Drink Safely – know your units

On every bar crawl, the Students’ Union gives tips on drinking responsibly and staying safe. Being Unit Wise and avoiding top-ups is one of the key pieces of advice, much like staying in groups and have the number of a taxi firm to hand (We recommend Royal Cars on 0121 356 0000) or assign a designated driver.

 But what is a Unit? The recommended daily guidelines state that we should be drinking a maximum of 2-3 units per day for women and 3-4 for men.

But a lot of us know this but not what a unit is, so here is a Unit explained…

Independent charity DrinkAware states a unit is measured as 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol. The amount of units depends on the strength and the quantity of a beverage. To measure Units we use this formula;

Strength (ABV) x Volume ÷ 1000

So a 35ml shot of JD with a mixer of coke will equal around 1.3 Units…

Which might not sound like much but following the daily Unit guidelines would mean you could drink a maximum of 2 or 3 glasses.

Want to know more? Visit Drink Aware and the NHS for more alcohol advice.

And remember, to always drink responsibly.

 

Megan Dickie

Student Unemployment

It’s official, over a fifth of young people are unemployed and left unable to get onto the job market. Everyone is affected by the recession, although it has technically passed, unemployment continues to rise.

It is an issue that’s impossible to ignore the effects it has on students. Especially on the jobs market. We see jobs that graduates were qualified to do are taken by professionals who have been made redundant. -professionals with the qualifications and the experience.

So where does that leave us students? I interviewed BCU students to find out…

Our postgraduate, Martyn – studying a Law Practitioners Course ,part-time, feels some employers take advantage of the situation, by not paying graduates for the experience they desperately need to get their foot in the door. Stating that it’s a Catch 22 working in retail to cover the costs of his course and day-to-day life, leaving him unable to go out and gain that experience.

Matt, our fresher – studying Media and Communications, says he has been searching for a part-time job for at least two years. It seems, he feels, as though employers automatically assume that because he is a student, he isn’t right for the job, especially as he has to commute every day.

We are definitely at a disadvantage to getting our foot in the door; we knew before we begun university it wasn’t a guarantee into a job at the end. But what can we do to earn a little extra cash whilst we study?

It is important to network and get as involved in the industry as much as possible, to increase your chances of getting a job after you leave. However, is it possible to do this whilst balancing your studies and your job…

Martyn certainly struggles to do so, as does employed undergraduate, Alex. Maybe it isn’t as hard as we think. With a low hour contract, (some available as 0 hours), you can stay flexible without compromising your studies – especially, when assignments are due.

Megan Dickie

Bombay Bicycle Club Gig Review – O2 Arena, Birmingham

En route to my first experience of ‘Indie ’gig, I thought the atmosphere would conform to those connotations many just assume ‘indie’ music is laced with. I was expecting a dimly lit room, people sprawled over bean bags casually discussing the latest Greenpeace developments, a few joints passed around, Noel and Liam Gallagher type haircuts and the vast majority of footwear devoted to Converse.
I had only recently heard of ‘B.B.Club’ as my boyfriend is a whore for the Indie music world and would stick his iPod on repeat. As a result, my musical tastes matured, thus ensuring Bombay Bicycle Club would be the first indie band to qualify onto my playlist.
However, as a naïve, predominantly mainstream music lover, I seriously underestimated the electric buzz and popularity this London-born band generated. Bombay Bicycle Club should be celebrated for their exhilarating and uplifting catalogue of songs, which were difficult to hear at times over the roar of applause and the thunder of clapping hands.
Kicking off the set with the latest hit ‘Shuffle’, the four piece band executed absolute clarity and passion through their lyrics; wed in faultless harmony with the layered composition of echoing vocals and the growl of the guitar in the rhythmic undercurrent.
The set was jaunty and fast; commanding hoards of fans to crush each other in the rancorous battle to reach the front of the stage. I realised mosh pits, shoving and litres of spilt beer were all accessories in the general experience at a rock-indie gig.
The highlights stem from their most recognised and famous tracks; ‘Evening Morning’ and ‘Always Like This’. The pregnant pause which captivated the audience- all poised to hear exactly which song was coming next, was surreal. To feel the shudders of excitement and delicious anticipation rippling through the assembly of fans; as the first handful of notes and piano chords bounced off the walls of the arena- mere seconds before the recognition sunk in and the fanatics united in screams of enthusiasm  and admiration.

Jack Steadman, the lead vocalist and unofficial front man, relished his multitude of adorers, gracing them with his animated yet profoundly refreshing live show.
‘Bombay Bicycle Club’ personifies raw rock music talent entwined with that delicate and soulful aura indie music emanates. Or in blunt terms; this was such a cool gig.

Emma Boyle

Tim Burton – profile of a dark genius

 

    Burton is the King of Halloween and made his name with cult works like ‘Batman’, ‘Edward Scissor-hands’ and of course ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. His dark undertone is a far cry from his early work on films created by the family studios of Disney and Warner Brothers. But despite learning the business and reality of knockbacks in the film industry, he maintained the ambition to break-away from these safe sets and challenge the conventions of childhood entertainment.

    He held the view that it was adults who read too deeply into his works and that it is essential to show darkness to children so they can learn: Like the essence of fairytales, a moral can always be read in Burton’s off-the-wall characters.

    So as he embarks on his next ghoulish endeavour, remaking the 1960s TV show ‘Dark Shadows’, it seems inevitable that he will take a far less sparkly approach to the vampire leads. And with an all star cast including Chloe Moretz, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Jonny Lee Miller and of course Burton’s staple Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. We have heard from many of those involved in early production that the film harks back to Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice’ days where he constantly blurred the lines of reality and fantasy and in doing so takes a humorous approach to the darkness of human kind. However, we will have to wait and see if the King of Halloween can keep his reign as ‘Dark Shadows’ is set to released in May 2012.

Halloween: Scary or Sexy?

It’s that time of year when the carved out pumpkins are replaced by fishbowls, hanging cobwebs replaced with noise complaint warnings and fake blood replaced with real sick. However, one must remember; the most important thing for a student at Halloween- all resides within the outfit.
Fortunately for me, I live with two shopaholic blondes studying fashion – who quite rightly saved me from having my own ‘Lindsey-Lohan-Mean -Girls’ when I was about to go on a night out complete with talcum powder foundation, a skirt made out of bin bags and a mouth full of plastic vampire fangs; (incidentally making it very difficult to successfully smoke a cigarette whilst wearing).
The traditions of homemade devil horns and ghostly dresses are now replaced with bubble-gum pink lipstick and an Ann Summers loyalty card. The reams of bunnies in stiletto’s, dominatrix witches and hot-pant wearing angels line the streets of Gatecrasher and Oceana every year. (The effect, somewhat ruined when the bouncer asks a witch or two to produce her ID out of her cauldron handbag).
So this year I had big plans for my Halloween costume; to break the mould of the typically sexy minx look without going down that ‘’completely-missed-the-point-of-being-able-to-dress-like-a-slut-look’’. After confirming with my flat mate fashionista’s this would be a sexy enough outfit, I decided to go as Lara Croft; Tomb Raider.

Now, as a brunette of medium build and the fact I’d already found a costume on eBay (complete with gun holsters and John Lennon sunglasses) I was sure I would nail this year’s costume, balancing creativity with a degree of sexiness. However, having a’ Subway’ on the ground floor of my building didn’t exactly work wonders for my figure and after a depressing examination in my bathroom mirror, it seemed if I were to go out as a scantily clad action figure, it would definitely be more scary than sexy.
So, sulking, as I traipsed round Bullring, assisting in picking bunny ears and fishnets for my thinner, blonder friends, I found myself wishing I could throw my bed sheet over my head, plonk myself down at the bar and say I had come as a ghost. I could order Cherry WKD to replicate drinking blood and hang about in the smoker’s area… disappearing behind a mysterious cloud of mist every few seconds and so on.
So my open question I suppose is this; does anyone miss tradition; should it be sexy or scary, or can you really effectively combine the two? I wonder come the morning after when I have my head down the toilet, it may remind me of bobbing for apples…

Emma Boyle

Sounds of the City

Recently, I had the pleasure of catching up with Chris Moore from Vicinity Records and finding out about his latest uni project ‘Sounds of the City’.

Find out what he had to say…

Emma: So Chris, this is your uni project, right? What have you actually got planned?

Chris: Well, we’re basically promoting music from a specific city to a wider geographic area. For example, we have a Birmingham CD which features ten artists from various genres to try and provide an overview of the Birmingham area.

Emma: So, it’s basically a CD. Is it just the one?

Chris: Yes it is a CD but you can also download it at www.soundsofthecity.co.uk alone with another CD we have been working on for the Sheffield area.

Emma: Sounds great to me but being a student myself, I know we don’t have much money, so why should we buy it?

Chris: Well for one it’s not expensive at all which is always a bonus but it also has a great mixture of genres and artists. You can even preview the tracks on our website before you buy it. The proceeds are also going to a fantastic charity.

Emma: A fantastic charity, hey?  Which one would this be?

Chris: Well each CD has a different charity attached to it. The Birmingham one for example donates its proceeds to ‘The Ian Edwards Cancer Break Trust’ that provide non-repayable funds to blood cancer patients to help them take short breaks/holidays during their intensive treatment. We actually chose them as they are a small cancer charity and we would love to donate as much as we can to them as well as get them more known within the area. One of the members of the band ‘Mothertrucker’ (featured on the album) was a friend of the person whose name the trust is set up in.

 Why not give yourself a break from your exams and assignments and check them out?

If you want to help towards this great cause, check out www.soundsofthecity.co.uk where you can order the CD or buy a digital copy of it, at a lower price. It is also available in Swordfish Records and We Are Birmingham in the city centre.

Emma Selway

BCUltural 2011 – 5th May

A celebration of multiculturalism here in Birmingham

First year Media and Communications students of Birmingham City University are planning their biggest event of the year, as they aim to encourage the people of Birmingham to celebrate multiculturalism in their city. 

The event will take place live from The Rainbow, Digbeth, on Thursday 5th May 2011, and will host a range of activities and exhibitions for visitors to enjoy and get involved with. 

The topic of multiculturalism has become a subject of debate recently in the media after David Cameron stated that, ‘Multiculturalism has failed’, so the students at BCU want to prove that it is still very much alive, especially here in Birmingham. The event will feature live music from local bands, music workshops, live radio broadcasts, food stalls held by local restaurants from a variety of cuisines, a multiculturalism debate, cinema and photography.

Students will be working on their own projects towards the event and have created a magazine for the day that will be handed out to visitors, along with a television documentary which will be shown on the day and a live debate with guest speakers who will be discussing the theme of multiculturalism and David Cameron’s recent comments. 

Fundraising activities will also be taking place running up to the event as students will be donating to the charity Amnesty International. Cake sales, busking and collections have been happening around the university as they aim to raise as much money as possible.

The day will begin at 12.00pm-12.00am and is free to attend. 

Any proceeds raised on the day will be donated to Amnesty International & The Japan Earthquake and there will be free goodies given out on the day.

Trashion Magazine

Here at Spaghetti, we love a bit of fashion (along with the heavy political stuff). And better still when this fabulousness comes straight out of our university. So, check out Trashion Magazine. With vintage fox, Katie at the helm, it’s set for big things.

“What is this Trashion?”, you ask. Well they can explain that for themselves…

TRASHION is a national creative fashion magazine. We celebrate money saving, recycling, creativity and individuality in fashion and are concerned with all things crafty, vintage, thrifty, customised, handmade, quirky and cool.

We know, we know…it’s brilliant. Wanna hear more fabulous news? You can pre-order your copy of the first issue now! Don’t miss out!

Check them out now. Not only is it full of creative ideas but it tells you where is worth checking out. And since we have so much spare time on our hands coming up, there’s no excuse!

http://trashionmag.com/ 

Rise to Remain play O2 Academy

Rise to Remain, a five-piece metalcore band from London recently played support for Funeral for a Friend at O2 Academy 2. Recent winners of newcomer awards from both Metal Hammer and Kerrang!, the band have toured with such metal behemoths as Bullet for my Valentine and Trivium.

 

Karen Kiely and Leonie Brueckner went along for Spaghetti Junction and had a quick chat with vocalist Austin Dickinson (son of Iron Maiden frontman Bruce) and bassist Joe Copcutt before the show…

 

How did you guys get together?

Austin: I was singing with a couple of friends, we had a band together. We were playing a pub one night and I met Ben and Will and from there, I kept in contact with them, went to a couple of practices with them and formed a band.

Joe: Me and Pat were in another band and we just kinda joined forces and became Rise to Remain

How long ago was that?

Joe: Around…four years ago

Austin: Yeah I was first in Ben and Will’s band around four/five years ago.

You guys won some newcomer awards recently?

Austin: We did, it was a massive surprise, and we were so honoured to receive them.

Who were you up against?

Austin: We were up against Deaf Havana and General Fiasco and a load of other bands at the Kerrang! awards and Metal Hammer. Competition was really stiff, y’know and we were really very thankful to have won those awards.

How were the award ceremonies?

Austin: [laughs] Yeah, we partied, we had a great time!

Where has been your favourite place to play a show?

Austin: Ireland was one of them! 

Joe: Yeah, Ireland definitely

Haha, and Germany was the other one yeah?? 

[Note: interviewers are Irish and German respectively!]

Austin: Actually, hang on a second. We did four shows in Germany with Bullet for my Valentine and Funeral [for a Friend] as well. And those shows were absolutely ridiculous. It was the first time we had been in contact with a European audience and they just went completely off the chain. They were great. And Ireland was our first proper tour. We went over there with Trivium and we played Derry. Derry still stands as one of the coolest shows we’ve ever done. It was like 600 kids in a room and it was absolutely bonkers. People were climbing over each other and going nuts, it was great. We didn’t even have a CD out and I don’t think anyone knew there was a support band in the first place but they were just so up for it, it was great.

Have you played Birmingham before?

Austin: We have actually. Back in December at the HMV Institute with Hatebreed. That was a cool show. Brum is a cool town; we really like it. 

Where do you practice?

Joe: Acton in London; we’ve been going to the same place since we first started. Funnily enough we shot our first video there and we’re really good friends with the people that work there.

Austin: Personally, I’ve been going to that place since I was 12 years old, so we’ve definitely got a lot of history with that practice space. It’s grotty and amazing; we love it!

Tell us a bit about your fans.

Austin: Our fans are great, we love them with every inch of our hearts and souls. I dunno what qualifies as a fan, you’ve got varying degrees, especially on this tour. We’ve been seeing a lot of familiar faces. We have a really awesome, dedicated clique of people who just turn up whenever we’re near where they are. Some of them travel to London when we’re playing. It’s awesome and we love that there are people that dig the tunes that much. 

Your latest single was released online yesterday?

Joe: Yeah it’s been really good, the feedback online has been great and it’s been getting quite a few hits already. Fingers crossed. It’s just a little teaser for the album that’s out in September.

Austin: And we just uploaded the video today [risetoremain.com]

Any message for your Birmingham fans?

Joe: Peace, love and all them things!

Karen Kiely

Purple Boot Media

Here at Spaghetti, we want to know what you guys have been up to. Especially when it involves your work. Check out this final year Media and Communication groups project on the rise of the fashion blogger…

When we were first presented with our final year project , many ideas were thrown around from a quiz show, to flying out to Afghanistan to film a documentary on female soldiers.

 However, the concept that we final settled on to round off our (BA Hons) Media and Communications degree with has proven to be as interesting and culturally relevant as we could have ever asked for.

As Purple Boot Media, we are producing three webisodes (a series broadcast on the internet) on the rise of the fashion blogger, the online-savvy, fashion conscious writer and photographer, who posts their pictures, their thoughts and opinions on the latest fashions for the whole world to read. Our first contributor, eighteen year old Jazmine, is intriguing. Small and shy but boasting over 800 followers, this charity shop girl is a leader in the blogging pack. Her short but sweet posts on blog Jazzabelle’s Diary, show off her charity shop finds as well as showcasing pieces sent to her by high street giants such as ASOS and H! By Henry Holland. Her musings on fashion, art and culture and stunning photography have proved extremely popular with the public and the industry alike. We follow her as she rummages for fashion treasures at car boot sales and in charity shops and as she styles and blogs them in her Clapham home. We join Jazmine as she wonders the Victoria and Albert Museum, gaining inspiration for both her art work and her individual style, something which can be translated on to the online pages of her blog.

Our second webisode focuses on cool kid Jack Adams, otherwise known as the creator and King of Uber Brum. This street style blog hunts out the fashionable people of Jack’s home town of Birmingham and displays them proudly, in his own unique style. His arty photography and Birmingham’s distinctive fashion has caught the eye of nearly 200 followers. We join Jack as he hunts out beautiful people at Vintage Fairs, bars or just in the city’s streets. We follow Jack to music events he helps to organise, as he creates stunning visuals to compliment up and coming bands and DJ’s, all the while looking out for different, quirky or interesting styles that he can snap and then blog for the rest of the city, and the world to see.

We then move on to focus on fashion blogging as an industry, and the professional bloggers who make their career out of what was once considered only a pastime. We head to Aigua Media, a blogging company who owns some of the most visited and influential blogs around, such as the hugely popular Catwalk Queen, who was named by American Vogue as one of the most influential blogs in the world. We meet the journalists who have swapped print for online publication, and consider how the magazine industry has reacted to such a huge surge in support for blogs and bloggers, taking the emphasis away from well-established magazines and journalists. We look at the future of the fashion industry and question how the public source their fashion knowledge, both now and in the future.

Our ambition for this project is to not only highlight all of the skills and practices we have learnt while at Birmingham City University but to reveal something about new occurrences in contemporary culture and how blogs could be considered the way forward for sharing knowledge and opinions on not just fashion, but on all aspects of culture. If you are interested in what we are doing and want to know more about the day-to-day life of Purple Boot Media, visit our blog at www.purplebootmedia.posterous.com

By Hannah Quainton