The Hype Issue 1

Music

Hip hopping onto centre stage Aine O’Boyle asks: If indie is dead, what genre has shaken up the festival?

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ith each generation of festival goers, a particular genre of music will dominate among both headliners and other acts alike, essentially defining the style and image representative of that festival.

In recent years hip-hop has come to the forefront of the festival scene, breaking away from the roots of what would typically have been perceived as the genre of music played at festivals.

Woodstock, the first major festival that discerned our perception of what a festival is today was synonymous with rock and roll. Into the 1970s it defined a generation of free-spirited young people, looking for a place where they could revel in the music that they grew up listening to. As festivals became such a huge part of popular culture during the noughties, the presiding style of music played was Indie, with festivals such as Glastonbury acting as a haven for those looking to hear all of their favourite Indie bands play within a few heavenly days of each other.

Since then, a huge cultural shift has occurred, a rise in hip-hop and critical interest in pop has meant that many music festivals have had to completely rebrand themselves as the demographic of audiences attending these festivals has changed.

Some argue that indie music is dead, as many of the bands’ most prominent in this genre are no longer making music that appeals to the masses.

For the most part it is not a case that indie music is dead but rather shows one of generational divides in

music.

It is merely a factor of the natural cycle of life, the generation of young people that once attended music festivals, making up the most part of the audiences has since grown up and moved away from the music festival scene.

In their place is a demographic of people that grew up listening to a different style of music dominating popular culture: hip-hop. As indie music went below the radar towards the later part of the noughties and onwards, hiphop was consolidated as the most widely listened to genre in music festivals.

In 2015 Kanye West headlined Glastonbury festival, setting the tone for what would soon become an onslaught of hip-hop headline acts at mainstream festivals, with his erratic and minimalistic performance demonstrating that theatrics aren’t necessary components of a good performance.

The choice to make West a headline act at Glastonbury caused outrage among a huge portion of the public, with many people displeased at the thought of Glastonbury reforming its image and traditional values.

Since then several festivals have completely rejigged themselves into primarily hip-hop festivals; Longitude being a shining example of this.

In the beginning Longitude attracted a huge audience of Indie-loving fans, with acts such as Ben Howard, Haim, and Hozier headlining before the popularity of Longitude really came into fruition.

This year the festival had a renaissance of sorts, with headline acts such a J-Cole, Travis Scott, Sza, and Solange consolidating the transition of Irish festivals into a primarily hip-hop orientated scene.

Ross from Friends takes a break at the Button Factory

The young producer slash DJ delivers something fresh to the house scene, Aine O’Boyle

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n an eclectic performance in The Button Factory on Friday, September 21st, music producer and DJ Ross from 'Friends' played for a packed-out room of people highly energised on the soothing and nostalgic sounds of old-school dance music.

From the moment the producer, Ross (Aka Felix Clary Weatherall) from the hit series 'Friends' began his set, it was clear that this performance was going to differ from the average DJ set.

Alongside Ross stood two live musicians that also happen to be close friends of the producer, accompanying him with the soothing tones of a saxophone and mellow basslines in a way that made the performance much more of an evocative experience than that of a typical DJ. The producer played purely original tracks which proved to be a popular choice among the crowd as the combination of dramatic lighting and steady beats had each person dancing in a way that felt second nature and coagulated to create a type of ambiance that would leave a person feeling almost nostalgic.

Ross, being a man of few words, features rare snippets 2 of lyrics in his tracks. A favourite among the crowd was

one of his few songs featuring lyrics, '(Talk to me), You’ll Understand'. The song originally surfaced in 2015, and now boasts an impressive 4.3 million view on YouTube since its release.

A chorus of people singing 'Talk to me, you’ll understand' sounded through the dancefloor of The Button Factory back to the producer.

Ross originally learned his craft from his father and being an apprentice of sorts meant that he learned how to produce music at a young age, experimenting with various types of music until he discovered the type of lo-fi house music that he is renowned for producing today.

The style of music he creates can be compared to that of other artists such as DJ Seinfield and DJ Boring who seem almost reflective of the 1990s pop culture that these artists would have grown up listening to.

In a previous interview, Ross stated that he has gained ‘a real love for the old-school sound, where it really just sounds worn-out and knackered, and it’s got a lot of character.’

This statement is an accurate representation of how Ross performs live. His music has a unique paradoxical quality whereby it can make a whole room of people dance for three hours straight without stopping, while at the same time being the type of music that a person could listen to on their own in their bedroom at home.

Much of the music the he produces can be considered almost futuristic in nature, with songs such as "Project Cybersyn" featuring digital undertones that seem like the kind of

style of house music that could be popular in 30 years time.

There is no doubt that Ross is an idiosyncratic game-changer in terms of what is popular in house music today.

Music

Tebi Rex’s Max Zanga talks Irish hip-hop, songwriting and social media

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One half of the hip-hop duo sits down with Aoibhín Bryant to discuss the success they’ve found in the last year

n the dim light of Nubar, Tebi Rex’s Max Zanga stands out with his bleached blond dreads.

One half of the alternative hip hop duo, the pair met at a Maynooth talent show, where they both studied.

When Matt O’Baoill, the other half, placed first with his runner-up, the two decided to join forces. They’ve been growing over the past couple of years, cumulating in 2018 where they’ve launched their EP ‘Welcome To the Darkest Years of Our Adventures’ and performing at both Longitude and Electric Picnic. However, where they came up with the name ‘Tebi Rex’ remains a secret.

“We’d like to keep it a mystery,” says Zanga. “We’ve left clues in a few of our songs which a few fans have figured out already.”

Both Kildare natives, they have a unique songwriting process of both writing separately and coming together with their finished works to mash them together. Their music is a compromise of sorts and leaves a dichotomy in their songs Zanga is upfront when he confesses that a lot of his music is a way for him to apologise to others. Although it didn’t start off as such, admitting that he started rapping at around 16 in order to get girls. Nowadays, he likes looking back on his old songs in a way to “mark his own growth”.

Song writing is very much a therapeutic process for him, allowing him to “figure out everything”.

“There’s a juxtaposition to our work; we have an idea, go off on our own and come back with completely different angles.”

“It leads to an interesting contrast where the music is really upbeat and energetic but then the lyrics are super grim,” he adds.

This formula has seemed to work out for the both of them as they swing from success to success.

“I don’t want to sound like an a**hole, but we’ve really had no lows this year,” he laughs, “A highlight definitel y

has to be the launch night of our EP in

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his songs. It’s not a regular form of storytelling but all of his songs have a theme that you figure out when you look at the big picture.”

Another inspiration, surprisingly, is English singer-song-writer Kate Nash.

The group recently covered her hit song, ‘Foundations’ on RTÉ’s Studio8. Kate Nash even quoted the tweet of their cover, stating that she “loved it!”. Zanga said that whole experience was “dope”.

On how to break it into the Irish music scene, Zanga’s advice is to “find out what your strengths are and play to them”. He is also honest that at the beginning, himself and O’Baoill “sucked”. Tebi Rex grew and changed, adapting to the music scene. He likes to think that the group’s success has almost been a slow-burn, that they “snuck (their) way into” the music scene as they haven’t had a massive hit. Zanga also admits that they found a lot of success through social media.

“For sure, we owe a lot to Twitter! It’s a blessing and a curse in a way because we can talk to people who love our work and want us to do better but we’re way more exposed to people who think we suck.”

Max Zanga has nothing but praise for the Irish hip hop scene, which has flourished over the past couple of years.

“It’s really great, there’s been so many people doing some great stuff and there’s a really supportive atmosphere at the moment,” he says, “Although, that may change as people continue to get bigger and more money is involved. But for now there’s no beef.”

“There’s a juxtaposition to our work, we have an idea, go off on our own and come back with completely different angles.” He says, “It leads to an interesting contrast where the music is really upbeat and energetic but then the lyrics are super grim”.

Workmans, the show was totally ours in every way. It was really fun to do.”

Although the pair have decided to take a short hiatus from Tebi Rex, the first half of 2018 proving to be draining as the two have been “flat out” with performances as well as juggling to finish a master’s in media. They hope to focus on working on a few more songs and have something solid out by the new year.

“Matt and I currently both h a v e jobs but realistically, by September next year, we’d love to be working on music full time. It’s not quite a career yet but we’re hoping to change that.”

When asked about inspirations, Zanga lights up when given the chance to talk about rapper Earl Sweatshirt.

“I always think of his songwriting to be really similar to the show Black Mirror, y’know. Each episode of Black Mirror is different but they all have the same sort of message. Earl does that but instead it’s with his verses in

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A look into Hozier’s latest EP, Nina Cries Power

Music

The grammy nominee is nott one to shy away from sharing his political and cultural views, especially in his recent EP, writes Sarah Barrett

Arctic Monkeys storm the 3 Arena

Gabija Gataveckaite attends the iconic rock band who have recently taken a dip into jazz.

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band like the Arctic Monkeys needs no introduction - formed in 2002, they have seen enormous success and are undoubtedly a favourite of any rock fan.

With dreamy frontman Alex Turner and teenage angst, the band had their first big break in 2006 and reinvented themselves through their music with the critically acclaimed AM in 2013 and again this year, with Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino.

When an indie rock band release an album like Tranquility, where guitar solos are suddenly nowhere to be found and new jazz and piano-based undertones appear, it’s no surprise that fans will be slightly taken aback. This didn’t stop the Monkeys selling out their two Dublin dates in a matter of minutes, and fans flocked to the 3Arena, desperate to hear the hits, all wondering secretly ‘How much of Tranquility will they actually play?’

With a less than impressive supporting band ‘The Lemon Twigs’, the audience was unsure as to what was to come. The Twigs reflected well the current era of the Monkeys sound; a very much so 80s feel and a frontman that is the centre of attention. After 45 minutes of an unexciting set, the arena began to fill up as fans awaited to see what kind of show this was really going to be - was there any chance of hearing ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’?

There was no chance of band letting down any fan - be it early-days lovers, AM enthusiasts or the fans of the newly-found jazz sound, the lads delivered an incredible set list, divided into three categories- Tranquility, AM and pre-2013 smash hits. Each song was intertwined brilliantly with the one that came before it, carrying a smooth transition from either an energetic hit, to a calmer sound. Kicking off with ‘Star Treatment’, the expertise and professionalism of the band shone - Turner delivered his famous sultry vocals in his leather jacket and blue jeans, hitting each note perfectly. The group knew their audience very well, and this showed - the first quarter of the gig appeasing the long-standing fans with ‘Brianstorm’ and ‘Crying Lightning’. AM favourites like ‘R U Mine’

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and ‘Do I Wanna Know’ rocked the audience, as well as Tranquility singles ‘Four Out of Five’ and ‘Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino’.

Whenever a ‘Tranquility’ song was about to be played, a distorted coffin-shaped light fixture would slowly descend from above the stage and situate right over the band lighting up to create an entirely dif ferent, slower atmosphere. When the song was over, the fixture then would rise up back to the ceiling.

Turner’s infamous ego reared its head during ‘One Point Perspective’, when he cut the song short after spending a minute or two complaining, out of earshot to the audience.

However, at the end of the night himself and the band did an excel lent job in entertaining the audience all throughout the gig, finishing off with a spectacular finale with ‘I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor’.There’s little else to be said for a band of such staure - they delivered an outstanding gig, and nothing less is to be expected.

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r. Andrew “Hozier” Byrne who hails from Bray, Co. Wicklow is back in the 3 arena as the gift that keeps on giving since his album “Take Me to Church” debuted back in 2013.

The track of the same title shot to number one on the iTunes chart in 2014 after his video depicting anti-gay violence in Russia was uploaded to YouTube and went viral after appearing on the front page of Reddit.

Succeeding his Take Me to Church EP, followed “From Eden” and then in 2015 “Live in America.”

Hozier has been nominated for a Grammy and performed at the Victoria Secret’s fashion show in 2014. With appearances on the Late Late Show with James Corden and performing with artists like Annie Lennox at the Grammy Awards.

The Grammy nominee isn’t one to shy away from sharing his political and cultural views, especially in his recent EP. In the song “Nina Cried Power”, the track draws on protest music from the American civil rights movement.

Nina Cried Power, the fourth EP to be released through the Rubywork’s record label has four tracks.

First we are met with top tier lyricism on Nina Cried Power, the track draws on protest music from the American civil rights movement.

Nina Cried Power also features soul sister Mavis Staples who’s vocals on the track are soul rendering, Hozier voices and names civil rights activists Nina Simone, B.B. King, John Lennon and Marvin Gaye, who’s messages and activism contributed to change through protest.

The energy of the tune is packed with power and emotions. Featuring gospel at it’s finest and powerful songwriting. The use of drums on the track and the sound of the organ playing helps create tension and amplifies the message being spoken to Hozier’s current audience.

The second track of the EP, NFWMB follows the biblical theme of the EP, Hozier reminds us of his strength to romanticise darkness and turmoil.

The guitar riff playfully dances with the lyrics. This song is the anthem for praising a lover and the repeat of the lyric “Nothing”, reminds us nothing will mess with Hozier and his lover.

Third on the EP, Moment’s Silence (Common Tongue), Hozier’s blues-like familiarity and most notable style returns with choppy vocals and finger clicking, the song is about sex. This song stands out on the EP. Edgy and bluesy, it’s upbeat and grows on you. Be sure to abuse the replay button because you certainly will.

Finally, the finishing track “Shrike”, the first thing that is apparent on this track is Hozier using his Irish accent to enhance the folksy sound of the tune. The romantic atmosphere created on Shrike, reflecting Irish heritage and love is fitting for the closing track of the EP. Much like the theme of the closing song, Hozier is a bird ready for new flight and to spread his wings into the winds of further success as an ever-growing artist.

Film

Black 47 is the Irish action movie we’ve been waiting for

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John Morley reviews the action hit that uses the backdrop of the Irish famine.

his epic tale of the Great Irish Famine sets a mood from the outset which likens this historical drama to the ecstasy of a Liam Neeson thriller.

When a Connaught Ranger returns home to the devastation caused by Famine and disinterested imperial landowners, he goes on an epic quest of vengeance in memory of his family.

There are some minor details in the film which leave little to be desired. These are mainly poor CGI of cottages and period scenery, but a lot of this can be overlooked when the quality of the film’s shoots and storyline are considered given its relatively low budget.

Director Lance Daly’s vision to shoot people and their facial and body expressions build up a gravity and tension which is palpable throughout the movie. This technique of particular interest can be seen throughout his work, albeit to different effect, in films like ‘Life’s a Breeze’.

The film starts off with the soon to be iconic first encounter with Hugo Weaving’s character through a bar mirror. The attention to emotion and expression is quite exquisite and throughout the film it helps solidify different character’s perspectives on the Famine.

There are two main attributes that make ‘Black 47’ a great Irish film and a great film in general: its entertainment through a typically Irish medium and its nuanced look on one of the most important events in Irish history.

Perspectives are given from every type of Irish person living in Ireland on the Great Famine while the vengeance tale occurs simultaneously.

Perhaps the best example of this is that of the hero’s view. A disenfranchised soldier returning from war which he fought for the Empire only to find his mother dead and country in ruins on arriving home. With Celtic Irishmen ‘almost as rare as a red Indian in Manhattan’.

We root for our murderous hero throughout the movie as his actions are on the side of justice. The themes of justice in contrast with due process are catalysts of sorts in the movie. As our Irish Braveheart says, “when I kill someone they call it murder. When they do it they call it war.”

The cries of injustice from the admirable characters of the movie is what drives us on to a Tarantino style finale.

Characters throughout the film, with the exception of crown caricatures, all fall to their humanity.

But this bold and unafraid account of the Famine tells it for what it was. A genocide caused by British austerity following the potato blight. Summed up quite callously in the film when the main landlord thanks the heavens for the Famine so he did not have to pay a tenant tax.

A crisis now striking a chord with Irish critics and audiences as the same economics find us in a housing crisis. Go and see ‘Black 47’. You will learn a lot while being extraordinarily entertained.

“We root for our murderous hero throughout the movie as his actions are on the side of justice.”

The rise and fall and rise again of musical film Amy Donohoe recounts the history of the musical film

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wo years ago, ‘La La Land’ received 14 Oscar nominations. Last year, ‘The Greatest Showman’ made $174 million dollars. And over the summer, the ‘Mamma Mia’ sequel landed in cinemas.

Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. It is a story which portrays humour, sadness, love, anger which are communicated through the words, music and movement.

Modern Western musical theatre emerged during the 19th century, but ground breaking works such as ‘Oklahoma!’ didn’t appear until the 20th century. Some of the most famous musicals throughout the decades that followed include ‘West Side Story’, ‘Les Misérables’, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Wicked’.

Musical films thrived during the 1930s and 40s but following a few financial flops, the industry began to dry out around the 1970s.

N a n c y West, who teaches U.S. film history at the University of Missouri, t h i n k s the move away from

musical film has everything to do with a changing politics.

The genre exploded in the early 1930s as the US struggled through the Great Depression when America needed to escape. In the 1940s, the US gained a new burden: the second world war. Musicals were also associated with femininity, so they could have been dismissed due to that.

About 20 years ago the rise of musicals came back slowly. Irish film has also contributed to Broadway. ‘’Once’ had a film budget of €112,000 and it was released in 2007. It’s a love story, which stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. It includes the Academy Award-winning song ‘Falling Slowly’. Since its release, Once has found new life as a successful, eight time Tony award winning musical.

Movie musicals are now a staple of Hollywood’s peak holiday release season.

It proves that the art form itself, along with its popularity, has hit new heights.

Lady Gaga is starring as the lead in Bradley Cooper’s ‘A Star Is Born’, which is in cinemas from today. The film tells the story of Cooper’s fading movie star who helps a young actress get her big break. Emily Blunt will star in “Mary Poppins Returns” which is due to be released in December this year. The

Disney feature film is thought to be ‘an ambitious and non-traditional take’ on the story we all know and love.

And get excited because the ‘Wicked’ film adaptation is finally coming – although it won’t be released until December 2019. Stephen Daldry is directing and Marc Platt is producing the big-screen take on the hit Broadway musical and bestselling book.

Musicals like ‘Hamilton’ brought in a new wave of audiences, TV shows like ‘Glee’ have created important discussion topics for society; not to mention Disney films like ‘High School Musical’ which have inspired many children. Modern musicals have evolved just like its audiences and it’s getting bigger and better.

Modern Western musical theatre emerged during the 19th century, but ground breakingworks such as Oklahoma! didn’t appear until the 20th Century. Some of the most famous musicals throughout the decades that followed include West Side Story, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.

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Film

Shows like Bojack Horsemen depict the truth about depression

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Clara Kelly analyses the realistic cartoon about a talking horse

ith the recent release of ‘Bojack Horseman’ season 5 and the rise of TV shows willing to tackle mental illness, it’s worth asking, are these shows romanticising or

revolutionary?

As more young people start to openly discuss mental illness ,we have seen that more and more TV are no longer shying away from the topic. But do these shows glamourise or simply normalise these issues.

With shows depicting mental illness it can often at times be a double-edged sword of sorts, it seems that these shows either address the issue of mental health very successfully or miss the mark completely.

It appears that only a mere handful of shows have received more praise than criticism for their portrayal of characters with mental illness.

Think problematic and two-dimensional portrayals of what mental illness is really like, some of the issues that shows such as Netflix’s ‘13 Reasons Why’ received criticism and outrage for.

It can be easy to see why audiences would be worried with shows like ‘13 Reasons Why’ certainly opening up a conversation on mental illness but also failing to capture the nuances of mental illness.

The show, faulted for the perpetuating of harmful stereotypes, seen in the unrealistic and stigmatising idea of mental illness attributed to others actions ,instead of the individual’s mental state, with the main characters arguably twisted blame-game in terms of her ‘tapes’.

Shows like this could be seen as romanticising mental illness, with the glamourization of the suicide and response to it. The harmful effects of this seen in

the suicides following the show’s release. As the show perhaps didn’t place enough weight on the advice of mental health professionals.

However, some shows like ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ have received praise for showcasing accurate and fleshed out, renderings of mental illness, the over the top show, complete with musical numbers and melodrama, never shies away from the complexity of mental disorders.

With each character multifaceted and flawed. The show is rare, in that it continues to show the many struggles and intricacies, actions and consequences for those with disorders, even after diagnosis.

It is is reflective of how long running these illnesses can be. Also showing despite all the support main character ‘Rebecca’ receives, despite how successful she is, mental illness and healing is a long and complicated process that can affect anyone.

Bojack, follows this same level of carefulness when handling these topics and yet again shows realism in that his wealth, supporting relationships and fame cannot help him tackle his problems with substance abuse a n d depression, showing that a n individual’s circumstances often have little impact on their mental illnesses.

Like Crazy ExGirlfriend, every character in Bojack suffers from their own struggles, the show takes

care to never shy away from the true depth and darkness of the disease, while also being cautious in its handling of these issues.

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With shows depicting mental illness it can oftentimes be a double-edged sword of sorts, it seems that these shows either address the issue of mental health very successfully or miss the mark Ultimately, although the normalisation of mental illness both on and off screen is helpful, the question of if these TV depictions of mental illness are revolutionary or romanticism, seems to heavily depend on which show we’re discussing.

What reality shows have the X Factor?

Aoibhín Bryant looks into what keeps viewers hooked on some shows while others suffer.

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ast month, Channel Five announced that they had decided to cancel reality TV programme Big Brother and its accompanying star-studded sister Celebrity Big Brother. Originally on Channel 4 until 2010, the show has faced dwindling ratings in the past decade, with its final season on Channel 5 having the lowest ratings ever.

Although ratings were probably a contributor, it seems Channel 5’s main reason for ditching the orwellian show is to revamp their own image. Reality shows on the channel are being replaced with original crime drama series instead.

X Factor is also not faring as well with the singing competition grieving its lowest launch ratings in 14 years.

Although, it was still the most watched show on television that night. So what’s happening? Well, no surprise, less people are watching television because of the rise of the internet and streaming sites like Netflix. With the over saturation of TV shows to choose from, there’s less of a sense of obligation to keep up with the X Factor. A decade ago, X Factor was notorious for steamrolling the annual Christmas number one with the respective winner’s single. The last time an X Factor winner snagged that title was 2014.

Although one cannot claim that the death of the reality TV show is slowly approaching. There is one tanned and collagen filled outlier known as Love Island, which dominated the last couple of summers, consistently smashing ITV2 rating records. The series, that aired episodes every day for three weeks excluding Saturdays, averaged at 2.7 million viewers. The

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“There is one tanned and collagen filled outlier known as Love Island, which dominated the last couple of summers, consistently smashing ITV2.”rating records.

show also pulled in the largest 16-24 audience in 2018. Contestants of the reality dating game can now enjoy a year’s worth of public appearances across UK and Ireland’s nightclub scene and sponsorship on their Instagram posts.

So why did Love Island thrive while Big Brother has seemed to plummet? Both shows feature large ensemble casts, both shows isolate their contestants away from the outside world and both shows make participants play games in the hopes of configuring drama. The main reason is that Love Island seemed to analyse what made Big Brother such a success in the early years and cut out everything else. The main goal of Love Island is to find someone to “couple up” with, by making relationships the centre focus of the reality TV show, they were able to increase the drama by a staggering amount. Gone are the days of watching a 40-minute episode where half of it is the contestants gossiping in the back garden, cigarette in hand. Almost daily, Love Island will force the islanders to re-couple or choose someone to be evicted, the audience is consistently entertained.

Other reality competition shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race have gained a cult following throughout the years as they appealed to a niche audience, although ratings aren’t incredible, the show has managed to keep its head up supported by a dedicated fan base that continues to grow. The reason X Factor has passed its prime? Perhaps everyone is just sick of Simon Cowell’s “I didn’t like it… I loved it!” shtick.

Books & Art

The problem with authors meddling with their finished works

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Aoibhín Bryant discusses the importance of authors needing to move on to the next chapter

n 2007, JK Rowling shocked the world when she announced to an audience that the beloved headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, was in fact a gay man.

This was after the publication of the final book of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. It was not explicitly mentioned in the books although JK Rowling confessed that she “always thought of Dumbledore as gay.”

As the years went on, Rowling continued to tack on minority labels onto minor characters. In 2014, Rowling tweeted that Anthony Goldstein, a character who has had one line throughout the seven book, belonged to the Jewish faith. Rowling continued to interact with fans over the social media website about different characters.

It came to a tumultuous head when she defended her decision to not boycott Israel by stating that fictional wizard Harry Potter would agree with her.

Two problems stem from Rowling’s communication with fans over her own literature. First, the lazy attempt at representation of minorities. If one is to write a character from a marginalised group, perhaps mention it in the work. By slapping it on after the work is finished, it appears to be a lazy attempt to achieve political correctness points. This is further exemplified with Rowling’s decision to not show Dumbledore’s gayness in the Fantastic Beasts film series. By stating the minority status of characters outside of the work, Rowling can appeal to both conservative and progressive markets.

It’s not exactly revolutionary.

Furthermore, Rowling’s decision to reveal what happens after the novel ends takes away the magic of books. Literature is a unique medium that grants a certain intimacy between the writer and the reader.

A writer invites the reader into their world for pages and pages and once the story is finished, the reader is snapped quickly back into reality. The beauty of the

arts is that it allows its audience to interpret concepts in whatever manner they wish to. It inspires creativity, what happens after the story ends is up to the reader to imagine. By telling a story, you are allowing others to interpret it in whichever way they wish to. Rowling takes away that privilege.

Social media has made this problem worse as it allows authors to see criticism, in Rowling’s case more than likely from fourteen year olds, and respond to it publicly. Although this seems harmless as it allows an author to defend themselves, social media is a double edged sword as it can make authors look like they are incredibly sensitive and unable to handle any critique.

Although Rowling is not the worst, a lot of writers have come across as rude on Twitter.

Sadly, they might have avoided this reputation 20 years ago. Perhaps the twenty first century equivalent

of “never meet your heroes” is in fact, “never follow your heroes”. Once you’ve shut the book closed, it might be best to just forget about it.

“The beauty of the arts is that it allows its audience to interpret concepts in whatever manner they wish to. It inspires creativity, what happens after the story ends is up to the reader to imagine.

By telling a story, you are allowing others to interpret it in whichever way they wish to.”

Exploring the world of Instagram poetry

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Aine O’Boyle looks into the rise of the ‘instapoet’

he latest phenomenon of Instagram poetry is breaking away from the confines of what was traditionally considered the appropriate medium for poets to share their work on.

Poetry no longer feels as though it is something abstract and out of touch for younger generations as it is becoming increasingly more popular and prominent on social media platforms, with ‘instapoetry’ being among the most accessible means of reading poetry for young people.

The rise of ‘instapoets’ can possibly be pinpointed in the direction of the poet Rupi Kaur, a fresh voice in literature dealing with themes such as love, sex, misogyny, race and healing that appeal to masses among younger generations.

The 25-year-old has sought to make her poetry an almost visual experience, combining short but meaningful sentences with quirky, minimalistic doodles to really create a whole image in the mind of her 3 million Instagram followers.

Her poetry is shared both via Instagram and through her books ‘Milk and Honey’ and ‘The Sun and Her Flowers’. Her first book ‘Milk and Honey’ made the New York Times bestsellers list and sold over 1.5 million copies across the world.

As a generation that carries our phones everywhere, this new form of poetry is extremely accessible to everyone. It ensures that the argument that young people no longer care about poetry is no longer valid, and social media cannot bear the brunt of the blame for

“This generations ‘instapoets’ are a breath of fresh air for an artform that seemed to be dying.

Many young people can no longer relate to the heavy poetry of the likes of John Keats of whom they may have studied laboriously throughout their secondary school education.” the disinterest people may have in poetry.

Cleo Wade, another famous ‘instapoet’ with a following of 435k on uses her platform to share motivational poetry and to promote a type of activism through poetry that has allowed her to be hailed as ‘The Millennial Oprah’.

This generations ‘instapoets’ are a breath of fresh air for an artform that seemed to be dying. Many young people can no longer relate to the heavy poetry of the

likes of John Keats of whom they may have studied laboriously throughout their secondary school education.

They want to read about themes that affect them and that they care about through platforms that they use on a regular basis.

‘Instapoets’ can completely attribute their success to the fact that they had an outlet to constantly create and update the content that they produced without having to bankrupt themselves in the process.

It is not feasible for many people to actually produce hard copies of their poetry, so Instagram acts as a starting ground for those who may eventually want to actually publish their poetry in physical copies.

There are several arguments against ‘instapoets’ as people believe they are damaging the market for poetry through their minimalistic sentences that could be interpreted to mean absolutely anything, but the arguments for them are far greater. They are turning the traditional elitist values of poetry on its head and demonstrating to the world that anyone can be a poet.

Instapoems are at the fingertips of each individual and can be shared among anyone and everyone. For the first time in history it is the most accessible form of poetry available.

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Books &Art

Atelier des Lumieres lights up the art scene Gustav Klimt allows the spectator to immerse themselves into the art, Aoibhín Bryant reviews

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osted in a gentrified 19th century iron foundry, the Parisienne art show Atelier des Lumieres brings something completely different to the art world.

The exhibition has three different pieces, focusing on the works of famous artists, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Except, there is not a physical painting in sight, instead 120 video-projectors are used to light up every surface of the industrial building with paintings.

The three different shows last for 15 minutes respectively but they transition into each other seamlessly in a loop that allows audiences to enter at any time and enjoy the art around them. In the Klimt show, 3,000 paintings move across the rooms, almost telling a story as classical music plays throughout. The music reflects the emotions of the paintings as they play out before the audience’s eyes.

The paintings encompass the entire room from the walls, the ceiling and the floors. The projections also cast the paintings onto your person, allowing yourself to immerse into the painting. Klimt’s iconic ‘Tree of Life’ grows before one’s very eyes as the branches unfurl in time to the music. As the paintings start to move at a rapid pace, one can almost feel disorientated. When the light flashes and suddenly all paintings have diminished, the audience is met with the stark reminder that they

have been walking around a grey room. The projectors had given the illusion that they had been on an ethereal adventure.

The producers and artistic directors have taken a creative spin on the typical exhibition. In a world where technology has advanced to such a level, they have used this to their advantage in order to deliver something that is truly unique and engaging. They have managed to take a modern spin on art history. This is also a way to allow paintings to reach all corners of the world at once. No physical paintings had to be lugged from one end of the globe to the other. They have made fine art somewhat more accessible to a wider audience. The use of moving screens also proves to be just as exciting as peaking a glance at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre.

Furthermore, the exhibition is available to all, young and old of all levels of ability and mobility. There is no cramped rooms or paintings to dodge. There are stairs but one does not need to ascend them to enjoy all of the pieces. Children spin around in circles and dart after fleeting paintings while the elderly sit on benches, enjoying the view.

There has yet to be an immersive art institution in Ireland. Atelier des Lumiere is Paris’ first, and that is a city acclaimed for its collection of fine art. Although hopefully in the future, Ireland will be proud to host its very own

immersive show. It is something the Irish art scene desperately needs and possibly an initiative to increase public interest in art.

“When the light flashes and suddenly all paintings have diminished, the audience is met with the stark reminder that they have been walking around a grey room. The projectors had given the illusion that they had been on an ethereal adventure.”

When two worlds of art and commercial fashion collide

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Laura Duffy delves into the intersection of art and fashion

n August 3rd, footwear powerhouse, Vans, dropped its latest collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum, including clothing and footwear inspired by worldly renowned impressionist painter.

The now almost sold out collection was considered a huge hit among customers and art enthusiasts alike, as an accessible representation of the late artist’s work at affordable high street prices.

What makes this drop so interesting is the rarely successful pairing of an artist and fashion brand and therefore the lack of controversy surrounding the collaboration.

Art and fashion have worked in tandem for many years now, although until recently, it has mostly been reserved for the world of high fashion. Artists and high fashion designers have collaborated with great success many times in recent history, however, they hardly ever come without some controversy or debate.

One of the first, and most memorable being the collaboration between the Spanish surrealist, Salvador Dalí, and the legendary Italian fashion designer, Elsa Schiaparelli. Together they created a silk summer evening gown which featured a print of an over sized lobster that dangled down from the waist.

The gown clawed its way into cultural recognition when the American socialite Wallis Simpson wore it for a photo shoot in Vogue magazine in 1937. The famously garish gown graced the issues of Vogue in the same year as Simpson’s intended marriage to the British King Edward VIII, causing a constitutional crisis that led to Edward’s abdication.

The bold collaboration between Dali and Schiaparelli certainly caused a lot of controversies while also

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inspiring the countless infamous artist and fashion designer collaborations in the future.

Despite the numerous artist-design partnerships that emerged from then on, the vast majority to this day, are exclusive to a very small percentage of the public that can afford to spend their money high price collaborations.

Seeing high street brands such as Vans, jumping on the collaborative bandwagon has been widely welcomed by its audience.

However, it doesn’t come without its risks. It can be argued that art and commercial fashion brands have inherently different values and priorities and these differences can easily trigger tensions when the two worlds collaborate.

Artists often create their work with the aim to create something that transcends trend. However, fashion is seasonal by its definition and can be considered disposable. Pairing these two paradoxical worlds is bound to trigger tension if not carried out with great care and consideration.

It can be difficult for artists to know which fashion brand is right to partner with. And it can be just as tough for the brand managers to accept the uncertainty that comes with artistic collaboration. How do they find the artist that best represents their brand’s story? And how can one fashion brand create an environment in which art can thrive?

If done correctly, collaborations such as the Vans x Van Gogh Museum can provide a new level of cultural dignity for fashion brands while also allowing great artistic works to reach a wider audience within popular culture.

“If done right, collaborations such as the Vans x Van Gogh Museu can provide a new level of cultural dignity for fashion brands while also allowing great artistic works to reach a wider audience within popular culture.”

Health & Beauty

All you need to do to fight the ‘Fresher’s Flu’ oming back to college after a long summer means not only reuniting with friends, but being thrown back into the madness of it all.

Partying every night and following late nights with early morning lectures doesn’t do the immune system any favours either.

Too much alcohol will weaken defence against viruses.

These are the perfect environments for germs to spread in. Consuming vitamins D and C, getting the regular fix of fruit and vegetables and drinking plenty of water helps improving the immune system and gives the body a chance to defend itself.

And if you don’t think your diet is up to standards, essential vitamins can be consumed by taking supplements like iron tablets or Berocca, the shops own brand version is basically the same but costs less.

But don’t rely on it. When it comes to vitamins get it from food first. Our bodies are designed to absorb nutrients from the food we eat, and we will get all the nutrients we need, as long we’re eating a varied and balanced diet. Supplements should be considered bonus boosters, not replacements for food.

Protein is a nutrient needed by the human body for growth and maintenance.

Hair and nails are mostly made of protein.

The body uses protein to build and repair

tissues. Protein is also used to make enzymes, hormones, and other bodily chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

L e a n meat, poultry and fish, eggs, dairy products, beans and soy products like tofu are full of protein. Carbohydrates should be the body’s main source of energy in a healthy balanced diet. If you don’t have enough, your ability to think, learn, and remember stuff will decrease. Carbohydrates fuel your body because they contain glucose, which is your body’s number one source of energy. Foods high in carbohydrates include bread, pasta, beans, potatoes, rice, and cereals.

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Vitamins are essential in the body. There are six vitamins, A, D, E, K (Fat soluble can be stored in the body) and C, B (Water soluble - can’t be stored in the body). The most important vitamins we need are vitamin D and vitamin C. Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium, which is important for bone health. Not getting enough of this vitamin can increase the chances of getting sick and the chances of bone and back pain.

You should be able to get your daily vitamin D by being in the sunlight for 15 minutes, but in Ireland we struggle with that. Living in wintery locations with little sunlight and working office hours makes getting vitamin D hard. But you can get it in milk, cheese, yogurt, fish, egg yolks, cereals, nuts, beans and broccoli.

Vitamin C helps our body absorb iron, which is important for energy levels, better brain function and healthy red blood cells.

Not getting enough vitamin C can make your body tissue weak, wounds slow to

And if you don’t think your diet is up to standards, you can get your essential vitamins by taking supplements like iron tablets or Berocca, the shops own brand version is basically the same but costs less.

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While ‘freshers flu’ obviously isn’t the end of the world, it’s not the most convenient time to be getting sick when you’ve so much going on. If you’re determined to avoid catching it, Amy Donohoe has the guide for you.

heal. It can also cause you to get sick and weak gums. Lack of iron in the body causes tiredness, paleness, breathlessness and anaemia.

Over half of the iron present in our bodies is in the blood. Iron is essential as it carries oxygenated blood around the body and it releases energy from food. You can get iron in red meat, dark green vegetables, eggs and cereals.

A key reason it’s important to eat fresh fruit and veg is to get lots of Vitamin C to help bolster your immune system against unwelcome illness. You can get some extra Vitamin C in the form of orange juice or Berocca tablets.

Drinking water is necessary as it boosts skin health and beauty, cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues, regulates body temperature and it flushes body waste.

A steady diet of unhealthy food can lead to more than just a few extra pounds: poor eating is also associated with lower grades, likelihood to illness, and increased fatigue. Other side effects include a higher risk of depression, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, menstrual problems, and sleep disturbances.

But by eating healthy balanced meals, staying hydrated and getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night will make it less likely for you to get the ‘freshers flu.’

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Health & Beauty

Beauty Buzz: L.A. Girl Pro.Coverage’ foundation review The latest product out that seems to be catching the eye of many girls and beauty bloggers is the ‘L.A. Girl Pro.Coverage’ foundation. This foundation only came out in Ireland this year and everyone seems to have it or want it, Caitlin Laird gives her review.

rest of your body.

When talking to girls who have the foundation most of them used the ‘fair’ shade as an everyday look and when they were wearing tan they would use the ‘nude beige’ shade as it best suited that

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makeup product for so long but when I heard many people talking about this I knew I had to try it out.

With this foundation, there are more positives than negatives. When applying it I realised it was quite easy to blend.

Usually, my skin would be quite dry and I have noticed with other cheap foundations I have used that they wouldn’t blend well but the LA Girl foundation glided well on my face. It is a lightweight foundation so when applying it is quite runny.

Even when I went on to do my whole beauty routine with applying concealer, powder and also contouring powder I was quite pleased that it all seemed to sit really well on my face. There were no patches on my face in places where I would usually see them due to my dry skin.

This foundation is also very long lasting.

I noticed that when I would apply it in the morning before going to work it would still have very good coverage by the evening time. I

This foundation has sixteen different shades and over twenty concealers to choose from. It is very affordable which is great as young girls wanting to try out foundations can easily get it in their local pharmacy whenever they want and know they are getting something good at a fair

look. As you go up the scale on the shades they can suit whatever skin tone and also match whatever tan you may put on.

As I usually used the ‘Mac’ NC15 foundation I was quite skeptical to try the LA Girl foundation. MAC was my go-to

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he latest product out that seems to be catching the eye of many girls and beauty bloggers is the ‘LA Girl Pro Coverage’ foundation.

Even though foundation only came out in Ireland this year, everyone seems to have it or want it.

This foundation has 16 different shades and over twenty concealers to choose from. It is very affordable which is great as young girls wanting to try out foundations can easily get it in their local pharmacy whenever they want and know they are getting something good at a fair price.

The foundation itself ranges from ten to thirteen euro depending on where you buy it and the concealers are €5.50 each.

The packaging is very basic. It comes in a clear bottle with a pump which is already good as the pumps are the handiest to get the right amount of foundation out without using up too much.

With so many different shades to choose from it gives girls the chance to see what really suits their skin the best.

When getting this foundation I bought the ‘nude beige’ shade. This shade I noticed was too dark for my skin tone. I then bought the ‘fair’ shade which was the best match. The ‘fair’ shade is the right shade if you are quite pale and want something that will give you a bit of a tan glow but not too dark so you don’t feel like 10 you look orange compared to the

could still see that it had a good colour on my face. I thought this was very good as you could go on out and do whatever else you wanted without feeling like you would have to redo it all again.

The only negative I would say about this foundation is that after having it on for a long period of time it would get a bit oily in places but not enough to completely put you off it.

When talking to local beauty artist Charlene Green from my hometown of Buncrana in County Donegal she also had a lot of good things to say about the foundation. “I would definitely approve of this foundation, love the colour tones and coverage and the price,” said Charlene.

She also agreed that it worked better for people with dry skin more so than oily skin.

This foundation overall is a very good buy whether you would only wear it as your everyday look or as a going-out look.

It is very dependable and for the price, I don’t think you could get any better. I would definitely recommend this product to people who are looking to try out a new foundation, especially for people with dry skin who are finding it hard to get something that blends well. I would rate this foundation a nine out of ten based on my own impression of it.

Health & Beauty

Cruelty free series: haircare With the rise of environmental awareness, more and more brands are becoming cruelty-free and vegan in order to stay partial to the changing needs of consumers, Béibhinn Thorsch investigates. [dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith the rise of environmental awareness, more and more brands are becoming cruelty-free and vegan in order to stay partial to the changing needs of consumers.

Fortunately, this also means that it is easier for consumers who may not be fully committed to the idea of cruelty-free products to make the transition.

The meaning behind a product being cruelty-free mainly refers to whether or not it has been tested on animals. Animal testing has been banned in Ireland since 2013, thanks to an EU directive published in 2010. The directive banned marketing in the EU of any cosmetics developed with the help of animal tests carried out after 2009, or 2013, depending on the type of procedure.

It is the policy in Ireland not to authorize any scientific procedures using live animals for testing of cosmetics, but the importation of popular brands who still test on animals in countries outside of the EU is happening. Brands such as Benefit, Clinique, Estée Lauder, MAC, and Maybelline are reported by PETA as continuing to test on animals.

The new legislation promoted the principles of the “three R’s”- replacement of the use of animals to the greatest extent possible with alternative testing methods, refinement of scientific procedures to improve animal welfare, and reduction in numbers of animals used.

Colleges such as Trinity College Dublin spent over €1.7m between 2005 and 2013 buying animals for experimentation and research purposes. This included

buying 25,598 rats, 66,297 mice, six rabbits, 107 pigs, and 41 dogs.

It’s important for many people to steer clear of products and companies linked to animal testing, as it is a task that is impossible to be done in a humane way. Animal testing is proven to be unneccessary, but some countries like China require brands to test on animals before they are being brought into the country.

Therefore, brands which may be cruelty free within europe and are marketed as such, will actually not be considered a 100% cruelty free brand if they choose to sell in China.

The most comprehensive site for quickly finding out whether a beauty product or brand is totally cruelty-free is the crueltyfreekitty. com. The website is simple to use and everything is provided in an easy-to-read. It allows you to look further into exactly why a certain brand or product isn’t vegan or cruelty-free.

Brands such as Lush have made their claim to fame on the back of cruelty-free

advertising, and continue to take part in activism to stop animal testing. While becoming popular for their bath products, Lush has a loyal following of customers in the skin and hair care products full of natural ingredients and sure to be totally ethically produced.

The Lush ‘Big’ shampoo comes in tubs of either 130g, 330g, or 600g. Made to produce massive volume, as the name suggests, this shampoo also has an amazing scent from the main ingredients of lemon, lime, and seaweed, as well as fresh sea water.

These work alongside more fragrant ingredients to create a surprising non-citrus scent that lasts for multiple days after washing. The shampoo foams up hugely, and a little goes a long way.

The Veganese conditioner was also put to the test. With a yummy scent, this conditioner is light and yet works wonders. The Lush UK website says that the conditioner is “packed with seaweed, lavender, and rosemary for

“ Brands such as

Lush have made their claim to fame on the back of the cruelty-free train, and continue to take part in many forms of activism to stop the plight of animal testing

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lashings of gloss and bounce”, and is also designed to work to improve the health of your scalp.

Lush also has popular solid shampoo bars and conditioners to cut down on any chance of packaging waste, and they even sell solid blocks of henna hair dye a true treatment and colour all in one!

Henna hair dye works with your natural colour and more so puts a type of varnish on it rather than chemically changing the hair. It gradually and naturally fades over time. Henna is a natural conditioner, and has been used to cure dandruff and itchy scalps!

Dry shampoos are popular among many college students these days, and while Lush provides their own ‘No Drought’ dry shampoo, Batiste is vegan and cruelty-free (though they do sell in China, products in Ireland would not have been tested), as well as Colab which can be found in Penneys.

When it comes to dry shampoo, many people are concerned about the inclusion of talc in a lot of products as talc containing asbestos is proven to be carcinogenic.

These are alongside the usual concerns of the effects using dry shampoo as it’s purpose is essentially to dry the grease off of your scalp and roots.

Lush can be seen as a higher-end brand, so if you’re not really willing to splash the cash or face the landslide of funny scented products, Cruelty-Free Kitty offers plenty of quick suggestions of popular brands that can be more affordable.

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Grub Guide: Token

Food

Token, located in the heart of the revamped Smithfield, is one one resteraunt that offers food, fun and an affordable price too, Sarah Moore writes. stairs that holds all the pinball machines and more seating. The bar is accessible, central to the venue and prices of drink were surprisingly good.

The staff could not be friendlier and more welcoming. The waitress who served us gave helpful advice on what to order on the menu. I felt there was enough staff to cater for a large number of people and they contributed to the fun environment fortifying the laid back trendy impression. We had booked a table in advance which was a good idea as there were others waiting when we arrived at our table (Friday evening).

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Lockers are provided as you enter to hold bags which made life just that little bit easier.

Disregarding the entire fun fair environment, the food alone speaks for the restaurant. Simple recipes such as burgers, chicken tenders and hot dogs place the American style menu on the pedestal of the Token. This said, there were plenty of vegan and vegetarian alternatives that our waitress had said she herself preferred over the other meat options. The food was delicious and integrated well with the entertainment as you could purchase your meal with tokens for the machines. It worked out about €20 for 20 tokens a meal, a side with a drink. I thought this deal with the tokens was great value for money, the only thing I would note is that the

Disregarding the entire fun fair environment, the food alone speaks for the restaurant.

Simple recipes such as burgers, chicken tenders and hot dogs place the American style menu on the pedestal of the Token

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niche restaurant able to cater for a various range of ages.

Token is located in the heart of the revamped Smithfield and is one of many restaurants that attributes to its new trendy reputation. Smithfield is very accessible with the Luas stop just outside, however it is a good bit up the quays from the city centre itself. The building itself could be mistaken for nothing with a slightly strange all-black exterior but it has enough visitors to be distinguished easily enough.

Token is an innovative form of restaurant bringing together food, a bar, and some nostalgic fun. The set up as you enter are arranged as rows of vintage, classic arcade games such as; Street Fighter, Pacman and Mario Cart. I had heard 100% positive feedback about Token since it opened last year encouraging me to go and experience it myself. The layout works well as you can see everyone playing the games while you enjoy food and a drink however it can be noted that there is a slightly cramped atmosphere especially when it gets busy with everyone shuffling around. There is a down-

machines eat up tokens very quickly with most games taking two for a one-person game and four to play with another.

Token encourages a very social ambiance creating opportunity to form new friendships. The overall aura is not distinct groups of friends but approachable people there willing to connect with others. This is where Token differentiates from other restaurants as there is no definite privacy border, people watch others playing as they wait their turn enabling conversations with strangers.

Ratings Location 7/10 Venue 8/10 Atmosphere 10/10 Value for Money 8/10 Food 9/10

Cooking in college: a guide for beginners

reshers’ week can be tough. A week spent partying, making friends and finding your way around college, means homecooked meals are often sacrificed in favour of time saving takeaways.

While Domino’s has come to the rescue of many a time poor student, takeaways are rarely nutritious or budget friendly.

So in order to save some pennies and prevent the onset of the dreaded ‘fresher’s 15’, we have compiled a list of websites that will cater to both the culinary novice and the certified foodie alike.

With dishes such as ‘Hot and Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles,’ Donalskehan.com will ensure you never again resort to that tub of Pot Noodles. The site contains recipes created for his ‘Meals in Minutes’ series with RTÉ. They usually take between 5 minutes and half an hour, to prepare cook and serve, so there is something there to suit every busy schedule.

Videos detailing the preparation 12 and cooking of each meal are also

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available online on the RTÉ player. If you’ve ever looked in your cupboard and not known how to make a single meal out of its contents, then Recipepuppy.com is the place for you.

Here, list of all ingredients can be uploaded and the site will generate a selection of recipes based on the foods you already have at home. This will save time and money on another trip to the shops.

For the health conscious student, who wants to experiment with lifestyles such as a ketogenic diet, Dietdoctor.com is a fantastic resource. The site allows you to choose from options such as vegetarian, dairy free or on a budget and can generate a weekly meal plan based on your preferences.

It automatically adjusts the ingredient quantities based on the amount of people you’re cooking for. This makes the recipes ideal for students who take turns cooking for their housemates. SpoonUniversity is a resource for college students that can be followed online, through their huge presence on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Their ‘cheap and healthy’ section, trumps almost all others in terms of creativity with dishes such as the pizza omelette coming in at less €1 per serving

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Just started college and don’t know how to cook ? In order to save some pennies and prevent the onset of the dreaded “freshers’ 15,” Aoife O’Brien has compiled a list of websites that will cater to both the culinary novice and the certified foodie alike.

They create videos and articles showcasing some of the most important do’s and don’ts in the kitchen. They also feature useful hacks for cooking when you don’t have conventional cooking methods and provide substitutes for making student favourites such as the Mac and Cheese burger, at home for less. BBCgoodfood.com is an extremely popular website for cooks at all stages of life. What makes it so useful for students, is that every recipe has a difficulty rating so that you can choose something suited to your ability.

Their ‘cheap and healthy’ section, trumps almost all others in terms of creativity with dishes such as the pizza omelette coming in at less €1 per serving. The site also has a feature that allows

you to choose a list of recipes and have all of the ingredients added to a shopping list. This can be accessed on your phone via their app and will help students avoid impulse buying in their first weeks of college.

Travel

Wanderlust in San Fran

The experience everyone talks about with fond memories of their sunny summers on the West Coast, from my experience it wasn’t always just as fond as I was told, however, it was still one of the best experiences of my life.

By Lorna Lawless

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he experience everyone talks about with fond memories of their sunny summers on the West Coast, from my experience it wasn’t always just as fond as I was told, however, it was still one of the best experiences of my life.

One thing I want to start off with saying is if your planning on going to San Francisco, expect it to be colder than the dream idea you have made up in your head of the Californian heat. It’s just not the case in San Francisco, it was probably hotter in Ireland this summer if we are all being honest with ourselves, but let me be clear it’s still worth going.

We all hear of these incredible stories of driving down the West Coast after working in a lovely ice cream shop job in the city, and having a nice bit of money in their back pocket. However, many people don’t talk about the hardships of getting these jobs in the first place to secure your visa and scraping together the money to get across that border. One fact you need to face before deciding to go on a J1 is yes this is a money racket, and yes sometimes these travel companies will rip you off but I promise it will be worth it. A piece of advice I would offer is, lots of your friends will be up for going now but when it comes to handing over the cash for this adventure-majority will pull out, so don’t let that stop you.

San Francisco is everything I didn’t expect but in the best way. The people are wonderfully vibrant who have a zest for life like no other. As soon as you arrive you will notice the diverse culture throughout different areas of the city. One thing you will immediately notice is

“ One fact you need

to face before deciding to go on a J1 is yes this is a money racket, and yes sometimes these travel companies will rip you off but I promise it will be worth it.

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the intensity of the homelessness crisis in the city. So if you are planning on living there for the summer, please

be prepared because these homeless people are taking high dosages of drugs and can be quite frightening. You would not think the government in San Francisco spends up to $250 million a year on homelessness yet the problem seems imminent, and it’s getting worse according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Luckily for J1er’s Berkeley is where everyone stays- I mean everyone you met in the Gaeltacht five years ago and even everyone you went to primary and secondary school with all end up in Berkeley-trust me. It is without a doubt the place to be when it comes to nightlife, socialising and meeting new people who are also doing J1’s. The

rent in Berkeley is realistically the only affordable rent in San Francisco anyway because the city prices are insane. Berkeley is a cute quaint town with loads of cool food spots and even better coffee shops where you can chill and chat with your mates The city is beautiful, there is so much culture that you nearly don’t have enough time to experience it all. China town in San Fran is just incredible, it is like walking into another universe.

At the end of this big section of the city, you get to North Beach, which is literally Italian pizza and pasta heaven. One solid recommendation I have in North Beach is ‘Calzone’s’ it’s a vibey Italian spot which is a small bit pricey, but worth it because the pizza is amazing. The cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge is possibly one of the coolest things you will ever experience its around €65 a head if you aren’t lucky enough to be working in one of the cycling places but honestly, it’s so worth it.

A few things that might help with your J1 experience if you’re thinking of doing one next year is always plan for the worst.

Easy said I know but when there were four of us with two cases each and all of our cases got lost for seven days, you need to have extra funds to buy some clothes for that week.

There will always be extra costs that you will never expect so always plan ahead. If you not thinking about a J1 now for next summer I highly recommend you do. There is a lot of documentation and sorting out between going to the American embassy, getting pictures done and finding a job it’s all full steam ahead so you need to be organised. Research beforehand will honestly make your life so much easier.

This experience is worth every penny and it’s something you may never be able to do if you don’t do it now. Of course everything isn’t sugar-coated for you but that’s all part of the experience. The places you get to go, the people you meet and the independence you feel makes all effort worth it.

In the end it’s so hard to leave and come back to reality but the life experience you gain you can’t put a price on.

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Travel

Romantic Ronda

There’s more to Spain than just Ibiza and Salou. For those looking for something a bit different, Ronda may be perfect.

By Brendan Fernando Kelly Palenque

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While Ronda is certainly not the largest city in Spain, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do. Ronda itself is split into two: the old town and the new town

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pain is a major student tourist destination, and for obvious reasons. The clubs, the sun, the sea, and the beaches can all make for a great holiday.

But believe it or not, there’s more to Spain than just Ibiza and Salou. For those looking for something a bit different, Ronda may be perfect.

Ronda is a mountaintop town, a bit bigger than Kilkenny, found in the south of Spain. Due to its high altitude, the humidity found elsewhere in southern Spain (such as in Alicante) is non-existent.The heat is far more bearable, and more importantly, enjoyable. However, those planning a summer trip should still bring as much suncream as possible, because skin cancer is no joke.

While Ronda is certainly not the largest city in Spain, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do. Ronda itself is split into two: the old town and the new town.

For history buffs there’s a lot see. It’s impossible to even discuss Ronda without mentioning el Puente Nuevo (the new bridge).It’s an architectural masterpiece that looks like something straight out of “The Lord of the Rings”. Interestingly enough, the 120m tall bridge did actually make a brief cameo in 2017’s “Wonder Woman”.

There’s a long pathway that leads to the bottom of the canyon for any adventurers out there. It’s not a walk for the faint of heart, and it’s recommended to go in the morning when the sun is at its weakest.

Alternatively, there’s also the far less physically strenuous task of seeing the world’s oldest bullring. It has a six-euro entry fee into its museum, which is very interesting and informative, regardless of the ethics of bullfighting itself.

The Arab Bathhouses, built during the Moorish control of Spain, could also make for an entertaining afternoon.

Entry is actually free after 3 pm on Thursdays.

Ronda is an ideal travel destination for couples. As 14 mentioned before, it’s a mountaintoptown. As such,

the views are absolutely picturesque. Take a walk through the park to see the view in their full glory. Combine that with the slew of white houses with terracotta rooves and who wouldn’t fall in love?

Beside the park is the Parador hotel, which is where buses typically stop. A cheat day to the beach is totally possible.

The blue sea found in Marbella is only about an hour and a half away. Alternatively, there are the various waterparks which can be found in neighbouring Benidorm, Fuengirola and Mijas.

Spain is also famous (or perhaps infamous) for always having at least one festival every day somewhere in the country. However, one of the biggest festivals celebrated throughout the country is Easter week.There’s a procession every day during the week, most of which are accompanied by a marching band.

The food is both delicious and also completely afforda-

ble. This is the place to try tapas, not some bougie restaurant in Dublin that overcharges for a rather small piece of food. Dinner could easily be bought in the vast majority of restaurants and tapas bars for less than €10.

Even possibly five euro depending on hunger levels. For anyone who isn’t the biggest fan of seafood, give it a go in Ronda. Southern Spain is famous for its fried fish, which is perhaps a lot more palatable to picky eaters. Of course, anyone not in the mood to be adventurous is free to check out the staples like McDonald’s and Burger King. However, those looking for something familiar should really check out Hola.

Hola is a Chinese restaurant, so they’ll be tons of dishes there that are also found in Ireland. However, most dishes will be slightly different than their Irish variety, so it’s a great middle the ground between the typical fastfood chain and some Spanish delicacy. The staff are all very accommodating, and the atmosphere is perfect for a quiet night. Plus it’s always airconditioned so actually chilling is a possibility.

There’s also the buffet, Wok, which only received opened. Entry is around 13 euro and they serve both traditional Spanish dishes and a variety of Asian cuisine.

The most expensive thing will easily be accommodation. While there are quite a few hotels - a couple of which have reasonable prices - most are high-end hotels which would be outside of the average student’s budget. There are plenty of affordable places on Airbnb though.

Do keep in mind that Ronda doesn’t have an airport, and as such a bus will have to be taken. Fly in from either Seville or Málaga airport. Go with whichever one is cheaper, as both are about around the same distance from Ronda.

Ronda is an ideal place for a romantic week-long holiday. That’s enough time to take in the sun and see more or less everything without getting bored.

Fashion

Turn simple into stylish in minutes

W

By Clara Kelly

ith college and cold weather around the corner, it’s time to revamp that winter wardrobe, with accessories that won’t break too heavily into that student budget.

There are a few key pieces that everyone should have in there winter wardrobe to take any basic outfit from drab to fab, especially when rushing to class. Accessories are the way to turn any outfit from simple to stylish in just a few easy steps.

The first and probably most quintessential accessory for this season is a statement belt. A good belt can do wonders for a simple outfit, a pair of baggy mom jeans and ill-fitting t-shirt suddenly becomes a winter staple by simply adding a fun belt. And it doesn’t have to break the bank either, with good dupes of designer belts available in nearly every high street store for usually no more than €15 euro. Think bold gold and black leather when looking for belts that will bring new life to any outfit.

Another cheap accessory that has the power to make any outfit look instantly better is a new bag. And with classes starting, now is the perfect time to purchase a new bag and fashionable doesn’t always have to mean unaffordable, with so many variations of bags on trend this season, it’s hard to miss the mark. From the bumbags we saw popularised through summer looking set to stay and cool backpacks and handbags readily available in your local Penneys, some for less than the cost of your next drink at ‘Shite Night’.

If you’re really feeling creative, you could make your outfit stand out with statement jewellery, think faux gold, layered chains and rings that we’ve already seen a lot of this season, and if they happen to coordinate with the bag and belt, even better. You can pick up some adorable and affordable ones in most places, especially ‘new look’ which has some great ones for only seven euro.

With Ireland’s unpredictable weather and the inevitable cold snap looming, jackets are going to be not only important to keep warm but to also look good while doing it.

A coat can make any boring outfit better in seconds and is the perfect way to jazz up your winter wardrobe. From big furry showstoppers to the denim ,bubble and leather jackets that look good with any outfit, a fabulous coat is the only sure fire way to have you looking and feeling hot, all winter long. You can find practically any option in stores such as Penneys, New Look or River Island at relatively affordable prices depending on how much you’re willing to spend.

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You can get some fantastic dupes of these designer shoes in places like ‘zara’ or online stores like ‘fashion nova’ or ‘pretty little thing’ without shelling out the extreme amounts of cash for some Balenciagas that will ultimately be swapped out for a new trend in a mere few months time.

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Accessories are the way to turn any outfit from simple to stylish in just a few easy

Although they might be a bit on the more expensive side of this list of accessories, a quality coat not only lasts ages but is also a quality investment that will have you looking chic all season.

A funky hat is always an amazing idea, and the perfect way to jazz up an outfit without spending a fortune, you could get a fun patterned hat on the high street or a vintage option, either one for less than a tenner in most

shops. Whether you’re looking for a basic wooly hat, cap, bucket hat or beret, hats are not only a big trend this season but always look fantastic. They are the perfect way to add something simple to an outfit to keep you toasty this season without having to break the bank.

Shoes, right now it’s all about the shoes, most young people now are willing to spend a lot to keep on top of the latest shoe trends, and although some stylish runners definitely add a lot to an outfit . You can get some fantastic dupes of these designer shoes in places like Zara or online stores like Fashion Nova or Pretty Little Thing without shelling out the extreme amounts of cash for some Balenciagas that will ultimately be swapped out for a new trend in a mere few months time. When budgeting as a student, but still wanting to look on trend, a Topshop dupe is expensive enough as is, although definitely worth the splurge to keep your college outfits comfortable and glam.

The final low budget accessories that jazz up even the most simplistic of outfits, are scarves and gloves.

With storm season already starting cute gloves, scarves and hats are the easiest way to not only stay warm but look both cosy and cute while doing it. You can stay away from the basic wooly variation and try some leather, material or colour variations to add that little extra something too and can also be found all over the high streets.

With affordable price tags and chic design, accessories are the key to keeping your wardrobe looking fun and fresh all season.

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EXPOSURE

Reflection: September evening sunset. Credit: Katie O’Flaherty

River bank: Fast-moving river coursing through Glendalough. Credit: Mikey Walsh Turning over a new leaf. Credit: Alison Clair

Crunch: A leaf-covered Albert College Park. Credit: Gabija Gataveckaite

The long road: DCU Avenue welcomes new and returning students for another year. Credit: Alison Clair

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