Category Archives: Culture

Flats – Better Living | Music Review

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Every band that’s ever made the leap up from from toiling round in the back of a van playing to one man and his dog will have you believe that it took years of hard work to make it. Flats would tell you otherwise. Having only formed in February 2010 they signed with the superb One Little Indian record label, home to Björk, in March 2011, having taken the live scene by storm. The band exploded onto the scene in 2010 and their infuriated-punk sound was a breath a fresh air – think Discharge having a fight outside a kebab shop with Black Flag.

“Better Living” is the band’s debut album and it’s not a bad way to start. Known for their quick live shows, often coming in under 15 minutes, this doesn’t go much further at just under 35 minutes. It’s a short sharp shock of metal, of stoner rock, of punk, of sludge. It’s not an easy listen and certainly not to your mother’s liking but it’s brilliant and worthy of praise. Short, sharp, shocking and often brutal, this record will annoy your neighbours, even if you don’t have neighbours. If you like Black Sabbath, Napalm Death and Anthrax then this one’s for you, if not then keep walking, there’s nothing to see here.

 

“Better Living” is released on 7th May via One Little Indian. Cath them on tour in the UK throughout May.

 

 

Little Monsters Warned of fake Lady Gaga Tickets.

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Lady Gaga may be stirring up controversy by tweeting that “pop stars don’t eat” but her fans now have even more to worry about.

Ticket marketplace viagogo predicts ticket fraudsters could make £3m from the upcoming Lady Gaga tour

 

With tickets to Lady Gaga’s tour going on sale today viagogo is estimating that fans could lose £3 million to ticket scams.

 

Brits are collectively conned out of £30 million* a year by illegitimate websites and auction sites, such as eBay who do not offer customers any guarantee that they will receive their tickets according to research by viagogo2.

 

viagogo, Europe’s largest online ticket marketplace, is anticipating that the 75,000 tickets for Gaga’s September Manchester and Twickenham dates will sell out in a matter of minutes and desperate fans may turn to illegitimate sites and other unknown sources in an attempt to get their hands on a ticket.

 

Edward Parkinson, Director of viagogo UK, said: “Lady Gaga is a global superstar and the rush for tickets will be fierce presenting the ideal opportunity for scam artists to take advantage of Gaga mania. Fans need to be extra vigilant when they see a site offering Lady Gaga tickets and should not judge a site by its appearance; they must do their homework before they buy.”

 

Just four hours after Lady Gaga announced her tour on Tuesday 10 April, viagogo found tickets to the concert already listed on eBay – despite not being available to the general public until the end of the week.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lady-Gaga-Tickets-Twickenham-Stadium-London-08-09-2012-/251038139712?pt=UK_Tickets_Tickets_LE&hash=item3a730a0540

 

Parkinson continues: “Based on early site traffic, we predict that up to two million fans won’t get a ticket, presenting scammers with a very large payday opportunity.”

 

Hunger Games Actors Before They Were Famous

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Photographer Tyler Shields worked with the Hunger Games actors before they became famous. We have the photographs and the low-down on what they were like even though super busy Tyler is preparing for the opening of “Mouthful” which takes place at Ace Gallery, LA’s largest private gallery (the size of a City block) just down the street from LACMA. His opening nights are I N S A N E.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh Hutcherson: The first time I shot Josh he was 16, he busted his head open in my bathroom, so our relationship started off on a good foot! We created a real ruckus – full speed running down a street firing a gun. I don’t know anyone who I’ve shot who loved the shoot more than he did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leven: She is a delight to work with and always delivers! I’ve shot her in Wall Mart in New Mexico, we’ve broken into buildings together, she’s smashed cake in my face, I introduced her to her ex-fiance! Our relationship runs deep!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kalia with Tyler Shields

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kalia: the 1st time I met her her mom was there – because she was 15. He mom told me she had a Black Belt in Taekwondo and she could do these amazing high kicks – if you could see those kicks! She was really game for it. To be 15 and able to do things like that and deliver what she can – you’ve got to be amazing.

 

Maika Makovski – Thank You for the Boots | Music Review

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Before listening to this record I had never heard of Maika Makovski but by the end of it I was in love with her lush voice and swirling tunes.  Prior to entering my life she’s been a very busy girl, this being her 5th studio album and 3rd in 3 years. On top of that she managed to tour hard and star in her first film, Desaparecer, directed by Calixto Bieto. The writing of the album began with Maika, in her own words, “sat at the piano and wanting to just have some fun” in order to get away from the “dense and serious music” of previous efforts. If that was her aim then she should reward herself with a biscuit as her aim’s been achieved.

The album begins with “Language” that builds slowly with instruments being added as the song goes along. Beginning with bass, then drums, then vocals then Maika on piano. It’s 232 seconds of brooding pop loveliness. On “Get Along” Makovski sings “You know you’re stuck with me, I know I’m stuck with you” much to my liking. I’d happily listen to these songs all day. It’s a thundering foot-stomper built that, along with “Your Reflection”, show her penchant for big fun choruses with a punch. It sounds a bit like a radio-friendly version of Cat Power.

“When the Dust Clears” is where she falls over on her attempt to keep things “fun” as she dips into the past but it’s lovely so we’ll forgive her (yes, i forgave her on your behalf). With “No News” and “Cool Cat” she’s back to form. It’s got a swinging country feel. You could imagine her singing these on stage stomping around in some musical. I mean that in a good way. I’d go and watch it even though I hate musical theatre.

“Vulnerable” and “A Dream” end the record by slipping back into the old dark ways and it’s beautiful. If it’s reminiscent of the sound of her older records then I, for one, am looking forward to them reaching my eardrums. It pleases them.

In short, this is a great record; it’s clever, it’s exciting, it’s fun. You want her to win (at what I don’t know!). It’s a different and interesting sound and that’s reason enough to like it but listen to it a dozen times and that novelty doesn’t wear off. If this was a gamble for her then it certainly paid off.

 

“Thank You for the Boots” is out now on Outstanding Records/Warner Music

Maika Makovski plays Breakout @ Proud Camden on May 9th

Why you should enter The Lions Den by Richard Wright

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Tuesday nights aren’t exactly the most rocking night of the week. You don’t ever go “man it’s Tuesday that’s fantastic”. But I have something that might change that for you. I come to you with a proposal. I offer you an evening of fun for only £4. I present to you The Lions Den Comedy Car Crash. Held every Tuesday night at Bar Rumba this comedy night provides a great night of stand up in central London for a very reasonable price. This is where I started out and it is a very friendly night for first timers. Let me tell you more.

 

The Lions Den Comedy Car Crash is an open mic night where you will always get the chance to see comedians taking their first baby steps into the world of Comedy. And that’s not all. You are guaranteed a great MC and a mix of acts with variety of experience. You need to know more? Well, umm, they now have comfy chairs which when you are seeing potentially 25-30 acts is something that matters. The downstairs venue at Bar Rumba provides a nice backdrop for the comedy and there are deals on drinks ordered before 8pm.

 

There are some great reasons to come to the Lions Den. Supporting emerging stand up comedy is encouraging and seeing the future of comedy today. I love playing the Lions Den because it is ran well by good people who care. It is a great, friendly atmosphere and worth every penny of the £4 and more but it’s only £4.

 

So to wrap this up – good MC, acts that are honing their skills, brand new acts taking their first steps and all for the price of £4. You should get down and check it out.

 

Find The Lions Den Comedy Car Crash every Tuesday from 7:00pm at 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D, 7EP.

Adele Tops Rich List

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 It is that time of year again, when we found out who has become extraordinarily successful and wealthy. Us next please!

ADELE TOPS YOUNG MUSICIANS WEALTH CHART WITH £20 MILLION FORTUNE IN THE SUNDAY TIMES RICH LIST – OUT ON APRIL 29
 
WOMAN IN BLACK STAR DANIEL RADCLIFFE IS BRITAIN’S RICHEST YOUNG ACTOR – WORTH £54 MILLION
 
JESSIE J, WITH £5 MILLION FORTUNE, JOINS
YOUNG MUSICIANS RICH LIST TOP 20
 
ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY – WORTH £5 MILLION
STRIDES OUT WITH THE CATWALK MILLIONAIRES
 
JLS QUARTET STRIKE GOLD WITH £5 MILLION EACH
 
Actors, models and musicians dominate the Young Rich List of British millionaires aged 30 and under to be included in The Sunday Times Rich List 2012 published on Sunday, April 29. Sixty young millionaires will appear alongside the 1,000 richest people in Britain and the 250 wealthiest in Ireland in the definitive annual guide to wealth to be published in an extra 104-page magazine free with The Sunday Times. The richest young sportsmen will appear in The Sunday Times Sport Rich List 2012 published on May 6. Additional guides to wealth will appear at thesundaytimes.co.uk/richlist from April 29, with the Richest 2,000 people in Britain available from May 13.
Outside sport, more than half the wealthiest young people in Britain are entertainers. Actor Daniel Radcliffe, aged 22, who starred in eight Harry Potter films, heads the Young Entertainers Rich List with a £54m fortune. Radcliffe has increased his wealth by £6m in a year, helped by the success of his latest movie, the gothic thriller The Woman in Black. Twilight star Robert Pattinson has added £8m in a year to his fortune and is now worth £40m.
The young entertainer who has made the biggest gain in the last year is pop diva Adele, who has more than trebled her wealth after the phenomenal worldwide success of her second album 21. The 23-year-old songstress, from Tottenham, north London, is now worth £20m, an increase of £14m on her wealth in 2011, which puts her £8m ahead of the fortunes of Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis and Katie Melua, who are in equal second place – each worth £12m, in the Young Music Millionaires Top 20 to be published in The Sunday Times Rich List 2012 on April 29.
The five newcomers in The Young Music Millionaires Top 20, each worth £5m, are all four members of JLS and Jessie J, 24, who has sold close to 1m copies of her album Who You Are and is a mentor on the BBC TV talent show The Voice UK. Jessie J, who has an endorsement deal with Pretty Polly tights, is one of a number of young actors and musicians who add to their wealth by modelling.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, worth £5m, is the latest model to join Britain’s Young Rich List. Now 25, Huntington-Whiteley, who grew up on a Devon farm, has been signed to the American lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret since 2006. Based in Los Angles she is branching out into films, with a part in Transformers: Dark of the Moon last year.
 
THE SUNDAY TIMES RICH LIST 2012 – THE RICHEST YOUNG MUSICIANS
Aged 30 and under

 

Young
music rank
2012
Name
2012 wealth
2011 wealth
1
Adele
£20m
£6m
2=
Cheryl Cole (Girls Aloud)
£12m
£12m
2=
Leona Lewis
£12m
£12m
2=
Katie Melua
£12m
£12m
5
Joss Stone
£10m
£9m
6=
Charlotte Church
£8m
£8m
6=
Craig David
£8m
£8m
6=
Paolo Nutini
£8m
£7m
9
Florence Welch
£7m
£5m
10=
Lily Allen
£6m
£6m
10=
Natasha Bedingfield
£6m
£6m
10=
Duffy
£6m
£6m
10=
James Morrison
£6m
£5m
14=
Nadine Coyle (Girls Aloud)
£5m
£5m
14=
Taio Cruz
£5m
£5m
14=
Jonathan (JB) Gill (JLS)
£5m
New
14=
Sarah Harding (Girls Aloud)
£5m
£5m
14=
Marvin Humes (JLS)
£5m
New
14=
Jessie J
£5m
New
14=
Aston Merrygold (JLS)
£5m
New
14=
Nicola Roberts (Girls Aloud)
£5m
£5m
14=
Kimberley Walsh (Girls Aloud)
£5m
£5m
14=
Oritsé Williams (JLS)
£5m
New
 
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THE SUNDAY TIMES RICH LIST 2012 – THE RICHEST YOUNG ACTORS
Aged 30 and under

 

Young
actor
rank
2012
Name
2012 wealth
2011 wealth
1
Daniel Radcliffe
£54m
£48m
2
Robert Pattinson
£40m
£32m
3
Keira Knightley
£30m
£30m
4
Kiera Chaplin
£28m
£28m
5
Emma Watson
£26m
£24m
6
Rupert Grint
£24m
£24m
7
8=
Lily Cole
Sarah Harding
£8m
£5m
£6m
£5m
8=
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
£5m
New
8=
Kimberley Walsh
£5m
£5m
 
 
 
THE SUNDAY TIMES RICH LIST 2012 – THE RICHEST IN MODELLING
Aged 30 and under

 

Modelling rank
2012
Name
2012 wealth
2011 wealth
1
Keira Knightley (Chanel)
£30m
£30m
2
Kiera Chaplin
£28m
£28m
3
Emma Watson
£26m
£24m
4
Natalia Vodianova
£16m
£15m
5
Coleen Rooney (Littlewoods)
£13m
£12m
6
Cheryl Cole (L’Oreal)
£12m
£12m
7
Lily Cole
£8m
£6m
8
9=
Lily Allen (Chanel)
Sarah Harding (Ultimo)
£6m
£5m
£6m
£5m
9=
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
£5m
New
9=
Jessie J (Pretty Polly)
£5m
New
The Sunday Times Rich List 2012 is compiled by Philip Beresford, the leading authority on British wealth, and edited by Ian Coxon.
The Sunday Times Rich List 2012 to be published on April 29

Dear Royal Mail.

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Dear Royal Mail,

 

I would have posted this letter but your prices are getting expensive. Anyway, let’s not quibble. I am writing to you today because I am worried. I am worried that the once great institution that was is the Royal Mail has become a shadow of it’s former self. I am worried about our relationship.

When I post something now I always do it recorded delivery. As you can imagine, your service is already overpriced so the extra security nags at me. Why do I have to do this? Well, the thing is, every-time I post something it is like a leap of faith. I never know if it is going to get to the other end, and in what condition. Actually, scrub that, it is more like gambling or Russian roulette. I have never posted a boxset of DVDs and had it reach the other side if it was not posted recorded delivery. Let’s not blame this all on you, we must be fair, sometimes people on Ebay can be unscrupulous. But it happens even when I post things to my family.

When you started charging by size as well as price I was frustrated with you. It just made things even more difficult.

Then there was the atomiser I posted – wrapped perfectly- that was broken. The CDs that, although the stamp was on the right side, ended up being posted back to me because they were STAMPED on the wrong side further on. What an expensive mistake that was.I wrote to you about these and you replied saying it was my fault and you couldn’t do anything. I must admit, I was a little upset.

It is fair to say that we have had a love/hate relationship, but let’s not kid ourselves, we cannot break up. There is no-one else out there if I want to post a letter. You have a monopoly. If only you used it with more love and care.

Yours faithfully,

Catherine

Are The Good Times Really Over For Good?

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For someone in their twenties it is hard to think of a time which has been harder economically than right now. But I do know that this is not true. There have been many booms and busts before, times much harder than this. Rationing, world wars, the great depression.

But what of the future? My generation seems to have gotten the muddy end of the stick. The OECD, a respected British think tank, said that Britain has slipped into a double dip recession and more pupils than ever are getting free school meals, the governments indicator of a child growing up in poverty. Tube drivers might be raking it in, getting paid £500 just to show up for work each day during the Olympics, but the rest of us are struggling.

Are the good times really over?We have become generation rent, unemployment is high, we not only have a harder time getting our dream job, but getting any job at all. I have friends that are moving out of West London where I live because they cannot afford it, struggling to find jobs and even if they have one, struggling to survive the squeeze.

Not getting to the nitty gritty. Tuition fees are up to a staggering amount, 9K a year for an education, transport costs go up above inflation every year; the Oyster caps at £10 per day in London. Then there is the fact that if you get an unpaid internship these days you are one of the lucky ones. It seems everyone is taking everything from the young. I am luckier than most. My education days are behind me and so are my internships: but if the children really are the future, then what of it? Are the good times really over for good? Everything from stamps and food is going up. Petrol is so expensive people cannot even get to work and the government is looking shifty after the cash-for-access scandal. Never mind the fact we don’t have any privacy anymore and they are trying to bring in web-monitoring.

Government debt is at a £988.7 billion. And who is going to have to pay that off? The decent, hard working people of Britain. Oh well. We can always print some more money.

What good will come from this? Lessons maybe. We lived in a society that saw the word ‘credit’ and did not take in the fact that actually means ‘debt’. Above all we will do what the British do: keep calm and carry on. You may want to cross your fingers too.