new/newydd – December

The best new and upcoming artists to look out for this month… PALMISTRY ThereÔÇÖs something incredibly appealing about PC music and PALMISTRY has got it spot on. From swooning vocals dripping in distortion to blipping synth lines, this London based producer comes bearing a musical escape you wonÔÇÖt be able to turn down. With a full-length debut album knocking around on Soundcloud thereÔÇÖs ample to … Continue reading new/newydd – December

Review: Augustines – The Globe, 04/12/14

Jade Attwood reviews Augustines at The Globe… With both floors of The Globe packed to the rafters from the outset, support act Arkells start the evening off. Procuring a distinctly mixed age crowd, the Canadian rockers have a task on their hands to get the mood right. But, with constant witty interaction and angsty enthusiasm, the band certainly create a buzz in the previously sombre … Continue reading Review: Augustines – The Globe, 04/12/14

Interview: Years & Years

Ahead of their support slot in CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall, Rachel Cunliffe and Louis Browne caught up with Olly and Emre from Years & Years to discuss synthesizers, celebrity fans and singing in the shower. Your sound seems to span numerous eras and styles; OllyÔÇÖs vocals are warm and soulful and have an almost nostalgic 90s feel to them, but then the production is modern and … Continue reading Interview: Years & Years

Book Review: FOREVER BUTT

The first issue of BUTT was published in 2001, but it wasnÔÇÖt until 2006 when the BUTT BOOK was published and became a bestseller that the magazine solidified it place in public psyche. Now, they have returned with a new hardback instalment to the series, FOREVER BUTT. This bold book, not out of place on the shelves of an urban independent bookshop or urban outfitters … Continue reading Book Review: FOREVER BUTT

Moose Blood promo picture

Interview: Moose Blood

On Thursday 20th of November, Music Editor India Thomas caught up with Moose Blood ahead of the Bristol date of their tour with Mallory Knox. They talk touring, records, and the importance of family. India: So, youÔÇÖve been on the UK tour with Mallory Knox. How has it been so far? Mark: The venues that weÔÇÖre getting to play are nuts, we donÔÇÖt expect it. … Continue reading Interview: Moose Blood

Review: Beauty and the Beast

Ballet CymruÔÇÖs adaptation of the classic fairy-tale hit Riverfront Theatre, boasted a packed audience and outstanding cast and is a must see for anyone venturing to the Ballet this Christmas. There was definitely no hint of Disney in the Welsh ballet companyÔÇÖs performance, with Jeanne-Marie Leprince de BeaumontÔÇÖs French version shining through. The haunting music and absence of dialogue made for interpretation, as some scenes … Continue reading Review: Beauty and the Beast

Mexican tapas

Review: Wahaca

  Co-founded by 2005 Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers, Wahaca promises a Mexican eating experience with a street-style twist. Situated on the outskirts of the St DavidÔÇÖs Centre opposite John Lewis, the restaurant oozes modernity yet with a hint of Mexican liveliness. The many lights hanging from the second floor ceiling create an intimate yet sophisticated atmosphere, bringing street-food into the realms of the restaurant and … Continue reading Review: Wahaca

Interview: Honeyblood and Superfood

We chat to Superfood and Honeyblood about the 1990s, being the ÔÇÿones to watchÔÇÖ and exactly what they think about music magazines ÔÇÿWe didnÔÇÖt take it very seriously, we were quite bored at the time.ÔÇÖ It seems a pretty devil may care attitude, the way Ryan Malcom – ┬águitarist of Superfood – speaks of his early days in the band. ÔÇÿWe actually booked a gig … Continue reading Interview: Honeyblood and Superfood

mallory knox press

Interview: Mallory Knox, (Part One)

On Thursday 20th November, Danii Penny caught up with the lovely Sam Douglas, bassist and songwriter of Mallory Knox, for a chat ahead of their incredible headline show at Bristol’s O2 Academy. He talks about how MK formed and have progressed, and even gives us a little exclusive about a song from their new album, Asymmetry. Danii: IÔÇÖm not as nervous as I mightÔÇÖve been … Continue reading Interview: Mallory Knox, (Part One)

group photo at the gutsy goose restaurant

Quench Food Evening: The Gutsy Goose

  Another month and therefore another chance for us to explore CardiffÔÇÖs independent eateries as we head to The Gutsy Goose on Crwys road for the second of QuenchÔÇÖs food evening. Despite having to battle the elements to get to the restaurant, everyone remained lively, eager to be let loose on the sizable menu and see what The Gutsy Goose had to offer. Dominating the … Continue reading Quench Food Evening: The Gutsy Goose

Christmas Dinner

Cardiff Christmas Dinner Guide

Attending University is good for many things; earning qualifications, gaining quality life skills and learning about ÔÇÿthe real worldÔÇÖ, but even more importantly, it provides us students with the excuse to celebrate the jolliest time of the year twice. Christmas wouldnÔÇÖt be Christmas without stuffing yourself silly, and studying away from home usually means you get to indulge in some serious festive food with your … Continue reading Cardiff Christmas Dinner Guide

Album: Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind

Words To The Blind sees two of LondonÔÇÖs most exciting alternative bands, the post-punk institution Savages and Japanese noise rockers Bo Ningen, perform simultaneously. At the heart of this 38 minute long experimental track is the early 20th century art movement Dadaism, in which artists valued and expressed irrational thought through visual chaos and unconventional structures. Words To The Blind finds the practice of automatic … Continue reading Album: Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind

The UKÔÇÖs Top Islands

Island holidays are usually associated with white-sand beaches full of palm trees, endless sunshine and exotic places. Be it the Canaries, the Caribbean islands or the Philippines, the word ÔÇÿislandÔÇÖ itself gets people excited. However, we shouldnÔÇÖt forget that the UK holds an array of beautiful islands too, perhaps not rewarded with as much sunshine as the others but no less charming. Here are five … Continue reading The UKÔÇÖs Top Islands

Animal Tourism: Is it ever right?

Emma Forbes investigates the truths behind South-East AsiaÔÇÖs tiger and elephant tourism industries. When heading off on an ÔÇÿepicÔÇÖ trip around Southeast Asia, it is easy to get caught up in the fun, eagerly handing over money to those who promise to give you the ultimate experience of a life time. Lying down next to a fearsome tiger or riding a majestic elephant are unsurprisingly … Continue reading Animal Tourism: Is it ever right?

Backstage: Arabian Nights, Sherman Theatre

The Sherman TheatreÔÇÖs production of Arabian Nights is set to storm the Christmas Stage. Quench Culture got a sneak peak in the rehearsal room to see how preparations are going. The performance of Arabian Nights strikes the audience in its difference. This exotic tale of love, mystery and the joy of spoken word originated from folk tale to be translated into English published novel in … Continue reading Backstage: Arabian Nights, Sherman Theatre

Album: Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea

Parkay Quarts – Parquet CourtsÔÇÖ offshoot consisting of Andrew Savage, Austin Brown and a few friends ÔÇô return with Content Nausea, juxtaposing the last Parquet Courts release, Sunbathing Animal, which heavily featured ideas of freedom, with the idea of ÔÇÿcontent.ÔÇÖ Content Nausea is a slower, plodding release compared to the more up-beat, aggressive albums previously released, but the characteristics of a sharp punk band are … Continue reading Album: Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea

Album: One Direction – Four

Despite their meteoric rise to fame and global success, Four does nothing to cement One DirectionÔÇÖs status as the most successful boy band since The Beatles. The aptly-titled fourth album from the band boasts a more sophisticated 70s pop-rock sound with Fleetwood Mac-esque guitar riffs and layered choruses reminiscent of EaglesÔÇÖ Hotel California. On paper, this sounds like a step in the right direction (pun … Continue reading Album: One Direction – Four

Live: The Kooks – The Great Hall – 22/11/2014

ItÔÇÖs been a bit of a musical rollercoaster for The Kooks; with a slippery on-record slope since finding an incredible debut inInside In/Inside Out, theyÔÇÖve been hanging by a thread for the past few albums. But, having ownership over the odd tune to keep them in contention has helped with 2014 seeing them pick up the slack with their fourth LP┬áListen.┬á Walking On Cars bring … Continue reading Live: The Kooks – The Great Hall – 22/11/2014

Live: The Gaslight Anthem – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 22/10/14

On a night where they’re competing with the Welsh rugby team for punters, there’s a worry that The Gaslight Anthem could play their joint largest ever show to a half-full room. Indeed, during openers BaysideÔÇÖs angst-punk set, the throng was barely ten deep with many electing for the seating at very back of the arena. The veteran New Yorkers pound through a half-hour set characterised … Continue reading Live: The Gaslight Anthem – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 22/10/14