Student Publication Association National Conference

So last weekend I went to Southampton for the first ever SPA National Conference!!
For anyone reading this from the U.K, who is part of a student publication, this is hugely exciting. Student Radio has a national body, Student T.V has a national body, it's about time that student newspapers and magazines had a national body too.
The conference took part in Southampton. It started on thursday night with karaoke, pizza and drinks. On friday we had workshops with some great speakers, before an awards ceremony on friday night. It was great to see so many people there who were passionate about writing for student publications, whether they were independent or affiliated with their student unions. Plus I learnt a lot. It made me feel really privileged to be so involved.
On the saturday the student body for next year was formed. SPA has only just begun but I can predict big things for it!
If you are reading this and you are a writer, editor, or involved in any other way, for a student newspaper or magazine in the U.K, then get involved with the SPA. It's hugely beneficial, and the conference was such a laugh. I can not wait for next years!

 Us Cardiff Bunch

At the awards ceremony with Keele

all of us on friday night!

I had my hair dyed and i love it!!

Today I got my hair dyed at BLEACH in topshop Oxford street in London, and absolutely adore it!
I bleached my hair a while ago and have tried to dye it lavender a couple of times, but because my hair was still quite a warm tone it was never overly successful. It would go nice, but a bit patchy!
At bleach the hairdresser (also called Beth!) decided to dye my hair a pinky purpley colour and I love it! I've never seen it so bright and vibrant. She used a 'super cool colour' which cost £55.
Unfortunately, it won't last very long, but when I can I will defo be going back to BLEACH!

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I've had pinterest for a couple of years now, but I never really used it properly, but now i've become obsessed!!
I love pinning travel, fitness, style and interior inspiration, as well as photography and quotes that I love!
If you wanna see more of the below, then follow me by clicking here

Some of my pins:

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The new and exciting trend in hip-hop

This might surprise some readers, but I'm a massive fan of rap and hip-hop. Well, I enjoy all music genres really, but yeah, I love hip-hop, whether its the likes of Kanye West and Jay-Z's Watch the Throne, or old school Notorious B.I.G. I think this might surprise people because I'm a feminist, and lets face it, hip-hop is notorious as a genre filled with misogyny. This post isn't going to bang on about that, but the thing is, I don't see that as a contradiction. I think I can still actively be a feminist and listen to Nelly, and for me feminism is about being able to make that choice. More on that later.

Back to my main point... The thing is lately, there's been a massive change in hip-hops sound. Of course, the sounds Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem create will (hopefully) still be relevant for years to come. But for the past couple of years a new sound has been developing in hip-hop. It started by bubbling under the surface, and now it's exploded, like a volcano. And it's likely the trend for new, alternative hip-hop will continue to grow from strength to strength. As someone who is always looking for new trends in the music world this is an exciting prospect for me. 

I think this trend can be best exemplified with (slightly extreme) example of hip-hop collective OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All), along with leader of the crews own solo work - Tyler, The Creator. With their aggressive, unapologetic lyrics, this group will take you down like a tornado diminishes all in its path. They've been around for a couple of years now, but they are definitely the best rap artists to illustrate hip-hops new trend, because they are the ones who can be quite clearly seen as doing it first, and doing it right... Doing it successfully. They're fan base is loyal and niche, yet vast at the same time, as both hardcore metal heads and 14 year old hipsters count themselves as fans. Just listen to Tyler, the Creator's Radical, or watch the video for Rella, and you'll see what I mean. Controversy is of the utmost importance. 

The Odd Future Gang.

One of the arguably most well known artists to come out of Odd Future is Frank Ocean, who produces mellow, relaxed works of art. His music sounds strangely urban and exotic all at the same time. Maybe that's his hometown of New Orleans influencing his sound. An American city, yes, yet also home to the fabulous, and the fantastical. The colours of carnival. Frank Oceans sound can also be heard in The Weeknd. A solo project which, despite having been producing music for years, is only now getting serious recognition by the likes of Radio 1. The Weeknd and Frank Ocean produce the kind of sounds people get high to. Plus with The Weeknd doing collabs with the likes of Drake, he’s only gonna get bigger, and better.

Frank Ocean

The Weeknd

These artists have all been around for a while now, but lately, yet more hip-hop artists are coming out of New York, L.A, and elsewhere, with a new and distinct sound. Take A$AP Rocky. His fast paced rap screams talent. In fact, I think it could be far enough to say A$AP is the NEW Odd Future (and as a massive OFWGKTA fan, I don’t say this lightly). All you have to do is listen to his awesome collaborative song with Skrillex, Wild For The Night, and you know A$AP is gonna go far.

A$AP Rocky

But now, to take you back to the beginning of this post, when I was chatting about how feminist I am. Because the main thing that’s most exciting to me in the hip-hop world is the rise of new, influential, fab, female rap artists. Obviously female rap artists have always been present, whether we’re talking about Lil’ Kim or Nicki Minaj. But the difference with these girls is they’re not female artists rapping in a male dominated world. They’re doing it in their own right. Ok so I’m a massive Nicki fan and I can’t deny that, but something magical has happened since. Something magical happened the day Azealia Banks posted her 212 video on Youtube.

Azealia Banks is totally demonstrative of the waves new Hip-Hop is making in the world of female rap. Her music is controversial AND empowering. What more could you want? The only problem with Azealia Banks, is on twitter, she can be a bit of a bitch towards her fellow female rappers. Yet I believe that gals gotta stick together, and some of the people she has bitched at are gonna go far.... Angel Haze, and Iggy Azalea are the two girls I’m thinking of specifically.

Angel Haze’s EP is one of the first EP’s I’ve ever given one listen to and then immediately bought. New York is a work of lyrical genius, but so is every other song on the EP, such as Supreme and Werkin’ Girls.Her music is truly real, with a no holding back attitude, she allows her troubled past of growing up in a religious cult to speak in her music.

Angel Haze

Azealia Banks bitched at A$AP Rocky's ex girlfriend Iggy Azalea most notably however, for slagging her off for being white. Apparently white girls ‘can’t rap’. Well just give Iggy a listen, because that’s clearly bullshit. She may be white, blonde, and Australian, but she’s incredibly talented. She gained a lot of notice with song Pu$$y and the video for it (because any song that repeatedly says pussy, especially when it’s from a female artist, is gonna get attention), but her real talent lies in songs such as My World, and Work, and Hello.

Iggy Azeala

So there you have it, the world of hip-hop is changing. It’s becoming more creative, more infused with different types of talent, more fearless, and more female friendly. It’s allowing more and more rap artists to create music and have a platform, and is allowing women to empower themselves lyrically in a way they never could before. And about time. 

Work It: A Mixtape

One of the things I've been trying so hard to do lately is keep fit, working out ideally 5 days a week. I love going for runs but I can't run without my music! It helps keep me motivated and gives me a rhythm to run to. As music is such an integral part of my life, this makes sense.
It also makes sense that i'd share some of my favourite workout songs with you! I hope that you'll enjoy this mixtape. It's a fun mix of genre's to keep you motivated and upbeat, plus it's got a picture of Ryan Gosling on the front!! what's not to like?!

Lessons in Gig Etiquette. Yes, really!

This might sound a little ridiculous, but yes, there are certain ways you should and should not behave at a gig. At a gig, you want to go crazy and wild. In fact, it’s probably one of the few places where this is totally acceptable. But, to be completely frank, this is not an excuse to act like a total bellend. There are things people do at gigs which can not only annoy other people in the crowd, but annoy the band. It’s important to respect the band or artist you are going to see. If you’re not going to do that, what was the point in paying for a ticket? At the same time, respect the people around you. Ok so if you’re in a mosh pit sometimes you’re going to injure other people without meaning to, not to mention yourself. But this is something that’s accepted, and is a little bit different from pushing someone and starting a fight like your drunk in a bar, or shoving through right at the beginning only to stand in front of someone who is really small. I go to see a band or artist to have a good time, so lets not hinder it by acting like d*ckheads. Here are my tips:

Gig Etiquette Lesson #1: Don’t have a massive chinwag while the band are playing.

This was something I mentioned in my previous post about a Biffy Clyro gig, and was what inspired this post. Of course, when Biffy was playing there wasn’t this problem. The problem was before, when City and Colour were playing as the support. 

I’m not saying, omg the band are playing DON’T TALK AT ALL. Obviously, communicating with people is OK. But this is the scenario I found myself in on Friday night: 

City and Colour come on stage and begin playing. If you have not heard them before, they play acoustic music. Not loud, moshy music, just nice acoustic music. Next to me was a group of 3 guys/lads/idiots, whatever you want to call them. I didn’t want to move from where I was because it was the one place I had found where I could actually see (more on that later). These blokes were chatting VERY LOUDLY about, err, football. One in particular sounded like a loud, yappy dog with a strong Welsh accent. Not exactly the sound I wanted ringing through my ears while Dallas Green was singing live just in front of us. I thought maybe they’d stop, but they really didn’t. They continued like this for the whole half hour or so of their set. It was so distracting and annoying. Not only for me, but it wasn’t respectful of the band. I know they probably didn’t know, but I also know this happens in small venues where small acoustic artists play, and they know full well about it. I found the support a bit boring, but I didn’t start chatting loudly over them. If the support band bore you, stand at the back, or don’t show up for them. I don’t want to hear your opinion on the match. I want to hear City and Colour sing ‘What Makes a Man?’ instead.

Gig Etiquette lesson #2: If you’re practically 7 foot tall, don’t stand in front of someone who is 5 foot tall.

This is a problem I constantly face. I am small. I am only 5ft. I face it at pretty much every gig I go to, unless I’m fortunate enough to be right at the front. I get that you can’t always help it. You can’t help being taller than someone and you shouldn’t be forced to stand at the back just because you’re over average height, but that doesn’t mean you should literally stand in front of a small person like a brick.

On Friday night, I was waiting for the support to come on. Just as City and Colour took to the stage, a really tall guy and his friend were barging in front. I heard them say excuse me so I presumed they would keep on going. But no. This guy stopped dead in front of me. It was so blatantly obvious it was ridiculous. I tapped him on the shoulder and told him that I now couldn’t see. He apologised, moved for about a minute, then sort of gravitated back in front of me. that’s when I moved next to the yappy guys I mentioned above. 

The point is, if you can help it, then don’t stand in front of someone small. They want to enjoy the gig too. Just be a little considerate.

Gig Etiquette lesson #3: Don’t be a brick.

Yes, you did read that right. Above, I mentioned tall people standing in front of me like a brick. To be honest, people who just stand like bricks in general annoy me. Not moving, just standing, solid. If you’re watching a nice mellow band, obviously you aren’t going to be jumping around and moshing. But Biffy Clyro can get pretty heavy at times, so at this gig there was loads of moshing, jumping, shoving, etc. You do one of two things in this situation: You go with it, you join in, you jump and shove and mosh and put your hands in the air and sing and scream along. OR, you stand somewhere you can still enjoy the gig, but don’t have to be at the hands of a mosh pit, like at the side, nearer the back, or right at the front. You might think standing near the front, in the middle is fine. Well it is, but if you are going to stand still with a dour look on your face, then it’s probably not the best place to stand when people start moshing, which they do. You just look like you’re not enjoying yourself. And if you don’t enjoy being pushed and shoved, you’re probably not. So move out the way. I hate it when I’m tryna have a little jump and dance to a band but the guy standing like a WALL in front of me is hindering it. Because they do hinder it. They bring the uplifting mood down. Life is too short. Get swept up in the moment of the gig. Either that or move out of the way of the people who do want to be swept up. 

Gig Etiquette Lesson #4: Don’t push for no reason.

So a band is playing and everyone is sort of being pushed because the entire crowd is moving. Fine. It’s gonna happen. But don’t start pushing for no reason, when no song is playing, just to be a knob. I have witnessed this. A massive, tall, hench, bloke randomly pushing people because he thinks it’s banter, not considering that not everyone is huge in every dimension and not everyone enjoys getting their ribs crushed. There’s nothing wrong with a little mosh but don’t crush people. Crushing people is so not cool. I don’t want to die. 

Gig Etiquette Lesson #5: Don’t bottle the band.

This tends to happen more at festivals, which kind of makes it even more inexcusable. I just do not understand people who bottle bands. You don’t like them? Well if you’re at a festival, go and see someone else. Instead of focusing your anger on an artist you hate, go and look at the other stages and find something you like. At the end of the day, throwing bottles won’t make you any better. They’re the ones on stage, who have carved some sort of musical success for themselves. They are still winning.

So there you have it, if you don’t want to piss everyone off at gigs, stick to the above. The biggest lesson, though, really, is to just enjoy yourself and enjoy the music, while remaining considerate. That’s all there is to it.

Is there anything I’ve missed? Any things that really grind your gears at gigs? That ruin the atmosphere or make it less enjoyable? Then comment below! I’d love to know what your gig-related pet-hates are. 

Lewis Watson Interview.

Lewis Watson is a singer/songwriter hailing from Oxfordshire. He's grown from strength to strength and is gaining popularity and success constantly! I did this interview for Quench a few weeks ago.

Your new EP ‘the wild’ comes out later this month, what can we expect from it compared to your last EP’s?

We tried to drip feed a bit of production in, purely because, when I started playing guitar i always wanted it to be in a band and always wanted it to sound big. We’re just sort of evolving the sound, just because thats never happened before, I’ve always been on my own. With my first EP it was purely on my own, and with my second EP we put a bit more production in, and with this one, we’re putting in a bit more. But it’s still very true to the first two EP’s. Theres one song which is recorded in one take with just me in a room with my guitar, like a harmonium. It still stays very true to the first 2 EP’s. We’ve just made the sound evolve a bit more.

There’s a cover of SBTRKT’s Hold On on your new EP, what inspired you to cover that song?

On my second EP I covered a Bombay Bicycle Club song and kind of changed it - their sound is a big bandy song and with me it’s just me and my guitar. I really like that process of changing a song and making it your own, and I wanted to do that with a song people would think i’d never cover.  I also saw them at Latitude and that song jumped out at me. Every time I heard that song after I was like yeah man, this is a really good song, and it put me back in that place. I was just jamming on it and just seemed to work. 

Your tour is coming up, and the Cardiff venue had to upgraded from Moon Club to Clwb Ifor Bach due to such high demand. that must feel pretty good...

It’s great. I’ve only ever been to Wales to write a couple of times. I’ve never really done any gigs there so I never expected the first venue to sell out. It’s a great thing to say oh I sold out my venue in Cardiff. I didn’t want it to be upgraded then only sell like 5 more tickets, and make the room look empty. But at the end of the day, I just wanted more people to listen, and more people to be there. And then it sold out again and it was just like, woah!

What’s it like being on tour?

It’s the best thing, it’s so cool. You’re in a different town every day, and I’ve never really been to many of these places, so it’s great to be in a new place with new food, or new weather. I get to be with the guys in the van and it’s loads of fun. We get to play a show every night and meet everybody. It’s a really cool, fun experience. I feel so lucky to be able to do it. It’s amazing. 

You’ve also played with some other great acts who are getting big like Lianne Le Havas, that must be fun!

Yeah that’s great, Lianne is fantastic. I’m supporting her this month at Shepards Bush. The first time I supported her it was so overwhelming, but they were really kind and it’s nice to be asked to support her again. And it’s great to be able to play Shepards Bush which fit’s like 3000 people. I won’t be headlining there for like 2 years time really!

It seems like you have some pretty big things in the pipeline such as playing Bestival, what else does the future hold for you?

I think if I can just continue to do this, I will be very happy. If in 5 years time I’m still touring, recording, writing, and developing as an artist - that’s what i’m looking for. But these things happening now are amazing, I never thought these kind of things would happen. I’ve only been playing guitar for 4 years, so to be playing Bestival with Elton John and Wu-Tang Clan this year is incredible. I never really expected this to happen. 

Lewis Watson's EP The Wild is out today (26th March).