The National Student Magazine December 2009

December 2009

y l l e T o b m i Cr

Our pick of the best things on your telly-box this Christmas

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Catherine Tate – Nan’s Christmas Carol

BBC One Friday 25th December @ 10.30pm The festive season frankly wouldn’t be complete without TV stations wheeling out the traditional Dickensian tale of ghost-led moral education, but this version is sure to be rife with an unusual abundance of four letter words. Catherine Tate’s foul mouthed Nan is joined by the obligatory all star cast and quite probably destined to provide a busy day at OfCom when the complaints department return to work and catch up.

Take That: The Circus Live

ITV 1 Saturday 19th December @ 6.30pm Another great unexpected come-back of the Noughties was Take That, surprising on many counts including the fact that Gary Barlow has now, for some, become a sex symbol! Full of energy and with a string of great hits, the boys put on a real good show in this concert with very few expenses spared. They’ve even got an elephant!

David Tennant

All over the place A lot of the time It’s a gloriously David Tennant filled Christmas this year, he’ll be popping up all over the place on the big and small screen and on the radio too. Appearances include hosting Never Mind The Buzzcocks, being a panellist on QI and he’s even reading Bedtime Stories on CBeebies if that takes your fancy! Goodness knows what he’s promoting! It may seem overkill if you’re not a fan but it’s a big old treat if you are. He’s even to be seen riding the Tardis pulled by reindeer on the BBC Christmas idents so there’s literally no escape. Hooray!!

The Fattest Man In Britain

ITV 1 Sunday 20th December @ 9pm Timothy Spall and Bobby Ball star in this Caroline Aherne penned drama based on a true story. Ball plays Morris Morrissey, part time taxi driver and full-time personal manager to the one and only Georgie Godwin (Spall), who is convinced he holds the title of ‘Fattest Man In Britain’. Combining both his roles, Morris keeps Georgie well fed and watered then brings taxi loads of tourists to gawp at the “eighth wonder of the world”. Georgie is challenged to take part in a live weigh off with his rival Big Brian on the local TV news. Georgie sets about gorging on food like he has never done before and is helped along by his friends and neighbours who bring him a steady stream of meals and snacks - from curries and samosas to lemon meringue pies and bags of broken biscuits. Will Georgie reign triumphant in the weigh in or will Big Brian take his title? And will watching this programme affect your own excesses over the festive period?

James May’s Toy Stories

BBC Two Friday 25 December @ 7pm This has been a gloriously joyful series with James May taking on mammoth projects in honour of well-loved toy sensations. From a plasticene garden to the world’s biggest Scalextric track, as patience testing as it might have been, the BBC chose to hold back two episodes for Christmas, so we’ll finally see Captain Slow’s ridiculously long miniature train track and on Christmas Day we see him build his full size Lego house.

Steve Coogan - The Inside Story

BBC Two Sunday 27th December @ 9pm Following the skewed documentary format of Shooting Stars - The Inside Story from last Christmas, this show details the mostly factual path of Steve Coogan’s comedy career. Coogan has not only played many notable on-screen roles but has also been a driving force behind the scenes with his production company Baby Cow. Once again Vic n Bob add spurious anecdotal inserts as make-up artists and cameramen, archive clips are spewed out, and a gathering of his comedy peers and collaborators submit their thoughts on the man who created Paul and Pauline Calf, Saxondale, Tony Ferrino and Alan Partridge.

Doctor Who – The End Of Time

BBC One Part 1 - Friday 25th December @ 6pm Part 2 - Friday 1st January @ 6.40pm It’s the end of an era. Russell T Davies, the man who rejuvenated a TV legend and brought Doctor Who back to the bosom of the nation waves goodbye with one last big Christmas hurrah. His gloriously devoted efforts in bringing Doctor Who back to our screens are so easy to take for granted now that the show has seen such widespread success and appreciation but the show’s return could so easily have failed and when it didn’t it changed the face of UK Saturday night television and altered the mindset of some very stunted telly executives. There’s another chap leaving this change embracing show, David Tennant bows out as the Tenth Doctor making way for Matt Smith to takeover with new executive producer Steven Moffat in the spring. This epic two-parter (Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) sees the wondrous Bernard Cribbins enter the Tardis and the return of John Simm as The Master more psychotic than ever. It is the jewel in this year’s Christmas TV crown and is sure to amuse, thrill and even moisten the eye sockets of every viewer regardless of which side of the sofa they watch it from.

Celebrity Big Brother

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Channel 4 January The show may be on its last legs and rapidly losing viewers but the celebrity version of Big Brother still has the power to surprise, amuse and intrigue. Of course at this point in time we have no idea who will be entering the TV fish bowl in January, and it’s probably fair to say that the producers aren’t entirely sure themselves. Decreasing viewers and decreasing confidence in the format itself, on a commercial channel must mean a smaller budget and the calibre of ‘celebrity’ equates to the fees they can pay! But luckily for us there is no scientific equation that can predict the entertainment factor of this unpredictable house. You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, and this is your last chance (on Channel 4 at least) to enjoy Celebrity Big Brother.

Ant & Dec’s Christmas Show

ITV1 Saturday 26th December @ 7.30pm Cheeky and cheesy ITV faithfuls Ant & Dec host a festive special from “Santa’s Cabin” with a feast of Christmas show clichés including the prerequisite roaring fire, a carol singing girl band, the obligatory “whole host of showbiz friends” and erm… a talking moose head. Robbie Williams and Alexandra Burke bring some music and there are party games with Amanda Holden and unfortunately Piers Morgan is there too.

An Englishman In New York

ITV 1 Monday 28th December @ 9pm Frankly, it’s not the fastest sequel to ever make it to our screens. John Hurt reprises his role as English eccentric Quentin Crisp in An Englishman In New York, picking up where classic 70’s drama The Naked Civil Servant left off. Out-spoken dandy Quentin Crisp sets off on the journey of a lifetime to the Big Apple. New Yorkers immediately embrace Quentin and his witty waspish ways, and before long he is being wined and dined by celebrities in every corner of Manhattan. This welcome return of Hurt’s portrayal sees Crisp opening up to the prospect of intimacy and relationships while also coping with his propensity to cause a scandal.

Hamlet

Gavin and Stacey

BBC One Friday 25th December @ 10pm Friday 1st January @ 9pm The massively loveable sitcom comes to a close at the end of its third series and it’ll be very sad to say goodbye to this endlessly endearing extended family. The two final episodes see a trip to the beach and the approach of Nessa and Dave’s wedding with plenty of delicate loose ends yet to be tied… And a few big obvious ones! Will we ever find out the truth about exactly what was occurring on that notorious fishing trip? (No actually. We were going to find out, but they cut that scene in the edit because it ruined the pacing!)

BBC Two Saturday 26th December @ 5.05pm Last year’s massively successful and critically acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet comes to the small screen, starring some bloke called David Tennant in the title role and another insignificant chancer called Patrick Stewart as Claudius. With location shooting and a contemporary look this offers a great opportunity to dip your toe back into Shakespeare if you’ve previously been turned off by it at school, and if you’re already familiar and appreciative then this is an unmissable Hamlet that’ll be remembered as one of the greatest.

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Gavin Ruth Jones Continued...

Ruth Jones

How do you feel about this being the last series? Was it more exciting or emotional to film? It was very emotional at the end. Even from day one we all had this sad feeling about it all ending. In the final week me and Jo Page just couldn’t stop crying. We were pathetic and we looked like frogs. And on the last day me and James were awash. It sounds silly I know, but it’s been a big part of our lives for the past three years... But, y’know, things have to move on. As Nessa said in episode one of series one: “Times change. People move on.” And they do. Nessa’s attitude to life pretty much stays the same. She’s never in a different mood, always the same one. And she takes whatever life throws at her in her usual measured way. If she won the lottery or if she found herself on a sinking ship, she’d probably pretty much react the same way to both. We’ve dipped into the lives of Gavin and Stacey and their family and friends for a couple of years, and now it’s time to dip out again and let them get on with it. I actually do believe sometimes that these people exist! Am I going mad? Can you tell us any funny stories from filming? There’s one scene in episode four where Pam and Dawn are having a conversation about a DVD. And Alison, Adrian and Julia just couldn’t get through it without laughing. In the end Chris our director had to send everyone off for a tea break, and even after that they were still laughing... They got there in the end but it was a real struggle. Is that really it? You won’t be tempted to write just one more series or special? We definitely won’t be writing another series. Where would we go with it? No, it’s really time to say goodbye to these characters now. But we’ve never ruled out the idea of a special maybe in a few years’ time. Not in the near future though. James and I will definitely write together again though – we want to write a film. We’ve already had an idea!

What about Gavin And Stacey The Movie? Well, that film I was telling you about? It won’t be a Gavin and Stacey movie! That’s because both James and myself think G&S very much belongs to the little screen, not the big one. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just the right medium for it. So why spoil it by trying to turn it into something it’s not? Now Gavin and Stacey the musical... that’s a different story! What is your favourite bit from the new series? There’s so much I love... There’s a scene in the caravan in episode five firstly between Nessa and Neil the baby (played on that occasion by Ewan who was always superb!) and then Dave Coaches arrives. I think it’s maybe my favourite ever Nessa scene... but apart from that, I just think James’s acting, especially in episode six, is a joy to behold. That man is so talented. He really is! Ness seems to have had quite a few surprising ex-boyfriends – who is her most high-profile conquest? That’s a good question. What’s interesting is that people assume they know who Nessa is referring to in her past a lot of the time but in fact they get it wrong. For example, we have never mentioned the actual name Mohamed Al Fayed. Or Richard Madeley. But people have made assumptions about them. My favourite Nessa conquest isn’t a celebrity. It’s Paulo. From South America. Who she describes as the only man she ever really loved. And she thought she saw him once down Barry Magistrates. She didn’t. It wasn’t him. I guess the John Prescott stuff is really funny, I have to say, John was very good humoured about that reference, thanks John! And of course Tom Jones when we made the Comic Relief film. He was great fun! Do you and James have any plans to collaborate together on any other projects in the future? Well there’s the film but we may also write some more TV comedy together. We’ve had a couple of thoughts... What would you like to think Nessa is doing in 10 years’ time? James and I were talking about this the other day. We reckon she’ll rejoin the circus. And Neil the baby will learn to walk on stilts or become a trapeze artist. Nessa will inherit a couple of secondhand tigers in not very good nick and hers will be the only illegal, animal-based circus in the country. She’ll be the ring mistress of course, but will smoke while doing it. And look quite bored. And finally... the suspense is killing us. Do we ever find out about Bryn and Jason and that fishing trip? Again, do you want me to spoil it for you? It’s so much fun leaving it to people’s imaginations. With the caveat that whatever did happen was not illegal in this country and involved soup.

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Alison Steadman

How do you feel about this series being the last ever one? Was it more exciting or emotional to film? I still can’t believe this is the last series. It was on my mind most of the time and the final day was really emotional. It feels a real loss. What is your favourite bit from the new series? I loved Neil’s christening scene. It’s funny and very moving as well. My least favourite bit for Pammy is when she covers her face in a green facepack. When I saw myself I looked straight out of a cheap horror movie! Pam seems to have a bit of a maternal soft spot for Smithy. Would you like to see him and Nessa get together? Pammy loves Smithy and would do anything for him. She just wants him to be happy. He is like a second son to her. What would you like to think Pam is doing in 10 years’ time? She’ll be having her grandchildren to stay and spoiling them like mad (I hope). Now Gavin And Stacey is finished, what’s next? I want to do more theatre as well as television. I’ll be touring Alan Bennett’s play Enjoy in the early spring.

Rob Brydon

How do you feel about this series being the last ever one? Was it more exciting or emotional to film? It was lovely to see everyone again. We were filming in the summer, which was unusual for us; we usually shoot up to Christmas so it was a different atmosphere in as much as the weather was nice. I felt a little sad, though, knowing that this was the last series. Who will you miss working with the most? I suppose I’d have to say Ruth, we’ve known each other for years and it’s been lovely working so closely with her on the show and the spin-offs like the record for Comic Relief. In one of the episodes we hear Bryn joins Gavin and Smithy for a lad’s night out. Can you tell us about it? Bryn goes out into Cardiff with the boys and tries to keep up with their pace. It doesn’t go quite to plan. Must have been fun having all the boys stay over? Yes it must... What would you like to think Uncle Bryn is doing in 10 years’ time? The same as he’s doing now, but slower. Please put us all out of our misery. Do we find out what happens on that fishing trip? Your misery shall continue...

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Stacey A

Mathew Horne

How do you feel about this series being the last ever one? Was it more exciting or emotional to film? There were tears, yes. Mine because I tore the ligaments in my ankle two days before the end! Who will you miss working with the most? Alison. Legend in her own boots. At the end of the Christmas special we saw Smithy asking Nessa not to marry Dave – what’s occurin’ there then? Do you think Smithy is really in love with Nessa? I think he’s in love with himself first, Gav second and womankind third. What is your favourite bit from the new series? Bryn on the beach. It’s extraordinary. You and James recently appeared in your own BBC Three sketch show – do you have any plans to work together again? We sure do and are currently, yes. Bit of a break, now it’s back to work. What would you like to think Gavin is doing in 10 years’ time? Speaking Welsh. Now Gavin And Stacey is finished, what’s next? Marple. More Horne & Corden. And hopefully some sleep.

Larry Lamb

The house must feel empty now Gavin and Stacey have moved back to Wales. How is Pam coping without her little Prince? Driving Mick stone ravin’ bonkers. Any chance you and Pam would move to Wales? As much chance as being kicked to death by a three-legged camel on the end of Southend pier. How do you feel about this being the last series? Was it more exciting or emotional to film? Absolutely – if that were possible. What is your favourite bit from the new series? The scene just before the very end, but I can’t tell you because it’ll give it away. We hear that Dawn and Pete renew their wedding vows – will Mick and Pam do the same? They do it every day anyway. Nessa seems to kiss Mick any chance she gets. Ever been tempted? Speaking on behalf of Mr Shipman I would definitely like to respond in the affirmative (only joking, Clare and David). What would you like to think Mick is doing in 10 years’ time? More of the same. Apart from EastEnders, now Gavin And Stacey is finished, what’s next? I’m doing a TV show about fathers and sons with George my son and then I’m going on the road with my one-man show.

Joanna Page

How do you feel about this being the last series? Was it more exciting or emotional to film? I think this feels right that it’s the end of Gavin And Stacey. It’s been a joy to work on but it will be lovely to play different parts and work on other things. It felt very relaxed filming, because we knew we wouldn’t be doing it anymore and we all knew what we were doing we just enjoyed it. It was emotional finally finishing, and we all shed a few tears, but it’s lovely that we all became such good friends so I know I’ll see everyone again! Who will you miss working with the most? I think I’ll miss filming with Mel who plays Gwen. When I think back to the first scenes we ever filmed together we were so nervous because everything was just starting. But now we’re so close and she’s become my adopted mother! I’ll miss our scenes when we’re trying to force omelettes down our throats! I was so upset when Mel finished the job because I felt like I’d just lost my mum. Can you tell us any funny stories from filming? There was one particular scene I did with Ruth when she had quite a funny costume on and I couldn’t stop laughing. We became hysterical in the rehearsal and I nearly started crying and was told off by the producer and director and told to pull myself together otherwise nobody would get any dinner. Which just made things worse. There was also a scene where we’re all eating. I didn’t have any lines but Ruth did and couldn’t get her words out without spitting out her food. So I nearly spoilt the shot by giggling uncontrollably when I didn’t even have anything to say! You’re Nessa’s best mate – do you think she is really in love with Smithy? I don’t know if Nessa’s in love with Smithy because she’s very private so I don’t think that’s something they’ve talked about. But I think Stacey thinks there’s definitely some sort of bond there obviously because they have a baby together. What is your favourite bit from the new series? I have so many favourite bits from the new series. I think I have a different favourite bit in each episode. They all involve trying not to laugh at the other actors. I always love my scenes with Nessa. And there was a bit I loved when I’m sitting in the freezing cold on the back of a trailer, which was very funny, but I can’t say anymore about it! What would you like to think Stacey is doing in 10 years’ time? In 10 years’ time I’d say Stacey’s probably still happy with Gavin, she’s also got a career. I can imagine her being an Avon representative and having parties at her house and going door to door selling make-up. She’d be living next door to Gwen and Bryn and she’d be looking after them now, instead of them looking after her.

James Corden

Is that really it? You won’t be tempted to write just one more series or special? There will never be another series of the show. I think Ruth and I are definite about that. As far as specials are concerned, I think if we had an idea for a story with these characters then maybe, but I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon. What about Gavin And Stacey The Movie? I think some things should be on TV and some things should be on stage and some things should be films. Gavin And Stacey is a TV show and that’s where it’s best. At the end of the Christmas special we saw Smithy asking Nessa not to marry Dave – what’s occurin’ there then? I think the Christmas special is where we saw Smithy at his most vulnerable, his whole world has changed and he doesn’t quite know which way to go. He’s lost if truth be told. We think they’re perfect for each other – please tell us Smithy and Nessa live happily ever after? I can’t possibly even begin to tell you that sort of information. What is your favourite bit from the new series? I really love episode six. It’s everything I wanted it to be. It felt like Ruth and I could see this end point for so long, and it really lives up to everything that was in our heads. Do you and Ruth have any plans to collaborate together on any other projects in the future? I can’t wait to get back in a room with her and start writing our next project. I’m so excited about it. Are there any famous faces popping up? There may be one or two but I’m not gonna spoil it! And finally... the suspense is killing us. Do we ever find out about Bryn and Jason and that fishing trip? I could tell you, but I’d have to get Ruth to kill you!

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New month, New music

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With so much great new music blasting from our office stereo we needed to share.... These are just some of the picks of our recent new music finds....

Sian Alice Group

When we get a message from one of our writers saying ‘saw this lot last night and instantly fell in love’ what else can we do but check them out? It took mere minutes for the rest of us to fall under the hypnotic spell of the Sian Alice Group. Formed by music industry veterans and bringing in various cohorts to pad out the sound the Sian Alice Group are exponents of the same narcotic ballardry of the likes of Spiritualized (who they have supported), Ulrich Schnauss and Cocteau Twins, emitting a slew of down-beat, blissed out, ethereal hymns for the soul. Their neuron-stroking ether-pop covers everything from psyche-rock, traditional folk, lounge-piano, and glitchy electronica to afro-beat rhythms, free-jazz breakdowns and avant-guard compositions. Critical plaudits have been rife and crammed full of hyperbole such as ‘cinematic and gorgeous’, ‘lush and glacial’ and ‘slow hymns to heaven’ – so far we agree. Their recently released second long-player Troubled, Shaken Etc is heavenly avant-pop gem.

sianalicegroup.com Nice Nice

Nice Nice are one of the hottest underground bands on the circuit. Nice Nice have just signed to Warp records in the UK. As the Portland Mercury newspaper said the duo have recently took refuge in the studio to manifest “their frenetically poly rhythmic, drums ‘n’ guitar-based electro-psychedelia - equal parts safari and Atari”. Their first offering ‘One Hit’, hit the streets on November 23 and is a essential senses-shredding flash of psychedelic punk. Paired with the krautrock-in-dub riddim “Ark Drum” on the b-side, the 7” gives an inkling of the sonic scope of the long-player as well as their imminent UK & Europe live debut. Nice Nice’s bombastic introduction “One Hit” (and the B-side “Ark Drum”) are now available as a free download at warp.net

nicenice.net Emika

Regards

A fiery and fiercely independent band of friends from Stafford, Regards moved to Liverpool when barely out of their teens and promptly immersed themselves in the city’s vibrant underground scene. Growing up with a passion for independent music the band have chosen to create their own record label to express their creativity and further the growing trend of young bands preferring the ‘DIY’ method of retaining control over their art. Released on December 7 the four-piece’s debut single ‘After Many A Summer’ came out their own Tuniversal Records label. Self-produced and self-released this melodic, hard-edged rhythmic debut offering is the perfect insight into the bands sound which has seen them earn rave reviews in their home region. With bigger releases planned for 2010 expect to be caught up in the hype overflowing from the North West. Musically the band evoke memories of the dark rhythmic edge of the Chameleons, the jangly-pop of the La’s and the spirit of the noughties new rock revolution. The band are on a cross-country jaunt throughout December.

myspace.com/regards

theheadsupblog.blogspot.com

Compiled by Chris Marks and James Thornhill

In latest signing Emika, the posse at Ninja Tune could well have their next Mercury nominee when she gets a full-length out (this year’s winner Speech Debelle was on sister label Big Dada). This pop-chanteuse’s debut EP Drop the Other (out in January) can already be seen as one of 2010’s most auspicious debuts. The lead track is a glitch-pop wonder, built on a foundation of stark contrasts with Emika’s hushed, seductive vocals at odds with a dark thundering heart of near-classical piano, glitched-out edits and skittering drum patterns, all under-pinned by earthshattering lows. Everything about Emika is familiar but somehow defies expectation. Is it pop? Is it techno? Is it dubstep? Could it be RnB? The answer is it could be all those things, but rejects being any of them. Emika makes intelligent pop that is also ripe for the dance-floor. The accompanying remixes prove Emika’s genre-jumping potential, Scuba’s dark-as-hell, ‘Vulpine Remix’ will ripapart dubstep clubs and GeRM’s glitchy electrohouse remix of ‘Double Edge’ has already found it’s way onto the Ministry of Sound’s playlists. With a debut this great and having the ear of taste making DJs like Zane Lowe and Mary Anne Hobbs, we should (hopefully) be hearing a lot more from Emika in 2010.

myspace.com/emikamyspace

Reviews FUNfun The Hitchcock EP (Self-release)

To my mind FUNfun are a supergroup; being a new band made up from members of two awesome other bands, namely Plans and Apologies and YouNoGoDie. Who? I hear you ask. The very fact that neither of these two quality bands have ever been on your radar shows just how skewed the world of popular music can be. FUNfun are the sum of their past parts and their debut The Hitchcock EP is a fine example of how great indie-rock can be. It’s not being released till next year but it is that good we wanted to sing its praises now, because in a world with any justice the taste-makers and muso-scribes should be all over this one by next summer giving this bunch of reprobates the success that so criminally evaded their previous bands. Opener ‘The Trouble with Harry’ is so catchy that the government should issue some sort of jab to prevent it being stuck our heads forever more. A killer-riff, suitably dumb chorus and a jazzy breakdown leading to explosive finale forms a

Various Artists Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-81 (Soundway) Out Now As with all of the wonderful releases from Soundway this is another labour of love, collecting obscure cuts from musical scenes (and history) around the world. Each release is a real treasure chest for music fans. This is no exception trawling through the most musically inventive and fertile period in Ghanaian music history. The collision of new styles with old traditions forged new fusions that collided with a move from traditional themes into the politicising of the country’s popular music. Across the two discs there is much to love: Christy Azuma & Uppers International’s ‘Din Ya Sugri’ sees psychedelic funk crash head-on with traditional Afro-rhythms. Funky beats and seductive organ lines form the insatiable dance number ‘Aaya Colo’ by The Barbeques, who are cooking on gas! The drum patterns shine, with the numbers synco-

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track that should be rife on 2010 end of year lists. ‘Harry’ is where the indie-familiarity stops with each of the remaining three numbers veering in to different territory. ‘Rope’ is a panoramic, seductive slice of psychedelia all haunting organ and vocal harmonies. ‘Rear Window’ could well have been a Plans and Apologies track had they not called it a day, brimming with Pavement-esque eccentricity. Held at its core by fuzzed-up riffs, like the other offerings here when the harder elements appear they don’t feel shoe-horned in. FUNfun jump styles like frogs on a pond. Ending with the Flamenco meets orgasmic-yelps of ‘Frenzy’ this EP is wonderfully eclectic and an obvious sign of better things to come. Having heard much of their other recorded material to date FUNfun are shaping into one of the best new rock bands in the country. Everybody should love having some FUNfun in their lives. by Chris Marks

FUNfun

Cosmo Jarvis Humasyouhitch/sonofabitch (Wall of Sound) Out Now

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pated rhythms could belong to a modern dance number. The Big Beats ‘Mi Nsumoo Bo Dunn’ has beats so big it would not sound out of place on a huge slice of experimental hip hop and The Ogyutanaa Show Band kick it with some proto-acid jazz brilliance. On the evidence provided here there is much to celebrate in this period of African music and is one that definitely deserves delving into further. by James Thornhill

There’s a lot to be said for making poetry out of the everyday, making art from the life of average Joe (or Joanne). We’ve had a great spate of lyricists doing just that recently. Cosmo Jarvis is not one of them, his autobiographical storytelling makes his normal everyday existence sound just that, ‘normal’ – as in unextraordiary. His poetry could be torn straight out of the pages of the diary of an adolescent boy, and a pretty dull and immature one at that! He is the Danny Dyer of singersongwriters backed by session musicians who probably played on every soulless, middle-of-the-road record in recent memory. He likes variety does Jarvis ramming as many genres into the mix as he can, the only constant is the fact he has reduced each idea to that of family-friendly, lifeless shadow of it’s self. Cosmo Jarvis wouldn’t know a good tune if it was knawing on the ‘balls’ he is so fond of talking about. Someone saw fit to sign him and allow him to release this double-disc monstrosity! by John White

Candy Claws In The Dreams of the Sea Life (Indiecater) Out Now

Mark Pavey Mark Pavey (Les Cousins) Out Now

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A band with a definite knack for creating cinematic, sweeping moods is Candy Claws – freshly signed to Dublin’s Indiecater Records. Candy Claws have hit on a delicately poised blueprint on their debut album In The Dreams of the Sea Life; matching spidery acoustic guitars and fragmented melodies with swathes of ultrareverb and atmospheric static to end up coming on like the beautiful lovechild of Bon Iver and My Bloody Valentine. Through the likes of ‘Catameran’and ‘Lantern Fish’ these whispery/thundery (delete as appropriate) songs often threaten to buckle under the weight of their own melancholy but recalling the likes of Grizzly Bear and Oslo’s Uno Moller, this deliciously battered-round-the-edge brand of lo-fi-folk sails through and in doing so creates an unexpected sense of understated (naturally) euphoria. A treat to behold and one you should be checking out at your earliest convenience.

Sometimes preconceptions can be a bad thing – indeed as the protégé of folk icon Davy Graham, Mark Pavey has something of a legacy to live up to on the release his debut, self-titled album. Where Pavey has come up trumps is by shying away from the tired clichés that so much modern folk seems to fall into, instead finding his own voice throughout – keeping the histrionics to a minimum and crafting a delicate, concise debut collection. Dressing his songs in tasteful washes of acoustic guitars and pianos, Pavey clearly has a cinematic feel to production and it’s the flashes of strings and interesting counterpoints that provide the drama throughout – all the while however managing to retain focus where it needs to be – on the songs, and the everyman vocals (recalling the ilkes of Damon Gough and Steven Fretwell for two). A subtle little gem all told then from Pavey who has set his stall out as a songwriter of some note. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

by Ben Mainwaring

by Ben Mainwaring

MUSIC WRITERS WANTED Interested? Contact [email protected]

Various Artists Tru Thoughts 10th Anniversary (Tru Thoughts) Out Now Various Artists Tru Thoughts Covers (Tru Thoughts) Out Now

Familiar with the funky sounds of Brighton label Tru Thoughts? No! Why not? Its celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with its ideals intact and releasing a truckload of astounding psychedelic, funk, soul, electro-jazz, dubstep wonderfulness. Whatever the release the underlying factor with all records adorned with the Tru Thoughts logo is that the music was created with integrity, honesty and a high level of quality. Tru Thoughts puts out real music with soul, heart and organic musicianship – the perfect antidote to the lifeless, uber-produced chart-RnB version of soul – Tru Thoughts is nothing but the real deal. The 10th anniversary compilation is a must-have for label fans and a catch all introduction to the label for newcomers. Developing a fine array of newcomers many of the labels roster have gone on to be leading-lights in their musical fields (Quantic, Alice Russell, Bonobo, Nostalgia 77). Disc one displays the smooth, downtempo end of the Tru Thoughts spectrum – a sexy, soul-filled musical journey. Disc two explodes with club-bangers from the labels history – anyone failing to move to The Bamboos ‘Step It Up’ is probably dead. Complemented by the funky latin sounds of Quantic in his vari-

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ous musical guises and blinders from The Broken Keys (with the seductive funk of ‘The Witch’), Natural Self and Kylie Auldist – this is crammed with funky floor-fillers. The real gem in the rough is the new exclusives disc showing the label is still taking leaps forward. Opening with the atmospheric, downtempo breakbeat of ‘Time Is The Enemy’ by Flowering Inferno each track highlights Tru Thoughts class. Flevans horn-driven, funkdance meets ska banger ‘The Second Bite’ is toe-tappingly, head-boppingly infectious, whilst Azaxx’s ‘Disco Bimbo’ is a live band playing classic rave. Quantic’s strutting latin jam ‘Only A Little While’, the funk juggernaut ‘Turn It Up’ by The Bamboos, and the unhinged dubstep of Barakas are other highlights from this must-have disc. To add to the celebrations the label recently spit out Tru Thoughts Covers taking in some of the best covers released by the label. Some of the reworkings are pure class: Nostalgia 77’s driving, disjointed, psyche-funk take on The White Stripe’s ‘Seven Nation Army’, the big-band brass, soul orchestra version of Marvin’s Gaye ‘Sexual Healing’ and the spaced out organ-funk take on Max Sedgeley’s ‘Happy’ by The Bamboos are all big-hitters. But it is TM Juke and The Jack

Quantic

Baker Trio’s reworking of Fedde Le Grand’s ‘Put Your Hands Up For Detroit’ that stands out. The driving bass-line at its heart grabs you immediately making it impossible not to groove. Completed by funky-as-funk percus-

sion and guitar-progression it packs more punch than David Haye. Not all the covers work perfectly but there is enough variety, ingenuity and quality to make this a worthwhile collection – if

only to hear some different takes on some of your favourite hits. All in all these release show the true brilliance of the Tru Thoughts label – here’s to another ten years! by James Thornhill

FREE DIGITAL SAMPLER Did you get yours? Last month we launched the first installment of Incoming Transmissions - our new digital, new music, compilation series. Featuring 27 tracks from some of the best new artists around including FUNfun, Cougar, Mat Riviere, Crocodiles, Smoke Fairies, Solvor Vermeer, Spokes, Dials, Blakfish and more, it is something not to missed.....

thenationalstudent.co.uk/incomingtransmissions