gold head. And hey, when needs become musts I bet him and R2D2 have had to resort to a lil robot spooning in a space cave. Just sayin'.

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Now, let me guess what dimension this character is imploring. Subtle hints include a rainbow chest piece and catchphrases such as 'I can feel my steel!'. I guess Adam Sandler's character development was somewhat lacking that day – as opposed to the complex character history he usually develops.

You get no points for identifying Mr. G. Robot's blip on your gaydar.

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LGBT+

Laura Gwilliams investigates how technological advances could mean biological equality is on the horizon for gay parents...

A hardy fallback against same-sex marriage is often the inherent inability for such couples to reproduce; something that can't be changed, right? opened the door to the ability to produce male eggs, and female sperm, allowing for same-sex biological reproduction.

Quick biology crash-course, then: when embryos are developing in the womb, they are made up of pluripotent stem cells which have no cell-spe-

lgbt@gairrhydd.com

body. Scientists have found a way to reprogramme ordinary adult skin cells to create 'induced pluripotent stem cells' (iPSC's), which can then be used to create any human cell – including gametes of the opposite sex, containing the same genetic makeup of the skin cell donator.

Of course, as may be expected, such procedures are not without their problems. Males are made from the combination of XY chromosomes; females from XX chromosomes. For two male parents then, either could provide an X or a Y chromosome, and if both produce a Y chromosome a child cannot be produced. Although two female parents would not face this problem, they would not be able to have a male child, as all children

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they produce would have XX chromosomes.

Also, as perhaps is even more expected, such technology has been met with ethical and religious criticism. As females are able to bear their own children, this method of reproduction would deem males unnecessary, whereas males would still require a surrogate mother to carry their child.

Moreover,(and did you see this coming...) there is the 'playing God' argument; same sex couples were not born with the ability to biologically reproduce, and so it is not our place to intervene.

But realistically, technology has enabled so much more than what we are biologically able to do, surely we're well past the point of playing God by now? The important thing has got to be the presence of a loving environment for a child to grow up in, regardless of how that life came to be.

All this said, success of the technology has not yet been fully established, and is unlikely to reach a full eureka moment for another ten years. We can only hope that when it does, advancements are not hindered by cricicism. Societal equality alone cannot counter biological differences, but it is the gatekeeper of access to technology which can.

Photos

Spotlight on Students...Laurie Even though Laurie only took up photography seriously several years ago, he has been fascinated with the art of taking photographs ever since he was a little boy.

It was his love of the great outdoors that led him to pick up a camera. As a result, landscape photography has always been his greatest passion and he has travelled extensively in the search of capturing breath taking moments, resulting in ‘US Yahoo! Editorial’ using one of his photos.

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Taylor

Although originally landscape photography grabbed his attention, he has picked up and grown to love all sorts of photography, found anywhere if you look hard enough.

For more visit: http://www. fl i c k r. c o m / p h o t o s / l a u r i e t a y l o r / Contact: laurie45@hotmail.co.uk

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Photos

Artificial Intelligence?

Photographic technology is changing fast.

Heather Arnold and Helena Lins take a look at the pros and cons of its varied potential.

Photography has moved on from big machines and dark rooms to tiny cameras and digital images that can be viewed and sent anywhere in the world within a matter of seconds. With cheap and easy to use cameras available to so many, it is an art form that almost anyone can enjoy and, with 3D photography in its early years, noone has the right to say we should stop there.

Let’s look at Google Street View for example.

Where many see a threat to privacy and don’t like the idea of their world being heavily documented, others see opportunity and art. Canadian photographer, Jon Rafman, has made a whole exhibition by scouring through thousands of shots and picking out some of the beautiful ‘every day’ moments captured by Google’s cameras.

Any fear of being watched is exaggerated further as the availability of cameras and use of social networking sites has made it possible for anyone to capture anything and send it across the world. This now means that capturing the news no longer relies on photojournalists. Most of the footage and images of the ‘Arab Spring’ came from the Facebook and Twitter pages of those involved; a perfect example of new technology raising aware-

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ness of issues in ways not previously possible.

The future of photography brings in a new fear of manipulation. Editing software offers a relatively cheap and simple way of tampering with pictures.

Photoshop gives photographers the opportunity to play around with their pictures and create new forms of art, but there is no denying the negative applications as well, namely the misrepresentation of bodies in advertising and even the exaggeration of news. Using this to argue that the golden age of photography is long behind us is wrong because manipulation is as old as photography itself. Altering images with clever placement of props and people (rather than digital editing) is nothing new.

The future of photography is an exciting one.

It is impossible to see now what technology and art will lie in the future and although some beautiful types of photography will get lost on the way, disposable cameras and Polaroids for example, it is all for the opportunity to see the world around us in new and exciting ways. Photography is (and always has been) constantly moving, constantly advancing and constantly changing the way it explores the world it captures.

Heather Arnold

Jon Rafman's Street-view photography

On January 7 1839 a photographic image was announced to the world, in a lecture by François Arago to the French Academy of Sciences. At that time it was known as the daguerreotype and since then it has been developing at an amazing speed. Nowadays, cameras are so portable and relatively cheap that everyone can have one. Besides, most mobile phones have an incorporated camera, which means that everybody can take a photo whenever they want, wherever they are.

However, this increasing importance of phoPhotography has evolved with and alongside modern news reporting techniques. A good exthat have been frequently presented to the public through photojournalism. Because those

not even by journalists but by civilians, the public tends to believe them. Someone could ques-

of modern photography. Editing software, such

But its popularisation also raises a new issue. Now, ordinary people can edit their pictures as well, which is common on social networks as ety where no one knows exactly what the real appearance of the other person is. Finally, the concern of photographing a moment or an event usually replaces the pleasure of living it. People end up paying more attention to posing and taking pictures than enjoying the moment. One can say “But then we will have the photos to remember it” however, if those photos, by any misfortune, disappear then there will be nothing left.

Helena Lins

quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com

a photo because it shows the reality. However, the photographer of the photo made choices when taking it: he or she chose what to frame in and what to frame out and this simple and sometimes unconscious choice can change the whole meaning of an event. Let’s take this wellknown image in Internet as a blatant example: In the middle we have the original photo and on both sides we can see how simply through cropping it, the photo can represent the two opposite sides

as the well-known Photoshop, are powerful tools for photograph manipulation. It is usually used in advertising as well as in magazine’s photo shoots and this latter is especially important. When manipulating bodies in a photo, editors are not just changing that picture but also people’s minds.

Through the repetition of this type of manipulation, where women always appear with Barbie’s body and perfect skin and men are always all muscle, society begins to accept these representations as normal and people desire to be like that. Women especially tend to compare themselves with those perfect models in the magazines, frequently leading to psychological issues such as eating disorders and image complexes. With the popularisation of this editing software these perfect bodies

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Travel Travel Photo of the Fortnight Man in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, by Yasmine Canga- Valles

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Up in the

air

Christina Morgan and Bryony Parry discuss whether the modern simplicity of air travel is really creating more rewarding experiences.

How many times have we all uttered the words ‘I need a holiday’? The thing is, despite this phrase being used with an essence of melodrama, I believe being able to visit different countries is a positive, I may even dare to say necessary thing for both travellers and the countries they visit.

Think of your perfect stress-free holiday and then think of all the jobs that are created by your desires: from the hotel staff to those who make the trinkets you take home with you. Without a demand for travel, these jobs would not exist.

What's more, visiting foreign countries can give you a chance to see how “the other half ” live, if you take the time to step outside of the typical ‘Brit Abroad’ environment. How will we ever overcome the discrimination and racial prejudice present in society without experiencing, and therefore understanding, different cultures and traditions? It is easy to criticise the negative effects travel has on our planet, but think of the positive impacts that it also allows; volunteer projects abroad offer a 'hands on' approach to charity, this helps those in need and allows a sense of satisfaction for the volunteer. Even a short break away from the stresses and strains of everyday life allow a person to return home bursting with excitement to tell stories of their trip, broadening the minds of anyone who has enough time to listen.

Let us not forget that travel certainly isn’t as environmentall unfriendly as it used to be; with ellers a chance to reduce their carbon footprint.

The travel industry is now more willing to adhere to the environmental concerns of today.

Bryony Parry

AGAINST There is no doubt that most of us travel abroad either to relax on a beach or explore the historical cultural differences that other countries offer. Yet, with this comes a heavy price on the environment around us and a carbon footprint that cannot be ignored. Unfortunately many travellers do not consider how carbon emissions from air travel are a major cause of global warming and climate change.

With the rise of people wanting to travel the world and student gap years now standard as job-avoidance, travelling has become increasingly popular and air travel has seemingly unstoppable demand.

I am sure many of us have seen programmes such as Brits Abroad, or Sun, Sex, and Suspicious Parents, where British people come across as being the wildest of all nationalities. The British booze culture is being recognised throughout the world and there is an increasing popularity in groups of young people going on lads or girls holidays. country, especially if travelling has become less about exploring the culture of different places and more about frivolous inebriation. It seems ignorant to think tourism can only be a positive thing upon the lives of the locals in other countries?

Also, there is no doubt that volunteer work abroad in unprivileged areas of the world can ing tribal areas disrupt their way of life and their cultural identity, showing them a different way of living that is unattainable? By travelling over to Eastern countries and teaching English in foreign places is it westernising the world? There is no doubt that most charity work done away can there appears to be less and less tribes that are untouched by our need to explore their cultural ways.

Christina Morgan

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Travel

TECHNOLOGY & TRAVEL...

Japan has always had an interest and enthusiasm towards technology. Although this vast and beautiful country has a lot more to offer, from kimono wearing geishas to hot springs, it is Japan’s unique take on what technology can do that makes it so appealing to travellers.

Thankfully, one of the areas of technology that Japan has focused on is its transport, having pioneered high speed rail travel. Japan launched its since then has continued to advance and improve the technology of transportation. The ‘bullet train’ (or 'shinkansen') links two of Japan’s largest cities, connecting Tokyo and Kobe, and can

Trains are not the only form of futuristic transportation in Japan. The ‘Toyota Automobile Museum’, based in Nagakute City, not far from Nagoya, is a huge museum dedicated to hundreds of years of automobile history and not only explores techof cars. The exhibitions looks at both the mechanics of vehicles and the role cars play in lives and how they can shape culture.

For those not interested in technology or transport, Japan still has plenty of electronics to suit all. Tokyo’s electronic and computer district, Akihabara, is the perfect place to go if you have

a few pennies to spend on secondhand tech. With its bright lights and buildings, the area has turned what should simply be the world’s largest electrical equipment market and become an electronic wonderland well worth exploring.

The entertainment district, Obadiba, also known as Tokyo Bay, is another futuristic area.

Based on a manmade island, the area looks like it you even have to cross a ‘Rainbow Bridge’ illuminated by multicoloured lights to get there. This little island is a brightly lit, futuristic technology haven and is the home of the world’s most advanced humanoid robot. In ‘Japan’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation’ (or, as it’s normally called, 'Miraikan’ which means 'future museum'), lives Asimo. This little robot is world famous, and has done everything from conducting an orchestra to guest starring on an episode of QI. The museum exhibits short shows (a lot like a seal show at a zoo but with less water and more circuit boards) where you can see Asimo talk and run as well as learn about just how much of an achievement in robotics this is.

All in all Japan has a beautiful relationship with technology, embracing it at every turn and wonderfully absorbing it into the culture. This forward thinking makes the cities of Japan exciting places, which allow you to take a glimpse into the future of the human race.

Heather Arnold

JAPAN: THE FUTURE....

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Travel

VIRTUAL REALITY: HOLIDAYS FROM HOME

Kate Bennett asks whether a virtual trip to Australia can really worth a paltry ÂŁ19.99.

ing a specially written guide book and souvenirs tailored to your chosen destination. Like a normal holiday, a virtual holiday is as good as you make it- you can cook meals that you would eat in that place, do suggested activities and write postcards. lected items from friends who had visited Greece (their chosen destination) so Claire could imagine she was visiting shops and museums. You could even turn your home into a hotel for the week with chocolates on your pillow, a welcome book and put up a picture of the view from your window.

Apps and websites have made it easier to virtually attend galleries and museums over the Internet. Most sites have pictures of famous pieces with commentary or virtual tours. And, you can visit the gift shops online now. You can read local news on newspaper websites too. These can just be optional extras though, the guidebook provided

by Holidays from Home gives you a week's worth of fun activities to keep you busy and interested.

For example, on the Australia holiday, you go on a helicopter tour over the Great Barrier Reef.

Other companies are taking a more technological approach to virtual holidays. Mario Gerosa has ter leaving his job as a travel journalist for Conde

Nast, Gerosa, formed Synthravels, an online incan visit virtual replications of dream locations and interact with each other through avatars. It's a kind of cross between chat rooms and World of Warcraft. Synthravels isn't alone anymore, after its popularity, other companies have begun to pop up all over the net. Other virtual travellers tend to take a more 'traditional' approach and take tours and view panoramic photos just for the sake of seeing new places.

Travel operators are beginning to develop this technology for a 'try before you buy experience' or to get feedback on hotel designs before they're built. One company allowed customers to explore designs through avatars, you could swim in the pool or even see live music performances, so that customers could make suggestions for improvements or say which parts of the hotel they liked best. Frank Shaw, from the Centre for Future Studies, predicts this technology will become widespread to create "a very sophisticated form of travel brochure."

Clearly virtual holidays require imagination, but if you are unable to travel for whatever reason, then it's a great way to feel like you're having some time out and experiencing a new culture and place. I think I'd rather take Claire Wade's more interactive approach, however, than sit at my laptop while it downloads software. I don't fancy cutting out or pedestrian internet speed. We may have swapped Facebook and texts for face-to-face interaction, but I doubt that there is any risk people will be passing up real life for virtual travelling out of preference any time soon.

Kate Bennett

travel@gairrhydd.com

Travel can be out of reach for students for a number of reasons. We all know the familiar conversation at the start of new term where we have to smile politely, while feeling jealous of our tanned friend recounting their summer travels. Well, thanks to Holidays from Home, it is now affordable for anyone to travel to Australia or New York. Founder Claire Wade came up with the idea for a virtual

35

Books

The future of the book

Jess Rayner takes a look at the Kindle, the cyborg of the book world.

books@gairrhydd.com

36

A cyborg has always been considered as something that enhances normal capabilities, something which in this new digital age has translated itself across the media industry to create accessibility for the masses. Media has been transformed, giving readers a stage to express their opinions through blogs and social networks. However, literature has been the only major medium to date that has not embraced the digital age. Times are changing with the introduction of electronic readers such as the Amazon Kindle - what does this mean for the future of reading?

There has been much debate over replacing the long-standing tradition of ink on paper with the digitalised version of texts the Kindle offers. This traditional approach has stood the test of time as evidenced by the written word lasting for centuries. The recent onset of the Kindle, means it has never been easier to purchase and read books, with this ease of use and greater accessibility allowing exposure to an entirely new literary audience. Despite the fast-moving nature of reading in the 21st century, some literary critics are fearful for the survival of books in this multi-faceted age, something which journalist Clive Thompson - writing inWired magazine - is quick to disregard: “if only publishers would adopt this new perspective in order to provide new ways for people to encounter the written word. We need to stop thinking about the future of publishing and think instead about the future of reading.” This claim emphasises the ‘new thinking’ of the 21st century that seeks to move away from tradition and embrace the tech-

nological advances of the age.

Despite these new perspectives, scepticism still lingers in the background of the digitalised obsession that has swept the world. Whilst hardcover sales were down 25.4% last year, Kindle sales boomed, but the question over the future of reading remains – will these innovations really bensuch as the Kindle moves in a single direction; it is constantly making it easier for us to perceive the content. Arguing that by making content easier and easier to see, readers will trade away understanding for perception: the words may stand bold on the screen but the sentences will quickly be forgotten.

Being a Kindle owner myself I disagree with this resistance to a digitalised version of reading; in my eyes the production of the Kindle has opened up the world of literature. Despite loving the feel of a new book in my hands, books have been locked into ink on paper for too long. The authors that have taken the leap by releasing digital copies of their work have actually found that sales of printed versions have increased, a result of the creation of a worldwide audience. One of the pleasures of reading is becoming absorbed in the world constructed by the author, allowing one’s away from this aspect, as it allows new audiences to be inspired and moved by literature.

Jess Rayner

Books

Reviews Our pick of February's most exciting new releases

A Small Circus by Hans Fallada The reissue of A Small Circus gives the reader an interesting perspective into life in pre-Nazi Germany. This book was written in 1931, before the Nazis took power, making it unique to most novels concerning the era. It is a story of corruption and conspiracy based around a shabby reporter, -

Mrs Moneypenny's Careers Advice for Ambitious Women by Heather McGregor how much I'd get out of it because I'm not really looking to enter the world of hedge funds, liquidity and other words I don't understand, but I am happy to report that this book appeals to a greater audience. While the boardroom world is certainly Mrs Moneypenny's background, the book's aim is to help achieve whatever it is the reader wants to do, whether to set up a charity, become an artistwhatever the goal she'll help you get there. Speaking of Moneypenny's CV, it goes on for so long that I've only ever skim-read it, so she's more than Don't be fooled by the pretty pink cover: this book is not the world according to Legally Blonde, this is tough talking advice. As Mrs Moneypenny puts it herself: "you can't have it at all but you do have to do it all." Easy to read, inspiring and perfect for women with dreams.

Katie Bennett

8/10

the troubles faced by people in the Weimar Republic. He includes the struggles between the political left and right and how people struggle to get by in tough times with the intention to present a ‘poor Germany’ image.

This book is relevant and engaging despite its age. I would recommend this book to those interested in the culture of the time, as well as the general reader.

Paul Wilkinson 8/10

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend Before young people had Harry Potter they had Adrian Mole, the thirteen-year-old who likes to think he is a literary academic. Trying to attract

books in the series made Sue Townsend a bestselling author in the 80s, and not a lot has changed since then – once again we have a royal wedding and a Conservative government trying to tackle rocketing unemployment. That's not where the similarities end though: not only did reading this book provide me with a trip down the memory lanes of my teenage years but Adrian did, unfortunately, remind me of some students I've met. I highly recommend this book.

Katie Bennett

9/10

books@gairrhydd.com

his family together as well as avoiding the school bully, Mole's diary - which is being reissued this month - is full of hilarious teenage angst.

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MUSIC For a night which is mostly hazy, my memory of the moment we found out about the tragic passing of Whitney Houston is surprisingly clear. The shocking news stopped us in our tracks, turning a lairy Saturday night in Pulse into a slightly more sombre affair.

Possibly the most talented female vocalist of her time, Whitney released seven albums over a career spanning almost 30 years. Her hits are incomparable and her voice inimitable. The original diva, she has inspired a generation of female artists and her talent will live on in her songs.

We paid our respects to the legend by whacking I Will Always Love You on the jukebox, forming a huge circle in the club and Jo Southerd

The Grammys ‘The Musical Oscars’ always promise a night of formances, and this year was no exception. The tragic death of the iconic Whitney Houston overshadowed the 54th Grammys, as Jennifer Hudson paid tribute with an emotional rendition of I Will Always Love You. However, in true memory of the legendary diva, the show went on.

The big winner of the night was Adele who scooped up a whopping six awards, including

performance after undergoing throat surgery last year, receiving a standing ovation. She is now level night as a female artist and although now taking time off, I’m sure the hype surrounding her will not falter.

Waiting Light. Country sweetheart Taylor Swift won two awards and no-

nied by a Pope look-a-like taking the limelight appeared altogether more tamely dressed. Chris it was before the Grammys in 2008 that him and

for

The in-

music@gairrhydd.com

New Artist’ sparking uproar online as web users dare he’ take the award from Nicki Minaj.

With performances from Paul McCartney,

less than popular. However, he went on to win proving he may be coming back into favour. mys was certainly memorable. With the music industry seemingly in peril due to illegal downloads and pirating, the awards ceremony provided a

were treated to a spectacular show. troversy. Fergie appeared in a garish orange seethrough number and Nicki Minaj was accompa

38

to Jazz, and suggested that despite concerns the industry is still very much thriving.

Emma Wilford

Quantity vs. Quality

Music

Laura Gwilliams discusses the age of D.I.Y music With technology getting more advanced and cheaper to produce, long gone are the days of needing a large recording studio to produce music. In fact, get yourself a free download of

The ability for almost anyone to now produce their own music has meant almost everyone who dabbles in the creative form in one way or the other has taken to a microphone at some point. And with advances in software,

a tambourine to a trumpet coming pre-loaded.

This has meant a huge increase in the number of artists recording music, and the emergence of enough social-networkingcome-music-sharing websites to make

your ears spin. Sharing music with the world has never been so easy, and neither has discovering it, often not needing to venture further than a cheeky glance on Youtube.

Unfortunately though, this has made avoiding the mounds of shoddy music out there much more dividuals with questionable music taste, who come

Nice one.

For the most part though, the ability to record and share music so easily simply broadens the access to freedom of speech, regardless of the quality their freedom a bit more quietly. And with better hair.

The Future of Music Alex Calvin explores the changes technology is having on music We now live in the future.

of media to be shared in such an advanced and widespread way over the Internet. Gone are the beautiful pieces of artwork you used to get in the .jpeg on your iTunes library.

And with this new age, comes the darker side.

The anarchy of the Internet is perfect for the sharing of music, alongside other forms of media. Music is more open than ever, with anyone in the world with the know-how being able to access music for free. Though illegal, this is the shape of things to come. Technology and a free and anarchic mindset have changed the business model.

Through technology, people are more empowered than ever to listen to the music they want. Through the Internet, bands can reach out to their fans in a bigger way. Artists can give away records for free in a world where you do not need to worry about the cost of packaging or distribution. All you need

is a computer with your music on, and an Internet connection.

Music has not only changed in its distribution from technology, but has changed in its creation too, and this might be the darkest side of music in the digital age. Once created through intricate uses of microphones and instruments, music can now be created on a single laptop, with programmes creating fake reverb instead of microphones capturing it. The organic process of music is fading. Auto-tune rids the music scene of an digital faรงade, meaning that anyone can be a star now. You do not even need to have any talent, the computer does it all for you. Now all you need to be is a pretty face, one that looks good on the television. The human touch is fading. Much like how current, post-modern, literature depends on reference and intertextuality, modern music depends on the same principles. Samples of prior songs, disembodied voices of singers, songs and quotes placed into a mesh of electronic sound. Many artists these days do not create music from scratch, rather borrow pieces from the tracks of other artists. With this new technological age, the place of the recording artist may very well be diminished.

music@gairrhydd.com

scape of modern music in the last ten years. Since the invention of the mp3, the increased use of the Internet, iTunes, music has become a more and more abstract concept.

Where once music was something you bought

39

Music

INTERVIEWS Sleigh bells

Xpress Radio's Matthew Jones speaks with American noise pop duo Sleigh Bells ahead of the release of their new album...

“We’re the least logical band I can think of ” laughs an enthusiastic Alexis Krauss. For a band that’s about to release their second album, logic doesn’t

nitely our own worst critic. About the whole ‘sowould really apply to us, not because I think we’re above them, it just wasn’t on my radar.” into the studio” remarks Alexis. “You stay really and enthusiasm for the band.”

Unusually for a band that has gathered as much

the duo’s guitarist and the record’s producer.

“The songs were written a lot more traditionally like sitting on the edge of the bed with a notebook and a handful of chords. “The mood is more varied, but sonically it’s more cohesive than ‘Treats,’ which is just the way it panned out. I kind of like that it’s a little bit disjointed. That bugged me for a while and now I kind of appreciate it. I’m glad that we have both.”

In comparison to Treats, written mostly by

even want to take any time off. “What am I gonna

third record, to be honest. We kind of want to make it in a house and we’re aiming to put out a record every two years.”

Reign of terror

all of the music while we were on tour so Alexis was there 24/7; any time I had something she was there to give me direction. We did a lot of the melodies together so that was a huge impact on the

music@gairrhydd.com

single ‘Comeback Kid.’ “It’s kind of straight from of combining over-the-top beats and aggressive guitars, and this melody’s kinda playful.”

After trawling through a load of Youtube comments, the single seems to be very well received.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that will help the

40

out february 21st

Jo Southerd gets the lowdown on the French singer-songwriter's enchanting debut album.

Congratulations on completing the album!

Yeah, I’m as happy as can be. I’m just this crazy person who’s never done anything like this before,

soko

Music

there’s nothing worse than seeing a band live and knowing they’re doing the same set every night, the same thing over and over, so that they don’t even need to look at each other on stage because they know what’s coming next. That’s so boring.

You left school quite young; if you were to go

The singles we've heard so far are very personal. Is this a theme that continues throughOh yeah, the songs on the album are even more personal, even more deep, even more depressing.

There are songs on there that are intimate and sad, and there’s a lot about death on the record.

Talk me through your writing process.

I’d say it starts with lyrics and melodies, sometimes the lyrics dictating the melodies. I don’t write chords, or have a real song structure, I just go with my ideas; it’s spontaneous.

I’ve not really missed out. I was good at school, I just got bored; I wanted to do something that allowed me to travel everywhere. I loved telling stories and using my imagination, I wanted to be fascinated. School wasn’t teaching me to be creative, so I stopped going at sixteen. I thought, I could die any day, and I didn’t want to spend the next three or four years at school instead of living my life. I wanted to be creative, and I got along

You took a short hiatus from music a few regret anything.

I realised I was making music for the wrong reasons. I didn’t want to do what people expected, I just wanted to be myself. So I started playing music just for my friends for a while. It was a much more healthy way of doing things, and helped me feel comfortable as a musician again.

You started out with just an acoustic guitar and a laptop. Did technology really help you

I love listening to Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Jackson C. Frank, and I’m a big fan of Keaton Henson, he’s really brilliant. My day-to-day inspiration is my lover; he’s the most romantic, loving person I’ve ever known, and always cheers me up.

nearly as many songs. I carry my laptop everywhere I go, so as soon as an idea takes me I can studios; I think it’s lying, like making music for home makes it much more personal and true, it’s a so I couldn’t make music for other people, I have to do it for myself.

So how did you go about producing the I got to work with Fritz Michaud, who produced

You’ve got a reputation for being quite unpredictable live. What can we expect on People only say I’m unpredictable because I have no set list. It depends what mood I’m in as to what kind of show I put on - sometimes I want to do the whole show on my own, other nights I’ll have friends on stage, or I’ll pull people from the audience to be my backing band… Sometimes I want to do a quiet show, sometimes I want to get every-

Soko’s debut album I Thought I Was An Alien is released on February 20th, and she’ll be playdetails of the tour go to www.s-o-k-o.com

music@gairrhydd.com

different recordings in all different studios, then we would sit down day after day going through it all until I was happy. He was so patient and caring, I really felt I had control of the recording process.

41

Music

Album Reviews and a predictable half-time drum part.

If only Young Guns had chosen to build

Young Guns Bones

2/10

Top Tracks: *Headlights

display, they might have succeeded in winning over a new legion of respecting fans, instead of continuing to excite musically naïve teenagers and creepily nostalgic twenty-somethings who never grew out of their emo phase.

Matt Ayres

Tiger Shadow music, Young Guns have repeatedly been picked out as one of our nation’s most promising acts.

Larger than life riffs, whiplash tempos and soaring vocals were central to their debut album All , which was met with euphoric acclaim upon its release. Follow-up is no doubt an attempt to raise the bar and prove the band’s worth in an increasingly crowded musical movement.

Sadly, the album is nothing more than a stale ries. There’s nothing new here at all – title track an uninteresting amalgamation of mid-career originality, from lead singer Gustav Wood’s oversentimental, reverb-heavy vocal stylings to a guitar interlude dripping with plagiarised tones. attempt to intro-

music@gairrhydd.com

42

clashing and shouty backing vocals, but such efforts are futile when the same combination can be found six songs later, repackaged with different lyrics and perhaps a dodgy solo to distract terial.

Admittedly, there are rare exceptions that manage to twist the formula into something remotely palatable – it takes until the penultimate number for Young Guns to buck up their act and produce starts promisingly with an absorbing guitar sequence, but ultimately drops the ball when subtle refrain is abandoned for more needless crooning

the adventures of the tiger shadow

Top Tracks:

7/10

* Helter Swelter * Abject Happiness

Tiger Shadow’s socially aware, Leeds-based hiphop has largely gone unnoticed since their impressive debut album in 2008. The title of their to be prophetic, as the band plateaued on the level of popularity just beneath ‘obscure’. The frustration of this, combined with the global decline of almost everything since 2008, may explain the

Genuinely interesting social commentary (in a non-pretentious way), alongside a meta awareness of the problems of modern hip-hop, make up the bulk of Komla MC’s lyrics. Musically, the Pink Floyd-esque guitar work of their debut has been replaced with sweeping synthesisers, pushManuva than their previous album’s Flobots-y feel. Arguably, this thematic and musical unity tightness and completeness lacking in there is the odd song that should have been cut.

Still, the truly insightful and often bizarre lyrics, supported by some highly pleasing melodic hooks, make Adventures a worthy download.

Stephen Hunter

Music Django Django

CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG

Django django

STAGE WHIPSER Top Tracks:

8/10

Top Tracks:

6/10

*Paradisco *Got to Let Go *The Operation

*Hand of Man Presented with the blank slate of a debut album release, most artists tend to pick a particular digo were a bit greedy, or perhaps indecisive, lending themselves to a multitude of different sounds

The release of Charlotte Gainsbourg’s newest alfor good reason. Her daring mix of live and intimate, unreleased tracks are an ode to her heritage sion of Jarvis Cocker (who coincidentally wrote some of the live tracks on the album) by present-

stem from a different origin, creating an intri-

pop undertones, some sections leaving you wondering where in the world they found them – carnivals, pyramids, and perhaps a few dub nights.

conversing with perfectly articulated guitar riffs.

A track likely to quickly make the top played of your iTunes is the catchy track ; presenting delectable melodies, I dare you not to bob your head to.

With the ongoing battle for originality and emergent music becoming more diverse, the beaten track just keeps getting wider. Gotta hand

accent. Yet, she returns to her French roots with punchy, electro-pop tunes blended with husky vocals which resemble a modern Anna Karina. bourg’s musical talent (obviously inherited from her father) lures the audience to her world. She returns to her renowned hushed voice in White Telephone (a delightful reminder of her earlier 5:55 album), and she invites her listeners to catch a rare glimpse of her deepest secrets in the intialbum is her beautiful harmony with Noah and the Whale front man, Charlie Fink, in Got to Let Go, it on repeat.

and therefore lose the brilliance that is so evident

make it look easy. I doubt this will be the last we

noises drown out her usually soothing vocals from onwards. Perhaps her evidently uncomfortable performance on stage is the result of wanting to crowd please, yet it is her earlier whispered

that their eclecticism has been at the price of

Hann Davies

build on.

music@gairrhydd.com

Laura Gwilliams

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Music

Live REVIEWs Justice

Reel Big Fish

Bristol 9th February

Solus 5th February

in Bristol’s O2 Academy, French dance duo Justice offered a rare but mind-blowing set. Playing tracks from their 2011 album Audio Video Disco, it was evident the band were going to make the most of isting tracks, Justice have developed an inimitable ability to produce original contemporary dance music accessible to both the mainstream and the underground. Their work, which incorporates a diverse base of electro house and rock creates a unique concoction appealing to such a diverse audience.

An impressive stage set up, dominated by their trademark † symbol, intermittently opens up to a keyboard played by Auge during On’n’On. A crazy mash-up of Jay-Z’s On to the Next One and D.A.N.C.E. followed, sending the exuberant crowd into what can only be described as complete ecsta-

music@gairrhydd.com

favourite band for a rare yet spectacular performance were treated to a vibrant, eclectic set featuring tracks from both their critically acclaimed albums.

Set closer Phantom Part 2 (Soulwax Remix) served as a triumphant reminder that Justice are the best party-starters on the planet. Long may they reign!

Alice Marriott

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Having been informed by many that – in previous years – the popular ska music group Reel Big Fish had been “awesome” and “absolutely brilliant”, it was safe to say that my hopes for this gig were quite high. Thankfully, being a particularly keen fan myself, I can say with complete certitude that they did not disappoint.

Opening with Everything Sucks from their albums 'Favourite Noise' and 'Turn the Radio Off', they delivered a blinding performance that was both entertainingly upbeat and spotless in quality. It seems an overstatement to say that a band sounded “exactly like the record” but Reel Big Fish truly did; with the added stage banter, hilarious tropical shirts and novelty sunglasses.

Considering the majority of Reel Big Fish’s songs are pretty fast in tempo, the group moved seemingly effortlessly through their set and also managed to throw in a few covers – such as their popular version of Aha’s Take On Me– as well as an enjoyable medley of differing styles of their tune S.R. (Suburban Rhythm).

The atmosphere was great, even with a rowdy and slightly forceful crowd, and everyone appeared to be having the time of their lives; dancing along to such favourites as Sell Out, She Has a Girlfriend Now and – one of my personal favourites – Ban the Tube Top. Overall, Reel Big Fish were exceptional and I would thoroughly recommend seeing them if you Alice Crabtree

Music

singles Ladyhawke

Speech Debelle

Black, White and Blue

I'm With It EP

Black, White and Blue synth-pop sensation Ladyhawke’s long-awaited second album, 'Anxiety.' Having maintained the

Tall Buildings

Never having been a massive fan of rap music, I wasn’t sure whether this EP would really be my cup of tea. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

With hints of soul and motown (plus the occasional trumpet), 'I’m With It' makes for more easy listening than most songs of its genre. It is, quite simply, a love song. No complications, no political message or agenda (as is often present in Speech’s work). Just a good old-fashioned love song – well, not quite old fashioned… it’s still a rap.

On the other hand, the second song on the EP, Blaze up a Fire (featuring Roots Manuva and Realism), is less laid back and much more thought provoking. It was leaked last summer in response

Tall Buildings is taken from the band’s debut album Black Light, released last month. It aims for euphoric highs, with the prominent bass line, upbeat drum beats and cheerleader-inspired

months earlier. The song is controversial in that it speaks of the need for political revolt (with a nod in the lyrics to the riots in the Arab States), and is

up against electro classics such as the likes of My Delerium and Paris is Burning. Infectious.

Alice Marriott

Diagrams

of pulling it off. The lead singer’s monotonous voice drags the track down; a problem which is only exacerbated by the large amount of reverb surrounding it.

Kit Denison

4/10

4/10

Karl Phillips and the Midnight Ramblers Dangerous EP Aside from the horrendously compressed, pseudo-dubstep title track, this new EP from the London-born rapper isn’t that bad. Lyrically, the ently impressive but I can’t help my immediate cringe reaction when I hear another cocky white rapper, particularly when every word is laced with a strong cockney accent.

The EP is musically diverse, with tracks ranging in style from the aforementioned dubstep to the Faithful Stanley (which is executed considerably better of styles produces a confused and incoherent EP with more dubious moments than highlights.

Kit Denison

The 5 remixes of 'I’m With It' are decent, but not particularly exciting. The strongest amongst them is probably the Louis La Roche Remix.

7/10

8/10

listings NME Awards Tour Monday 20th February 20 Benjamin Francis Leftwich // The Globe Friday February 24 Spector // Louisiana, Bristol Tuesday February 28 Soko // Thekla, Bristol

Allo Darlin' // Buffalo Bar

music@gairrhydd.com

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FILM Film

film

news FTA P A B UND U news O

Our take on the biggest event in British film.

R

WINNERS

LoserS Jessica Chastain

The Artist

Best Film Original Screenplay Leading Actor Original Music Cinematography Costume Design

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Outstanding British Film Adapted Screenplay

SENNA

EDITING Documentary

THE IRON LADY LEADING ACTRESS

Lost OUt TO COSTAR 'oCTAVIA SPENCER' for supporting ACTRESS in THE HELP.

DRIVE No Surprise, lost to the Artist for 'Director'.

eddie redmayne Flavour of the month, lost to ADAM DEACON for the orange rising star award.

BRIDESMAIDS

Nominated for 'Original screenplay' but came home empty handed.

Edith Bowman

'worst dressed'

ADAM DEACON ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD

ď€

MARTIN SCORSESE

MeRYL STREEP lost her shoe...

Academy Fellowship

F.I.

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Film

trailer trash THe amazing spider-man Release: july 2012

MW

A B C

Think you know your robots?

D

Put your android identification skills to the test with this week's sci-fi themed quiz.

E

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F 47

A) The Terminator B) Bicenntenial Man C) Marvin the Paranoid Android D) R2D2 E) Eve F) The Iron Giant.

Answers:

Film

Damn Dirty Mo-Cap? Motion Capture has been used in some of the highest grossing films of all time, yet many in the film inudstry still look down their noses at the technology. Morten Wright looks at how motion capture might yet be able to find its place.

Lord of the Rings

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-

Lord of the Rings

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Marylyn

My Week with -

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Film

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The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn -

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-

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"Andy Serkis was not

just monkeying around -

King Kong

Most Convincing Primate: Rise of the Planet of the Apes Most Convincing Alien: Avatar Most Roles in One Film: A Christmas Carol

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Mo-Cap Awards:

Best Film: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Outstanding Contribution:

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Film

FILM Reviews Martha Marcy May Marlene Dir: Sean Durkin Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, John Hawkes Yasmine Canga-Valles

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7/10 -

ď€ -

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The Muppets Dir: James Bobin -

Cast: Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Chris Cooper

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Laura Evans

pets

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8/10

ď€

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Film

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Chronicle Dir: Josh Trank Cast: Dane DeHaan, Alex Russel, Michael B. Jordan

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meets -

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Becky Johnson

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5/10

Film

Best Film For...

X-Men (2000) ...superhero superbrawls

RUBBER (2010) ...a deliberate lack of reason

ď€

forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008] ...post-break-up consolation

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The team editor Lloyd Griffiths Executive Editor Gavin Jewkes Features Alexi Gunner, Camilla Flint, Lloyd Griffiths food Simone Miche & Chloe Slade books Alice Hughes fashion Leonie Roderick, Hann Davies, Lucy Trevallion travel Clare Baranowski & Lia Martin photos Tom Armstrong & Lucy Chip lgbt+ Hector Roddan arts Asha Verma & Kirsty Allen music Emma Wilford, Jo Southerd & Phil Kenny film Fraser Isaac, Matt Ayres, Morten Wright

The Cyborg Issue Front Cover by Lucy Chip.

Inspired by Philip K. Dick.