FOR THE REST OF US
ISS 40/SEPT
/ ABOUT
/ FROM JACK
In five years Jack has gone from an idea to putting on live events, urban festivals, had a bi-monthly, A5 fanzine that grew into a monthly A4 glossy magazine and launched Who’s Jack online and Jack TV.
The September issue, our Nu-Society commentary and our 4th birthday edition comes to you from both high and low points. Jack Comes Alive launched to a great and muchly appreciated deal of enthusiasm and press interest, we managed to spend a whole day with Jedward and not leave frustrated and slightly insane and we met, spoke to and photographed all the talent we feel are heading up the ranks in influential status and thus becoming our capitals Nu-Society.
Today Who’s Jack is going from strength to strength, largely due to the attitude of its creators. Jack began because we wanted something more, something attainable, something relatable and something lacking in arrogance. Something for the rest of us. Jack Loves You More.
However, as mentioned, August has not been a totally positive one. Earlier in the month Charles Haddon the 22 year old lead singer of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, featured in this issue as one of the bands joining the musical high society took his life. It was a tragic occurrence that happened shortly after the band were performing on stage and after a girl got injured in the audience. This dreadful loss has ended the month on a tragic low and our thoughts go out to the rest of the band and Charles’ friends and family. The remaining band members have released a statement confirming that planned albums will be released but other than that they are taking a necessary step back to grieve and try to recover from their loss. We wish them all the best at such a difficult time. Lu x
/ HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Whether you are a band, a brand, a designer or simply want to tell us about something, get in touch. General enquiries can be sent to: press@whos-jack.co.uk, contributions can be sent to: contributions.jack@googlemail.com, finally, advertising enquiries can be sent to: tom@whos-jack.co.uk.
/ TEAM JACK / CONTRIBUTORS
Who’s Jack likes a good collaboration, event or campaign. We can work with you or for you. Get in touch.
/ JACK COMES ALIVE
Have a look on Page 7 and you will see our wicked event Jack Comes Alive. Look out for this red dot on pages that will correspond to our Jack Comes Alive event- they will tell you what will be on offer on the 28th July at the time of print. Of course much more is being confirmed so keep checking the website to get the latest editions. Pre-sale tickets available at Ticketweb. www.whosjack.org
/ ON JACK TV THIS MONTH What happened when Jack Met Jedward, Sky Ferreira and Jack Comes Alive part 2.
Jenni Lewis Resident Burlesque dancer
Rhiannon Adam Photographer
Adam Roan Henderson Comment
The very brave Jenni has donned some tassles and taken off some outer layers to learn how to shimmy her way into your hearts this issue. See her perform her learnt routine at Jack Comes Alive The September Issue on the 22nd Sept at Proud.
Rhiannon uses mainly the dwindling supplies of Polariod film for her photography creating those effects and beautiful soft imperfections that you can really only master with this type of film. www.rhiannonadam.com
Our standard and much loved Jack team member Adam brings us a new comment column this month in the form of ‘Shit Lit’ that will highlight the books best for reading on a commute. Not masterpieces but decent, easy reads, the kind we all love.
# FEATURES / REGULARS
folloown us tter Twi t e r . c o m /
/ ISSUE 40 . SEPT / 2010
#
6. 7. 8. 14. 14. 15. 16. 18. 28. 33. 36. 42. 44. 46. 47. 50. 54. 58. 60. 64. 65. 65. 70. 72. 77. 78. 79. 80.
t . t w i kmag w w w jac whos
Music...............Review One Liners....................................James tells you what to bin, what to burn and what to buy. Comment.............Shit Lit.....................................Adam looks at the books that are perfect for your commute. Music.............The Grimes Brothers..................................We uncover why Jedward are accumulating so many new fans. Comment................The Dating Game.......................Georgina takes us through the men she met at the last Jack Comes Alive. Fashion..........Leila Loves.................................A few tips in the form of rubber and tie die from across the pond. Fashion................Fashion for the boys.....................................A further dose of Americana. Film................Monthly Roundup.....................................Mark takes us through the films you need to see this month. Fashion..........Projections...........................Black, lace and corsetry set to soft flower overlays. Jack..........Pick of the Month........................................................Shoes, cameras, clothes and gigs. Music................Fenech Solar..................................The sparkley boys making the radio twinkle. Comment......Boys on TV.......There seemed to be a wealth of attractive young boys on the telly box so we interviewed them. Namely Sam Attwater, George Alsford and Stan Watson. Beauty.........Cassie does beauty........................................Hair, dogs and skin. Comment.....Death of the Superclub..................The effect the internet and low funds is having on our clubbing scene. Comment................Baked Beans and Champagne..........................Downstairs at Momo’s. Film..........From Suicide Breeds Originality......................There is a new evil, a new film and a new graphic novel on the way. Art................Young professionals.............................The 21 year old gallery owner. Comment..........Jen Does Burlesque..................................................Read about the lessons before you see the act. Fashion..........Vintage Lady..........................................We take a look at the new vintage. London.............Bright Young Things........................................Theatre’s new Brat Pack. Art..............David Montgomery and Terry O Neill.............................The photographers that shoot starlets. Art..........Reggie Yates........................Reggie turns photographer. Comment.............My 2-4-1 Pound Life..................................Lucy gets a new job. Film.............Something of a Faux Pas..................................Take your behavioral tips from the movies. Fashion................Last Night’s Party.........................................Our live PUMA shoot from Jack Comes Alive July. Jack.........Cooking around the world from London..................................This week Lukes doing Vietnamese. Fashion............Georgie and James Kredit Krunch Katwalk Krew.............Re-style your wardrobe. Music................Cass Lowe..........................Let Us Introduce You London...................Scene Stealer.........................Jack Comes Alive August.
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/ STOCKISTS Size? - (in London stores): Beyond the Valley: Number 22: Paper Dress: 55 DSL: Camden Blues Kitchen: The Old Queens Head: Chateau Roux: Tatty Devine: The Hawley Arms: The Lexington: The Keston Lodge: The Lock Tavern: Bullfrog: Vintage Store: The Lazy Ones: The Sun and 13 Cantons: Bar Story: Rough Trade East: The Victoria: Candy Cakes: Bullfrog:
Carnaby Street, Soho, W1F 7DW 200 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W11 1LB 37a Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9PR www.size.co.uk 2 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RD www.beyondthevalley.com 22 Carnaby Street, W1F 7DB 114-116 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AY www.paperdressboutique.blogspot.com 10A Newburgh St, W1F 7RN www.55dsl.com 111 - 113 Camden High Street, NW1 7JN www.theblueskitchen.com 44 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LN www.theoldqueenshead.com 17 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RZ www.chateauroux.co.uk 44 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9EP www.tattydevine.com 2 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8QU www.thehawleyarms.co.uk 96-98 Pentonville Road, N1 9JB www.thelexington.co.uk 131 Upper Street, N1 1QP www.kestonlodge.com 35 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AJ www.lock-tavern.co.uk 20 Greenwich Church Street, SE10 9BJ www.bullfrogs.co.uk 182 Brick Lane, E1 6SA 102m Sclater Street, E1 6HR www.thelazyones.blogspot.com 21 Great Pulteney Street, W1F 9NG 213 Blenheim Grove, Peckham, SE15 4QL Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL www.roughtrade.com 110 Grove Road, Mile End, E3 5TH www.thevictoriae3.com Monmouth Street, WC2H 9EP www.candycakes.com 20 Greenwich Church Street, SE10 9BJ www.bullfrogs.co.uk
Shock and Soul: The Westbury: The Hospital Club: Rough Trade: Fopp: Mint: The Book Club: Behave: Sanctum Hotel: Defectors Weld : Pirate Pop Up Shop: LCB Surf Store: Pure Groove: Beyond Retro: The Rest Is Noise: Banquet Records:
46 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LN www.shockandsoul.co.uk 34 Kilburn High Street, NW6 5UA www.westburybar.com 24 Endell Street, London, WC2H 9HQ www.thehospitalclub.com 130 Talbot Road, W11 1JA www.roughtrade.com 1 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LL www.foppreturns.com 20 Earlham Street, WC2 H9LN www.mintvintage.co.uk 100 Lenard Street, EC2A 4RH www.wearetbc.com 14 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR 50 Lexington Street, W1F oLR 20 Warwick Street Soho, W1B 5NF www.sanctumsoho.com 170 Uxbridge Road, W12 8AA www.defectors-weld.com 27 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5RN 121 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 7DG www.lcbsurfstore.co.uk 6-7 West Smithfield, EC1A 9JX www.puregroove.co.uk 110-112 Cheshire Street, E2 6EJ 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JY www.beyondretro.com 442 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 8EJ www.therestisnoisebrixton.com 52 Eden Street, Kingston, KT1 1EE www.banquetrecords.com
Also with online orders of Urban Outfitters : www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk See an up to the minute list of stockists online, if you would like to stock Who’s Jack contact: press@whos-jack.co.uk
jack Editor/Creative Director : Lu Orcheston-Findlay : louise@whos-jack.co.uk // Deputy Editor : Laura Hills : laura@whos-jack.co.uk // Advertising : Tom Ayres : tom@whos-jack.co.uk // Fashion Editor : Leila Dante Hartley : leila@whos-jack.co.uk // Arts Editor : Ruthie Holloway : ruthie@whos-jack.co.uk // The Jack-Father : Edward Fitzpatrick // Film : Mark Williams : mark@whos-jack.co.uk // Music : Laura Hills : laura@whos-jack.co.uk // Comment : Adam Roan Henderson : adam@whos-jack.co.uk // Pick Of : Lu Orcheston-Findlay : louise@whos-jack.co.uk // Intern : Tania Willis : intern@whos-jack.co.uk // Stylists : Leila Hartley // Nessa Wrafter // PC Williams // Kevin Morosky // Jo Bevis // Ihunna Eberendu // Photography : Kristoffer Myhre : www.krismyhre.com // Stuart Leech : www.music-photos.co.uk // Andrea Bono Tempo // Caity Reeve // Kevin Morosky // Matt Crockett // Rhiannon Adams // Natalie J Watts // Contributing writers : Jason Gregory // Lucy Hancock // Erin Daniel Mckee : erin@erindmckee.com // Donna Marie Howard // Georgie and James // Matt Hamm // Georgina Childs // Luke Farrell // Zoe Whitfield // Kerry and Greame // Jenifer Lewis // Tania Willis // Cassie Powney Illustrations/Artwork/Layout : LOF // pandamilk : www.pandamilk.co.uk // Anne-Sophie Rosenvinge-Skov // Katie Allen // Hair & Make up : Luke Stephens // Ms Moo Make Up // Adjhani Barton // Ceri Cushen, Michiko Yoshida // Nathan Gooding // Nikki Jackson Cover Image : James Lincoln // Want to see your work in Jack? Contributions : contributions.jack@googlemail.com Thanks to : Kensington Roof Gardens, Alex at Proud, PUMA, Buweiser, Grange St pauls. And Assistants : Chalin Barton Who’s Jack Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part with out the permission of Who’s Jack. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the opinions of Who’s Jack. Who’s Jack Ltd can not be held responsible for any breach of copyright arising from any material supplied. Who’s Jack, 93 Barker Drive, Camden, London, NW1 0JG
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LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT Friday 3rd Sept Toxic Funk Berry (Live) Giles Likes Tea (Live) Dixon Brothers & Friends (DJ)
Friday 24th Sept Handshake (Live) Joker and the Thief (Live) Rene Wonky Pop (DJ) Dixon Brothers (DJ)
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REVIEW MUSIC
Bring your tracks/singles down on the 22nd Sept and get a one line review out of James or possibly have them appear in our next issue
ONE
James Lynch
LINERS
BIN: The Pretty Reckless Miss Nothing Oh, I get it… if you wear loads of eye makeup, dress like an eighties prostitute and frown your way through a whole ‘rock’ song while crawling about in front of hairy musicians wearing black, then hopefully everyone will forget that you are in fact an over-privileged and well paid teen actress who once auditioned for Hannah Montana and is the face of New Look… www.theprettyreckless.com BURN: The Count & Sinden After Dark (Feat. Mystery Jets) I would pretty much have Mystery Jets guest on anything I did but I imagine that they are probably a bit busy to sing along while I sit on the toilet picking my nose and reading the paper, luckily The Count and Sinden have found better uses for their talents and stuck them over this bongo driven track which I suppose works just as well. www.myspace.com/countandsinden
LESSER KNOWN
BOOM: Yelawolf Trunk Muzik Looking like Marilyn Manson’s kid brother and sounding better than Eminem (yeah, that’s right) this Alabama native will be everyone’s favourite rapper by the end of the year, so if you wanna get in there first then this mixtape is the perfect introduction to the dirty world of catfish, backyard meth labs and clapped out Chevvys which Yela inhabits. www.myspace.com/yelawolf
words : Matt Hamm
BIN: Klaxons Echoes Returning older, wiser and more boring than before, the Klaxons are no longer the groundbreaking commercial faces of a fledgling subgenre but instead a band like any other, as out go the synths and neon paint and in come the military themed uniforms last seen on Coldplay and the uninspired guitar-space-fantasy pop last modelled by everyone from Foals to Muse… well, at least they still have crazy hair. www.klaxons.net BURN: Cee-Lo Green No One’s Gonna Love You I really don’t think there is any one cooler than Cee-Lo, the voice of Gnarls Barkley is this generations Barry White, a portly love machine soul king who despite naming his forthcoming album ‘Cee-Lo Green the Lady Killer’ still finds time to completely defy expectation by slipping this effortlessly atmospheric Band Of Horses cover into the track list. www.myspace.com/ceelogreen BOOM: Villagers Ship Of Promises Sounding a lot like his namesake Conor Oberst (aka Bright Eyes) is no bad thing when it comes to Conor O’Brien’s work, in Ship of Promises he melds wistful and strange lyrics with galloping drums and layered strings, so far so familiar but it’s the Irishman’s haunting voice that makes this something really special. www.wearevillagers.com
The Naked and Famous An electric science experiment whisking the best of the MGMT, Passion Pit, Empire of the Sun & the XX together into a delightfully summery slice of indie-pop pie. www.thenakedandfamous.com
Gypsy & the Cat Rising from the Young & Lost roster with a debut album out in September come this chilled, sun baked Australian duo unashamedly boasting Bee Gee high falsetto vocals, that at times borrow from Temper Trap to mould a rather infectious offering of soft-rock pop. www.myspace.com/gypsyandthecat
Sky Larkin This Leeds trio aren’t necessary new with very recently released 2nd album; but their mix of dirty indie rock guitars and commanding female vocals, may have fallen rather unfairly below many a radar. Check them out, go see them and revel in their excellence! www.weareskylarkin.com
My Tiger, My Timing Hailing from South East London’s gun capital New Cross, this 5 piece lean on early-Foals like stuttering guitars to create a sizeable funky punk package…and let’s be honest - Who doesn’t love their name?! www.mytigermytiming.com
It’s Jacks 4th Birthday
celebrate with us at Jack Comes Alive at Proud Galleries Camden on the 22nd Sept, oh and dress smart, it’s a celebration
SHIT LIT
The daily commute is part of London life. Unless you are lucky enough to live within walking distance of work (and if so I hate you) then buses and tubes are a fact of life. Since the sad demise of The London Paper and London Lite there’s nothing worth picking up at the station to read. The Metro’s stale news has no spark and is barely an improvement on shoe-gazing. What you need is a good book to distract you from the sweaty huddle. Actually I’d like to clarify that, not a good book per se, a shit one will do, one that fulfils a specific set of requirements. 1.Exciting. If it doesn’t grab you and keep you on the end of your grubby seat there is no way it will keep the attention of your bleary morning/tired home-time eyes. 2.Easily accessible. If you have to carry a dictionary around to look up every other word, either you need some night schooling or you’ve picked the wrong commute book. Lightweight entertainment is the order of the day. 3.Simple plot to follow. Unless you live / work out in the sticks then your
chosen novel will be consumed in bite-sized chunks. You need to be able to pick up where you left off without re-reading half a dozen pages. To this end I picked out Time of Death by Alex Barclay with the tag-line ‘The clock’s ticking... and the body count is rising.’ Sitting proudly in the bestseller section of WH Smiths the spooky, gothic cover promised a frantic crime thriller. The action pivots around FBI agent Ren Bryce who stomps through the novel leaving death and broken hearts in her wake. Sadly it’s the romantic sections of the novel that grate the worst for me. Ren swoons over her ex’s arms and describes him with ‘You’re like a bottle of champagne that I don’t want to pop the cork on.’ Pardon? What kind of champagne don’t you want to pop the cork on? A rubbish one? Alex Barclay doesn’t seem clear whether she is writing an appalling Mills & Boon slush novel or a crime thriller. Frequently Ren tells herself ‘no-more men’ which makes her sound like a sex addict or a reformed whore. I ended up getting so frustrated with her deliberations I was actually willing her put out, just so that we could get on with the story. Aside from that the main issue that I have with ‘Time of Death’ is coherent plot progression. The novel starts at a fairly
good pace, but by the end the twists and turns are so frequent that gaping chasms in the plot appear, requiring some serious leaps of faith from the reader. It’s almost like the editor has decided to remove pages at random to increase the mystery. I found myself flicking back to the previous chapter and still being none clearer. I hadn’t read with such a furrowed brow since Foucault’s Pendulum. It wasn’t all bad however. Ren was a likable enough, if frustrating/ed at times, character. A feisty rule breaker who seemed always on the verge of breakdown, I wanted her to succeed and clear her name. Plus the zippy pace kept me hooked, despite the cheesy lines and fairly cartoonish characters. There were a few chuckles but to be honest, most laughs were at the book rather than with it… On a positive note the book touched on some mental health issues, which were fairly
sensitively dealt with without slowing down the narrative.
I’d recommend this book if you were in two minds between a romance, a crime thriller and have a hankering after mildly unhinged abstinent policewomen. I found it a little too cheesy and a few too many plot holes to be satisfying. Time of Death falls down on point three of my commute book requirements, and for that reason I’m giving it a fail.
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GRIMES words: Laura Hills images: James Lincoln make up : Nikki Jackson
The Grimes Brothers UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RED SEA, USING EARPLUGS AND GENERALLY KEEPING YOUR EYES SHUT DURING THE LATTER PART OF 2009 IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS THE ‘JED-MANIA’ THAT SWEPT THE NATION. THE NOVELTY DUO’S APPEARANCE ON THE XFACTOR CAUSED A WAVE OF HYSTERIA CAUSING CELEBRITIES TO DON TSHIRTS WITH THE SLOGAN, ‘JED WE CAN’, ROBBIE WILLIAMS TO STYLE HIS HAIR IN TO A QUIFF IN HONOUR OF THE TWINS, DAVID CAMERON AND BORIS JOHNSON TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THEIR FASCINATION WITH THEM, ONE FARMER TO CLAIM THAT PLAYING JEDWARD SONGS TO HIS COWS MADE THEM PRODUCE MORE MILK AND THE XFACTOR’S CREATOR, SIMON COWELL, TO SAY THAT IF THEY WERE TO WIN HE’D LEAVE THE COUNTRY. JOHN AND EDWARD GRIMES, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, GOT EVERYONE TALKING, BUT NOW IT’S NEARLY A YEAR ON SINCE THEIR FIRST AUDITION AND THE ORIGINAL HYPE HAS DIED, HAS THE POWER OF JEDWARD DIED ALONG WITH IT? OF COURSE THE ANSWER IS NO.
9 According to those who work with them John and Edward, 18, get mobbed quite literally everywhere they go, ‘It’s ridiculous, we’ll take them to the most secret of hotels and within half an hour we’ll be bombarded with fans. They’re so good with their fans, they know what it’s like to idolise someone so they’ll stand and sign autographs for every one of them. It makes getting them anywhere on time pretty difficult,’ explained one member of their entourage.
With that in mind we kept our shoot location in East London top secret (despite many, many Twitter pleas to reveal where we were). Following a slightly hectic shoot - many, many weird questions were asked, things were picked up then dropped, used chewing gum was left on work surfaces, people were referred to only by what they were wearing, songs were played loudly and grooming techniques were swapped - we settled down (and they calmed right down) to
find out more about the world of Planet Jedward... ‘One of my earlier memories is being in our Grandad’s shed and listening to his collection of music. He had all the records from people like Michael Jackson, Elvis and Bing Crosby. He taught us about all these big artists and that’s how we got to know about all the great singers,’ remembers Edward. Before the idea of appearing on XFactor was even a twinkle in their eye Jedward were standing
[JEDWARD ON...] EAST LONDON... ‘ISN’T THIS WHERE EVERYONE DOES DRUGS?’
outside hotels, studios and venues that they knew their favourite singers were in, in the hope that they would meet them and get an autograph. Rumour has it they even emailed US chat show host Ellen DeGeneres to ask her to help them become famous and then after X Factor emailed to tell her not to worry anymore. However, the boys claim that fame was never that important to them. ‘We never felt the need to be famous, lots of people want to be famous for the wrong reasons we just wanted to do our own thing,’ says John. ‘There were loads of kids in our class running around going, ‘I want to be famous’, but we were actually more focused on sports in school,’ continues Edward. John and Edward first came in to the public domain when they auditioned in front of a live audience for a spot on last year’s XFactor opting for faux American accents and with the cocky stage confidence of performing pros rather than two 17 year olds from Dublin and covered a Backstreet Boys song. Simon Cowell referred to them as ‘Two of the most annoying people we’ve ever had on the show,’ while Lois Walsh said, ‘I think you have something that could be worked on,’ and so a sensation was born. Week after week Jedward’s theatrical performances caused ratings
of the show to soar up to 50% more than usual despite the fact that most people agreed they had little to no singing talent. ‘It was a lot of pressure for us. Everything was new to us but no matter what anyone says we worked really hard for our spot on the show,’ says John. ‘We were always the last people to finish rehearsing, I honestly think we wanted it more than anyone else on the show with us.’ So what do they think it was about them that created such attention? ‘We made the show more than a singing competition, people liked us for our personalities and because every week we were different. I don’t think people watch XFactor to find a good singer, they watch it to be entertained,’ says John. ‘The highest TV viewing figures of the year in Ireland were when John and I were on the X Factor. [JEDWARD ON...] THEMSELVES... ‘I’M JOHN AND HE’S EDWARD AND TOGETHER PUT TOGETHER WE ARE JEDWARD AND WE’RE ALL ABOUT BEING FUN AND COOL.’
Isn’t that crazy? I think it’s because there’s never been anyone as edgy as us before,’ boasts Edward. The phenomenon of Jedward turned them in to a two boy money making machine with Jedward merchandise selling out quicker than a Take That reunion tour. It was even reported at the time that Jedward made Simon Cowell and extra £10million after demand for tickets to the XFactor tour soured due to Jedward fans wanting to see them live with extra dates being released to
accommodate the demand making the tour the biggest in XFactor history. Although, as with all things like this, with the good press also came the bad. Accusations that Simon Cowell kept the twins in to boost ratings were bantered around, there were also allegations that they sang over pre-recorded backing tracks and Jedward haters grew angrier as week after week the twins were saved while other genuinely talented singers were sent home. ‘Some of the other contestants got bad press too and they’d get really upset about it but we always tried to stay fun no matter what the press said about us. They said bad stuff about us but then when they met us they tended to change their opinion. It’s like that with a lot of people, they hate us until they meet us but no matter what anyone says we deserved to be on that show,’ says Edward. Since leaving XFactor their on-screen mentor Louis Walsh has taken over their management. ‘It’s the first time one of the mentors has ever taken on the management of one of their acts, how cool is that?,’ says Edward. ‘He was the best judge for us to have. All the other judges are super famous and a lot of the other contestants were in awe of them and because of that they felt like they couldn’t talk to them. It wasn’t like that for us. [JEDWARD ON...] THE HIGHLIGHTS OF FAME... ‘NOW WE CAN IN PLACES WITHOUT NEEDING BACKSTAGE PASSES AND WE GET TO DO COOL THINGS LIKE HANGING IN EAST LONDON WITH WHO’S JACK.’
11
We’d chill in Louis’ dressing room and talk, he’s our friend as well as our manager now. The best piece of advice he’s given us is to be ourselves and that’s what we’ll always do,’ continues Edward. ‘You won’t catch us changing, we’re not suddenly going to try and go all serious. We just want to keep getting better at mastering our art now,’ interrupts John. As well as ‘mastering’ being pop stars the twins are also following a line of quick money making avenues including their own fashion line Pop Icons – ‘Cos we always dress really cool’, modelling contracts – ‘The problem is we always think we can do better so keep wanting to do retakes’, and a reality TV series for ITV2 which has sees them filling the slot that queen of reality TV Katie Price left behind when she moved her show to Living TV. ‘It wasn’t our idea, the production company approached us,’ says John. ‘They said they’d love to follow our journey while we made our album and we thought it was a cool idea. We want to show people how much hard work our job is,’ he says. The reality show, which was originally meant to be a one-off and has since been commissioned for a whole series, has seen the boys being moved in to an apartment in Dublin where, for the first time in 18 years, they have been forced to sleep in separate rooms, [JEDWARD ON...] HAVING TWIN TELEPATHY... ‘SIX MONTHS AGO I HURT MY KNEE WHEN WE WERE PERFORMING AND THEN RECENTLY EDWARD HURT HIS LEG FROM FALLING OFF A STAGE. HOW WEIRD IS THAT?!’
‘Even when we’re on tour we’ll share a bedroom,’ says Edward. So what do they think makes for a good reality TV show? ‘Something that’s real and not over thought,’ says John. ‘You see some reality shows and you can tell it’s all fake, me and Edward won’t be like that. We’ll just be showing people what it’s really like to be Jedward.’ Despite what peoples preconceptions of Jedward may be (I had my own too) and despite intense media attention, fans that follow them all over the country and [JEDWARD ON...] BRITNEY SPEARS... ‘WE WANT TO PERFORM LIKE HER. SHE ALWAYS HAS HER A GAME ON, SHE LOOKS LIKE A TIGER WHEN SHE PERFORMS. FIERCE.’
a reality show being made about them they seem to have their heads screwed on when it comes to the realities of their fame. ‘We aren’t even that famous, we’re just known in the UK and Ireland and we need to remember that and stay focused,’ says John. ‘I think that more than many other acts we need to constantly prove ourselves. Some of the biggest pop stars were met with criticism when they first started, I remember when Rhianna came out with her first album it was OK but then she released Good Girl Gone Bad and everyone was like ‘wow’. It was the same with Beyonce, Sasha Fierce made people realise how amazing she is. Being a pop star is all about proving yourself and coming back stronger and stronger and doing something rebellious that no one expects and that’s what we’re
trying to do,’ says Edward. That said, their latest single was a cover of Blink182’s All the Small Things and their new album is going to be full to the brim with pop covers so do they ever want to write their own material? ‘I write songs all the time,’ says Edward. ‘But at the moment we’re happy doing what we’re doing. We’d quite like to try doing some country music though,’ he continues. ‘At the moment we’re really poppy and fun but we can be serious and rocky. We can fall in to any category as long as our fans are happy. That’s all that really matters to us,’ says John. One thing is apparent, that questionable singing talent aside there certainly is something about Jedward. They’re insatiably excitable, eager to please their fans and those they work with, they’re happy to offer up ideas during the shoot and have an air of innocence that is more suited to a pair of 13 year olds rather than two boys entering manhood and their legions of dedicated fans prove that they have the capability to be around for some time yet, whatever it is they might end up doing. And as they said in their very first audition when asked why they were trying to get in to singing, ‘Who wouldn’t want ladies screaming your name everywhere you go?’ [JEDWARD ON...] WORLD PEACE... ‘NOW THAT MICHAEL JACKSON IS GONE JOHN AND EDWARD ARE HERE TO BRING THE L.O.V.E. WE EVEN HAVE OUR OWN KANGAROO.’
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THE DATING GAME words : Georgina Childs
Where: Jack Comes Alive Length: All Night I am a little bit proud to say that I’ve never been speed-dating before. I’ve always thought that any speed-dating event would be full of either desperate losers, or people who are too busy to go out and meet people properly. And I was right. No I’m kidding, well half-kidding. When Who’s Jack asked me to speed-date their pick of guys, on camera, at Jack Comes Alive, I couldn’t really say no, it being my job ‘n’ all… So, what did I learn? Somewhat shamefully the biggest lesson, was that I’m awfully shallow (I say I’ve learnt this, it was more just confirmation of something I already knew). I also learnt that people really aren’t keen on having a camera pointed at them while three people watch them on a speed date. Thirdly, some people seriously lack social skills. I hate awkward silences and will ask really crappy questions to fill them. Apparently I look two years older than I actually am (gutted). And lastly, three minutes sounds like nothing, but it can really, really drag.
The low points of the speed dating experience included one guy, showing me a short film he’d directed. I couldn’t even hear the film, so it made no sense whatsoever. Why this guy thought this was good chat, I do not know. He’s got a right to be proud of what he’s done, but seriously, he had three minutes to impress me and it took me about three seconds to lose interest. After the film got a bit boring he did talk to me a little bit, and when I told him I was from Essex (FYI it’s so close it may as well be East London) he said, ‘Yeah, I thought you were’ – which really isn’t a compliment. In the end, I was grateful that the film-watching took up a chunk of our precious three minutes, as it meant I didn’t have to endure any more of his talk. On a brighter note, we (myself and the other people watching the speed dates, those people being the camera guy, the guy with the light and my best friend) managed to persuade one of the dates to play the guitar. This was sexy. I’m not sure what it is about a man who can play an instrument, but there’s just something that makes them seem really fit. Admittedly, if he’d rocked out a recorder, it mightn’t have had the same effect, but the guitar playing, impressive. It was around about here that I noticed I was judging people on their jobs. He told me he was a music composer, hence why he could play the guitar. He also said he could play the piano. If there had only been a Yamaha to hand. One guy said he was a freelance journalist, so I assumed he was lazy and non-committal.
Silly Bandz As Fashion Editor of Who’s Jack magazine you would probably assume that my six-week holiday to New York would be full of East Village thrifting, Williamsburg vintage shops and discovering new designers. You’d be wrong. I’ve actually spent a considerable amount of time in toy shops hunting down the latest US craze… Silly Bandz. Yup, that’s right, coloured silicon bracelets in different shapes is the next big thing. That notorious LA style icon Mary-Kate Olsen has already caught on, as has SJP (she’s probably nicked them from her kids). My personal favourites are the Toy Story 3 bands and the Holy pack (ironically of course). If they haven’t hit shops here yet get yours first online. www.sillybandz.com
Shabd Simon-Alexander Another find from my trip to New York is Brooklyn based designer Shabd Simon-Alexander who explores dyeing and painting techniques on a range of good quality basics. My favourite from the range is the ‘lean on my shoulder’ T-shirt with galaxy inspired tie-dye shoulders, available for both men and women. I suggest you check out her other T’s in glacier, crystalline and rust dye effect. Also available online are bodysuits, leggings, tights, shorts, tanks, hoodies, scarves, bikinis and even canvas bags. So if you’re into photos taken from the Hubble telescope and all things galaxy print, Shabd is the designer to go to. www.shabdismyname.com
And then there was the film director, proving that some people sound like they are interesting and have cool jobs, but they’re not. There were some high points though, well, one in particular. The really fit guy that confirmed how shallow I am. He was hot. He also managed to mix it up a bit by asking me a few different questions to most of the other guys. And he kissed me on both cheeks to introduce himself, I have no idea why I liked that so much and I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed this quite as much if he wasn’t so fit, but as it was, I got to touch his cheek, twice. Out of all the dates, there wasn’t really anyone who I’d actually like to go on a real date with. Well, other than that fit guy. Three minutes is enough time to decide if you do or don’t like someone and I guess that’s why they call it speed-dating. But the whole interview-like tell-meeverything-about-you-that-may-makeyou-appeal-to-me, nature of speed-dating is all a bit, yuck, really. And I’m sure I’m not the only person who’d admit that if they aren’t fit, you’re not really interested anyway. For anyone who’s thinking about going speed-dating, my advice would be: stay at home. No, I’m joking. I’d say go. But please, for the sake of all good women across the world, ask something unusual, or talk about something that genuinely interests you, take a guitar if you have to… Just don’t ask her how old she is, where she’s from, what she does for a living and for God’s sake, don’t show her a silent film.
Jason Gregory
FASHION FOR THE BOYS The American Dream So, September - the no man’s land month of the yearly calendar - has arrived. That means it’s not quite summer anymore, but try labelling it autumn and people will react like you’ve just admitted to sleeping with your sister. In fashion, it’s an equally awkward period. While designers and critics are predicting what will be big next season, shops are still desperately trying to flog us the leftovers from the summer: a crumpled shirt that’s fallen on the floor more times than it’s been on someone’s back or a pair of shoes for those notably underserved people with two left feet. But, thankfully, it’s at difficult times like these that we can always turn to our greatest ally: America. Because in the month that traditionally sees children and students slide reluctantly back into another year of education, the Ivy League trend has re-emerged to bask in the final days of summer. Traditionally the staple uniform of any US president’s offspring or Stifler from American Pie, this particular collegiate comeback is an extension of the all-encompassing, All American revival that’s been unavoidable throughout the summer. If you’ve taken a stroll down any high street recently, for example, there’s a chance you’ve ogled through a shop window at a denim shirt or some denim jeans, or, indeed, something else made from denim. But with slim gingham shirts and cuffed trousers at the vanguard, it’s safe to assume that this latest American spout isn’t the clobber to wear when you fancy ordering a Dominos Meatball Mayhem with extra pepperoni. It is, instead, meant for those awkward moments, like September, when it’s still warm enough to sit in a beer garden, but you’re wardrobe is calling for something more stylish, yet not too formal. Try teaming a soft chambray shirt with a smart pair of cuffed shorts that sit just above the knee. To continue the preppy theme, finish off the outfit with a pair of brown brogues or - in the true spirit of the American Dream - a scuffed pair of Converse. Don’t, whatever you do, opt for boat shoes: the outfit is intended to suggest well turned-out, not, ‘Look at me, let me show you my yacht.’ That’s just silly. You certainly wouldn’t catch an American doing that, would you?
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film:
Crikey, where did September come from? We must have missed out one of the other months, it shouldn’t be September already should it? Well, seeing as this month-skipping conspiracy can’t be proved (yet), we might as well focus on films. And there’s more than enough to tell you about, whether or not you really believe it is indeed September…
words: Mark Williams
Enter The VoidThe Scar Crow
22 Bullets (L’immortel) (3 Sept) is what retired hit-man Charley Mattei (Jean Reno) survives at close range after being ambushed and left for dead. Whoever the guys were that were sent to get him, they obviously hadn’t seen 1994’s Leon, or they would know that it takes more than mere bullets to kill Jean Reno. Needless to say, when he wakes up from his coma to discover he has survived becoming human swiss-cheese, he is not best pleased and sets out to find those responsible. The revenge-thriller genre pigeon hole is where 22 Bullets finds itself. While Charley Mattei doesn’t initially wish to return to his old, violent ways for retribution, another terrible event leaves him with little choice but to get out there and kick some arse. www.limmortel-2010.com Lefty documentary of the month is No Impact Man (3 Sept). Environmental blogger Colin Beavan decided to do something about his ongoing liberal guilt with regards to his daily impact on the environment, stop preaching to others and lead by example. For one year it is his mission to make the utmost effort to completely reduce his carbon footprint to zero. Some of the ways he plans to achieve this is to not use electricity, only walk or cycle everywhere he needs to go, and eat locally produced food.
Splintered (3 sept) is a British horror flick which follows a group of teenagers as they take a road-trip to the countryside. Not just a relaxing camping trip but more of an expedition to try and find a mysterious beast that Sophie (Holly Weston) is eager to prove the existence of. Let’s be honest, if you go into the wilderness, looking for some kind of wild animal that is said to roam the moors at night, you should at least go alone and not drag your friends along with you. But then, one person being swiftly mauled to death and eaten in a forest at midnight wouldn’t make a very long or entertaining film would it? This is so often the problem when you apply real-person logic to films… www.splinteredthemovie.com For a visual treat set in a tropical paradise, look no further than Alamar. (10 Sept) Part documentary and part fiction, Alamar is a tale of a father, his son and the sea. Set on the Mexican coral reef of Banco Chinchorro, this will appeal to the sort of person with itchy feet who constantly dreams of being somewhere else. Careful though, because it’s such a beautifully shot film, in such amazing natural surroundings that you may find yourself striding into work the next day with a letter of resignation and a plan to become a Mexican fisherman for the rest of your life! www.newwavefilms.co.uk
If you could pick any two renowned directors to work together on a film, the combination of David Lynch producing and Werner Herzog directing would be an inspired choice. Which is exactly what has happened in the case of My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done (10 Sept). After a relatively mainstream and easily accessible outing from Werner Herzog with this year’s Bad Lieutenant, he is getting back to his more idiosyncratic roots. My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done is story of Brad McCullum, (played by Michael Shannon) who kills his mother with an antique sword and then takes hostages when Willem Dafoe and his fellow police officers show up. The driving force behind the narrative is the reason why Brad killed his mother after returning from a trip to Peru, and the narrative is told as a mixture of flashback and cutting back to the present. It is the first collaboration between two master filmmakers and promises much. www.myson-myson.com The winner of this year’s Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Festival was Winter’s Bone (17 Sept). It has a similar washed out, bleak look to it that made the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, so incredibly desolate. But this time there are a few more people about as it is the task of Ree Dolly to track down her estranged father, before her family are evicted from their Arkansas home.
Which is difficult enough for one man, but Colin decides to inflict this lifestyle choice upon his wife and young daughter as well. From the film’s trailer on the No Impact Man website you get the impression that they were probably both happier when he was just blogging about his impact on the planet, rather than taking drastic action. www.noimpactdoc.com 22 Bullets
Wintersbone My Son My Son
Her relatives aren’t all as forthcoming with helpful information as you’d think though. www.wintersbonemovie.com Enter the Void (24 Sept) is a French art-house epic directed by Gaspar Noé. He makes films that tend to divide opinions quite strongly, and this psychedelic portrait of Tokyo is no exception. From the trailer alone, it would be advisable that Enter The Void is neither A) a good first-date film; B) a film to see if you think you may already have a headache; or C) your ideal film should you suffer from a short attention span. But if hallucinatory, vivid imagery and French symbolism are your cup of tea then this will be some cup of tea… www.entervoid.com September is also a great month for film festivals. The always free Portobello Film Festival runs from 2-19 September and plays host to over five hundred independent movie premieres. Guest speakers and a packed program of screenings ensure the Portobello Film Festival should be high priority for London film fans. www.portobellofilmfestival.com More London are also screening open air films (for free!) from 15 September – 1 October. The venue is a sunken amphitheatre near London Bridge with the capacity for 800 people. For a full list of films being shown, go to www.morelondon.com.
Being open-air, you may want to check the weather forecast first though, this is Britain after all…
DVD Roundup Kick Ass (6 Sept) We don’t know anyone who didn’t think Kick-Ass was a fantastic film. If you missed it at the cinema, be sure to see the DVD. REC 2 (20 Sept)– Get it in plenty of time for Halloween then sit back and watch your friends soil themselves. Providing you don’t do the same. Eyes Wide Open (20 Sept) Story of two Orthodox Jewish men who are ostracized from their community when they fall in love. Lost – Six season box set (20 Sept) I heard that if you watch 5 episodes of lost back to back, you start speaking in riddles. Then get dizzy and fall over. Then wake up in a secret underground chamber. Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (27 Sept) – Hooray, Nicolas Cage is good again! We knew it was just a matter of time until he stopped making really crappy movies, we never doubted him. Ok, actually we did doubt him a bit. But hooray!
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Projections
images: Natalie J Watts : www.nataliejwatts.com stylist: Ihunna Eberendu makeup: Ms Moo Make Up : www.msmoomakeup.com hair: Ceri Cushen @ Snarl Hair digital operator: Paul Whiteoak models: Erika @ Zone this image : Body:Beatrice K Newman / leggings: Beatrice K Newman
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Dress: Harold Kensington
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Dress: Susie Liang / gloves: stylist’s own
Dress: Natalie Rae Richardson : www.arts.ac.uk/showtime/NatalieRae
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Dress: Jelin George : www.arts.ac.uk/showtime/Jelin
Dress: Susie Liang / gloves: stylist’s own
Bustier: Susie Liang / top : stylist’s own / jacket: Susie Liang : www.susieliang.com
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Biba Biba is to join the in-house brands at House of Fraser. Launched originally in 1964 by Barbara Hulanicki, The Biba brand was the equivalent of Topshop back in the sixties offering affordable fashion to the masses and an amazing members lounge on their top floor (now Kensington Roof Gardens) that played house to the Rolling Stones and alike. Biba will re-launch at House of Fraser on 6th September.
Nike Air Force ‘Hamptons’ Still retaining all the air pocketed technology of the firs Air Force trainers just a hella lot whiter. These Hamptons are a beautiful edition to both style and sportswear. www.nike.com £120.00
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
This Is England ‘86 Shane Meadows releases his four part spin off from This is England ‘86 and has his TV debut. For the short series Meadows shared director duties with Tom Harper (The Scouting Book for Boys, Misfits), which would explain the skins like adverts then... Drunken parting aside this will no doubt be a great series picking up on the later lives of the main characters from the film. www.channel4.com/explore/this-is-england-86/
Candy Cakes One of our new stockists and the makers of unbelievable muffins and cupcakes. We mostly shun the cupcake craze but feel that if we get presented with cupcakes in the form of muffins with a load of icing and sweets on top that’s ok. Candy Cakes has pastel coloured shops all over London so track one down and have a colourful cake feast. www.candycakes.com
Jeffrey Campbell Jeff makes amazing shoes, from flat to heel to boots to a wedge. This wedge in particular is a thing of beauty and is available in the UK from Net-a-Porter, a site we often avoid due to enormous price tags so we will also give you a US site to buy them off making them actually pretty reasonable for leather boots. www.solestruck.com £102.00 Thin Rings We love em, particularly for little fingers on girls or boys. Stick a load on one finger or wear alone. This heart ring is from a site that offers almost anything you could want on a skinny ring. Eagles, dogs, cats, wings etc. Heart ring : £20.00 www.verameat.com
Indie Movies Online Going the same way as music, movies are more and more available online at hosting sites, and legal ones too. Indie Movies are a great example of this, you can find all the indie movies you want hosted here and most of them for free too. It really is proof that the Apple TV box might be worthwhile towards the end of the year. www.indiemoviesonline.com
Patterns September is ALL about the pattern. Think tribal (but without the feathers and fur, pixilated and bold.) You can find all these things at Pixie Market. This dress comes in at £133 though you can half that price by opting for it in a top version. Other great brands to look at are JCDC, ASOS and Chataux Roux. www.pixiemarket.com
Touch-screen Z800EXR Fuji Film releases this very slick touch screen camera this month. The viewing screen is huge and the new model follows on from the previous, award winning, slightly smaller screen model. With its hybrid auto focus, 5 x zoom lense and speedy speedy functioning not to mention shiny colours, it lends itself to a good option if you’re looking for a far better picture than your phone can offer. And lets face it, none of these phone cameras are great. www.fujifilm.co.uk from £19
Book Club It seems that in the light of ipads and of course the internet the book is still king when it comes to reading a story. The Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel has recognised this and is giving out copies of Penelope Lively’s Family Album this month as their discussion book of choice. The Radisson is the first hotel to host a book club but no doubt not the last. www.radissonedwardian.com/ bloomsburybookclub
JACK’S PICK OF THE MONTH Pretty Green Liam Gallagher has opened his new store in Carnaby, a temporary store featuring one off pieces as well as the green and black label spring summer collections. With a whole host of celebs at the opening (The Appletons, Phil Daniels and Kelly Jones) the range gives a firm nod to the Gallagher boys roots and style. Think moddy clothes and even moddy shop assistants. It all lends itself perfectly to any self respecting fan or Manchurian wanting to look the part. However this is no crappy celeb pipedrem brand, jackets and jeans are made very well, materials are well chosen as is stitch detail and shape. Pretty Green, 57 Carnaby Street www.prettygreen.com
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Jack’s suggestions include pricey, to mid-range, to bargain depending on your fancy and your pocket and cover as much of London as edibly possible.
Le Cercle 1 Wilbraham Place, London, SW1X 9AE www.lecercle.co.uk
glowing
Jack eats:
On entering the dimmed but airy surroundings of Le Cercle in Sloane Square we are immediately ushered to their pre drinking area where the ever so friendly bar tender asked what our favourite cocktails were and then gave us a fresh twist on them (fancy). Le Cercle offers a French tapas menu which that includes a wide range of small French dishes, split in to sections in accordance to their type. We soon moved to our private booth which was separated from the rest of the room with some hung sheer fabric which allowed for a nice private dining experience. Throughout the evening as each of our dishes were served to us (including a delicious, crunchy duck foie gras and an equally lovely but not crunchy dish of seared scallops, pea pulp and provincial dressing) we were offered wine pairings which fitted each dish making a nice change from the standard bottle of Pinot Grigio. The portions were small but exceptionally filling and although we were advised to order 5 dishes between the two of us I wish we had opted for one or two less to allow more room for their spectacular menu of deserts. Tortilla 13 Islington High Street, N1 9LQ www.tortilla.co.uk We popped to one of the Tortilla chains in Islington to try out their burritos, beers and nachos. Tortilla’s is busy and bustling, a hub of hungry workers, lunchers and home travelers. Service is speedy as it is a canteen style eatery so time is never a problem here. Once you sit down it all calms a bit and you can enjoy a generously filled burrito stuffed with your choice of chicken, pork (the pork is to die for) or steak with black beans, sour cream, cheese and all the other usual subjects. Beers to accompany are also fitting, all Mexican or international. For those looking for a lighter option burrito insides can be served without the wrap,
American Sweet Things
After a few trips to the States this month the office is full of sugary treats from across the pond. Our only question is, why don’t we have Twinkies and Sweethearts over here? And how many can we eat before our teeth fall out?
Fur heels
It’s going to be cold soon and the Uggs from last year are looking a little sad and old so where next? Well, if Mr Tom Ford is anything to go by you go to the fur boot/ shoe/heel for the winter months.
Small Jumpsuits
They’re not like tops, you can’t get away with a tight one. No one likes to look like they are being doubled up due to a constant strain between shoulders and arse. More over they are hell to put on and that zip or those spindly straps will eventually break. If you are wondering the image below is of a camel toe.
Redhook 89 Turnmill Street, EC1M 5QU www.redhooklondon.com Tall People
It is becoming more and more apparent that it’s good to be tall. Everything suits tall people and after a quick game of spot the cool-looking short person at a few recent festivals it has been decided that it’s almost impossible to do short and cool. So what to do? Well, you can get some pretty good stilts these days. Here is where to start. www.toolmonger.com
blowing
Redhook is tucked away behind Farringdon Station and if you weren’t looking for it it could be easily overlooked, this would be an enormous shame as Redhook is a perfect little sanctuary from the busy city offering perfect steaks and seafood. The restaurant has many novel ideas, jugs of cucumber water on all the tables for example and a half private dining room so you can be on a large table with friends without feeling like your missing the action. Special options on the menu include the Wagyu fillet from the steak selection costing £90, a cut from a cow that is treated like a king before being slaughtered, sad but delicious. Don’t let this price put you off however, the menu is really very reasonable and we are sure that it is impossible to be disappointed with any dishes. The olive oil mash is particularly wonderful and it is this attention to detail with simple dishes like this, coupled with a brilliantly friendly and helpful service this a dining spot not to be missed.
JOSH WELLER Friend of Who’s Jack, singer Josh Weller will be playing at the Hoxton Bar and Kitchen on 23rd September. The show will be his first London date since he started work on his new record. The night will also feature live performances from Beans on Toast and DJ sets by Paloma Faith and The Invisible. Tickets are available from www.seetickets.com or www.ticketweb.co.uk www.hoxtonsquarebar.com
MISS WINIT
DOLL BOUTIQUE Doll Boutique is a new online retailer that has a great eye for picking both clothes and shoes. They are stocking some amazing brands for AW/10, including LNA, Wildfox, Erin Wasson, Camilla Skovgaard, Maurie & Eve, Olivia Rubin, Linda Farrow and Jeffrey Campbell...see the attached images. Founder Arielle Shear continues to find the most covetable brands from all over the world before anybody else and brings them to the discerning British fashionista. Indeed, such is Arielle’s eye that she quickly had to launch the Doll Boutique website due to public demand, after her store in Scotland was inundated with orders from all over the United Kingdom and beyond. www.dollboutique.co.uk
We are loving all the wicked stuff you can win at new site, Miss Winnit. This month you can be part of one of the UK’s most iconic urban films, Anuvahood. Join Adam Deacon, star of Kidulthood, Shank and of Jacks 2008 Sept issue, as he completes his writing and directorial venture. This is Adam’s first cinematic project, as he writes, directs and stars, in his first ever UK urban comedy - and you could be part of it too! Win a walk on role in this bad-boy comedy, meet Adam himself and make your onscreen debut. Anuvahood joins Adulthood and Kidulthood (starring Bafta nominated Noel Clarke) in the sequence of ‘Hood’ films. But this film steers away from the gritty ‘gloom in the hood’ theme, to create a laugh out loud comedy based around a loser called James who quits his job at ‘Laimsbury’s’ to become a respected gangster... or cry trying! If you are a ‘hood’ films fan, budding actor/actress or an Adam Deacon obsessive, then this prize is right up your street. Enter at www.misswinit.com for your chance to experience life in the limelight!
Note: This competition may close sooner than the 31st September due to production schedule.
Bape and George Cox loafers.
These tasseled loafers are a collaboration from Bape and George Cox for their Fall 2010 collection. Only released last month, these loafers will be a welcome addition to any autumnal wardrobe. www.eu.bape.com
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www.thisisjack.tv
FENECH-SOLER words: Zoe Whitfield | images: Stuart Leech
It’s not every day Jack takes a trip to Hyde Park with four young men carrying bags spilling with sparkly tops and tight white jeans, and it’s an even greater rarity, that said men should strip down to their boxers in the middle of the park. But ignored by parties of bunny-cum-sailor clad youths and old ladies alike, that’s exactly how Jack finds themselves upon meeting Fenech-Soler.
Our interview is conducted then, atop one of the parks great bandstands, the day after the band perform at London’s Lovebox festival (half way through their massive 30 festival dates), and post a fitting session for their new music video (hence the carriers). It’s a boiling hot summers day and Jack is more than happy to take refuge with the guys under the bandstand’s shady roof.
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Fenech-Soler make music in the same vein as Delphic and Friendly Fires, fusing indie, electro and dance to bring about something altogether refreshing. So the sparkly stage wear, who’s big idea was that? ‘It’s something that kind of just happened really,’ explains frontman Ben. ‘I think Ross started with some kind of top, and then over the course of a number of gigs we seemed to just have a bit of an image. And I think we’ve just continued it really.‘
Bassist Daniel continues, ‘when we perform our songs, be it sequins, be it synths, we like the idea of having something to wear when we do that
performance. And I think at the end of the day it makes it something a bit more exciting than just seeing some guys in jeans playing. I think it fits with the sound of what we do, so the whole-everything from the name, to the sounds to the way we look-we like it to make sense.’ ‘It’s
just that visual side,’ offers guitarist Ross, Ben’s brother. So are there favourites? ‘I think we have, but only because we haven’t really got very many of them,’ says drummer Andrew. ‘We’ve acquired more recently,’ adds Daniel, before stating ‘they’re all equal to me, they’re like children, you can’t judge or have a favourite.’ The name stems from one of Daniel’s many surnames, ‘he’s quadruple,’ pipes up Andrew. ‘Yeah, it’s double barrel, then a single barrel, then…’ Jack doesn’t like to ask. ‘I think we were trying to think of a name and it was quite difficult, but we just liked the sound of it,’ says Ben. ‘We thought it was original, it didn’t really pigeonhole us with a certain style of music. It’s just out on it’s own.’ ‘I think I was looking at your driving license actually,’ confesses Ross. Daniel continues, ‘Yeah, we tortured ourselves
going through dictionaries and finding nothing, then we found Fenech-Soler. It was good ‘cause it acts as a completely blank canvas.’ ‘It kind of sets you apart more than being a ‘the’ band,’ reminds Ben. The final word on the matter comes from its namesake, ‘It’s great on Google Search as well.’ Name sorted, sequins separated, the band are happy to further digress about fashion’s link with music. ‘I think it’s one of those things that just ends up being together really. I don’t think it has to be, but it just sort of always ends up like that, ‘cause people from both sides tend to sell other peoples products for them. It does kind of work like that, a cool band wearing certain clothes is better than an unknown person wearing something, and vice versa,’ Andrew gives his opinion. ‘There’s a massive overlap,’ says Daniel. Having been a part of that overlap, playing gigs and gaining support from denim brand
A little game. Fenech-Soler, who’s sequins would you steal?
Lady Gaga
Lovefoxx from CSS
A: I’d definitely steal the thing with the fireworks coming out of her tits. B: I think she takes it a step too far, when I saw her with that thing on her head in Telephone..! D: I do like Gaga, I like her sound. But her style, it’s not for me. I wouldn’t push it that far, but I think she’s doing a good job and someone’s got to do it.
A: She’s alright yeah. R: I reckon I’d look alright in a full sequin catsuit. B: Or maybe just the top half, I don’t know. A: I might try leggings, ha, look at me ‘yeah, just leggings’. D: That’s almost half a catsuit, leggings. A:The back legs.
Liza Minellli A: Ooh. I think she’s tarnished her reputation, after the David Gest period. Is it Liza Minelli, circa 2010? Jack Circa Cabaret. B: I’m going to pass on that. A She was alright then, but not a big fan. B: We’re just talking about sequins right? A: Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t steal her sequins. But if that’s a euphemism.... Jack : It wasn’t meant to be…
Levis, the boys must see the benefits. ‘It was definitely good to be a part of that, ‘cause we do like Levis. We do all enjoy our fashion, and as a band that’s maybe looked at for fashion qualities as well as the music,’ notes Daniel, before Ben adds, ‘I think in terms of the band, fashion magazines were the first to pick up on us, as well as the music side, but I think it’s quite a nice kind of way in.’ Most definitely men who rightly champion fashion in music rather than turning their noses up at it, it’s good to see a band enjoy, but not be a slave to the pull of the brand ‘We do like dipping our toes into the fashion world, particularly when people give us stuff. That’s sort of what we mean isn’t it,’ remarks Andrew. ‘I don’t think we’ve aligned ourselves with Levis,’ Daniel is hasten to add. ‘They’ve aligned themselves with us more than anything,’ says Andrew. ‘They just kind of really like us.’ Continues
Daniel, ‘I think it’s important to align yourself with fashion, but a particular brand saying you represent this or that, I think that’s a negative really.’ ‘It only really works in sports,’ suggests Andrew. ‘We played with N*E*R*D at a Levis show in London and I think Pharrell was pretty comfortable doing it,’ laughs Ross. Following a summer spent tied up in festivals, the band head out on their first ever headline tour at the end of September, following the release of their as yet untitled debut album. So are they excited? ‘It’s a mixture of excitement and absolutely shitting ourselves,’ Andrew politely offers. ‘Going and playing gigs outside of London in the last year has been really important,’ says Ben. ‘Nottingham, Bristol and Glasgow are the places we can see a progression building up from playing. I think every band really should just go out and do a lot of gigs in a lot of places.
Marina (of & The Diamonds) D: I’d say she can keep her diamonds. B: Yeah no, I wouldn’t steal her sequins. D: I think she needs to keep them. Otherwise it would just be Marina, and I think Marina and The Diamonds is much better. Tiggs from Chew Lips B: That’s funny ‘cause we’ve played with them a few times. A: I think if we stole her sequins she’d probably get really annoyed. B: Yeah we know those guys, so we won’t steal from them.
The whole idea of this tour is kind of, cheap tickets small venues.’ Cheap and intimate? Jack likes what Jack hears. One more thing though, that’s been bugging us since sneaking a peak at the band’s MySpace page; did they really play in a bull ring? ‘Oh no Romania,’ replies Daniel. ‘No, it was like an open air theatre, but it was ridiculous,’ says Ben. Aha! ‘We walked in there and it was that thing when you’re on stage and you walk out, and you’re just like ’oh my god’.’ ‘We got there early so we had a day to ourselves,’ says Daniel. ‘We went out to quite a few bars and saw the place, and paid a lot of money for taxis. Amazing place, wouldn’t live there, but it’s amazing to visit.’ With that all cleared up and the guys with just an hour ‘til their next interview slot, Jack decides it’s time to bolt.
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Sam Attwater So you’re a pretty big hearthrob in Enders, how do you rate your character? Well it’s pretty weird, cause I am 24 playing an 18 year old, so it’s good that I’ve already been there. Already experienced all those things which is good. They’ve kinda portrayed him as the player. There’s so many miserable storylines it’s quite fun to play around. Does Leon resemble you in your formers years? Very much so in my former years. When I was younger, I may have messed around a bit. Just seeing how much I could get away with. That was back then though. When did you start acting? I was about 10 or 11. It was this kids show called the little shop of horrors... I was the plant. ( Sings* Feed me Seymour, feed me all night long, that’s right boy’)... that was the song. Oh Wow... They painted me green with green tassles coming off. Then they cut out the bottom of a plant pot from B&Q so I could stand in it. I got so hot with the plant pot in the middle of summer I fainted whilst wearing the huge plant costume. It’s really not all glitz and glam. I also played the Beast in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in my first job out of college when the lead, Gaston was ill, the show wasn’t canceled though. On the night I had to play both the Beast and Gaston and ended up fighting myself at the end. It was pretty budget. So how did Eastenders come about then? I went for the auditions and there was a kiss in the script. The producers told me not to worry too much about it. I thought, I really want this part. I got to the end of the script and just grabbed this girl and kissed her. Think she was probably a bit freaked out. I was originally cast as a boxer, they stuck me in the ring for 3 hours doing proper boxing to make it look more authentic. They started off putting sweaty makeup on me, but by the end I was just dripping. How does being ‘Leon’ affect your life outside the square? My life has really changed. Everyone said you’re not going to believe what will happen. It’s very tiring. You have to be on your best behaviour all the time. Sometimes you just want people to leave you alone, but it’s what I wanted, so I can’t complain.
Who do you hang out with most outside Walford? Probably Devon who plays Billy Jackson, we’re pretty close. But there’s kinda groups. I just float. The big names in the show come in, do their stuff and go really. People that have less scenes have more time to hang around. What about the new contingent of young people? There are people who are much younger than me that I have respect for because it’s not an easy job. Like Peter Beale is only 17. He’s going to be a real heart throb in the next few years. He’s gonna be the next Justin Bieber. He looks a lot like Justin Bieber. He gets mistaken for him a lot. So the portrayal of young people in E20 is pretty hilarious. How do you think they handle ‘teen issues’? Well, they have to take a person from each background and exaggerate each character trait. They have to push it to the limit. I think they could have done with some younger writers. They were a bit reliant on older people to write it. Originally there was going to be drugs and swearing, but they had to cut all that down being the BBC. How do you feel about Fatboy? I don’t understand a word he says. Originally Leon had ‘bruvs’ and stuff, but the first day I said it they were like ‘that has to go’, ‘that’s not gonna work’. The young people love it, the older ones can’t bear it. Right come on then... Eastenders Snog, Marry, Avoid. Pat Butcher, Peggy Mitchell, Dot Cotton Snog Dot, marry Peggy, avoid Pat.. only cause Peggy might come in handy owning the pub and all. Billy Mitchell, Minty, Phil Mitchell Snog Billy, marry Minty, avoid Phil. Billy would have too many money problems and Minty would look after you. And in real life.. Stacey, Zsa Zsa, Lucy Beale. Marry Lacey, snog Emer and definitely avoid Lucy Beale, she’s uh... she’s very young.
GEorge Alsford Gorgeous George first hit our screens in the hit reality TV show ‘Blood Sweat and Luxuries’ working alongside the exploted people that make our luxury goods. His quiet Southend charm and devastating good looks captured the nation’s imagination, breaking our hearts when he handed over his own jewellery to a penniless gold miner.
Now a full time student, and part time hottie we asked him what he’d been up to since his makeshift gap year. How do you think you came across in Blood Sweat and Luxuries? I said the odd word, didn’t say too much. Think I was pretty hard working. Think I came off quite down to earth. I wasn’t overly emotional. How did you feel about Oscar? Oscar is the weirdest person I have ever met. He was completely deluded. He was entertaining, quite rare and lazy as shit. I saw it as us representing our country and our age group, but I don’t think he came off very well. Sort of funny dickhead. When he said I don’t speak to people with such a small IQ, that was pretty good. He’d talk about people’s subconscious a lot, then I realised he was talking shit. I haven’t spoken to him since I’ve been back. Definitely wouldn’t jam with him. What’s your day job? I’m doing geology at the moment, in between training for the marathon. I’m trying to get some apprenticeships at jewellers, so I’m saving for a jewellery course to learn about gems. I’d like to do gem grading, working out how much things are worth or buying and selling. I’d like to buy and sell directly off the people in the mines we worked in. After seeing how hard people work for nothing. When you meet the families you realise. You become aware of what’s going on. Since the end of the programme I’ve been speaking to Atto the dude I gave my gold pendant to and decided to raise some money for him and his family. When we were in Africa, he told us if he had a quarter of our opportunities he’d smash it. I thought when I got back I’d send some money to help with his studies. How did the whole thing change you? Out there people have a lot of will power but no opportunities. They are trying their hardest to grab onto something that will never happen for them. Since I’ve come back I haven’t bought any gold. When I learnt about the trading in gold mines it made me think a lot about what I bought. I’ve just been trying to save money for Atto and my course. The trip has really made me want to work a lot harder. I don’t really care about fair trade, but if I think I can help a few people then I will.
STAN WATSON Little 17 year old Stan caught our eye in his quest for love on BBC’s ‘Single, Together, Whatever,’ a show which followed a group of teens around in a familiar but spine curling pursuit of adolescent romance.
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BOYS ON TV
After spending perhaps a little bit too much time on BBC Iplayer, here at Who’s Jack we decided it was about time we got together some of the boys that have stolen our hearts this year. So we found ourselves in sunny St.Pauls with Sam Attwater (aka Eastenders’ Leon), reality star, George Alsford and hopeless romantic (and slightly late) Stan Watson to see what they’ve been up to while we’ve been watching their pretty faces...
words: Lucy Hancock | stylist: Leila Hartley | grooming: Luke Stephens | photographer: Matt Crockett | location: Grange St Paul’s www.grangehotels.com
His painful shyness, rosy cheeks and complete hopelessness at wooing the ladies made the nation want to scoop him up and tell him it was all going to be ok. How do you think you came off in the show? Just a bit of a loner really. Someone who is incredibly bad with girls. Actually a bit of a Mama’s boy; just really, really shy. I couldn’t physically watch it because I couldn’t stop cringing. I’ve always been shy. I think I always will be. I never really had conversations with my friends about girls, so I learnt quite a lot from my friends from the show. What are your wise words about dating? You don’t have to keep yourself to yourself all the time with girls. You don’t really have anything to lose if you’ve
never met them. If they don’t like you they’ll just say. You might find out you get on really well with them. But you finally found love! Our favourite part of the show was when you were asked about your new girlfriend you said there hadn’t been a single day of bad weather since you started dating... Oh don’t please no! I still get the piss ripped out of me for that. Like sometimes my mates’ll say ‘oh look the weather’s good, things must be going well with you and Naomi.’ I thought I’d say something a bit different but it didn’t work out. They also rip the piss out of me for not knowing how you put aftershave on, I had to ask my friends and it didn’t really come out right. Oh yeah and when my Dad gave me a condom right after he met my girlfriend.
So how are things going with the new girlfriend? She’s really, really clever. My mum even says she’s far too clever for me. I’m not clever at all really so I’m surprised she’s going out with someone like me. She’s so easy to be around. There’s always a worry though, you don’t wanna become too attached because then it’s harder to break up. So what’s happening in your life at the moment? I’m at college, but sort of wishing I’d done drama. I auditioned for Skins recently and I got to the final audition, but didn’t get the part. I’m pretty down about that. I’d love to be a filmmaker or an actor so that’s the dream.
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HOB hair hero Am I the only person whose hair has gone a bit rubbish over the Summer? Oh good – well I advise you to head down to your nearest HOB salon and have a bespoke treatment to get it back to its beautiful, glossy self. They have a clever little chart that tells them what combination of treatments your hair requires – and after deciding that mine was normal to dry and colour treated, my technician Tracey opted for a B5 (that’s a hydrate mask and colour save infusion to you), and applied it all over, twisting small sections of my hair to push the treatment right into the hair cuticles. This won’t deliver the same results as your average at home mask – the shot of colour save infusion was really potent, and can’t just be bought over the counter, and for only £15.99, I think it’s well worth investing in this treat for your tresses every couple of months. www.hobsalons.com
Neena Trehan - facialist extraordinaire Facialist Neena Trehan is one to look out for. After the frustration of giving brand name facials to her clients for a number of years, she decided there was a niche in the market for a luxury facial that delivered more wow-worthy results - so she set to work in the kitchen above her salon, mixing up the products which are now fast becoming every skin-obsessed woman’s beauty cabinet staple. The key to Neena’s Spa Fabulous range are the ingredients; I got to try out her new Coconut & Aloe Calming Facial £70, which boasts ingredients such as pure Persian rose oil (handpicked from the middle east at dawn no less), and Frankincense, which is sourced from the Boswellia tree when it reaches the age of 8-10. This treatment also included a calming coconut mask which was left to soak into my skin under an infra red lamp, and a hand and foot massage which left me floating on air for the rest of the day. Although Neena never talks badly of any other brands – I sensed her wince as I reeled off the list of high-end, household
name products I pile onto my face every day. According to Neena these products are loaded with parabens, and only work on the surface of the skin – whereas her products are completely pure, and contain essential oils that penetrate the skin on a much deeper level. ‘My mum was born in India, and Indian women always look amazing,’ she told me. ‘Even the women on the streets have glowing skin and silky hair – that’s because they smother themselves in natural products such as coconut oil, and these types of ingredients are what I base my products on.’ Neena’s homemade products have been a huge success, flying off the shelves of her Surbiton Salon, as well as online (one of her clients recently drove at break-neck speed to buy a new ’Little Pot Of Heaven Moisturiser’ before the salon closed - the thought of not using it for one night clearly too much to comprehend!) Neena has also attracted a celebrity fan base to her Bond Street treatment room, including Lisa Snowdon, who now refuses to use any other skincare range. Once my facial was finished, Neena handed me a mirror so that I could see the
immediate effects for myself. My skin usually has some pigmentation, but its tone was visibly improved, and it felt silky smooth, with a lovely natural plumpness to it. Another thing worth mentioning is what a lovely person Neena is; she puts you at ease immediately and has such an infectious positive outlook that you leave the salon feeling like you could take on the world. www.spafabulous.co.uk www.spafabulousproducts.co.uk
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Hair of the dog
I heart OPI
The smell of success
I <have> to tell you about the newest edition to the staff at the Anita Cox hair salon. Her name is Tilly, she’s a Chinese Crested hairless pup, and she’s gone down a treat at the Chelsea based salon, with clients popping her up on their laps and indulging in a bit of Tilly time as they have their treatments done. I predict a trend here – salons with no in-house dog? Not interested...
I went along to the ABSOLUT ICEBAR on Heddon Street recently for the launch of the new OPI Nails Autumn-Winter range, and after a chilled drink propping up a block of ice – I went on a nosey to check out the new collection. It’s based on a Swiss theme, and features twelve great on-trend shades, including Ski Teal We Drop – a gorgeous navy blue, Diva Of Geneva, a vibrant pink, and Glitzerland, a glamorous gold (I want to know whose job it is to name OPI nail varnishes? They’re a genius!) The colours cost £9.95 each and the collection launches this month – I’m literally Swiss-ling around with excitement (OPI – you know who to call if the naming person resigns.)
A survey carried out by The Perfume Shop recently has shown that personal smell can affect your career success, with more than half of UK bosses admitting this is an important factor when deciding to hire someone. Apparently over 50% of workers now opt for fruity or floral based scents to boost their success in work. If you fancy buying into the work – smell link, I’d recommend Sarah Jessica Parker’s new scent NYC, £28.50 FOR 60ml. It’s one of The Perfume Shop’s bestsellers at the moment, and contains Strawberry and Red Rose - the ultimate in Fruity Florals!
www.anitacox.co.uk
www.lenawhite.co.uk
www.theperfumeshop.com
Super club extermination began a while ago, with one of the biggest losses grieved was the tragic passing of Turnmills. A venue that provided a raving environment and music spun by cutting edge DJ’s for an impressive 23 years and also the first London club to obtain a 24 hour drinking and partying licence. Since any partying at the Farringdon Mills has ceased other mega bass pumping sweat induced venues such as The Cross, The Key and Canvas, The End, and London Bridge’s SeOne have all forced the mass of ravers to evacuate.
whole. Not to mention, the fact that the commercialism of the 02 arena clashed with the ‘alternative’ crowd that dance music and such genres attract.
The domino effect of the super clubs turn-tables succumbing to silence in the London club scene is still continuing its set. Shall we start with the most recent hotly anticipated super club, Matter. Constructed under a dizzying £14million budget back in 2008 to resurrect the legacy of the super club? Well, Matter HQ, situated at the 02 Arena, has actually been the latest to collapse, after ‘temporarily’ closing for summer, apparently due to the large amount of money Diva DJ’s request, (egTiesto commands a minimum of £25,000 a set); the constant f*ck up’s of the London Underground; and under-performance of the venue as a
One of the big daddies of super club stardom still left standing is Fabric, twinned with the sinking ship of Matter under the same company Fabric Life Ltd. A man named Cameron Leslie founded the club in 1999, he boasts that the club’s 90’s vision of holding a 2000 strong party every weekend with ‘musical integrity as the core principle, is still as relevant today as it was then’, and that ‘Fabric is completely stable and enjoying a period of exceptionally positive business’. But for how long (It is already known on the grapevine that a number of employees if Fabric recently lost their jobs)? Is musical integrity combined with a fleeting surge in popularity, enough to battle out of administration on the cusp of a new clubbing experience? Ben Oliviant, former promoter for Fabric noticed its demise first-hand, ‘Whilst working for one of London’s Super Clubs it definitely felt like there was an ever-growing hole forming in the City’s nightlife/Dance Music Scene’. Describing Fabric as a ‘kaleidoscope of electronic wizardry’, he insists the only way to save one of the last surviving clubs of its generation, and to combat economical disease is from the support of the clubbers to support a club which has been ‘responsible for fulfilling and creating some of London’s greatest moments and dreams’. Or is Londoners’ abandonment of the Super Club, a call for a return to the underground, non-commercialised club nights? Attending club nights with the
The Death of London’s Super Club’s
Tania Willis
anticipation of raving to some thumping bass and lasers at intensity that buzz light year could be proud of, seem to be turning sour on the new generation of the cities clubbing pallet. Jack spoke to London promoter for Beat Redemption, Matt Broughton; who cited the crash and burn of London’s Super Club scene as the growth of independent music labels in the last ten years. Who are meeting the demand of crowds far better than big club promoters perceived ‘commercial interest’. Stating that music genres such as electro and house have grown into the
commercial market so fans expect more from it; ‘We are going into an age of music where you can create music to a high level using nothing but a laptop. This has made it cheaper to produce music and in turn far more people are making tunes; therefore people are more interested than ever in discovering this new wealth of electronic music that is emerging and the best way to find it is at these cheaper, smaller nights.” Backing up Matter’s claims of financially demanding DJ’s, ‘Big name DJ’s are so expensive. For example, 2 years ago we could get a good act for around £800, nowadays it will set us back more like £1,500.’
Broughton goes on to suggest another point of their downfall is that ‘in response to over priced tickets sold to support big name DJs, people are increasingly bringing their own in-expensive acts to their own venues, which is more cost effective and more to their personal tastes. For example, hiring warehouses and other platforms to hold a night, which of course takes money and business away from the big clubs’. These events, that are sucking the crowds away from the super clubs, are using more and more creative expression to accompany the music, adding digital animation or creating light shows and visuals to beats, technically referred to as ‘VJing’. Big name VJ, Oli Sorenson has performed with huge spinners of the DJ world from Tiesto to Ritchie Hawton. He has acknowledged the growing popularity of such a medium in the clubbing industry, ‘My work has increased, what’s changed is that I’m not so much working with clubs directly but instead artists and visuals. I work with one artist at the time of their performance.’
Alternative nights out
Bored of the usual Friday night motion of selecting a nice ensemble of clobber to wear to the latest ‘it’ club? Getting your toes pinched to bleeding point by ladies heels on the dance floor, or indeed men’s ‘shoes’. Worse still, blistered by some yet to be worn in heavy duty Doc Martins or very worn in, chewing gum encrusted high tops at a sweaty, predictable rave/ gig/band night? Well fret no more Jackers, we have lifted the lid on the tupperware of fresh, fun and definitely different nights out awaiting your attendance. Ever fancied starring in your own Movie? Starting a dangerous bingo addiction? Rocking out with your cock out? If so please pay attention. Videotopia Currently travelling around festivals nationwide this film-tastic event plucks you from amateur actor obscurity, possibly hands you a velvet cape and sword and whispers some lines of a hobbit in your ear. All of a sudden you are part of your very own Lord of The Rings! Videotopia are an interactive film making experience where willing actors and actresses are put on the spot, with script, costume and film buff direction. This is all followed by your own mini premier. Videotopia can be found across festivals until the 12th of September For all enquires contact Harriet on: Email: harry@videopia.co.uk
Sorenson comments on the evolution away from the mass club scene, ‘Things have changed, about 4 years ago I would have been booked by a club, now I just work on a visual basis touring more independent venues.’ However, the dying breeds of super club may also directly correlate to the dying breed of record buying in the music industry. As Sorecen points out, now there is less money for musical content, the way in which listeners sample music has seemed to have moved in circles. Fans prefer to attend live events rather than stick on a CD, with audiences demanding more of an excuse to go out and be part of the experience. Adding
Oli Sorenson
Rock a Hula Fancy a Rockabilly night with a difference? Then you should probably pin your hair into those heated rollers, boys get your dax wax out and head down Videotopia to Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes Rock a Hula night every third Friday of the month. The night will fill your vintage spirit with rock and roll, it’s an evening which will definitely get your toes a tapping brimming with rockabilly/rock and roll, blues bands, swing dance lessons, palm trees, Hawaiian photo booth, cocktails, vintage hair dressers from Nina’s Hair Parlour and hula hooping or burlesque cabaret performers. Phew. No wonder 50’s pin up’s had such waspish waists with all of that going on. For more info contact jewalke@gmail. com. Secret Rebel Bingo This is a monthly, top secret club night that goes under the premise of being an organization that meets to indulge in their love of bingo, win stuff, draw on each other and listen to loud music. This night started off in a church basement, with a group of people too cool to admit their love of bingo. An addiction was aloud to grow and spiral out of control until hundreds of new found bingo fanatics were breaking down the doors.
visuals to music makes for a more aesthetically pleasing night out. Artists that have transcended the symbiotic shift in musical popularity like the Chemical Brothers are known just as widely for their visual performance as their music, and they haven’t suffered any loss of popularity with the economical down turn. It seems as the music industry being challenged by the popularity of downloading, similarly the generation of super club’s are being confronted by the digital and visually advanced world of musical entertainment. In these tough economic times, are smaller venues proving more financially beneficial and popular with the ravers of the London club scene? Only time will tell if these smaller creative platforms remain impressive enough to champion the sheer size and euphoric atmospheric legacy that such ‘electronic kaleidoscope of wizardries’ have provided since the 80’s.
The hardcore Rebel Bingo Club now gathers across London, on the down low. Nights happen once a month, so join the Facebook group to be updated with secret locations. 45 P.S, in their own words, Hardcore Rebel Bingoers don’t welcome old people, boring people, wankers, hens, stags or people in work suits. www.rebelbingo.com Secret Cinema Perfect for all film buffy types who love the prospect of viewing innovative, stimulating, challenging and ground breaking cinema in a top secret London location, with equally cinematically educated people. Once you sign up to Secret Cinema you will be notified, via email of each new location and a clue to the film being shown. Venues can be anything from rooftops, derelict theatres, parks and many more hidden screening gems. The next secret viewing is rumored to be taking place between the 3rd and 5th of September so stay on top of the game to find out more. Register your details online to receive your 24 our notification, www.secretcinema.org Tania Willis
Secret Cinema
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Champagne o’s t Mom stairs a
n Beans rs, Dow Bakeds: Music Co-ordinato ate
Candid
Finding people that can coordinate the music, book decent DJs and seek out superior upcoming live acts for London’s coolest clubs and bars is not difficult. Finding people that do it well, is another matter altogether. It’s sort of like looking for the green triangular truffle triangles at the bottom of a very large box of Quality Street: you know they’re there, but you’ve got to sift through all the average (sometimes not-so-nice) ones first to get to them. Luckily Downstairs at Momo’s, have Matthieu; who heads up of the music program and Chelsea, who assists him. Together they concoct an eclectic mix of sounds to make the popular Moroccan gem of a bar/restaurant tucked away in Heddon Street. Momo’s is not only a destination hotspot for top-notch food and cocktails, but also a destination hotspot for decent music too. They have a roster that boasts DJs from Horse Meat Disco, Circus Company, Incognito and Bugged Out. I spoke to both of them to find out what their formidable formula is. What is your background and how did you come to start working at Downstairs at Momo’s?
Mathieu..............................................
I’m from Paris, where I worked for radio Nova for a number of years before moving to London. I also have a background in Music licensing. I do the music programming at Sketch, which is run by the same owner; Mourad Mazouz. So when he wanted to start up a new music programme for Downstairs at Momo’s, he approached me. Of course, I was very happy to take him up on the offer! I brought along Chelsea who helps me with the nights.
Chelsea ............................................
I come from an art background, but I’m close with Mathieu. I know him from his Foreign Muck days he used to throw at The Key (Kings Cross nightclub), some of the best nights in London. When he asked me to help him promote his nights, I was very happy to get on board.
How do you decide what type of musicians/live acts play at Downstairs at Momo’s... do they approach you or do you seek them out?
Chelsea .........................
Mathieu worked in music, booking artists and throwing nights around London previously; so he brought some of his bookings he wanted to bring to Momo’s, like Nathan Gregory Wilkins and Severino. Other bookings came about through recommendation, like Carsten Klemann. Some DJ’s who come in and play a one-off night end up becoming regulars, like Tony George and Acyde. There really is no one specific way of finding them and many things have been tried. We had Loki Star (Laetitia Descouens) from the all-girl collective Girlcore play for us, which of course ended up with encores of Whitney Houston. Certainly an unexpected night! We want the vibe at Downstairs at Momo’s to be good-spirited and fun which I think we’ve achieved, not
“We’ve been downstairs till dawn with these boys.”
only with the nights we put on, but with the clientele we attract. What are the best and most difficult parts of your job?
Chelsea .........................
The best part of the job is when you get that special night, when the DJ really gets the crowd and everyone is singing along, dancing on the tables. My personal favourites are Severino (Horse Meat Disco) and Carsten Klemann (Circus Company), two of our regular DJ’s. We’ve been downstairs till dawn with these boys. On the difficult side, I guess probably coming into the office in the morning after some of our biggest nights! What’s the best thing about Downstairs at Momo’s?
Chelsea .........................
The best thing about Momo’s is the atmosphere. The team we have really make the mood friendly and fun, a combination you don’t get at most West End bars. Even our coat check man,
Mohammad, occasionally leaves his post to come party with us.
Mathieu..........................
We also have a proper sound-system, which somehow you don’t get a lot of smaller bars and clubs. It makes playing, and enjoying the live bands and DJ’s so much better.
..................................... If you haven’t been to Downstairs at Momo’s yet, I highly recommend it. Refreshingly, it’s also good for those of you who are not usually fans of central London for big nights out. With a great mix of clientele to add to Mathieu and Chelsea’s fantastic formula of music, I predict Downstairs at Momo’s will see your pretty little faces a fair few times in months to come. Downstairs at Momo’s is open from 7pm3am. To see who’s playing when and what’s in the pipeline over the next few weeks, visit the Momo’s website (www.momoresto.com/restaurant/london/ momo/downstairs-program).
e d i c i u S m o Fr ty i l a n i g i r O Breeds
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‘It’s all the same bollocks’ a friend said to me recently, ‘when will those bastards in Hollywood stop bloody making the same film over and over?’…and after judgingly tutting at their rather loud swearing in front of innocent children, I agreed they had a point. The film industry is one of those periods where the creativity button is on hold and the screen is flickering on the same and similar. Everywhere you look Twilight creeps into your very being, or True Blood and Vampire Diaries fill our telly boxes with toothy teen action and sex. So aren’t we just a little bored of the same old thing?
So let us introduce to you, the newest and most interesting bad guys on the block – Tormentors. Yes. We agree that it vaguely reminds us of Harry P’s dementors, but believe me they’re anything but. What if you went with the idea that our lifespan was predetermined, fate if you will or a specific period of time that God intends us to live for…so by committing suicide you disrupt God’s plan, waste the time you still had. Take that idea and then introduce the notion that if time is still owing, what would happen if there were a creature that lives off what time isn’t used? As Joanne explains, ‘it actually says in the Bible, (not that I believe in it, but you can steal from it, there’s no copyright); that we are born with a set amount. The creatures couldn’t murder you because that would destroy the span, so the only way it comes out pure and clean is that if it’s voluntarily given up. Once the idea of unspent life clicked, I had the reason the creatures were hunting us…and everything fell into place’.
suicidetheme? e k a m u o y how dmo ercially viable a com Enter, Joanne Reay. Joanne is a screenplay writer, out to tackle this over familiar beast head on, armed to the back teeth with an overactive pen and a keener desire to make something different and original. Her baby, Lo Life could be the beginning of it all. From a simple enough chat with an independent film company in the US, Joanne was drip fed an idea that started everything in motion. ‘About 10 years ago I had a meeting with a company in the US called Original Films, who had just had a lot of success with Cruel Intentions. They were really into taking classic stories and mythologies and writing them for a teenage audience. As part of their research, they had looked into the prime things teenagers think about, it was stunning that after sex, suicide was a major preoccupation of teenagers’. But how do you make suicide a commercially viable theme? Joanne had her work cut out, though luckily for her she had a penchant for the supernatural. Joanne explains ‘as soon as you move something into the supernatural realm, it is no longer a documental piece, you can get away with so much more because it’s supernatural and not real’. Although the writer didn’t immediately create her world right at that moment,
a seed was planted that managed to lay dormant but not disappear for 10 years. Over that period, Joanne had begun to notice a gap in the market. ‘I love anything by Joss Whedon, and there was a whole generation who grew up with Buffy, coupled with the end of the Underworld film series with Kate Beckinsale’s Selene character; that craved and needed a strong female heroin’. In Joanne’s eyes, Lara Croft was done and dusted, Elecktra didn’t work and neither did Aoen Flux, and with a bounty of computer games successfully using female leads, her world, and lead character Lola, began to come together. ‘I needed a young female heroin, who would be fighting whatever this new supernatural entity I created was - but at a more adult level. So the people who grew up with Buffy and wanted to carry the experience on, had my character, but with a more Kill Bill feel to it’. And it was at this point that the suicide seed planted all those years back, began to take hold – ‘I thought, what if these creatures she’s fighting are preying upon a vulnerable group of society…the kind of people who are toying with suicide’.
But Joanne hadn’t created beasties in the usual manner of 12 ft tall monsters with snarling teeth. She wanted her supernatural entity to not be too far removed from us, think District 9’s take on evil. Joanne needed a reason as to how Tormentors could move freely amongst us, without speculation or the chance of being uncovered. ‘The way I saw it was that in the human-demon menagerie, if you’ve got humans in the middle, take one step to the right and you’ve got apes; we’re 98% Great Ape, if you take one step to the left, you’re into the supernatural realm, and the closest relatives we have are tormentors. They are 2% in the supernatural realm’. It is clear that Joanne’s style revels in taking the supernatural that provides shading on the story and creating a sense that they could be constantly moving amongst us and we just don’t know. She jokes ‘When you look back on your whole life, I want people to think that bitch, I wonder if she was actually a tormentor?!’ And this is where her ‘creature’ in essence works perfectly. Tormentors have to coax their prey into willingly giving their life through suicide. They are cunning, they are slick and they come in all forms, but their actions are not too far removed from those of humans. Joanne added ‘frankly there are some true whole humans who behave no better. We make reference to it in the script; there are some people who just go out of their way to drive people to death. They’re not even feeding from it; they’re like veggies who’d shoot a cow’. But Joanne hasn’t created a horror film; she in fact, doesn’t even like them: ‘I don’t like to see anybody hurt. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind them being blown up and I’ve killed plenty of people in many different ways’. Rather poignantly Joanne doesn’t write under her own name, choosing to take the name of Joe Reay instead; which always surprises execs when they call her/him in for a meeting; ‘They always say ‘wow, why
with the ansmedia’ s t ir l f e n Joan word ‘tr z z u b d o o w Holly
everything – I would like the generation that first see this, to feel the way people felt when they first saw Seven’.
do you write such violent scripts?’ but I can only imagine that they get scared going for a manicure if they think what I write is violent! What I think happens is that they don’t read it in a horror mindset, so they’re shocked when something bad happens’. What Joanne hopes to do is create a new world, as she joked ‘It’s me and God – you know he hasn’t done one for awhile, I think he’s got a block, still maybe re-writing this one’. So what is Lo Life you ask? Well, it’s basically a supernatural fantasy –you heard it here first Jackers! Joanne can’t help but lean on her darker side, because quite simply, the best characters to write for are villains. ‘They’re much better company’ Joanne explained with a smile on her face; ‘I find there’s a large amount of dark in the story because I want that villain on the page. I’m always thinking, God wouldn’t it be brilliant if Dali (a major player in Lo Life) came into this scene, or whatever bad ass character that I like. In fact, I think my films are kinda like gothic supernatural’.
So with such a feast of cinematic possibility, who does Joanne see taking the lead in this project and directing this film? Don’t look any further than Dean Karr, Joanne explains; ‘He is at the top of his game in terms of rock videos, commercials and stills photography. There isn’t a rock band on the planet that he hasn’t worked with. And apart from having an excellent 1971 lime green dodge challenger, his visual aesthetic is absolutely phenomenal for the film. He would be my first choice’. This gives us all an idea of the style in which Lo Life will be portrayed on screen; joining the sweaty hands of grunge and sex, drugs ’n’ rock & roll, to a rugged, fast pace. But don’t drag your mind to a rock video approach, nay, Joanne looks to a higher plateau in David Fincher’s Seven for inspiration: ‘If you could ever take yourself back and think how David Fincher shot everything in the rain, and pulled the colour out of
ch u s e t i r w Why do syocuripts? violent
It’s all rather exciting, I think you’d agree, but a film isn’t the only arm of Lo Life that threatens to take the world by storm. Joanne flirts with the Hollywood buzz word ‘transmedia’, and sees no end to the opportunities available for her project. ‘A friend had just had a book published and was raving about how pro-active the publisher was. So he passed my script to the publisher and they read it, and called me that afternoon! I hadn’t written a novel before, but I thought how hard can it be?! The answer is, quite hard!’ But it wasn’t a total chore for Joanne; with the film and novel due out at a similar time, it in fact gave her the chance to show off the vast world that she built in her preparation for writing the screenplay. ‘What I’ve done in my story, in the odd 100 pages of the Lo 49 Life film is one thread in this whole rug. The novel is taking the story on from where the film finishes as Lola goes on as a hunter’. Which is what is most thrilling to Joanne with this whole process. It allows her the opportunity to ‘empty her brains out onto the page’. A film, a novel and even the possibility of a motion comic; Joanne has her work cut out, but she couldn’t be happier. She has some desirable actors in mind to bring her characters to life, ‘I write I cast actors in my mind because they just help to see them move…usually with no expectations that the person will play that role!’ Think Vincent Cassell, Alicia Keys, Zooey Deschanel, Charlie Hennings and a certain Tom Waits; due to his natural sinister edge, with it coming as part of his DNA, rather than having to method it. Though the writer quickly huffs ‘I don’t think I’m going to be able to work with Tom, he’s not commercial enough. I’m going to have to write another film, and then another film, and then another until eventually I’m allowed to work with him!’ But judging from her script, we lucky souls at Who’s Jack have had the opportunity to cast our beady eyes over it, her chance to work with the great man may come sooner that she thinks. words : Matt Hamm
words :Donna Marie Howard images : courtesy of interviewee
For those of us who have just graduated from university, have an elder sibling whose example we are cockily determined to surpass, or are casually trying to pretend we’re not utterly terrified of the fact that we are, slowly but surely, becoming grownups, fear not: youth is on our side. But can we really hold our own as feisty whippersnappers amongst a field of our wiser and infinitely more glamorous counterparts? Who’s Jack looks at the twenty-somethings who prove that the answer to this is resoundingly positive. This month, the gallerist.
Will Lunn, 21, has been credited with being part of the next generation of gallerists, and claims to be the country’s youngest contemporary art dealer. With experience that far surpasses his years, and a gallery whose reputation is gaining increasing currency amongst its peers, he looks set to become a significant figure in the art world. You’re only 21 and the Director of a successful gallery. To what extent do you consider your young age to have been both a benefit and/or a hindrance in working in an industry so famously the plaything of the more mature and worldly? Well, success is relative, but I’m very pleased with what we’ve achieved despite the hindrance of age in, as you rightly say, an industry predominantly ruled by a far older generation. Since organising my first show in darkest Essex when I was 17, I’ve learned the hard way in terms of ensuring that certain people perceive me the way I want them to. With the average collector or gallery owner often equating to men aged 17-23, as irresponsible drunken scenesters, you learn how to make people see the positives in being a whipppersnapper, in terms of drive, energy and fresh ideas. Sometimes you can persuade people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise because of it and sometimes it makes it a real struggle. You learn to play the positives and deal with the negatives.
What were the circumstances that led to you becoming the Director of SUMARRIA LUNN? After my mum dragged me around hundreds of art galleries and cities at an age when I was keener on dirt-biking, I guess she sparked an interest. In fact, I’m pretty indebted to her. I was heavily into street art by my teens, a little ahead of the Banksy thing, and took an art history course at college. After entering some small exhibitions in British, American and Australian galleries, meeting more artists and learning more about art, I tried to run a group exhibition around the time of my 18th birthday. What started as a ridiculous challenge (by some miracle and a lot of legwork) actually worked out rather well. It paid off financially, I got an internationally renowned artist to exhibit along with local grads and what’s more, a Banksy piece on a chunk of concrete owned by a private collector. I even got some press, I couldn’t believe it! Afterwards, I got more into fine art and worked my way, via Bischoff/Weiss Gallery and some freelance shows, into managing William Angel Gallery whilst at university. A year later, Vishal Sumarria and I left to co-found SUMARRIA LUNN when I was 20 and still studying.
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What does your gallery have to offer that others lack? In many respects the London art scene was on the decline before the recession, having offered nothing of great interest in the wake of the so-called YBAs. Many viewers and buyers alike have become disillusioned with British, and even western art, as it became increasingly crass and repetitive. Along with a few others, we offer an increasingly recognised next step: a renewed interest in integrity and in building fresh artist’s careers rather than hanging onto the coat-tails of past greats. Where do you see SUMARRIA LUNN going in the future? We always set ourselves mad goals that we want to achieve in ridiculous time frames. Despite some inevitable disappointments, I’m amazed at how many we have managed to tick off, such as getting into an art fair in our first year and getting into an international art fair in our second year. We have many more goals we’d like to achieve, in fact we come up with new ones on a weekly basis. Two on the list at present are securing a permanent public space in a perfect location like Mayfair and organising a new British art fair to fill the gap left by Zoo. Only time will tell whether we achieve them or not. Where do you think curators should be looking for the next big thing: is it an organic occurrence that simply happens, or must it be ‘labelled’ by its audience? ‘Organic’ or ‘labeled?’ I think it’s probably a mix of both. In my opinion, curators should always be looking for artists with integrity who are making interesting work. It should always be that broad. This means that they can look for these qualities in any artist, anywhere in the world.
This seems not only right, but necessary. Vishal and I have seen enough exhibitions and graduate shows, especially in this country, to know that there is far more quantity than quality. Above all else, curators need to snub vacuous bullshit. And what advice would you give to those aspiring to be big news in the art world? At present I would sadly still advise them to be brash, pretentious, attention seeking - at least for short-term recognition. In the long term I would advise them to involve themselves in the production, exhibition, or sale of art they believe in
“We always set ourselves mad goals that we want to achieve in ridiculous time frames. ” (alright, with some swagger and champagne swilling if you must). The question to ask yourself is, ‘if you don’t believe in it, then why should anyone else?’ Things are changing, think long-term. SUMARRIA LUNN’s current show, A Whiter Shade of Pale by Hilary Ellis, runs until 4th September at 221 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge. For more information, visit: www.sumarrialunn.com
If you are under 25 and making waves tell us about it. Get in touch at press@whosjack.co.uk above works by Hilary Ellis
The Cordelier Club
Ones to watch, both on the music scene and at Jack Comes Alive The Cordelier Club, aka brother and sister Alice Drusilla and Richard Maclean, bare no connection to the original archaic French social movement, ‘Le Club des Cordeliers’, who ignited the French Revolution with the notion of liberty and fraternity they are a new band that Jack has their eye on. The Cordelier Club are creating carving a new family type crevice into the indie rock scene and turning their first introduction to a broken piano in their family basement into a record deal with infamous music label Universal. The duo’s bittersweet melancholic stories keep the listener hooked with modern songs of heart break’s and fag breaks, the songs are fresh and different, something that’s hard to find in in the current saturated Myspace market.
spotlight Marlies Dekkers After being seen on the glitzy screen in films such as Sex in the City and being worn on music stars such as Fergie of Black Eyed Peas fame Marlies Dekkers underwear is already coveted by celebrities and this winter we are certain it will be coveted by you too. Below is a taster of Dekkers vampire inspired winter range. It’s about time, now we can finally get a tangible bit of vamp in our homes. www.marliesdekkers.com
Comparisons to Fleetwood Mac and Jarvis Cocker have risen to the forefront when speaking about the duo, lending to the BBC’s choice to pluck The Cordelier Club out of more than 200 bands at last years Camden Crawl to name the pair in their most outstanding five acts, along side indie sensation The Macabees, praising Drusilla’s harmonies by identifying her sound as being similar to Stevie Nicks or Elkie Brooks. Amongst this success in the same year they not only recorded at Radio Ones legendary Maida Vale studios at the request of DJ Rob Da Bank, but at some of the biggest Summer festivals; Bestival and In The City, Manchester’s prime music Festival. Catch them at upcoming Lodestar festival, Cambridge on the 4th-5th September and at their residency atThe Macbeth in London’s Shoreditch, every last Thursday of the month. Go on, show some sibling love. www.myspace.com/thecordelierclub Tania Willis
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Jenni does burlesque Way back at the start of Summer 2010, I made the calculated decision to invest in a supportive and figure flattering one-piece swimming costume. I presumed that I would spend my summer frolicking on the beach or by the pool secure in the knowledge that my modesty was fully covered, whilst still remaining effortlessly in vogue. So how I find myself stood in a studio under a London Bridge arch, shaking my maraca’s (God wouldn’t have given me them if he didn’t want me to shake them) to sultry 1940’s strip-tease music, I’m not quite sure.
words : Jeni Lewis images : Rhiannon Adam
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OK, I’m lying, I do know, vaguely, that I had one too many après work glasses of vino with the Who’s Jack team and they set me the challenge of learning how to become a burlesque dancer in a month. As with all wine inspired ideas, I was convinced it would be easy. I remain convinced until I turn up for my first lesson with school of burlesque Burlesque Baby. Burlesque dancing – the art of seductive strip tease, was the popular form of titillation in the earlier part of the twentieth century. Before Jordan’s and Jodie’s were thrusting their ample bosom’s into the faces of the nation’s menfolk, it was all about the allure of an artfully uncovered ankle, a flash of leg and a sultry smile. Fast forward to the ‘noughties’ and the nation’s women, post feminism and equal rights in the workplace, are once again dabbling with the art-form. There’s even a movie ‘Burlesque’ starring Christina Aguilera and Cher coming out later on this year. I’ve been told to pack a skirt, top and some killer heels for my first lesson – the first time I wore these heels I fell on my derriere rather spectacularly (and that was before I’d even left the office) so I’m somewhat anxious about my ability to walk in them, shimmy and smile all at the same time, that said, my legs do look fantastic in 4inch heels. I arrive at the studio and meet my very glamourous tutor, Sharon and fellow trainee dancers. In 2005 it was performer ‘Indiana Belle’ (aka Sharon my tutor for the next few sessions), who first noticed that there was a gap in the market for affordable burlesque lessons, lot’s of girls wanted to give it a try and there was nowhere for the average Jane to go without shelling out a lot of hard earned cash. To date, Sharon tells me, Burlesque Baby must have taught about 10,000 ladies from check-out girls to burlesque starlets, celebrities and even royalty. Even the first lady of burlesque herself, Miss Dita Von Teese is a fan and member of Sharon’s online burlesque community retrotease.com. My first lesson is a lot of fun, I’m joining seasoned burlesque beginners who are already on their fourth class. The first thing that we learn is how to perfect a confident walk. The burlesque walk is more of a strut, hips swing, toes point and the bum wiggles. I’m told that this is the basis of the entire routine, walk confidently and the rest comes naturally. Next we attempt the glove peel and it appears easing the long gloves off in a seductive way involves a fair bit of tits and teeth. Grasping the finger tips of the glove between my lips, I’m slowly teasing off the glove, finger by finger in time to the music. For the finale of this particular move, a quick drape across your bosom, a few twirls of glove in the air and walla!, I’m sending these babies spinning across the floor. So far so good. Next up we’ve got the stocking peel, which involves a chair, and some knee high stockings. Using your finger tips you gently but exuberantly roll them down your leg until they reach the toes. The trick here is to not be so exuberant that they slide completely off but to catch the end of the stocking in your pinkies, extend your leg and
stretch the stocking until they simply can’t take it any more. And repeat. It’s all going so well that when Sharon suggests giving a tassel twirl a go, I’m somehow the first one to volunteer. For someone who was planning to spend the summer fully covered I’m suddenly rather keen to strut around with my bits and pieces on show. Sharon lets me borrow a pair of baby blue nipple tassel’s and before we know it, the entire group are swirling and twirling like pro’s - a somewhat mesmerizing sight when performed en masse. The secret to the move is to bend one’s knees and bounce lightly, apparently one of Sharon’s girls can swing her nipples in opposite directions, or even one at a time. Now that’s a party trick. I leave my first lesson with a bit of a buzz and I can see how this could quickly get addictive. We’ve managed to learn each element and before the end of the lesson we put them together into a short routine. I’m almost convinced I’m ready to jack in the day job and go pro. Burlesque is all about overcoming your inner fears and body hang ups and perhaps that goes some way to explain it’s current popularity. In a time where women have become increasingly self critical about their appearance, re-discovering a way to feel sexy from an era that was less judgemental about lumps, bumps and wobbly bits is quite appealing. Many of the women Sharon has taught have taken burlesque as a means to increase their confidence. From 60 year old ladies who have undergone mastectomy’s, girls coming out of abusive relationships to the most stunning girls you can imagine who still feel shit about themselves, burlesque is all about being in control of your own sexuality. My next lesson is a one to one session with the Burlesque Baby herself and I’m still riding high on last weeks triumph. This week I’m being put through the paces of the fan dance, which is the dance I’ve self elected to perform at this month’s Jack Comes Alive. Whilst the fans are as light as a feather, it quickly becomes apparent that my ability to walk in heels, smile and wield the gigantic fans whilst looking in any way sexy is somewhat lacking. The fans themselves are made of Ostrich feathers and one fan alone covers you from neck to knee at it’s widest part. That’s a good thing. Holding one aloft and shimmying it up and down one leg, means that I’m forgetting to hold the other one up and the one thing I’m trying most to protect – my modesty, is on show for one and all. Sharon shows me a few more moves, but this time using the fans. My particular favourites are the butterfly, where the fans are extended around to my back and I can flap them rhythmically to look like beating wings, the fan tail – putting both fans together just above my bum and fluttering them provocatively
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to look like an exotic bird and finally the showgirl, which is tricky and tough on the arms, as the fans are extended above and behind your head but leaves me resembling a brazilian dancer whose got lost on her way to a carnival. Vaguely. At the end of the lesson Sharon gives me a CD of classic burlesque tunes and some fans to practice with at home before the big event. I’m taking my homework seriously, prancing around my room, flailing my fans and trying not to trip over – goodness knows what the neighbours think! How on earth burlesque starlets make this look so effortless I do not know, and whilst it’s a struggle to just remain upright and look sexy, I’ve also got to find a signature tune for my performance and decide on my ‘character’. Am I a 1920’s
starlet or a 1940’s pin-up girl? What will my burlesque name be? So far my journey to become the next great star of burlesque has been eye-opening. It’s a great way to learn about yourself, your fears and how to confront them. I’m still not 100% about my wobbly bits, and you certainly won’t see me sashaying down supermarket aisles in my bra and knickers any time soon, but at least I’ve realised I’m braver than I thought. I’ve got one more lesson before I am twirling tassels before Jack and his public and then it’ll be over to you ladies and gentlemen to judge whether or not I manage to truly titillate, and all I ask from you is to be kind. Ladies, if you to are feeling brave you should check out www. burlesquebaby.com to find your nearest class.
CLAIRE INC: THE VINTAGE
LADY
Let’s face it. Vintage just isn’t what it used to be – or at least that’s what it seems. Once the smuggest word in the fashion world, it represented ultimate individualism and chic originality. It screamed ‘I am not a clone!’ and reeked of rare exclusivity. Vintage collectibles were once treasured gems unearthed only by those dedicated enough to sift through piles of clothing in dark corners of thrift and vintage stores scattered across the country. Overnight, however, vintage clothing’s popularity surged and specialised outlets and catered ‘vintage’ brands appeared to herald vintage as its own established genre of clothing. words : kerryandgraeme
A victim of its own success, vintage was no longer unearthed; it was delivered and it was highly accessible. A flood of vintage-esque garments, replicas of our yesteryear, cluttered our high street clothing outlets. Our market became saturated with pseudo vintage. In the same way the notion of originality had given vintage a rise to stardom, the very opposite, unoriginality, it seems, slowly saw its status deteriorate. No one wants to splash out on a classic vintage Chloe trench coat, only to find Top Shop are flogging off the imitation version by the truck load for 50 pounds. Vintage is about originality and quality but in a market now so heavily diluted by inferior garments, impersonations and ‘rip offs’, how can the very notion of vintage clothing survive? Meet Claire Inc – the vintage lady. She’s proof for purists that quality designer vintage lives on. Claire Inc’s proving that the notion of ‘true’ vintage, where we find it and how we wear it, is adapting. Specialising in vintage designer wear and catering to unique design, rarity, collectability and quality craftsmanship, the online clothing outlet leaves these unoriginal rip offs for dead. ‘None of those cheap imitations could compete,’ says Belinda Humphris, founder and director of Claire Inc. Stocking designer garments from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Oscar De La Renta, Chloe, Versace, Ferragamo, Gucci, Karl Lagerfeld, Norma Kamali, Diane Von Furstenberg and Chanel, to name but a few, Claire Inc’s collections read as a who’s who of both past and present fashion brilliance. This is where you’ll find rare 80s Moschino leather jackets, collectable and exceptional Christian Lacroix peach mohair coats with fur sleeves and vintage Christian Dior soft green leather belts, complete with the required, and gorgeous, CD logo clasp. Claire Inc is the queen of vintage. She’s reinventing vintage. She is the new vintage. Launching out of a love of vintage and the avant-garde, Claire Inc is an online port of
quality inaccessible cult designer labels. All carefully handpicked, she’s sculpting that stereotypical, hackneyed and stale notion of vintage and re-working it into an eclectic, imaginative take on what vintage should be. ‘Forget vintage stereotypes, our vintage collections are about promoting unique, individualistic dressing. Our clothing is tightly edited to be in line with current trends,’ explains Humphris. ‘Styling is at the forefront of what we do - it shows the customers how to wear the product and also how to incorporate it in a modern context.’ Specialising in pieces from the 80s and 90s, Claire Inc are the first to admit that many wouldn’t consider their garments to be what traditionally is appreciated as vintage clothing. But, Claire Inc’s keen eye for not only the sophistication of design, but also beautifully crafted garments - covetable as true vintage from the 20s through to the 70s – is transforming our contemporary appreciation of vintage. ‘Our clothing is chosen to meet modern sensibilities and be mixed with current designers and good quality basics. We strongly believe that vintage informs the new and the new gives an evolutionary nod to the past. The best results come when the old and the new co-exist.’ This is the new vintage. And she’s all class. Her appreciation of threading valuable vintage fashion pieces with the ever-evolving and fluid contemporary fashion empire is not only an acknowledgement of the significance of vintage, but also a re-invention of the new vintage. ‘From both a sustainability and a historical perspective, vintage is very important. Vintage informs the new,’ muses Humphris of her stance on vintage necessity. ‘So much of today’s design is inspired by the genius of the past. To ignore this would be careless but also naïve to the obvious influence that we undoubtedly see on design today. It’s important to see the original origins and incarnations of design. So many trends that emerged in the 80s and 90s can be seen in the collections of recent years –
bandage dresses, crop cuts, the power shoulder of the 80s etc.’ And this new, next stage of vintage, according to Claire Inc, views ‘vintage as a complimentary product’. The modern twist on classic clothing and the future of vintage requires an appreciation that one should never promote a head to toe vintage ensemble. It’s all about complementing current designers with beautiful, rare, collectible vintage pieces. Vintage-ly speaking, it’s all about teaming the old with the new. And it’s a fabulous dichotomy; the idea of the old meshing with the new.The concept of age intertwining with birth is intriguing and inspiring. Old, vintage clothing morphing into fresh, current, contemporary designs. Aged, uninspiring ensembles moulding into exciting, creative fashion statements. Snippets of former ‘it’ looks, produced during the pre-internet online hysteria, now working with and relying on this modern technological tool. It’s a fabulous notion and one that Claire Inc has embraced and upheld. ‘They’re a match made in heaven!’ says Belinda of combining vintage clothing with the modern online experience. ‘Being online means we can base ourselves anywhere and are not bound by local industry. Our clientele spans the globe! Currently we sell about 50 percent to Australia and 50 percent overseas. In our opinion it was high time that vintage be seen in a fresh light. Technology allows us to do this to a worldwide audience.’ With expressions of interest for her sublime taste in designer vintage selection from the likes of Irina lazareanu, Lily Allen and the ‘fabulous M.I.A.’, Claire Inc has carved herself and her new vintage a respected and admired reputation. The South Australian based outfit, which was initially founded as an eBay store to boost founder Humphris’s bank balance while studying at university, has thrived into, to her surprise and excitement, a ‘viable alternate career’.
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‘I’d always loved the extravagance of the 80s, so I began specialising predominantly in this era,’ says Belinda. ‘Claire Inc branched out a few years later as many of our buyers were interested in designer vintage but just couldn’t find it. We saw a big gap in the global market for late era (80s and 90s) designer vintage that needed to be filled. Our obsession began there and resulted in the current incarnation of claireinc.com and our supporting blog.’ With vintage facilities such as Claire Inc exposing the extensive and exclusive availability of designer vintage clothing online, the reality of potential lurking dangers need to be accounted for. ‘There are always scammers out there but this happens in brick stores as well as on eBay,’ says Humphris. ‘As long as you do your research you should be fine. As far as eBay is
concerned, the pros far outweigh the cons.’ Years of experience within the online shopping market have equipped Belinda and Claire Inc with some significant suggestions and tips for purchasing online vintage garments. Number one rule – do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. ‘There’s some great vintage forums out there that will tell you exactly what markings to look for when sourcing a certain designer,’ explains Humphris. ‘The Purse forum is a great example of this - www.forum.purseblog.com. The incredibly well researched girls there will even give you a tick of authenticity if you post links to your items, both vintage and non-vintage. Plus it’s free!’ Humphris also recommends to buy classic designer pieces for collectibles such as Chanel and Alaia. They are always incredibly sought
after and will keep their value for years to come. And lastly, always check for tags and serial numbers. Giorgio Armani famously stated ‘the difference between style and fashion is quality’ – and that’s exactly the difference that Claire Inc is providing. She is paving the way for an appreciation of what vintage is becoming; the new vintage - vintage online, vintage and contemporary garments fusing together and vintage via the 80s and 90s. Just because vintage has been made so readily available in the mainstream fashion world, it does not suggest that it’s an exhausted genre. The way we wear it and where we find it is key to its constant evolution. The new vintage is here…
BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS
THE PLAYERS OF NU WAVE THEATRE
FOR CENTURIES, theatre has been a huge part of London’s history, tourism industry, and even skyline. Whilst making several shifts through the years, and taking on different forms, the notion of live performance is as strong as ever - particularly in the commercial world of Musical Theatre. Thanks to TV shows such as Glee, theatres are alive and kicking with an entirely new generation of audience members, carrying a thirst for sexy, exciting, upbeat and inspirational entertainment - the responsibility of which is met by the cast, 8 times a week... Introducing ‘The Theatre Brat Pack’...
photography : Matt Crockett styling : Jo Bevis make up and grooming : Luke Stephens using Illamasqua : www.Illamasqua. com and Dermalogica Skincare : www.Dermalogica.com. hairstyling : Michiko Yoshida using Kiehl’s thanks to : Roof Gardens, Kensington
CHRIS CLEGG
PRODUCER | WOLFBOY Last seen: Schmoozing the audience at Wolfboy at Trafalgar Studios London, which he co-produced. Theatre is...: Being surrounded by HOT people!! In 3 words or less: Decadent and buzzing. The highlight so far: Every day - working with the best, brightest talent.
LUCY MAY BARKER
EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON As seen in: Earthquakes in London at the National Theatre London Theatre is: Being other people for a job (brilliant!) In 3 words or less: Instant feedback! The highlight so far: Performing in the West End when I was 16, and on the National Theatre stage on my 18th birthday
MATT SHINGLEDECKER
SPRING AWAKENING | BROADWAY As seen in: The Original Broadway production of Spring Awakening, New York and US Tour. Theatre is...: An influential expression of the human spirit. In 3 words or less: Therapeutic and Freeing. The highlight so far: Performing on Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Way, the 1st National Tour, and here on the West End.
THE RISING STARS OF THE WEST END AND BROAD WAY
CHARLOTTE WAKEFIELD SPRING AWAKENING
As seen in: The multi-award winning Spring Awakening at Novello Theatre London. Theatre is...: A dream! In 3 words or less: Exhilaration. A release. The highlight so far: Being cast in Spring Awakening, and nominated for an Olivier Award
LEANNE JONES
OLIVIER® AWARD WINNER | HAIRSPRAY As seen in: Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Theatre is...: Like a roller coaster you can’t get off... In 3 words or less: Tits and Teeth! The highlight so far: During the open dress rehearsal for Hairspray, feeling my heart in my mouth before the curtain went up.
AARON RENFREE WE WILL ROCK YOU
As seen in: We Will Rock You at The Dominion Theatre London. Theatre is...: Live! (So don’t f*ck it up!) In 3 words: Electric. Dramatic. Arousing! The highlight so far: Performing on TOTP and choreographing the X Factor Tour.
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CHRISTOPHER DRAKE
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT As seen in: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre London. Theatre is...: A complete form of expression. In 3 words or less: Extreme satisfaction! The highlight so far: Performing in ‘Mamma Mia!’ and hearing the Opening Overture at the Cologne Arena.
Who’s Jack had the pleasure of meeting David Montgomery and Terry O’Neill at the Brompton Quarter Brasserie before the opening of the Shake, Rattle and Roll exhibition, in aid of the music charity Nordoff Robins, which aims to transform the lives of children and adults through music. Both photographers have been taking pictures of royals, politicians, artists, actors and musicians in London for forty years and they claim there has never been any competition between them. David moved from Brooklyn to London in his twenties and fell in love with the soft British light. Terry is an East End boy who got lucky in 1959 after photographing the then Home Secretary asleep at Heathrow Airport. Both photographers share a love of Jazz music and drumming, which has united them throughout the years. Thier next project is to open a photography school, using their experience and eye for an iconic image to teach.
David Montgomery and Terry O’Neill photographers Leila meets the their famous t and talks abou back catalogue.
words: Leila Hartley images: Kris Mhyre www.bqbrasserie.com www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk
Who’s Jack: So how did you choose which images to exhibit? Terry: To be honest I just went to my draw and picked out the first five. David: Same. We just have them already printed up ready to go. T: When you reach our age, because we are near to the end of our lives, we have to sign up editions, 50 of each size so we’ve always got prints ready to go. WJ: Do any of the images in the exhibition have special meaning to you? T: They all do, they all make me money! That’s what we’re here for. WJ: What about current celebrities, is there anyone you’d like to shoot at the moment? T: Well there aren’t any stars anymore. Michael Buble is the nearest to a star. All these programs like X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, they’re all entertaining but you never hear of the people again. D: I shoot for the Shephard’s Bush Theater
for free. So not really celebrities, they are a charity and I donate my services to shoot all their goings on. WJ: You’ve both shot incredibly well known figures, who was the most entertaining? T: Frank Sinatra was a contagiously entertaining man. I worked with him as a photographer and friend for thirty years. D: I found Desmond Tutu wonderful. WJ: Is there anyone you have found particularly difficult to shoot? T: I’ve gone on record before to say how difficult I found Mick Jagger. D: When I was twenty-five years old working for the Sunday Times I got a phone call from the Observer saying would you photograph the Queen. I said no, I was too scared. My wife made me do it in the end. T: I’ve found a lot of stars hate being photographed.
They could do film but they hated photographs. Elton John for example, hates photographs. But I made it fun for him. It was all over before he knew it. D: Sometimes it just doesn’t happen, so you say thank you and put the cameras away then they do something when they think you’re off guard and you snap and get the picture. WJ: Is there anyone dead or alive that you’d like to shoot but never had the opportunity to? T: My first love is Jazz and my biggest regret is never shooting any Jazz musicians. Even while I was shooting The Beatles and The Rolling Stones - Freddie Hubbard, Chuck Mangione, Louis Armstrong, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker, they seemed too famous to shoot. I didn’t realise I could have just asked them. WJ: Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers? D: You should be an assistant for at least five years. My son is currently assisting Rankin. You have to be ready to work until midnight, seven days a week. I learnt everything from an advertising guy. He taught me everything I needed to know without actually doing it for me. T: Anyone can be a ‘photographer’ in this day and age but the difference between taking photos and being a photographer is what Cartier Bresson called the decisive moment. The moment when you press the shutter, I can’t see how people become great photographer without that. Shake, Rattle and Roll features photographers David Montgomery, Terry O’Neill and Baron Wolman. The exhibition is held at Brompton Quarter Brasserie, SW3 2EJ featuring iconic prints of The Who, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Amy Winehouse, Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix and many more and is ongoing until the end of the year.
MY 2-4-1 Pound Life
the photographer
REGGIE YATES
Lucy Hancock
Most people know Reggie Yates as the man on Radio One who tells you who’s going to be number one every Sunday or as a presenter-come-actor on some of the most popular TV shows around but this month that is all set to change. As this month will see Reggie adding another string to his ever growing bow, this time in the form of photography. This month canvas images of Reggie’s photography will be popping up in some of the UKs biggest shops meaning everyone can have a piece of Reggie in their living room, bedroom or indeed bathroom. But how did he stumble in to this new career path? We sat down for a quick cuppa with the man himself to get him to explain more... ‘I’ve always loved photography, when I was 18 I moved to London and I brought a Polaroid camera, I took pictures of everything,’ explains Reggie. ‘My entire first year, from my house warming onwards, was documented and I still have all the images in a huge frame in my downstairs bathroom. I’ve pretty much loved photography ever since. About four years ago I was in Brazil filming, one of the producers was a great photographer and whenever he was taking pictures I’d be looking over his shoulder asking what he was doing, he got so annoyed with me that he ended up giving me his camera to take photos over two days. I loved it so much that I came back and brought my own one. Now I’m taking holidays just to take photos, I just got back from Barcelona and all I did was take pictures the whole time.’ It was last Christmas when Reggie blew up some of his images as Christmas presents for friends (including Fearne Cotton) that his hobbie became a profession. ‘A few people mentioned how much they liked the images when they saw them in my friend’s homes and it got me thinking that maybe I could take it further. I told my management that I wanted to get into it and they got in touch with an amazing company called Graham and Brown who sell wall paper and wall coverings to massive shops across the UK. They saw my stuff, liked it and have decided to take me on. I’ll be stocked in places like Habitat, Home Base and Selfridges which is a dream come true for me.’
So I am sat in a bar alone as I write this. I would like to think it is all very Carrie Bradshaw, but I fear it is not. The only possible resemblance between us is that we are both eclectically and lets face it, badly dressed. I am actually, rather tragically sat in my new place of work, one of Brixton’s finest clubs. Looking around for inspiration has become rather more of a challenge, since I am sandwiched right between Macdonalds and KFC and the man who came over to ask for my name so he can add me on facebook (extremely hard to deny a person) has just laid a nice eggy fart down to really complete this sensual experience. We can safely say that my new place of work is quite the career change from the Jo Malone scented world of magazines. Rather than skipping round the office in flip flops and conspiring with Susan over the state of the beauty cupboard, I now spend my evenings, 2pm to 5.30am lugging bags of ice around and pouring warm, overpriced drinks to a pretty weird rabble of people. The club itself is actually quite nice, it’s just the setup that I find a little confusing. In the upstairs area where I work they have decked what used to be hotel rooms out in faux, wipe down leather, complete with hot tub en suite bathrooms and tv screens. Nobody has actually said it yet, but I am preeeetty sure they are designed for sex parties since last night was Torture Garden, an altogether eye opening experience. I have never in my life seen such an odd looking bunch of people come together in a club. The first guy to pitch up seemed fairly normal in a tight t-shirt, hot pants kind of way apart from the fact that behind him trailed a rather elderly looking gentleman chained at the neck. Aside from the obvious logistical nightmare that is trying to order a drink when your face is centimeters from the floor the man was clearly not of the age where crawling around on your hands and knees with only a strip of leather wedged between your buttocks is good for your health. I wondered whether they had had a conversation, perhaps where they discussed the possible pitfalls or indeed health implications of wheeling about 65 on one’s knees for an entire evening. Maybe old guy lost the coin toss. I must say he didn’t look in the slightest bit aroused, but just a bit bloody knackered which is understandable. The guy he was chained to had quite the stride on. It was a bit like watching someone cycling along the pavement dragging their out of shape dog along behind them. In the end, rather than the obvious attitude of subjugation that accompanies this obscure fetish, his ‘owner’ seemed to be taking pity on him. He dragged him to the bar and kindly asked him what he’d like to drink, which was obviously two bottles of water. I don’t know why I didn’t ask if he needed a dog bowl. Another bloke, one of the early-comers was about six foot five, built like a brick shithouse and covered head to toe in chainmail apart from one hole for his penis and one for his mouth. I thought this was rather a wise choice if you weren’t blessed in the looks department. Because I couldn’t hear a word he was saying I had to reach up to his mouthhole and ask what he was drinking. ‘uuuuhh ... have you got any Smirnoff Ice’ he said in heavy East London tones. I said we didn’t. ‘Any light lagers?... oh go on then I’ll have a Peroni.’ After he’d dropped about 5k on one warm beer in a plastic cup he was off again shimmy shaking his funky stuff for a man wearing surgical scrubs minus pants. The women had a slightly trickier time of things, since in fetish land the uniform is generally nipple tassels and or latex, so if you have crap chebs or thunderous thighs (my own affliction) then the condom look is hard to pull off. One woman obviously with those exact fears had turned up in lingerie and even I have to agree she looked like a knob. Once I’d got over the initial hilarity of the weird and wonderful ways human flesh can be manipulated it just seemed like a really good laugh. The people were there for a good old spanking and a touch of light anal fellatio. They weren’t leaning over the bar waving 20 pound notes and ordering ‘nine zzzzambucas’ but instead complimenting me on my breasts in the matter of fact way I like. Aware that I am now fast becoming Who’s Jack’s resident nymphomaniac I have decided that I am going to give it a go. Just not sure if my body is latex ready yet.
Mark Williams
“WE’VE GOT YOUR BACKS, WE DON’T WANT YOU TO LOOK FOOLISH”
Ever said something so stupid that you’ve instantly wished the ground would just open up, taking you and your dim-witted comment with it? Or perhaps you’re always the drunk girl/boy at the party, there’s usually one. In life, there are some who maintain an effortless air of cool, suave sophistication and there are also those who stumble from one humiliatingly public mishap to the next. There are many things we can learn from films, and how to avoid embarrassing social situations is just one of them. Here at Who’s Jack, we’ve got your backs, we don’t want you to look foolish (we do it enough ourselves), so take a look at our rundown of cinematic faux pas, lest you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
Dumb and Dumber (1994)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Making your entrance at a party can be important if you wish to make an impression. Killing an endangered species, in this case the Snowy Owl, with a well aimed champagne cork is probably not going to make the impression you’re hoping for. Especially if you’re wearing gaudy pastel blue and bright orange tuxedos at the time.
Nobody wants to draw too much unwanted attention to themselves in a restaurant, which is exactly what Sally does in the iconic faking an orgasm in the deli scene. Ok, so she does this to prove to Harry how easy it is for women to fake an orgasm, but you’d think she could have waited for somewhere a little less public.
You shouldn’t pee on the Dude’s rug. For a start, it really tied the room together, man. The Dude was a pacifist so there wasn’t a great deal he could do about it when the Chinaman urinated in his living room but it definitely was not cool behaviour.
Monty Python’s: The Meaning of Life (1983) My Fair Lady (1964)
Delicatessen (1991)
If your name is Mr Creosote and you are a grotesquely large man, eating out at a restaurant can become a bit of a food marathon, taking in most of the menu. So, when a French waiter offers you a mint to finish with and tells you that it is only a ‘wafer-thin mint’, refuse at all costs or explode in a gory mess all over your fellow diners.
Some bosses are great and some bosses are not so great. But one thing they mostly have in common is that they are not going to serve you to their lodgers as food. This is definitely an example of both bad social and culinary etiquette, and something that probably even Heston Blumenthal would not try.
If someone has kindly taken the time and effort to teach you how to become a lady, so that you may mix in the upper echelons of society, you shall do well to remember all you have learnt. Do try not to go to the horse races and shout cockney vulgarities such as ‘come on, Dover, move yer bloomin’ arse!’ You haven’t been given elocution lessons for nothing you know.
Withnail and I (1987)
Old Boy (2003)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Withnail doesn’t like to run out of booze. In fact, shortly after proclaiming ‘I DEMAND TO HAVE SOME BOOZE’ he then drinks lighter fluid. This doesn’t go well. Moral of the story here: Drink in moderation, and don’t drink that which isn’t meant to be drunk.
One should not try to cram too much food in one’s mouth at once. Especially if it’s a live squid. That’s just not the done thing in polite society.
If you’re going to get absolutely smashed at your birthday party, don’t do it whilst wearing your Iron Man suit, or a large chunk of your property may get slightly destroyed. OK, so most of us don’t really have to worry about this one unless we become successful playboy billionaires, but it’s worth bearing in mind.
Kill Bill (2003)
Demolition Man (1993) If someone unfreezes you in the future to hunt down a rogue super-criminal, the first thing you should ask them is if anything really essential has changed since the twentieth century. Like the process of going to the toilet. In 2032 John Spartan doesn’t even know how to use the three seashells which replaced primitive toilet paper. Tut tut.
It is rude not to return gestures of greeting, no matter how small. This was a lesson learnt once by a Shaolin monk that did not acknowledge Pai Mei’s nod to him… ‘Was it the intention of the Shaolin monk to insult Pai Mei, or did he just fail to see the generous social gesture? The motives of the monk remain unknown. What is known are the consequences: The next morning Pai Mei appeared at the Shaolin Temple and demanded of the Temple’s head Abbot that he offer Pai Mei his neck to repay the insult. The Abbot at first tried to console Pai Mei, only to find Pai Mei was...inconsolable. So began the massacre of the Shaolin Temple and all sixty of the monks inside at the fists of the White Lotus...’
American Psycho (2000) Getting some new business cards printed can be pretty exciting if you’re an eighties 67 yuppie that’s into Phil Collins and extreme violence. But going to all the effort of having new cards specially designed only to be trumped with that subtle off-white colouring and a watermark is downright maddening. Still, you shouldn’t let it tip you over the edge too much; try to maintain some dignity and maybe don’t go on a murderous rampage.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Team America: World Police (2004)
Hair-care can be important in today’s image conscious world. Sometimes you just can’t get the style or the hold you need without using a bit of hair gel. But do make absolutely sure it is hair gel first.
Nobody likes a boaster. You shouldn’t claim to have seen everything unless you really have seen everything. Have you seen a man eat his own head? No? So then, you haven’t seen everything.
Going to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of drugs isn’t going to be a nice, quiet holiday. As Raoul Duke and Doctor Gonzo have no intention of a nice quiet holiday this is not a problem. To quote Hunter S. Thompson: ‘Ah, devil ether. It makes you behave like the village drunkard in some early Irish novel’. Moderation may not have been a word in their vocabulary, but if you wish to remember the events of the night before and not wake up in a flooded hotel room, with a tape recorder and a dragon’s tail strapped onto your person, moderation is a word you could do well to remember…
Last Nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s party Art Direction: P.C. Williams & Kevin Morosky Photography: Kevin Morosky Stylist/words: P.C. Williams Hair: Nathan Gooding Make-up: Adjhani Barton Stylist Assistant: Chalin Barton
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Goldierocks wears Motion Bodycon and Hussein Chalayan Urban Motus Hi footwear, all by PUMA. Kwes wears Original hooded windbreaker, Original graphic tee and Puma Suedes Tinashe wears archive lifestyle plaid shirt and Puma Dassler Segelschuch Hi footwear.
Chiddy Bang : Xaphoon wears Foundation Graphic Tee and Mid S Vulc footwear. All PUMA Chiddy wears Kozyndan Tee and First Round RP footwear. All PUMA. Hat by NEW ERA.
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Ou Est le Swimming Pool : Joe wears Urban Mobility Jacket and motion pieced tee, all PUMA. Charlie wears Archive Heroes Valdo Track Jacket. Caan wears Foundation polo, woven shorts, Sky II footwear. All PUMA. Bikes by PUMA
Ghost Poet wears T7 Track Jacket and Sky II Hi L Sport footwear. All PUMA.
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Cooks wears a Archive Heroes T7 leather Jacket in and Sergio Rossi First Rounds. All PUMA Ikonika wears a PUMA Urban cropped jacket oversized tank with PUMA x AMQ Welterweight Mid footwear.
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Above; Jamal wears Kozyndan Track Jacket and Foundation polo. All PUMA. Hat by NEW ERA On the Left; Chalin wears PUMA No.1 Logo tee and Puma First Round RP footwear Martelo wears PUMA No.1 Logo tee and PUMA backpack. Hat by NEW ERA.
Wick Kidz : Afrikan Boy wears AMQ Nylon Bomber Jacket. Bubbz wears Kehinde Whiley Tee. Mikill Pane wears Kehinde Whiley Hoody. Le Super Trap wears T7 Track Jacket and Foundation Polo. ALL PUMA.
You saw it happen live in front of your eyes at the very first Jack Comes Alive at Proud Galleries in Camden, our PUMA X Who’s Jack editorial. So now you can see the outcome we thought we should let you know a little bit about the acts. Page 1/2. Kwes, a musician and producer who is releasing the, No Need To Run EP on Young Turks/XL Recordings later this month. Alongside him is Goldierocks, a DJ and presenter currently filming her new show, Boom TV for 4Music and Tinashe, a singer/songwriter originally from Zimbabwe, who has just finished recording his debut album due for release on Island Records later this month. Page 3. Chiddy Bang, the dynamic duo from Philly who Jack interviewed in May have just finished recording their debut album which came out in August featuring collaborations with Pharrell Williams and Q-Tip to name a few.
Page 4. Local boys, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, who went from strength to strength after the release of their single, Dance The Way I Feel, but lost their lead singer, Charlie Haddon in a tragic accident last month. Their debut album, Golden Years is out now now though the remaining band members are taking some time out to cope with their loss. Page 5. Ghost Poet, a recent signing to Brownswood Records has just released a digital EP entitled, The Sounds of Strangers. Page 6. DJ Ikonika. her dubstep tracks have been supported by everyone from Kode9, Benji B to Giles Peterson and Flying Lotus. With the release of her debut album, Contact, Love, Want, Have and an ever busy schedule, she is definitely set to fill her potential as one of the UK’s brightest stars. Alongside her sits DJ Cooks, who recently got signed up as the Yo! Majesty support act and DJ! Concluding the trio we have Dels, an upcoming hip hop talent who recently signed a three album deal with Big Dada/ Ninja Tune Records. Hid debut album
features production from the likes of Joe Goddard of Hot Chip, Kwes and Micachuand Sampha. Page 7. DJ Martelo and Chalin Barton. Martelo is both a DJ and Producer with remixes forthcoming for, No Hats, No Hoods and Cheap Thrills. His debut EP is due for release late 2010. The lovely Chalin Barton is a singer whose vocals were recently used as part of a Beck’s online campaign. She is one half of the group Arcola Ritson, who you can catch gigging across London from September 2010. Chalin is also the programmer for the ever popular online radio show, BOILER ROOM, which is part of Read Platform. Page 8. Jamal Edwards is the 20 year old behind the highly successful music and lifestyle online broadcasting channel SBTV. www.sbtv.co.uk Page 9. This crew of musical talent are the Wick Kidz, consisting of Afrikan Boy (of ‘LIDL’ fame), Bubbz (his solo mini-album, Everything Changes Everything is about to hit speakers near you very shortly), Mikill Pane (UK Hip Hop at its finest working with the likes of Ghetts and Devlin) and Le Super Trap (one half of Cassette Baby). Individually these guys are crazy talented, together they are a super group. Thankyou to everyone who took part in the shoot and those who popped by the stable to say hi! And a special thank you to PUMA, for all their help in allowing this to be possible. Until next time folks!
Kingsland Road, Vietnam is the latest country to set up its little satellite eating spot here, but all is not as it seems. They are currently cooking for Londoners, which tends to ruin things or make them amazing depending on your point of view. Chicken Tikka Masala, as everyone knows is a completely British invention, and what we call sweet and sour, which started off as something so delicate, a gentle play of opposing flavours has fast become that nuclear E number monstrosity that sticks to the tables in Chinatown. As the Vietnamese population grows the food will get more interesting. What happens next will be a few added extras on the back of the menu in Vietnamese, we’ll still be none the wiser, maybe even some signs on the walls with £4.50 written underneath. You might hazard a point, fish heads will arrive and you’ll go back to pho or some frozen spring rolls, but it’ll get there. Long may Kingsland Road prosper. I’d like to see a decent Vietnamese supermarket soon, so we can get imported stuff direct from Vietnam, and so restaurants don’t have to rely too much on well established Cantonese wholesalers. So, some recommendations of a good place to eat. Song Que, Cay Tre and the Viet Grill are all safe bets, but they are going the wrong way in my mind. One advantage of having pho as your star dish is its got great economies of scale. The cooking pots just get bigger and bigger. Go for stuff cooked at your table.
Lemon Grass Beef Hotpot Something that’s always a treat in Vietnam is a dish called ‘Beef in Seven Ways’ This hotpot is served as the first course. It’s good fun because you cook at the table with all your guests. So dinner really is ready when you all sit down. The raw ingredients are also at their best this time of year too, in the UK that is, not Vietnam! You will need: 500g sirloin steak (you could try bavette too) / 2 spring onions sliced diagonally / 1 tbsp oil / 1 medium onion, sliced / 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper / lemon grass soup base: 1 tbsp oil / 4 cloves garlic, bashed with the side of a cleaver and minced / 5cm ginger root, bashed with the side of a cleaver and minced / 750ml water / 160ml rice vinegar or white vinegar / 50g sugar / 1 tablespoon tomato paste / 2 stalks lemon grass, bashed with the side of a cleaver and minced / ½ tbsp sea salt Accompaniments: 16 dry rice paper wrappers, dipped in water to soften / 16 lettuce leaves / 20g mint leaves / 20g coriander / one English cucumber, thinly sliced / 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered Chill the beef in the freezer for 30 minutes until semi frozen, then thinly slice against the grain. Arrange the other sliced ingredients on top.
A good Vietnamese hotpot where you wrap the cooked meats inside your own rice paper rolls is good fun or a good CHA CA, a fish cooked with dill and turmeric on a sizzler plate. Order stuff off the menu, challenge them, because if we don’t, Mr Wu might not be too far round the corner. The Vietnamese, and I speak for every single one of them bar none, hand on heart are completely food obsessed. When you say people love food so much they talk about what they are having for supper at lunch, the Vietnamese have gone way further. The night before a seed of a plan will be hatched among friends about what they think they might fancy for tomorrow. Picking perhaps something that looked pretty good and seasonal in the market, or a particularly arresting waft from a street stall. I could be wrong but the rest happens as a subconscious thought pattern during REM sleep. A giant Rolodex of food knowledge, restaurants and recipes begins whirring, suggesting possible permutations which are instantly relayed psychically to all involved parties. The next day the food hunt begins. A Vietnamese chef called Mamma Toi in Nha Trang told me that to be a good chef in Vietnam, you have to be able to cook Chinese food and French food expertly, before being able to master Vietnamese food. Well I agree, but here are some dishes that work just fine for a small group of friends. So get the Bia Hanoi in. MOT HA BA YEO!
Cooking Around The World (From London) This month It’s Kingsland Road and the fast growing Vietnamese restaurants and markets that are making ordering your bog standard Pho a thing of the past.
Drizzle the oil and black pepper on top also.
minced / sprigs of coriander to garnish
Prepare the soup base by heating the oil. Fry the garlic and ginger until fragrant but not brown. Add the other ingredients and simmer for 10 mins. Transfer to a hot pot or a fondue pot (c’mon I know you got one). Arrange the accompaniments and get stuck in, keep the hotpot at a gentle simmer by any means necessary, perhaps with a portable gas burner or camping hot plate. Last resort you can all huddle around the stove. Dip the beef in the soup and then wrap it up in the rice paper with the other crunchy stuff. You could also dip it in a Vietnamese dipping sauce.
Filling: 200g ground pork / 2 large dried Chinese mushrooms soaked in hot water until soft then sliced, stems discarded / 2 cloves of garlic, bashed with the side of a cleaver and minced / 2 shallots bashed with the side of a cleaver and minced / 1 spring onions finely chopped / 2 tsp fish sauce / ½ tsp sugar / ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Vietnamese dipping sauce: 3 red chillies, de-seeded and sliced / 3 cloves garlic / 50g sugar / 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice / 1 tbsp vinegar / 3 tbsp fish sauce / 125ml water / ½ tsp salt Grind the chillies and garlic in a mortar and combine with the other ingredients until the sugar dissolves. Stuffed Tomatoes Here is a classic French inspired Vietnamese dish. The classical gastronomes amongst you, will recognise it as a simple ‘tomates farcies’. You will need: 4 large ripe tomatoes / 2 tbsp oil / 2 cloves garlic bashed with the side of a cleaver and
Sauce: 2 tbsp water / ½ tbsp fish sauce / ½ tbsp oyster sauce Make the filling first by combining the ingredients well and leaving to permeate for at least half an hour. Divide into four equal sized balls. Using a tomato knife or a serrated knife, slice just the tops off the tomatoes, then scoop out the insides to make tomato cups. Keep the pulp. Make the sauce by adding the pulp to the sauce ingredients and simmering for 10 minutes, you can pass the liquid through a sieve to catch the pieces. Stuff the tomatoes with the pork mixture and fry in the oil on the exposed side first for 3 minutes before turning over and continuing to fry gently for another 4 to 6 minutes or until cooked. Heat the garlic in the remaining oil until fragrant then add the sauce to reheat. Pour over the tomatoes and garnish with coriander.
words and recipes : Like Farrell
Fast Banana Coconut Cake You will need: 5 bananas peeled and thinly sliced lengthways / 200g sugar / 185ml coconut cream / ½ vanilla pod, use the seeds77 scraped out of it / 8 slices sandwich bread, crusts removed / 3 tablespoons melted butter Preheat the oven to 180 deg c. Evenly sprinkle the bananas with half the sugar. Add the rest of the sugar and coconut cream to a small pan and dissolve over a gentle heat. Add the vanilla and mix well. Soak the bread in the coconut cream mixture briefly and transfer to a plate. Set aside. Grease a cake pan with some butter and lay some banana slices on the bottom of the tin, alternate with the soaked bread building in layers until all is used up. You can save some banana slices to arrange on top. Drizzle with the butter and cover with foil. Cook in the oven for 1 hour and leave to cool completely before slicing.
GEORGIE +JAMES\
The process is simple - we come to your house, we go through your Wardrobe, we create a look using your stuff.We give your character a name, we give your character powers, we add you into the ever growing story of : THE KREDIT KRUNCH KATWALK KREW!
H UNC R K EDIT EW : R K THE ALK KR KATW
time pon a little u e c n O e ere thre there w went to the o girls wh ames +J Georgie y...... academ n io h fas
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Did you dress up as a child?
Well actually no, there was one little girl who had a great wardrobe, but we managed to gain three identities for her due to her amazing ability to shop.
Like a santa’s grotto at Christmas, it was full of treats........ you know, if like, Santa was a small fashionable Japanese girl, and the treats inside were rails of designer-wear.
We went to visit this fashion chameleon upon a chance encounter at the Hussein Chalayan sample sale, where we had, like our transformee, picked up a bargain or four (alas, no transforming table skirts). She had heard of our amazing ability to fuse heroism/villainy with fashion and wanted to partake - and from looking at her Chalayan goodness tucked under her arm and awaiting to be paid for, we knew this would be a cinch!
We began exploring the weird set up, the focus of which was most assuredly the clothes. Dresses/tops/accessories of every kind and labels were strung about the place, offset by the incredibly neatly arranged and stacked shoe collection. (well, she is a shoemaker - priorities people!)
Walking post-shopping, towards her charming warehouse conversion off Hoxton square, we learnt that she was a shoe maker who creates foot-art for the rich and the famous, including the odd T4 presenter or two. We arrived at her live/work space to find it very charming and eccentric - just like us! 1. THE KUNI - CAMERON Skirt : Viktor & Rolf / Top : Viktor & Rolf / Vintage fur hat, jacket and earmuffs : thrift store / Japan / Shoes : John Rocha
Over two floors there sat numerous skins and leather tools, artistically draped over vintage furniture, with various tools scattered about. Within the centre of the lower floor sat a large-ish wooden crate, which we were surprised to see, was her bedroom!
Tearing through the stuff, we began to assemble a variety of looks, tossing the unnecessary and trying to squeeze our massive feet into her amazeballs shoe collection (whilst she looked on in horror being a size 4). Slowly but surely, look after look was created - this was easy. She was cool, we were cool, the process flowed like a menopausal twi-hard making panty pudding at a prom. Upon cleaning up the coochie cream, we whisked ourselves away into the afternoon, clutching our camera with glee. Not only will these Angels kick your criminal ass, they’ll look good as they do so! Georgie+James’ Angels come on!
2. THE KUNI - DREW Harem pants : Richard Nicoll / Jacket : Comme des Garcons / Double belt by Kuni Awai / Vintage half sunglasses : Dior / Boots : Opening Ceremony / Scarf from goody bag at a Topshop party 3. THE KUNI - LIU
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Tubular futurism dress : Hussein Chalayan / Riding hat by Christine Beck / Tee : Opening Ceremony / Shoes : Kuni Awai
Singer and song writer Cass Lowe, 23, has been on the Who’s Jack radar (and the office stereo) for a while now.
Cass Lowe W
e first heard of Mr Lowe when friend-of-the-magazine Russ Chimes told us they’d been working together on his much anticipated EP. They first met after an introduction by mutual pal Fin (aka producer Starsmith), both Fin and Russ have been singing Cass’ praises to us ever since. Russ isn’t the only one lucky enough to be working with Cass, Diana Vickers amongst others, has had the pleasure of writing with him for her debut album and Jack Peñate, One Night Only and Newton Faulkner have all recently shared a stage with him on their respective tours. All these dazzling references on his musical CV made us invite Cass for a stroll around a secret garden behind Shaftesbury Ave to find out a bit more about the man we’d heard so much about… Shortly after leaving school Cass realised he may stand a chance in the music business. ‘I had a few people get in touch via Myspace and from that I ended up working with Toby Smith who used to be in Jamiroquai. Later I did a few gigs with people like Jack Peñate, that was when people really started to take notice,’ explains Cass. And take notice they did, people all over the music industry were naming Cass as one of the best new singer/song writers around. It was this praise that originally led Cass to sign to Mercury, a contract he’s now left. ‘It just wasn’t right for me, there was a lot I wasn’t happy with and a lot they weren’t happy with so I decided it was time to leave,’ he remembers. Cass is now signed to indie label, Angelic and is in the middle of recording material for his forthcoming album which is due for release early next year. Cass also has a publishing deal with Sony writing songs both for and with artists on the label. Song writing, Cass tells me, has always been a passion for him, even when he didn’t quite understand what writing a song really entailed. ‘I wrote some f*cking toss when I was a kid. I started playing piano when I was eight or nine but it was at a stage when I didn’t quite realise that songs needed to have words, I remember
one day it dawned on me that I actually needed words in my songs, I was hooked from then on.’ And were there any lucky ladies he wrote songs for? ‘Of course! Look at me, I’m an emotional, emo, little f*ck. I’m all about the love, I was always writing songs for girls.’ This love of song writing and the examples that went up on Myspace got the attention of Sony who asked him to write with last years X Factor contestant, Diana Vickers. ‘When they asked if I’d like to write with her I didn’t really have much of a clue who she was but she was great to work with. We had a wicked time and I think we wrote some good stuff,’ says Cass. Writing with people isn’t always plain sailing. ‘Writing with other people is a weird thing, it can be the most comfortable thing ever but sometimes it’s the worst thing in the world. If you work with someone who isn’t very forthcoming, you just want to kill yourself. The first time I wrote with someone else, a band, it was really awkward, we just didn’t click. It was so hard that I started making jokes about lyrics suggesting they should open songs with things like, ‘I love you more than my dead grandparents.’ They thought I was being serious and were like, ‘No, that’s not a very good idea’. When you co-write you have to become very comfortable with someone very quickly or it just doesn’t work.’ With fewer and fewer artists writing their own songs now-a-days Cass says he is happy to stay behind the scenes and let the artists take the credit. ‘When you write a Diana Vickers tune you’re happy with it being a Diana Vickers tune. It’s the same with Russ Chimes’ EP that I helped out with, it has his name on it, not mine, because the focus needs to be on him. It’s his hard work that’s gone in to it, I’m not a diva, I don’t feel the need for everyone to
know it was me that wrote a song. I’d rather be a bit like Ed Hardcourt who works through loads of spheres of the industry. Eventually I want to turn my hand to producing when I’ve learnt enough,’ says Cass. It doesn’t take a long listen to Cass Lowe’s own songs to see they are written from 79 his own experiences. ‘I’m looking forward to working with other artists so I can write stuff that is a bit more fun and a bit less self indulgent,’ says Cass. ‘For example, I wrote a song called This Winter and it’s for a girl that I knew who was having a really rough time, her dad had just died, everything was falling apart for her. I wrote and recorded it in just one day and am insanely proud of it. But after you’ve written a couple of hundred songs from your own experiences it gets hard to write things that are directly related to your life. I’ve actually been exploring with my writing style recently. Even writing songs from girls perspectives,’ laughs Cass. And while Cass is described online as having, ‘enchanting melodies and a soulful voice’ he has his own take on how he should be described, ‘My music takes some time to get in to. It’s aimed at people who want to take time to invest in a singer. I see myself as a tall man who makes music,’ jokes Cass. ‘I play things, sing things, write things and I really, really like music. I want to do it for the rest of my life.’
words: Laura Hills pictures: Caity Reeve
JACK COMES ALIVE
If you missed this one, get to the next Jack Comes Alive (Our 4th Birthday) in September 22nd at Proud, Camden.
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SCENE STEALER
I Love You For Loving Me
F*ck Me, F*ck You! Or To Burn or Not to Burn? Erin Daniel Mckee
So this month I had to do something I have rarely had to do in my PR career. I fired an entertainment client. Officially, the phrasing is resigned the account. Yep, told them to take their money and find another mug to represent them. However, I put it in a letter and much more politely. This client, who models herself on the crazy Kimora Lee Simmons school of diva was driving me batty. The delusions and arbitrary demands shocking and unrealistic. I found myself wondering if it was me- or were she and her equally deluded husband actually real-life fruit loops. But day by day, meeting by meeting I realised, to lift a phrase from Lily Allen, It’s not me, It’s you. Ok, as you will have realised if you are a faithful reader, my world is crazy. Certifiable, but their is an unspoken protocol amongst all the inmates of the Showbiz Psych Ward. These two were a different breed though. The duo who craved fame and recognition had behavior out of some Rosemary’s Baby/The Omen type film. They were so creeeeepy! Ultimately, I was being paid to be some masochist friend and someone to take the wife shopping and to introduce them to a world in London that they are excluded from. Following an incredibly bizarre trip abroad, where the wife, who always proclaimed ‘I am a professional’ spent the ‘business trip’ in bed with a waiter farcically avoiding her husband’s calls, crying, then laughing, then shouting, then moaning – I knew the end was near. This all occurred in the company of some A-listers who thought the person was some kind of a practical joke I had set- up! The final nail in the coffin was a lunch meeting when both took turns demanding I introduce them to some of my wealthy friends for some kind of ‘investment’. I became increasingly unhappy with the
One From The Vault: Help Me! There Is A Liza Minelli On My Lap! About six or seven years ago I was invited to the 167th Birthday celebrations for David Gest at The Dorchester Hotel. The event was thrown for him by his then wife, icon Liza Minelli. The guest list was a potpourri of borderline ‘stars’, credible stars and Hollywood legends. Some that I am sure rose from the grave to attend the festivities. situation and the liberties taken, and the fear of whether an ice-pick or bouquet of flowers was greeting me that day. Anywho, my resignation was not taken very well. I had to hear a litany of schizo-like threats and accusations. I did laugh – at first. God, I am a crap judge of character and my friends and other clients all told me they saw it coming from day one. After the elation of my freedom from the nuthouse subsided, I was (am) angry. And armed with the knowledge of Mrs Crazy’s indiscretions I contemplated burning a bridge and making sure the Mr Crazy found out all. I thought I was justified. I was encouraged by my defensive, loyal, sane and well meaning friends and clients ‘look, they can’t get away with treating you like that! They will do it to others!’ I also thought ‘hey, don’t fuck with me!’. But alas, I have always tried to not burn bridges. You never know what may come up in the future. And also, I know it is bad karma (yawn!) and The Family Fruitloop will undoubtably get what is coming to them without me all by their crazy-ass selves! But it is a youthful PR mistake, to get above oneself with such an impenetrable attitude of to burn bridges – not looking at the big picture or the long road ahead. Early in my career I made seemingly righteous errors of this kind when I thought I knew it all. I thought, ‘F*ck Me, F*ck You!’. Wow, I came to regret that with every Golden Gate that I turned to ash.
I attended with my then GF, Michelle, and my BFF’s Roger Taylor of Duran Duran and his then wife, Giovanna. Now, I am in awe of someone like Liza. What a survivor, what a career, what an embodiment and personification of pop culture. Roger had met Liza back in the day and we were presented to her at her table, where she sat with David. She flirted with me as she thought I was in Duran Duran – David proclaimed that it had been years since we had seen him – neither Rog nor I had ever met him – and it was a very odd but ultimately cool encounter. Hollywood royalty at it’s highest and eldest and most drugged level. We go to our table. Our company including, Sir Bob Geldof and his GF Jeanne Marine, Ruby Wax, and Jimmy Choo. Ruby was HYSTERICAL. We all laughed at the circus on show for us. A tipsy Petula Clark singing ‘Downtown’, a barely breathing Jane Russell singing Happy Birthhhhhhh (she had to sit down couldn’t manage it), Leslie Caron looking as if she were trapped in a wind tunnel, being 900 years old, Duncan from Blue, well, being Duncan from Blue and etc etc. Liza does a set. That was a surprise and honour to see, seriously. Then all of a sudden she comes to my table, eyes fixed on me and sits in my lap – with her heavy fake hips and hands me the mic. I moan into the mic realising I don’t know the words and die from embarrassment as Sir Bob et al are under the table dying from laughter. Great night and I can always say I have sung and been bruised by Liza with a Z!
SH*T OF THE MONTH
There is no better place to start this month than the ridiculous amount of rain fall we experienced during our last Jack Comes Alive event. Not only did we all get absolutely soaked while trying to carry in beers, pies, art work and other heavy things but we genuinely feared that those outside smoking would be washed away never to be seen again. Next on our list we’re looking at queue jumpers. Whether it be at the Oyster card machines, in supermarkets, getting on the bus or at the bar at Reading Festival everyone seems to be a jumper this month. It should be pretty obvious that one is not standing in front of you for the sheer fun of it, we are all waiting for the same thing so wait your turn please. Sticking to the theme of rudeness we’re having a real problem with bouncers this month. Recently while enjoying a night out a friend of Jack’s was chucked out of the bar for sitting on the edge of a table
PIGEON OF THE MONTH
RO BE RT
when there were no seats left. An exaggerated response to table sitting if ever we did hear one. Also, drunken pictures. If we weren’t in a sober enough state to pose nicely for a picture why would you put it up on Facebook? We’re also a bit annoyed at assistants thinking they have more authority than they do, it seems to us that those who protest the most usually have the least sway - read and learn, you know who you are. Lastly but by no means least we’re a bit disturbed by our hair falling out, is it the change of weather making this happen? Is it because we dye it too often? Or are we simply experiencing premature hair loss? Either way, we’d like it to stop.
NAME | Robert (but my friends call me Rat Bird) FAVORITE FOOD | Brick Lane Bagel Vomit FAVOURITE MOVIE | One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest or The Birds (strictly for masturbation) FAVOURITE BAND | Pigeon Detectives FAVOURITE DESTINATION | Nelson’s Head DISLIKES | Home… can’t remember where that is LIKES | Long walks in the park COMEDY ICON | Tommy Coo…cooo….per PIN UP | Any bird with a big breast CLAIM TO FAME | Shat on Mequita Oliver’s face
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Compiled by Mr R & Mr C DO YOU KNOW A PIGEON WORTHY OF THE PIGEON OF THE MONTH BOX? Make his/her day, take a snap of your favourite London pigeon and send it in to press@whos-jack.co.uk. We need a high res image along with your pigeon’s breed, age, likes and dislikes.need a high res
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