Quench - Issue 123

the fa m e whore issue FEATURES | FILM | FASHION | TRAVEL | ARTS | MUSIC | FOOD & DRINK | BOOKS | PHOTOS | LGBT+

final quench of 2011/12

CONTENTS

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the fa m e whore issue

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ISSUE 123 28 may 2012

Ed.Note Do or Die Features Books fashion photos travel Arts lgbt+ Food Music Film

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FEATURES | FILM | FASHION | TRAVEL | ARTS | MUSIC | FOOD & DRINK | BOOKS | PHOTOS | LGBT+

@Quenchmag

read quench online now !! visit: cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/quench

Editor's Note As a nation, we’re in thrall to the cult of celebrity. The advent and subsequent popularity of social networks like Twitter, suggests the British public are becoming increasingly preoccupied with gaining inside access to the lives of the rich and famous, however mundane.

Whether it’s Alexa Chung warning us to beware of unwelcome cinnamon in bagels (and cappuccinos for that matter), or Paris Hilton inviting us to join her in watching a romantic comedy that makes her “heart smile”, we’re hanging on their every brainless word. Millions visit websites and blogs daily to keep up with the those in between. Heaven forbid you should forget to check the Mail Online for a few hours – you might miss the latest ill-judged move in the life of Warrington’s Princess, Kerry Katona.

The modern state of fame is something quite different from that of years past.

Long ago, during Hollywood’s Golden Age, fame was an accolade bestowed on those with obvious and enviable talents. Why now does the spotlight fall on people seemingly devoid of such talent? The megastardom enjoyed by the likes of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Cheryl Cole is undeniable, but can anyone really put The answer is probably no. Save to say, it seems one cannot achieve notoriety brush with the law.

This fortnight’s issue of Quench examines the phenomenon of fame and celebprovide a rundown of the globe’s biggest Twitter whores. Our fabulous Fashion and Photography teams have collaborated to produce a Warhol and Lichtenstein -

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Happy reading, Gavin Jewkes (Quench Editor)

Do or Die

Do or Die We've all been there. One minute you're an artiste struggling to get the oxygen of publicity, the next you're legs akimbo in a Warsaw Hostel, the blinding luminescence of a cheap spotlight bouncing off your embarassed buttocks. Don't settle for a retrograde straight-tovideo porno with a Big Brother star who doesn't even know her own name - Here's our how-to guide to Sex Tape Classiness.

1. Practise doesn't make perfect.

While some celebs are lucky enough to be big enough to saddle up as many times as they like to hone their technique, it doesn't necessary help. A sex tape isn't like riding a bike - your potency can go down as well as up. As if Paris Hilton's debut wasn't thuddingly boring enough, she followed it up by a tape which featured almost exclusively her in the bath. While I don't deny she looks like the sort who needs a thorough scrub, she looks almost existentially bored with the exercise. I guess if your life is a series of encounters with incrementally aggressive looking Penises, you are likely to become jaded. time.

2. Make it Punny It's key to pun on your name in the title. How else will your name be instantly associated with class and quality if you don't riff on said name?

Options are many. You can go the obvious route (1 Night in Paris) or go conceptual, but it's all about being Creative. To give an example, we

and keeping it simple, Tom Arm-Strong. Get thinking.

3. Play to the audience.

You need to establish your brand asap. Fred Durst understood his fans perfectly by acting with the same level of fuckwittery and douchebaggery as we all know and hate in his tape. The only thing he missed out on was a condom with a beanie hat on top. Similarly, everyone knows Gene Simmons has had sex with 3000+ women, disappointment of realising he doesn't have sex wearing Kiss make up.

4. If you get exploited, ride the publicity to the top.

No one thinks it's A-Okay for someone to slap a video of you into the ether without your permission. It's a pretty grim way of airing your dirty laundry (possibly quite literally) in public. But ing, we have such a caring press in this country that is more than willing to sympathise with your plight. Regular wankers readers of Nuts, horny empathetic in the world. So if you do get your intimacies paraded, don't fret, their readers will be more than happy to stroke your way back into the public imagiantion.

5. Don't have Sex with John Leslie.

Sorry, Abi Titmuss, you're one of the more downto-earth Glamour girls, but no one else wants to see you riding that Wheel of Fortune.

Good Luck. If you want feedback on your Sex Tapes, please feel free to send an email to quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com. I'd be happy to provide professional advice and hands-on tips and we could even skype. Hit me up.

quench@gairrhydd.com

what I imagine employees of Daily Mail Online have pester their subconscious at night.

If they sleep. They might not be that human.

Alas, there's only so many pictures of Celebrity Cellulite with which you can bombard your neurons before you believe Made in Chelsea is an accurate metaphysical description of reality and Pamela Anderson tossing off Tommy Lee becomes the equivalent of Frost interviewing Nixon. But you can't just knock out any old grainy coverage of your bum gyrating in noirish monochrome to satisfy the lascivious masses.

Follow our stringent guide and we guarantee you too could be fellated by Dane Bowers' toes in front of an astounded nation (he needs the work).

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Features

Fame, for the reduced price of integrity A guide to making you recognisable and memorable There’s probably going to be one or two words about the Kardashian family in here, and they Hamm, the actor behind the iconic adman Don Draper in Mad Men called Kim a straight out ‘f*****g idiot’ he certainly wasn’t in character, because even the least ad-savvy person knows hated by many, but many of them are responsible

about turning yourself into a car wreck in order to get people to turn their heads, it’s fantastic

world in a matter of days, but with this stunt the amount of newspapers featuring the Oxford ‘rack’ in her slogan, actually showing them your goods is predicted to increase potential attention

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ways to get exposure, but if you want a quick and cost-effective method to garner attention, there’s no point trying to climb up when you can fall

of integrity and diplomacy has securely caved in, you may as well continue and measure your

wisdom be applied to something related to our vicinity of time and space?

The 980th issue of Gair Rhydd addressed the issue of how minimal the awareness of elected

and Made in Chelsea would only be half of what they are today if they hadn’t thrown some other students, launch glass bottles at competing

only a little over 30% recognising their faces, and succeeded in becoming responsible for students’ well being next year, but failed with the much more important issue of making a name for manifestos aside, if you want to be remembered for more than a witty slogan and an entertaining costume it’s time to set your eyes on controversy, credibility have in student discourse anyway?

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Keep the voters updated about any health

have, however, often shown that publicising their impending death or sickness is a sure way to work especially well because it also shows that

Features When Jon Hamm, the actor behind the iconic adman Don Draper in Mad Men called Kim a straight out 'f*****g idiot’ he certainly wasn't in character, because even the least ad-savvy person knows that any publicity is good publicity.

One unfortunate obstacle to the exact science of fame whoring are those regulations and codes Also known as the Hilton-Kardashian model of rather the fact that these norms of politeness and civility are outdated and should ultimately and mundane hair styles are disliked by agents work with the limited scope of personality and

attic of their house so he could tell the media that his beloved child was stuck on an air balloon a

committed to dressing like a pirate, it’s how you’ll be recognised, so it’s probably best to stick with

are the true role models of today that show us how to ignore tradition and go to great lengths to acquire the fame that distinguishes the Gods Alexi Gunner

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Above, the fatherly face of a fame-lover, balloon boy dad

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Features

Anorexia: In Vogue With the decision by Vogue last week to ban the use of models who are "too skinny", Anna-Katharina Caseldine argues that it's media understanding, not different sized models which affects anorexia.

quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com

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I starved… but not because of the media.

Last week Vogue announced that they would no longer use ‘too skinny’ models. Being someone

I was severely bullied for 14 years.

I was living with 16 years of suppressed grief, anxiety, confusion and a scuppered emotional

perhaps have been delighted with this…but was I? No: quite frankly I was livid and I was hurt. No matter how many pictures they removed from their magazines, they could not give me back all those years I lost to the cruel illness. In fact, even if those pictures had not even been published

with self-loathing, I felt worthless, I believed I was a mistake – not as good as everybody else. All I wanted was to be happy, so I decided to be thin because I believed it would make everything ok.

Almost overnight, food became associated in my mind with worthlessness, guilt and depression, whilst losing weight gave me a kick as I believed every pound lost brought me one step closer to that happiness. As I lost weight, my body began to shut down and thinking required too much energy, so it was abandoned. My brain sealed all meanings into what it could last remember: food was bad, no food was good. As clear as black and white. I did not have the energy to reason against it; I knew my goal: to be happy and to leave the worthlessness behind.

That is why I was ill, that is why I was infertile for so long: not because I was envious of Victoria Beckham, but because I had a lifetime of trauma to acknowledge and feel.

adolescence.

Because anorexia is not caused by the media.

No – it is the media who starves the world of the truth of anorexia.

At 16 I was in hospital: I was critically underweight, severely malnourished and bought a glossy mag. Yet I walked through school and hospital, blinded by the anorexia and surrounded by people who assumed I simply had a desire to be as thin as the models in magazines.

How can she want to be that skinny? She’s being ridiculous she should just eat. Doesn’t she know all those pictures are airbrushed anyway?

My brother died when I was two and a half years old.

Features Anorexia Statistics In 2010, the largest percentage of any group who were admitted to Hospital with Anorexia was 14-16 year olds.

Stays for eating disorders rose from 2316 to 2579 in 2010.

Hospital stays lasted on average 38 days.

For help & advice, visit www.b-eat.co.uk

should be promoting healthy models rather than those who are suffering from hair loss, memory loss, infertility, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue and heart failure because of their low weight?

So where does the media come in?

Even though I had not touched a glossy mag in my life, the legacy from the magazines plagues girls, women and guys everywhere. I may not have seen the most recent Vogue, but I was attending school every day where society’s belief that thinness equates to happiness penetrated the very seams. So when I yearned to be free of the trauma and grief that had been my life ever since I could remember, I chose thinness.

My therapist once presented me with lots of cut outs of women from magazines and asked me to sort them into two piles: underweight and healthy. With ease I quickly sorted the piles…

46: 4 – healthy: underweight. My therapist then

re-sorted them: 3: 47 – healthy: underweight. How wrong I was. She taught me how to recognise if someone was underweight: a gap between the like twigs in winter, hip bones visible. Pretty much all the women illustrated then. How is this beautiful?! Magazines are arguably brochures of infertile women with osteoporosis who would collapse if made to walk anywhere. The media does not cause anorexia, it illustrates it.

Believing that thin models cause eating disorders is like believing that reducing the price of fruit and veg cures cancer. It may make one life one percent easier but it’s not going to solve anything. I starved because I believed it would take away my pain, not because I wanted to be stick thin. So let’s just use our common sense: only use healthy models, and work to understand the truth of eating disorders: the abuse, hurt and grief behind the starving eyes. They are hungry for a life they can call their own, not to headline Vogue.

Anna-Katharina Caseldine Photos - Danielle Helm

quenchfeatures@gairrhydd.com

while on the one hand I want to stress that it is not the media which causes anorexia, I am not for one moment excusing them. Of course it is wrong that they are using underweight models, but isn’t that just common sense? Shouldn’t it be obvious

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Books

Hungry for

fame Katie Bennett explores the similarities between literary sensation The Hunger Games and our celebrity culture

BB

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Katie Bennett

Books All That I Am by Anna Funder

Reviews Katie Bennett

4/5

Virgin to Veteran: How to Get Cooking with

by Sam Stern

3.5/5

4/5

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by Tanya Byrne

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Fashion

kakaBOOM fashion@gairrhydd.com

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Create your own fashion explosion this summer with paint pot splashes, tie-die patterns and bold colours, all inspired by Warhol and Lichtenstein. It's time to say hello to POP CULTURE Photography: Tom Armstrong and Lucy Chip Styling: Hannah Davies, Lucy Trevallion and Leonie Roderick Models: Lucinda Mann and Josh Brice Clothes provided by New Look

Girls Heels, £17.99 Clutch, £15.99 Playsuit, £22.99 Guys Shirt, £14.99 Trousers, £19.99 Shoes, models own.

Fashion

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Parka, £34.99 Shorts, £17.99 Shoes, models own

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Fashion

This page: Floral Playsuit, £22.99 Peeptoe heels, £19.99 Shopper bag, £14.99

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Opposite page: Tee, £9.99 Hoodie, £14.99 Shorts, £17.99

Fashion

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Opposite page: Vest, £5.99 Skirt, £19.99 Tie headband, £3.99 Boots, models own This page: Parka, £16.99

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Fashion

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Fashion

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Shirt, £14.99 Blazer, £ 24.99 Printed shorts, £19.99

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Fashion

Fashion

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This page: Dress with gold belt, ÂŁ24.99 Boots, models own

Students get 10% discount with a valid NUS card at:

Photos

spotlight on students

Ariana Moschopoulou

Adam Porter

Stepthen Springate

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Nour Kassim

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Photos Tanika Godbole

From the Editors:

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Tom Armstriong

Jake Gifford

Lucy Chip

Travel

Che Guevara Where: South America Back in 1952, the famous and revolutionary Che Guevara and a friend hopped on their ageing motorbike (nicknamed La Poderosa or ‘The Mighty One’) and set off on a journey. The pair started off in their hometown of Buenos Aires in Argentina, and rode all the way through South America, ending their journey by volunteering in a Leper colony in Peru. His travel took Guevara through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, and to Miami. The journey has become famous, and known as an experience that created a revolutionary icon. This route goes through some of the poorest countries in have followed in Che’s biking tracks.

Jack Kerouac Where: USA American Beat novelist and poet, Jack Kerouac, was the original ‘skint’ traveller. On his famous road-trip around the USA, which went from New York to LA and back again, Kerouac and his companions often resorted to cheating and stealing their way across the country.

Anyone thinking of taking on Kerouac’s infamous trip better get those hitchhiker thumbs out and be prepared to slum it across the States for that true ‘on the road’ experience.

Lord Byron Where: The Mediterranean Lord Byron was not just a powerful poet and a legendary lusty lover, but also an eager traveller. The most famous journey he embarked on was through the Mediterranean.

He visited Spain, Malta, Greece and Asia Minor, but his favourite part of the journey was through Albania.

There, he passed through a country that many thought of as barren land, inhabited only by savage mountain tribes. But Byron found a land of landscapes of the Vjosë Valley and the town of Gjirokastër are now, 200-years later, UNESCO sites.

Heather Arnold

travel@gairrhydd.com

Celebrity Journeys

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Travel

Summer Hotspots on a shoestring

ZADAR

Perched on the Dalmatian coast, Zadar provides a refreshing breather from some of Croatia’s tourist-crammed seaside cities.

Head there for a culturally rich and pocket friendly experience 1.

Exploring the Old Town The walled Old Town is the place to stay if you’re seeking atmosphere. Whilst admiring the Roman ruins and strolling through cobbled streets, you’ll discover vibrant fruit markets, boutiques and cafes. Despite its small size, you could easily spend a whole day getting lost in the backstreets (and the bakeries). Don’t forget to climb St Donatus’ Church Tower for an unrivalled view of the Old Town.

2.

The Sea Organ A stunning combination of architecture and the natural world, the Sea Organ must not be overlooked.

Sit on one of the white steps leading into the sea - preferably as the sun is setting - and listen as the waves create music while gazing upon a vast expanse of blue. During the day, the Organ is a great place to enjoy the sunshine and is completely free to visit.

3.

Free Food Fridays Well… almost free. Buy a drink in any of the traditional looking restaurants or bars on a Friday evening (note: a glass of wine is the equivalent of one British pound), and get treated to barbecued and vegetables and, often, a traditional Croatian band will serenade you as you dine.

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National Parks Visiting one of Zadar’s nearby National Parks could be damaging to your budget. To avoid this, enquire at the Tourist Information centre (situated right in the middle of the Old Town) and make use of the local bus timetables. Going it alone saves you paying for an overpriced, organised tour. Krka National Park in the Sibenik region boasts incredible waterfalls and wildlife. Don’t forget your student card for discounted entry.

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The Island of Ugljan Catch a ferry over to Zadar’s adjacent island (Ugljan), and visit Preko, a relaxing village with spectacular views and affordable seafood restaurants. Ferries travel across every hour and cost 18kn (roughly two British pounds). Whilst there, make sure you take advantage of the local restaurants’ three-course tourist menus which are great value for money.

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Travel

BUDAPEST

On the banks of the River Danube, Hungary’s capital is a richly diverse city, jam-packed with dazzling architecture, museums and quirky eateries. Here is a guide to the must-do, budget activities 1.

House of Terror (Terror Háza Múzeum) Don’t let the name put you off. This museum houses vast amounts of information about the Fascist and Communist regimes in Eastern Europe from a Hungarian perspective, in a modern and stylishly designed space. The building itself was used as a headquarters within the regimes, and it’s budgetfriendly at 900 HUF for students (roughly three British pounds.)

2.

The Coffee Shop Culture The city is crammed with coffee shops and cafes, and locals and tourists alike spend hours savouring their hot drinks while socialising. It’s a great way to unwind after braving the bustling attractions.

Try Sufni on Erzsébet Boulevard for delicious Hot Chocolate, an eccentric design and plenty of unconventional artworks to gaze at.

3.

St Stephen’s Basilica Completed in 1905, this Roman Catholic Basilica is a slice of the city’s most impressive architecture.

For a small donation you can explore inside and a separate fee of 500 HUF (just less than two British pounds) grants you access to the tower for a great view of the city.

5.

Explore by foot Public Transport in Budapest (including trams, buses and the metro) is reasonably priced and fairly simple to use. However, to get the most out of your time in Budapest, it’s worth exploring the city by foot. Despite warnings from locals, it is entirely possible to see the bulk of the city by foot if you spend all day ambling. It’ll save you money and you won’t miss a thing.

Lia Martin

travel@gairrhydd.com

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Buda: Castle Hill Most backpackers stay in Pest, but it’s essential to venture across the grand Széchenyi Chain Bridge to Buda, and climb Castle Hill to admire the views across the Danube. From here you will see the Parliament Building at its best. Go at night, and see the city lit up. Be sure to follow the medieval paths and explore Matthias Church and Fishermen’s Bastion.

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Travel

A Hitchhiker's Guide to Morocco Kayleigh Chan talks about the highs and lows of a charity hitch Over the Easter break, I, along with two friends, hitchhiked to Africa. In seven days we travelled over 1,800 miles from Cardiff to Tangier, in northern Morocco.

The Hitch is a charity event run by Link Community Development which uses the hitcher’s sponsorship money to fund education

hard) and in a service station, starting with our heads on the tables and ending in a child’s play

it sounded like great fun and signed up straight away; although we were perhaps a bit naïve about what hitchhiking would entail.

We began in Cardiff, equipped with a whiteboard and giant foam thumb. Funnily enough, everyone we approached was ‘going the other way’ or had a ‘full car’. There were a lot of different reactions from drivers, most were quite encouraging and seemed supportive. You start to recognise the shrug of the shoulders, wave of the hand and sympathetic smile. Of course, we also got some adverse reactions, a few people shouting

types of people who stop and give you a lift are those who will happily go above and beyond any expectations you might have. Plus, the sense of achievement and being able to say that you made it without getting public transport from Cardiff to Morocco is pretty awesome.

Kayleigh Chan

What I didn’t realise about hitchhiking was the amount of waiting involved and the uncertainty of it all. We averaged a three-hour wait for a lift, but some days could be standing on the side of the road for over 7-hours, or if we had a good day, only 30 minutes. To get a quick lift, you need to be on busy roads, ideally service stations or a roundabout, which means that you don’t get to see much of the cities you’re passing through. We stopped in Barcelona for a night and saw some

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and being photographed by tourists on the opentop sightseeing bus!

When you get stuck in a roadside place, it can lead to some rough nights. Unlike most groups, we didn’t pack a tent and so had some trouble sleeping. At one point we contemplated staying overnight in a public disabled toilet. Whilst it never came to that, we did sleep in the back of a lorry on the top shelf (it was very cold and very

Despite the rough nights and apathy from the majority of the public, the 21 people who picked us up were amazing. From a free meal to a lift completely out of their way, the generosity we

Travel

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Travel Photos of the Fortnight

Copenhagen, by Ally Warren

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Ar ts

Open Season: A Round Up of the UK'S Best Arts Festivals It’s time to dust off those Wellies - festival season is in full-swing. For this little lot, all you need to bring is a picnic basket, some theatre types and lots of imagination. Kirsty Allen sneaks a peek at the best of this summer's arts festivals

The One with Bute Park, Balloons and Cardiff Castle Who: Cardiff Festival What: A wonderfully Welsh affair Where: Your beloved university town When: All summer long Why: Why on earth not? Spend those last few weeks before the lease is up immersing yourself in a fusion of artistic, musical and cultural events and leave your old haunts alone until September.

Watch Macbeth in the Cardiff Castle grounds, catch Legally Blonde the Musical at Wales Millennium Centre or join the Queen for the Royal Family’s latest big do, the Diamond Jublilee. A Pac A Mac and lots of weather optimism is essential for this festival experience.

The One Where You Pop Pennies in Top Hats Who: HatFair What: Britain’s longest running festival of street theatre and outdoor arts Where: Winchester When: 6th-8th July Why: For wonderful outdoor performances woven together through the streets of Winchester - and all for free! The programme this year features The Tiny Travelling Tightwire Show, The Ragroof Tea Dance and a Cat’s Choir, or the comedians among you could join in with the Dom Joly workshop. This festival promises plenty of crowd pleasers, picnic baskets and hidden gem performances.

The festival’s tagline is the ‘Art of the Unexpected’ after all.

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The One with the Purple Sheep Who: Latitude What: It’s more than just a music festival, you know.

Where: Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk When: Thursday 12th- Sunday 15th July Why: For an absolute showstopper of a festival.

Lana del Ray, Janelle Monae and Laura Marling share the stage in the woods alongside an array of poetry readings, theatre performances and dance showcases. Amble through the woods, taking in the performances through the trees of the Faraway Forest, or make your way to the Cabaret tent for sketch shows, Edinburgh previews and fabulous amounts of face paint.

The One with the Golden Mile Who: The Fringe What: The world's biggest and best arts festival Where: Edinburgh When: 3rd-27th August2011 Why: The world’s greatest arts festival, set against the spires of a fairytale city. Thousands of performers descend upon Edinburgh to perform a vast programme of events in a celebration of everything artistic.

Arts

Review The Globe, Henry V, New Theatre Cardiff ‘Touring was in Shakespeare’s blood,’ director Dominic Dromgoole reminds us as he launches this new production of Henry V which starts its tour here in Cardiff. Since 2007, Shakespeare’s Globe has been sending its productions out around the country, and now, as the Olympics approaches, it is keener than ever to celebrate the great British icon around the country.

Following Dromgoole’s critically-acclaimed 2010 production of Henry IV, expectations are high. Jamie Parker, who played young and wild Prince Harry in that production, has now matured into a responsible king.

RADA-trained Parker is most famous for playing Scripps in The History Boys (in the the shy school-boy is still present in a King Henry who is more like our modern princes than a bloodthirsty warrior. In his supposedly rousing speeches – including the famous lines ‘Once more into the breach dear friends’ and ‘We band of brothers’- he is convincing, but not burning with passion as expected. I’d like to think Parker is hinting at Henry’s reticence where Henry tries to woo the French Princess Katherine (Oliver Ross, who has perfect

attempt to present a great historical subject in the theatre. We are told we must use our imagination to create epic battles and sea voyages. However, the lack of sets and small (but of characters and range of emotions in the play.

While the opening scenes laying out the reasons behind the Battle of Agincourt, around which the play centres, are a little dull (despite the humour, suspense and even a little romance. For a historical play, it gets a lot of laughs. As well as a generous helping of Shakespeare’s famous bawdy humour, the Welsh Captain Fluellen, who takes enormous pride in King Henry’s Monmouth origins, certainly tickled this Cardiff audience. Whether he would have the same effect

elsewhere, I’m not sure - although Brendan O’Hea is clearly a talented comic actor.

All in all, Henry V is not the most captivating of Shakespeare’s plays, but still an enjoyable watch, especially in such a high-quality production from the Globe. Just like plays in Shakespeare’s time, this production will now head around the country before arriving in London in time for the Olympics.

Katie Brown

Have you been to the theatre lately?

Send Quench your opinion on the latest plays being performed in Cardiff ! @quenchmag

arts@gairrhydd.com

and bashful, utterly engrossing. It’s a shame that we have to wait until the end to really connect with the character. Yet, even if the title character isn’t particularly engrossing, as a whole Henry V still has a lot to offer.

The play opens with the chorus (the

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Ar ts

Fragments of Ash

Terry Victor's latest work, Fragments of Ash, is a challenging anti-war piece, which combines traditional theatre with music and movement. At its heart is one extremely difficult question: what would turn an ordinary mother into a suicide bomber? I spoke to Terry and Sam Harding, who plays Ash, about the work, their inspiration and chat-up lines.

What is Fragments of Ash about?

was a quick answer to it, I wouldn’t have had to write a play. In essence, there are a few major themes. It’s about mothers, particularly mothers and wives who lose children to wars; it’s about the young people who go to war and the families that are destroyed by it; and it’s about the politics, and the celebrity of death, the way that politicians always come out whenever there’s

people sit there and look at us and think “Did that just happen?”. It shocks people; it’s quite disturbing, distressing.

TV: But it’s not all sad. Parts of it are pure soap-

As well as mixing politics and personal, you mix traditional theatre with music and movement.

TV: Yes. With this one we’ve got an original score,

arts@gairrhydd.com

ultimately, it’s about mums. I wrote a play where the lead character has my mum’s name; there are all kinds of bits of my life in there. There is so much of me in it and it’s hugely anti-war without ever being anti-soldier. Those guys are going out there and doing what they have to do and society shouldn’t be setting a situation where they’re which has so many strands and themes going on.

SH: I play four characters – my own dad and my own son which can get a bit confusing - and I die as all of them. We’ve done two shows so far and

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Fabulously evocative stuff, and choreography and physical theatre throughout. One character doesn’t speak. Her story is told entirely through dance. I’ve always loved smashing genres. This idea that you can only go and see ‘chocolate-box theatre’ or like one type of music is nonsense.

There’s nothing wrong with going from a punk concert to a classical concert to a farce. All I’m trying to do is put them all on the same stage at the same time. Life is all genre-crunching. I’m mixing it up because it’s fun. And you work with talented people, you want to enjoy the talents they have. We’ve all got different strengths, and the company we have for this are enormously talented.

Arts Has the show changed much since it debuted at Edinburgh Festival last year?

TV: I’ve brought a different company in and the energies, the skills and the empathies of the various actors have changed it. This production has more light and shade than it had in Edinburgh. It has the same impact – the audience not knowing how to respond and wanting to hide – was the same in Edinburgh.

One critic left saying “I just can’t talk about it at the moment” and I thought “Yes, result!”

It’s a play that gets under people’s skin. You

Sam, do you feel like you bring a bit of yourself to the part too?

SH: Yeah, I think so. Everyone goes through kind of similar stuff, so there are bits that you relate to, like joining the ACF as a young teenager. My mum in the play has a conversation with my step-dad saying “I don’t want him to join the army,” and I remember joining the ACF with my mate, going home and telling my mum and her saying “Why have you done this? Why have done this?." I didn’t want to go to war, I just wanted something to do.

Has anyone told you it’s changed their opinion on the war?

TV: I don’t think it’s changed anyone’s opinion.

I think we all know which wars we regret and which we would say are inevitable. I like the idea that people go to the bar after and talk about it. I don’t want to change people’s minds, I want it to become a conversation. This week two boys died in Afghanistan. It’s in the news all the time and we just sort of stop noticing.

We ask an incredibly tough question in the play: what would make an ordinary wife and mother become a suicide bomber? I was scared that is a question that is attractive to an audience because it’s a good conversation to have. It’s not just people from exotic lands, it’s your mum.

When you look at it in those terms, you can see why the play is painful, but also why there’s so much joy and love in it. I call it a love story separated by tragedies.

Fragments of Ash is coming to Chapter Arts Centre on 1 & 2 June. Full details of the tour are available at www.fragmentsofash.co.uk

arts@gairrhydd.com

constantly on the stage, challenging you, making you laugh. And there are things you’ll recognise. There’s a lot about the growth of a young man, scenes of trying out a bad chat-up line in clubs. Come and see it and steal it, it

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LGBT+

BITHis way?

Is society going Gaga for bisexuality? Erin Ekins looks at the troubling case of Jessie J and explains why bisexuality must be taken seriously in its own right

Heat

'bisexuality breaks lgbt@gairrhydd.com

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societies sexual rules and seems to be all the rage these days'

LGBT+ JESSIE J: BI NOW, GAY LATER?

'Female celebrities who come out as Bi are presumed to be straight'

Glad To

DUNCAN JAMES

lgbt@gairrhydd.com

Be Gay

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Food & Drink

FESTIVALS

Abergavenny Food Festival Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of September.

food@gairrhydd.com

For those of you who think you’ve been there and done that with food festivals; think again.

Abergavenny food festival is without doubt the most vibrant and varied food festival I have ever visited and it’s chock full of the most top notch produce available in Wales. Dotted around the picturesque town are stalls offering everything from granola to goats cheese with the most obliging vendors one could wish to meet, waiting in hope that you’ll stop to hear about their passion for food.

Tens of thousands of visitors descended from far and wide on the sleepy town last summer and were not disappointed, with events and demonstrations running throughout the weekend and plenty of tasters to get the taste buds tantalised and the purse strings loosened.

Abergavenny Food Festival has built such a reputation over its 13 years it now attracts celebrity chefs of the highest calibre drawn by the convivial atmosphere and genuine enthusiasm that everyone has for good food.

Some events are ticketed but are well worth the few pounds for an entrance wristband as specialists share their expertise in all sorts of areas such as creating the perfect martini, if the high life is your thing, or a masterclass

34

in foraging in the local countryside for those with an adventurous side. Abergavenny is so easily accessible by train from Cardiff and the festival is running from the 15th until the 16th of September. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever before so in my opinion it’s a must for the fresher’s fortnight diary.

Chloe Slade

WOMAD Friday 27th -

VegFest UK Friday 25th -

All those who have a penchant for music, dance, food and exploring different cultures will be delighted to know that the World Of Music And Dance (WOMAD) Festival is returning to Charlton Park in Malmesbury this July from Friday the 27th until Sunday the 29th.

Alongside a tantalising array of artists from all over the world, including Jimmy Cliff from Jaimaca, NZ Shapelifters from New Zealand and Lo’Jo from Algeria, festival goers are guaranteed the chance to indulge their tastebuds with food from Mali to Madagascar. But it’s not just a case

From Friday25th May to Sunday 27th, Bristol will host Europe’s biggest Vegetarian event – VegFestUK! The three day festival will be held at Bristol’s Amphitheatre and admission is free. The event will kick off at 2pm on the Friday, ending for the night at 9pm, and then will re-open again on the Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 9pm.

The event will feature 120 stalls displaying food, body care products, household products and clothing. Leading vegetarian brands will be present and there will be the opportunity to sample free tasters. Between 4pm and 6pm on the Friday, special offers will also be available on selected items.

Over the weekend, local professional chefs and students will go head-to-head for a 30 minute cook-off, with the Junior competition taking place on the Saturday, and the Masters on the Sunday. There will also be various talks on nutrition and food demonstrations, with talks covering topics such as how to make your business greener, naturopathic medicine, vegan growing, raw food and nutrition. A cheese and wine tasting session will take place on the Friday, between 5pm and 7pm, featuring a selection of vegan wines and cheeses.

Twelve specialist caterers will also be at this year’s event: Lebanese cuisine from K&F

which country’s traditional dishes hit your spot.

The WOMAD team have been extra creative this year and have come up with some ingenous ways to immerse their visitors in different cultures through food, music and dance; Taste The World Food shows get artists preparing & cooking their favourite dishes with a side order of spontaneous music whilst Adult workshops allow culture vultures to step into the world of the artist and enjoy an opportunity for cultural exchange, active participation, collaboration and musical exploration. And there are plenty of other ways to appreciate multiculturalism and enjoy the real sense of shared community which WOMAD highly encourages. Anyone interested in going can sign up to partake in the festivals Human Library and become a 'human book', sharing and learning something new from others' experiences.

It really does sound like the perfect place to feed both mind, tummy and, as cheesy as it may sound, soul. And if you can’t wait until July, fear not, you can sample the festival at Bristol Zoo on Saturday June the 30th. Just WOMderful.

Simone Miche

Sunday 27th of May

Fishy; Redwood sausages, burgers, pizzas and from Chipstix; snacks and curries from Spice up Your Life and An Indian Affair; oven-baked pizzas from PizzaVia; snacks, savouries, cakes and meals from Wild Futures, Take Wrap and Roll, The Peckish Peacock and The Hungry Gecko; and falafels from Falafest.

For entertainment, there will be a wide variety of live music and a comedy hour each day. The Chariot of the Sun Stage will showcase a myriad of acoustic talent and the Performance Stage will feature various acts in preparation for the two headline acts each evening. Acts will include Finley Quaye, Neville Staple (The Specials), Johnny Clarke Meets Soothsayers, Talisman, Dub There will also be a licensed bar to ensure there’s plenty of dancing!

The event will also host an animal sanctuary area with talks and stalls displaying campaign information for animal welfare. And for the kids, there will be Punch and Judy shows, face painting, balloon modelling, magic shows and cookery lessons.

Even if you're not vegetarian or vegan, this promises to be a great weekend. It’s free and there will be plenty to do for all ages. Non-stop entertainment, including comedy and live music, and an abundance of food and drink will ensure that VegFest UK remains one of the major events on the vegetarian calendar.

For a full programme, go to www.bristol. vegfest.co.uk.

Steph De Carteret

food@gairrhydd.com

Sunday 29th of July

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Food & Drink Quench tries out two new additions to Cardiff's growing café scene

Pettigrew tea-rooms

My mum once told me that ‘Where there is tea, there is love’. This couldn’t be more true when referring to the charming Pettigrew tea room. Challenging the stereotype of tea rooms with doilies, lay-dees and all things la di dah, Pettigrew’s encapsulates a new era of high tea.

This little gem is nestled amongst the hustle and bustle of the modern, expanding cultural hub that is Cardiff ’s popular Castle Street. But the best part is that it still retains the vintage charm of the past.

Pettigrew’s gets everything right, from the picturesque setting in the grounds of Bute Park to the creative blend of antique furniture that speaks both comfort and history. From rosebud and peony, wild berry to Earl Grey, there are teas so suit every taste, alongside a selection of delicious home made scones, carrot, chocolate and Victoria sponge cakes, courtesy of the resident baker. So whether you’re after a cosy tete a tete with a friend and a cuppa or a chance to brood over that dusty novel, Pettigrew’s is the place for you.

The tea rooms humble beginnings arose from owner David’s love of baking and yearning to create an experience for customers of all ages,

food@gairrhydd.com

36

‘The tea room is different for Cardiff. People are bored of coffee houses but still crave that sense of intimacy within a traditional setting – that’s what we offer here’. With reference to the great Freddie Mercury, David’s blog and twitter account named, ‘I want to bake free’, were set up to detail the journey from dream to tea room. They receive countless views and comments, as people discover the appeal of all things sweet, ‘Tea and cake are truly wholesome in a time where there is so much to comfort food and thrift, of home baking and, essentially, enjoyment’.

David’s passion for high tea, delectable cakes, lattes and homemade soups, truly resonates.

Pettigrew’s has succeeded in creating a melting pot for all things British, in a time where the celebration for food and heritage is bigger than ever. What’s more, most of the produce is sourced from local markets and food companies which support schools and the local community.

So, in the manner of all things quaint, cute and quintessentially British I suggest you most Jacqueline Kilikita

Food & Drink Residents of the Salisbury Road area of Cathays were welcomed back after their Easter break by a wonderful little diamond amongst the rough of kebab houses and greasy spoons. One would not Cardiff ’s stylish arcades so the fact that Lewis and Laura, the lovely couple behind the business, have chosen the heart of studentville to settle is all the better us lucky young scholars!

The cafe itself is truly charming, perfectly balancing an eclectic mix of on-trend modern decor, such as lime green pod-chairs, with rustic charm evoked my embroidered cushions, antique maps and the occasional oar mounted on the wall. It makes for the perfect spot to catch up with friends or curl up with one of their extensive selection of magazines. And I can think of no place better for a cosy change of scenery from than one of their vast selection of delicious homemade cakes?

Living in a house full of regular Tucker customers, it seems there is not one thing on the menu that does not come highly recommended, good job then that Lewis and Laura are continually updating what’s on offer so we always have new treats to try, and with everything very reasonably priced, and being freshly home in an awful lot. For those delicate hung-over tummies, when nothing else will do, the motherHowever, unlike other fry ups available elsewhere in the vicinity (naming no names), it would also go down a treat any day! The breakfast menu also boasts bacon and sausage baps and eggs made to order as well as the slightly healthier options of granola and crumpets, which come with a special recommendation particularly if enjoyed with their yummy blackcurrant jam. For lunch they have a wide range of baguettes and paninis on

offer as well as a delicious sounding ham salad (the ham being home roasted, of course) and if you’re feeling a little more than peckish they offer both traditional mains such as lasagne and chicken Milanese, as well as more exotic options like chicken katsu curry.

The coffee is of the highest calibre too. So for all those connoisseurs of the little bean out there, look no further than Tucker. They use the fair-trade Brazilian blend, Montes Carlos which is roasted at the Clifton Coffee Company just over the bridge. It’s a strong but smooth blend with no bitterness which tastes just as good unadulterated in an espresso as it does milked to the max in a latte. If you happen to drop in on one of the few hot days we’ll have this summer then the ice blended smoothies are an ideal choice, particularly the raspberry and blackcurrant for a real taste of British summertime.

This little gem also has a licence, so keep an eye out, as the couple plan to start opening during the evenings over the coming weeks and with a modest but well chosen wine selection as well as beers and spirits available, I can see Tucker becoming a popular haunt for those looking for a little laid back sophistication of an evening.

Tucker really is a breath of fresh air for our little area of Cardiff, offering an oasis to students and professionals alike who appreciate great food and drink, a cosy but classy atmosphere and the most genuine and friendly service found anywhere. There really are no boxes left to tick.

Chloe Slade

tucker 23 Salisbury Road

food@gairrhydd.com

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MUSIC

twit-whores

Emma Wilford explores celebrities and their fans' obsession with the world of Twitter

twitter's b i g h i t t e rs Lady Gaga: 24,350,965 followers

Justin Bieber: 21,992,987 followers

Katy Perry: 19,787,616 followers

Rihanna: 19,064,240 followers music@gairrhydd.com

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Britney Spears: 16,801,802 followers

Look at the most followed people on Twitter and you’ll see a trend beginning to emerge: Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry - all musicians.

Of the top 10 twit-aholics out there, only two are nonmusicians, President Barack Obama and socialite cum sex-tapereality TV star Kim Kardashian, suggesting that Twitter seems to be the ultimate platform for musicians to elevate themselves from a mere singer to a global internet sensation.

Providing a unique insight into the worlds of the biggest artists, it gives mere fans the ability to access the everyday lives of their favourite stars from the privacy of their own home.

What’s Katy Perry had for breakfast? What tights are Rihanna wearing? In effect, we can all become pseudo-stalkers without anyone really judging us.

Any avid tweeter will note that the trending panel is often subject to over-zealous proclamations of adoration for King of the Tweens, Justin Bieber. Examples such as ‘I’m a Belieber’ and ‘we love you Justin’ have turned Twitter in to, at times, a nauseating experience where schoolgirls appear to reign supreme.

Most recently, a scandal erupted when rapper slash robot Nicky Minaj left Twitter over an argument with a fan, leaving her 11 million odd followers bereft of their idol. To the relief of many, she returned just a week later and the story made mainstream news.

It is therefore apparent that Twitter holds a status of musicians. On one hand, it is a chance for them to have direct contact with their fans by tweeting intimate details of their lives (sometimes a little too intimate*ahem* Rihanna) so that focus becomes more centred on them as people and less about their music. On the other, it gives them an important position in the cultural stratosphere, as they occupy the role of tastemakers their army of fans. Certainly if Justin Bieber tweeted that he loved golf, it would surely spur a new trend of tween golfers.

With people like Lady Gaga having over 24 million followers, they have certainly become big hitters in the cyber world, regardless of whether they have a record out or not. In an age where the cult of personality is invariably more interesting to the majority of us than say world poverty, (?!) Twitter suits us perfectly. Yet I can't help but ask whether the obsession with our favourite musicians' every tweet really makes us the fame whores instead.

Music

in it for the fame ?

Matt Tilling questions whether there is a science to selling out They are the words that will send a shiver down the spine of every would-be superstar: ‘You’ve sold out.’

What a thing it must be to have someone that has followed you for years suddenly turn on you with a phrase that contains so much venom and anger in the modern music industry. But what is selling out?

Is there a certain way one must go about it? Bob Dylan was labelled ‘Judas’ by some when he picked up an electric guitar and began playing Blues; why does it evoke such strong emotions? the mould rather well. Once a cult garage band from the heartland of Tennesee, the Followills have become global megastars on the back of their fourth studio album Only By The Night, an album seen by records sold around 1 million copies each worldwide; Only By The Night racked up 6.1 million and is still going, making it one of the best-selling records of all time. Similarly, bands such as Linkin Park, The Kooks, Metallica and Rooney have been accused of selling out. It is, I believe, widely accepted that in the music industry, ‘selling out’ is to compromise one’s musical integrity and art for the return of

Kings of Leon before & after success

label. So what changes?

There is a clear difference in sound from debut record ‘A’ to world-beating record ‘B’. If you listen

fan of the slow, piano-driven ballads they pump out these days. Similarly, anyone who thought the cool riffs of Inside In/Inside Out

the large stadiums required to house the adoring new fans. Notably, Kings of Leon have incorporated a huge sonic backdrop into their songs, one that blows the modest and scratchy ‘indie’ riffs of their their garage in Tennessee.

genre. It is perhaps better to say generic, whereby the sound that made the band what they were in the Are there any pre-requisites? Well you must be a good looking band to attract a wider audience, not that I’m suggesting One Direction wouldn’t exist if they were aesthetically challenged, I just don’t think anyone would listen to them. A back story doesn’t go amiss: everyone knows of the Followill’s biblebashing Pap dragging them around the Southern

states, and let’s not even get started on Lana Del Rey. So, does this mean that the music suffers for the sake of bulging coffers? It’s often hard to tell whether a band has sold out or simply progressed naturally. I must say, as a long believe that Caleb ‘progressed naturally’ to writing Sex on Fire, I think he knew where that song would take them, despite what he may claim. That said, I still love their fourth album, though I’ve spoken to many who detest it. It’s always refreshing to see an artist that could easily go stratospheric get more abstract and distance themselves from the mainstream, most remarkably acts such as Queens of the Stone Age or Laura Marling, who have gone their own way and become more stalwarts of think in the end it’s down to personal opinion, and whether you’re an old fan or new, it’s all relative, right?

music@gairrhydd.com

a little too ‘Kooky’, unless dancing around your room with a hairbrush is still your thing. Not that I ever did it of course...

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Music

INTERVIEWS

Benji Lamb has a chinwag with The Temper Trap after their show at Cardiff Coal Exchange How would you describe the sound of your new album?

The main difference is the use of the synth, it's very prominent on this record. The vocals are also lower and less falsetto in style than on Conditions, we’ve used a range of different vocal sounds. We didn’t want to make the same album again; this record is more melancholy at times but also incredibly uplifting, there are more extremes of emotion.

Have you drawn inspiration from any We’ve been listening to a lot of Radiohead, Yeasayer and after supporting Florence and the Machine on tour we’ve been really interested in the grandeur of playing music live, performing and creating a soundscape on a grand, epic scale.

music@gairrhydd.com

What is your favourite song from the new album and why?

Miracle is a stand out for me, Joseph from the band had a baby while we were making this record and it's based around that. It has this heart beat in the background and there’s an innocence about that song I think.

We are really enjoying this tour. We were nervous as we’ve been playing a lot of new material but

40

it seems to have been really well received so far.

Cardiff Coal Exchange has been the best show on this current tour! There was a great vibe in the room and the crowd was fantastic.

What advice would you give to up and coming musicians?

It’s a really hard one that. Just keep at it and it will happen, but it won’t happen over night. You have to be patient. The best thing to do is just get in a room and focus on the songs so they are the best they can be. Often the bands who are successful long term take their time.

Where did the name Temper Trap come from?

We were originally called Temper Temper but we had to change it as there was another band out there with the name! It’s a bit of an enigma really the name.

What’s next for the Temper Trap?

We’ve got a hectic few months coming up now.

We’re touring our home nation of Australia and then we’re off to the U.S.A. We cannot wait, it’s an exciting time for the Temper Trap.

The Temper Trap's new album, The Temper Trap, is available now on Infectious Records.

Music

Phil Kenny and Angus Forrester caught up with Justice's Xavier de Rosnay during their 2011 UK tour

And there’s already a queue outside and it's only 6.30!

Wow, really? This is what we love about touring the UK - people are way braver than we are. There are always girls in their skirts when it's -10 C. It's just amazing.

French and English audiences?

It's really hard to make statements about crowds in different countries. Obviously this is a new tour in the UK so we don’t know what to expect.

A lot of things in our show are different to when we last played four years ago, and we don’t know what to expect. But so far it's been very good and we're going to see what UK people have in their guts.

It's been four years since Cross was released.

Where have you guys been hiding?

We didn’t really take a break; we spent like a year and a half touring almost every day. So

available to work on the new album it was already Feb 2010 and we spent another year working on the new album.

Has the new album gone down well on tour?

Yeah, it’s been amazing! It’s maybe less chaotic

very homogenic. It's almost as if they were put in some sort of blender that make them sound different from what they are on the records.

Although they are the same songs, we’ve found new ways of performing and it's very fun for us.

We couldn’t play the material as it appears on records, because it would be too complicated.

Obviously, We Are Your Friends has been one of the biggest hits for you and Simian, is it true it was made for a university radio competition?

Yeah it was a mix contest for college radio, and we lost. That’s the funniest part.

You lost!? But you won a Grammy for another remix, MGMT’s Electric Feel, that’s amazing!

Yeah it was great. And it was great to share it with this band we love. We just made it sound like a Justice track, but I guess MGMT were happy.

It was just another version of their track. The music was matching with the vocals, which is kind of rare in the world of remixes.

What did they say when you won a Grammy for their song?

It's true, they deserved to win a Grammy for their original material because they did one of the most amazing albums of the last decade. So that’s remix, but I guess there were happy because they won the Grammy too. They made like trophies for them, trophies for us. Trophies for our parents and for our dogs.

Where do you keep them?

started to play live we had no idea what we were doing. It took a while before we found a way of doing things that worked. But playing the new stuff is exciting for us too, as we probably heard the tracks from the old album more than 2 million times. It's more refreshing as they give another

music@gairrhydd.com

your UK tour; how are you feeling?

Yeah, we are; it’s a small venue tonight, very intimate. It’s the smallest we're playing.

superstitious. We love them, but we keep them far away from our work environment. We don’t want to see them when we work and we don’t want to show them off. So we just tuck them away and when we are older and retired we will put them somewhere more visible

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Music

ALBUM REVIEWS

mystery Jets

tennis

radlands

young & old

8/10

Top Tracks: *You Had Me At Hello *Greatest Hits *Take Me Where The Roses Grow

My three years at university have been somewhat bookended by the Mystery Jets. My brother spotted that the Mystery Jets were doing a DJ set at Boombox during my freshers, he told me to go Making Dens and Twenty-One. Unfortunately, I missed it but Twenty-One soon became the soundtrack of my

music@gairrhydd.com

the person in the room above me in Senghennydd probably knew the words off by heart. Two years after the release of their third effort Serotonin and marking the end of my time in Cardiff comes the band’s fourth release, Radlands.

The group travelled to Texas with just their guitars and wrote the album which could potentially take the title of personal best away from Twenty-One. It takes the form of a narrative of Emerson Lonestar, a young man who falls in love with a prostitute - there is even a companion online comic. While their usual youthful energy and mix of joyous yet heartfelt lyrics are on display, Radlands really feels like they have matured. The only major fault is the jarring effect of the tracks Hale Bop and The Nothing

otherwise thoroughly enjoyable album.

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Morten Wright

8/10

Top Tracks: *Origins *My Better Self *High Road

Young and Old is the second LP from husband and wife duo Tennis, whose lives seem to encapsulate a dreamy summer in the 70s.

Following on from the critical acclaim of Cape Dory, Young & Old (a collaboration with Black Keys’ Patrick Carney) sees their production value take a step up without losing the fuzz of their earlier music. It would be easy to classify Tennis as a period piece band, yet they are not alone in their love of the 70s. It seems that all across America teenagers are retreating into their basements, desperate to recreate the 8-track California haze which dominated the era.

However, the results seems quite mixed.

Despite the critical acclaim of Beach House, Yuck and Cloud Nothings, none of these seem to have found the, albeit brief, commercial success of The Thrills, despite what Pitchfork would have us believe.

So where do Tennis lie among the wreckage of surf boards and teen dreams of previous generations? The album begins with the outstanding Origins, a piano driven song coupled with a melodic guitar rift and layers of vocal harmony. This is swiftly followed by the soulful My Better Self and Petition, Young & Old is a big step up from Cape Dory, I only wish there was a bit more variation as some songs do risk sounding slightly formulaic.

Phil Kenny

Music niki + the dove

allo darlin'

Instinct

europe

*Mother Protect *The Fox *DJ Ease My Mind

7/10

Top Tracks: * Capricornia * The Letter * Tallulah

Having gained a relative amount of hype this

The sophomore record from Allo Darlin’ has

2012, this Swedish duo’s debut album was hotly anticipated, and it does not disappoint.

Electro-pop seems to be the genre of the moment with various new artists emerging from around the world. Niki & the Dove fall just the right side of the genre with their catchy, layered Tomorrow.

Showcasing lead singer Malin Dahlstrom's beautiful voice, reminiscent of fellow native songstress Lykke Li, it builds into an epic chorus that infuses elements of tribal music with powering synths.

Comparisons with Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks are inevitable, especially given the retrosound of the album. However, Niki and the Dove have managed to bring this sound into the 21st century with experimental instrumentation and a distinctly poppy feel.

Where Instinct is at its best is during the calmer songs such as DJ Ease My Mind where their creativity really comes to the fore.

Sadly, a lack of standout tracks prevents this album from being incredible; however, their sound alone should be commended. This coupled with the catchiness of their songs make it a perfect soundtrack to summer 2012.

Emma Wilford

brilliance”, and I couldn’t agree more. Europe is a charming exhibition of relentless ukulele and effortlessly uplifting Neil Armstrong.

Though darker in tone than their self-titled debut, and perhaps slightly less twee, this album retains all the energy of their earlier stuff and revitalises the worn out indie-pop scene of late.

Their slightly Beach Boys-esque surf-pop sound single Capricornia, and even the apocalyptic subject matter of Wonderland can’t help but feel invigorated by the sheer abundance of romantic optimism present.

Australian frontlady Elizabeth Morris pours her heart into these songs; solo uke ballad Tallulah and she is perhaps at her most open in heart warmer The Letter. The genius of Morris’ lyrics lies in her honesty and simplicity, as demonstrated in the incredibly personal title track Europe and the catchy yet thoughtful Some People Say. This record deserves your full attention, and has the potential to form essential summer listening. Plus, it’ll put a smile on your face and make you want to cuddle the next person you see. Quality.

Jo Southerd

music@gairrhydd.com

7/10

Top Tracks:

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Music

LIVE REVIEWS The Temper Trap

Said The Whale

music@gairrhydd.com

The Coal Exchange 12th May

Buffalo 20th May

Walking into the Coal Exchange it was immediately apparent this was going to be a special show; the buzz and excitement of the crowd was palpable - the triumphant return of The Temper Trap had been a long time coming.

The band launched into an energetic set, focusing initially on a lot of their new material with singles such as Need Your Love and Trembling Hands receiving a fantastic reaction. The slow building Rabbit Hole more than anything demonstrated the new, grander, atmospheric sound which the band perfectly captured live. Between songs, there was some polite conversation but the focus was clearly on demonstrating the new music, what this band are capable of and how they have moved forward.

Old favorites such as Down River, Love Lost and Sweet Dispositon brought the house down, while Drumming Song perfectly demonstrated the more progressive side to this band. They are not afraid to launch into a 7 minute live instrumental and the audience are not afraid to embrace it. This was one of the stand out moments of the night.

The band seemed incredibly humbled by the support and fantastic reaction they received but in this writer's opinion they completely deserve it; perhaps they don't realise quite how good they are and how much potential this new album holds. The Temper Trap have an incredibly bright future ahead of them. I foresee bigger venues, bigger light shows and bigger crowds, the only way is up for this talented, soulful bunch of musicians.

Benji Lamb

Buffalo Bar feels distinctly Canadian tonight – the usual dominance of singsong Welsh accents has been replaced by yodelling yokel tones of the Great White North. Discussions at the bar include the rare joy of seeing a mountain lion on the highway and how easy it is to drive from Scotland to Manchester, compared to the epic commute between Vancouver, British Columbia and Regina, Saskatchewan.

The reason behind all this Canuckery is that Said The Whale, one of the brightest hopes for Canada’s burgeoning indie-music scene, are in town on the last date of their UK tour. Preceding them are their national brethren Library Voices, a tom-thumping, booty-shaking hybridisation of retro rock and analogue synth noises.

Their dynamic, sax-infused sound goes down fantastically with the modest crowd, some feat considering their musical differences with the headliners.

As Said The Whale take to the stage, though, they make the transition seamlessly – the distorted bass sounds and razor sharp keyboards of opener Heavy Ceiling is a suitable bridge towards their own distinctive but varied take

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between catchy powerpop, acoustic-driven folk and balls-to-the-walls alt-rock. It’s a testament to the band’s tightness that such a mishmash of genre-traits works to their favour – frontmen Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester keep things fresh by trading off on vocal duties throughout the set, specialising in infectious contemporary jams and introspective folk ballads respectively between curious lyrical anecdotes and genuine gratitude to the small audience that came out to support them.

Matt Ayres

Music

Listings Lucy Rose

30 May, Clwb Ifor Bach

Mumford & Sons 30 May, St David's Hall

Islet 31 May, Clwb Ifor Bach

Dot to Dot Festival feat.

The Drums, Pulled Apart

by Horses, et. al.

2 June, Across Bristol

Marina & The Diamonds 27 June, Coal Exchange

The Horrors Solus 20th May

acquiring a rapidly growing fan-base.

By the time The Horrors took to the stage, myself a space right in front of Faris Badwan, where I gazed lovingly at him for the majority of the gig. Sporting a fantastic paisley shirt,

think he knew as well as we all did that that was beyond unlikely (except perhaps for a handful of die-hards who, after attempting to mosh for the atmosphere of the crowd was by no means a were cool, calm and effortlessly captivating, and the audience absorbed the ambience with appreciation.

The Horrors performed a strong set taking tunes from Primary Colours and Skying, with Still Life forming a personal highlight.

Musically tight and technically solid, it’s without a doubt these guys are a band on top of their game right now. The encore, featuring Endless Blue and an extended version of Moving Further Away excellent gig.

Jo Southerd

music@gairrhydd.com

Opening the night with hair down to their waists and a unique brand of psychedelic post-punk that was thoroughly unforgiving to my fragile, hungover state were Bo Ningen. The Japanese metallers shrieked, gurned and growled their way through a set that, by the end, did win me over; once I’d got over their slightly mental appearance, the music was pretty quality.

Next up were TOY, a band I had heard wonderful things about, and they did not disappoint. Their eighties-infused shoegaze rumbled with guitar, synth, and a kind of poppy gloom that was absolutely addictive. Handpicked by The Horrors for the support slot,

45

Music Best New

SINGLES

Kindness House pop band, similar to the ilk of dreamy yet funky North American bands Tori Y Moi and Memory Tapes. House begins with an atmostpheric combination of a faint paino coupled with dark synths reminscent of Kia Fish’s My Anima. However, it is not until the chorus that Kindess really takes off with vocals and more of a beat; it's no surprise that House has started creeping its way onto national radio.

Phil Kenny

Desert stars boys i like Drenched in the hypntoic haze that has been the hallmark of artists such as Washed Out and Deerhunter, one could be forgiven for thinking Boys I Like is a snippet of what Beach House's new album has to offer. But instead Boys I Like comes from little known new-comers Desert Stars, a Brooklyn based Boys I Like perfectly captures the indie dream pop sound that has emerged in recent years and I'm very eager to hear what that come up with next.

Phil Kenny

MS MR Hurricane

music@gairrhydd.com

Choosing to remain anonymous, not much is known about this New York duo, except for their penchant for creating video mash ups to accompany their songs a la singer of the moment Lana del Rey. Their latest track Hurricane is an eerie, ambient song, set off by the female singer’s great voice. The best way to describe it would be if Florence + The Machine and The xx made a song together. It is a promising release from a band that I hope will reveal more songs soon, along with their identity.

Emma Wilford

47

Music

Preview:Truck Festival

For an affordable, accessible and unique weekend of music and fun, look no further...

When?

20-21st July Where?

Steventon, Oxfordshire How much? ÂŁ69 (weekend ticket) Who's playing? The Temper Trap, Mystery Jets, British Sea Power, Tim Minchin, The Low Anthem,Villagers, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, 65daysofstatic, Frightened Rabbit, Future of the Left, Guillemots, Little Comets & MORE! As the days grow longer and the fantasy of post-exam life becomes reality, summer rears its beautiful face - with it, the promise of countless music festivals. The wild last-night riots and expensive price-tags of more commercial weekends aren't for all of us, though, and the UK's legendary independent circuit provides some equally memorable weekends that are far less likely to end with your tent being set on

headlining the main-stage (which resides on the back of a giant haulage truck - hence the name) are The Temper Trap and Mystery Jets, above a tasty assortment of acts from electroacoustic songsmith

in the Oxfordshire sunshine, drinking local cider and immersing yourself in the array of lesser-known artists who make up the bulk of the festival's line-up.

If you're a fan of underground music then it's likely that you'll recognise the monikers of some exciting DIY bands across the board. On the other hand, there's nothing quite like taking a chance on a previously unheard act and discovering the new soundtrack to your summer, annoying your tent-mates by humming their closing number for the rest of the weekend.

Matt Ayres

For more information and tickets, check out www.truckfestival.com

music@gairrhydd.com

a fraction of the admission for more mainstream festivals, and one that will also give you access to the festival's camping facilities.

The modestly sized Hill Farm (just beyond Oxford) pays host to it all, giving the festival a distinctly local feel - a livestock barn is annually transformed into the stomping ground of delightfully shouty alt-rock bands, twiddly math rock musicians and raucous raves, all while the local rotary club provide catering and the vicar sells music-loving punters ice cream. If that's not enough, you're pretty much guaranteed a cuddle from Truck Monster, the festival's furry mascot.

Although it consistently manages to attract an impressive roster of established names, the real magic

48

Film

film

news

This year's Cannes Film Festival has proved British actors are

Cosmopolis adaptation of

The Immortals

Sin City 2

Badfellas

directoral effort since last year's The Lady

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Answers: A) War Machine, Iron Man B) Big Daddy, Kick-Ass C) Robin, Batman and Robin D) Abe Sapien, Hell Boy E) Frozone, The Incredibles F) Mystique, X-Men

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F E D -

C

On the sidelines...

B A -MW Release: 26th October

Skyfall

trailer trash

Film

Film

MUSICIANS WHO'VE BECOME ACTORS...

Jennifer Lopez

Justin Timberlake

Bad Teacher In Time

David Bowie ď€

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Film

ACTORS WHO'VE BECOME MUSICIANS...

Jack Black

Jared Leto

Hugh Laurie

Blackadder



Footlights

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Film Film

FILM Reviews American Pie: The Reunion Dir: John Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg Cast: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott

8/10

The Dictator Dir: Larry Charles Cast: Sacha Baren Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley

ď€

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Film

Borat

6/10

Marvel's Avengers Assemble Dir: Joss Whedon Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo.

ď€

7/10

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The team Editor Gavin Jewkes Features Lloyd Griffths & Alexi Gunner

this was the fame whore issue , bitch .

Have a s**t- hot summer , we'll see you in september...

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, Laura Gwilliams arts Asha Verma & Kirsty Allen music Emma Wilford, Jo Southerd & Phil Kenny

the fa m e whore issue FEATURES | FILM | FASHION | TRAVEL | ARTS | MUSIC | FOOD & DRINK | BOOKS | PHOTOS | LGBT+

film Fraser Isaac, Matt Ayres, Morten Wright

Cover based on an image by Anna Konstantinova

@Quenchmag

#FIRSTANDFOREVER

NOW AVAILABLE IN STORE AT DR. MARTENS 36 THE HAYES, CARDIFF, CF10 1AJ_