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Year: 2013

Top 5 Christmas Beauty Gifts

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1. Bobbi Brown Date Night Palette

Bobbi Brown packs eyeshadow, lipstick and gloss into a cute compact perfect for putting into a clutch bag in case you need to retouch your makeup on the go.


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2. Mac Stroke of Night Face Palette: Cool

This beautiful art-deco style compact contains a perfect selection of MAC eyeshadow, lipstick and powder.

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3. Benefit Groovy Kinda Love Set 

Incorporating some of Benefit’s most loved products, this is a great way to try out lots of different products yourself, or to introduce someone else to Benefit!


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4. NARS Limited Edition Guy Bourdin Gifting Lip Set

We love NARS, and we love the range of colours in this limited set. Presented in a unique lip shaped case, this is a perfect gift!

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5. Alexa for Eyeko Limited Edition Set

Perfect Alexa’s 60’s style eye makeup with her exclusive collaboration with Eyeko.

Santa’s on a budget

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Limited edition Carmex at Selfridges £3.99
Surprise someone with this illustrated edition of a year-round staple.

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Cath Kidston Little Birds Pocket Mirror at ASOS, £3
Cute and practical, this tiny mirror is perfect for a handbag.

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Natural Soy Wax Alphabet Candle at ASOS £4


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Ryan Gosling notebook at ASOS £6
Who doesn’t want one of these?!

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Topshop Lip Bullet £8
A shade for everyone.

Interview: Yousef

Alongside his long established reputation at the forefront of Dance Music that has seen releases on forthcoming Loco Dice’s Desolat imprint, as well as on Crosstown Rebels, Get Physical and Defected, head of Circus Recordings Yousef has had a busy year managing one of the biggest nights to recently dominate the UK club scene, the Circus Recordings shows. Ahead of Circus showcases on Boxing Day and NYE, I caught up with the big boss himself to discuss his evolving sound, his roots in the North West and how Dance Music has developed over the period of his respected career.

Whatever your opinion on House music and the music of Yousef’s ‘Circus Recordings’, there’s no doubt that his experiences of the Industry can be rivalled by few. Reflecting on the recent surge of popularity for Dance music and House in particular, Yousef remarks how “the implosion of Dance music in the UK many years ago was a great thing in many respects. Many new DJs, promoters and labels all came striding out the ashes and created a whole new fresher scene”.

It is certainly a scene of which he is at the centre. “I’m always up to all sorts,” he explains, commenting on his release of three singles for Defected in the last year, ‘Think Twice’, ‘I See’ and of course ‘Beg’ that sat at the top of the Beatport charts for 10 weeks. However, many projects are currently in the pipeline. “I’m just about to complete a track for the official World Cup album. It’s a Samba Techno track where I recorded the Liverpool Samba School playing alongside a heavy House/Techno hybrid I’d made.”

In addition to UK label success, Yousef remarks on his collaboration with The Angel, ‘Float Away’ that was released on FFRR/Warners/Big Beat Records this summer and remained Ibiza’s hidden treasure for the rest of the season. In fact, ever since he first travelled there as a starry-eyed Dance music fanatic in the late 90s, Yousef describes his very special relationship with the White Isle, having DJed consistently there since 1998. “I’ve been DJing for a long time and it’s been my living for 15 years now but my style has certainly broadened. Or rather I’m not afraid to play records that I love. I’m as happy playing super deep Glen underground as I am Beyer Techno but my heart is always in House music.”

However, the increasing role of technology in globalising the Industry has undoubtably been influential in shaping his sound. “I was and am always into the authentic House sound, once called “American House” and I still am, but these days music comes from all over the world. I like Soul, Funk, Disco and proper 80’s Electro. I was never into Rock but I do enjoy the darker bands like Radiohead and Pink Floyd. I’m always open to ideas musically, now more than ever and check all sorts. DJ wise, Derrick Carter, Loco Dice, Marco Carola, Carl Cox, Onionz, Steve Lawler, Laurent Garnier… I’m a fan of them all. The introduction of easier and cheaper technology has helped producers get out their bedrooms and I’m glad to be part of the thriving scene.”

The ethos of Circus reflects these influences and desire to discover new talent. “I would describe the Circus sound as authentic House, Techno and Electronica with personality” he explains. “It’s for the floors but also creative. It doesn’t have musical limits but must be quality and is always open to suggestion. That’s what makes the events so popular, it’s because Circus continues to spread it’s message of the best in underground House and Techno by signing heroes like Reboot, Carl Cox, Green Velvet. It’s about resurfacing talent such as the likes of super talented Harry Romero. I wanted to create a strong platform for my own music as well as for developing fresh names like Acid Mondays, David Glass and Horatio and think I’ve achieved that. This year we released the years biggest underground track, Green Velvets ‘Bigger Than Prince’.”

However, originally hailing from Liverpool, he is quick to defend the North West’s place at the forefront of the UK music scene. He fervently describes the scene in the North West “as healthy and dynamic as it’s ever been. The reality is that Music in the North West is actually the best scene in the world. The clubs have the best facilities, best sound, lights, and above all the best people. From Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and all the surrounding towns, where else has such an abundance of 1st class events, so close and so often outside Ibiza? Believe me, as a touring DJ, there is nowhere like the North West of England right now.” We agree…

This has led to the establishment of a temporary Circus home in Liverpool’s East Village, the heart of Yousef’s inspiration. I ask him what sets Circus events apart from it’s rivals, to which he answers “you tell me? My team and I work hard to make it the best we can and make the people who come to the club feel welcome and safe. Its hard graft but it’s part of what we do, cliché wise, it really is a labour of love.”

At his set at Circus on the 26th December, he describes how he’ll be “bringing an array of fresh House and Techno mixed on 3 decks live as always. You always need to step it up boxing day as people are christmas’d out but the Circus Liverpool Birthday and Halloween this year were two of my favourite sets of 2013. They remind me how much i appreciate what i do.”

To catch Yousef’s 3 deck set alongside other House(hold) names such as Shadow Child, Loco Dice and Nic Fancuilli grab your ticket to the Boxing Day and NYE Circus events HERE.

Interview: Shadow Child

Having established a reputation for himself as a talented producer of primarily bass-heavy House, Simon Neale aka Shadow Child has just released his debut album ‘Collected’ on self-owned label ‘Food’. However, many will be surprised to learn that the name of Simon Neale was known long ago in the Industry as a producer of Electro House under a different pseudonym. In light of his new debut, I caught up with the producer who after returning to his routes of dark, rhythmic House, has made one of the fastest rises to respected success known in the Electronic scene.

The decision to change moniker was an unusual one. Shadow Child describes to me his musical frustration of the past and desire to break away from Industry trends. “I was musically bored.. challenged but bored trying to make stuff I wasn’t feeling. I couldn’t get into where the Electro House sound went. For me it wasn’t even Electro to start with, it just evolved further from that to the EDM sound.” You can’t help but respect his decision to make such a drastic change in style for the sake of musical integrity. “It moved too far from what I love” he explains “towards heavily over-produced music that I didn’t want to play, let alone make. It’s tricky as the business side of it was wide open but, I need to be able to believe in what I’m doing musically.” The result was a change to the Star-Wars inspired pseudonym of Shadow Child.

Ironically it was this move away the over saturated market of “EDM trends” that allowed Shadow Child such fast success, the notorious ‘String Thing’ from his initial release on Dirtybird catapulted him onto the him onto the radars of Claude Von Stroke and Eats Everything back in early 2012. He mentions to me how House music is “truly back” and his excitement for explaining the complexities behind producing the simple yet profound tracks on ‘Collected’ is contagious. There is no doubt that enthusiasm translates directly into an infectious album with tracks that embody the soul of Dance Music today such as ’23 feat. Tymer’ that was recently featured on Grand Theft Auto V.

He describes how collaboration with Zimbawean singer Takura on opening track ‘Friday’ fell effortlessly into place. “I had the instrumental done (inspired by a 90’s track, called ‘Cascades of Colour’), and we just sent it to him and he delivered it the next day. It came about so easily, they don’t always work like that but this one did.”

In fact, only a couple of the vocals featured on the album were recorded with Shadow Child present himself, which is hard to imagine considering the unifying sense to the album on both Shadow Child tracks and remixes of existing releases. “My remix of Lianne La Havas was actually the hardest track to produce. It went from a major to minor key and wasn’t flowing right. After days of scratching my head, a simple hi-string sound made it all come together. So simple in the end”.

Although primarily classing himself as a producer over a DJ, Shadow Child’s recent slot on tastemaker station Rinse FM has allowed him to explore other approaches to his musical engagement. “The Rinse show enables me to showcase all the new music I might not play out.. I do play some of the same stuff but ultimately it’s my little piece of time each week to shout about other stuff I love too.” He expands, “there are so many great tracks I get sent, and the music is so fresh each week. 9 times out of 10 Rinse is the first place I’ve played the music you hear each week. It’s a total buzz”.

However, his heart will always be first and foremost in producing and creating new sounds that are pushing boundaries of Electronic music. “I love DJing but I make tunes and that’s all I want to do really. Every gig is special though at the moment and my love for playing out is back but I’m moving into new areas of music already and in the future there may be less touring and more studio. I have to stay true to my ambitions in music and lots of them are outside of making house records”.

I ask him if he would ever consider adopting another pseudonym with the possibility of switching musical style in the future, to which he answers “no idea.. I guess I can be unpredictable in that sense!” It really does seem that he moves in the shadows.

You can catch Shadow Child dropping some bass-heavy beats at the Circus Records showcase alongside other House hard-hitters Yousef, Loco Dice and Apollonia on the 26th December at East Village Arts Club Liverpool. Otherwise, check out Circus Records’s Facebook page for similar events.

Introducing: Irrelevant

Quite ironically, Colchester-born DJ and upcoming producer, ‘Irrelevant’ embodies all the current trends of his time. Having established his name in the underground scenes spinning tech-house for many years and adopting influences from close friends Synkro, Burial and Radio Slave to name but a few, Irrelevant has finally released his debut album ‘Little Figurines’ available to buy HERE. On the edge of a career turning point, we caught up with Irrelevant to discuss atmospheric production, remixing techniques and creative connections.

Considering album-titled track ‘Little Figurines’ is based on the previously-written theme that features on his 2011 release ‘I’ll Be OK’, it’s clear by the contrast in style that Irrelevant’s sound has drastically developed over the last couple of years. He comments “my style has certainly evolved since I started producing.  I feel far more comfortable in the studio now. I’m not musically trained and I’ve always made music for myself so I’ve never felt pressure to create a certain sound to appeal to any one person or scene.”

However, these admitted shortcomings in technical training are arguably made up for in effortless creative flair. Irrelevant explains “I like to play with vocals, atmospheres and found sounds a lot, I record a lot with a digital audio recorder others I just stumble across by chance” and as a result, debut ‘Little Figurines’ embodies the experimental ethos and unusual sample choices increasingly adopted by the leading players in electronic music today in a release “primed for headphone commutes and midnight chills alike”.

Overall however, Irrelevant describes his sound as “deep dark emotional electronic music” that has been shaped by the creative figures around him. “I am surrounded by a great pool of creative friends such as Synkro, Indigo, Radioslave, Shed, Burial and Unkle who were my biggest influences in getting into production”. Although it’s early days in terms of his own material, remixes such as his ‘Delta X – Suppression’ remix have received much specialist acclaim. He expands, “for the Delta X remix, I wanted to bring in the vocal effect because the original track already had a strong instrumental riff running through it like a vein. My approach to remixing differs from project to project but as a general blueprint, my mind is always focused on adding something personal to someone else’s track. He explains “music is subjective, varying and unrestricted in its scope. It should be a creative release and a reflection of who you are. That ethos is reflected in my creative process and advice to budding producers”.

With his EP released on Kokeshi, Irrelevant is a good match for the increasingly renowned Independent label. “From the start Alicia (Alley Cat) and I have had a really good musical connection and the ethos of Kokeshi fits perfectly with what I do. It’s the meeting of our musical tastes that has meant a great relationship.” Looking to the future however, Irrelevant is holding his cards close to his chest. “I’m soon to be working on some collaborations and a secret project that I’m trying to get off the ground. Outside of that, I’m hoping to be play a few more sets than I did this year. My favourite sets this year have certainly been those at Fabric for Kokeshi, but I try to mix it up by playing anything from Ambient to Jungle. I’m hoping to do more with AtsuBox in 2014 and there’s some bits coming up with another couple of producers that are still in progress at the moment. Only time will tell.”

Irrelevant’s debut album ‘Little Figurines’ is available to buy from 16th December HERE.

Live: Emily Wells

8th December 2013

Ruby Lounge

9/10

As the tables-and-chairs setup suggested on arrival at a near empty Ruby Lounge, Emily Wells’ quirky, atmospheric brand of hip hop lends itself to the quiet, attentive audience; a fact which was proved patently true by the end of the evening. Thankfully, when she appeared on stage, downcast, brooding, in some sort of hooded cape, the venue had filled out. The opening number, ‘Fire Song’, taken from her recent third album Mama was met with polite but enthusiastic applause.

As the show continued, Wells lost the cape and started to work the crowd. Granted, at times the furthest this stretched was to graciously accept some ill-conceived clapping during a gospel-inspired number, but the longer the night went on, the thinner the screen between audience and performer became and she was eventually telling us the stories behind songs, many of which were hypnotic and dramatic crescendos from a sparse bass line and a beat to a fully orchestrated soundscape, interspersed with her ghostly, delicate vocals and perceptive lyricism.

Her eclectic array of influences is evident in her seminal album The Symphonies, from which the song ‘Fair Thee Well & The Requiem Mix’ was a particular crowd pleaser. Indeed, when we caught her for a few words after the show she spoke of how her classical background influenced her music (Wells is a first-study violinist). However, her love of hip hop was also apparent as she covered The Notorious BIG’s ‘Juicy’ to the whooping of those who recognised it.

Wells’ smooth use of loop pads and pedals and her ability on a multitude of instruments was impressive too. She would add layer upon layer to create an almost orchestral texture at times. All this combined with her tantalizing vocals and all-round great musicianship meant for a memorable performance; a hidden gem on a quiet Sunday night.

Live: Albert Hammond Jr.

8th December

Night & Day Café,

7/10

With his main band seemingly on hiatus for the foreseeable future, Albert Hammond Jr. has wasted no time delving back into his career as a solo artist and singer-songwriter. The Strokes guitarist dropped his newest offering – the five-track EP AHJ – back in October, and is now supporting the release with a string of low-key US and European dates, including a sold out performance at Manchester’s own Night & Day Café.

In a set that clocked in at just over an hour, Hammond showcased material both old and new, with tracks from his sunny-sounding debut Yours to Keep sitting seamlessly next to newer additions such as AHJ’s ‘Rude Customer’ and ‘Cooker Ship’. There was a notable absence of Strokes numbers, signalling that this was a night meant to promote Hammond’s own work as opposed to cashing in on his old successes and the indie anthems that made him famous. Whether this was a wise decision or not isn’t massively clear; the packed-out crowd was receptive, but the applause definitely tended towards the polite and subdued throughout, and at times there was a feeling like some were treating the gig as a simple stopgap until the next Strokes tour.

That being said, the songs’ angular, new wave stylings generally translated well into a live setting, with the vibrant new single ‘St. Justice’ sounding even more urgent up close and personal, and fan favourite ‘In My Room’ serving as a clear highlight. Ending the main set was a questionably chosen cover of seminal punk band the Misfits’ signature song ‘Last Caress’, whose sensationalist lyrics (“I got something to say/I killed your baby today”) jarred against the earnest nature of the rest of the set, despite its enthusiastic performance. Hammond finished the night off on his own with the gentle ‘Blue Skies’, showing he is capable of holding an audience with the most subtle of accompaniments, and the gig as a whole confirmed his place as a big name talent and front man in his own right.

Live: Haim / Saint Raymond

8th December

The Ritz

8.5/10

About halfway into their set, lead vocalist Danielle Haim pauses.  The Haim gig at the Ritz resides across the street from venue Gorilla, where fellow indie band Los Campesinos! is making an appearance.  According to Danielle, earlier in the night Haim received a tweet from the latter band capturing the winding line of people waiting to enter the venue- a twitter ‘fuck you’ from the more established band who is clearly competing for fans at their respective show.  Danielle is nonplussed, and asks the audience at the Ritz to put their hands up while she takes a picture of their sold-out show to tweet in response.

Haim don’t really need to stress about attracting fans to their shows these days.  They’ve already sold out their March show at the Academy in Manchester, and the Ritz is probably the smallest venue the band will see for quite some time.  Are they worth the hype?  Even those who don’t worship their full-length Days Are Gone would have to agree.  Their live show is energetic and entertaining, and the three sisters’ impressive mastery of multiple instruments as well as vocal harmony is enviable.  Even if you’ve never heard a single Haim song before (doubtful considering their widespread play from BBC Radio 1 to various TV soundtracks), their catchy yet unique brand of indie pop will find you hard-pressed not to be dancing along anyway.

Support comes from Saint Raymond (Nottingham-born Callum Burrows), who at eighteen already has secured this coveted support slot for Haim as well as festival play and an upcoming UK tour in March.  His songs are display a quietly confident presence, with upbeat and easy choruses indicative of a future of full crowds singing along.  Albeit slightly generic, his band provides a complementary warm-up for early gig-goers.

Live: The Dismemberment Plan

27th November 2013

Manchester Academy 3

9/10

The Dismemberment Plan never got much recognition this side of the Atlantic, despite releasing some of the most original and exhilarating music of the last 20 years. They’re a beloved cult band, and their set at Manchester Academy 3 felt like a love-in for fans after waiting 12 years for their return. Comeback album Uncanney Valley doesn’t quite live up to the band’s legacy but it has its moments. It’s full of slightly ditzy pop songs, including one about Brian Eno’s dad. Their best music relied on the kind of urgency and anguish that fizzles out with age, which might explain the lighter punches thrown by the new material.

But as a live act, it’s like they’ve been cryogenically frozen in waiting for this comeback (scientists can’t do that yet but still). They’re back to their old selves: screwing with time signatures, throwing odds and ends into the mix – they fuse snippets of Lorde’s ‘Royals’ and The Smiths’ ‘That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore’ into breakneck-punk number ‘Ok, Joke’s Over’ and somehow pull it off. It’s refreshing that The Plan are as intense as ever despite the fact that they’ve all settled into family life and ‘grown-up’ professions (drummer Joe Easley just so happens to work for NASA now). Frontman Travis Morrison still has his boyish charms, and the band members have hardly aged a day since their split (excuse the sweet talk).

Morrison’s vocals straddle the divide between hip hop and nerdy white boy rock, as he writhes and contorts to spit out a hundred words a minute on ‘Back and Forth’ and ‘Girl O’Clock’. Bass lines wriggle around off-kilter drum grooves on ‘The Other Side’. The choruses of ‘You Are Invited’ and ‘What Do You Want Me To Say?’ send the crowd into total euphoria. Keyboards fizz and bleep on a run of new songs, which sound a lot better live and steer clear of a mid-set lull. To end the night, as is the D-Plan tradition, the audience are invited onstage for ‘The Ice of Boston’. One guy got so excited he jumped up there and tripped over the microphone lead. What a dumbass. That definitely wasn’t me.

Interview: Death to the Strange

A five piece band that is signed by a Manchester-based independent record label, Death to the Strange is certainly not an ordinary band to overlook. Earning themselves a limited edition vinyl release and some high profile support slots- such as with Gomez and James Walsh- the band is inspired by many legends in the music industry such as The Smiths, The Beatles, The Stone Roses, Oasis, Floyd, Radiohead, Dylan… not forgetting Grandad Jimmy of course! Currently finishing off the video to their next single ‘Openshaw Blues’ for early 2014, the band had only just finished filming their first official video ‘Sign On’ which was said to be a “laugh” as the band “really enjoyed being thrown into a position where we were out of our comfort zone.” Catching up with the lads, I found out that the inspiration of the official music video came from Emmerdale actor Jason Merrills who plays Declan. “He heard the song and said instantly he pictured a video to it. He contacted us and asked if we would be interested in him directing the video for ‘Sign On’ and we gladly obliged. It was great working with him he was so professional and was good to see him get a few of his friends involved as well such as Dominic Brunt (Paddy) and Sammy Winward (Katie Addyman).”

This is not the only notice the band have received. Death to the Strange even got a mention by Peter Hook from Joy Division when he was interviewed with Rolling Stone, to which Daniel Clarke (Vocalist and Guitarist) responded, “It’s nice to think someone that’s been through it all and about for years and is well respected as a musician is a fan of us and our music.”

These lads have clearly worked hard at their music to get themselves to this far. Rewinding to the start of their union, the lads revealed their heartwarming story of how they first met. “John was in a band called The Joint and I was in The Moods who are both still going and doing really well (check them out). He was their guitarist at the time and as we got to know each other we both kind of got into drum n bass and would see each other at raves most weeks in Manchester in places like Phoenix and the Music Box (which are sadly missed). We talked a lot about our taste in music and soon became good friends. We were both up for starting a new project based around acoustic guitars and harmonies. It took a while for us to get together as we were both busy in our bands but eventually we did and from then on have worked with each other since.” After a long period of exchanging displays of songs and coming up with a set, the duo invited more musicians on board, building the band around the songs. “It just so happens that all 5 members of the band now are great instrumentalists and we are all best of mates,” adds Clarke.

He also revealed the history behind the curious name. It originated from a line that John (vocalist and guitarist) wrote: “bring fear on the weak and death to the strange” in addition to a book called Death to the Weird by Hunter S Thompson.

On the topic of revelation, Daniel Clarke spills the gossip on Paul Sewell (bassist) who is an apparent “animal in the bedroom” and “likes to talk about his experimental sex life quite a lot and he doesn’t mind going into detail even when nobody else wants to hear.” Nice, Paul.

After digging deeper, the band exposed some embarrassing moments on stage: “There have been a couple of incidents such as halfway through a gig one of our friends pulled my pants down so I’m stood there singing in my boxers” and “there was even a gig not too long ago when John had had one too many and he fell off the stage.” He adds, “Music is supposed to be enjoyed and that’s the main thing. If you can’t fall off the stage without finding it funny then you shouldn’t be in a band.”

As a final word, Clarke advises to young aspiring musicians that “If music becomes a chore then it might not be the thing for you or you may be in the wrong band etc. It is difficult to earn a living at music until you have mastered your art and been doing it for years so music has to be the passion and not money, so just keep at it, keep enjoying it and never ever give up living the dream!”

Death to the Strange are planning on releasing a second E.P soon, and a third E.P by April 2014! The five lads inform that they have a festival in France in March which they are “really looking forward to,” and are planning a mini tour of a few festivals in the big cities all over Europe.’ However if you are too ecstatic to wait for that, then check out their upcoming gigs…
Thu 19th Dec, The Crescent, Salford Xmas party
Sat 21st Dec, African Caribbean Centre, Glasgow w/Girobabies
Thu 26th Dec, Ethiad Stadium, Manchester

Live: Falcons

28th November

Antwerp Mansion

 

It’s safe to say that the world of music is evolving. More and more artists are blending genres and creating their own brand of music, and Falcons is certainly riding this new wave. The 26 year-old artist from LA dubs his music style as ‘Post-Timbaland Step’, attributing some of his longest standing influences to the world famous rapper and producer; Timbaland, and the old school RnB legend; Missy Elliot.

In a recent gig held at the Antwerp Mansion, the artist showcased this new brand of music in his own unique way. Beginning his set with Sage the Gemini and Rustie combined with his own signature style, Falcons immediately received a great response from the crowd. Continuing with some of his own tracks such as ‘Julio (Busta Rhymes)’ – which remains hugely popular amongst Falcons fans – and his latest EP ‘Birdcall’. Falcons proved especially electric, helped greatly by the atmosphere the Mansion is famous for.

Despite the small size of the venue, it was easy to see how the artist would thrive on a bigger stage. However, when asked if he would consider some of the larger festivals that the UK offers across the year, Falcons seemed somewhat hesitant, answering, ‘absolutely, but I mean I’m not interested in compromising my style’. The artist also went on to say that he was impressed with the UK music scene, and believed that ‘people look harder for music here’, and that they ‘want to hear the new sound’. With collaborations between genres becoming ever more common, we must be aware that ‘new’ does not necessarily equate to ‘good’. As it stands however, Falcons is an artist successfully championing this ‘new sound’.

Feature: Sankeys Returns

Sankeys is back. It’s been 6 months since the Manchester club announced it was closing its doors “indefinitely”, but now the issues that forced its closure have been resolved and they’re ready for action. This is excellent news for Manchester’s dance music scene, of which Sankeys has been an important – albeit on/off – part since its original inception in 1994.

To celebrate their relaunch the club are putting on a huge opening weekend of underground dance music on Friday 20th December and Saturday 21st December.

Friday sees house purist Darius Syrossian in the Basement, alongside spearheads of refined house Audiofly, and residents of revered club-night Fuse Seb Zito b2b Rossko. Each of these DJs performed at Sankeys Ibiza over the Summer to rave reviews, and are sure to bring the continental party vibes back to Manchester.  Upstairs in Spektrum Radio 1’s Mosca will be providing his favoured “dark but sexy” cuts of house and techno, alongside a live set from Manchester’s own Winter Son and Sankeys residents.

On Saturday Parisian funk master Dyed Soundroom will be treating the Basement to an undoubtedly groove filled set, alongside current hot name Andrea Olivia and accomplished selector Lee Burridge. Spektrum is graced by DJ W!ld, a member of Sven Väth’s legendary Cocoon roster no less.

To give a taster of what’s in store for attendees, Darius Syrossian has released a relaunch mix here

Tickets start from at a fairly priced £15 and are available from these links:
Friday 20th Decmeber
Saturday 21st December
Further event information is available here.

Albums of the Year 2013: Top 10

10. Vakula – You’ve Never Been To Konotop (Selected works 2009-2012)

On You’ve Never… the Ukrainian producer draws upon a staggeringly wide palette of influences to paint a personal masterpiece. Whether exploring bubbly 303 acid on the title track or ambient space on ‘Hope Soon To Be There’, everything’s very Vakula. Maybe it’s the weirdness: snippets of dog barks and foreign voices punctuate tracks. ‘For Juju…’ continues the theme, combining eerie dissonance with pompous brass to sound like a UFO nationalist anthem. Maybe it’s the live feel. Yes, real instruments are played by those rare things, musicians. The end result is a sound Vakula can feel proud to call his own. Ben Glover

9. Waxahatchee – Cerulean Salt

Cerulean Salt is the second offering from Alabaman songwriter Katie Crutchfield. In far less dramatic circumstances than Bob Dylan, Waxahatchee have gone electric. Although it embraces a (slightly) more defined sound than American Weekend, at its roots this is still a pretty bare and lo-fi album. Simplistic fuzzy guitars are the backdrop over which Crutchfield lays intricate melodies, with her voice just on the edge of breaking up. Sonically it harpers back to grungier times but also manages to balance the rough with soothing and rather delicate moments; ‘Swan Dive’ could comfortably find its way onto a Rilo Kiley record without any hoo-ha. At just over half an hour, this painfully honest and nostalgic account is totally engrossing and rather grand, in a small-scale sort of way. Tom Ingham

8. Queens of the Stoneage – …Like Clockwork

…Like Clockwork comes six years after Queens of the Stone Age’s previous album, Era Vulgaris, and bursts with the disparate influences and inspired guest appearances that have taken more than half a decade to ferment. There are typical moments of sleaze alongside softer moments of reflection, and the gorgeous arpeggios of what sounds like a guitar played through pink bubble wrap feature in the bittersweet ‘Kalopsia’. The stomping lead single, ‘My God is the Sun,’ is like driving down an arid Californian highway in a whiskey soaked soft top. Dark and disco, anthemic and personal, …Like Clockwork was worth the wait. Bernadette Chapman

7. Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob

Heartthrob is a cohesive and coherent piece of pop bliss from Canadian duo Tegan and Sara. Ditching their guitar orientated brand of indie, the pair have come up with their most reflective and relatable album yet. Tracks like ‘I Was A Fool’ and ‘Now I’m All Messed Up’ are a little bitter thematically, but backed up by warm beats and lush synths the results are super sweet. ‘Closer’ introduces fans to a brighter and fresher sound T&S; full of 80’s glow but without any of the podge. Don’t let the Taylor Swift duets put you off; this is a serious slab of pop perfection. Tom Ingham

6. Darkside – Psychic

To call Nicolas Jaar a genius is no exaggeration. At 23 he has a literature degree from Brown; the extraordinary Space is Only Noise; countless acclaimed remixes; and record label ‘Clown and Sunset’ under his belt. Now Jaar has teamed up with classmate Dave Harrington and formed new label ‘Other People’ to broaden his musical horizons. Psychic is the product of this duo. Informed by a varied catalogue of influences, Darkside have created a sound like nothing else in contemporary music. The minimal electronic influence of Ricardo Villalobos that characterised Jaar’s solo work is still apparent, but it is infused with Santana-esque, Latin-American guitar on ‘Paper Trails’ and ‘Metatron’ and the whole album is permeated with an experimental sound reminiscent of CAN’s early albums. Psychic is the sound of some strange future. Rachel Connolly

5. Jai Paul – Jai Paul

Surfacing against a backdrop of confusion and mystery back in April, the origins of this release remain unclear; the official line is that it’s a leaked collection of demos from a stolen laptop. One thing that we can be certain of, however, is that it sounds amazing. Jai Paul’s song writing prowess impressively shines through the compression issues and varying bit rates. He beautifully combines instrumentation, vocals and an array of samples into a collection of tracks that are often dreamy and mellow, with flashes of jaggedness and crunch. Quite something for unfinished demos. Patrick Hinton

4. Bonobo – The North Borders

Simon Green (aka Bonobo) returns in form through delicate bells, hints of string and a well-constructed series of tracks. With an ambient, downbeat vibe, The North Borders is certainly well produced. The gentle use of bells creates a mellow, dream-like feel, reminiscent of a semi-conscious Sunday morning sleep in. This is encapsulated in the sounds of ‘Sapphire’, where the delays compliment a truly pleasant, well-spaced sound. Whilst the album offers more vigorous beats in ‘Emkay’ and ‘Know You’, it still maintains the equilibrium, as the album ticks all the chill out boxes. Alex Fenton

3. DJ Koze – Amygdala

The 8 years it took Stefan Kozalla aka DJ Koze to release the follow up to his debut album doesn’t seem all that unreasonable when you consider what a masterpiece his second full length, Amygdala, is. The album is packed with an impressive roster of collaborators, yet the sound still remains unmistakably Koze. The mesmerizing productions on the album have a mentally displacing effect. It’s impossible not to get lost in the shimmering synths that build and fade around Apparat’s soothing vocal melody on ‘Nices Wölkchen’; Matthew Dear’s similarly emotive feature on ‘Magical Boy’ is profoundly complemented by the orchestral accompaniment. Anatomically, the amygdala is a part of the brain that helps you feel emotions. Musically, Amygdala does just the same.  Patrick Hinton

2. Kanye West – Yeezus

It’s been a rough year for Kanye. Controversial BBC interviews and mocking videos of Bound 2 by comedians alike, it’s easy to forget that Yeezus was one of the most groundbreaking albums of 2013. Driven by dissonant samples, distorted drums and synthesizers that underline West’s social commentary, the album was met with critical acclaim but a certain level of public confusion. However, it is this continued determination of West to push the boundaries of hip-hop that will ensure Yeezus is an album that has secured its place in popular music history in many years to come. Phoebe Clarke

1. Jon Hopkins – Immunity

Jon Hopkins may be better known for his collaborations with Brian Eno and Coldplay, but his best work is to be found with his fourth solo album. Hopkins locked himself away for nine months to produce Immunity and the results are stunning. Essentially an album of two halves, the album’s first four cuts provide some of Hopkins most floor-focused material to date. ‘Open Eye Signal’ is a standout, a hypnotic listen propelled by pummelling percussive strikes and awash with analogue synths. Throughout the album Hopkins excels in instilling atmosphere into his work. At times – most often in the album’s increasingly ambient second half – it’s almost cinematic. In the hands of lesser musicians such a dramatic change could result in a disjointed feel and detract from the album’s overall aesthetic, but Hopkins manages to change pace masterfully. By the time mournful chord stabs of ‘Abandon Window’ signal this transition, it’s just what we’re craving. Immunity is a captivating listen, able to make sense whether it’s heard at home or in a club context. Full appreciation may require a few listens but Immunity is without doubt one of the most immersive and rewarding albums of the year. Matt Gibney

All I want for Christmas …

 

 

1. A Christmas jumper

There is nothing better than a good Christmas jumper ey Santa. I have a lovely one with you on it but I desperately want a Harry Potter-esq piece to wear on the big day this year. The only problem is that nowhere sells them. But then I thought Mrs Clause can knit it for me! I know it’s quite a busy time of year, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. I’ll send you my measurements in the post.

 

ASOS £85

 

2. A Fur Coat

If you think about it, this is necessary. It’s extremely cold in Manchester Santa, worse than Lapland I’d say. Your fluffy jacket is gorgeous (obviously) but I was thinking maybe something a bit less … bright. So I had a quick look round the shops and happened to find this one. I LOVE it Santa. And I love you (please bring me the coat).

 

mac.com

3. This Mac lippy

It is imperative that ones lips look good during the festive season Santa. No one wants to be lingering under the mistletoe alone. My plan is to seduce them all with this gorgeous deep berry lipstick. They’ll be queuing up to give me a smooch, wouldn’t that make you proud!

 

Flickr: vivreabrulxxl

4. Kyle Minogue’s bottom

I’ve heard you have magical powers Santa, and I think this would be a fantastic way to put them to good use. Kylie’s rear end would make me so happy, and I’m sure that other people would appreciate it too. Thank you in advance, you’re the best.

 

Pinterest: Christmas Hunks

5. Someone tall, dark, handsome and carrying a puppy

Okay, so it’s a step up from the other requests. But doesn’t every girl hope for a scantily dressed hunk reclining under their stocking on Christmas morning? Come on Santa, I’ve been so super well behaved this year, I think it’s only fair.

Sorting out your Christmas list

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Best known for his book The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini released his third novel this year amid widespread positive responses. Hosseini describes the story as a “fairytale turned on its head,” where we’re brought to 1952 Afghanistan. Here the

protagonist, Abdullah, sees his sister sold to a wealthy couple to support his poverty-stricken family. The story details how this arrangement came to be and the effect it has on Abdullah’s life. Hosseini is famed for his simple telling of issues that are shocking to his audience, and, if you are a fan of his previous works, this is a definite one to pick up this Christmas.

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

As one of the most remarkable acts of feminist politics this century, the story of Malala Yousafzai is not a title to miss this year. Since recovering from being shot during her stand against social injustice in Pakistan, she has continued to inspire the world. This has resulted in the release of her co-written biography, following on from the drive home on the day she was targeted by the Taliban for championing the rights of young girls to attend school. This inspirational story shows Malala going above and beyond what anyone would expect from a 16 year old, and it should not be missed off anyone’s reading list for 2014.

All The Odes by Pablo Neruda

Poetry’s reputation is often ruined by hours of meticulous analysis in GCSE English, but I encourage you to give it a second chance. Neruda has an interesting story to tell, and Ilan Stavans’ collection of Neruda’s works is one to buy this Christmas. Offering an insight into poetry from a different culture, Neruda wrote on erotic and romantic love, the political state of his home country, Chile, and his experiences during the Spanish Civil War. With such a wide range of ideas addressed, All The Odes is a brilliant and mature reintroduction to the world of poetry.

The Moment by Claire Dyer

Deemed “this year’s One Day,” Claire Dyer’s latest is sure to be a hit with fans of David Nicholl’s most famous book. Ex-lovers, Fern and Elliott thought they were out of each other’s lives forever but a 9am meeting at Paddington station changes that. The story follows the pair reflecting on their previous relationship after agreeing to meet one more time. Dyer’s new novel is for anyone who can’t resist anything that tackles romance, fate and the drama that comes with it.

The Reason I Jump: One Boy’s Voice from the Silence of Autism by Naoki Higashida

Higashida, a thirteen year old autistic boy, challenges the assumptions we make regarding this common disorder. Translated by David Mitchell, the author of Cloud Atlas, and K.A. Yoshida, this book takes accounts of autism away from professional theorists and places it in the hands of an autistic child. Presenting us with a real, and often surprising, insight into the epidemic that, in the words of Higashida, has sufferers placed “outside the regime of civilisation.” I could not recommend this title enough.

Bend it like the Beckham’s

They’ve created national joy and celebration throughout their engagement, wedding, pregnancy and birth. She’s a brunette beauty living the perfect rags-to-riches fairytale, whilst he’s represented his country in the toughest of battles. That’s right, the Beckham’s could not be more British! We can’t help but feel a sense of bona fide pride when we see their faces in the flashing lights of foreign paparazzi. Although their fashion history is questionable, including matching leather outfits, cowboy hats and mohawk haircuts, this couple are true trendsetters, consistently satisfying the prying and style savvy eyes of the British public.

 

Press and fans the world over religiously fall at their perfectly pedicured feet. David repeatedly appears in GQ’s best dressed list, looking smooth in both tailored suits and casual jeans. However, Victoria’s decision to abandon her crop-tops and braids could be brand Beckham’s greatest achievement yet. After her stint as a British ambassador for Dolce and Gabbana, her explosion into the fashion industry has seen classic silhouettes with sharp modern twists appear in her confident, yet simple collections. Furthermore, as if she needed a seal of approval, her well matured and developed eye for design was officially recognised by winning ‘Designer Brand of the Year’ at the British Fashion Awards in 2011.

 

However, the couple’s family commitments have grown in recent years, slowing Beckham Ventures. These commitments include conceiving and birthing four children, moving to LA and back again, and tackling Rebecca Loos. ‘Posh’ must be somewhat disappointed that her fashion label has only managed to win critical acclaim from Vogue Magazine and reportedly generate an annual turnover of £60 million. Similarly, after David’s retirement from his 6 year captaincy for the English football team, he has only collaborated with one of Europe’s largest high street chains to design and launch an underwear line. Some would say the pair are slacking.

 

Still, it’s fair to say our nation regards the couple as a true asset. They bring superstar quality to the average British couple, simultaneously juxtaposing both genius and humble qualities. However, it can be argued that throughout their journey to international fashionista recognition their British eccentricity has somewhat been lost. Victoria has sold her soul to societal conformity in the form of conservative dresses and forced pouts, while ‘Golden Balls’ has sported relatively mundane hairstyles for sometime now. Is their fashion success sincere or do they pine for the 90s? Perhaps the couple will do a one-eighty and bring back the matching leather!

It’s beginning to look a lot like bankruptcy

I’m sure if I’d asked you readers as little as three years ago how you felt about Christmas, you would have said that it was the most magical time of year: great food, presents, and best of all, you never had to spend a penny because you were young and still under your parents’ wings. Now, we’ve all been launched into the ‘adult’ world at Christmastime, and that includes the stress of spending a small fortune on gifts that all too often end up in a dark corner of a loved one’s closet. Is it possible to avoid the tempting calls of the overdraft extension this year, I hear you ask? Well yes, it is, if you follow these simple, shopping-savvy tips.

1.       Set a budget

It may seem tedious, but writing a list of what to buy your relatives and friends will probably save you a lot of money, and a lot of time when you’re doing the Arndale spree during Christmas week. Write down a budget for each person, and make sure you stick to it; we often succumb to the impulse buys, and it is usually these that mount up the cost and tend to make meaningless gifts. Put in the time, and your bank balance will be sure to reap the rewards.

2.       Do your research

It often seems easier to run down to the shops and get all your gifts in one day, but now we’re living in the Internet age- A.K.A, the era of dirt cheap online shopping.  Be sure to browse on Amazon or Play before you head out to buy the latest video game for your brother, or check that eBay aren’t advertising that bracelet your mum really wanted. Also, check out price comparison sites such as moneysupermarket.com, as they do the hard work for you!

3.       Ban gift-giving

It may seem like a very Scrooge-esque idea, but why not make a pact with friends and extended family members to not exchange presents this year? I’m sure they will probably breathe a sigh of relief at your suggestion, as it saves them just as much money as it does you! Alternatively, if you feel like too much of a tight-arse broaching the subject, you could place a cap on Secret Santa gifts, which prevents everyone from splashing out.

4.       Get creative

Some of the best presents are those which have a personalised touch to them- and what could be more personal than a gift made by yours truly? Get your hands on some free photo prints online- sites such as Snapfish and My Photo Prints offer you as many as 50 free photos delivered straight to your door, just for signing up with them! Then, you could stick the photos into frames, or even make tree decorations with that extra special touch. Guaranteed to be a hit with the females in your life.

5.       Save a little, give a lot

Be prepared to sacrifice a couple of your own indulgences for the next couple of weeks- Christmas does only come once a year, after all. You could save loads by not buying clothes or gadgets for yourself, and try to limit your food shopping or put a hold on eating out. Surely it’s worth having a couple of evening in front of the TV rather than pissing it up the wall on a night out, to be able to afford an extra-special Christmas this year? Remember: short term pain=long term pleasure.

 

Album: Eska – Gatekeeper EP

It’s rare nowadays to hear a voice that strikes you immediately as something special.

Considering myself largely a disliker of modern-day folk, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard Eska’s EP and discovered that the essence of folk is still alive and well. Having collaborated alongside such household names as Grace Jones and Cinematic Orchestra in the past, it is hard to understand how Eska has avoided individual recognition for so long. However, bursting onto the scene with her first collection of own material, five tracks are all that is needed to showcase her talent for songwriting.

The first track on the album, the EP’s titled ‘Gatekeeper’, does just this through Eska’s use of vocal inflections and heartfelt melodies that embody her wide variety of influences from Psychedelic Rock to Soul and Electronica. Track ‘Red’ takes on a different direction. Incorporating experimental sounds and dissonant undertones, Eska adopts an effortless improvisatory style that showcases the sheer depth of her vocal range.

Stripping back the production, Arrogant Heart Part 1 and 2 consist only of Eska’s voice, a few backing vocals and guitar arpeggios. This sparsity elevates her lyrical writing above all else and most shows her ability to stand independent of instrumental backing.

Similarly, ‘She’s In The Flowers’ resembles ‘Gatekeeper’ in its use of intricate percussion rhythms to a climax and musical epiphany that returns to the spirit of such folk greats as Joni Mitchell. Moreover, it’s insertion between Arrogant Heart Part 1 and 2 on the EP reflects Eska’s ability to soar both on sparse arrangements and heavier production.

Eska has undoubtably a unique vocal style, but what truly distinguishes her as one to watch in 2014 is her approach to lyrical writing that is a breath of fresh sincerity in the Industry today.

Club: Triangular & Heavy Rain presents Jacques Greene

14th November

Odder Bar

7/10

As I walk into Odder Bar my ears are immediately treated to a slick mix of three certified bangers:  ‘Renegade Master (Special Request remix)’, Nu-Birth’s garage classic ‘Anytime’ and Armand Van Helden’s take on ‘Sugar Is Sweeter’. Quite a start to the night. Odder Bar dances accordingly as the resident DJ continues his all killer, no filler set right up until it’s time for headline act of the night, Jacques Greene.

Whilst billed as a ‘Live Audio Visual Set’, this doesn’t appear to be the case. There’s nothing unusually special about the visuals, and as Jacques Greene drops the likes of Drake’s ‘The Language’ into the mix it’s evident that this isn’t a live set – unless the rapper, and fellow countryman of Greene, is well hidden away in the booth. This doesn’t prove of detriment to the night however, and as Drake’s line “She just want to smoke and fuck I said ‘Girl, that’s all that we do’” fills the room it perfectly represents the hedonistic atmosphere Greene’s eclectic mix of tracks creates. A DJ set was the preferable outcome.

Yet Greene’s own tracks do prove to be high points of the set. His remix of one of the best pop songs of the year, Ciara’s ‘Body Party’, is a particular highlight with its euphoric synth chords and reverb soaked vocal loops. The latter also features heavily in the excellent How To Dress Well collaboration ‘On Your Side’, which sounds better than ever on Odder Bar’s Funktion One sound system. Greene proves himself to be as adept a DJ as he is a producer.

Interview: Gabby Young and Other Animals

Gabby Young, the self-invented artist who started her career before the age of 21 from her bedroom on her own label ‘Gift of the Gab records’ started out playing gigs here in our very own Manchester music scene, “I lived here for 7 months in Chorlton, my sister went to Manchester Met so I moved up here to be with her and started a funk band. I did quite a lot of open mics and got involved in the acoustic scene here.”

Originally planning to be an opera singer Gabby suddenly switched lanes into putting her own spin on her vocals, “I was going to train to be an opera singer and was wondering if it was the right thing for me as it’s such a heavy discipline. I’m quite a free spirit that likes to do things my own way, you can’t really change the notes when it comes to opera so I started writing my own music. It was very much inspired by Jeff Buckley because he has an operatic voice but he goes and does his own thing with it. His music is so original and still emotional.” She’s been compared to Florence and the Machine with the emotional and theatrical side of her voice but she says she adds a bit of a Jazz and a crazy Björk-y thing to it with really high solos. “I try and use my voice as more of an instrument than a vocal.”

Her 8 piece band includes a wide variety of instruments, “We’ve got the 5 piece tuba, violin, accordion, drums, guitar and I’m using some cool vocal loops. We also all play ukulele.” The band’s unusual sound falls into an invented genre, “We call our music Circus Swing because we never know how to explain it. It’s a bit of everything, a bit of jazz, folk, gypsy, world music elements and we rock out at times. It’s very theatrical and colourful and it will keep surprising people forever. Every album we’ve done gets more different and diverse – eclectic.” Their first album, We’re All In This Together, was funded by the fans through the band’s ‘Become and Animal’ page, for £12.50 you became a mole, £25 a bear and £65 a tiger. At this point their recognition took off followed by worldwide tours, “I see us being really serious from two years ago because that’s when we started world-wide touring. This year and looking at next year is kind of getting crazy busy.”

Gabby has also been compared to the likes of Lady Gaga with her theatrical appearances on stage: “I was a bit of a hippy and used to just wear baggy jeans and string vests, then one time I put on a dress and everyone thought I’d made a real effort and they started dressing up to my shows as well. It became like a fun costume party. People really let their hair down when they’re in costume, you step into a different character and I definitely do it to give me a real confidence to be more of me.”

They toured in the summer of 2010 at a variety of UK festivals, the favorite being Glastonbury, “Glastonbury is such an amazing festival to be a part of, it’s just like a different world. The whole time I was there I was just running around smiling, it was actually like a dream come true so that has a really big place in my heart. I love all festivals, even the small, boutique family ones. There’s a fantastic one called Croissant Neuf that we’ve been a part of for the past two years that’s really beautifully run – but Glastonbury’s the king and rightly so.”

The band have an interesting superstitious ritual they do before a show, “We do the proper cheesy hands in the middle and we go ‘That’ll do, that’ll do, that’ll do nicely!’ It came from a really cheesy dance tune I made up jokingly but it became our mantra, it’s very Madonna and embarrassing. When we have really bad gigs we’ll be like we didn’t do ‘That’ll do nicely’ – that was the reason – so we have to make sure we do it every time.”

She’s not one of those typical artists that go off the rails and have a rock and roll life style. She likes to kick back and have a homely lifestyle, “I’m tee-total and I’ve seen friends of mine get completely wrecked and after a few years they’re just burnt out and it’s really sad. I’m an early granny. I like knitting and things like that so I’m not very rock and roll.” I asked what her plan B would be if music didn’t work out, “If I was ever to lose my voice or if things went horribly wrong I’d love to do interior designing or be a gardener.”

Gabby is quite the workaholic but plans to kick back this Christmas, “It’s got to the point where I probably should have said no to a few things but I love doing everything and I’m one of those people that becomes a workaholic. I just want Christmas off so I can just eat loads and watch films and be with my family.”

You should check out their latest album The Band Called Out For More which came out last year.