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Month: March 2015

Album: Catz ‘N Dogz – Basic Colour Theory

Written by Bradley West on . Posted in Music.

Released 15th May

Pets Recordings

6/10

Basic Colour Theory has been described as ‘sonic exploration’, leaving me wondering what exactly it is that the Polish duo Catz ‘N Dogs are trying to achieve with this, their second studio offering.

Throughout their career to this point Catz ‘N Dogs have been notoriously hard to pin down to one definitive sound, a characteristic which this new release shares. Numerous different influences, including 70s and 80s disco, techno, and funk, can be heard throughout the album in obvious and subtle ways, something that can be explained by album’s title. In trying to imitate colour with their production, Catz ‘N Dogz have produced some tracks which only artistic terms like lush and rich can accurately describe. This is seen heavily in tracks such as ‘Coming Back’ and ‘Good Touch’, which evoke images of sunsets and tropical forests respectively. ‘Coming Back’ especially uses many different production tools to paint the desired image, including the use of manipulated vocals to create a melody, and the sound of crickets to make the listener imagine a relaxing, dusky location, in a similar manner to experimental artists like Flume and What So Not.

Despite this, there are still tracks that are recognizably similar to previous Catz ‘N Dogz releases. For example, ‘Nobody Cares’ includes the strong bass kick and low, driving synths that made tracks such as ‘Evil Tram’ so popular. Although they are undoubtedly going to be well-liked, the inclusion of these tracks, alongside the newer, more experimental sounds, causes the album to be quite stop-start, with no real flow to it.

Overall, the album does an excellent job of presenting abundant new themes, and intricacies in production, but feels less like a defined new sound, and more just a demonstration that Catz ‘N Dogz are able to produce variation. This makes the album difficult to understand as a single presentation, and unfortunately, sound like yet another compilation, rather the fluid production that they are definitely capable of producing.

Album: Will Butler – Policy

Written by Cassie Hyde on . Posted in Music.

Released 9th March

Merge Records

8/10

If Arcade Fire has a loose cannon member, it’s Will Butler. His many antics include setting fire to Regine Chassagne’s hair and splashing in a moat around the stage mid-‘Rebellion (Lies)’. He has also just released a solo album. It’s called Policy, and it’s pretty good.

In many ways, this feels like an album Will Butler was destined to make. It’s often as frantic and downright hilarious as his stage presence. Take ‘What I Want’—a thrashing guitar track chronicling desperate attempts to save a relationship. Its bizarre and violent lyrics involve cooking “pony macaroni” and getting pet alligators—how could you not find this entertaining?

At just over 28 minutes long, each track is totally different from the last. Policy moves from the synth stomp ‘Anna’, straight to ‘Finish What I Started’, a slow piano ballad. The range of the album is what makes it so enjoyable. You constantly get the impression Will Butler has had his ADHD medication replaced with Jelly Tots; his moving from the Pixies-style ‘Son of God’ and the wonky funk track ‘Something’s Coming’ makes you smile as you listen.

Policy also offers a taste of Butler’s more sophisticated side. ‘Sing to Me’ feels like it has directly come from his Oscar-nominated work on Spike Jonze’s Her. Here, he softly coos along with a stripped down piano sequence, backed up with a subtle orchestral accompaniment. The result is genuinely beautiful and moving, yet manages not to feel out of place with the rest of the album. A highlight!

If there is any major criticism of the album, I’m glad that Policy is only eight tracks long. With tingly pianos, sax solos and female backing vocals, you can only imagine how irritating elements of this album would be if it was 50 minutes long! It’s impressive how these parts manage not to come across as cliché, but considering how silly the rest of the album is, it’s no real surprise when they appear. Yet, you wonder if more interesting textures could have taken their place.

To sum up, Will Butler’s Policy was never going to be high art. Nobody expected some kind of grand statement. We got exactly what we expected—a big, dumb record. Yet, it is fantastic!

Interview: Lonely The Brave

Written by Hannah Brierley on . Posted in Music.

If you had looked at a list of all of Lonely the Brave’s achievements, you would be surprised to know that they have only been around for five years; jumping from tour to tour with people like The Marmozets and Deaf Havana, and now this year their own headline tour. It has also just been announced that they will perform for the third time in three years at Reading and Leeds Festival in 2015; however, this time they get the amazing and surreal chance to perform on the main stage.

“Yeah, God, it’s a bit mental,” Mo starts with. “I’m so nervous and so, so excited!” he elaborates further, with the fact Reading and Leeds is one of the biggest and most recognized festivals, and that it doesn’t really get much better than the fact that they are now recognized, and get the chance to perform on this kind of scale.

Mr Edgeley, being an avid music lover, begins to reminisce about his memories of Reading festival. He informs me that he’s been nine or ten times now and that “the only thing that will stop [him] going was death.” Likewise, the whole band all love the festival experience and have been to such a range of them, with other favourites such as Download, etc. However, he clarifies that reading will always “have a special place in their hearts.”

If you could create your own festival, who would you pick to play as your headliners? “Oh my god, that’s so hard, there’s a million bands I could choose from; the first comes to mind is Deaf Tones, then maybe Pianos Become the Teeth and then, maybe… I know this would be a little unrealistic, but I would probably pick Kenny Rogers.”

Another big success for Lonely the Brave this year already has been the fact that they have been chosen to be one of the lucky few on a new BBC Introducing compilation album—amongst massive names such as Ed Sheeran and Twin Atlantic, who will also be appearing on the album. “Oh my goodness, when you put it like that it sounds pretty crazy, especially when you’re being put on the same album as Ed Sheeran. I mean he’s massive at the moment.” Lonely the Brave first played on the BBC Introducing stage three years ago at their first set at Reading and Leeds in 2012.

If you couldn’t tell already, Lonely the Brave are doing something really right here. If you have ever watched them perform before or spoken to someone who has, you will know that the frontman David Jakes doesn’t stand at the forefront of the stage, as you would expect. He congregates between the drums and the guitars near the back, an unusual and unconventional way to perform. Mo goes on to describe how when they first started playing in pubs and small bars, there wasn’t really a lot of room to move around. “So it just kind of stuck like that we’re not the kind of band to jump around a lot on stage anyway. Also when we were ‘found’ they told us not to change at all… so we just didn’t,” he laughs off.

Their headline tour kicks off on the 4th of March for a massive sixteen-date run. Surely there must be some last minute preparation for this tour? Not Mo—he informs me that he’d got a few days off still before they leave and that he’s just finished watching a documentary on the worlds ugliest animals. We go into conversation about the viral picture of pig with the penis on its face, which circulated on Facebook a few weeks ago, to which he then laughs “I have a friend who looks like that pig.” (I’m sure he would be delighted to hear about you telling me that he reminds you of a pig, Gavin…)

Finally with the ever-frustrating question, ready to nearly divide the Internet into ‘White and Gold’ versus ‘Blue and Black’; where do you stand on the situation? Mo pauses and then answers that he saw white and gold, “but… I don’t really understand what’s happening.”

I wish I knew how to answer you Mo, but neither do I. Neither do I.

Live: Twin Peaks

Written by Will Ellis on . Posted in Music.

20th February

Night and Day

7/10

It’s not what you do, it’s who you do it with. Not to downplay the idea of touring the word playing the music that you love—but surely if you’re going to tour, it’s best to do it with your best mates? Twin Peaks have been writing music together since the sixth grade (that’s year six to you and me) and are stereotypical childhood friends. Starting in a garage in Chicago they have defied the critics to become an internationally touring band as widely renowned as the Chicago bands that influenced them growing up. As a result this band is a tight knit group of mates, and you can really tell whilst watching them live. They perform as a unit, constantly bouncing off one another whilst bashing away on their respective instruments. This creates an energy that the band use well to enhance the sound of their music and their relationship with the crowd.

Playing a packed out Night & Day on their first ever trip to Manchester, it’s clear that many have been taken by this energy. With three principal songwriters, Twin Peaks don’t confine themselves to one strict style, the only unifying feature of each song is the electric, fast paced core that forces you to dance along. The band jumps between one sound to another throughout the gig, never failing to produce an exciting moment. From the psychedelic pop to punk rock, the link being their trademark garage rock take on these genres. This is a band with youth on their side with an average age of 21. They treat the gig as though they’re playing at their friends party, informal and playful. They’re having a great time and they want you to have a great time too.

Overheard at the University of Manchester, 9/3/15

Written by Anon on . Posted in Lifestyle.

“You’re funnier than the funny bone.”
Overheard in the union

“My sister had this ex-boyfriend and he was the cuntiest of all the cunts.”
Overheard in Withington

“I know how to use my words to make someone hate themselves and I really want to do that to her.”
Overheard in Kro

“This comedown is so grim, I feel lower than my chances of getting a 2:1.”
Overheard in Fallowfield

“For some reason this weekend she’s making me go to a bridal and a baby fair.”
Overheard on Oxford Road

“Wish there had been a bomb on north campus, would have been a great improvement.”
Overheard on the bus

The Upcycling project re-opens

Written by Grainne Morrison on . Posted in News.

The Upcycling Project, a charity clothes shop run by student volunteers, officially re-opened on Wednesday the 4th of March. The project previously took place for the last month of semester one. All profits from the sales of clothes go towards Women for Women International, a charity which works to help marginalised women in eight countries affected by conflict including Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rwanda. Since 1993, they have helped over 420000 women through training programs. Last semester, The Upcycling Project raised £703.90 for Women for Women International through the sale of second-hand and upcycled clothes; this money will support the training of at least two women.

Speaking to The Mancunion, Conor McGurran, Campaigns and Citizenship officer, said: “Helping to set up The Upcycling Project last term was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my role, so I’m delighted that a group of dedicated volunteers have reopened the shop! With the help of students, we can achieve even more this term, all whilst encouraging people to think about sustainability.”

Jasmine Opoku-Ware, one of the students behind The Upcycling Project, said “We will be running even more workshops throughout the semester that allows students to tap into their creative side and make use of items in their wardrobe that they may have otherwise written off. This semester, aspiring designers will be able to display and see their own pieces. Our main aim is to celebrate Manchester’s alternative fashion scene whilst raising money for an amazing charity.”

The shop will be open 12pm – 4pm Wednesday to Friday. Donations can be brought to the red bin in the foyer of the Students’ Union and students can sign up to volunteer through the Students’ Union website.

A global guide to sexual harassment

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Manchester’s recent Reclaim the Night march was declared the biggest ever in the UK. Around 2000 people stood up against sexual violence, victim blaming and women feeling unsafe on our streets. As a feminist, I find myself up against a variety of arguments as to why this kind of demonstration is pointless and unnecessary. One of the most repeated phrases is, “people in less developed countries have it so much worse. You’re a white, middle-class woman in a Western society. What do you have to complain about?”

Taking part in this event forced me to reflect on that question. I spent a semester of my year abroad living and studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the attitude towards women there is very different from what we’re used to here. It is a country where “no” means “yes,” and “I’m really not interested,” means “please, try harder to convince me.”

Take catcalling, for example. While there’s no doubt that catcalling in the UK can be intimidating, most of us are probably most accustomed to a quick wolf whistle or a gruff “smile, love!” In Argentina, a catcall can range anywhere from “hey, pretty lady,” to: “Ay, mama! If I grabbed you I’d give you another baby!” (an example from the posters everywhere by the protest group ‘Acción Respeto’). Threats of rape and violence are almost part and parcel of the culture of ‘piropos’, as catcalling is called in this part of the world. Strangely, despite this dark undercurrent of contempt for women, this phenomenon is so deeply ingrained that it is largely accepted as “just part of the culture.” I was even told by one local woman that if she wasn’t catcalled on her journey from one place to the next, she felt disappointed or as though she looked unattractive that day.

Does this then mean that we should be grateful to live in a country where this kind of publically misogynistic and threatening attitude is becoming less and less acceptable? Should we be thankful that we are more likely to hear “nice tits” than “we’re going to rape you” from a group of men as we walk past them? Probably. But this does not make this kind of behaviour any more excusable. Culture is a relevant concept, and for as long as I feel intimidated walking in a public area in my developed, Western country, I’ll continue to march for initiatives like Reclaim the Night, in solidarity with women all over the world who want to walk down the street without being congratulated for their achievements in growing normal body parts.

Don’t be selfish, take responsibility

Written by Thomas McEvilly on . Posted in Opinion.

The NHS is the largest and the oldest single-payer healthcare system in the world; it provides free healthcare on an unprecedented scale, and has become the fifth largest employer in the world. It is in my opinion the best asset this country has to offer, and I myself have experienced its benefits during a life saving operation.

This is why I fear if we continue to take for granted its services, its existence will inevitably succumb to bankruptcy. The reality is that a healthcare service designed for 1940’s Britain cannot cope with the demands of a modern society. The population is growing, and so is the average life expectancy, if the NHS is going to survive, it’s time for society to stop taking advantage of the healthcare system, and accept responsibility for their own health.

The recent Channel 4 documentary “NHS: 2 Billion A Week and Counting” has shone an important light on the tough decisions made by those in charge of resource allocation, as a result of a limited budget those who need treatment aren’t always getting it. Which then raises the question, why is it that after £108.9bn was spent on healthcare last year, those suffering from unavoidable and terminal illnesses are still not getting the treatment they deserve? For me the answer lies in the pressure placed on the budget to treat easily avoidable illness such as obesity and smoke-related diseases.

Last year more than £50 million a week was spent treating diseases caused by smoking, and since 1996 there has been a £360 million increase in costs to the NHS. This figure is unacceptable considering that we now know the harmful affects smoking has on our health. Moreover, I cannot comprehend how in a modern Britain, with all the education we have on how to live and eat healthily, that in the past 25 years the number of obese people in the UK has doubled. Now 26 per cent of all adults are obese, with a similar statistic seen amongst children, costing the tax payer £46 billion a year, nearly half of the NHS budget.

It shouldn’t be the NHS’s priority to treat illnesses people know are likely to occur as a result of their reckless lifestyle choices. It’s time people take account of their own health, and no longer rely on tax payers’ money. If people knew they had to pay for healthcare I’m sure they would think twice about eating the last donut in the box or buying another packet of cigarettes.

In the last 6 years there has been a 530% increase in gastric band surgery, costing the NHS £85 million a year, the same amount it would cost for 49,000 births on a labour ward. 1/3 of those who has gastric band surgery returned to being obese once the band was removed, which only goes to demonstrate this complete waste of resource allocation.

What’s concerning is that society has developed an attitude in which their lifestyle choices become someone else’s problem, and in doing so it has enabled people to live a reckless lifestyle without thinking of the consequences. These people are in a position to do something about their own health without medical intervention, a position many people lying in hospitals beds would envy.

Dementia is an unavoidable illness and responsible for 1 in 9 deaths; it’s a disease which has doubled in the last 10 years, and will inevitably double again with the ageing population. The funding for an ‘Admiral’ nurse to help at home with those suffering from dementia for one family would cost the NHS less than £500 a year, yet is not something available for all the 850,000 people suffering from the disease.

I understand and do believe that people should lead an autonomous life, but when it comes to impacting the operations of the NHS, this should be restricted. It’s time people stop being selfish and realise that although you pay your taxes, it does not entitle you to take advantage of a heath care system which could do so good for so many people who had no contribution to their own illnesses and are undoubtedly in a worse position then being obese.

When speaking to my grandparents, two people who lived without a national healthcare service up until they were 30, it’s clear how much we take for granted. Paying for a doctor was not an option for many families, and basic care came at a cost, leading to many people having to devise ineffective ‘home remedies’ to compensate.

My Nan had three children at home and the labor was performed by the other woman in the family–the presence of a doctor was only required for emergencies and even that came at a cost. Fortunately this is no longer the case and our NHS is an object of admiration and envy around the world; it’s what allows us to call ourselves a civilized nation.

But I fear in less than 100 years of its lifespan, a national health service will be something of the past and if this is so, the responsibility lies with those who have been selfish enough to unnecessarily drain precious NHS recourses.

A rich box of delights: A short guide to medieval literature

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Books.

Medieval literature might well only bring up vague memories of GCSE Canterbury Tales and confusing ‘u’s and ‘v’s. But beyond Chaucer, there’s a vast sea of tales and rhymes that can always spark some interest.

Usually defined as writings from around 1066 – 1450, the category includes epic romances, powerful love stories, and bawdy comic literature, to name a few. Try this brief starter dish of ye olde writing to see how you find it.

A bit of background: The Language

Literature of this time can be in any of the main three languages used: Latin, French, and Middle English. If the words seem unfamiliar, translation really helps; the medieval works can be enjoyed fully without the funny vowels.

A bit of background: The History

England in these years was often a nation of political strife. In addition, the 1348 Black Death wiped out a third of the population, and along with the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, England became deeply divided.

The writing can be equally heterogeneous, with no clear group of authors, but including mystics, monks, and court poets, for example. Literacy was still relatively restricted but an oral story-telling tradition was widespread and forms the large body of work from this time.

The knight and his quest

Romance was the medieval period’s tour-de-force. Standing out in this genre of knightly adventures are Chretien de Troye’s Lancelot and Yvain. The author doesn’t spare on the violent imagery: “They dealt such mighty blows that they pierced the shields about their necks.” But the knights are also mystics. Their battles are framed within a spiritual journey—much more than just swords and armour.

Sometime later, a northern English author wrote Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a Middle English poem about a fearsome green man who gives one of Arthur’s knights the ultimate challenge. Gawain can take one strike at the Green Knight if it is repaid a year later. The Green Knight’s fantastic description is highly memorable:

“…there came in at the hall door one terrible to behold, of stature greater than any on earth […] men marvelled much at his colour, for he rode even as a knight, yet was green all over.”

Medieval Romance literature is filled with folkloric beings and strange, magical events—stories from within and about nature at its wildest.

Swooning romance

Medieval writing is also known for its ambitious romances (with a small ‘r’). Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde tells of the secret love between Trojan prince Troilus and widow Criseyde. But tragedy strikes when Criseyde is called away to live with her father in the Greek camp. It’s love at first sight, literally: “His [Troilus’] eye precede, and so depe it wente, / Til on Criseyde it smot, and ther it stente. // And sodeynly he wax therwith astoned.” Troilus’ eye caught sight of Criseyde and he was astonished, frozen. Troilus describes his sorrow at Criseyde’s potential loss in the most vivid, and melodramatic, terms: “My two eyes, with which I cannot even see / Are grown into wells through my sorrowful salt-tears.” Lost love is felt keenly in this romantic masterpiece.

Rude and ruder

The medieval sense of humour would, at times, rival that of a 12 year-old boy. But comic literature of this period is also very clever, with puns, sleights of hand, and surprising tricks added into the mix. In The Vox and the Wolf, a satirical beast fable, a wily fox stuck in a well outwits his old rival, a gullible wolf. Promised heavenly rewards for jumping in the well’s other bucket, “the wolf gon sinke, the vox arise; / tho [be]gon the wolf [to be] sore agrise [afraid]”. The fox is a common medieval satirical characterisation of the corrupt vicar/priest; satire was a powerful vehicle for criticising contemporary authority.

Dane Hew, meanwhile, is the story of a corpse that won’t stay dead. Initially murdered by an adulterous lover, everyone else thinks they killed him, and hurriedly abandon the body to its next murderer. Dane Hew’s silence is farcical:  ‘“Dane Hew stands straight by the wall, / And wil not answere, whatsoever I call.” The shuffling body recalls modern graveyard spoofs—the age old ‘falling into a grave’ joke, for instance.

William Baldwin’s Beware the Cat takes this stream of literature to its natural conclusion. In a world where cats can talk, one man determines to discover their secrets through a bizarre recipe including a cat’s liver and an “urchin’s kidneys” (thankfully those of a hedgehog, not a poverty-stricken child).

The cats have their own hilarious stories. One jumps out of a chest, causing this extreme scatological encounter:

“For the olde préest which was so tumbled among them that his face lay upon a boyes bare arse, which belike was fallen hedlong under him was so astonished: then when the boy (which for feare beshit him self) had al to rayed his face, he neither felt nor smelt it nor removed from him.”

(Yes, you just read “beshit him self”. Yes, the priest…)

Another cat, to defend his master’s honour, catches a cheating lover right where it hurts:

“While this Gentleman was dooing with my dame my Maister came in so sodainly, that he had no leisure to pluck up his hose […] I séeing this […] pawed him with my clawes upon his bare legs and buttocks […] séeing that scratching could not moove him: sudainly I lept up and caught him by the genitalls with my téeth, and bote so hard […] My Maister […] came to the cloth and lift it up and there he found this bare arst Gentle­man strangling me, who had his stones in my mouth.”

Well, I’ve just leave that one there.

Medieval literature might seem difficult at first, but in the plague-stricken villages and courts of old, a rich imaginative life emerged, from mothers to children, poets to patrons; people who were lively, funny, and questioning and just starting to write it all down for us to read today.

Review: Spec-TAKK-ular

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in News.

Reviewing often seems a compromising exercise. Most of the time, I go to a restaurant or café with the express intention of recording my experience, noting the seating, the greeting, the atmosphere and documenting with detail the food I choose to fill my belly. Though invariably stuffed, I somehow manage to come away feeling empty inside.

Judging every element of a meal can get old. Looking over my shoulder to make sure that I am not being judged for systematically photographing every single dish and drink in front of me makes me feel awkward (although I should feel right at home, considering the near-necessity of this procedure in contemporary dining). For me, it all detracts from the real time experience of the space. When you spend all your time noticing, you don’t notice the gloriousness of just spending time.

It is because of this, I guess, that I have refrained until now from writing about Takk. It is precious to me, my safe space where I truly zone out and enjoy the ride. Naturally, then, I decided to put my feet on the pedal and analyse precisely what I love not having to analyse.

Located on Tariff Street in the Piccadilly end of the Northern Quarter, Takk sits alongside Kosmonaut (great cocktails) and El Capo (cracking tapas, lovely staff and potent tequila) in an area which seems busier and bustlier each time I walk by. The stand-out venue for daytime hang-out, Takk serves superb coffee, their house roast coming from ‘Clifton Coffee’ in Bristol and the rest sourced from ‘The Barn’ in Berlin. Inspired by Scandinavian coffee houses (hence the name ‘Takk’—Norwegian for thanks), their style of roasting allows for the original flavour of the beans to come through, resulting in light and fruity coffee which is a pleasure to drink black and lends itself beautifully to other additions. The coffee list, while short, reflects the passion of Takk’s staff to deliver impressive, uncompromised flavour.

If tea is more your bag, Takk’s selection of blends from ‘Canton Tea Co.’ more than covers bases—on this occasion, I had a warm and spicy loose leaf black chai, my companion choosing an uplifting and relaxing peppermint. And if you don’t fancy anything hot (very suspicious, considering it’s Manchester we’re talking about), an interesting array of fresh juices and soft drinks line the fridge behind the counter.

When it opened two years ago, Takk served simple breakfasts, pastries and Nordic-style open sandwiches. But since the expansion of the kitchen and recent addition of an extra chef, their culinary repertoire has evolved into something innovative, refreshing and delicious. During my usual late morning visits, I order wild field mushrooms and poached eggs on toasted rye bread. At bang on a fiver, its value in no way compromises its taste and quality. Ingredients are all locally sourced, manager Oli tells me; the bread and pastries are delivered fresh from cult Levenshulme bakery Trove, meat and fish from Frosts in Chorlton, and veg and extras from McCall’s Organics (a new addition to Church Street Market on the other end of the Northern Quarter). Usually, I glug it all down with a ‘long black’, make multiple trips to fill my glass with the icy fruit-infused water laying in wait in big jugs on a side table, and spend the following hour or so contemplating my contentment.

On the morning in question, however, I decided to shake things up for the investigative purposes of the review. The brunch menu, available on weekends, offers a varied and eclectic mix of dishes, from lamb stew with almond breadcrumb crust and mint chimichurri to IPA-infused welsh rarebit. We greedily opted for a duck egg frittata with salmon and crème fraîche, a wild mushroom, cauliflower and quinoa salad, and a pot of dhal, kindly assured by the member of staff that our order wasn’t over-ambitious (still dubious).

The dishes came out quickly, and we cleared our mugs aside, mesmerised by the kaleidoscope of colours on each plate. The beauty of the dishes was matched by their tastes: the rich, velvety frittata disappeared almost instantly; the mellow and Tarka-spiced dhal lasted a little longer, while we marvelled at and savoured its garnish of pickled pink shallots and pomegranate seeds. But the winning dish was undoubtedly the salad. A loving patchwork of textures and flavours, authentically misshapen mushrooms and braised cauliflower smoky and strong enough to make us rethink the vegetable entirely, topped off by a fragrant and earthy tarragon, walnut and rocket pesto. We lingered over the plate as much as our willpower permitted us, but it probably took under ten minutes for us to polish off the lot.

While the trip in question was genuinely in order to review Takk, I admit that its outcome was a foregone conclusion. If you believe the (my) hype, go; if you don’t, go see it for yourself (or miss out). With coffee culture increasingly diversifying in Manchester (Ziferblat, PKB, Grindsmith), Takk’s scandi-cool menu and vibe reserves it a spot at the very top. Add in evening gigs, morning coffee tastings, and quite possibly the most passionate, welcoming and cheerful staff to have ever graced Tariff Street, Takk is the cream of a bounteous crop.

Long mornings and afternoons in Takk soothe my soul. Takk is where I go to feel at ease, to forget about analysing the food and the atmosphere. I know it like an old, yet hole-free and still surprisingly elasticated sock, which I intend to warm my feet with for the foreseeable future. With this, I implore you to do the same. Soak in the surroundings without marking your meal and snapshot the experience for your own memories, rather than for the electronic screens of others. Find your sacred space and cherish it. And if you are sure that your coffee-bond can withstand your shameful hypocrisy, write a review of it.

Takk,
6 Tariff Street,
Manchester,
M1 2FF

Opinion: Baroque-ing All Over The World?

Written by Stephen Miller on . Posted in Music.

You may not have a particular interest in the standardised tonal system of the European tradition of classical music since the 16th century and, of course, I wouldn’t blame you. Even reading that sentence back lulled me into a state of drowsiness. But, it is the system which we have all grown up with and abided by, perhaps without even realising. Tonality, in a nutshell, is the arrangement of pitches and chords that give us a perceived stability and familiarity when we hear the music we love.

Something else you may or may not realise is this European ‘Western’ tonal system has made our music rather restrictive. You may argue that genres such as jazz are a lot more ambiguous and free-spirited with regards to harmony and melody, but even then they are still restricted by the limitations of a tonal system with little or no room for manoeuvre. We are not alone as Chinese music, for example, has its own tonal system, as does Indian, and many others, each of which provides us with alternative perspectives to our own embedded European thinking with regards to how harmonies and melodies are structured. Then, of course, you have the issue of how music around the world is notated. To go into detail of the inner workings of foreign notation and musical documentation practices would be foolish, because there is just too much to cover.

Notation systems are all well and good as prescriptive mediums through which one could replicate a song in performance, but the issue lies with what mere dots, lines and squiggles on a page can’t tell you. They can’t tell you the context in which the performance was given, and they can’t tell you how the performance was presented. Notation transcriptions can’t tell you the quality of the tone, i.e. how the sound itself is produced, so you don’t really get a great indication of what sound is actually present. Also, there may be tones that are unregistered in our European system from elsewhere in the world, such as China and India, that would make this system unfit for that particular purpose.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a new, universally-accepted system through which every known musical tone in existence was easily-registered and could easily be notated? A system where musical aspects such as timbre could in some way be written down exactly as it was performed? It is an idea that I am aware is incredibly flawed, but, just imagine. The creative possibilities would literally be endless. For this to happen, though, there would ideally need to be an instrument, or two, or even several that are capable of dealing with such ambiguities. Could it be possible? It’s all hypothetical and highly unlikely, but rules are meant to be challenged, if not broken altogether. The rules of music are no exception, even if they are rules in which we have abided by with seemingly no issues whatsoever for over 400 years.

Islamic speaker’s event cancelled after “security concerns” at university

Written by Anna Phillips on . Posted in News.

The University of Westminster has postponed an event hosting British Islamic Speaker Al Sheikh Haitham Al-Haddad, following concerns over security and homophobia.

LGBT+ students started a petition which gained over 3,000 signatures in order to stop Al-Haddad from speaking on campus, in an event called ‘Who is Muhammad?’

The university’s LGBT+ Society also called the speaker an “anti-gay preacher” and “homophobic,” following an article online in which he labelled homosexuality a “scourge” and a “criminal act.”

National Student Pride festival was set to take place on the following day, and organisers feared Dr. Al-Haddad’s presence on campus would make it difficult to create a safe space for the thousands of LGBT+ students attending the festival.

Eve Hartley, a spokesperson for the university’s LGBT+ society said “[students] should never be met with the possibility of facing hate in the hands of our own Student’s Union.”

She said: “The University should be a safe space for all and it should not be given a platform for hate of any kind—all students should be provided with a safe learning environment.”

The event was scheduled to go ahead until revelations that Islamic State terrorist ‘Jihadi John’ was identified as Mohammed Emwazi, a former student at the University of Westminster.

The University of Westminster posted a tweet which read: “Tonight’s Students’ Union event, ‘Who is Muhammad?’ has been postponed due to increased sensitivity and security concerns.”

In a recent Facebook post, the University of Westminster’s Islamic Society (ISOC) said: “[The society] is not associated with any extremist organisations and that should be obvious and not need stating, but given the climate, it has become necessary to clarify such things in statements such as this.

“We also regret the timing of this story breaking, given the media fervour around it directly led to the event scheduled for this evening, ‘Who is Muhammad’ to be postponed, with the event having been ready to go ahead.”

The evidence that Islamic State extremist Mohammed Emwazi graduated at Westminster University also spawned a coalition row over limiting free speech in university campuses.

The Tories’ default position is now that extremist speakers should be banned on campus, whereas the Liberal Democrats hold the position that debates should go ahead as long as they are well-chaired.

Debates over radicalisation and security services at university will continue up until election day, with concerns that the law risks banning “non-violent extremists” from speaking at universities, which could impact on freedom of speech.

Lecturers take part in the Politics Question Time

Written by Edward Bains on . Posted in News.

Last Tuesday saw 256 Bar in Fallowfield play host to ‘Politics Question Time’, a panel discussion event organised by the Politics Society in the style of the well-known BBC debate programme, with a selection of lecturers from various Manchester University departments acting as the panellists.

Making up this panel were Professor Andrew Russell (Head of Politics), Dr. Peter Backus (Economics), Dr. Peter Lawler (International Relations), Dr. Adrienne Roberts (International Politics), Dr. Miriam Ronzoni (Political Theory) and Dr. Nick Turnbull (Politics).

The panel responded to a set of seven preselected questions posed by audience remembers.

First off the list was “Is the top rate of income tax too low?” concerning the UK’s 45 per cent tax rate on earnings over £150000, reduced from 50 per cent by the current government. Interestingly, the panel’s replies did not focus on the usual argument about high tax rates simply driving the wealthy abroad, with a call instead for taxes on wealth as opposed to income.

The next question to be asked was “With Britain now paying the highest rail fares in the world, is it time we ended the failed experiment of privatisation and renationalised the railways?”

Nick Turnbull was first to respond, discussing the issue of the government subsidising certain transport operators like Stagecoach and Virgin, who return very little to the public purse, versus foreign owned companies who offer far better value for money. While not advocating outright renationalisation, he did insist major reforms were necessary.

Peter Lawler called for a return to the days of British Rail, arguing that the value of railways could not be measured purely in profits and thus is poorly served by a profit-driven privatised system.

The next question was simply, “Can the Tories be trusted with anything?” Andrew Russell gave the first response, stating there were too many unrealistic expectations often imposed on politicians, at the same time stressing the need to hold politicians to account when they renege on their promises to voters.

The fourth question of the evening asked whether it was acceptable for our government to allow billions of dollars in arms sales to countries like Israel and Saudi Arabia while at the same time criticising other nations for human rights abuses.

The idea of using arms sales as leverage against these governments was brought up, as well as Saudi Arabia being a stabilising force in the region.

Fifth up was “Is economic liberalisation the solution for developing countries?” There was a general consensus among the panel that GDP was a poor measure of overall wellbeing of a country, not taking into account factors such as infant mortality and literacy rates.

Adrienne Roberts gave a firm ‘no’, arguing that privatisation of state industries was often not beneficial, with only the most profitable areas taken and the public left to pick up the remains.

Following this, the panel were asked if the planet could be saved from global warming under the current system.
Peter Backus stressed the need for political will and incentives for industries to encourage a switch to more sustainable forms of energy.

Lastly there was a quick fire round asking “Should the University of Manchester divest from fossil fuels?”

The university’s connections to the fossil fuel industry have been a focus of campaigning by the Fossil Free society this year, which wants to see investment diverted to more sustainable causes.

The panel gave a resounding ‘yes’ response, agreeing that such a move would be a powerful symbol of a commitment to sustainability.

Fuse FM hold 24-hour charity broadcast

Written by Kathryn Murray on . Posted in News.

Friday the 27th of February saw the University of Manchester’s student radio, Fuse FM, take part in a mammoth 24-hour broadcast all in the name of charity.

The broadcast was a mix of interviews, music, chat, and special features in order to raise as much money as possible. The chosen charity was Action for ME, which offers support for those suffering with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. More than 250000 people suffer from this illness in the UK alone. Action for ME provides support for those affected by the syndrome whilst also campaigning for better treatment and research.

Most of the Fuse FM committee members were involved in the broadcast, which included a Nevermind the Buzzcocks-style quiz, a few live music sessions, and even some hard-hitting political discussion in the later stages.

The Mancunion spoke to James Nolan, Fuse FM’s Station Manager, to see how the event went.

“Doing a 24-hour broadcast is something I have wanted to do since I became Station Manager. As it was the Fundraising day of VoluntHero Week at the union, we thought there would be no better opportunity to do it whilst raising some money for charity.”

When asked about his highlights, James said, “I would have to say our early morning reading of random extracts of Fifty Shades of Grey would have to be a highlight.”

With many participants doing at least 12-hour shifts, if not the full 24 hours, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the presenters.

“The heat of the studio was a real tester of our endurance… it got pretty smelly in there.”

“Our energy levels slipped significantly and fully cohesive sentences became a real struggle, but we battled through and re-energised at breakfast time when things livened up again.”

But apparently it was all great fun, and a huge success. If you missed the show then watch this space—some best bits are set to be released in the near future. The event has managed to raise £305 so far with donations still being accepted on JustGiving.

Shadow Universities Minister answers students’ questions

Written by Liam Kelly on . Posted in News.

Following the Labour Party’s policy announcement two weeks ago that it would commit to cutting tuition fees to £6000 per year and increase student grants by £400 per year should it form a government after the general election in May, the Shadow Minister for Universities, Science and Skills—and University of Manchester alumnus—Liam Byrne MP came to the Students’ Union on Thursday the 5th of March to answer students’ questions about the policies. Labour candidate for Manchester Withington, Jeff Smith, joined him.

Byrne promised to “deliver a better deal for students in the system today,” and described his party’s policies as part of a “moral crusade” against the policies of the current government, which he claims have been “disastrous” for young people, including the now-infamous tripling of tuition fees to £9000.

Byrne claims his party has learned from the example set by the Liberal Democrats, saying Labour “cannot and will not promise things [they] can’t guarantee”, with priority being given to not “doing a Nick Clegg.” Labour’s policy promises are to reduce the headline cost of tuition fees from £9000 to £6000, whilst also making more than half of undergraduates eligible for maintenance grants from September 2016.

The Shadow Minister declared that the policies would be fully funded, with the £2.7 billion shortfall covered by reducing tax relief on pension contributions for those earning more than £150000 per year, and reducing the amount of money that can be saved tax-free from £1.25 million to £1 million. The change is necessary, Byrne said, because it would cut the liability of all students to incurring debt, and is more progressive because three-quarters of graduates do not presently pay back the money borrowed at £9000.

Byrne attempted to portray Labour as the guardians of education, by claiming that a return to government for David Cameron would lead to the collapse of the student finance system and the “guaranteed” hiking of tuition fees, up to £16000. Byrne described the Prime Minister’s fiscal plan to take £55 billion out of public spending by 2016/17 as “crazy,” and that students remaining as part of the net migration targets set by the government was effectively sending a “go home message” to foreign students studying in the UK. Further, Byrne said that the pledge to hold an in-out referendum on EU membership would “fundamentally jeopardise” the relationship with the EU, and the £1 billion per year research funding given to universities like the University of Manchester.

There was controversy during the event when Free Education MCR campaigners interrupted the session, unfurling an anti-tuition fees banner and accusing Labour of making only a “nominal concession” to the idea of free education by pledging to reduce fees by a third. One of the activists told the MP that the number at the front of the banner could be changed from a 9 to a 6 and that the message behind it will stay the same.

Byrne described the free education movement as “inspiring” and that he was “spiritually with” the campaigners, but emphasised the need to “live in the real world,” asserting that it is unfeasible that a government could close tax loopholes and increase corporation tax to such an extent in one parliament to raise the funds necessary to meet the demands of the free education movement.

Whilst the event was primarily focused on Labour’s fees policies, there was a continual emphasis on voter registration, especially amongst young people. Byrne highlighted the fact that 95 per cent of the over-55s are registered to vote in the Withington constituency, but in a constituency where one-third of those eligible to vote are students, 3000 people have fallen off the register, the majority of which live in student areas.

He emphasised it is key to the integrity of the democratic process that as many students register to vote and have their voices heard on the 7th of May as possible, and that it was time for young people to “strike back.”

Shop it like it’s hot

Written by Sarah Kilcourse on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Manchester is one of the best shopping destinations in the UK; it caters for all different styles and budgets from Selfridges to Primark, Belstaff to Affleck’s Palace. There is a rich array of brands and shops in Manchester’s city centre, plus the Trafford Centre, meaning we’re spoilt for choice. However, after the 2008 recession and the creation of online shopping many high streets are not so lucky, which has lead to a change in our shopping habits.

In years gone by, department stores were the focus of most people’s shopping, boutique shops were not unusual on the high street, different cities would have their own local department store and customers were limited to what they could buy by how far they were prepared to travel. However, in 2015 we are used to seeing the same stores up and down the country. Most cities will have the likes of: Primark, H&M, Topshop, Zara or River Island—fast fashion brands that replicate the latest trends as seen on the runway or celebrities for a fraction of the price (that’s why we love ‘em). The downside of these sorts of shops is the quality; high street stores tend to sell clothes we buy, wear for a year, perhaps two if we’re lucky, but pretty soon they end up looking tatty and outdated.

You can’t picture students in 20 years wearing the dress you bought last week from Zara while vintage clothing is a massive student trend right now. It’s easy for students to buy cheap, good quality clothes that are ten, 20 or 30 years old and still in good nick! It raises the question: How will our current taste for fast fashion impact vintage shoppers in the future?

There is another key change in our modern day shopping habits—online shopping. The BBC reported that 74 per cent of the adult population shop online and nearly half of the purchases are clothing. Online shopping and shopping apps mean we can buy clothes (or whatever else we choose) anywhere and everywhere. The option to order something online when they didn’t have it in the local shop means that customers can pretty much get anything they want.

As students we’re in a prime position now to look as stylish as we like for as much or as little as we like, without having to struggle around the Trafford Centre at the weekend!

Plaque declaring alliance with Pro-Palestinian education moved

Written by Helen Chapman on . Posted in News.

Last term a referendum was held in the Students’ Union leading to a policy passing four main things: For the Students’ Union to twin with the Al-Najah National University in Nablus, for the Union to lobby for scholarships for Al-Najah students to study here at Manchester, for solidarity with Al-Najah University, and to retain the plaque in the Student’s Union declaring this policy.

1000 voters took part in electing this policy as part of a fairly carried-out democratic process, which was the second largest referendum turnout ever for the Students’ Union. The policy was passed with an overwhelming 75 per cent majority vote in favour of carrying out the four proposed policies.

However, the plaque has now been moved across to a different pillar in the Students’ Union due to claims from the Students’ Union that threats of legal action were received from external forces. They were said to have sought legal advice and lawyers advised them to remove the plaque.

Instead, the plaque has been downsized and placed in a less visible area of the Students’ Union. There is also a screen projection in the Students’ Union displaying all of the union’s policies.

A statement from the Students’ Union Executive Committee explained: “We would firstly like to make clear that the statement has not been removed; it has been temporarily moved and is currently on the pillar next to its previous placement. The Union is continuing to carry out all of the actions contained within the policy.

“We received a legal challenge on the legitimacy of the statement as to whether our position is accommodated for within our charitable objectives.

“We are sorry that this has not been communicated earlier—as stated, due to legal advice being sought we were constrained in our ability to explain the processes.”

Action Palestine has since received a letter from students in Gaza expressing their sorrow: “We are saddened that you failed to empathize with us and break through the silence imposed on our voices, to stand against what the United Nations Special Rapporteur John Dugard described as the only remaining case after South Africa, ‘of a Western-affiliated regime that denies self-determination and human rights to a developing people and that has done so for so long.’”

Tasfia Salek, Treasurer of Action Palestine is outraged, since the Union failed to raise awareness of these issues before removing the plaque.

Salek said: “The trustee board, of which the majority have been elected to represent us, has blatantly disregarded the will of the student body. It’s extremely unfortunate that the Students’ Union has so easily been scared into submission by external lobbying and overturned our vote.

“This has completely undermined the structures of student democracy and we urge the union to reassess this decision, and vote to reinstate the plaque which expresses what is already enshrined in international law.

“More importantly, representing the interests of students is part of its own stated objectives.”

However the Students’ Union, in response to Salek’s comment, have stated that the claims being made in regards to the trustee board are factually inaccurate. The trustee board have not made any decision on this matter and it is the elected Executive Committee who made the decision in regards to the implementation of the policy.

They continued that any decisions made in regards to policy implementation have been made by the Exec Team and not any of the Trustees.

Action Palestine is continuing to lobby the Students’ Union for the plaque to be moved back to its original place.

What’s in my mum’s make-up bag?

Written by Kassi Allcock on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Having already experimented with the majority of make-up brands that are on the market, my Mum’s make up bag consists solely of two brands: Lancôme and Clinique. There’s no doubt that she holds a strong loyalty to Lancôme, always returning for help from the same lady on the same Boots counter. Although she has started to collect the odd few products from Mac due to much persuasion from yours truly, including one of their staple lipsticks, Crème Cup, and one or two of their blushers, her daily make-up bag consists of her favourite two brands! Let’s dive straight in, shall we?

To begin with, I found the Super City Block moisturiser by Clinique, which has an SPF of 40. It works a charm, giving your bare face that little bit of extra life, along with acting as a beautiful primer to perfect your make-up look.

Photo: Clinique

My next find, and a newbie in my mum’s make up bag, was Lancôme’s CC City Miracle. Not wanting too thick a coverage, a CC Cream is a brilliant alternative to foundation.

Photo: The Mancunion

Onto the eyes, my Mum wears Lancôme’s Hypnose Waterproof Mascara, and the Hypnôse Drama Eyes Palette for eye shadow. What did I tell you—she’s Lancôme’s biggest fan!

Photo: The Mancunion Photo: The Mancunion

Next on the make up hit list, she applies Clinique’s Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Mixed Berries, giving a beautiful natural flush to her cheekbones.

Photo: The Mancunion

Last, but by all means not least, comes lipstick. How she chooses what lipstick to wear each day is beyond me, owning the majority of Lancôme’s lipstick range, but the one I found in her make up bag was in the shade Corail in Love from their Rouge in Love lipstick collection.

Photo: The Mancunion

Suffer from menstrual problems? Sorry love, no jobs here

Written by Gemma Sowerby on . Posted in News.

Universities are expected to be beacons of fairness, equality, and inclusivity, but the National University of Ireland in Galway (NUIG) has come under considerable fire following complaints from prospective employees over “invasive” and “misogynistic” questions on its occupational health form.

This academic institution, whose history dates back to 1845, describes itself as having “a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence,” but this reputation has been tarnished of late, following fresh claims of sexism and lack of gender equality in the university.

The university claims that the 40 questions, including: “Do you suffer with any problems with your menstrual periods?” and “Do you suffer any breast problems?”, help occupational health professionals to establish whether the successful candidate will be in a position to “carry out the job without any undue risk to the health and safety of themselves or others at work.”

A statement from NUIG said: “The form is completely confidential and returned by the individual to the university Occupational Health Physician directly… A confirmation is simply received of medical fitness for duty or not.”

One senior lecturer at NUIG, however, has branded the questions “borderline misogynistic. They are such an invasion of privacy it is unbelievable. Why are the menstrual periods of women workers of concern to NUI Galway? If you answer ‘yes’ to this question, what are the consequences?”

This criticism has prompted NUIG to respond to calls of sexism in the workplace; The Connacht Tribune reported that issues of gender equality have been unavoidable at NUIG in recent months, following Equality Tribunal findings on discrimination against two female lecturers at the university. Moreover, in recent figures, it was revealed that 81 per cent of the university’s staff was male.

NUIG alumnus and Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has spoken out against the university, saying that he is “very concerned” over the problems raised by the questionnaire. “It appears excessively intrusive, and it gives rise to gender balance issues, bias, and discrimination.

“Whether or not they have underlying health issues could be ascertained without going into so much detail about whether somebody has any problems with their menstrual periods, their menstrual cycles or whether they’ve had any prostate issues. I can’t understand why you’d ask so specific questions of people and I think it is totally outrageous.”

The university, which has handed out honorary doctorates to the likes of Hillary Clinton and Angelica Huston, announced that they would be reviewing the process in light of the recent backlash. Many current and past students and staff have expressed concern over Twitter at the actions of the institution using the hashtag #answerstoNUIG.

One current student, @GraceyOConnell, said: “Cause a menstrual cycle impacts on how she does her job [sic]? I won’t be looking for a job here after my degree anyway”.

Parental guidance

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

As a child I was frequently photographed wearing dungarees, matching two-piece outfits or  flower-patterned shift dresses. Some might argue, the norm for a 90s kid. Dressing for warmth was not really an issue for me living in Zimbabwe and I often ran around the garden barefoot. As I grew older my parents were relatively liberal in allowing me to wear whatever I pleased, including some very bad fashion choices that could have benefited from a little intervention. They knew what was essential and invested time and money into things like running shoes, a good winter coat, a scarf, and gloves.

My black ASOS high-waisted ripped jeans are my pride and joy at the moment, but that doesn’t stop my dad from offering to buy me new jeans or sew up the carefully constructed rips. So much so that when we encounter someone else wearing ripped jeans, I feel the need to point it out to him: “Look Dad, I told you it’s a fashion trend… it’s not just me!” I find that my dad often critiques my clothing choices using humour with an underlying truth, but has never attempted to change the way I dress. Despite his banter about midi rings simply being too small for my fingers, or crop tops shrinking in the wash, he pretty much accepts that he will never fully understand the realm of youth fashion.

Fashion advice from my dad usually comes from a comical place, whereas my mum offers genuine constructive criticism—I’ve learnt when to reject it and when to accept it. All that matters is that they’ve accepted my style, namely my love for black and my online shopping habits.