Student rag issue 25 edinburgh

Student Rag DY / FITNESS / MUSIC FASHION / MOVIES / TRAVEL / COME

Autumn 2016 Edinburgh #25

FREE

Izzy Bizu

Greg McHugh Elle Exxe £50 Travel Guide

BLOSSOMS

win

INTERVIEW Gary: Tank Commander LIVE tickets Luna Outdoor Cinema tickets Adventure Golf Unlimited Pass

E F F I C I E N T. . . FA S T. . . R E L I A B L E . . . S A F E

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CONTENTS TREND SETTER

Autumn fashion..............4-12

WHO WHAT WHERE Autumn in the city.........14-18

KEEP IT FRESH Get by in first year.......20-24

WHATEVER NEXT Coming Soon to You.........26-27

PATTER MERCHANTS Our guide to local lingo...28-30

ARMED RESPONSE Gary: Tank Commander.......32-35

CLASS ACT Dr Who spin-off drama......36-38

COMING UP NICELY Blossoms interview............39

HAVE £50 WILL TRAVEL Cut-price trips............40-44

MOVIE ON UP Films not to be missed.....46-48

EXXE-TRA SPECIAL Elle Exxe interview........50-52

GIVE YOURSELF A BOOST

4-12

Energy food on the go......54-56

NATURE PROVIDES Autumn beauty trends.......58-60

NEXT BIG THING

14-18

Izzy Bizu interview...........61

3235 39

Editor: Debbie McInnes. glasgow@student-rag.co.uk Design: Calvin Douglas.

Contributors: Alice Cruickshank, Stephen Butchard, Kerry Harkin, Sarra Gray, Gemma Clark, Laura Ferguson, Susie Daniels.

www.student-rag.co.uk Published by Track 10 Media. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Student Rag magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication.

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FASHION

l Black Star Print Skinny Scarf www.newlook.com £4.99

l Star Printed Blouse www.zara.com £19.99

l Stela Star Print Wrap Skater Dress www.boohoo.com £20

SEEING STARS

l Charli Mini Star Stud Duffle Bag www.boohoo.com £14

PRINT is a key feature for autumn 2016. The star print this season?

Well, stars!

Fashion has taken huge inspiration from David Bowie and glam rock, with glitter and platform boots also being big news on the catwalk.

You can channel a bit of your inner rock goddess every day with this funky print.

Choose cosmic earrings for a nod to the trend or work a skinny star-print scarf for real 70s glam rock vibes.

This look is totally Saint Laurent and a really accessible way to work a bit of High End style.

We reckon it won’t be long before you are seeing stars all over the High Street, so tap into this look early to be ahead of the crowd.

l Chloe Perspex Heeled Ankle Boots in Silver Glitter www.publicdesire.com £49.99

FASHION GROUND control to Major Tom! Autumn fashion is here and it’s hugely David Bowie influenced.

From star print to metallics, make Ziggy Stardust your style icon.

Just don’t forget

to show your style allegiance by rocking the badge trend.

For men, classic looks remain cool, but with a 2016 twist.

Student Rag’s resident fashion guru ALICE CRUICKSHANK guides you through what’s hot this season.

l Dark Red Crochet Bomber Jacket www.riverisland.com £45

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BOMBER SURELY fashion’s most resilient trend MUST be the bomber jacket. Yep, several years down the line and this sports-inspired cover up is just not going away.

And with everyone from Kylie Jenner to Gigi Hadid absolutely living out of their bombers, we’re not surprised!

However, for Autumn 2016 the classic bomber has had a new season make over. The key is to make a statement with your jacket.

Trade a plain padded bomber for something silky, lacey or printed – beautiful and delicate is the look you are after. Wear on its own while enjoying the last dregs of Summer, or layer up cardigan-style under a coat when the weather turns colder.

l MOTO Oversized Denim Shirt www.topshop.com £34

l Aida Floral Dress and Bomber Jacket Co-ord Set www.boohoo.com £18

l Oriental Floral Print Bomber Jacket www.bershka.com £29.99

l Look X Glamorous Multi Floral Bomber Jacket www.glamorous.com £40

l Mermaid Sequin Bomber Jacket Green www.missguided.co.uk £40 five

FASHION

metallics

Strappy l Peace + Love Copper Bodycon Dress d.co.uk www.missguide £22

FASHION gets glam for Autumn, with bronze, copper, gold and silver forming this season’s most covetable colour palette.

Don’t think this is a trend that can only be worn on a night out!

Subtle shine, such as a metallic t-shirt, shiny shoes or statement jewellery take metallic from day to night.

l Kiwi Flower Boot www.topshop.com £42

l Silver Metallic Sateen Belted Slip Dress www.newlook.com £19.99 six

l Shiny Fabric Bodysuit www.zara.com £17.99

You’ll soon realise every outfit is better with a bit of sparkle!

The metallic trend closely ties in with several other key looks inspired

by Bowie, so team your shiny fabrics with crazy platform boots, glitter and star prints to work a 2016 everyday take on Ziggy Stardust’s famous look. *bulk buy orange hair dye*

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Students can enjoy exclusive discounts across our retailers and food court.

Plus, WIN with competitions, goody bags, entertainment and so much more.

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FASHION l Fastfood Badge Patch Set www.boohoo.com £5

l Black Star Print Skinny Scarf www.newlook.com £4.99

A PATCH ON YOU l Sequinned Patches T-shirt www.zara.com £15.99

WHAT started off as a quirky addition by Gucci has become one of fashion’s biggest trends.

In case you missed it, badges and patches are EVERYWHERE. Show your personality by adorning your look with lipstick patches, funky slogans, hearts, palm trees…there’s a look for everyone!

This is the ultimate DIY trend, where you can breathe life into old clothes and make them totally 2016.

Jazz up old clothes and accessories with the cool selection of funky and often sparkly badges available from all High Street brands, or avoid the hard work and buy one of these amazing pre-patched pieces.

Trust us, this is a trend you’ll soon be addicted to. l Black Quilted Badge Shoulder Bag www.newlook.com £19.99

l Patch Jacket www.zara.com £69.99

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l Mid Blue Badge Embroidered Denim Jacket www.glamorous.com £45

l MOTO Lucas Boyfriend Jeans www.topshop.com £55

When one size fits all ESTABLISHED in 2015, Stramash has quickly evolved into Edinburgh’s most popular Live Music venue. It’s said that size isn’t everything but in this case, size does matter.

Set in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, Stramash is a former 18th century Church operating over two floors.

With three independent bars, a unique mezzanine level, Edinburgh’s largest live sports screen, a capacity of 800, large private VIP area, a mammoth stage for artists – the sheer scale of the building is impressive. Stramash lives up to its name, causing a (glorious) uproar in the Capital City’s saturated and competitive marketplace.

Fiercely traditional and retaining Gothic charm, it remains faithful to its proudly Caledonian roots.

With walls of old railway sleepers, naturally distressed and stained with age, colourful stained glass windows and beautifully battered old whisky barrels to set your dram on, Stramash has all the charm and character of a traditional Scottish drinking den.

Open Tuesday to Sunday until 5am and with live music nightly, Stramash hosts a wide and varied selection of bands, playing an eclectic mix of musical tastes including Scottish, traditional folk, Ska, Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Reggae and more.

With a fully equipped kitchen resplendent with indoor

barbecue, serving food until 2.30am, traditional Scottish fayre such as haggis, neeps & tatties or American style Burgers, Hot Dogs & Chilli Cheese Fries Every night at Stramash is ‘student night’ with a massive reduction off booze, including craft beers and ales, whiskies, spirits, cocktails and wines – enjoy a wee swally on the cheap. Student discount cards offering 20% off are available at the bar.

Can’t afford to get your sport fix at Murrayfield, Tynecastle or The Old Course?

Then you’ve just found the next best thing – watch ALL your major Sport, and some not so major, on Edinburgh’s largest TV screen.

From the Rugby World Cup, EUFA, the Masters, Wimbledon and more – ringside seats and a clear view of the screen 100% guaranteed. Table packages and VIP reservations available.

As one of the City’s most unique and individual venues, Stramash is ideal for private functions. The secluded VIP area, hosting up to 300, has its own private bar and plenty of cosy and comfy seating – all with a bird’s eye view of the main stage.

From small to medium sized events, such as a friend or family gathering, we can tailor make food and drink table packages individually suited to your needs - College or University societies meetings and socials, large scale end of term events, parties, celebrations, graduations and more.

Stramash awaits you.

FASHION

YOU DA BOMB IT’S not often a trend is really prominent for women and men, but bomber jackets certainly are.

Chances are you already have a bomber kicking about somewhere, and now you can casually throw it on and call it high fashion.

For the more reserved among you, a classic khaki or black bomber is versatile and easy to wear, but if you are more fashion-forward this is definitely the time to experiment.

Switch your fabric from nylon to leather for a more weather-appropriate option, or choose a bold print to make a statement.

This is also a great time to tie in to the patch/badge trend.

l Sixth June Khaki Patch Bomber Jacket www.topman.com £70

l Red Camo Nylon Bomber www.boohoo.com £20

l Khaki Bomber Jacket www.burton.co.uk £40

l D-Struct Liberty Camouflage Overshirt www.footasylum.com £39.99 l ASOS Bomber Jacket in Leopard Print with Toucan Embroidery www.asos.com £60 ten

FASHION

l Grey Check Slim Fit Trousers www.topman.com £50

l Checked Knitted Longline Jumper www.boohoo.com £15

CHECKMATE MAD Men is still exerting its influence over men’s fashion with 60s-style check print being big news for Autumn.

Over the next few months expect to see lots of check blazers and trousers cropping up all over the High Street.

A two-piece check suit is a refreshing alternative to an all black number. It’s also very versatile as the trousers and jacket can be worn together or separately. This is a great look to invest in now for years of wear.

Of course, it’s not everyday a guy can get away with full formal attire (though if you can good on you, sir!) For a 2016 street wear take on the trend, designers put the classic check print onto oversized knitwear.

l ASOS Skinny Denim Shirt with Buffalo Check in Green www.asos.com £28 l Hooded Sleeveless Cardigan www.asos.com £28

l Navy Harry Brown Check Blazer www.burton.co.uk £85

l Noose & Monkey Green and Blue Check Suit Jacket www.topman.com £135 eleven

FASHION RAWR! The second big print this season is anything animal.

Leopard and snakeskin inspired designs are designers’ faves, and PU and printed fabrics ensure no animals are hurt in the process.

Despite the bad rep animal print often gets for being tacky, this can actually be a very classy and sophisticated

look. Labels such as Saint Laurent and (vegetarian) Stella McCartney showed how to make animal print seem less marketplace and more modern luxe.

If a full-on leopard print coat or dress is a bit Pat Butcher for you, look for animal print accessories – such as a bag or a belt – to tap in to this trend effortlessly.

ANIMAL d Midi t Pleate al Prin om £29.99 im n A .c k l Blac ww.newlook Skirt w

Print Reptile l Grey Top m t Bardo erisland.co iv www.r £28

l Khaki Animal Pleated Slip Dress www.nobodyschild.com £28 twelve

l Mini Chain Cross Body Bag www.topshop.com £26

l Brown Leopard Print Sock Heel Boots www.riverisland.com £50

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GO W GL AS CHOOSE Life, choose international movie success, choose heading down to the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow to shamelessly gawk at a bunch of Edinburgh low-lives wasting their lives at needlepoint.

Before Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie et al found a global audience as Leith’s most (in)famous junkies/psychopaths, the characters were causing controversy and offence on an Edinburgh stage.

Actually it all started with Irvine Welsh’s novel, but we’ll conveniently ignore that crucial detail for the purposes of this piece!

As we continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the classic film’s release – and look forward to the January 2017 release of follow-up T2 – the original theatre adaptation finds

Trainspotting its way to the Gorbals. Described as “a coarse, intense and hilarious roller-coaster ride through the heroin-hinterlands of Thatcher-era Leith,” Trainspotting remains as powerful/ tragic/intense/funny two decades after it was unleashed onto an unsuspecting ­– and very different ­– world.

The political landscape may be unrecognisable to those original characters, but the human stories behind them continue to resonate with audiences.

Note: the play contains scenes of violence, sexual content, drug refer-

Puppetry of the Penis IT’S not big and it’s not clever – actually, it may well be both – but Australia’s most popular export since Kylie Minogue’s bum cheeks is still, ahem, getting it out all over the place.

The genitalia-based show stops off in Scotland for one night only and, although you might feel dirty and ashamed in the morning, take consolation from the fact that you probably had a great night out.

That’s my excuse anyway.

‘Puppetry’ really does do what it says on the tin as the performers fold and twist their meat and two veg into an array of amusing – and circulation-defying – shapes.

Well, what were you expecting – the clue’s in the title!

‘Hilarious and horrifying at once’ just about sums up Puppetry of the Penis. o PUPPETRY of the Penis plays Glasgow King’s Theatre on November 12.

ences and very strong language. If you like that sort of thing.

Related trivia: Ewan Bremner – who appears as simpleton Spud in the movie – played anti-hero Mark ‘Rent Boy’ Renton in the original stage version of the book. o TRAINSPOTTING plays the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow from Sep 14 – Oct 8.

AUTUMN IN THE CITY SUSIE DANIELS’ GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON IN GLASGOW & EDINBURGH

Lady Boys of Bangkok HERE come the Lady Boys for their 17th – yes, count them­– consecutive season at The Pavilion and who are we to argue?

Sponsored by Veet (no, not really), the Bangkok brigade bring their all-singing, all dancing cabaret show back to Glasgow for one night only with a brand new production.

‘This is high on the list of shows to see before you die, so why not do it now?’ screams the Fringe Guru in Brighton.

Why not indeed? o LADY Boys of Bangkok play the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow on September 4.

Bear Grylls Endeavour ON the odd occasion that he’s not eating dead rodents, surviving tsunamis, surfing to the moon or hanging out with the leader of the free world, adventurer Bear Grylls hits the road to bring his methods to the masses.

In this case it’s the SSE Hydro in Glasgow!

The star of reality TV shows The Island, Mission Survive and more plans to take audiences on ‘an immersive expedition across the globe using ground-breaking technology

and celebrating some of the greatest feats of courage, endurance and endeavour through the ages’.

With aerial stunts, unbelievable true stories of human endurance and breathtaking special effects, what’s not to like?

And if that’s not enough there might even be ice cream in the foyer. o BEAR Grylls’ Endeavour tour plays Glasgow SSE Hydro on October 11.

Glasgow Horror Festival STRANGE as it may sound to the lily-livered among you, some people just love to be frightened.

For those types there is the inaugural Glasgow Horror Festival which takes place, aptly, in the run-up to Halloween.

Hosted by Glasgow-based

Popcorn Horror, the event promises horror panels, art market, live music, indie film screenings and more macabre entertainment.

The event lasts a full 12 hours so be prepared to be spooked out of your wits – assuming such an outcome is even possible then it would

be considered a result by all concerned.

The organisers claim that they don’t bite. Frankly, I don’t believe them but then it’s not my neck on the line. o GLASGOW Horror Festival is on Oct 29 in Blackfriars bar. 1pm-1am. fifteen

ED IN B

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WHAT’S ON

Oktoberfest WHO says you need to jump on the nearest Ryanair flight to experience Bavaria’s finest entertainment since Thomas Muller’s performance at the 2014 World Cup? Depending on where you stand on Lederhosen, beer and cleavage then the Scottish take on Germany’s finest tradition could be a winner or a

washout. Find out by efficiently getting yourself down to Princes Street Gardens in October (duh!) – from the fifth until the ninth.

Bundesliga levels of ale and food will ensure that your beer belly is thoroughly indulged, while at the same time the music may well bring about an inadvertent yet much-need-

Luna Outdoor Cinema FOR those among us who insist on turning up at the pictures with a raincoat, a picnic and a deckchair expecting a stunning backdrop to a classic movie, this is the very thing.

The Luna outdoor cinema travels the country’s most picturesque locations then beams film favourites on to a giant screen.

Simple, no?

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Romeo and Juliet and Jurassic Park will be shown at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh on September 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

And don’t forget your sandwiches. o THE Luna Cinema runs from September 2-4 at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.

ed workout. Feel free to muse upon the irony of such a scenario over a frothy and incredibly satisfying German beer.

No guilt involved. o OKTOBERFEST runs from October (duh) 5-9 in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.

WHAT’S ON

Samhuinn Fire Festival

Picture: Martin McCarthy

I’M a firestarter, a twisted firestarter...PAH! While dance legends The Prodigy may have appropriated nature’s most spectacular element for commercial gain back in 1997, the Beltane Society have an altogether purer approach.

The society will stage the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh’s Old Town this Halloween – the story follows the idea of the overthrowing of Summer by Winter through performance, music and dance.

And, presumably, fire too.

The society use the festival as, in their own words, “an opportunity for us to bring our form of street theatre and performance right into the heart of the city”. o THE Samhuinn Fire Festival takes place on October 31 from 7pm-9pm.

Jerry Sadowitz THE bastard offspring of Frankie Boyle’s dark side and a demonic Derren Brown, Scotland’s legendary psychopath – his words, not mine – is back.

Over to his own people to sum up his forthcoming one-night only show: ‘With his unique combination of comedy,

hatred, and card tricks, every moment is guaranteed to make you feel better about YOURSELF as he bangs on about some p*sh or other.’

Hard to resist, no? o JERRY Sadowitz – Comedian, Magician, Psychopath! will play at the King’s Theatre on September 23.

Edinburgh Coffee Festival

HONESTLY, where would us students be without those magical roasted beans and their associated properties?

Late-night essay-writing sessions? No chance. Exam revision until 4am? Forget it.

Coffee – and more accurately the concentration-boosting caffeine contained within – has been good to us and we should pay our respects by checking out the festival dedicated to its powers.

Around 30 exhibitors will be there with demonstrations, interactive workshops and a range of other features among the aromatic attractions.

Be warned, though – it hasn’t been made clear whether or not you’re expected to supply your own milk and sugar. o THE Edinburgh Coffee Festival takes place at Summerhall on October 1.

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FEATURE

#1 RIGHT, bear with me. This is probably the most clichéd, obvious piece of ‘advice’ every prospective student has ever heard. But the thing is, it’s repeated for a reason.

Almost exclusively the biggest regret people tell me they have about their time as a student is that they didn’t take advantage enough of all the extracurriculars or events happening at their uni.

It’s much too easy to let all your hobbies or interests fall by the way-side once you get to uni.

Freshers Week really is the time to dive into the non-academic side of your university, so take advantage of that.

#2

DO: Get involved

Freshers fairs are a god-send for these sort of things. I know it can be scary, but it’ll only get more daunting if you put it off.

I didn’t get involved with the drama society at my uni until halfway through my first year at which point I basically had to force myself along to auditions, whilst trying to restrain the uncontrollable urge to vomit out of shyness and fear.

It wasn’t fun. Believe me. So zero in on your interests and go make the most of it – you’ll thank yourself for not just making your fresher’s week more fun, but your entire uni experience.

DO: Make friends with people in your halls – ASAP! THIS one is more focused on the first years. I know that shyness can be pretty crippling but just grit your teeth, step out of your room, walk across the hallway and knock on your new flatmate’s door.

The person on the other side might well end up being your lifelong best friend and even if they’re not, it’s best not to spend the year hiding in your room and rushing out a mumbled “hi” every time you

FRESHER’S Week is without a doubt one of the highlights of the academic calendar.

Whether you’re a seasoned 4th year veteran or an excited, terrified wee fresher, it’s always a great way to kick off the semester with a bang as your campus temporarily turns into some sort of carnival.

Of course, as the university settles into a more standard pace of life, the shine is sure to wear off, even for the keenest of first years.

But for that one bright week,

bump into them in the kitchen when you’re making dinner.

I was lucky that the sort of halls I was in basically forced people into living in each other’s

pockets (which came with its own set of problems…but that’s a story for another day) meaning that intense friendships were formed almost instantly.

#3

DO: Buy event tickets in advance

IT happens every year. You rock up to freshers week, excited and ready to party hard only to find out that the tickets for all the best events sold out back in August.

I’ve fallen victim to rubbish planning countless times over my time at uni (and let’s be completely honest – my entire life), but nothing quite matches the sting of seeing your friends heading off to have a great old time at the event of the week, be it a great headline act performing, a mini festival or whatever else.

So make sure you snap up a ticket and don’t have to resort to begging someone to sell you one on the Face-

book event page with a 110% mark-up.

It’s not quite the same thing, but one person I know had planned the final night of freshers week down to a T. The tickets were bought, the booze was prepared and the pre-party plans were perfected.

It all went a little wrong when they ended up so drunk that they’d thrown up and been tucked into bed before even making it to the event.

So I guess another piece of advice would be…once you buy the ticket, don’t get so wrecked you don’t even make it to the event!

Sort out #4 DO: the admin...

you’re free of last-minute assessment panics, crippling all-nighters or dragon-like professors.

Some of me and my friends’ best memories come courtesy of freshers week at university.

Alternatively, however…a lot of mistakes were made as well. And that’s fine.

That’s just the life of a student.

But if you can avoid some of these, then why not? So here it is: LAURA FERGUSON’s comprehensive guide to the dos and don’ts of Freshers Week.

And I mean intense – I’ve never seen so much inter-friend group hook-ups.

But if you’re halls are a little more antisocial – and these days most are – then

you’ll need to go that extra mile.

Just remember, everyone in halls is in the same boat.

THIS is the moment where I turn into the boring parent reminding you to bring a jacket with you in case it get chilly and to wear your sensible shoes instead of the towering high heels.

But listen. Once you’ve sorted out all the dull things like which classes you’re taking and making sure you’re fully matriculated and have a student ID card, then the rest of the week is yours to enjoy free from any guilt or mild panics that will definitely occur come Monday morning when you have no idea how to get to the anthropology department or if you’re even supposed to be in the anthropology department.

So do future you a solid and spend an hour of the day figuring it out.

DO: Be brave ONCE you’ve made your freshers buddies, it’s easy to decide to stick to them like glue for the rest of the week, month, or even the following four years.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t value the friends you make in that first week at all, but trying out things on your own and not clinging too much to your halls friends can have unexpect-

ed, and sometimes really worthwhile results.

In my first year, a whole load of my friends from first year joined the ultimate frisbee society and at first, I felt a bit left out every time they would head off to their socials or training sessions.

By the end of my first year though, I’d found my own society and made friends outside of my halls. It was scary and definitely a little awkward at first, but I don’t regret it for a second.

Be brave – dive into something without the safety net of your first-day-of-freshers friends around you.

DON’T: Annoy your new flatmates EVERYONE has at least one horror story of a nightmare flatmate that apparently thrived on mould and was blind to threeweek old dirty dishes.

Don’t be that flatmate. It’s really only polite.

This applies to all year groups.

It’s always good to start off on the right footing with new flatmates, be they your best friends from the previous years or total strangers in halls with you.

So first years: if you’re sharing a kitchen or even a room with one or more flatmates, then be considerate and if you make a huge mess, clean it up.

The same applies to non-halls flats. Freshers Week is an especially dangerous time for this It’s easy to get caught up in the fresher vibe of the week and not clean anything or throw up after a particularly heavy night and not take care of it.

DON’T: Stress out over not meeting your BFFs AS much fun as freshers week is, it’s also extremely stressful, especially if you’re a first year.

There’s a commonly spread myth that Freshers Week is where you make the best friends for the rest of your life.

I remember an American in my halls in first year telling me that it was usually expected that your college roommate in first year would go on to be the best man at your wedding.

My response to that can mostly be summed up with “WHAT?!”

That sort of pressure is enough to make you feel dizzy.

Of course you should try and make friends with your

new flatmates, of course you should be as sociable as possible and meet lots of new people.

But Freshers Week isn’t the be all and end all of friendship at university.

I mean, I didn’t become friendly with one of my absolute best friends at uni until the end of my second year, and then ended up living with him for my final two years.

One of the many great things about uni is that you’re constantly meeting new people so don’t stress – you’ll find your BFFs. I promise.

DON’T: Spread yourself too thin FRESHER’S fever is a thing (and I don’t just mean health-wise, although more on that later).

You’re being bombarded left, right and centre by dozens of different societies, charities, fairs and subjects all simultaneously trying to recruit you.

Getting swept up in the excitement of it all is much too easy and even more common. There’s nothing

twenty-two

wrong with trying out new societies that sound interesting, but try not to spread yourself too thinly.

Best case scenario: you’ll end up getting irritating emails every week from a society that you couldn’t care less about, and I speak as someone that got emails from the water polo society relentlessly for four bloody years.

Worst case: you’ll sign up to too many societies and end up having them take over your life.

More than one person has failed a year at university because their society commitments took over from their actual degree.

Getting that balance right often can depend on not going overboard in freshers week.

DON’T: Drink in the Union if you’re underage

DON’T: Destroy yourself pretending you don’t have freshers flu AH, the dreaded freshers flu. It happens and it’s very unpleasant.

The first week of lectures are always more just an avant-garde symphony of coughs, sneezes and the occasional loud trumpeting of a nose being blown.

But you know what’s even more unpleasant? Pretending it doesn’t exist and you haven’t been coughing and spluttering your way through the first week of teaching.

You need to tackle it head-on and just take a few days off to lie in bed sniffling and feeling sorry for yourself.

If you don’t then it’ll just linger on for the whole first semester, turn into a nasty proper chest infection and you’ll return home at Christmas looking decidedly the worse for wear.

I’ve seen it happen to too many people not to feel it’s my duty as a fellow student to warn you against this fate.

WIN

NOW. First things first: if you’re underage you shouldn’t really be drinking at all.

I feel, however, that any tellings-off may be falling on deaf ears of enthusiastic 17-year-olds who have just begun college or university and want to have fun with their friends.

You most likely won’t get into clubs and bars seeing as you’ll have no ID, but the union is open to all students so you’ll be able to head down there even if you are under 18.

Here’s the problem though – the bouncers at the door will clock that you’re underage when they check your card if you get caught drinking, then the consequences can be a bit rubbish.

And I definitely don’t say all this from the perspective of one who got caught drinking in her union when she was seventeen and then had to suffer through a six month ban…

Ahem.

In all sincerity though, it was rubbish and so, so not worth it for one vodka and cranberry. Just be smart and try and wait patiently until your 18th birthday.

A ONE MONTH UNLIMITED PASS FOR 4 PEOPLE WE’VE got a Paradise Island Adventure Golf one-month UNLIMITED pass for up to FOUR people to give away.

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Closing date Sep 30. Editor’s decision is final

COMING SOON TO A PLACE NEAR YOU...

Looking for a gig or new release and don’t know where to go? STEPHEN BUTCHARD checks out what’s goin’ on...

The Wytches THE Wytches took their time before releasing their 2014 debut, and to great success.

The result was a sharp, scuzzy, downwright wretched mix of garage and psych rock that was fit for the most decrepit of Halloween mischief.

The band have taken the same patient approach in releasing a follow-up, but if it leads to anything near as refreshing as ‘Annabelle Dream Reader’ then it’ll be worth it.

After teasing with a series of raw EPs, the Brighton based three-piece are returning with ‘All Your Happy Life’, which will pick up where their debut left off – dirty guitars and blackened vocals included. l All Your Happy Life will be released on Sep 30.

Michael Kiwanuka MICHAEL Kiwanuka’s soul infused folk debut was a gorgeous offering of strippedback songs, and one that bagged him a Mercury Prize nomination and a sizeable fanbase.

Yet it never really stood out from others working with an acoustic folk sound that year, many of whom were climbing the charts.

Love and Hate was different. The follow-up to his breakthrough was a sprawling statement that used funk, orchestral backings, choirs and a feast of instrumentation to beef up its songs that ranged from personal tales of struggle to universal lambastings of injustice.

At its core, it’s Kiwanuka’s writing that elevates this melancholic collection of songs that were fuelled by increasing racial tensions on both sides of the pond. This assured change of pace will colour the tone of his latest tour. l MICHAEL Kiwanuka plays The Liquid room in Edinburgh on October 7.

AlunaGeorge AS one half of AlunaGeorge, Aluna Francis has solidified herself as one of the best vocalists working in dance music.

Her sweet, fluid melodies are responsible for smashes ‘White Noise’ and ‘Automatic’ with Disclosure and ZHU, as well as a slew of slick bangers on the duo’s own releases.

It’s the glue that has kept

their music addictive and satisfying as they morph from one style of electronic music to another.

The duo rose to fame with slinky UK Bass songs that used glitchy rhythms and glassy synths as their propellant.

Their latest singles have favoured stadium ready EDM to shake limbs, but the

Mitski MITSKI’S music fizzes, constantly threatening to bubble over but rarely giving into fits of panic.

Her warn vocal has mastered tension building, so all she needs is a rumbling electric guitar, a few airy synths and she has us in a spell.

That, and her lyrics, of course.

The songwriter’s latest full-length was a painful portrayal of early adulthood and the hollowness that comes with it, but it’s delivered with the humour, heart and nuance it takes to truly captivate.

Personal confessions of depression and a crisis of self-identity keep the

THERE’S no such thing as a smooth album launch for MIA, but A.I.M is on a whole other level.

The unapologetically political artist caught flak from London’s Afropunk festival regarding comments she made accusing the Black Lives Matter movement of hypocrisy.

Though intended as a way to spark conversation, her statements lead to her removal as festival headliner. quality of Aluna’s melodies remain intact.

Their upcoming album, I Remember is a collaboration-heavy celebration of all shades of dance music that could have the duo playing stadiums soon.

album overwhelming in its intimacy, while her darting melodies soak in universally.

The artist recently took to Twitter to vent about appearing detached on stage, something that reminded many fans how vulnerable the stage can be when you’re baring your heart to a room full of strangers.

In truth, Mitski has nothing to worry about. Even with a cool deadpan, she remains utterly engaging. l MITSKI plays Stereo in Glasgow on October 4.

M.I.A. Not just this, but label trouble has seen the release of the album delayed for months on end, leading to MIA labelling it her last ever album in interviews.

Her brash words may seem threatening to some, but they’ve also led to constantly enthralling and exhilarating music; her recent single, ‘Borders’, is

as unflinching in its portrayal of injustice as anything the artist has released before.

Still, ‘Go Off’, a jittery collaboration with Skrillex, promises that this next release will be operating in lighter shades than we’ve come to know from MIA. While it might make for a rocky ride, it’ll no doubt be a gratifying one. l AIM is set for release on September 9.

Beachslang

l I REMEMBER will be released on Island Records on September 16.

A LOUD bash of Teenage Feelings.

That might be the most apt album titled ever written.

Honestly. I’m not sure if I need to write anything else.

But I will anyway, because Beach Slang are worth talking about.

This Pennsylvania fourpiece make punk music of sunnier shades than are typical of the genre, with a

focus on raw feeling and big choruses.

This is music that doesn’t care how naïve it sounds – instead, the band turn up the fuzz and bask in the simple pleasures.

That’s not to say that the band are making anything dull; their last album ‘Bad Art and Weirdo Ideas’ was one of the sharpest of last year, and judging from the

early singles A Loud bash of Teenage Feelings will be a glorious mess of drums, guitars, sunshine and feedback. l A LOUD Bash of Teenage Feelings is out on September 23 via Polyvinyl records. twenty-seven

BUT: a word occasionally and pointlessly added on to the end of sentences I WON’T lie, this one still sometimes catches me out. On several occasions I’ve been left waiting expectantly after someone’s said something along the lines of “I pure love it, but”, not realising that that was in fact the end of the sentence.

But nothing.

In Glasgow, “But” doesn’t always mean “on the other hand”.

It’s a handy one to bear in mind during conversations.

PATCHED: ditched or stood up, to abandon something OUT of all the Glaswegian words I’ve come across, this is definitely the one I’ve adopted most enthusiastically as well as being the one that’s definitely caused the most genuine aggro.

When I first moved to Glasgow, I went on a couple of dates with a guy. At one point after having texted me, he deemed I had taken an unsuitably long time to respond.

I received another text saying “patched, aye?”

I spent the next four hours of my life attempting to decipher the meaning of this mysterious phrase like it was the bloody Rosetta Stone. Eventually I gave up and asked for help from a Glaswegian.

banter PATTER: conversatioIn, in Glasved arri

baffled me when TH IS one completely at gow. ut last night being “gre When people spoke abo slowly like a confused owl. m the at k blin ld patter” I wou Patter? tiny footsteps? Were you As in the pitter patter of no. out ns Tur ? ting ysit bab

DID YE, AYE? classic Glasgwegian sarcasm. a way of calling out someone telling a story you don’t believe is true

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THIS is now a venerated classic and we have Kevin Bridges to thank for that.

His stand-up act about how to bring down someone that’s talking absolute crap brought this one to the front of the public eye.

It’s perfect: understated, funny and bound to cause the person to curl up into themselves with embarrassment.

So congrats to Glasgow for finding the perfect putdown.

Talking the talk

A quick guide to Glasgow and Edinburgh slang MOVING to new places can be a little bit of a culture shock…even if it’s just a few miles down the road if you happen to be in Scotland.

Every region of the country has such a different interpretation

of English (I use the word English loosely) that it can be baffling.

As an Aberdonian quine currently living in Glasgow and having spent some time living in Edinburgh as well, I’ve basically had to learn two new languages in the past few years (disclaimer: this may be a

slight exaggeration). Along the way, I’ve picked up a thing or two about the Glasgow and Edinburgh slang and now I’m here to impart this wisdom to you.

I’m LAURA FERGUSON and this is my guide to comprehending Glasgow and Edinburgh slang.

KEEP THE EDGY: Keep and eye out, be sharp THIS is one that my boss at the bar I work at likes to come out with from time to time.

The first time he did, I stared at him like he’d lost his mind and asked him what the hell he meant.

Cue half a dozen Glaswegians behind and in front of the bar telling me it obviously meant to keep a sharp eye…

My mistake.

BELTER: brilliant, fantastic

HEAVY: very, extremely GLASWEGIANS have a habit of using the word ‘heavy’ instead of saying ‘very’, usually in a negative light.

This one only gets a 3/10 on the confusion scale.

It’s not hard to work out what someone means when they say they’re “heavy ragin”.

THIS is another one I’ve grown pretty fond of these days.

It’s the Glasgow way of saying that something is fantastic.

If something you do is a “absoluter belter” then you can be pretty chuffed with yourself.

WINCH: kissing, to hook up with someone (often when drunk) CONFESSION: this is a word I had no idea existed a year or so ago.

Whenever any gossip happened that my pals would be discussing and they said they saw some-

one “winchin’ some random in Viper the other night” it would take me a couple of seconds to catch on to the fact they meant they saw them kissing someone.

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RADGE: to go off in a rage; someone that’s a bit mental

YOU’LL HAVE HAD YOUR TEA THEN: a way for a host to subtly refuse warm hospitality to guests JUST as Glasgow is known for being sarcastic (and maybe a little scary sometimes), Edinburgh is sometimes reknowned for being a bit tightlipped or unfriendly.

This is pretty well surmised by the Edinburgh phrase “you’ll have had your tea then”.

Luckily, this is mostly just a joke now and it’s even been parodied in the title of Irvine Welsh’s first play, You’ll Have Had Your Hole.

Hopefully I don’t have to explain that one to you.

SHAN: unfair, rubbish

THINK Begbie from Trainspotting and you’ve got yourself the living embodiment of a radge.

They’re unpredictable, explosive and definitely not someone you want to cross.

On the other hand, you can “go radge” and that’s not the same thing as being as range – it just means you’ve momentarily lost your temper.

FOR the majority of my life, I’d assumed that “Shan” was a girl’s name (although admittedly spelt “Sian”).

Turns out there was a very different meaning just waiting for me in Edinburgh.

It’s essentially a way of pointing out circumstances that are unfair or just a bit crap.

GADGIE: a bit of a chav THIS one does occasionally crop up in the Aberdeen area as well, so it may be more east coast rather than entirely Edinburgh specific.

All the same, I wasn’t aware that it was another way of describing a chav or a ‘ned’.

Basically, a classic oldschool gadgie is probably a bit anti-social, a bit of a hassle and takes full advantage of Edinburgh’s by-law that means they can legally drink outside in public places.

CHUM: to accompany someone

BARRY: great, fantastic“Barry”.

“belter”, Edinburgh JUS T like Glasgow has ounces to you that “that’s barry!”, So when someone ann ting out a man named Barry to you, poin they’re not inexplicably think that’s just grand. they’re telling you they

CHORE: stealing

t a chore is just a to me. If you think tha TH IS one was a mystery ke you do, think again - at least when ma boring task your mum ing. you’re in Edinburgh. it means to steal someth ts, par Over in those

WHEN I first went to uni, a lot of my friends from Edinburgh would ask if I wanted to ‘chum’ them somewhere.

Again, this one isn’t too hard to work out.

It is, however, a super adorable way of saying “can you keep me company while I wander round Tesco’s”.

And it meant I spent a lot of time being charmed into some really boring activities in my first year of uni before I became immune to it.

TANKED BY a

WIN

TICKETS TO SEE GARY: TANK COMMANDER

WE’VE got TWO pairs of tickets to see Gary: Tank Commander – Mission Quite Possible at Glasgow SSE Hydro on October 20 to give away. For a chance of winning a pair of tickets, answer the following question:

WHAT’S GARY’S SURNAME?

Text your answer FREE along with your name, contact phone number and email address to 07746-792724 or email competitions@ student-rag.co.uk Closing date Sep 30. Editor’s decision is final

e show Tickets for th sed at can be purcha o.com dr hy se es .th w ww

a TIME LORD FOUR long years after Gary McLintoch was last seen on our screens, the nation’s favourite tank commander returns for a three-night run at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.

Expect a two-hour show revolving around Gary’s experiences with a camel somewhere in a Middle Eastern desert.

The mind boggles...

Gary’s alter ego –or is it the other way around – Greg McHugh tells SUSIE DANIELS about Fresh Meat, American politics and...table tennis with Doctor Who.

B

ATMAN VERSUS Superman, Godzilla versus King Kong and now….

Doctor Who versus Gary Tank Commander!

You heard right. Gary Tank Commander took on the might of the unstoppable timelord and the effeminate Scottish soldier we love sniggering at was sorely defeated.

McHugh explains the unlikely pairing of The (ninth) Doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston and Fresh Meat star Greg, famous for his cringeworthy role as his own comic creation Gary.

Greg reveals: “Christopher’s a good table tennis player. He beat me, we drew and them he beat me some more.

“We’re both very competitive and it made for some unhappy make-up artists who would say, ‘what have you been up to, you’re all sweaty and your make-up’s run!”

Unfortunately the two actors weren’t dressed up in Gary and Doctor garb for the rally.

Instead they were taking a break from filming ‘The A Word,’ a drama about a family coming to terms with their son’s autism diagnosis. Screened on the BBC earlier this year Greg has now begun filming the second series.

When they’re not going at it hammer and tongs on the ping pong table the former Heroes and Thor star has been a great mentor to comedy writer Greg during the challenging script rehearsals.

Greg enthuses: “Christopher’s a very open and generous individual. One day I was struggling with a massive speech my character Eddie was doing in which I had a go at Christopher’s character.

“Christopher said, ‘have you thought about that as a way in’ suggesting something useful. He’s always been helpful and offers his advice just the right way.

“I’m now shooting another series of ‘The A Word’. The writer is a genius. It’s about autism, the family dynamic and has such thirty-three

INTERVIEW a strong female character. Morven Christie put up with a lot of abuse as her main character, mum Alison and she’s ferocious in the lead role.

The programme’s done well and it’s just gone out in the States!”

Greg’s hoping that it’s not just his character Eddie who’ll soon be instantly recognisable in the US. The Edinburgh-born star, who was unnerving as socially awkward Howard in Channel 4 comedy Fresh Meat, has set his sights on an interview as Gary Tank Commander with Donald Trump.

It follows his referendum interviews earlier this year where Gary comically quizzed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as well as the leaders of the other Scottish parties. o, what would Gary ask infamous republican presidential nominee Trump, who, in a crazy reality, may be leader of the biggest super power in the world?

The Stirling University sports graduate says: “I’d say, ‘what are you all aboot?’ Are you related to Dougie Donnelly? (following Labour leader Kezia Dugdale’s comment about the pair’s similar

S

hairstyle). I’d like to genuinely find out what he was thinking. My role in the interview is not to stitch up politicians but to offer a little human insight.

“What I want to know is, are there any other sides to Donald Trump under his orange skin?”

But before that may happen, the comedian will star in what he’s described as a ‘massive theatre production’ on stage this October at the SSE Hydro in Gary: Tank Commander, Mission Quite Possible. The show is set in a Middle Eastern desert during a politically unstable time and the khaki- clad soldiers have been given a dubious mission by the Americans.

Greg says: “The live show is a never-ending process. I write it, design it, have discussions on lighting and sound.

“All I can reveal is that it revolves round Gary’s experience with a camel. It’s two hours long and is a big, big story. There’s lots of interaction and it’s like seeing a big theatrical production. In terms of

WIN

preparation I get very nervous. I go over the lines and share my nerves with the rest of the cast in Gary Tank Commander – there are other actors around me. It’s so different from the days of stand-up where you can’t share those nerves.

There’s a high octane buzz you only get from live work and it can be a fine line from going over the edge to take something to calm down afterwards.

“With my Fresh Meat character Howard you had to keep on the right side of grumpy but with Gary, he’s high energy and more funny than I am. It’s nice escaping into his world and after

TICKETS FOR THE LUNA CINEMA AT EDINBURGH ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS THANKS to our friends at Luna Cinema, we’ve got a pair of tickets for each of their outdoor showings at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

Sep 2 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Sep 3 Romeo and Juliet Sep 4 Jurassic Park For a chance of winning a pair of tickets, answer the following question:

WHAT’S JULIET’S SURNAME? purchased shows can be e th r fo s et Tick acinema.com at www.thelun Closing date Aug 27. Editor’s decision is final

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Text your answer FREE along with your name, contact phone number and email address to 07746-792724 or email competitions@ student-rag.co.uk

INTERVIEW playing Gary I’ll just want a drink a glass of wine or beer.

“Next day I’ll go for a swim – if I don’t the live stage work can become too absorbing. Doing live work there is a danger you can think, ‘oh my god, the only way I can cope is with booze’. When I drove to gigs I wouldn’t drink so that

was a good deterrent. The best stand-ups don’t drink – Kevin Bridges is healthy and super-fit.”

In his autobiography, ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin,’ Kevin Bridges recalled some good advice from Greg during their early stand-up days .

Greg says: “Kevin and I gigged at The Stand for years. At almost every house I lived in he stayed on the sofa. The best advice is just sticking to stuff

and try to stick to what you’re good at. I’m actually an actor when I’m on stage doing Gary Tank Commander rather than a stand-up.

“Kevin is far superior to me at that!

I was never in love with it.

“If I was going to say what my happiest place is it’s probably doing other people’s work.

“The satisfaction from your work and putting it on is amazing but when someone else creates the character and you make it your own it’s a great feeling.When I was Howard in Fresh Meat and I read my character’s script I thought: ‘Oh my god, I see this guy!’

“Pure happiness is opening someone else’s script for the first time though that fulfilment you get from your own work is amazing too!”

Thankfully Greg didn’t listen to advice not to study drama after he graduated with a degree in sport and went on to study a post grad drama course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland then spent four years developing the BAFTA award-winning comedy soldier show.

“It was an interesting experience doing everything from stand-up to

sketches,” he says. “After finishing the course I didn’t realise how many areas of acting I‘d been involved in.

“I did stand-up for a time and then moved to London. It was in 2006 that I began mucking about with the Gary character which had initially figured in a stand-up routine.” he sitcom writer’s biggest influence were comedians such as Paul Whitehouse, Harry Enfield, Steve Coogan and Sasha Baron Cohen.

“My dad was obsessed with comedy so I grew up watching Reggie Perrin, Dad’s Army, Allo Allo and Harry Enfield and Chums – all the eighties and nineties sitcoms and sketch shows.

“When I do acting roles I try to create distinct individuals who are very specific.

“Paul Whitehouse is a genius at it! When I first did Gary Tank Commander I wanted people to think I was Gary.

“One night at The Stand in Edinburgh I was doing a routine with a character like Gary and a guy in the audience had seen me a few times.

I said ‘hello’ and he said, ‘oh my god, you’re not him!’ I said, ‘no, I’m nothing like him!’”

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Sophie’s up for the fight THERE’S a good reason why you’re not meant to lurk around your sixth form classrooms after school hours.

First, your sociopathic teachers may be enacting some form of torturous school punishment role-playing and secondly your school may be hoaching with aliens.

The kind that want to populate the world and transform humans into worker ants or lobotomise everyone and use our brain juice as spaceship biofuel (anyone else given this any thought?).

I watch too much Doctor Who! Speaking of which, Class, a Doctor Who spin-off, will hit our screens this October. SUSIE DANIELS investigates...

I

T’S DIFFICULT enough being a teenager: odd obsessions, unrealistic role models and the headache of having parents you can’t relate to who may as well be from another planet.

But throw in the added dimension of your school’s infestation of aliens and suddenly your problems have got a whole lot worse.

Sophie Hopkins – who plays April in brand new Dr Who spin-off drama Class – says: “Being a teenager is hard enough, everyone’s accepting and learning who they are as students, boyfriends, girl friends, relationships

with their parents and in amongst it all we’re fighting aliens.

“At the moment there’s no gadgets.

We’re just saving the world with intelligence and butt-kicking!

“There’s the Doctor Who element – we still see monsters and things from other planets.

“They say it’s like a British Buffy or Misfits but Class is kick-ass and it’s quite raw and darker than Doctor Who. “The themes will hit home for teenage and student audiences.

“It’s all been really surreal. The monsters we’ve had to face and the possibility of the world ending every week.

“To walk onto the set and – excuse the pun – be alien to it all is very weird. Our director was imitating one of the monsters, moving his arms about and make weird noises which should have been really scary but it was difficult to keep a straight face.

“We were working with men in green suits a lot of the time – a five ft man with a big belly holding out his arms and waving them about was weird while the rest of my group were in regular every day clothes.”

Sophie’s character April is one of a group of sixth formers at Coal Hill Academy who have their hands full

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INTERVIEW after Doctor Who’s antics in one of his last episodes stretched the very fabric of space and time and unleashed aliens and monsters from other dimensions.

Sophie’s co-stars include Vivian Oparah, Fady Elsayed (Brotherhood) and Greg Austin as well as Mr Selfridge star Katherine Kelly, who plays teacher Miss Quill.

There is hushed talk in dank corridors (just making it atmospheric) that the current Doctor Who, played

by Peter Capaldi, will also appear in the series.

The 25-year-old actress says of the friendly cast: “Fady’s very silly and always bouncing around the room making everyone laugh.

“Vivian’s 19 and the youngest in the group. She’s so sweet – I’ve taken over the role of best friend and mummy for her!

“Greg is absolutely hilarious.

When we started, Greg made a point of letting us know he’s socially awkward. I guess he is!

“There’s no bullsh*t with any of us, we all get along great.”

Singapore-born Sophie, who studied Performing Arts and Musical Theatre, is excited about her biggest acting role.

Sophie reveals: “I’m just learning

on the job and it’s really difficult. I was with a Yorkshire repertory theatre company and then started doing student films so I had no idea when filming Class what I was doing!

“My character April is doing her A levels. I think a lot of people will enjoy watching her.

“She’s selfless and the sole carer for her single parent mum who is wheelchair-bound after being paralysed in a car crash.

“April is a musician in touch with her creativity. Outside the relationship with her mum she’s just getting to grasp with everything around her.

No boyfriends yet but maybe she’ll have a boyfriend later...” he biggest shock of any newcomers to a Doctor Who set is of course the dedication of the fans – the Whovians.

“I’d been watching Doctor Who since the regeneration in 2005. I absolutely loved it,” smiles Sophie.

“I can’t choose between Matt Smith and David Tenant as my favourite Doctor.

“What they both brought to it was very exciting to watch and the energy was magical and enthused teenage audiences.

“I’ve not had anything weird sent

T

to me by Doctor Who fans – no dead birds or anything like that.

“We’ve got a fun collective known as ‘Classmates’ who show up on sets when we’re filming and have been very supportive.

“One night when we were doing a shoot there was no green room to warm up in and it was particularly cold.

“Some of the fans lived on the street we were filming in and they invited us into their house!”

As Sophie enjoys the lull before being swept up in the hurricane of anticipation for the sci-fi drama, relaxation comes in the form of walking along idyllic beaches in Scotland.

Sophie says: “My step-dad is from Glasgow and I spent a lot of time in Largs in my early teens. We’d also go to Largs for Hogmanay.

“I definitely need a trip to my parents’ house, inland from Berwick-Upon-Tweed. I’m going to walk on some Scottish beaches and see my fiancé and my very cute dog, Dino.

“He’s adopted and is a jug – Jack Russell and Pug cross. (laughs) People always ask my dog’s name first before they ask my fiancé’s!”

CLASS will air on BBC3 in October.

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INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

S M O S S O L B SUSIE DANIELS speaks to singer TOM OGDEN

HOW famous are you? Any stalkers or weird fan mail?

No weird fan mail yet but we went to Korea and when we arrived 15 people were waiting at the car to meet up with us holding a cake with our faces on it!

THAT’S pretty unusual, can you go one better?

Actually to think of it, fans will tweet me asking me to write lyrics that they can get tattooed on them! That’s humbling! Oh yeah, and I’ve got a Twitter account called, ‘Tom Long Legs’ because, well, my legs are quite long.

SO you’ve got your naked legs on Twitter? Are they shaved?

Not naked, that would be weird. No, they’re not shaved, I’m wearing jeans!

DOES fame get you into restaurants?

If we’re working late we’ve got a contact who can get us a table but it’s not like we’d jump in front of anyone in the queue. Nothing like that.

IF you get really famous will you launch your own aftershave?

I wouldn’t but someone like our drummer Joe would. He’s really into his clothes and looks like Noel Gallagher. I just like writing songs!

WOULD your manager ever talk you into wearing boy band matching clothes?

If our manager said that to us we’d think it was a p*ss take.

DID you ever think after coming fourth in BBC Sound of 2016 you’d have a No.1 album and be playing all the festivals?

The band wasn’t started as a career choice but we didn’t shy away from being a poppy or big band either.

IF it hadn’t happened with your music where would you be now?

I’m into making films. Before the band that’s what I did so I’d like to do that. When we started, in the early days we made our own videos and there were of a decent standard.

Even now, when we’re on set, I’m thinking, ‘what about that shot?’ I’ve always been creative!

DOES it take two hours or two minutes to get ready in the morning?

Two minutes! I usually wear Levi’s and a denim jacket, it’s a classic look.

We were dressed like we are now before the band got together. Our songs are very eighties catchy but we have a classic look.

WHAT was it like touring with Jake Bugg?

He’s a really nice lad and gave us pointers and advice. He’s so down to earth and it’s a joy to watch him play. He’s come from a working class background much like us.

DESCRIBE Blossoms’ sound.

Our sound is fresh and like nothing else. It’s guitar-based, uplifting and ro-

mantic all in one. I want to soundtrack people’s lives.

WHAT album did that for you?

Suck It and See and AM by the Arctic Monkeys. The albums related to a particular point in my life. The Arctic Monkeys/Alex Turner. I respect how they evolved as a band.

YOU rehearsed in one of your grandfathers’ scaffolding yard, is that a special place to you?

Yeah, the first cover of our album has the scaffolding yard in the background. It’s like a hub for us and it’s where we go if we need to meet up and rehearse at night.

YOU play Glasgow’s ABC on Oct 1.

Have you played Glasgow before?

Yeah, we’ve played Glasgow a number of times. Glasgow’s music venues are renowned for their crowds.

ALL Blossoms’ songs are very personal about your relationships.

Ones good, bad or turned ugly?

The latter, they’re just relationships that didn’t work out. I guess people can relate to it.

WHAT’S next for Blossoms?

We’re touring America: New York, San Francisco...for more exposure of our album.

l

BLOSSOMS play the ABC in Glasgow on Oct 1.

TRAVEL

Fifty reasons for hitting the road THESE days it’s only Russian oligarchs and wild-eyed adventurers who feel the need to go to the ends of the earth in search of a satisfying travel experience.

Our aims are far more modest – as our are means.

That’s why we, in the name of frugality, have gone in search of the best – and most inexpensive – places to visit within a stone’s throw of where you’re sitting now.

Provided, that is, that you’re currently rooted in central Scotland.

Here’s GEMMA CLARK’s guide to checking out some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the country while coming home with change from £50.

What you do with your spare cash thereafter is your lookout – just don’t give in to the temptation to put a down payment on a Timbuktu-bound superyacht...

Edinburgh Grassmarket

THE Grassmarket is a great place to start if you are new to Edinburgh.

Located near historic Edinburgh University, it has all the lures that a student-saturated area should have, from clubs and pubs, to shopping, food and drink or even something a little different; cat café, anyone?

Maison de Moggy is a “paradise for cats” and you can stroke a plethora of fluff balls while sipping tea and forty

munching artisan cakes. A perfect afternoon!

Once you’re done hugging kitties, why not check out some of the other places of interest? How about the café Harry Potter was penned in, at The Elephant House? Or the Little Ox Art Gallery? There’s also a weekly market if you visit at the weekend.

If you love your vintage clothing then check out Armstrong’s and Godiva. They are famous for their unique

pieces, amazing décor and their ability to transport you back in time.

At night, try one of the witchy ghost tours through the Old Town. Major creep factor and you’ll learn tonnes about the history of Edinburgh as well as about the myths and legends of Scotland’s capital.

£

COST: Get the megabus for a quid and spend the rest on adventure!

TRAVEL

Isle of Skye

SKYE is one of those magical places that seems to be a world in itself.

It’s picturesque, it’s peaceful and it’s utterly unique.

Time slows down up north. It reels you in, makes you feel like a part of its comfy little bubble. You’ll be there a week and it’ll feel like a month and that month will never be enough for you.

If you are stressed out, if you need a break from city life and just want to go to a place where everything is as it seems and life is simple and kind, Skye is the place to go.

It has quaint old men’s pubs galore and there is a seafood restaurant that is legit, on the sea. It looks like a boat and floats off the side of the harbour.

The fish is so fresh that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the chef casting his line for it over the side of the restaurant.

And don’t even get me started on the Fairy Pools (left)...

COST: Time your journey right

you can get a bus for £ and around £30.

THERE is an endless number of things to do in Loch Lomond and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Not too far from Stirling, it has all sorts of things to keep you amused, whether you’re an outdoorsy kind of person or more land oriented.

Loch Lomond has everything you could want for a fun day out.

You can hire boats and canoes and pedaloes, or you can take a bike and ride around the mountains and hills.

There are fantastic viewing points and it’s arguable that they are better to see when it’s not roasting hot in the summer.

Because really, who wants to cycle up a massive hill, only to be too hot and sweaty at the top to appreciate it?

Also pay a visit to the Falls of Falloch.

They are great for mini cliff diving and nature walks. Conic Hill is great for a walk.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

COST: Petrol and £ water sports. forty-one

TRAVEL

Cairngorms THE Cairngorms are one of the best natural sites in Scotland.

National Geographic voted it one of the top 20 places to visit in the world! It’s great for hill walking, climbing, snowboarding and skiing – if you can do it outside, you can do it at the Cairngorms.

Plus, it’s right next to Aviemore, which has one of the best chippies in Scotland (Smithys).

So once you’re done being all healthy, you can load up on locally caught fish and a big, greasy portion of chips!

It’s beautiful, snow covered for most of the year and easily accessible.

COST: For 2 hours ski/snowboarding tuition, £50, guided walks, £6-£20 (or you can just wander along yourself)

£

3 Day Isle Of Skye Tour TRAVEL is the death of ignorance, it was once said, and as I set out to the Isle of Skye for the first time (despite being born and bred in Scotland) I had no idea what to expect.

Growing up in Edinburgh, there was always a misconception about the Highlands – beautiful, undoubtedly, but too far from anything to be of any interest; without considering the possibility that it already had everything it could possibly need in itself.

Six days into my new job at MacBackpackers, I was about to have those misconceptions shattered.

It was a warm early June morning when we set out, under the able direction of MacB veteran guide Neil, as he got into the swing of his famous story-telling before we had even left the hostel pick-up.

In ancient times stories were passed down generation to generation, a skill that still lives strong in our blood, and in no-one more so than Neil; 10 years at MacBackpackers and an indelible

patriotic pride have endowed him with stories covering just about every patch of Scotland.

In the years since then I have had many of our guests coming to me saying that their favourite element of their time in Scotland was the duality of the Land’s history, that beauty and brutality could co-exist in such close quarters – the entertaining storytelling of the guides breathes life into the tales that shaped a national identity.

Indeed Scotland’s history is marred with brutal conflict, clan wars, deceit and betrayal – so much so that many of the infamous events in George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones series were lifted directly from Scottish history (Black Wedding became The Red Wedding).

The first day consisted largely of getting to know the people you were travelling with, each with their own expectations and desires for the trip travelling from every corner of the planet.

I speak as a Scotsman, someone who has grown up with this all around me, venturing into the Highlands time and time again, and indeed, time and time

www.macbackpackers.co.uk

Not All again it never fails to amaze me.

Combined with Neil’s frequently hilarious and thought-provoking stories, tales of Cailleach, vengeful haggard witches who would pray on locals, I was left slack-jawed looking at the suddenly illustrated scenery around me.

No trip to the Highlands and Islands would be complete without a stop, and a dip, at Loch Ness.

Taking a swim in the icy waters has become something of a rite of passage on MacBackpacker tours, with photos on Instagram on a weekly basis of our intrepid adventurers running tiptoed into those famous monster-ridden waters.

The day ends in Kyleakin, a gorgeous fishing village just on the shores of the Isle of Skye.

This is the part of the trip that sticks with me the most, the warm and enthusiastic welcome from the locals put my ignorance to its permanent and overdue grave.

Having travelled all over the world, it was the ideal situation for someone new – good food,

TRAVEL

Loch Long SCOTLAND has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and just because the weather is getting a little nippy, doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy it.

The Arrochar Alps are at the far end of Loch Long and offer great climbing and good parking at Arrochar.

The town itself is small but has a few decent places to eat.

The three most famous peaks (the Cobbler, Beinn Narnain, and Beinn Ìme) can be done in a day by fairly inexperienced hill walkers.

But if that’s too much of a trek for you, the loch has so much to offer, you can stop just about anywhere and find a good hill to climb and breathe in some of that fresh Scottish air.

It’s not far from Glasgow or the rest of the west and if you pack a picnic, you can have lunch on one of the peaks and it’ll only cost you the petrol!

£

COST: However much it costs you in petrol and your lunch!

Those Who Wander Are Lost conversation and insight as we sat in the Haakon for the night.

Day 2 is the meat of the tour. With an early start the group delves into the heart of the Island, intent on exploring some of the most prominent features anywhere in the world.

A quick stop at Sligachan for some eternal youth (so the story goes) with some awe-inspiring views of the Cuillin mountains, before heading up to the magical waters of the Faerie Pools, the mystical green mountain water that inspired so much of the faerie lore on Skye.

The rest of the day was spent exploring more unbelievable landmarks across the Isle, including the utterly unique Old Man of Storr. I won’t spoil it all here, though.

Reluctant that our 3 day adventure was coming to an end, we mounted up to dive once more into the Highlands, stopping off at the foot of Ben Nevis, winding our way down towards the Cairngorms National Park, standing at the foot of vast geological wonders, the lines

and scrapes from ancient glaciers too big to even contemplate.

A final stop off to see some Highland Cows and a wander around Doune Castle, the scene of many real and fictional battles (Outlander, Monty Python & The Holy Grail

and Game of Thrones) Finding ourselves back in Edinburgh, it was time for a reluctant farewell, and a sense of achievement.

After all that, I can truly say; Travel is the death of ignorance.

TRAVEL

Glasgow’s West End

IF you’re not wanting to leave the city Glasgow’s West End is the place to go.

More sophisticated than a night at the Garage or the ABC, go West instead! Soak up the bohemian vibe and explore.

There is no point recommending any places to eat and drink in particular – half the fun is finding your own

little spot to chill out and watch the world go by.

Since there are so many universities and colleges in Glasgow, most of them within walking or subway distance of the West End, there is a fantastic collection of bars and restaurants to choose from as well as art galleries, museums and shops.

It’s impossible to get bored. The

Botanic Gardens are gorgeous in the autumn.

Culture ‘n that.

£

COST: The night and day are what you make it. You won’t even come close to £50 unless you’re seriously making it rain.

Great thing about Scotland – culture is free!

Aberfoyle ABERFOYLE is one of the best places to go camping though you might not want to go there in the winter.

It has walks aplenty and an Owl Centre where you can have pictures taken with the birds.

They have an owl there that’s the size of a teacup and one that’s so big it needs two people to hold it!

The town is lovely and there is plenty to see when you get there. There are usually loads of young people there too so the chances are you won’t be alone at your camp fire!

Fairy Knoll is a great one to visit. It’s basically a massive hill with a tall tree that you can see poking up from the top.

When you get to that tree you are meant to tie a piece of fabric with a wish on it to one of the branches and the fairies will grant that wish.

It’s a truly magical place to visit as the entire glen is covered in wishes from people that have been there before you.

The walk is beautiful and the entire place is awash with bunnies!

£ COST: Petrol money forty-four

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MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN STARRING Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson and Asa Butterfield.

RELEASE DATE: September 30.

THE next time you hear a teacher moan about unruly kids point them in the direction of this film!

If 16-year-old Jacob Portman can control kids with special gifts such as air manipulation and fire creation then your average run of the mill teaching must be a breeze.

Jacob works for a mysterious woman called Miss Peregrine, who runs a school to house and protect these orphaned kids as best she can.

But when Wights and Hollowgast creatures are determined to destroy the kids then things take a sinister turn.

Based on the 2011 book, this movie looks both creepy and mesmerising and with A-lister Samuel L. Jackson starring you know you’re in for some great cinematic viewing.

WHETHER you’re hitting the cinema with your mates, partner or by yourself, there’s loads of cracking new releases this autumn.

Please enjoy them quietly – no wrapper rustling, phones illuminated, coughing fits or chatting – or else I’ll send in The Preacher to teach you a lesson!

I’m Kerry Harkin and this is my guide to the best new films in town.

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN STARRING: Haley Bennet, Chris Pratt, Denzel Washington.

RELEASE DATE: September 23.

TAKE seven outlaws, give them guns, add some humour (namely from the lovely Chris Pratt) and then place them in a western, and you’ve got this movie.

A small town called Rose Krick is put under siege and so they enlist the help of those seven outlaws to protect them against the oncoming confrontation. forty-six

At first they only help for money, but as time goes on, they find themselves fighting for much more than that.

For those of you who love Western movies, those who love comedy movies or even those who just really love Chris Pratt (I think I’m in this category), this movie is going to be perfect.

It’s a remake of the 1960s western film but with a 21st Century vibe. Sit back and get ready for explosions, hilarity and a whole lot of guns.

MOVIES

BRIDGET JONES’S BABY STARRING: Renee Zellweger, Patrick Dempsey, Colin Firth.

RELEASE DATE: September 16.

BRIDGET is now in her forties and single, focusing on her career and trying to ignore her feelings for Mark Darcy.

But, just when she thinks she has her life figured out, her love life takes an unexpected turn in the form of Jack Qwant.

He’s everything Mr Darcy was not and she finds herself falling for

him. Darcy or Kwant, Darcy or Kwant. Not which one do I love but who’s the daddy?

Good ol Bridge has got herself knocked up. Ooooh!

For those who loved the Bridget Jones shmaltz it’s the same loveable cast with a few new faces (Patrick Dempsey, anyone?).

It’s been 12 years since the last movie, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, so what’s happened to her life and why’s she not with Mr Darcy.

We need answers!

MOVIES YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE* * OR, THIS AUTUMN AT LEAST STARRING: Glenn Close, Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine.

THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS

RELEASE DATE: Sep 23.

A POST-APOCALYPTIC zombie movie with all the usual ingredients – widespread zombie disease and the world falling apart at the seams.

But this film has an extra little dimension – half zombie children.

Yeah, weird but it seems to work. The last living humans have banded together to try to cure the disease by experimenting on the kids.

The downside is kids have to be killed for the rest of humanity to be cured but Helen Justineau (Arterton) isn’t having it. No sireee.

forty-five

When Melanie is chosen for testing Helen decides to do whatever she can to save her.

It’s the classic zombie movie with all the madness and mayhem so bring on the blood and gore, I say!

SUICIDE SQUAD

DOCTOR STRANGE STARRING: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong.

RELEASE DATE: October 28.

WHEN the world’s top neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, showing he can be more than Sherlock Holmes) ends up in a car crash, he believes that’s it for him.

Career ruined and recovering from his injuries, he sets out on a journey to heal himself.

On this journey, he encounters the Ancient One, who becomes his mentor in the mystic arts and trains him, and others, to be the next Sorcerer Supreme.

I know, it started out being described like a normal, run of the mill film but Marvel are at it again.

Damn those geniuses.

Bang on time too as I’ve exhausted the number of times I can watch Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool (okay, not so but it’s a healthy addiction!)

Starring: Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, and Will Smith Release Date: August 5 STEP one, take all of the DC Universes’ most dangerous villains and make a team.

Easy as that.

Step two, provide them with every weapon at the government’s disposal.

Yeah, I’m being serious.

Step three, send them to fight a mysterious enemy. They’ve got nothing to lose, so they’re perfect for the job.

But when they find out that’s why they were picked, will they risk their own lives to save the world or decide they’ve had

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES STARRING: Gal Gadot, Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm.

RELEASE DATE: October 28.

NEIGHBOURS can be weird, sometimes annoyingly nosey, occasionaly friendly.

Most of the time we’re happiest with a little chat over the fence and not too much more.

But what would you do if you learnt your new neighbours were

STARRING: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett RELEASE DATE: October 7.

EVERY day your train journey takes you past the house of what looks like the perfect family model.

Life looks bliss for them. Husband, wife and baby all cuddly, smiling and happy unlike your trainwreck of a marriage which has hit the skids.

But not like the perfect family.

You feel you have a connection with them, even know what they’re thinking….

The Girl on The Train is the perfect suspense thriller and if it does the book, written by Paula Hawkins, justice then you’ll start to feel a bit icky in your cinema seat as the story unfolds. forty-eight

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

actually government secret agents?

That’s what happens to one suburban couple and they soon find themselves in way over their heads, ending up involved in an international espionage plot.

After The Americans this is a totally plausible plot and we all know if Isla Fisher’s starring in it there’s going to be a massive dollop of humour so sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

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SHE’S the kind of girl we all envy – oodles of creativity, at home playing an acoustic sesh with the boys yet still able to throw some patterns and sequins together to create her unique look.

Elle Exxe seems to have it all yet still has enough material from all

the failed relationships she’s been burdened with to write not just an album but a short film and concept album!

Is there no stopping the girl who appears to have it all...SUSIE DANIELS talks LA, cookie cutters and a capella with the singer song-writer.

YOU lived at a YMCA with 40 guys – at least you weren’t fighting with flatmates over the straighteners. What was that like?

I didn’t finish school. I dropped out and my parents said, ‘get a job or an education’.

I ended up studying music at university in Guildford, which specialised in pop and rock, and lived in a YMCA. It was great.

They didn’t have halls at my university so at the YMCA it was me and 40 other guys! It was closest to my uni and there was food there.

It was definitely different. House parties with rock and pop students are more fun. There’s live music, lights, fire.

Only things was, because I studied so young I couldn’t get into nightclubs so I would stay in and write until late in the morning.

YOU’VE been a very busy bee this year...

In September my album ‘Love Fuelled Hate’ is coming out and if all goes to plan there’ll be a short film, hopefully shooting in LA. It’s like an extremely extended music video.

Two short films, each 11 mins long will be shot.

INTERVIEW

Elle Exxe + YMCA I’ve written a concept album about love and hate. All the songs are connected and there’s an interlude.

The idea was a combination all inspired by real life things. I’d been writing a lot about love and hate.

YOU’VE written a concept album and a film – quite a musical challenge?

It was a challenge definitely to show that story of love turning to hate. The album and story ends on a song called, ‘I Understand’.

You’ve gone from deep lust to life and commitment and it being over and you respond with hate and revenge and it ends on a point that you accept what’s happened.

WHO and what’s been the biggest influence on your music?

My parents were an incredible couple. My dad was diagnosed with cancer when I was 15 and faced a nine year battle so that definitely affected my music.

He started out as a racing driver and inspired me to live life to the full. He passed away at the end of last year.

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My mum was strong-minded and had the attitude to work hard. She was a photographer, mostly covering sport photography.

SOME of your mum’s creativity seems to have rubbed off on you...

She had a creative eye and would make things like my clothes when I was little and my prom dress.

The last prom dress she made for me was ten years ago. It was different shades of navy and satin with an asymmetric cut at the bottom and a corset at the top!

I now design my own clothing.

YOU’VE said in nearly all your relationships you’ve been cheated on – are you choosing the wrong type of person?

I guess it’s a tricky question to figure out.

I kind of think it’s been bad luck. I haven’t quite figured it out yet.

WHEN you first got playing piano, sax and guitar what sort of music were you covering?

I’d play early Muse, Queen, Supertramp, Pink and Gwen Stefani.

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YOU were quoted as saying you don’t make ‘cookie cutter’ pop music but your music’s been mixed

by Joe Kearns who mixes for Little Mix and One Direction. Concerned about the direction your music might veer?

I guess it crossed my mind a little bit but he was mixing what I had already recorded.

I do like mainstream music but I didn’t want my music to turn out too shiny.

YOU were at a songwriting retreat.

Anything like Pitch Perfect 2’s a capella challenge?

In June this year I was there on a scholarship with the performing arts.

I got to perform Sweet Dreams with Dave Stewart while I was at the Chris Difford Songwriting Retreat in an old church in Somerset in the middle of nowhere.

It was amazing because when I was a kid I would upturn a Vitalite tub and play Sweet Dreams with chopsticks!

I was in a writing camp – you go with 40 other singer-songwriters and you write around three songs every day and then perform them that evening to around 500 people.

It was weird.

Chris Difford (Squeeze), Nik Kershaw, Gregory Philp (Deacon Blue),

Crispin Hunt (wrote with Newton Faulkner) were all there.

It was a 50/50 split of older songwriting veterans in the music industry who had some good experience and record sales and a group of younger people in their 20s trying to make it as artists, a few signed or who had performed on Britain’s Got Talent.

WHAT was the spark for the lyric for Lost in LA? It was inspired by this guy I met at the airport. My friends and I asked where we could get a taxi and he asked us where lost property was.

He had a black eye and was out of it and was a bit dishevelled. He asked ‘where are you going?’ and shared a cab.

We said we’re going to Hollywood and he said he was too.

His story in the taxi was he’d met a girl in a hotel room and got high for two weeks and thought he was in love.

He’s telling us this and then he freaks out in the taxi because he wants to call the girl and he’s on the phone to TMobile saying, ‘Look lady I don’t have a phone and I fell in love’.

There was my song!

l Love Fuelled Hate is out on September 9.

Exploring your gender identity

BEYOND Gender is a drop-in youth group for transgender, non-binary, intersex and questioning people and their friends aged 13-25 based in Leith, Edinburgh.

Awarded Youth Group of the Year at the Equality Network Awards the group provides a safe space for young people to be able to explore their gender identity and to come along and make new friends and find out more information about transgender rights and equality issues.

We know of an ever increasing number of trans people coming out in all walks of life, and would like to raise the awareness of our service to larger group of peo-

ple. Some of our latest projects and events that young people attending the group took part in included:

l l l l

MEETING with members of UK and the Scottish Parliament to discuss transgender and non-binary issues DESIGNING a new website DEVELOPING a ‘Good Sex Is...’ sexual health guide that is inclusive for transgender and non-binary people HOSTING Trans Day of Remembrance events and other cultural calendar events.

Our group has a unique feeling to it, combining the support and infor-

mation of a youth group and acting as a platform to influence change and better the rights of transgender people across Scotland.

If you’d like to find out more information you can find our youth worker Gemma LGBTYS (that’s her on the left!) on Facebook, or via email gemma.moncrieff@lgbtyouth. org.uk Tel: 0131 5553940 or popping in to the group.

WE run every week from 7pm9pm at LGBT Youth Scotland, 40 Commercial Street, EH6 6JD, feel free to come along and say hi.

BROOMHOUSE YOUTH BEFRIENDING PROJECT AND YOUNG CARERS PROJECT NEED YOU!

Want to help a young person in the local community?

Interested in group work with Young Carers?

Do you have 2 hours a week to spare?

Could you commit to 1 year?

Volunteers receive thorough training and all expenses are provided.

Interested?

Contact: Amanda Farquhar Youth Befriending Project Manager on 0131 455 7731 Abigail Jackson Young Carers Project Manager on 0131 622 7783 www.broomhousecentre.org.uk youngcarers@broomhousecentre.org.uk youthbefriending@broomhousecentre.org.uk

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Eat for Fitness IF FITN ESS to you just means that then you’re active, healthy and HAPPY looking into the macronutrients (or in, macros; basically how much prote ) that carbohydrates and fat to eat daily eat are right for your body can help you foods that give you this balance.

A popular division of macros is 40% carbs, 30% fats and 30% protein.

Some people prefer the carbs and protein the other way around. But we all know that all the tastiest foods are carbs, right? Sweeties, pasta, bread. Okay, maybe these are not the carbs that will help bring up fitness levels, but there are still loads of tasty and utterly scrumptious ways to fit those macros.

Carbs for fitness boost t OAT S: There is so much right abou oats. They are low in saturated fats, which means you don’t even have to think about your cholesterol, and get they are high in fibre so you wont tired during a workout, or at very least, you can make it to your next meal without needing to eat all the chocolate in Thorntons.

Oats can also be used to make healthy chicken nuggets (seriously, Google it) and loads of vegan cakes and sweets. They can be blended and substituted for flour in a tonne of recipes too.

BLU EBE RRIE S: Emerging as a superfood in recent times, because of their antioxidants among other rful wonders, there is lots to these colou gems. es, They do great things to your insid but most importantly, they give you loads of energy, they help digestion and they are anti-inflammatory which means that they’ll make you look and feel physically fitter.

VEG: To be honest, you can’t beat the basics if you’re wanting

fifty-four

to get fit. Veg keeps you full and low energised, as any carb will, but the the amount of calories means that in long run, you’re consuming less.

Green veg – particularly broccoli, have green beans, spinach and kale – nts. the highest density of good nutrie These foods can be t abou sneaked into just any meal – including fruit smoothies that will mask the taste.

Fats and Proteins for fitness boost SAL MON: All fish is and good, but salmon has the right fats protein to help you stay full and build allmuscle and basically become and round super fit person. of It can be consumed at any meal your the day, and it isn’t too heavy on stomach. we CHE ESE: Finally, something that se is all have time for in our diets. Chee keep generally full of good fats that will even to ur you satisfied and add flavo the dullest of salads.

Not all cheeses are made equal however. Feta, goats cheese and cottage cheese are all great, high in protein and good fats, and all have a great strong flavour to add to your recipes. ! TurTUR KEY: Not just for Christmas sibling key is chicken’s healthier, low-fat for those who are trying to get fit. high The main perks of this are the to protein rather than fat, as it’s easy find at 0% fat. is Low in calories and carbs too, this . meal a very healthy centrepiece for any

AN ouef is an ouef! The ultimate ingredient to every single meal and if you don’t have any in your fridge right this second go and get some.

They’re becoming so popular that a new branch of Veganism is forming that allows

An Oeuf Already these into the animal-free diet. (I wrote it but I still don’t believe it!)

Even if you’re not an egg lover, these high-protein, high-energy balls can be made into a load of different treats that are as tasty as they are nourishing.

The (healthy!) fats that they contain will fill you up on not very many calories too.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Boost it baby IT’S 8am, you have about 20 minutes before you need to leave for class and your cupboard is a mishmash of ingredients that you’ve never quite figured out what to do with.

Stay calm but don’t carry on. Instead, here are some ideas that are quick, healthy and cheap and will keep you energised throughout your studies.

Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day (yes mum) so listen to what Sarra Gray has to say….

Get Fruity I LIKE to think that we’ve all moved on passed the sighs following on from the ‘eat your 5-a-day’ advice.

Fruit actually seems quite appealing now. Fruit is the new black!

Perhaps it’s for obvious reasons – fruit is so full of energy and there’s an incredible variety, meaning that unless you’re Mr or Mrs Ultra-fussy you can always find something that you’ll enjoy.

You can mix it into every meal or shake and the natural

Breakfast ideas: Eggs florentine – poached eggs with salmon and hollandaise sauce on a toasted muffin – got to go, just the thought of it is making my mouth water. For a sweet treat, mashing two eggs with a banana makes a pancake batter that you can have guilt-free.

sugars and healthy carbs will keep you full and bouncing right up until your next meal.

If you follow any fitness fanatics online, you probably see them in exotic locations, drinking smoothies and eating watermelons through every month of the year (I know, I really do watch too much crap).

In this country we tend to hibernate more during Winter so our fruit burst appears as a toffee apple at Halloween or some satsumas in your stocking (does everyone’s gran still do that?).

Take advantage of these and you’ll realise just how many savoury curries and fruit salads you can make.

Avocado was the biggest facial and body scrub obsession last year and it’s also a fabulous edible fruit.

The high fat content of avacadoes has been proven to keep you full until the next meal which is great if your next lecture is in a building that doesn’t allow you to deviate past the canteen.

HEALTH AND FITNESS Don’t Question Quinoa

Eat for Fitness LUNCH / EVENING MEALS SANDWICH: Some really filling breads that’ll keep you going are sourdough and rye.

If all else fails, brown or grainy bread does the trick too. If you have a sweet tooth, nut butter with a banana is very satisfying.

If you’re going for peanut butter, the crunchy no-added-sugar stuff is overall better for you and it’s the exact same price, so why not.

Other personal favourite fillings for a pick-me-up energy are tomato and spinach with feta or hummus, or some turkey spread with a bit of Greek yogurt and chilli flakes.

SALAD BOWLS: So apparently we’re in the middle of a war on

plates. And the bowls are winning.

This is because this method of serving a meal is spreading into lunch and dinner.

By placing your main ingredient – be that spinach or iceberg lettuce – at the bottom, you can cover with your more colourful tomatoes, beans and carrots with your chosen meat or a dollop of hummus to create an edible work of art.

Other wonders of the healthy bowl life are sushi bowls (basically deconstructed sushi) macro bowls aiming to hit the perfect balance of nutrients, and veggie bowls which are full of, you guessed it, veg.

THE quinoa grain is a source of protein and carbs but is low cal so it’s a win win situation!

It’s finding its way into shop-made salads and restaurant menus in a bid to tempt our inner health junkies.

Yes, it keeps us full and gives us energy, but it really doesn’t taste of much, so a quick meal suggestion is to add lightly grilled veg to a portion of cooked quinoa.

That mixture can then be stuffed into a pepper then whacked into the oven to bake. Simples.

Breakfast ideas – Adding nuts, fruit (dried fruit works really well) and a dash of honey to a portion of cooked quinoa makes a lovely, sweet breakfast.

Cooking the quinoa the night before makes this really quick as well so no excuses.

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It will also seriously enhance their CV

so be on the lookout. If you see them, tell them who we are.

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Graphic Eyes of the world: rejoice! .

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Bye-bye Bold Brows IN the past few season s, the catwalk has bee designers making seriousn filled with statements with their eyebrows.

Whether it’s virtually dra win g them on with a black sharpie disappear altogether, or making them eyebrows have been a central part of beauty tren But Autumn/Winter 201 ds.

6 seems to be the end of this. Brows are being left to their natural devices with no visi ble product put through them at all.

The message seems of your eyebrows but to be to take care not go so heavy on the brow pencil.

A good alternative if you still want to give your brows a little bit of definition is an eyebrow gel.

The Brow Control & Sha is a nice option and the pe Gel by Eylure enough, that you don’t brush is small end up with brown smears all around you r good look on anyone). eyebrows (not a

© Student Rag Magazine 2016

AUTUMN

ESSENTIALS MAKE-UP

BEAUTY AS Autumn approaches and the days get shorter and colder, it’s time for fashion and beauty to shake itself up along with the weather.

The colours of the season are inspired by nature with forest greens, rust reds and the return of a whole colour wheel of browns from green-olives to golden-

coppers. The beauty trends are following this turn to a more natural palette with its take on skin, hair and eyebrows.

But things certainly get spiced up with intensely vampy lips and dramatic, graphic eyes.

Here’s LAURA FERGUSON’s guide to the key trends for Autumn 2016.

Use your natural instincts Gothic Lips

IF last Autumn/Winter was the year of the red lip (a trend that Taylor Swift could have carried singlehandedly) then this season takes things up another notch.

This is the time to start making serious statements with some seriously 90s inspired lipsticks filling the runways of the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Dior.

This look pulls no punches and can be quite intimidating if you’re not used to wearing bold lip colours.

But if you’re feeling daring, go for a gorgeous blackcurrant hue like Illamasqua’s Vampette and channel your inner goth.

If, however, you’re slightly newer to the intense lipstick trend, you could opt for a more rubied red such as Rimmel’s Kate Moss collection in Shade 1 which has all the glamour without the fear of ending up like you dived headfirst into a bucket of Ribena.

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BEAUTY

Messy hair...don’t care HAIR trends this Autumn are tending to fall into two categories.

The first is all about keeping things natural and simple.

And no, we don’t mean the “natural”, “effortless” waves of last season that actually took an hour and the help of curling wands and vast quantities of sea salt spray.

Here, it’s all about the wispy, unstructured hair that you achieve simply by doing nothing to your hair. (Vivienne Westwood) The second is basically the polar opposite of this. It’s all about highly structured, severe, even slightly androgynous hair.

The name of the game here seems to be hair that’s super-glossy and styled into scraped back ponytails or structured side partings (Paco Rabanne, Dior).

Hairspray will be your best friend if you attempt any of these looks and Aveda’s Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray is a great option, you can guarantee it won’t let a single hair fly out of place.

AN emphasis on fresh, glowing skin isn’t anything new to beauty trends – it’s been stubbornly sticking around for a few years now and this season isn’t looking like it’s going to change that.

We don’t want a matte cheekbone in sight. This Autumn is set to turn up the dewiness another notch or

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Iridescent Skin ten. It’s all about achieving an almost ethereal glow on your face and cheekbones that reflect like disco balls. (Isabel Marant, Gucci) The hero product of the hour is

the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop and it’s not hard to see why.

It’s a beautiful, shimmery goldtoned pressed powder which gives one of the most intense highlights you could hope for.

Soap and Glory’s Glow All Out pressed powder is also a great option if you’re on more of a budget or maybe just want a slightly more subtle highlighter.

It also looks like it’s finally time to put down the contour kit and slowly back away.

Instead, adding to this emphasis on freshness it’s all about blusher this Autumn.

At shows like Dolce and Gabbana, the emphasis was placed on the pretty, pink and naturally flushed look.

When it comes to blushers, nobody can really top NARS and their Orgasm blusher is a cult classic for a reason: it’s beautifully pigmented and seems to be universally flattering on any that try it.

SHE sang at the BBC Euros this year, jammed with Naughty Boy and has just released A Moment of Madness, her debut album, whilst touring Europe before kicking off in the US. Izzy Bizu’s on a roll but whatever you do, don’t give her some Haagen Dazs…..

WHAT was your most recent moment of madness?

I just came back from Hawaii after doing a four hour hike up a volcano! It was tough – I thought I was fitter than I was.

My best friend was with me and he was awesome – he did it in two hours. I went there because I wanted a few days out before the release of my album to come back refreshed!

AFTER singing the BBC Euro 2016 title music, La Foule (The Crowd) are you now fluent in French?

I’m definitely not fluent in French – I wish! I am learning French as I thought I actually want to have a go but it’s a work-in-progress!

Some people are wired academically but musically you sometimes think and learn differently.

ANY cravings we should know about when you’re song-writing into the wee small hours?

I love pecan Haagen Dazs ice-cream and I like pine nuts covered in maple syrup (laughs).

I love yoghurt but I really try to stay away from ice-cream as I’ve got no self-control whatsoever and once I start I can’t not finish the whole tub.

YOU were one third of the pop trio, ‘Soundgirl’ touring with Justin Bieber – were you a Belieber?

I was a very big fan but I didn’t want to be with him or anything like that.

He was quite young and so was I – I was 15 and wasn’t thinking about boys at that time. I’ve got to admire the guy, he does so many gigs and keeps busy!

WHAT’S the best thing about being more known now in the music industry? Getting taken seriously, cooler clothes?

It’s crazy now.

I’m in a different place all the time, meeting new people, going to parties.

I reckon you’ve got more opportunities to work with loads of cool people. I recently worked with Naughty Boy – I’ve always wanted to jam with him.

It’s really cool.

Izzy’s lving for the moment YOU enjoy skateboarding, table tennis and table football – was that a big brother influence?

I have a 26 year-old brother – he’s just a wind-up. When we’d play he’d say, ‘you’re a girl, you won’t want to play that’ and that would annoy me and make me competitive.

He’s great though. We’re so close.

He’s just got his first job working in a law firm and I’m so proud of him. He’s a gem!

YOU have an Ethiopian mother – do you visit your mother’s family and any cultural influences from your mum?

Yes, I go out to Ethiopia and I get involved in dance when I go out there.

I still haven’t mastered my mum’s Ethi-

opian cooking. She makes an amazing Doro Wat red lentil sauce where you roast the beans and it’s so good.

ONE of your songs from your new album is called Happy. What makes you happy?

Hiking, music, love and my two best friends.

WHEN you were younger did you ever visualize yourself singing with a pop group?

I never dreamed I’d be doing something like this, ever!

When I was younger I dreamed I wanted to be just like Beyonce but I thought, ‘that’s not going to happen’ though when I was 15 I knew I wanted to be doing something with music.

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