Haunting bass lines and punchy lyrics come together with mesmerising effect. The dark blend of R&B and pop that characterises BanksÔÇÖs sound is an example of a new breed of solo artist. The LA born singer, Jillian Banks began to cause a stir amongst critics last year having already worked with the likes of Totally Extinct Dinosaurs on tracks such as ÔÇÿWarm WaterÔÇÖ. The mix … Continue reading Review: BANKS-Goddess
Festival No.6: Generally unpretentious and impossible not to enjoy It’s easy to be swayed by the fact that Festival No.6 keeps winning awards, its views of the estuary and the fairy-tale nature of its setting: the mock Italian village of Portmeirion. However, it could be argued that 2014 did not sport as mouth-watering a line-up as last year, despite plenty to interest even the most … Continue reading Festival Review: Festival No.6
Andy Love on gay dating in the 21st century “Hey, how are you doing?” “I’m good, how are you?” “I’m good. What are you up to?” “Chilling. What are you up to?” “Bored…” This might seem like a regular start up conversation for people with dating/hook up apps. But are they good, are they bad, where do we stand? Do you remember a time when … Continue reading Grinding You Down
QuenchÔÇÖs Film and TV editor Charlie Andrews gives us a brief insight into LGBT+ issues in the comic world. Back in the beginning of April, GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) held their 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which sets out to honour a host of various films, albums, books, comics and other media from 2013 for their ÔÇ£fair, accurate and inclusive representations of … Continue reading Some people are superheroes. Get over it!
A brief analysis at the rules and regulations of the life saving process of giving blood. Currently UK guidelines prohibit the donation of blood from men who have sex with men within a 12 month period, regardless of whether condoms are used or not, or whether two men are in a monogamous relationship. The argument provided by the Give Blood website elucidates the fact that … Continue reading Well I would give blood, if I could
Culture editors Jasmine Freeman and Elouise Hobbs bring you ten of CardiffÔÇÖs cultural treasures you wish you knew about. Go unearth them! I want to do something different Ever fancied watching an opera? Well, the Welsh National Opera offers 50 ┬ú5 tickets in the top three price bands for Under 30s for every performance. What’s more, for some performances there are free Pre-Performance Talks that … Continue reading Hidden Gems for the Curious Student
Exploring relationship issues at university with someone totally unqualified to do so. I┬áwill make absolutely no pretenses about my credentials as any sort of relationship expert, guru, czar or any other position of relative authority you care to choose. IÔÇÖm also aware that there are many people infinitely more capable of explaining the various vagaries and complexities surrounding romance, a fact that will remain true … Continue reading Love Games
An anonymous trans* student talks about his experiences with allies. Transitioning to male within an all-female environment made the last few years of school very hard. More so, when I was encountered by people who could not understand me and felt it was their place to try and stop me. Heeding advice from LGBT+ people I began to get very defensive, and hid away from … Continue reading The Story of Our Allies
QuenchÔÇÖs LGBT+ editor Emrhys Pickup discusses Facebook’s recent addition of over 50 gender identities and a new pronoun option to user’s basic info. Facebook requires five things from you when you sign up – your name, email address, a password, your birthday and your gender; with gender being presented to you as a tick box option between male and female. Most non-binary trans* folk do … Continue reading 50 shades of gender
The best new and upcoming artists to look out for this month… Anna of the North The sounds of Anna of the North have been slowly filtering to further adrift shores for some time now. Promising a special brand of electro dream pop, itÔÇÖs hard not to fall head over heels for the Norwegian singer-songwriter and her ethereal vocal stylings. Debut single ÔÇÿSwayÔÇÖ was released … Continue reading new/newydd – September
Brian Fallon has been writing songs about heartbreak all his life. So what makes this collection different? The clues are in the lyrics. Gone are the yearning odes to ÔÇÿMaria,’ who one suspects was an amalgamation of teenage romances, and thereÔÇÖs scarcely a proper noun in sight. Having just come through a gruelling divorce from his wife of ten years, FallonÔÇÖs wounds are raw and … Continue reading Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt
Twin Atlantic impressed with their cracking debut full length, ÔÇÿFreeÔÇÖ.┬á Since then, the amount of interest focused on their follow up has increased with every year that has gone by. The boys from Glasgow have coped with this unexpected pressure with ease. There are no second album nerves apparent anywhere on ÔÇÿGreat DivideÔÇÖ. The album is confident and cohesive. There is a clear sense of … Continue reading Review: Twin Atlantic – Great Divide
FKA twigsÔÇÖ debut album ÔÇÿLP-1ÔÇÖ is not as humble as the title would suggest. Tahliah Barnett letÔÇÖs her music do the talking without need of a fancy title. The ethereal intro of ÔÇÿPrefaceÔÇÖ takes the listener almost to another dimension; angelic vocals are backed with a deep bass and a dark, beautiful, dreamlike feeling (more so than words) is explored. This aura is very present … Continue reading Review: FKA twigs – LP1
Biffy ClyroÔÇÖs B-side compilation album, ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ, is not a waste of time. ItÔÇÖs not a cheap money spinner that tides keen fans over until the next album cycle. It’s a demonstration of the hugely prolific and profound songwriter, frontman Simon Neil, and an exceedingly professional band doing exactly what they do best. The very nature of a compilation dictates that ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ is not as coherent … Continue reading Review: Biffy Clyro – ‘Similarities’
International tensions are increasing, conflict has provoked much political debate, and whatÔÇÖs more, the UKÔÇÖs general election is fast approaching. It is the time for celebrity cynics and anarchists to force their views upon us, increase their tabloid exposure, and make some money. Unsurprisingly, Morrissey has released a new album. While the opening lyric, ÔÇÿWorld Peace is None of Your BusinessÔÇÖ, does not provide the … Continue reading Review: Morrissey – ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’
With little time left to wait for PlaidsÔÇÖ self-titled debut album, punk fans may now rejoice. Unlike their scuzzy low-fi contemporaries in the DIY scene, Plaids have managed to refract their energetic songs through a prism of crystal clear production. The result is twelve tracks that fans of post-hardcore will relish. The theme of ÔÇÿspaceÔÇÖ ties the record together and the lack of song titles … Continue reading Review: Plaids – Plaids
Joyce Manor have delivered an unpretentious belter of a record. Storming past at a breakneck nineteen minutes long, the Californian bandÔÇÖs third full-length almost ends too soon. More arty than pop-punk and more hectic than plain olÔÇÖ indie, ÔÇÿNever Hungover AgainÔÇÖ forms somewhat ironically the perfect soundtrack to days spent drinking with your buddies. Themes of regret seem to permeate the record and as frantic … Continue reading Review: Joyce Manor – Never Hungover Again
Written concurrently with last yearÔÇÖs ÔÇÿRewind the FilmÔÇÖ, itÔÇÖs more accurate to describe ÔÇÿFuturologyÔÇÖ as a counterpart than a follow-up to SeptemberÔÇÖs acoustic reflection on middle age. Indeed, a lot of the songs here give a comforting feel in contrast to the heartbreaking moments of ÔÇÿRewind the FilmÔÇÖ. The opening title track bubbles through its verses until a soothing Nicky Wire vocal ÔÇ£one day we … Continue reading Review: Futurology – Manic Street Preachers
Following a successful show at Glastonbury only a week earlier, Arcade Fire are set to headline the British Summer Time festival. The atmosphere within Hyde Park is relaxed with tinges of anticipation. Combined with a wide variety of stalls and amusements that you would expect at a festival, itÔÇÖs easy to think you were a world away from the capital, rather than at its epicentre. … Continue reading Live Review: Arcade Fire, British Summer Time (03/07/14)
Taking over Funkirk Estate in Skipton this August 7th-10th is Beacons Festival. Beacons is North YorkshireÔÇÖs premier arts and music festival set amongst the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. With student ticket deals (only ┬ú89.50 plus booking with a valid student card) or buy five get one free offers (at ┬ú109.50 plus booking) and some of the biggest names in new music itÔÇÖs not one to be … Continue reading Preview: Beacons Festival (7th-10th August)
