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Sitting in the Laissez Faire office surrounded by the week’s newspapers, makes me so incredibly depressed. Doom and gloom followed by misery and heartache – or maybe I’m just having one of those days! One thing’s for sure, you won’t find any of that here – and no we are not touting the boobs, bums and celebrity mishaps favoured by many, we are riding on the positive. As you should know by now – if you’ve been lucky enough to snap up one of our 20,000 copies hidden in secret spots around London this past year – at Laissez Faire all we want to do is look around our great city, and celebrate people who are doing extraordinary things. Some like Ryan Bater are young and already focused on expressing their creative talents, others, like Jacque Fresco are following a lifelong mission towards a new social architecture. And then there’s the group of creatives setting up schemes to support up-and-coming artists in the fashion world – a notoriously challenging industry to succeed in. The people featured across our pages, are striving for something better – who doesn’t applaud a surly 17-year-old photographer bold enough to challenge the professionals? So, for this issue we are looking to the future, not dwelling on our misspent past – yes let’s not go there… Here’s to you London and your bevy of beautiful, talented and innovative people!
Ruth Boulter Acting Editor
FEATURING:
LONDON FASHION WEEK - The new school of fashion RYAN BATER - Maverick photographer VENUS PROJECT - Saviour of society? WAHACA - Tex Mex in the City MUSIC MAESTRO MILLER - Let the search begin
PHOTO by
RYAN BATER
COMPETITION: WIN £100!!!
MODEL
DANNY CARR
www.laissezfairelondon.co.uk
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Laissez Faire London
THE NEW SCHOOL OF FASHION Words by Ruth Boulter
London Fashion week has been and gone. other than memories oF gLamorous goLd conFetti FaLLing at burberry, pianos pLaying themseLves eeriLy at anya hindmarch and vivienne westwood’s incredibLe royaL courts oF Justice venue, Just what are we, the London Fashion-watching pubLic, to take From the spring/ summer 2012 shows? three words: amazing emerging taLent! For once, Let’s put the Fashion staLwarts aside and ceLebrate the sartoriaL newbies…
FELICITY BROWN
This Royal College of Art graduate has had more than one dream fashion job, having worked in the hallowed design houses of Mulberry, Lanvin and Alberta Ferretti before launching her eponymous label. When asked by London Fashion Week to describe the woman she designs for, Brown simply stated “a leading lady in an old black and white film.” All rough edges, rich colours, cool silks and layering – SS12 is an elegant, dream-like collection from one of the British Fashion Council’s elite ‘New Generation’ designers. www.felicitybrown.com
www.felicitybrown.com
ELENA GARCIA
In the name of eco-couture, Garcia future-proofs her bold designs by focusing on sustainability, using fabrics that are pesticide free, fairly traded and locally and ethically sourced. With a name like Garcia, you would be correct in presuming Spanish origins, although this savvy seamstress has been dwelling in London since the early ’90s, having given up roles as a linguist to follow her dream of studying at London College of Fashion. It’s a great thing she did, as she is now one of the few designers who manages to bridge the void between sustainable and wearable. And, in addition to creating fair-trade fashion, this ethical chica is also part of the team behind hip ‘upcycling’ label Sew Last Season. www.elenagarciastudio.com
Derek Lawlor
www.dereklawlor.com
Fashion week always brings the weird and wonderful out. The photographers jostle for the best space at the most attention-grabbing, limelight-stealing shows. Lawlor’s contemporary knitwear collection was one such fashion week gem. After graduating from Central St Martins in 2009 with a Masters in the art of knit-one, purl-two, Lawlor had much to prove, having received a rapturous response for the Japanese-inspired knitted body armour featured in his graduate shows. Now collaborating with his friend Jayne Pierson, Lawlor’s collection for SS12 went under the name Pierson Lawlor and featured elegant, winged outfits, modeled specially by Royal Ballet dancers to show the versatility of movement within each piece – beautiful.
These are, however, not the only heroes of London Fashion Week. It may come as some surprise, but the only way many aspiring designers have any chance of climbing on the golden LFW runways is to be sponsored or supported. In 1993 the British Fashion Council created New Generation (NEWGEN), now one of the most internationally recognised fashion talent programmes, sponsored by Topshop. Through this scheme, catwalk designers are given financial support towards the costs of their show or a stand area to showcase their collections. This gives many young artists the rare opportunity to come into contact with influential characters from around the world. Over the last 18 years, NEWGEN has helped kick-start the careers of Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Marios Schwab, Erdem and Christopher Kane - to mention but a few. NEWGEN is not alone, schemes like The On/Off project, Vauxhall Fashion Scout and Fashion East, all support fledgling designers, who show great potential. Most of these groups run on very little money, working tirelessly to maintain London’s reputation as the city for innovative, emerging talent. We at Laissez Faire salute you brave supporters of fashion.
KILTS
Not Just for the Scots
Ricci BRyson talks leatheR kilts, egyptian skiRt-weaReRs and ViVienne westwood with howie nicholsBy of 21st centuRy kilts ASAUTUMn FEll, FASHIonISTAS PREPARED To FolloW THE FoUR MAJoR FASHIon WEEKS ARoUnD THE GloBE. FASHIon FEVER TooK oVER THE PRESS, THE BloGoSPHERE WEnT WIlD AnD GEnERAl ConVERSATIon REVolVED ARoUnD THE FAllS, THE FABRICS AnD, oF CoURSE, THE frow (FRonT RoW). THE THInG THAT STRUCK ME, HoWEVER, WAS noT JUST ConFUSIon ABoUT WHAT AnDy MURRAy WAS DoInG AT lonDon FASHIon WEEK, BUT AlSo WHy THERE WAS - AS EVER - SUCH A lACK oF FASHIon-RElATED CoVERAGE AIMED AT MEn. To RIGHT THIS WRonG, I CAllED on A FEW FRIEnDS In THE InDUSTRy AnD oRGAnISED A MEETInG WITH HoWIE nICHolSBy, oWnER AnD DESIGnER oF 21ST CEnTURy KIlTS To FInD oUT ABoUT HIS VERy UnIqUE BRAnD AnD HIS THoUGHTS on THE FUTURE oF MEn’S FASHIon. So Howie, tell us a little more about the label, 21st Century Kilts?
So what’s next?
We have taken an age-old icon of Scottish menswear – normally only made in tartan – and revitalised it through the use of modern fabrics and innovative designs. As wild as you can imagine – we’ve made kilts in denim, leather and Harris tweed. I like to think of 21st Century Kilts as the radical evolution of the kilt – bringing it back to being a comfortable, easy-to-wear garment, for both casual and formalwear.
At the moment we are developing a ready-to-wear line, we are building our online presence and I’m always out on the road trying to get our pieces in shops around the UK. We already have our kilts in the Barnsley’s fabulous directional store, Polyanna.
At the moment, I am also concentrating on corporatewear and uniforms – we have just redressed the Missoni hotel’s front of house teams in kilts. It was such a great project working Wow, that’s really unusual. How much have you done to the design of the kilt, or do you with Missoni’s incredible fabric collection. Working with other influential brands is such a focus more on the fabric to reinvent it? thrill – I’ve recently created exclusive ranges for companies such as Diesel and Comme des Garçons. It’s one of those things; if it’s not broken, don’t fix it! As a young child, I spent a great deal of time in my parents’ business watching kilts being cut and put together. I have changed elements My idea is that eventually, everyone from big department stores to independent boutiques will of the design, bringing it into the 21st century. I have reduced how high on the body the kilt see the kilt as a realistic alternative to trousers. They’ll either create their own, or work with sits, making it more comfortable and easier to wear. Also, I have created pockets for it, two a specialist designer like myself. on the back, one inside and the option of detachable combat pockets on the front. Even when we use tartan, we can still make the kilt look modern and really individual by incorporating So as you know, I’m a Scot in London and when I get the chance, I love to don a kilt. some very special trimming But there is always the techniques, especially when contentious issue of nonmaking a full kilt suit – Scot wearing a kilt. It can which surprisingly we have cause quite a commotion in the Highlands, as you orders for all the time! know. Here’s a curveball for you I know what you mean, Howie, we’ve seen kilts become quite fashionable garments over the last 20 years – everyone from Vin Diesel to but honestly, I’m all about diversifying and sharing our great heritage and traditions. The Jack Osborne seems to be wearing your designs – but do you think is it just a trend or kilt is a garment that has always evolved, and actually, it’s quite a multicultural item. The kilt originally came to our shores with the Vikings. The word has Danish origins roughly does the ‘male skirt’ have longeviety? pertaining to a tuck or pleat. I have even heard that the first kilt-like garments date as far back My plan at 18 was to be in this business for a minimum of 50 years. Just because people as the Egyptians, who had quite a penchant for pleated skirts! And as for the word tartan, its like Vin or Robbie Williams wear a kilt for an event or two, doesn’t change the general male origins lie in the French language, meaning woollen cloth. mindset. I’m not kidding myself. I understand that men in the western world think skirts are for women. When it comes down to it, a kilt is a form of skirt. However, women don’t Howie, it’s been amazing speaking to you, but just before you dash off, if you were to generally wear men’s kilts as they’re far too heavy and tend to have a lot of fabric around the leave our gorgeous and savvy Laissez Faire readers with some fashion-forward advice, what would it be? hips. The kilt is masculine.
“If women can have the choice of trousers or skirt options, why can’t men?”
I’m up for the challenge though, I want to help men feel comfortable wearing a kilt – whether Hmmmmm, I love a quote from Vivienne Westwood that we live by at 21st Century Kilts: it is through great tailoring, intriguing fabrics or spreading the word through articles like this. “People who wear unusual clothing, have a more interesting life”. If women can have the choice of trousers or skirt options, why can’t men? Check out Howie’s amazing designs at www.21stcenturykilts.com Send me a Tweet: twitter.com/riccibryson Read my Laissez Faire Magazine reviews: www.laissezfairelondon.com Check out my Website: www.riccibryson.co.uk
REVIEW Words by Ruth Boulter
TEX MEX IN THE CITY Yuk Tex Mex food – heavy, filling and cheesy. Well, not at Wahaca! Despite my reservations – clearly derived from bad, cheese-laden experiences – I rolled into Wahaca, Covent Garden, hungry and hopeful. Most Londoners will have heard of it, even if they’ve not yet been. It’s a veritable chain with six restaurants dotted around the capital. Oh dear – a Tex Mex chain – could it get any worse? Well yes there’s probably plenty worse places, because thankfully, Wahaca is Tex Mex with a difference. As well as the usual huge enchiladas and burritos, Wahaca serves a large selection of ‘street food’ – little tapas-style sharing portions. Our delightful waitress Lydia – we know her name because she scrawled it across the top of our menu, should we need any help– explained that three each would be more than enough. It was. Six tiny dishes later and me and my fellow diner were full to the brim – oh ok, so we squeezed a couple of chocolate and caramel-covered churros in there too, each. Quick, friendly, very tasty, bright and shaking up damn good margaritas – we rate this south of the border-style eaterie a delectable 7 out of 10. Well worth a visit. Don’t miss: the Ceviche Tostada (MSC certified shrimp and scallops tossed with a mix of habaneros, lime, mint and tomato salsa, served aloft a crisp tortilla) £3.95 While enjoying the fastest mexican food at Wahaca – seriously all the dishes came out in a flash – we managed to sweet talk one of the chefs into giving us their special guacamole recipe. Remember it’s a secret – don’t tell anyone we told you…
Fresher-than-Fresh Guacamole Whether you are eating this in Wahaca or making your own messy green stuff at home, one mouthful will immediately make you realise what you’ve been missing with the shop-bought versions. It’s so easy and oh-so delicious – pass me the nachos!
INGREDIENTS: 3 ripe avocados Juice of 1 lime Salt and pepper to taste fresh coriander 1 red onion 1 tomato 1 serrano chilli Cut the avocados in half and scoop out their flesh. Mash this up with the juice of 1 lime (vary the amount you mash depending on how chunky you want it – Wahaca is known for its chunky guacamole). Season the mashed up avocado with salt and pepper and stir in add a handful of chopped coriander, a finely chopped red onion, a diced seedless tomato and a finely chopped Serrano chilli (you can use less if not a chilli-lover, but the avocado does temper the heat). And there you have it – transpose it to an authentic bowl and serve with nachos, sour cream and salsa – preferably homemade. www.wahaca.co.uk/
MODEL: Ishbelle Davies
RYAN-BATER
PHOTOGRAPHY Watch out Liebovitz; out the way Von Unwerth; step aside Demarchelier – there’s a new kid in town. Meet Ryan Bater – the 17-year-old photographic maverick and our Issue 8 cover photographer.
www.ryanbater.co.uk
MODEL: Joe Sutherland
How did you get into photography? Around the age of 15, I was lucky enough to invest in a D-SLR camera – a Canon EOS 500D. After playing around with all the settings, I was hooked. I became obsessed with landscape and documentary photography and created an online portfolio. Shortly after, people started to call me enquiring whether I could take shots of their boutiques – even clothing designers got in touch! I ended up doing a load of look books for people and found this was really where I felt most comfortable and I decided to focus entirely on fashion and portraiture. Over the past two years, I’ve learned a lot, and come on quite a journey – but in reality this is only the beginning. Describe your photography style in five words. Mysterious, unusual, fresh, moody, atmospheric. Which photographer’s work inspires you the most? So many. If I have to choose, probably Annie Liebovitz – what a career, what a talent! If you could work with any model for any magazine, who and which would you choose? Daphne for Vogue Italia or Chloë Memisevic for Love magazine.
MODEL: Lucie Belle www.ryanbater.co.uk
MODEL: Ishbelle Davies www.ryanbater.co.uk
MODEL: Kat Ridgway www.ryanbater.co.uk
MODEL: Tom Squires
Being self-taught, do you think you have a creative edge on other more traditionally My teachers cannot understand why I am attending college, which is flattering for them to say taught photographers? Or is photography all about self-learning? I suppose. I am in college because I wanted to have enough grades in case what I want to do doesn’t go as planned – a back up plan. Also, you never know, in the future I might want to I don’t think it actually matters whether you have been taught, or you have taught yourself. I go to university. find it a lot easier and faster to learn things in my own way. A teacher is great for the theory, the history, and what different types of techniques you can use, of course they are. But, all Have you ever wanted to do anything else? these things you can find on the internet and in books. So, being taught doesn’t always even require a teacher! I’ve recently been employed as a creative director, for an American fashion magazine.
“I don’t think you can be taught how to have an eye or an imagination – I believe these are things you are born with.” I don’t think you can be taught how to have an eye or an imagination – I believe these are My first issue is not out yet, but it’s due to release very soon. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything things you are born with. You also gain a lot more experience when you teach yourself; you I’ve created so far. I have lots of knowledge and experience with Indesign, Photoshop and get no experience at all stuck inside a classroom. Illustrator, so if I was to ever do anything else with my life, It would be something related to design, possibly in publishing, or advertising. What has been your greatest photographic achievement so far? Who has been most influential on your career so far? Having my images on the front cover of the Western Mail newspaper was a great achievement for me. Also having my name, and work published on so many different types of magazines Grant Thomas, a young fashion photographer. Check out his work too – http://grant-thomas. and features (like this), I think that has been a great achievement for someone of my age. The blogspot.com most impressive thing – I think – is the contacts I have built. I have been able to meet, and talk to big-name photographers, such as L’Oreal and Marie Claire photographers David Arraez What’s next for you? and Wayne Johns. What’s next? I’ve got to finish my A levels. But I’m also collaborating with London fashion and What do your parents, teachers and friends think of it all? photography agencies and am doing editorials for various magazines on the side. I’m moving to London next year, and have arranged work experience with three eminent photographers. I My parents are proud, and obviously supportive of my work. I think they are surprised about plan to stay focused on my goals, motivated and productive from now until then, and if I do, how much I have achieved for my age. I might just make it in this incredibly competitive industry…
To view some of Ryan’s latest work visit: www.ryanbater.co.uk
C
PROJECT
Jacque Fresco, man behind the shacklebreaking ideology known as the Venus ProJect, was not aFraid to sketch a mental Picture oF our youthFul Planet – ruled by Jungles, Forests, lush Palms, and marshes – and then mix it uP with 3d architecture and sustainable-energy backed by science and technology. conFused? read on as we get to know the world’s latest PhilanthroPist and his earthchanging ideas…
THE BIRTH OF VENUS the saviour of society?
Few oF you young, London-dweLLing phiListines – growing up on a diet oF harry potter and Jack wiLLs – wiLL have heard oF JacQue Fresco. But For many, his compeLLing proposaLs For a new way oF LiFe in a resource-Based economy, sound Just as promising as any J.k. rowLing Fantasy or comFy sweat pant. a FormidaBLe poLiticaLand sociaL critic, JacQue gives us atantaLizing gLimpse into what the Future oF the worLd couLd Be. Laissez Faire caught up with him to Find out how reaListic his vision For sociaL and economic change is. Total Enclosure System
environmental problems will remain insurmountable as long as a few powerful nations and financial interests maintain control of and consume most of the world’s resources and the well, the venus project is an organisation that proposes an alternative vision for a sustainable monetary system prevails. world civilization unlike any political, economic or social system that has gone before. are Hold on, so you are saying that we as a gobal population need to come together to make you still with me? a change and take the power back from the few people who currently hold all of the cards? So far, keep going… So, Jaque, without further ado, please explain your big idea.
“earth is abundant and has plentiful resources. today we have highly advanced technologies, and could easily create a world of abundance for all, free of servitude and debt.”
the project envisions a time in the near future when money, politics, self and national-interest have been phased out. although this vision may seem idealistic, it is based upon years of study and experimental research. it spans the gamut from education, transportation, clean sources of energy to total city systems.
As global challenges and scientific information proliferate, nations and people are facing common threats: overpopulation, energy shortages, global warming, environmental pollution, water scarcity, economic catastrophe, the spread of uncontrollable disease, and people being replaced in the workplace by machines. although many people are dedicated to alleviating those conditions, our social and
essentially yes, but not in a violent or aggressive way. what i believe and venus articulates, is that if we really wish to put an end to our ongoing international political and social problems, we must declare earth and all of its resources the common heritage of all of the world’s people.
earth is abundant and has plentiful resources. today we have highly advanced technologies, and could easily create a world of abundance for all, free of servitude and debt. with the intelligent and humane application of science and technology, the people of the earth can guide and shape the future together while protecting the environment. We don’t have enough money to accomplish these ends but we do have more than enough resources. our practice of rationing resources through monetary control is no longer relevant and is counter-productive to our survival.
Designs by Jacque Fresco
Transportation - Ships
Ok back up a second, what is the difference between a money-based economy and In a resource-based economy of abundance, money will become irrelevant. resource-based economy? And this new economy – it will solve all of the world’s problems? Our current money-based system is not capable of providing a high standard of living for everyone, nor can it ensure the protection of the environment because the major Well, if we are genuinely concerned about the environment and our fellow human motive is profit. Businesses aren’t entirely to blame; they are forced to operate this beings, if we really want to end territorial disputes, war, crime, poverty and hunger, way in order to retain the competitive edge. we must consciously reconsider the social processes that led us to a world where these factors are common. Like it or not, it is our social processes – political practices, belief Simply stated, within a resource-based economy we can utilise existing resources – systems, profit-based economy, our culture-driven behavioral norms - that lead to and rather than money – to provide a fair method of distribution in the most humane and support hunger, war, disease and environmental damage. efficient manner. It is a system in which all goods and services are available to everyone without the use of money, credits, barter, or any other form of debt or servitude. The aim of this new social design is to encourage an incentive system no longer directed toward the shallow and self-centered goals of wealth, property, and power. To better understand a resource-based economy, consider this: if all the money in These new incentives would encourage people toward self-fulfillment and creativity, the world disappeared overnight, as long as topsoil, factories, personnel and other both materially and spiritually. resources were left intact, we could build anything we needed to fulfill most human needs. It is not money that people require, but rather free access to most of their needs without worrying about financial security or having to appeal to a government bureaucracy.
Transportation - International Shipping System
Housing
Cities
Designs by Jacque Fresco
Offshore Apartments
At what stage can you envisage world governments even beginning to We would surpass the need for human participation in the production of goods and services. contemplating your ideology? There is no taxation or obligation of any kind. We advocate no government by human systems. They have always proved inadequate. Computerized systems and cybernetics would Many people believe that government leaders bring about change with a deep concern be applied to the social system and must comply with the carrying capacity of our global for the wellbeing of their citizens. I think that nothing could be further from the truth. resources. When people have access to resources, most crimes will disappear. The need for Nor did past shifts in society come about as the results of changes in the schools or police, military, and prisons will eventually vanish with it. Of course this will coincide with the home. All established government systems tend to preserve and uphold their own the necessary changes in education. interests and power base. How will you pick a leader? The real forces responsible for change have more to do with unforeseen, external events or biosocial pressures that physically alter our environment and established The Venus project gets rid of the need for a leader, president, or prime minister. There are social arrangements. For example, the infusion of machines and processes that replace merely people who are solving problems and teaching others who have less experience. When people and remove their means of making a living, adverse natural conditions of one examines this more closely what have these so-called leaders ever given us? Do they know drought, flood, storm, and earthquake, manmade disasters of economic oscillations, or how to produce more food per acre without depleting the soil? Do they know how to bridge some outside threat of hostile nations. the difference between nations and eliminate wars? Have they ever brought us inventions such as electricity, automobiles, energy systems or a washing machine? Your conception of The Venus Project has been criticised as being akin to a Communist regime. How would you respond to that? Communism differs considerably from the direction we advocate. While Marx offered a bold new direction in his time, it falls far short of what can be accomplished with today’s technology applied with human and environmental concern. The Venus Project offers science and technology in the service of humankind on a global scale and eventually helps to eliminate all the artificial boundaries that separate people.
Cities in the sea
Energy Systems Designs by Jacque Fresco
Not trying to play devil’s advocate, but we are free-thinkers here at Laissez Faire and we have to challenge your ideas.
Housing
Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less – it is important to discuss and debate. Oh good, didn’t want you to think we were just argumentative. So, you are calling for a global change. Yet with so much distrust amongst nations and cultures, where do you begin to breakdown these barriers? It’s taken years to even initiate peach talks between Israel and Palestine. It’s an important point that you’ve raised. We must start with what we have in common. All social systems, regardless of political philosophy, religious beliefs, or customs, ultimately depend upon natural resources like clean air and water, arable land, and the technology and personnel to maintain a high standard of living. This can be accomplished through the intelligent and humane application of science and technology using a global approach. When money and self-interest are outgrown, interaction between nations will become based on mutual interest. This approach will help eliminate artificial boundaries that separate people. Automated Construction
All countries have resource shortages and we feel they will see the advantages. Nothing is forced upon anyone. Isn’t it human nature to have greed and desire? This is probably the wall between your ideology and that of the war mongering oil tycoons and elite bankers no? There is no such thing as human nature in the conventional sense of being a set of predetermined, preprogrammed behaviors and values to which all human beings are predisposed. What we are concerned with is human behavior and values, which can certainly be changed. If they could not, we would still be living in caves. The question we should be concerned with is, “What are the factors that shape human behavior?” We feel that human behavior is just as lawful as any natural phenomenon. Our customs, behaviors, and values are by-products of our culture. If the environment is unaltered, similar problems and behaviors will reoccur. The Venus Project proposes to provide an environment that will bring out the best in human behavior and to extend maximum courtesy to all nations.
I leave you with this: The New Utopians by Robert Boguslaw: “As Norman R. F. Maier (and others) point out years ago, the term “Human Nature” is characteristically used as a screen to In a resource there is material gain for everyone if their country participates in a project called hide our ignorance about man in general. And one of the more elementary oversights made in common heritage, which will advance all nations. Those that refuse to participate will miss discussions of human behavior consists of ignoring the fact that the actions of men are set in the advantages gained. motion by external as well as internal forces.” Venus will not interfere with religious beliefs, social customs of traditions. These can not be Thank you Jacque, you have clearly given us a lot to think about. Just one google search forced out, you can only educate out beliefs that are irrelevant. We prefer to use that approach will tell you this new ideology has received criticism and support in equal measure. We rather than a military one. Although it may take longer, we feel they will eventually see the leave you to make up your own mind. advantages of this point of view of joining together and sharing resources, just as all of the United States once joined together and the fighting between borders stopped.
Housing
Housing
If you want to find out more about Jaque and the Venus Project, visit: www.thevenusproject.com
Designs by Jacque Fresco
QUALITY OVER NOVELTY WHO’S LISTENING?
Way back in the 1990S i reMeMber hearing a quote froM Jethro tull frontMan ian anderSon, regarding the State of ‘Modern MuSic’. aS i don’t have hiS exact WordS to hand, pleaSe alloW Me to paraphraSe: “i defy My daughter to tell Me She’S aS excited about pearl JaM aS i WaS When i firSt SaW JiMi hendrix.” eSSentially What anderSon WaS Saying WaS that all the beSt MuSic had already been Made.
now i don’t know about you, but for me that was a pretty depressing thought. first of all, if it was true, then the rest of the 1990s promised nothing but grunge, hip-hop, garage and a whole rack in hMv dedicated to endlessly processed, sampled dance music. Secondly, if that was true back then, then what hope do we have twenty years on? have things improved? Maybe anderson had a point. While it seems impossible to prove him right or wrong – as it is such a subjective matter – the weight of evidence does seem to suggest that for the most part he could be right – all the great music has already been made.
the driving force behind popular music has always been novelty. is it new? if you are a slave to fashion, you can go along with this – trends come and go. yet the driving force behind taste, preference and enthusiasm is quality. is it any good? i’m talking couture over counter-culture. and now ‘the kids’ have the choice. We live in a world where the digital generation has a world of music at their keyboard tapping fingertips. They can hit Spotify up for Eartha Kitt followed by take that (with robbie) and then search for the very latest katy b remix. We are empowered to ignore novelty and search for whatever quality, lasting material we want. it appears that any new tune is now judged against the standards of the great back catalogue we As a kid, I sat transfixed by Top of the Pops. I would follow the Radio 1 Chart show religiously. have at a couple of clicks of a mouse. and that means it’s got to be good to cut the musical and i rolled my eyes when ‘adults’ talked about how wonderful the ’60s were – and the dire mustard. We want to be connoisseurs of good taste, right? straits of modern music (no pun intended). the thing was, i was excited. i loved listening new music. i didn’t care about the musty old vinyl gathering dust at the side of the room. i i call to you london, i want to commence a citywide search in the name of mustard – i wasn’t interested in Mick Jagger or Joan baez. and then, the ’80s happened – in the immortal mean good quality music. Let’s find where the good stuff is being played. Who are the good words of Steps, it was a ‘tragedy’. the only dJ who had anything to be enthusiastic about musicians, the ones who really can play their instruments well? as well as Jimi hendrix used was John peel; probably because he was reviewing music the major record labels didn’t have to. Where’s the girl who can sing with the passion of aretha without having to go through the the guts to sign. you could almost x-factor sieve? perhaps there’s hear the apologies in ’87 and great music out there that’s being ’88 from the journalists, dJs and broadcasters, something like: “it was not the best of years, perhaps it will get better next year!” Well, it didn’t. not for me. things went wrong for me. i wasn’t interested in ‘aceeeeed!’ in ‘Madchester’, in ‘Jack your body’ or in ‘pump up the volume’. to be honest, i felt a bit cheated. What happened to the tunes? What happened to bands – people playing real, un- ignored: the hidden treasures, diamonds in the rough. it synthed instruments? doesn’t matter if it’s pop, rock, classical, soul, blues or jazz. have you heard it? are you making it? Well, let me by the 1990s, people – myself included – were looking for a new scene, but dull, dance droned know, i’m here at laissez faire to search out the best of on. then, in the midst of thumping one-beat-per-bar dance (which i’m led to believe was the big Smoke. email me at steve@laissezfairelondon. created so that people with no sense of rhythm could dance in clubs), there emerged a group co.uk, send me your Mp3s, messages, secret locations, of young men in baggy flannel shirts playing musical instruments – step forward Mr. Grunge. web links, and so on, and let’s see if we can get ian Maybe anderson had a point, but perhaps it’s a cycle, everyone thinks his or her chosen music anderson excited! is better than what comes next. in thirty years, maybe i’ll be telling kids to turn off their loud music and mourning those lovely, but depressing nirvana riffs. i have no problem admitting Words by Steve James Miller that modern music is just not in the same league as the old stuff – blues, jazz, swing. i’m so steve@laissezfairelondon.co.uk honest; i can admit that my parent’s generation was right. now that is depressing. My main point is, the era really doesn’t matter. What, i hear you say? “all of that? and it doesn’t even matter? i’ve just wasted ten minutes reading this!” Stay with me folk…
“Where’s the girl who can sing with the passion of aretha without having to go through the x-factor sieve?”
JUKEBOX THE GHOST EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN Lots of bands are only as good as their best influence. That’s been a major downside of the latest wave of acts scouring the 80s for their musical inspiration. it doesn’t necessarily make for bad music but it does quite often wishing you’d stuck on a cure album or a bit of queen instead. and then there’s Jukebox the ghost.
nobody, the closing track, is pretty much the album in miniature. imagine take that covering the beatles (somewhere between Sergeant pepper and abbey road, when John and paul weren’t talking) with brian May on guitar. it’s familiar and strange the philadelphia three-piece are masters of the well-worked nod to their heroes. the all at once and not dancing isn’t an option. Springsteen piano riff of opening track Schizophrenia gives way to lyrics that could easily be a mistranslation of the beatles’ hello goodbye. pop music runs through everything under the Sun like the word brighton on a stick of rock. it is the kind that’s about having fun, dancing badly and parties on yachts with girls called rio, which means it inevitably leads to some awful lyrics. luckily that’s not really the point and the clichéd over emoting of tracks like Summer Sun or the forced rhymes of Mistletoe don’t stand in the way of them being really damn listenable. and besides nobody held that against anyone the first time synths were this popular.
everything under the Sun is available now in all good record stores and online.
Words by Jonathon Madge
FEELING GOOD ABOUT COMING SOON ...
Words by Brian Mills
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WHiLE FOR MANy AuTuMN/WiNTER iS ALL ABOuT NEW-SEASON FASHiON, iT iS ALSO THE TiME OF yEAR WHEN SOME OF THE BEST FiLMS ARE RELEASED. WHy? PERHAPS THERE’S SOMETHiNg TO BE SAiD ABOuT THE LEAD uP TO OScAR SEASON, OR PERHAPS ciNEMA gOERS ARE MORE iNcLiNED TO gET OuT OF THE PuB gARDENS AND iNTO A WARM, DARK ciNEMATic NEST? WHATEvER REASON, THERE’S PLENTy OF gREAT STuFF cOMiNg yOuR WAy. OuR RESiDENT ciNEMATic EyE, BRiAN MiLLS gETS THE iNSiDE MOviE ScOOP…
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Directed by Woody Allen, starring Luke Wilson. Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard. Woody Allen’s most successful film ever even eclipsing Hannah And Her Sisters, as well as resurrecting Luke Wilson’s career in this inspiring romantic comedy about a Hollywood writer who falls in love with Paris and wants to move there. His fiancé does not, however, share his enthusiasm. While she enjoys the nightlife with her friends, he walks the streets and magically enters the golden age of the 1920s. Released on 7th October
Directed by Simon Curtis, starring Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne. One of the most challenging roles for any actor is to play a real-life legend and Marilyn Monroe was definitely that. Everyone will be looking to see how Michelle Williams interprets the screen idol. The film concentrates on the tense relationship between Monroe and Laurence Olivier – played by Kenneth Branagh – while making the film The Prince and the Showgirl. Released 18th November
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Directed by Julia Leigh starring Emily Browning Rachel Blake. This Australian film was premiered at cannes. A dark, bizarre and erotic tale of a young student named Lucy who, in a bid to earn more money, takes a job as a Sleeping Beauty. As enchanting as the role sounds, it entails living in a country mansion where wealthy elderly men visit her for an erotic experience during her drug-induced sleep. Lucy is anxious to know what happens to her while she is asleep. Released on 14th October (mainly art-house cinemas)
ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS
Directed by Jean-Pierre Ameris, starring Benoit Poelvoorde, Isabelle Carre. This is a delightful bittersweet romantic comedy from France about the owner of a chocolate factory and a chocolate maker that he hires. They fall in love but both are insufferably shy which does not make for an easy relationship and offers no certainty about their future together; charmCONTAGION ing, charismatic and oh, so French. Directed by Steven Soderberg, starring Released 18th November (mainly art-house cinemas) Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard. Jude Law. THE DEEP BLUE SEA A gripping thriller about a team of doc- Directed by Terence Davies, starring Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston. tors and administrators who try to con- Set in post-war Britain and adapted from Terence Rattigan’s play, The Deep Blue Sea is about tain a deadly infection that is killing the vicissitudes of love played out in the aftermath of World War 2. Hester (Weisz) leaves her millions. The film boasts a stellar cast husband for a young ex-RAF pilot, but after time she realizes that he is unable to return her and is helmed by one of the best direc- all-consuming passion. The film was chosen to close this year’s London Film Festival. tors. A guaranteed box-office hit and Released 25th November is probably one of the best films of the year. Released on 21st October
RESTLESS
Directed by Gus Van Sant, starring Henry Hopper, Mia Wasikowska. Restless is a delicate love story about a terminally ill teenager who meets a boy in a cemetery. The boy happens to have a penchant for attending funerals and they both encounter the ghost of a World War 2 Japanese kamikaze pilot. Though it sounds strange, it is quite a charming and original film due to the believability of its young leads and the expert direction of gus van Sant. Well worth a watch. Released on 21st October
THE IDES OF MARCH
Directed by George Clooney, starring Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman. george clooney’s third feature film as director is about the dirty tactics used on the political campaign trail. Ryan gosling plays Stephen Myers, a press spokesman for an aspiring Democratic governor hopeful, while his campaign manager will do anything to beat the rival candidate, Tom Duffy – who is also trying to lure Myers over to his camp. it is a beautifully scripted film with knife-edge dialogue. Released on 28th October
DECEMBER
ANOTHER EARTH
Released 2nd December
Directed by Mike Cahill, starring Brit Marling, William Mapother. Winner at January’s Sundance Film Festival, Another Earth is about a young woman named Rhoda. Rhoda is passionate about astrology and space travel but is imprisoned for a horrific drunk driving accident that changed her life. During her imprisonment, scientists discover another planet hiding on the other side of the sun. The two incidents have a huge impact on her life.
WE BOUGHT A ZOO
Directed by Cameron Crowe, starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning. cameron crowe’s pedigree as a film director is impeccable so any new film of his is warmly anticipated. With a superb cast and an original story about a family that take on the struggles of running of a zoo, it cannot fail to surprise and delight audiences. Released 23rd December Want more of Brian’s cinematic musings and cant wait for our next edition? Visit his facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/movies-by-mills/124445137614043
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Illustrated by: Alvaro Arteaga www.alvaroarteaga.com
LAUGHTER TO THE BRAIN IS LIKE EXERCISE TO THE BODY# THANkS FOr ALL THE JOkES YOU HAvE SENT IN. YOU LOT CLEArLY LOvE THIS PAGE! TrY TO kEEP THEM CLEAN THOUGH LONDON, SOME OF THESE ArE rEALLY PUSHING IT. SOrrY FOr ANY OFFENCE CAUSED.
EMPLOYEE TRAINING:
ThE GIfT:
A little boy goes to his dad and asks, “What is politics?”
In order to assure the highest levels of quality work and productivity from employees, it will be our policy to keep all employees well trained through our program of Special High Intensity Training (S.H.I.T). We are trying to give employees more S.H.I.T than anyone else.
A young man wanted to purchase a gift for his new sweetheart’s birthday, and as they had not been dating very long, after careful consideration he decided a pair of gloves would strike the right note: romantic, but not too personal.
Dad says, “Well son, let me try to explain it this way: I’m the breadwinner of the family, so let’s call me capitalism. Your Mom, she’s the administrator of the money, so we’ll call her the Government. We’re here to take care of your needs, so we’ll call you the people. The nanny, we’ll consider her the Working Class. And your baby brother, we’ll call him the Future. Now, think about that and see if that makes sense”. So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what dad had said.
Accompanied by his sweetheart’s younger sister, he went to Nordstorm and bought a pair of white gloves. The sister purchased a pair of panties for herself. During the wrapping, the clerk mixed up the items and the sister got the gloves and the sweetheart got the panties. Without checking the contents, the young man sealed the package and sent it to his sweetheart Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets Employees who do not take their S.H.I.T will be placed in De- with the note: up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severely soiled partmental Employee Evaluation Programs (D.E.E.P S.H.I.T) his diaper. So the little boy goes to his parents’ room and finds Those who fail to take D.E.E.P S.H.I.T seriously will have to “I chose these because I noticed that you are not in the habit his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to go to Employee Attitude Training (E.A.T S.H.I.T). of wearing any when we go out in the evening. If it had not the nanny’s room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the been for your sister, I would have chosen the long ones with keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. He gives up Since our managers took S.H.I.T before they were promoted, the buttons, but she wears short ones that are easier to remove. and goes back to bed. The next morning, the little boy says to they do not have to do S.H.I.T anymore, as they are all full of These are a delicate shade, but the lady I bought them from his father, “Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics S.H.I.T already. showed me the pair she had been wearing for the past three now”. The father says, “Good son, tell me in your own words weeks and they were hardly soiled. I had her try yours on for what you think politics is all about”. If you are full of S.H.I.T, you may be interested in a job train- me and she looked really smart. I wish I was there to put them ing others. We can add your name to our Basic Understanding on for you the first time, as no doubt other hands will come in The little boy replies, “Well, while Capitalism is screwing the Lecture List (B.U.L.L S.H.I.T) Those who are full of B.U.L.L contact with them before I have a chance to see you again. Working Class, the Government is sound asleep, the People S.H.I.T will get the S.H.I.T jobs, and can apply for promotion are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit”. to Director of Intensity Programming (D.I.P S.H.I.T) When you take them off, remember to blow in them before putting them away as they will naturally be a little damp from ChECk fOR ALzhEIMERs If you have further questions, please direct them to our Head wearing. Just think how many times I will kiss them during Of Training, Special High Intensity Training (H.O.T S.H.I.T) the coming year. I hope you will wear them for me on Friday The following Alzheimers test was developed as a mental age assessment by the School of Psychiatry at Cambridge Univernight. All my Love” sity. Take your time and see if you can read each line aloud Thank you, “PS The latest style is to wear them folded down with a little without a single mistake. The average person over 50 years of age cannot do it! Boss in General fur showing”. (B.I.G S.H.I.T) A woman goes into a restaurant in a small southern town out 1. This is this cat. A man walks into a hamburger shop and orders a regular meal. in the country. She orders the fried chicken and starts to eat. 2. This is is cat. 3. This is how cat. Later, the waitress brings his meal to him. He takes a bite out Eating too fast, she chokes on a chicken bone. 4. This is to cat. of it, and notices there’s a small hair in the hamburger. He begins yelling frantically at the waitress, “Waitress, there’s a Well, these two country boys in the next booth notice she is 5. This is keep cat. choking, and they get up and go over to help her. The first 6. This is an cat. hair in my hamburger! I demand to see what is going on!” So, the waitress takes him back where the cook is and to his country boy drops his coveralls and bends over, and the sec- 7. This is old cat. 8. This is fart cat. demise, he sees the cook take the meat patty and flatten it ond country boy starts licking his rectum. 9. This is busy cat. under his arm pit. He says, “That’s disgusting!” She pukes all over the place, dislodging the chicken bone 10. This is for cat. Then the waitress says, “You think that’s disgusting you from her throat. The country boy pulls his coveralls back up 11. This is forty cat. and says to the other excitedly, “You’re right Billy Bob, that 12. This is seconds cat. should see him make donuts.” Hind-Lick Manoeuvre works like a charm”. Which day of the week do fish hate?....... Now go back and read the third word in each line from the top down. Fry-Day If you feel that you do not receive your share of S.H.I.T on the job, please see your manager. You will be immediately placed at the top of the S.H.I.T list, and our managers are especially skilled at seeing that you get all the S.H.I.T you can handle.
Send in your top jokes to: editor@laissezfairelondon.co.uk
H . U . M . O . U . R . S . C . O . P . E . S WeLL LaISSez FaIre readerS – YoU SeeM To Have STUMBLed Upon oUr reGULar HoroScopeS/HUMoUrScopeS paGe. We can'T Work oUT WHY BUT oUr reSIdenT STar Gazer HaS coMe over aLL Mean and deSULTorY THIS edITIon – MUST Be SoMeTHInG In THe STarS. We dare noT cHanGe Her FUTUre-TeLLInG WordS – BeST noT To MeSS WITH SUcH THInGS eH? Take noTe – THeSe are noT For THoSe In SearcH oF poSITIve advIce!
Aries
You tend to be headstrong and deliberate in your actions. Basically you don’t give a damn about anyone. Most people hate you but you couldn’t care less.
Libra
You are the forgiving type and you don’t bear grudges. This makes you an idiot. For your entire life people will take advantage of you. You need to stand up for yourself dude!
Taurus
Warm and caring are your most endearing characteristics. You get on well with most people because you are funny but you don’t even know it. You hardly ever wear underwear and you constantly smell kind of funky.
Scorpio
You are sharp, a quick thinker and good at puzzles. However these are your only good traits. You are meaner then these horoscopes, you love picking at people’s faults and you need to learn some boundaries - actually maybe so do we...
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Gemini
Your star sign denotes an air of duality in your character. Simply, you’re a real weirdo, the type of person who’d make massive fool of yourself to win a bet.
Sagittarius
You are the romantic mushy type, soft-hearted and a lover of the arts. You are likely to kiss anyone you meet and your partner should be aware. Be careful or we’ll tell.
Cancer
You have a businesslike attitude to life and a knack for making money. You’re an unscrupulous fellow who would sell relative’s limbs to get ahead.
Capricorn
You are deep and personal in your thoughts – a selfindulgent type who really should get out more and live a little. Go on, get out!
Leo
The adventurous type, always looking for thrills and willing to try anything. In other words, stupid. You have the IQ of a garden snail. Most Leos are living in dire straits.
Aquarius
You are the academic type, probably always with your head in a book. Well, why not share your ideas a bit more? Unless they are totes boring – in which case we don’t want to hear it. Thank you.
Virgo
You like the good things in life and you know how to enjoy them. But you’re prone to exaggerating and you are cheapskate.
Pisces
You are the eternal optimist, seeing the best of any situation. You have no grasp of reality and live in a dream world. Most people consider you to be the greatest living moron. Artist: Sasha Helim www.bee-bop-a-lula.blogspot.com
P . U . Z . Z . L . E . D . ?
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