Monthly Archives: May 2014

Victoria Presents… X Boxpark

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                   To celebrate the opening of their new pop-up store in Boxpark and their new SS14 collection,

Victoria Plimsoll decided to have a rooftop party where the beats were pumping, the Sangria flowing and we were all invited!

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Victoria Plimsolls, a brand that has been around for 100 years now, all started in Spain when a shoemaker decided to make a pair of plimsolls for his wife and name them after her. Since then the brand created out of love has prospered and become an iconic, comfortable and fun shoe for men, women and children. The shoes are made from natural dyes and 100% natural rubber.

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The event itself was to introduce their new conceptual store on The Boxpark site where people can discover special editions and attend special Victoria events.

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The new collection itself is made up of vibrant colours, original prints and, get this… scented soles!!! Yes strawberry scented soles!

If you don’t have a pair of Victoria Plimsolls yet get yourself down to Boxpark and check them out. Priced from 20 GBP they are an absolute bargain, practical, fun and durable. The only problem is there is so much to choose from you’ll want one in every style!

@VictoriaPlimsolls

Keshini Misha.

 

Maggie’s Serve an Ace for The Queen’s Club Members

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maggiesThis summer season’s clear winner looks set to be the Maggie’s Enclosure at the internationally renowned Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club. The team behind the 1980s-inspired Chelsea nightclub will create the ultimate retro player’s lounge complete with ping pong table, 80s arcade games, oversized wooden rackets and ball shaped bean bags and bespoke Tanqueray No. TEN cocktails.

After winning widespread acclaim for their debut last year at Queen’s, the Maggie’s Enclosure will be even bigger and better this year. The quirky space will open from the moment the Championships start on Monday 9th June until its conclusion on Sunday 15th June. Features will include; Rubik’s cube tables, a feature floor complete with tennis court markings, a vintage umpire’s chair and even rollerskaters kitted out in tennis whites and Maggie’s branded visors.

The talented bar team will serve up Tanqueray No. TEN based cocktails alongside Moët champagne and Asahi beer, while dressed in homage to the great 1980s tennis stars. Signatures serves (no pun intended) will include: Smack Daddy, a punch blend of Tanqueray No. TEN, Chambord, Passion Fruit Juice and Purée, Vanilla Syrup and topped with Prosecco, Purple Rain, a clear winner made with Tanqueray No. TEN, Elderflower, Blackberries, Apple Juice, Lime Juice and Prosecco, and, the tipple of champions, the much loved Maggie’s Mug, made with Tanqueray No. TEN, Lemon Juice, Fresh Kiwi, Agave Syrup and Soda Water.

This year will also see defending Wimbledon and Queen’s champion, Andy Murray take centre stage at the Championships again. Murray was born in 1987 and, as a child of the eighties, was a regular at the Maggie’s Enclosure at the Aegon Championships last year when he wasn’t wowing spectators on court. His close friend and a leading doubles player, Ross Hutchins will also take over as Tournament Director of this year after successfully beating Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Maggie’s is named after 1980s Prime-Minister-turned-icon Maggie Thatcher, club-goers can hear her famous speeches playing in the loos, while Thatcher memorabilia vies for space on the walls along with other iconic 80s images and paraphernalia. The music is a mixture of classics from the 1980s and modern pop, with cocktails ranging from Pina Coladas and Daiquiris to the unforgettable Babycham.

Maggie’s is owned and operated by The Inception Group whose founders Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling have also created Chelsea speakeasy Barts, Bunga Bunga, an Englishman’s Italian, Bar, Pizzeria and Karaoke venue, which achieved widespread acclaim. Mr Fogg’s, a Mayfair bar modeled on the home of Jules Verne’s most famous adventurer, Phileas Fogg and Disco, an underground boîte inspired by the 1970s Manhattan disco movement. This spring they have launched Cocobananas, a Brazilian beach party themed nightclub, and this summer will launch Beaver Lodge, a cabin bar and dance saloon based on the winter cowboy log cabins found in Wyoming.

Game, Set, Maggie’s at Queen’s

The Maggie’s Enclosure at The Aegon Championships
Monday 9th June – Sunday 15th June 2014
The Queen’s Club, Palliser Road, London W14 9EQ

Maggie’s: 329 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9QL  020 7352 8512

 

 

Frost Meets Professor Stephen Hawking

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Frost went to the Savoy Hotel today to met Professor Stephen Hawking and hear A Brief History of How England can win the World Cup. Our full coverage and a video will be up soon but we can tell you that the professor will be cheering on England, but doesn’t think we should discount Brazil.

Professor Hawking was in good humour, making the audience of journalists and sport stars laugh. Watch this space for more.

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Sydney’s Monks of Mellonwah Touring U.S.A

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Monks of Mellonwah are touring the U.S.A for the third time.

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Full tour dates are:

Passport Approved (A&R Worldwide Tour, Monks of Mellonwah headlining with guests Lime Cordiale, Hamish Anderson & Giorgi + Leo )
June 6th – Last Exit Live, Phoenix, 9PM
June 9th – Viper Room, West Hollywood, 8 PM
June 10th – The Standard, Fresno, 8 PM
June 11th – The Atrium @ The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA , 9 PM
June 12th – The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA, 8PM
June 13th – Doug Fir, Portland, OR, 8 PM
June 14th – Bodega Nightclub, Reno, NV, 8 PM
June 17th – Crocodile, Seattle, WA, 8 PM

w/Scott Stapp
June 20th – Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
June 21st – The Emporium, Patchogue, NY
June 24th – Latitude Live, Pittsburgh, PA
June 25th – The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY
June 28th – The Machine Shop, Flint, MI
June 29th – Buster’s Billiards & Backroom, Lexington, KY
July 1st – Gillioz Theatre, Springfield, MO
July 2nd – Neumeier’s Rib Room & Beer Garden, Fort Smith, AR

Band: Monks of Mellonwah (Sydney, NSW)
Style: Alternative, Indie, Progressive, Electronic, Pop
Similar to: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, John Frusciante, Incubus, Black Keys
Release: Turn the People (March 7, 2014)
Label: Gatcombe Music Pty Ltd
Members: Vikram Kaushik (vocals), Joe de la Hoyde (backing  vocals/guitar), John de la Hoyde (bass), Josh Baissari (drums)

Bio:
The Monks of Mellonwah are a band from Sydney, Australia whose music displays a masterful and unique blend of intense space, driving riffs and sharp metaphors.

The Monks of Mellonwah consist of; lead vocalist Vikram Kaushik,  guitarist Joseph de la Hoyde, as well as drummer Joshua Baissari and  bassist John de la Hoyde. The creative collision of these four musical  personalities yields a timeless, yet inimitable array of alternative rock, progressive rock and cinematic-themed scores.

Together for only a little over four years, the Monks of Mellonwah  have catapulted quickly into success on a global scale. In addition to  worldwide airplay, the band has gleaned over four-hundred press reviews – as well as syncs and licensing – from the likes of  Bunim/Murray Productions, MTV Networks, Discovery Channel, and FOX  Sports. In addition, the band has already toured the U.S.A, Singapore  and Australia. “M.O.M” were voted “Best Indie Rock Band” in the 2012  Artists in Music Awards and placed as the “International Rock Artist  of the Year” at the 22nd Annual LA Music Awards in 2012.

The Monks of Mellonwah stand more as a quadrangle than a quartet, with  each facet reflecting their cumulative creative goal; to deliver  all-original music in its purest, untainted form. Stylistically, the  band has evolved dramatically over a short period of time, impossible  to be boxed into any genre. There’s a variety of subtle hints of  musical influence that arise from each band member, which include Led  Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, as well as bands such as Muse and Red Hot  Chili Peppers.

Brought together in October of 2009, it was the inherent and  collective love of performing live that melded the members Monks of  Mellonwah into what they are today. They’ve already had the  opportunity to perform at venues around the world which include the  world-famous Whiskey A Go Go and The Avalon Theatre in Los Angeles,  The Mercury Lounge in New York, as well as Sydney Australia’s The  Metro Theatre and The Factory Theatre.

With tours already under their belt in the U.S.A and Asia, the Monks  of Mellonwah continue to blossom. “During the last three years, we’ve  developed both as individual musicians – but more importantly –  collectively as a band also,” adds de la Hoyde. To date, “M.O.M” has  released three EPs, beginning in 2010 with Stars Are Out, a five-track  debut that featured the single “Swamp Groove” – which became the  group?s first popular single on Australian radio. In 2011, they  followed the classic-rock and retro sounds of Stars Are Out with an  edgy alt-rock single release entitled, “Kyoto.”

In 2012 it was the release of Neurogenesis, a five-track EP, which led  to multiple licensing agreements, and press exposure via the EP’s title track as well as the single, “Neverending Spirit.” In 2013, showing their diversity in style, the Monks of Mellonwah released a  three-track cinematic trilogy entitled Sky and the Dark Night. The  film-inspired project epitomizes what “M.O.M” is all about –  interweaving a matrix of multiple genres into one track with an eight minute run time.

In 2013 began release their first full-length album, Turn the People  in three-part volumes with the album in its entirety to be released in March, 2014. Volume 1: “Ghost Stories” was released in June 2013,  followed by Volume 2: “Afraid to Die” in October. The final Volume 3:  “Pulse” is scheduled for release, along with the full album, in March,  2014. Grammy-winner producer and sound engineer Keith Olson (Fleetwood  Mac, Ozzy Osbourne, Grateful Dead) produced five of the tracks on the  upcoming Turn the People album. In 2014, the band plans on touring  both Europe and the U.S.A. in support of the album.

The Monks of Mellonwah set out musically not to repeat past styles, yet rather to pave the future for alternative rock. In doing so, they  take the preeminent sounds of 70s psychedelic rock and 90s alternative  – and blend it into something fresh and new.

Band of Holy Joy Release When a Gift is a Curse

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Their new single on Radio Joy

When a Gift is a Curse

Release date: June 16th
Format: Digital Download

For 30 years original Rough Trade Alumini The Band Of Holy Joy have been a main part of the rich tapestry of alternative urban folk punk groups emanating from the UK. The band continues to write about the same outsider concerns with the same measure of spirit and care and man, they still put on a show.

Band of Holy Joy

n the back of great reviews for their latest album ‘Easy Listening’ and to coincide with the band’s appearance, where they headline the second stage at the NME C86 festival at London’s 229 Club on June 14th, Band Of Holy Joy are releasing a digital single ‘When A Gift Is A Curse’ through their own label Radio Joy on Monday 16th June 2014.

The song is a glam hymn to both good living and bad livers and pays tribute to the wayward genius that was George Best.

This is a first in a series of libationary singles spaced six weeks apart and dedicated totally to the joys and pains, the triumphs and tribulations, the art and indeed style attendant to the age old right now remember then forget about tomorrow, beautiful and ugly, sordid and sensual pastime of the older person’s habitual alcohol consumption.

“It’s become something of a tradition for Band Of Holy Joy to release my favourite album of any given year… When A Gift Is A Curse concerns the notion of destructive talent, with George Best taking a leading role…”
Louder Than War, rating 9/10

“..this band still revels in their own potency.”
The Daily Mirror, rating 4/5

“Band Of Holy Joy are an unsung British institution that understands the human heart.”
Mojo, rating 4/5

Jamaica Inn DVD Review

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Jamaica Inn was all over social media and also got widespread media coverage concerning the sound quality of the transmission when it aired. Rather unfortunately this distracted from the show when it was aired. I didn’t watch it but saw the reaction on social media. Now you can watch it without any problems, as it has been released on DVD.

Jamaica Inn catches the period very well, the costume and tone really add to the story. I didn’t even recognise Jessica Brown Findlay until I looked up Jamaica Inn on IMDB. She is very brave, wearing no makeup and shapeless clothes. She still looks beautiful, but it is rare for an actress so successful to lack vanity so much, and it bodes well for her future career: it truly shows a dedication to the role.

Jamaica Inn is well shot, drawing you into the story. It has a good script. It is paced well and is an enjoyable, dark, gothic drama. Worth a watch.

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Set in 1821 against the forbidding backdrop of windswept Cornish Moors, Daphne du Maurier’s
Jamaica Inn is a dark, gothic tale of desire, survival and morality which has been brought to life in a stunning new TV adaptation by Emma Frost (The White Queen, Consuming Passion). Initially broadcast in three hour-long episodes as a major feature of BBC One’s prime time Easter schedule, the entire series will be released on DVD by FremantleMedia International on 26th

This new adaptation of du Maurier’s iconic novel is directed by BAFTA-winning director Philippa Lowthorpe (Call The Midwife, Five Daughters) and stars Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Labyrinth) as Mary Yellan, Matthew McNulty (The Paradise, Room At The Top) as Jem Merlyn, Sean Harris (The Borgias, Southcliffe) as Joss Merlyn, Joanne Whalley (The Borgias, Gossip Girl) as Aunt Patience, Ben Daniels (The Wipers Times, House of Cards) as Francis Davey and Shirley Henderson (Southcliffe, The Crimson Petal And The White) as Hannah.

Certificate: 15

Single disc DVD

Run time: 180 minutes

RRP: £17.99

Bonus features: Behind the scenes/making of featurette

Each episode is also available for download via iTunes for £1.29 in standard definition and £2.49 in high definition. A series pass costs £4.99 in standard definition and £6.99 in high definition.

Angelina Jolie Knows Being a Superstar Makes Being A Mum Easier

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Angelina-Jolie-as-MaleficentIt is good to know that some people know how privileged they are and Angelina Jolie sure does. After being asked if she ever feels ‘mom guilt’ she replied.

 

“I’m not a single mom with two jobs trying to get by every day, I have much more support than most people, most women in this world. And I have the financial means to have a home and health care and food.

 

“My kids, they’re here upstairs,” [they were in the hotel she was being interviewed in, upstairs in her room]

 

“When I feel I’m doing too much, I do less, if I can. And that’s why I’m in a rare position where I don’t have to do job after job. I can take time when my family needs it,”

 

“I can say I can only get into the (editing) room after the kids are in school, and I have to be back for dinner, and they’re coming for lunch,”

 

“I actually feel that women in my position, when we have all at our disposal to help us, shouldn’t complain. Consider all the people who really struggle and don’t have the financial means, don’t have the support, and many people are single raising children. That’s hard.”