ISSUE 1420 | APR 5, 2019
THE
RUSH TO THE SLUSH
ECHO
FREE WEEKLY GUIDE TO VAL D’ISERE
M A G A Z I N E
DICKS TEA BAR SUPPORT SNOW-CAMP
NORMAN JAY MBE: INTERVIEW
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COVER ART By Lauren Cook Interview: Page 10
PROUDLY PRESENTED BY THE FOLIE DOUCE ART PROJECT Each week, the front cover of The Echo is going to be a different artwork produced by mostly local artists, but also several from further afield. This project is being very generously supported by La Folie Douce, whose contribution is allowing the artists to be paid ahead of time for their work, as both Folie and The Echo firmly believe in paying people for their skills.
If you’re interested in drawing/painting/ collaging/ creating something in whatever medium takes your fancy, please get in touch by emailing contact@valecho.co.uk and we can discuss. Equally, if you’re interested in writing for the magazine or have ideas for a feature, drop us a line. At the end of the season, the plan is to
We want to encourage a community of creators and give people a space to use their talents, even if whilst out here, many are taking a break from “regular life”. Prints of the artwork are available to purchase on The Echo website, www. valecho.co.uk/shop, with profits going to the artists.
hold an exhibition of all The Echo covers from the winter, and again Folie Douce is supporting this endeavour, as it fits with their creative vision. We can’t wait to see what the artists come up with each week and look forward to talking to them about their work and life in or out of the mountains.
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CONT ENTS
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Echo Publications CCK Intergalactic Ltd
www.valecho.co.uk contact@valecho.co.uk Please recycle the magazine once you have read it. Or, better still, hand it on to someone else. Contributors: Sam Box, Ben Pryor, Caitlin Kennedy
06 RESORT GUIDE
35 SNOW-CAMP x DICKS The end of Season Mad as a Hatter Planks x Dicks supports the charity Snowcamp. Here’s what they do
42 EVENT GUIDE What’s on this week: - Town events - Bar nights - Sporting competitions
45 NORMAN JAY MBE Ahead of his highly anticipated slot on the stage of the Monoski afterparty, we chatted with the ever popular British DJ
The down-low on everything from the best restaurants to the numbers to call in an emergency
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SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST
p o w e r e d
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We chat to Lauren Cook, the designer of this week’s cover art. The Echo’s cover is generously sponsored by La Folie Douce
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RUSH TO THE SLUSH How to make use of your lift pass when the skiing is sub-optimal
18 OUT OF THE BUBBLE A satirical spin on the week’s events from further afield than the Espace Killy
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SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST
Artist: Lauren Cook
I’m working towards a research Masters in 10 Biodiversity, Evolution and Conservation at UCL. I’m doing a project at the ZSL (London Zoo) which has meant watching loads of videos of the deep sea in Greenland to see what’s down there (lots of mud… and herds of anemones). Next term I’m working at the Natural History Museum in the DNA labs trying to find invasive species in UK waters. Did you do much art whilst you were out here? When I was doing child care I used to paint for the wall decorations in the nursery, but when I was cooking in the chalet I didn’t have much time! I wanted to spend all of my free time on the mountain.
What was your most memorable marmot moment in Val D? Sitting on the lift from Tignes back over to Val (think it was Fresse) on a really sunny spring day and spotting 14. Those guys are damn cute. You paint very colourfully- tell us about your use of colour in your cover. I feel like mountain and ocean colours are the most relaxing. I didn’t change the colour of the mountains too much from the original photo- it’s already so beautiful! I read something when I was about 10 which stuck with me in “All American Girl” by Meg Cabot. The main character was taking an art class and drawing an egg in the middle of the room. The trap was to see the egg as just white. When you look more closely you can see all the colours from the reflections of the things around it. - I got into the habit of doing this and so whenever I draw or paint it always comes out much more colourfully than I expect it to!
From your Instagram, you seem to be drawn towards portraiture. What do you find most interesting about it? I guess I find facial expressions really interesting. I like how they have a narrative and show the character in both humans and animals. Sam’s question: if you owned a pet marmot what would you call it? Grandma. Excellent answer! Your bro contributed to this a little I believe. Do you guys work together much? Yes we do! He edited this cover. Liam’s a super talented arty-adventure-film-makerclimber-guy so I love being involved in whatever cool stuff he’s doing. We have big plans for a show about animals and adventures. You can see some of his work on his instagram page- liam_cook_photos.
Where can we find more of your work and what’s next on your artistic horizons? I put most of my work on my art Instagramlaurens_colours. I’m working on some artwork If you could meet any artist living or alive, as a tool to communicate about science! If who would it be? people can understand climate change and Wes Anderson. His films have such a cool style and the animations are so creative, funny conservation issues better through simple visuals then it’ll go miles to changing habits and well designed. and informing policy. Anything to save those What are you studying now? turtles, am I right?
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PLANKS PHOTO COMPETITION
Each week the winner of the Planks Photo Competition wins themselves a Planks beanie from the flagship store in town. Prize must be collected within a week of winning. This week’s winner: Lindsay Smith Enter at www.valecho.co.uk/competitions
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OUT OF THE BUBBLE
By Ben Pryor Another week, another round of indicative votes, another failure to agree an alternative plan to the Chequered Brexit. Some protestors appeared to misread the sign to the public gallery, staging a semi-naked climate change protest during the debate and Supergluing their hands to the plastic screens; nothing like using a hydrocarbon-based adhesive to affix yourself to a hydrocarbon-based screen to make a point about global warming; the only thing abundantly clear was, like MPs, it was difficult to figure which one was the Norway model. Conservative
16 MP Nick Boles resigned after his ‘Common Market 2.0’ plan was rejected, claiming to have failed ‘chiefly because my party refuses to compromise’; couching becoming a non-voting EU member with a nostalgic 70s title and software nomenclature was less likely to work than Windows 2.0. MPs attempted to schedule a third round for Monday, but the motion ended up tied, giving Europhile Speaker John Bercow the casting vote. He surprisingly voted against; has this really been going on long enough for even him to be sick of the sound of his own voice?!? Before Theresa gonebyMay prepares to re-heat her festering bedsore of a deal, she met the Jeremy for talks to try and agree a way forward, with the relative repellence of appeasing Labour or the DUP/ERG running
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neck and neck. While this discussion took place, pro-Remain MPs rammed through a law obligating the PM to seek an article 50 extension to try and prevent a no-deal Brexit, which passed by one vote. Labour’s plans involve a new customs union to replace the existing customs union, with the UK leaving the bloc but still having a say when the EU strikes trade deals. They say their policy can’t be ruled out until they’ve had a chance to negotiate it with the EU; should take about the time Donald Tusk requires to post a unicorn drowning in cherries on Instagram. A woman who pleasured herself on the Tube claims she was ‘itching a rash’; if she was doing the former, chances are she has the latter. A Detroit man accidentally shot himself after he threw his shoe at a cockroach, in an attempt to squash it, and
a gun in it fell out and fired; you know your country has a gun problem when people forget they’re using their spare guns as shoe trees. Two men in Arkansas were arrested for aggravated assault after shooting each other while taking turns wearing a bulletproof vest; you know your country has a gun problem, oh what’s the use?!? A mother was left shocked after her son’s attempt to write ‘cute’ in her Mother’s Day card went as badly wrong as it possibly could; don’t worry Diane, I’m sure it was an honest mistake. And finally, researchers in the Netherlands claim that regularly swallowing your partner’s semen could prevent miscarriage; that’s definitely one way to stop it getting to the ovaries. Until next week, I’m off to write to my local MP to call him a stupid cute.
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SEASONAIRE OF THE WEEK Will Roderick
always make me laugh. He is good to have around that’s for sure.
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How has this season in Val different to your last? Last time I was a fresh faced 18 year old on €250 a month, not really sure how I survived. I definitely prefer this year and got to know a much wider range of people rather than those in my company. It helps being older and some would say wiser but I am not so sure about the latter. Who’s were the girls shoes that I found in the apartment the other morning? They are Henry Hazel’s that I am borrowing.
It’s been an interesting season sharing a flat with you. How many times have you nearly set the gaff on fire with your drunk cooking escapades? I think it is three now. The first time wasn’t too bad but of course the second time you found the whole room full of smoke. The third occasion, my friend performed your duties and recovered the black chicken nuggets from the oven, practically saving our lives. I count more than that but those were certainly the worst. How good are you at skiing? I don’t know, better than Hamish Renwick. How are you on the monoski? I need a few days more practise. Monopucé though (rip), was probably the most fun and most outrageous thing I have done all season, who knew a monoblade could rip so hard. It is actually very sad that she is gone. Who is the funniest person in resort? The person that makes me laugh the most is Joe Beck. No matter what he does, no matter how disgusting or ridiculous, he will
You have been slated in The Echo multiple times for missing your own guiding session Christmas present, would you care to give your side of the story? My family were out while the rugby was on and my Dad is also a hardcore Wales supporter. He was buying the beers so I was having a big one. Henry is also Welsh and we were chopping them back - it was actually the start of our close bond. I went to bed at 7am with a ton of alarms set but they couldn’t wake me, nor could people slapping me in the face apparently. How did you look so good in your Shit Disco outfit? We were raiding Hamish’s dress-up cupboard and for some reason the white Indian top with the multicoloured armband and Freddie Flintstone fur headband just seemed to work. I felt almost too natural in it. You have claimed to be in love multiple times over the season but never shacked up, which was your biggest failed conquest? All of them. I still love you… Tell us about the hill to get home.
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taking people home before. If you were anywhere other than Val D, it wouldn’t be an issue. However, most people seem to be two minutes away from the centre whereas we have a steep icy hill to conquer. It’s doable at best. It really is brutal. Tell us about ‘the big one’. Oooooft. I was going down into Le Brev, maybe trying to impress a bit. I went over a roller and landed on sheet ice then fell, did a few rolls and got concussion. The next day, still concussed I got sinusitis and a stomach bug, the following 48 hours were not pretty. Highlight of the season? Meeting a great bunch of skiers. Plus, everyone has been class; I really couldn’t ask for a better group of people to do a season with.
vvv
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OFF PISTE SNOW REPORT Brought to you by Henry’s Avalanche Talk www.henrysavalanchetalk.com
Briefly back to winter, then here there and everywhere! Spring is all about mixed weather, often cloudy and showery, with some sunshine thrown in too. That’s exactly what the week ahead will bring. Following a snowstorm on Wednesday/Thursday, we’ll be seeing a couple of sunny days, and plenty of blustery April showers too. We recommend always getting out there, and seeing what you can find – you may be pleasantly surprised!
varied a lot depending on where you were, e.g. the foothills near Chambéry received about 50 cm of fresh snow, but only 5-10 cm in the Haute Tarentaise (e.g. Val d’Isere).
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Any areas that received (or will receive next week) significant snowfall of more than 20 cm will have direct action avalanche issues, both during and in the 24 to 36 hours after the snowfall. We could see some very large natural snow slides in this period, which could also be triggered by skiers passing by. In terms of underlying instability (weak layers in the snowpack), this will be an issue in shaded places (e.g. high north facing slopes) and perhaps other areas. This is usual after a long period of clear days and nights, as we’ve had for the last 10 days or so.
Off-piste weather forecast for 6th April to 13th April SATURDAY 6 Off-Piste Snow & Weather Forecast 4th Partially sunny, slightly warmer in the to 13th April afternoon (17 ° C to 1000 m, 8 ° C to 2000 Eking out the spring snow skiing. Wayne m). The weak clouds dissipate partially in Watson photo the morning, then resume at midday and After 3 weeks of little or no fresh snow, increase a little in the afternoon. off-piste conditions earlier this week had become mixed, with very hard icy snow for In the afternoon, some cloud cover, hanging the high mountains, crosses the the first hour or so skiing. We often found ourselves using ‘couteaux’ (ski crampons) to West of Savoy and then parked on the give us more grip and confidence on those summits, giving small ripples scattered in the late afternoon and evening. Some first icy traverses of the day to (hopefully) snowflakes above 1900 m at the end of finding better ‘spring’ snow, as in Wayne’s the day, before going down again, locally photo. until 1300 m at the end of the night on the Prealps; above 2100 m, less than 15 We’re now back to winter for a couple of cm is expected. Wind at 2500 m: SE at days. Fresh snowfall is great for off-piste skiing, opening up more options on where East during the day 10-50 km / h, SE at NE we can go, and there could be more next week. The storm between Wednesday and Thursday, brought anything from 5 to 50 cm of snow, accompanied by strong southerly-ish wind. How much snow fell
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at night 5-20 km / h. Wind at 3500 m: SSE at South during the day 4080 then 20-40 km / h, SE at night 20-40 km / h. Foehn and Lombarde blow even harder in the morning, then weaken in the afternoon, and persist at night. At 1500-2000 m on the Prealps, the wind remains more or less weak, trend SE to SW to West during the day, then NE at the end of the night.
WEDNESDAY 10 and THURSDAY 11 The cold air softens a little on the South of the country Thursday. The wind at altitude has a western tendency. Wednesday, clearings, and frequent showers sometimes stormy. Thursday, clearings, showers become more scattered. The temperatures become a little less mild in the afternoon. The snow can fall temporarily below 1400 m.
SUNDAY 7 Partly sunny, a little less mild in the afternoon. The cloud cover and its showers move away in Dauphine in the morning, leaving cloudy residues especially below 2000-2500 m, which evolve into Cumulus. In the afternoon, these Cumulus become larger and give a few showers especially on the West of Savoy. At night, they spread out in the sea of clouds which gradually falls below 1500 m at the end of the night, and the showers are gradually becoming scarce and then disappear. The snowflakes above 1700 m on the Prealps; higher, we wait less than 15 cm on the West of Savoy. Wind at 3500 m: SE then ENE day 30-50 then 20-40 km / h, East then NE at night 30-40 then 10 km / h.
FRIDAY 12 and SATURDAY 13 The warming continues in altitude, in a weak current of WSW which brings us clouds and temporary rains, with a little sun. Temperatures warmer in the afternoon. The snow can fall temporarily below 1400 m.
MONDAY 8 and TUESDAY 9 The cold Atlantic air extends over the country. The wind at altitude takes a SW trend. Monday, sunnier; the cloudy residues in the morning, evolve in Cumulus on the massifs; Cloudy degradation in the night, with some showers. Tuesday, partly sunny; the showers in the morning, can be stormy in the afternoon with gusts of wind. Temperatures a little softer in the afternoon. Isotherm 0 ° C is low again It is snowing above 1500 m.
Tip of the week Continue to follow our tips above to find the best spring snow skiing.
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Elysées wearing ‘gilets jaunes’ in protest. Macron’s comment, ‘You cannot be pro-environment on Monday and when Tuesday comes be against rising fuel prices’ is the kind of irrefutable logic which goes down like a fish milkshake with opponents, but should be deployed against those decrying Amazon and Google for tax evasion who wouldn’t forego a free internet search for the cheapest online deal in a month of Sundays. Indonesia has launched a ‘heresy app’ to report anyone practicing ‘unorthodox interpretations’ of its recognised religions; well, pass my lover a bacon sandwich. A teenager matched with his sister on Tinder; yes, that does mean they both swiped right and yes they do live in the US. PETA has demanded the village of Wool, derived from the Anglo-Saxon ‘welle’ meaning a water spring, change its name to Vegan Wool be-
cause it ‘promotes cruelty’; same could be said of their abuse of the English language. US Coast Guard reported a giant turtle, enmeshed in a rope holding 800Kg of cocaine worth £41m; bet it was Donatello. A former Miss Moscow, 25, has married Malaysia’s King Muhammad V, 49, after converting to Islam and taking the name Rihana; better hope that heresy app doesn’t get rolled out across the region. And finally, Poundland’s Christmas advert has come under fire for mocking Elton John’s advert for John Lewis, depicting one elf orally relieving another sat on top of his piano; wonder if he was singing ‘Can you Feel the Love Tonight’. Until next week, I’m off to drink from a woolly spring.
End of sea son Touring se Ski ssions running w eeks of 22nd Apr il, 29th April valdisere@ tdcski.com
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RUSH TO THE SLUSH Of course, we have just been blessed with a much needed fall of snow. However, it is unlikely to last with the impending weather. When the snow is sub-optimal, it can be uninspiring to get out on the mountain even if you want to make the most of your lift pass. What can you do to maximise your riding time at the end of the season? The obvious choice is to switch to the dark side, whichever that me be for you. Strapping on a snowboard if you are a skier can turn the same old run you have been skiing all season into a whole new experience. I am sure it is the same the other way round too. It is definitely worth giving it a go, you never know, you may fall in love…if you were originally a snowboarder. If you look up you will often see those lucky few who manage to leave the struggle that us normies experience on the ground. However, speed riding is likely more accessible than you think. One option is to be strapped to a French man’s lap and let him do all the work (with the parachute). Alternatively, you can take a three day course, get your own kit and fly about on your own which sounds utterly splendid. Been cramming in a little much charcuterie over the season? Need to work off that chalet arse? It’s time to earn your turns. More or less anyone who has toured will tell you at length how fun it is and they
aren’t lying. You don’t need masses of expensive kit and you don’t have to go too far. Sometimes it’s nice getting a little off the beaten track whilst shedding some calories on the way before stopping for a picnic. I recommend two baguettes filled with cheese and salami with an assortment of chocolate for dessert. I don’t blade (HONESTLY), but you should get blades if only for a Jerry day out. You need at least one of these days per season to return to your roots. Additionally, there are few feelings more liberating than not unclipping to get on Olympique. If you can’t get blades, get a snow scooter or something; as long as you look like a twat and are falling a lot, you are going to have fun and stay humble. I don’t know if we have mentioned monoskiing at all in the last few editions of The Echo so let me enlighten you: monoskiing is absolutely tits. If not in practise for the Monoski World
Championships (did you know it’s on the 10th of April), you should get one out any way and have a rip around. It is all in the hips so if your pelvis hasn’t seen much action this season, this will change instantly. If it has though, you are going to slay those slopes. Warning: Only monoski if you are ready for people to shout from lifts about how rad you are.
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aged 13-21, across the UK. We 38 DICKS TB SUPPORT people, work directly with youth projects and service providers to ensure that we SNOWCAMP youth are working with those who are most in need On the 9th of April, Dicks Tea Bar and Planks are hosting the Mad Hatter’s Psychedelic Tea Party featuring residents Megan and Marshall with the addition of Big Dog Jim of Planks! Tickets are for sale on the door for €10, 100% of which is going to Snow-Camp. Here’s their statement:
of our support. The young might be failing in school, or have dropped out altogether, they might have committed juvenile crimes and now struggle to find employment, or they’re on a negative life-path and need support to change their direction. They could also, simply, just need someone to believe in them.”
“Our mission is to engage inner-city young people through snowsports to provide life skills training, nationally recognised qualifications and work experience to increase their motivations and aspirations, enabling them to gain employment in the snowsports industry and beyond.”
The charity also provides opportunities for those that have completed the programmes through volunteering and work placements within the The Snow-Camp Youth Forum (SCYF). Members of the SCYF represent the charity at industry shows and festivals. They can also use their new qualifications to coach up and coming members through the programs.
From week long courses on dry ski slopes in the UK all the way up to mountains based training to complete their BASI 1, Snow-Camp mentors are often role models to young people, opening up a door to them that may otherwise have remained firmly shut. “Snow-Camp work with a range of young
In the current day, youth funding is seeing huge cuts across the UK. Last year, SnowCamp supported over 800 youths which is only possible due to donations. The fact that Dicks are donating all profits on the door will really help make a difference to this truly worthwhile charity.
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7TH
6TH
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Victors - Seasonaire Saturdays. Tacos & Tequila.
Le Hibou - Pancakes: 1 for €4.50 or 3 for €12
Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: The Blazin’ Strings
Bananas - Disco/Funk/House Night w B2B DJs Rob & Oscar
Le Lodge - DJ K2 11:30pm-1:30am Saloon - Beer pong 15€ 22-24h Arctic - Seasonaire Wknd Breakfast: Superfood Quinoa & Oat Porridge Pot plus a Latté for 8€
Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Hobo Chic Blue Note - Cheap Cocktails. 22h-23.30h Petit Danois - DJ PSD 10pm Saloon - Live Music w Big Mountain 17h
Petit Danois - DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm
Moris - Toss the Boss
Next Bar - Michouze (trance music)
Next Bar- DJ Azrel + guest (techno)
Doudoune- Vintage Fever by Kelian Marques
Dick’s Tea Bar - Dirty Sunday hosted by Marshall (RnB and Hip Hop)
Dick’s Tea Bar- Industry Night Hosted by Megan (Glitterbox and House)
Doudoune- Lagom Groovy by Harry Wanne
10TH Arctic - Midweek Refuel: Sandwich/Salad plus a latté for 10€, swap the coffee for juice for 2€ La Folie Douce - WTF Weekly costume party Cocorico- Après Ski Live Music: Les Lunettes Le Hibou - Wings Wednesday! Only 50c a wing Saloon - 3€ JOSS or 10 for 25€ MONOSKI - Mad fun competition at the Snowpark with afterparty on the Snowfront Petit Danois - DJ PSD 10pm Next Bar - soirée tunning (techno oldschool) Moris - Live Music: Apres- Mardy Johnny Depps 20.00. Evening- Maps 23.00
Cocorico - Après Live M
Arctic - Midweek Refue latté for 10€, swap the c
Hibou - Live Music with and DJ from 10pm
Victors -Hip Hop Thur Saloon- Heads or tails FREE/ DJ RICH RAZE Petit Danois - DJ Jack
Moris - Live Music: Frea
Doudoune - Hip Hop Urban by Kevin Delmix
Doudoune - Ladies Ni
Dick’s Tea Bar - After Dinner Club with Pocket Size Dave and Sophia Landgren on Violin
Dick’s Tea Bar - Luna T Spielmann
COCORICO - 2-4pm Happy Hour, Live Music every day from BLUE NOTE - Happy Hour with Hot Gin and Nibbles from 3 to 6pm FALL LINE - Happy Hour 3-5pm. BBQs in the sunshine PETIT DANOIS - Happy Hour 2 for 1 on Beers and Drinks 4-5pm & 9-10pm. BANANAS - Seasonaire Menu: 3 Courses and a beer/wine/soft drink for €20 Happy Hours 18.30-19.30 and 22.30 SALOON - 3-6pm Happy Hour 2 for 1 on beer wine and more.
8TH
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9TH
La Folie Douce - Discopolis
Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Dominos
Arctic - Juice Pump - Do 30 Push Ups and get 50% off Juice or Coffee
Bananas - House & Tech night DJ Max Leaver
Cocorico- Après Ski Live Music: Freak Boutique Saloon - BINGO! Free to play- win great prizes! Vie Val d’Is - Weekly Language Exchange. Free French lesson for VVD card holders at 8pm Petit Danois - Live Music with Mullit and the Machine 5.30pm, DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm
Arctic - Tag Us Tuesday: Share your Arctic experience in a post/story and get a free juice shot.
Petit Danois - DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm Victors - Funky Tuesdays with DJ Joblime Saloon - 12€ Headf*ckers
Dick’s Tea Bar - Residents Megan and Marshall (Deep House)
Moris - Live Music: Apres- Daisy & Tom 17.30
Next Bar - Missah & Weedo (ragga/jungle/rub a dub)
Doudoune- Ed Solo Guest DJ by Phil Garner
Doudoune - Crazy Monday by Kevin Delmix
11TH
Dick’s Tea Bar - Techno Tuesday w Residents Megan and Marshall
12TH
Music: Freak Boutique
Cocorico - Après Ski Live Music: Queens of the Snow Stage
el: Sandwich/Salad plus a coffee for juice for 2€
Petit Danois - Live Music with Karen and Andreas 5.30pm, DJ Jack Igglesden 10pm
h Sophia on the violin Moris - Live Music: Les Lunettes 23.00
rsdays with DJ Wanne – win your round for
Saloon - Open decks w That DJayG
Igglesden 10pm
Next Bar- rum&bass vol2 (digital reggae/dub/ glitch hop/bass house/jungle)
ak Boutique 23.00
Doudoune- Clubbing Night by Kevin Delmix
ight by Kelian Marques
Dicks Tea Bar - After Dinner Club w Pocket Size Dave accompanied by Sophia Landgren on Violin.
Thursday w Nicolas
UNDERGROUND - Après Ski Tapas from 5pm LE PETIT CUISINE - Daily 12 - 3pm - Seasonaire Meal Deal VICTORS - Cocktail Hour 9-11pm LE LODGE - Happy Hour 4:30-7:30pm €4 large beer TDC End of season Ski Touring sessions running weeks of 22nd April, 29th April http://www.tdcski.com/val_disere/off_piste_valdisere/ski_touring.php Options for staff - contact the office valdisere@tdcski.com or call +33615553156
NORMAN JAY MBE
Norman Jay MBE is the Godfather of the Club Scene in the UK having started his career at the époque of DJing. Together with his brother, he helped to transform Notting Hill Carnival into the massive cultural celebration it is today through his self-made Good Times Soundsystem. Norman was one of a number of disrupters who transformed the landscape of radio in the 80s, starting the then pirate radio station Kiss FM. These pioneers eschewed the mainstay of radio that refused to play black music in the form of soul, reggae, funk and groove and decided to start broadcasting themselves. These exciting new stations were
42 not licensed and so a battle ensued, with the authorities doing everything in their power to keep stations like Kiss FM from the airways. Aerials were constantly being torn down and erected back up in a cat-and-mouse chase. Eventually, the government had to back down due to the hundreds of stations springing up, and Kiss FM was granted a license. Norman Jay MBE was pivotal in this movement, playing music by black artists that no one else was touching at the time. After years organising parties and being an integral part of the British music scene for decades, he was awarded an MBE, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, by the Queen for services to music, an honour rarely bestowed on DJs. We spoke to him ahead of his highly anticipated slot on the Monoski Afterparty stage: We’ve seen you play at the Ronnie in Meribel and it was by far and away the best day of the season. How do you find the vibe there? Well it’s incredible, such a phenomenal
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atmosphere. Normally when I play there, I I’ve been in Australia and New Zealand on tour for two months, so the cold and the altitude is a bit of a shock to the system when you’re used to T-shirts and flipflops. I’m usually straight in and straight out of the resort so it is quite intense. Year on year, it gets lifted to another level. What was the first place you used to buy music and where do you get hold of new music these days? The first place was an old shop that’s gone down, called Contempo on Hanway Street in Central London, round the corner from Tottenham Court Road Tube Station. It’s no longer there, as with all the original record shops, which is a shame because its London’s cultural musical heritage. Latterly, all through the 80s, 90s, 00s, I bought records in Soho, in the square mile, where all the record shops were clustered. These days, I don’t play that much new music when I’m DJing. I keep abreast of it, but I have such a vast knowledge of the evolution of dance music so I draw more on that. And you still do radio work right? I’ve heard a few shows you’ve done with Gilles Peterson. Yeah, we have similar overlapping tastes. However, what I play on the radio differs a lot from what I play live. In a gig, I play stuff to give kids energy, stuff that they can dance to. On the radio, it’s a bit more varied, you can flex your knowledge a bit and show your appreciation of other styles. I do radio now because it soothes me to do it. I wouldn’t want to do it every week and for it to get monotonous though. I’m happy to have an occasional guest slot on Radio 1 or Radio 6. It’s a fantastic medium but there’s a lot of regulation on the BBC which I find tough coming from a pirate radio background. I have an association with Soho radio which is a bit freer. It’s is a great internet radio station that I do shows on from time to time. But I’m a live DJ first and foremost as I much prefer to play live.
When you’re outside at one with nature and the elements, it’s unrivalled. Completely agree. Is there a gig that changed your life in your career as a DJ? Well all roads lead back to Notting Hill Carnival for me because it was my original platform. I learnt so much there. I’m old enough to remember when black DJs just didn’t get hired back in the UK, so you had to create your own scene and opportunities, which is what I did and the rest is history. What’s the most bizarre gig you’ve ever played? I’ve done a few… I remember playing in the Brixton Academy one Halloween and they mocked up a cemetery. I played out of a coffin, full of Earth and headstones and everything. Wow, that sounds amazing! Do you have any hidden talents? I read somewhere about your penchant for roller skating? Ah yes, I used to roller skate and roller dance many years ago. I roller skated a lot all over London. So I think I actually could have been quite good at skiing but it never really happened. Nowadays I admire from afar the inline skating rides that swarm the bridges of London; they look fantastic. You’re a massive record collector. How is your record collection organised and how do you go about selecting tracks to play? Well I haven’t needed to do that from the vinyl collection for many years as I do my sets digitally now. But my collection is like my music library, just like a collection of books. There’s a method to the madness. I know where everything is even though it’s not in order. Do you prefer playing home or away? Definitely home. I love playing in the UK. Not just London; all over the UK, because it is still the acknowledged centre of club culture. We’ve got a long history of it going back to 50s. That’s why my gig at the Ronnie really works. Most of the kids there are British kids and they create an unrivalled level of excitement.
Do you prefer to play in club settings or festivals? Festivals! Festivals all the way. Before I ever started playing in clubs I was playing outside Well we can’t wait to see you on stage on April 10th. at Notting Hill Carnival. Nothing can match playing under the sun or under the stars.
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TALK OF THE TOWN The Blue Runway
On Thursday night we held the first annual Monoski Catwalk in Blue Note. Never before has Val been blessed with such sass, style and mono spirit. Big thank you to everyone who got involved, it was a seriously fun night! Special shout out to Matt France for not only hosting the event, but also getting fully involved, even shaving his beard off to leave a glorious 80s tash. Find the photo on page 13.
Obituary
Gardines
The morning after Shit Disco, some footage emerged of a 7am apres Doudoune session where about 30 people appeared to be crammed into tiny seasonaire room in a well known establishment. The only thing preventing it from being utterly tragic was the unexpected presence of the one and only Phil Garner!
With Thanks
With only one more Echo to go this season, we can’t help but wonder where time has gone. We are starting to reflect on the amazing season it has been and all the fantastic people that have worked with us to produce the magazine along the way. We can’t not mention the wonderful Carrie Rolls who has helped in all manner of ways! Thank
It is with a heavy heart that we break the news of the tragic passing of Monopucé. you and Happy Birthday, Carrie! This monoski-blade held a special place in all of our hearts and was an absolute weapon. Despite only lasting 3/4 of a day before a rear binding ripped out, she will be greatly missed and never forgotten. James from Snowberry provided us with a profound and heartfelt quote that really resonates with everyone that knew her - “You smashed the Pucé too hard”.
Make This Man Famous
In our artist interview with the incredibly talented Sam Kay two weeks ago, he was pondering the idea of starting an Instagram for his illustration work. After the huge amount of positive feedback he had regarding his cover, he has now created @badbooksillustration on Insta. When you have finished reading The Echo, go follow him!
SPORT Shown at Le Petit Danois and Moris Pub:
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FOOTBALL
Wednesday 10th April Man Utd v Barcelona 9pm
Saturday 6th April Newcastle v Crystal Palace 4pm Man City v Brighton 6.30pm
Thursday 11th April Arsenal v Napoli 9pm Slavia Prague v Chelsea 9pm
Sunday 7th April Everton v Arsenal 1.30pm Watford v Wolves 5pm PSG vs Strasbourg 2100 (Moris)
Friday 12th April Leicester v Newcastle 9pm
Monday 8th April Chelsea v West Ham 9pm
The Moris will also be showing coverage of US Masters Golf from Augusta, throughout the week Thursday – Sunday
Sport also shown at The Fall Line, Blue Note and Le Hibou.
SEPARATED AT BIRTH
Wilkie - Surefoot
Garth Algar - Wayne’s World
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