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IRVINE WELSH TALKING TO FOALS Acclaimed writer talks films Hugh McCafferty interviews 3 and Trainspotting in Trinity. 4 indie’s hottest new band COVERNOTESP2

here has the Irvine Welsh, of Trainspotting year gone? fame, visited those lucky film The SU students, an account of which is Elections given in the Interview section. are looming Fashion looks at the Wand the countless upcoming vogue for following celebrity AGMs make it feel like this fashions and Film reveals what year is already over even happens when an actor dies though it’s still only February. during the production of a film. Summer panic is already In the Books section Paul setting in, with people planning Earlie has written a brilliant holidays and work placements. article on the relatively Given the short length of unheard of work of Irène Trinity Term, the academic Némirovsky, a writer who was year seems unbelievably short. killed during the Holocaust. This issue of TN2 sees Read it. Hugh McCafferty interviewing Foals for our feature story. Catriona Photo courtesy of Ibid

hen you’re playing gigs at entry level, it’s really a “Wsituation where you’re just playing to your mates.” Ibid’s very existence, it would seem, is a reaction against soul-destroying amateurishness of the vast majority of Dublin’s Notorious promoters. Composed of members of bands both operational and defunct, the three-piece play vicious guitar rock In which our heroine talks demons of complete with taut bass lines, frantic drums and riffs as big as your house. relationships past… Words: Victoria Notaro Although only technically operational for a few weeks, Steven, Kev and Luke have played together before under n this day and age, it stands to reason that different guises. by the time you reach your early twenties, I talked to front man Steven about his you will have experienced heartbreak in We are all affected decision to leave behind past projects some way, shape or form. Even if you and start afresh. “I felt it was time to haven’t been dumped, cheated on, dumped by the people we take things more seriously, start playing Ifor cheating, sleeping around or duped by a gigs with decent promoters, play outside let into our hearts, relationship con artist, something negative must Dublin and try to get some good support have happened to you with opposite sex. Unless and not always in slots.” The new beginning has certainly you’ve been living in your mam’s basement. proven to be a creative spark. “Songs are From the serious to the minor, we all carry “a good way. getting better, less insular. It comes relationship baggage - whether we care to admit it down to experience and playing at a or not. It is generally believed that the things that higher level.” Steven cites British post happen to us over the course of our lives shape the hardcore bands like Reuben and Biffy person we become. I believe the same is true of our year, and certainly didn’t think I wanted another Ibid Clyro as in"uences. “And PJ Harvey, not previous liaisons of the heart. I think we are all relationship. I shouted all those phrases that people that that’s so discernible,” he laughs. haunted by the ghost of relationships past. who are afraid of romantic af!liations (for one The band’s demo, recorded in We don’t want to make the same mistakes as reason or another) do - I’ll be single until I’m thirty, Ballymun’s Cosmic Studios, sounds before. We want to !nd a similar connection to one men are so immature, I’m never getting married, promising. “It was an interesting process; previously experienced, that ever elusive spark. We relationships smother your individuality, blah…” oh everything was put under a microscope, don’t want to be treated badly again, and we I talked a LOT. But that’s all it was, fear talking. I so it really became obvious what we certainly don’t want to be the nasty one either. was absolutely terri!ed of being vulnerable ever needed to work on.” With the recording Every new relationship is indeed a carte blanche - again. And while that changes, I don’t think it ever under their belt, Ibid hope to start that’s just waiting to be smeared with the completely goes away. playing gigs in a month or two, gigs metaphorical shit that once hit the fan. We are all affected by the people we let into Steven promises to “ publicise the shit Whitney Houston once sang “Where do our hearts, and not always in a good way. And it out of.” broken hearts go?” - Well Whitters, that’s a good goes both ways. If you’re involved with someone, Ibid warrant your attention for a variety question. Some believe they mend in time. Others their past shouldn’t be allowed into your present, of reasons. Their songs are satisfyingly try to pretend it never happened. I think they but by God it happens! At some point, we have to rocking without a hint of crustiness and simply rework themselves around your new make the conscious decision to push it all aside and they maintain a sense of technical situation. They say the !rst cut is the deepest - oh take the past for what it actually is, or it will send complexity without the chin-stroking. pop music is so wise! I could reference some you round the bend. All three have plenty of live experience; proverbs: “Once bitten, twice shy”, “Two’s If you’re being haunted, unfortunately you Steven spits out vocals with vitriolic company, your bloody ex makes a crowd.” Ahem. cant call a priest, or the Ghostbusters. You can go panache between tapping solos, Kev, on The point is, it’s all true, and that’s why they’re see a shrink, but that’s expensive, and hey, they drums, hammers his way through time cliché... Duh! don’t know what happened. Nobody else can !x signature changes with ease and Luke, To prove my point, I will get personal. My little you, no matter how hard they try. You have to on bass, has the stage presence of a man heart was trampled on by my !rst love - ouch, isn’t exorcise your own relationship demons, whether in contact with a higher being. it so much worse when the !rst love dumps you? you’re with someone or not - or else be prepared Check out the tracks on their MySpace You wish you’d been the one to “grow away” from for them to come back and bite you in the ass - page and keep a look out for upcoming the situation, not them! Anyway, I was single for a hard. gigs. www.myspace.com/ibidmusic COLLEGE BANDS: COLLEGE P3INTERVIEW

Film students get a talking to when Irvine Welsh comes to Trinity. Words: Katie Photo: Conor O’Kelly McCarthy

rvine Welsh is a widely celebrated, this is a form of ‘cultural activism’ most books’, concluding with a haughty giggle, modern-day Scottish writer. His other authors of his generation appear to ‘That’s great for me, you know.’ debut novel, Trainspotting (1993), have disregarded. Of the process of Welsh revealed he is set to present the recounts the tale of a group of writing he declared emphatically, Outstanding Contribution to British characters during Thatcher’s ‘Writing is a very selfish thing. It has hard Film Award at the Empire Film Awards Iblighted 80s; unified by crumbling effects on your family and all the things in London, on March 9th , to his old friendships, condemned attempts at around you.’ comrade Ewan McGregor. McGregor escape from their tyrannically Readers frequently find the Scottish was catapulted to fame following his monotonous and vicious lives, whilst vernacular in Welsh’s novels difficult to stirring and energised performance as struggling against a destructive understand. When asked as to his Renton in Danny Boyle’s adaptation of

Irvine Welsh Irvine dependence on heroin. principal motive for adopting this dialect Welsh’s debut novel. Welsh spoke of the On his recent visit to speak to Dr within his work he explained that he has film in response to the question of Carol Jones’ 20th Century Scottish always felt predisposed towards music, whether he ever worried that some Literature seminar group, a mild- being captivated by house music people may find his unsympathetic mannered Welsh spoke of the especially at the time of writing characters, sympathetic? Welsh retorted tribulations facing a writer today, Trainspotting. It would be only natural to that he only worried when watching the declaring ‘I honestly don’t think want to recreate that level of screen adaptations of his work, primarily Trainspotting would be published now- exhilaration within his novels, and he felt Boyle’s Trainspotting, because ‘on the publishers are making authors write into this could be achieved most effectively screen things develop a ‘buzz’, that some type-holes. They want writers to keep by adopting an unrelenting Scots dialect [viewers] may find attractive’, and writing about genres that have proved as his primary narrative voice, declaring henceforth wish to replicate, which popular amongst readers.’ Welsh remains ‘Standard English is a great language, but understandably instils worry in him a contentious figure since Trainspotting’s it is an imperial language, it’s not very knowing the nature of some of his publication. His work has shown itself to funky.’ Welsh continued by stating that character’s volatile temperaments be immensely challenging for literary he had a desire to seize upon the feelings together with their dangerous critics to digest, a struggle made of exhilaration attributed to house music, predispositions and behaviour. increasingly more conspicuous by almost like what he termed ‘a four-four The session was nearing its end when Welsh’s unremitting commercial beat’, believing the ‘best approach’ to Welsh reprehensibly outed himself as an triumphs. Welsh is within a minority of encapsulate such elation on the page was ardent admirer of Evelyn Waugh, a authors who appeal to followers of high to employ a language that was similarly statement met by fervent gasps from the literature in addition to those who pulsing and hedonistic, noting ‘The class. Before leaving, he once more refrain from reading in general. Welsh characters in Trainspotting would appear mulled over his most illustrious piece of conceded that he was unsure as to why quite pretentious if they were to sound work to date, reflecting ‘I saw there has not been more authors that any other way.’ Trainspotting go from my book, to Ewan have made that crossover, recognising Welsh was probed regarding his McGregor’s film, to Richard Branson’s the tension apparent between the reader feelings concerning fellow Scottish advert for his trains. When I handed it wanting to experience exhilaration and writer Alexander McCall-Smith over to the publisher I lost grasp of it and intellect, concluding austerely ‘I just deprecating him as a ‘‘travesty for as an author it is no longer righteously want to write stuff that is exciting and Scotland’’, to which he remarked that yours, but belongs to everyone out there.’ makes people turn the page, whilst such arresting comments made about Welsh’s extraordinary collection of work hopefully making them think as well.’ If him are to his eventual advantage, stating is indeed ‘out there’ for us all to relish. Welsh is managing to engage a culturally ‘If a housewife reads that McCall says I And with that the man accountable for, illiterate audience that has am a ‘‘travesty for Scotland’’, that elicits what one critic termed, ‘changing conventionally remained beyond the a curiosity in them about me and leads popular fiction forever’, unassumingly influence of the bourgeois novel then them to get hold of and read one of my left for home. FEATUREP4

Foals are what you might call hot shit right now. A slightly Foal’s Gold grumpy Yannis Philippakis talks about their rise to fame. Words: Hugh (Win tickets to see Foals - see the back page) McCafferty

istening to Foals, it’s diffi- unimportant when they sound this quire about debut record Antidotes, out 21. They formed in Oxford over two cult to decide whether they good. Front man Yannis Philippakis un- next month. Should make for a pleasant years ago with current Youthmovies are at the cutting edge of derstandably isn’t eager to put his band half hour, so. front man Andrew Mears on vocals. I popular music or are into a neat, little pigeonhole. “We’re like In fairness to Philippakis, it’s cur- asked Philippakis what effect Mears’ merely wallowing in the epilectic pop music,” he decides after rently a pretty hectic time for the band. decision to concentrate on Youthmovies Lstagnant pool that is the post-punk re- some hesitation. They’ve been on the road for quite a activities had on the band. “There were vival. They manage to sound like Battles Perhaps it’s the exhausting tour while and look to be so for the immedi- less violent pranks after he left.” He re- and The Rapture at the same time, inte- schedule, or the jet lag (well, train lag), ate future. “We’re literally touring for a calls that there was considerable tension grating math-rock and dance-punk in an or maybe he just isn’t that bothered, but year,” he explains, after winding down a in the band back then. “There was a lot orgy of tight, trebly guitar leads, regi- as we begin the interview, Philippakis little. “It makes you a little crazy. When of war.” It would seem that they thrived mental vocals and coldly efficient synth, does not seem in a particularly chatty it’s just the five of you together all the on such tension though, as he and without even the slightest whiff of a mood. Early questions are met with one time, you form your own reality; you Mears remain best friends. power chord. Take one listen to Bal- word answers or other questions and forget there’s a real world outside of it.” Before Foals formed, Philippakis loons, released as a single in December, sources of information are enquired It’s also worth bearing in mind that and drummer Jack Bevan played in the if you are unconvinced. Whether they about defensively. “Have you listened to the five members of this band are still rather good but now defunct math-rock are derivative or not, though, is largely the album?” he demands when I en- quite young; Philippakis himself is just outfit The Edmund Fitzgerald. Consid- P5FEATURE

Last year, Philippakis was placed on the NME Cool List 2007 at number 45. I wondered what his reaction to such a dubious honour was (he was topped by not one but two members of the Klax- ons, the guy from The Enemy and, er, Brandon Flowers’ moustache, amongst others). “Well, you laugh and drink more tequila, don’t you? It’s just a bit of fun; it’s not really important.” Having said that, it would appear that Philippakis feels the media is some- thing that Foals can use to their advan- tage. “If we can get exposure, people will listen to the music.” Fair enough, al- though, one gets the feeling that he isn’t completely comfortable with all of the ways they’ve gone about getting said ex- posure. On the topic of their appear- ance on E4’s Skins a few months back, his comment is brief. “They just asked us, so we did it.” Media coverage is useful, but praise from other, well-established acts may be invaluable. Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke is a vocal fan of Foals and his band took them on tour a few months ago. I asked Philippakis how he found playing the indisputably wretched Phoenix Park Big erably more challenging, but by no record than on it. We came back think- Top. “Actually, that was one of the bet- means less rewarding, you can down- ing and feeling differently about music ter ones on that tour. We never thought load some of the old band’s tracks at and about the industry”. Philippakis was we’d play for that many people.” foalsband.com. I enquired about the Positive life experiences aside, there Playing in a 10,000 capacity venue is distinct difference in sound between the was some unpleasantness after the band placed on the certainly a big step up from the house two acts. “In Foals, we wanted more di- decided that they were uncomfortable NME Cool List parties Foals played when they were rect communication with people. When with Sitek’s final, reverb-drenched mix starting out. If you search for videos of we were in the Edmund Fitzgerald, we of the album and remixed it themselves. 2007 at 45(he the band on YouTube you’ll find, among were like 16 and 17 and that was the “There were some bad feelings between a delightful selection of equestrian- kind of music we wanted to play at the us for ages. I didn’t like it; he would’ve “was topped by themed clips, footage of the boys play- time. I think the progression was some- kicked my arse if it came to that. But we ing in a friend’s bedroom, a few dozen thing natural.” kissed and made up later on.” Would not one but two revellers squeezed in to the room with With Jimmy Smith on guitar and they ever work with Sitek again? “No; some difficulty. Walter Gervers on bass, the band re- well, I don’t think he’s producing other members of the Regardless of where they play, leased their first single in April 2006. bands for a while anyway,” Philippakis Klaxons, the guy though, they’re undeniably an impres- After Mears’ departure, they recruited decides, somewhat diplomatically. sive live act. Generally standing quite Edwin Congreave on keys and the line- Lyrically, the diminutive front man from The Enemy close together and facing each other up was complete. can be difficult to pin down; I asked him with guitars up on their chests, legs and Interestingly, Congreave had never whether there was any grand message and, er, Brandon elbows twitching like insects, they gen- played in a band before he joined Foals, on the album. “There’s quite a few erate a powerfully tense on-stage en- nor had he really played keyboards. Re- themes going on; it’s all quite abstract. Flowers’ ergy. “We started out playing in people’s sponsible for most of the band’s online It’s about clutter, space, escapism. I houses, but I think we like more to be blogging, he recently declared the don’t write songs about breaking up moustache, outside our comfort zone. Now, every- group’s support for Barack Obama in with my girlfriend. I think it kind of un- amongst others). thing feels right.” the race for the Democratic candidacy. does itself if you’re too blatant about Now very much seems to be Foals’ “Yeah, that was a joke, Edwin’s sense of lyrics or if you talk about them too time, with many commentators singling humour is quite dry. When you put that much. The point with this album is it’s them out as the ones to watch for 2008. kind of thing up there, though, the next more visual. It’s like the idea of you Such predictions may well prove accu- thing you know, people are asking you leaving your house and someone com- rate; the band have the pop sensibility all these questions about your political ing in and redecorating it while you’re bled.” to win themselves fans but are creative views.” Is there a place for politics in away. Like something familiar that you While the band remained unsigned, enough to maintain credibility and to pop music? “Well, Bono exists, doesn’t then have to re-interpret.” Philippakis studied English Language keep the critics happy. In Philippakis, he? I think we’re too self-involved. We Philippakis himself is similarly diffi- and Literature, along with Congreave, at they have a front man as enigmatic as just stay at home and smoke weed.” cult to figure out. Over the course of the Oxford University. “If you like” reading he is nervously energetic on stage. Most As previously mentioned, the band’s interview, he moves from hostile and books, it’s great,” he recalls. It seems importantly, though, they have the qual- debut album is out in March. I asked impatient to friendly and candid; alter- though, that reading books simply was- ity tunes necessary to make it big. Philippakis why they chose to work with ing between the two every now and n’t enough to keep him there. “I didn’t Whether or not their sound has a producer Dave Sitek (who has worked again, but constantly maintaining a really fit in, I felt quite socially out- lengthy shelf-life, though, remains to be with Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Liars as well sense of aloofness. That he might suffer casted.” Once they secured a deal with seen. While they’re here, though, (and as his own band, TV on the Radio). from Asperger’s disorder is hinted at Transgressive Records (the UK home of still playing small venues) it would be a “Well, we were quite into TV on the but not confirmed; he tells me that a few Iron & Wine, the Shins and the Young shame not to enjoy them. Radio, but it was mainly because he of- members of the band suffer from the Knives, among others), he dropped out fered the most resistance to us. He’s a autism spectrum disorder, but does not of his course to concentrate on the Foals play the Academy on 20 April. An- massive bully, really, but he had a huge go into specifics. He is explicit about band. Would he ever consider return- tidotes is released on 24 March. The new influence on us, more outside of the one thing, though: “We’re all fairly trou- ing? “Not for the foreseeable future.” single Cassius is out on 10 March. FILMP6

What happens when an actor dies during the production of a !lm? The show must go on!

Words: Stephen Kenny

ike all Batman fans I was are many actors who have been cut documentary Marilyn: The Final Days. left watering at the mouth down in their youth. Brandon Lee, son James Dean’s sudden death in 1955 in a after the release of the Reed, who was of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, died horrific car crash meant that the 24 year trailer for The Dark Knight in 1993 while filming The Crow. He was old never saw the completion of Giant. in December. After the playing the killed in a freak accident in which a In the last scene of the film in which successL of Christopher Nolan’s revamp prop gun that had a bullet lodged in the Dean makes a drunken speech he of the franchise in 2005 with Batman character barrel shot him in the abdomen causing mumbled so much that it had to be re- Begins, it is unsurprising that his second him to die later that day. A stunt double shot and re-worked after his death. instalment of the Batman story is one of Proximo, with Lee’s face superimposed upon him Therefore the recent death of Heath the most anticipated films of the “ collapsed on the was used to shoot the remaining scenes. Ledger as an actor committed to a summer. The movie sees the return to 1993 also saw the death of River project comes as no great shock to the the screen of cinema’s most iconic floor of a bar in Phoenix who died from a drug overdose industry. While The Dark Night will super-villain, the psychotic and twisted outside the famous Viper Room in L.A. certainly be released the future of The Joker. Playing the role was actor Heath Malta dying from Aged just 23, Phoenix, who was touted Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is still Ledger; his untimely death on 22nd as the most promising actor of the early uncertain, although all indications are January has cast a shadow over the a heart attack. 90s, had before his death been that it will eventually resume release of the film. Although Ledger’s nominated for several awards, including production with someone else (rumours involvement in the production process an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his mention Johnny Depp) assuming was complete before he died and the performance in Sydney Lumet’s 1988 Ledger’s role. film will be released in July, his death film Running on Empty. At the time of The legacy, however, that Ledger threw into jeopardy Terry Gillingham’s Fortunately the very competent his death he was in the process of leaves is still to be determined. His newest project The Imaginarium of Michael Gambon was re-cast in the role filming George Sluizer’s Dark Blood recent performances, particularly in Doctor Parnassus, in which Ledger was and the Potter movies have continued but the film was scrapped as certain key Brokeback Mountain, indicated his cast in the lead role. Ledger to enjoy great success since. scenes involving him had yet to be shot. coming of age as an actor. At only 28, he unfortunately is the most recent in a One of Harris’ former co-stars, He was also set to co-star alongside Tom died like so many before him while long line of actors to have died leaving acting legend Oliver Reed also” died Cruise and Brad Pitt in Neil Jordan’s entering the prime of his career and it is projects uncompleted and casting doubt before the completion of his final Interview With the Vampire. Christian a shame that yet another young star over the future of certain productions. project- Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator. Slater subsequently played this role in should die before realising their full In 2002 Limerick-born actor Richard Reed, who was playing the character this film. potential. The youthful deaths of Harris died aged 72 of Hodgkin’s Proximo, collapsed on the floor of a bar Two of cinema’s most iconic actors Monroe and Dean immortalised them disease. This was just before he was due in Malta dying from a heart attack. He also left behind unfinished projects. as screen icons and although I am not to begin working on Harry Potter and had not finished filming all of his scenes Marilyn Monroe’s controversial death suggesting the same fate for Ledger, do The Prisoner of Azkaban, in what would and certain segments had to be digitally in 1962 was in the middle of her not be surprised if his performance as have been his third screen appearance manipulated to complete production at shooting Something’s Got to Give with the Joker haunts your nightmares this as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. His an estimated cost of $3million. Dean Martin and Cyd Charisse. The July and heightens his legend as an death left the Harry Potter franchise in Reed and Harris both died in the film remains unfinished and only clips actor from whom the best was yet to crisis, struggling to replace him. twilight of their careers, however there from it have appeared in the 2001 come. P7FILM

isney and the Disney Disney, and they do it well. The !lm is Channel have been so formulaic that you know the around for an awfully beginning, middle and ending at the What’s up with long time. Their opening credits. Is this just a short cut continued success could for lazy !lm watching kids, are they Dbe down to their formulaic children’s being spoon-fed a certain type of !lms full of saccharine sweetness and morality? Or is it how we all learned to High School happy endings punctuated with read !lms and only notice the simplicity wonderfully choreographed set pieces. Films made for television can be Words: Simone successful and work to entertain the kiddies on a dull afternoon, but the Disney’s ‘work Musical? Cameron-Coen success of the High School Musical series is phenomenal. The television premiere had "." million viewers in the hard and you US and #.$ million in the !rst week in the UK. If you Google High School shall succeed Musical you get thousands of sites, both in this white of!cial and unof!cial. The popularity of“ the television show meant high DVD sales of #.$ million copies in the !rst six world’ ethic is days resulting in a second !lm for TV and third to be released in the cinema. there with The protagonists of the !lms are playing teenagers from !fteen to seventeen and bells, whistles are played by actors in their early twenties; the popular Zac Efron, Vanessa and dance Hudgens and Ashley Tilsdale. There is such a huge appeal for the !lms and routines equally large fan-base that traditional school musicals like Oklahoma!, and Pirates of Penzance have been put out to pasture in favour of High School Musical productions. now? Disney’s ‘work hard and you shall What is so appealing about these succeed in this white world’ ethic is there shiny happy teens? Looking at the with bells, whistles and dance routines. It second !lm in the series it seems pretty is not problematised or oblique; it is right standard fare to me. Following on from there on screen. Does this obviousness the Romeo and Juliet scenario (without make Disney more insidious” or safer the tragedy) of the !rst !lm we follow because it’s easier to read? Do kids even Troy and his friends as he learns how to care? Do they care that one of the become an upstanding citizen in the actresses has been posted naked on the world. The moral quandary that he !nds internet? High School Musical $ doesn’t himself in, torn between ambition and put a foot wrong in its production, it’s friends, ends happily with everyone very slick and well timed. Maybe that’s learning their lessons and making the problem I have with it; it’s simply friends. This is standard fodder for bland.

INREVIEW Be Kind Rewind Words: Matthew McInerney-Lacombe

e Kind Rewind, Michel the VHS tapes from the local video store even bigger laughs. Jack Black is in peak Gondry’s latest !lm, of his friend Mike (Mos Def), while his form, while Mos Def proves he has the combines the endearing boss is away trying to save the store from acting talent to match his rap skills. and eccentric with the foreclosure. In order to appease the Gondry’s script is incessantly funny and same success as Juno customers and rescue the store, the two idiosyncratic, while his direction is B($%%") and Little Miss Sunshine ($%%&). have to re-!lm the most popular titles in unfussy and imaginative. Unlike Juno’s However, in the hands of eminently a hilariously low-budget, DIY aesthetic. over-written (and at times contrived) talented director, Michel Gondry, the The subsequent remakes of dialogue, the sincerity of the !lm manages to be funnier and less Ghostbusters, Robocop, Boyz n the sentimentality and the authenticity of emotionally manipulative than its Hood, and especially Driving Miss Daisy the humour make Gondry’s !lm all the predecessors. The !lm tells the story of provide some of the biggest laughs in more affecting and rewarding. Be Kind Jimmy (Jack Black), who becomes recent memory. The !lm is a genuine Rewind is an instant classic: witty, magnetised and accidentally erases all crowd pleaser, one with a big heart and original, and thoroughly unpretentious. MUSICP8

the soft Prize!ghters bulletin Steven Lydon talks to coming Irish scenesters: The Kinetiks.

he Kinetiks are the latest on in their career especially for their home-grown band lively stage performance, a setting in beginning to make a name which the bands songs work best. for themselves in the Irish “Playing live is where its at. I think that’s media. In!uenced by bands important for all bands really, especially Tlike the Libertines and the Strokes, the when they’re starting out. It’s a big part Words: Carolyn Power guys go for an energetic, unashamedly of what we do, and we try to give as much pop-rocky sound that gets straight to the as we can.” Rehearsing in a former ance. Even if, as Baz point without leaving you bloated. We visiting room of Mountjoy prison, the himself said, you don’t spoke to the band shortly before their guys remain down to earth about how know how to do it. performance at the Meteor awards about they play their music. Writing this fresh after a love, life, and what distinguishes them As with many Irish bands however, night out at Mr. Jones in from other bands. there is a danger of not having a theD Pod and then boogieing away in “Haircuts,” deadpans vocalist Gary, distinctive sound. On this point the band Crawdaddy’s, it has been brought home “haircuts and jeans.” I’m reassured by the are very conscious of the need for to me again just how brilliant dancing laughter following the few seconds of originality, as their sights are set higher is - and how very wrong you can get it stunned silence. “I’m only messing,” he than most bands doing the rounds. “Irish if you try too hard, be you a disco adds, “we don’t really think about that bands at the minute have a lot of talent, slinker or a !oorstomper. end of things when we’re writing.” especially that core group of "ve or six First of all, yes, people are possibly Refreshingly, the image of the band leading the charge at the moment,” he looking at you. Yes, they probably will obviously isn’t something that the guys says, “but we don’t want to be just think it’s funny if you dance funny. take too seriously. Likewise when writing another Irish band. We want to go on to And most of us do dance funny. But music, they don’t seem to over- something more than that.” They’re until you learn not to care about these intellectualise what they’re doing. “We making a good start at it, having recently aforementioned considerations, you don’t really have anything speci"c in recorded in Grouse Lodge in Westmeath, will unavoidably dance like a chicken mind when we write songs, I just come a studio which has hosted the likes of stuck in a tarmac puddle, and you’ll get into practice with a riff and we go from Muse, R.E.M. and Bloc Party. The band a crick in your neck from twisting your there. We don’t set out to write songs that plan to release the single “Bite the head around to see who’s watching. need thirty plus plays to grow on you.” Bullet” within the month, and are playing Self-awareness is all very well and The band became renowned early Whelan’s the #$th of February. good, but best pushed to one side when Daft Punk is playing at your house (your house). P6 Secondly, if you’re studying at Trinity for your dance!oor degree, you’re ILM probably going to end up in Doyle’s F sooner or later. Good for you. Now remember: it’s free in, the lights are practically non-existant, the music is lm? ! generally genius and for a while there at least there was a hole in the dance !oor in front of the DJ booth. This is not Citibar (whew); there is no place for smooth and sleek classy dancing (double whew). This is, most likely, going to end up as a heaving, jumping, jiving Arcade Fire mash up; so don’t wear anything that you wouldn’t want beer spilled on (although, as we all will discover sooner or later, those who insist on brinking pints onto miniscule dance!oors should be garrotted). Sneakers are also good, unless you don’t mind the orthopaedic agony of heels. Having said that, after a (considerable) while you pleasantly lose all feeling in your feet. Result. Above all, have a bit of a laugh. So what if you know about # people on the dance!oor; if the rest of them are nice, they’ll welcome mingling (and if they don’t, well, you can always trip them up at the end of the night). And if you get the chance to see #manyDJs live, dance on the bass bins. It’s savage. What happens when an actor dies mid- P9MUSIC

of any number of records from the ten, up to ten new albums, many of them based on their personal preferences. unreleased and by artists you have not Anyone concerned that The Album yet heard of, there is no denying the Join the Club Club might be a sly promotional tool for excellence of The Album Club as a way the wares of the Rough Trade, the record of "nding out about new music. label, should be reminded that the shop However, the culture surrounding indie Extolling the virtues of the Rough Trade album and label, once joined, went their music –in which Rough Trade primarily separate ways in ')*% and remain deals- often appears to place as much club - music education for the masses. entirely separate entities. Previous importance on word-of-mouth and the Words: Nicholas Hamilton albums of the month by artists as process of discovering new music, as on diverse as Richard Hawley, Ray the music itself, and The Album Club is LaMontagne, The Gossip, The Go! unlikely to appeal to purists. Team, TV on the Radio, Arcade Fire and Combining the postal service and Antony and the Johnsons, on a variety internet, CDs and MP(s, The Album y little brother split record shop to survive. Previous visits to of different labels, give an indication of Club is thoughtfully perched between from our two-man Rough Trade’s Notting Hill shop, in the quality of selection made by the tradition and innovation, and sees band, The Love London, where staff were only too shop’s sagacious musical judges. As a Rough Trade carefully feeling its way Handles, a few years happy to advise on where I might "nd a devotee of some time of Rough Trade’s into the future of a very uncertain ago, when it became record by #$’s Brazilian group, The Os excellent compilation albums, industry. However, at a time when the clearM that I was not going to learn to Mutantes, as they did not have any particularly the end-of-year ones, what viability of the format has never seemed play a musical instrument, only come up themselves, and, on another occasion, could be better than to hear the work of more precarious, as a result of the single- with silly lyrics for novelty songs and were eager to hear "rst-hand reports artists that will make its way onto such track, pick-and-mix culture made fantasise about the sorts of records we from that weekend’s All Tomorrow’s best-of collections, in its entirety, the "rst possible by downloading, perhaps the would make and things we would do Parties festival, have con"rmed that time around. most surprising aspect of the concept is when famous. Since the premature – Rough Trade has both of these qualities January brought the arrival, to the in the title: the album. Far from being some might say prenatal- demise of The in spades. And, to the casual and front door, of –as yet unreleased- incidental, Rough Trade’s website Love Handles, however, I like to think admittedly infrequent observer, its tills Harpsichord Treacle by London-based reveals that its decision to base the Club that I have continued to wield a certain rarely appear to be anything other than duo, The Superimposers, of whom I had around albums –rather than individual amount of in!uence over the musical ringing reassuringly. never heard, and a six-track sampler tracks- is based on a high-minded and development of my brother and his new However, rather than resting on its from their record label, almost missionary commitment to the band, making him tapes that open his laurels or burying its head in the sand, Wonderfulsound. As the title suggests, format: ‘Individual tracks’ , it explains, ears to decent music and stear him more Rough Trade is rolling with the the album is a heavily-layered, slow- ‘are a terri"c artistic statements, and in the direction of My Bloody Valentine technological punches. Last August it burning affair, which, although unlikely have their own merit when compiled than My Chemical Romance. This relaunched The Album Club, a concept to trouble the charts in the way some with an overlaying personalised or Christmas, in what I imagine was an act "rst introduced in %$$&. As part of the previous albums of the month have, cultural theme context, but they are not more of recklessness and indifference updated Album Club, staff at Rough delivers &+ minutes of perfectly worked- as ultimately representative or than carefully considered generosity, he Trade, through whose "ngers and ears out and unseasonably summery pop rewarding for the listener as an artist returned the favour by spending his pass all of the most interesting new sounds. As with all monthly deliveries, album’. entire budget for Christmas presents on music, choose what they consider to be the package comes with a fold-out Hopefully, with innovative schemes such a three-month subscription to the record the ten hottest album releases of each guide, in which the selected band gets as The Album Club, independent record shop Rough Trade’s Album Club, for month; for the price of £'& (£'%, if you the opportunity to discuss their shops like Rough Trade and the musical me. live in the U.K.), they send the best in!uences and introduce their work to formats we have become used to, and Since the ascendancy of music album of this bunch to members of The the public, unencumbered by the words upon which the history of popular music downloading, record shops have had to Club (in either MP( or CD format) and of journalists, and the folks at Rough is based, will still be around, in years to think increasingly of ways to justify their make the remaining nine available to Trade pro"le the nine other albums come, be enjoyed alongside the many existence and keep their heads above preview, at a special online members’ available to preview (this month new ways of listening to music currently water. Specialist knowledge and a area. Those with a bit more cash to spare including new records by British Sea being developed –and the CD (and personal touch have both been can choose to have all ten of Rough Power and Danny and the Champions maybe even compilation tape) will identi"ed as ‘unique selling points’ that Trade’s recommendations sent out to of the World). survive as possible Christmas presents might enable the humble, independent them, or ask the staff to make a selection With the possibility of listening to for younger siblings.

LIVEREVIEW

he recent reformation of the Smashing Pump- renditions of new material or, more disturbingly, fifteen- kins (sans half of the original members) is an minute long feedback-fuelled snore-fests, involving front event that has been met with as much excite- man Billy Corgan stroking his Stratocaster against stacks The Smashing ment as unease among fans. Despite the un- and speakers with masturbatory glee. Unpleasant. questionable awfulness of new album Zeitgeist Despite these reservations, I didn’t leave the gig Pumpkins T(or Shitegeist as one TN2 contributor astutely dubbed it), feeling totally cheated out of sixty quid. First of all, the band live shows have been generally well received, which kept this were on stage for over two and a half hours, so they certainly RDS, 09/02/08 reviewer quietly hopeful as he made his way to the Dublin played for their money. Despite a few questionable choices, show earlier on this month. they chose a refreshingly eclectic set, including wonderfully Things started off rather well with Porcelina of the unexpected songs such as Lily (My One and Only) and the Words: Hugh Vast Oceans, an inspired choice for set-opener, with its charming Thirty-Three b-side My Blue Heaven. They also McCafferty lengthy build-up and thundering chorus entry. Next song Be- knocked out new, heavier versions of old songs, such as Ava hold! The Night Mare didn’t quite follow the trend, being Adore and Daydream that worked remarkably well. This passable album filler at best. It could be said that the rest of willingness to play about with the set and not to just churn the night followed a similar pattern. At points, the band out the hits was refreshing and, at times, surprisingly satis- would raise the crowd to an ecstatic high with a thoroughly fying. rocking rendition of the likes of Tonight, Tonight or Today. A mixed night then, but by no means a disaster. My Invariably, though, such highs would be followed by token inner fourteen-year-old remains intact. FASHIONP10 Following Celebrity Fashion

y this time of year, we all “fashion-obsessed celebrity”; Victoria for crosses and goth-inspired clothes, With the cult of the know what’s on trend in Beckham is synonymous with clothes, David Bowie and the seventiess whole Trinity’s courtyards – flat labels and designer friends. Her recent glam-rock theme made much of con- Celebrity stronger boots, ballet pumps, mini- dramatic hair-dos; from brown and high- ventional society raise an eyebrow, while than ever, how skirts over tights, hippy- lighted, wavy high-maintenance exten- mod-style and Brit Pop, and the skinny Bchic skirts, bold prints and tossed hair; sions, to short sleek dark Pob, to bright suits and long hair of the Beatles was the much in!uence do Ugg boots and tracksuit bottom and tiny bleach blonde and back to dark, should talk of the sixties. t-shirts prevail despite many objections. have seemed like a teenage crying out Before that, Katherine Hepburn the spoilt brats, But do you know where you’re getting for attention, beauty and self-worth; but challenged forties perceptions by be- these ideas? OK, so it seems like D4s on her, nearly everyone loved it – or at coming known for wearing very mascu- rehab visiting live in their own little (mansion-sized) least had an opinion. So much so that line cuts and suits in a time when cocoons and the queen bee sends an there were a wave of copy-cat-cuts, not women were in full skirts and flowered musicians, and email on her diamante-incrusted black- unlike the Rachel-shag of the nineties; prints. posh moguls have berry to state what’s hot and what’s not and lets not bring up Channelle of Big And of course, the pioneer of in Donnybrook. Brother whatever-number ‘fame’. women’s fashion and promoter of on our everyday For the rest of us little people Victoria can single-handedly create women’s emancipation, Coco Chanel, though, we’re influenced by a number of not only a stir in the tabloids or have a created a Britney-like flurry of press wardrobe? things – the music we like, or the body Gucci store closed down for her own when she began a trend for sunbathing shape we have, what time of the month private use; she influences us, the little and took women out of corsets and into Words: Patrice it is (daddy’s deposit in = new people on the street. This year’s obses- the simple classic lines, suits and trousers clothes…), the weather, or how much sion with platform heels was seen on her we associate the brand with today. Marian Murphy walking is involved getting from classes way before they were seen in Barratts, Perhaps it is fitting then, that the to the Buttery and back… But one of and last summer’s bug-eyed glasses kept major trends that we follow on the high- the strongest influences is that of the paparazzi flashes from blinding her; street all trickle down from a few peo- celebrity. yummy mummy uniforms of tight jeans ple in the same position of authority as You can be the one certain for Schols in and tiny t-shirt were undoubtedly her Miss Chanel once was. Hard as it is to your nuclear physics class, you can cite work (towering stilettos optional); and believe that our decisions on what to your biggest inspiration as Nelson Man- doesn’t everyone now recognize a crown wear to class on a drizzley spring day in dela, Susan Sarandon or even your own on the pocket of jeans as Rock and Re- Dublin, may actually stem from the de- grandmother, you can have a strict no public? Her name is constantly linked cisions of a few mysterious ‘people’ two drink, no drugs, no sex policy – but if with high-end designers such as Roland years before the store buyers get to pick you wear black leggings and a over- Mouret and Roberto Cavalli, and her out what Topshop/Pennys/River Island sized top, throw on a few plastic ban- presence at any show gets that show at are going to sell; imagine how important gles and grab a pair of sunglasses least a few always-appreciated column this guy is to your wardrobe! going out the door, well I hate to tell inches; so even though she may be ab- These all-knowing people allow the you, but you’re channeling LA icons horred by the press and is a love-her-or- store buyers to send forecasts to the fab- Lindsey Lohan, Mischa Barton and hate-her character for a majority of the ric companies – so colour and textures Hilary Duff. public – she is undoubtedly an great in- are decided up to a year ahead of the A few of you are reading this, fluence on fashion for the masses. trend; therefore the major fashion standing in the Arts block in It seems we copy anyone who wins houses get a ‘book’ of inspiration of skinny coloured jeans or maybe the favour of the tabloids – and even colour, prints, fabric swatches and even even shiny leggings, short punky those who don’t; Amy Winehouse, con- obvious style motifs…and they create hair, a white t-shirt and clashing stantly berated for everything from al- their collections from this. coloured cardigan, proud of leged eating disorders, unhealthy While this obviously varies from being individual, inspiring and relationships, public breakdowns and continent to continent, and some brave completely uninfluenced by drug problems, was recently pictured designers choose to disregard it alto- contemporary designs….enter after a concert with a pre-teen fan sport- gether, it does explain why so many run- Henry Holland and Agyness ing the gravity-defying beehives and big way shows end up showcasing the same Deyn. chav-‘chic’ claddagh earrings of her idol. thing with slight variations – apparently It’s enough to make In the US, the woman held respon- the designers who show the same trends you wonder if everyone is just sible for the rise of super-young fashion within days of each other have not copying everyone else? Kate icons; the Olsons, Lindsey, Mischa, plucked the same inspirations from thin Moss is one icon famous for her Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton is Rachel air. own style – but being a vintage- Zoe – but again these girls are almost And with celebrities taking their stylist’s junkie, isn’t she just regurgitating more famous for their friendships and word as gospel, and stylists supporting previous decades trends? Sienna parties, as well as their seemingly simul- their favourite designers, designers tak- Miller is supposedly her arch taneous weight loss and the beginning of ing the trends from this future-seeing, nemesis, but if we showed you the now infamous size zero trend, than mind-reading, trend-forecasting ‘oracles’, only their outfits, could you tell any unique dress-sense or trend-radar. it seems our whole wardrobes are pre- which was which? While these particular trends may destined not by who won an Oscar and Dita Von Teese is another icon be new to the noughties, the link with what dress they wore, or who showed up famous for shunning the blonde, controversial celebrities and setting off to rehab with which must-have It bag or tanned, size zero, jean-wearing label a fashion trend is not so recent; consider even what clothes a party girl was seen of celebrity…but the influence of the Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s suicide falling out of cabs in, or even out of. forties and fifties in everything she or Noel and Liam Gallagher’s feud with It seems everything we wear on the wears – albeit more risqué than would Robbie and the nineties mega-trend for Trinity cobbles – and everywhere else in have been appropriate in ‘her’ era. grunge, or Madonna and all her eighties the world – was at one point chosen by And let’s not forget the epitome of controversies, and the subsequent trend a man in an office a couple of years ago. P11FASHION Men who dare to skincare

Cosmetics for Men? Here’s the Why, Where, and What’s-what of skincare and cosmetics for men. Words: Ciarán Durkan

ack in !""" Christian Bale, can lead to pre-mature ageing, dry skin, Irish summers are not noted for aka Patrick Bateman, and wrinkles. There is no point in their long days of hazy sunshine, and introduced his daily looking like a tired and jaded &" year concordantly Irish skin is not known for skincare regime, which old at the age of !!, especially when its tanning abilities. A tanning session is included facial cleanser, a there are things you can do to one option, but not very good for the Bscrub, a detoxifying face mask, and counteract this. skin, unless you are going for the leather moisturiser, a huge range of shower gels There is a new market, which has handbag look, and we Irish have to be and scrubs, and a regular tanning opened up in the past ' years, which extra careful not to get burned. The session. You may have thought this was caters to men’s skin, which is other option is to fake it. I’m not talking something simply afforded to the upper fundamentally different from women’s San Tropezing yourself to match the echelons of New York Society, yet this skin, and requires different products. strange orange colour of some of the was set more than two decades ago, an Even if you have not noticed this girls you see walking around, but rather adaptation of the book, written in #$$# personally, you must have seen the new a moisturizer with a little self tanning by Bret Easton Ellis. Granted it was ads for Nivea Visage for Men, or more lotion included. Recommended is about a psychopath, but a psychopath recently L’Oreal Men Expert, which L’Oreal Men Expert Anti-dull Skin, a with great skin. Since then, popular feature that guy what used to be in Party facial moisturiser with self-tan. It works culture has seen the rise of the of Five, and our own Bond, Pierce in an hour and just gives the skin a heterosexual male, someone who is Brosnan, admitting self worth when it healthy glow, nothing more; believe me, supposed to be in touch with his comes to skincare. its subtle. If you want to go the whole feminine side, has an interest in fashion, If nothing else, invest in a decent hog check out, Clinique, and is not afraid to show it. In other face wash and moisturiser. The Nivea Clarins,Sisheido, Biotherm, Lancome cities around the world the idea of men Visage for Men range and even Boots and Dior for men. There is a huge investing time and money in a daily own range are perfect, won’t break the variety to choose from. skincare regime would not cause the bank and are available in your very own If you have ever wondered why %utter of an eyelid, yet here in Ireland it neighbourhood Boots. If you’re men in magazines, in ads, on TV and in is a completely different story. The wondering boys, that’s on Grafton movies look so much better than the research carried out in a recent article Street, after Burger King but before average man in Dublin, it’s because they “New years guide to Makeup” revealed McDonalds. If you look tired and jaded, are wearing make-up. I realise that this that none of the men interviewed had from a mad night out, or too much study, may be too much for some people to any kind of a skincare regime get an under eye cream; try Revitalizing handle, and in the hands of some men whatsoever. The general answer to ‘what Eye Relief, from Nivea for Men, which out there, it could end up being a total do you use to wash your face with?” was, will help with puf(ness and dark circles. disaster. There is makeup available for shockingly, “water”. And every man should have a lip balm men, which has been formulated to It also should be noted that Irish of some description with them at all match male skin, which is thicker and women have some qualms about the times. A favourite, due to its masculine coarser than female skin. Foundation whole thing, the fear of their boyfriend gun-metal coloured stick, and its lack of will give you an even skin tone, and asking to borrow their Bobby Brown taste and fragrance is Clinique for Men re%ects the light to make your skin look foundation, or Mac concealer has been lip balm with spf#'. This has been the brighter and healthier. This is certainly mentioned a few times; but come on norm for men internationally for years, harder to come by in Ireland, but it is girls and boys, in this country, is that and with the weather affecting the out there. Jean Paul Gautier, perhaps likely to happen any time soon? Oh and hydration of our face and lips it is the (rst mainstream label to launch a girls, if you’re worth it, he is too. Get essential to keep them moisturised to men’s cosmetics range has powder over it! avoid chapping…..even if are man foundations, lip-balms, and Sharp Eyes, There are a few home truths that enough to put up with the pain and a great pen that contains concealer and men in this country should wake up to. annoyance this causes, whoever you may eyeliner, and is worn by Robbie The Irish male, with his pallid be kissing has no desire to touch lips Williams, and everyone’s favourite complexion and fair skin, has many with something that has the texture of Ubersexual David Beckham. If nothing problems to overcome. The sun, albeit crunchy nut corn %akes. else, at least get yourself a cheap sparse in this country, can damage your For the more adventurous, and to concealer from Rimmel, it will cover any skin, not to mention the harsh weather be honest, I think its time you all were, blemishes and spots so they don’t stand conditions of wind and rain that there are many other things that will out so red-raw on the white canvas that constantly attack our face. These factors help enhance your pasty complexion. is your face! BOOKSP12

Paul Earlie surveys the life of a wartime novelist whose work, like so many others of the period, has only recently begun to surface.

Remembering Irène Némirovsky

he last few years have seen Némirovskys fled to Finland, then, as five sections, according in rhythm and a slew of English the Bolsheviks moved ever nearer, to tone. She wrote on the top of the first translations of works by Sweden, and eventually settled in Paris On 13 July 1942, page 'I do not lack the courage to authors previously revered in early $%$%. complete the task/ But the goal is far solely in their mother Irène took to the French capital the inevitable and time is short.' On & June, she set out Tcountries. The 'rediscovery' of authors with ease. She enrolled at the Sorbonne her Will, giving precise instructions as happened: Irène such as the Hungarian writer Sándor and graduated with a distinction in to how her children should be provided Márai (whose novel Embers caused a literature. During these years, as all was arrested and for, even going so far as to provide stir in the publishing world five years through her teens, she indulged a details of their diet for their doctor. ago and was adapted for the London passion for writing and applied herself“after a brief On $& July $%(!, the inevitable stage in !""#) seems to run counter to with characteristic single-mindedness to happened: the French police came the logic of those who decry the gradual her work. Sending her stories to internment, she knocking at the Némirovskys' door. effacement of minority literatures at the magazines, she published a novella in Irène was arrested and after a brief hands of the anglophone juggernaut. $%!' called L'Enfant génial which was deported to internment in a concentration camp at No author seems to have benefited described the seduction of an aristocrat Auschwitz, Pithiviers in the Loiret region, she was more from this literary treasure hunt by a young Jewish boy from the slums deported to Auschwitz. Upon arrival, than Irène Némirovsky, whose first four of Odessa. Irène had no trouble where she died. she was registered at the extermination novels have just been published in an assimilating herself into Parisian high camp at Birkenau, where she died on $' attractive hardback volume by society. In January $%!(, she wrote to a August $%(!. Everyman's Library. Publishing her first friend: 'I'm behaving like a madwoman, In July she had written to her novel, David Golder, at the age of it's shameful. I dance all night long. editor with intimations that she would twenty-six, Némirovsky was born in Every evening there are very chic standing, meaning that Michel no not survive the war: 'My dear friend... Kiev in $%"& to one of Russia's entertainments in different hotels, and longer had the right to work and think of me sometimes. I have done a wealthiest bankers and a youth- as my lucky star has blessed me with a publishing houses were now forbidden lot of writing. I suppose they will be obsessed mother who insisted on few handsome young men, I'm enjoying to publish Irène's work. Forced to wear posthumous works, but it helps pass the dressing her daughter up as a schoolgirl myself very much indeed.' By $%!# she the Jewish star, Irène and Michel time.' The survival of the manuscript of until well into her teens in order to had married 'a small dark-haired man eventually fled the capital and” found a Suite Francaise and various other works assuage a pathological fear of her own with a very swarthy expression' by the large house to rent in the country. Here, is something of a miracle, given the fading youth. From the beginning, name of Michel Epstein. The two Irène took to taking long walks in the turbulence of the times. Most thanks go Irène lived a life of privilege and luxury, moved to a beautiful apartment on the countryside and working in the open to Irène's daughter Denise, who leaving the Ukraine every summer for Left Bank, where Irène's first daughter air. rescued many of her mothers writings the Crimean coast, Biarritz, Saint-Jean- Denise was born in $%!%. It was during this time that she and put them in a suitcase as she fled de-Luz, Hendaye or the French Riviera. In the meantime, Irène continued began work on her most ambitious Issy-l'Evêque. Though some of the When the Bolsheviks put a price on working. By $%&%, she had nine novels project to date, a sequence of five urgency of these works has dimmed in Irène's father's head after the October under her belt, her first, David Golder, novels which would be known as Suite the sixty or so years that have elapsed Revolution, the family were forced into having already been turned into a film. Francaise. Taking Beethoven's Fifth as since Némirovsky's death, the brilliance hiding. Escaping across the border A law passed in October $%(" gave a model, Irène envisaged a book with which they describe France disguised as Russian peasants, the Jews an inferior legal and social constructed like a symphony, written in remains undimmed. P13BOOKS

Walk the Blue Burning Your Mothers and Sons Fields Boats

Author: Claire Keegan Author: Angela Carter Author: Colm Tóibín

Price: €13.99 Price: €15.20 Price: €19.75

Publisher: Faber and Faber Publisher: Vintage Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Walk the Blue Fields is a controlled meditation on modern Aside from nine novels written very much in the grotesque Tóibín's 2006 collection of stories is a surprisingly Ireland: all the standard fodder of the Irish short story is vein, Angela Carter was also a seasoned short story writer, nuanced reflection on that most sacred of familial present and accounted for (the priest, the adulterous wife, publishing four collections during her lifetime and relationships. While the relationship between son and the farmer) yet Keegan's treatment of her characters never contributing a vast amount of uncollected material to mother is important to the stories, it is in no way seems clichéd or laboured. A good collection to start with if magazines and other publications. With an introduction by foregrounded; instead, Tóibín often leaves the intricacies the reader is looking to figure out where exactly the Irish Salman Rushdie (another inimitable stylist), the forty-two of the relation to be teased out by the able and willing short story is nowadays, and in what direction it's heading. stories collected here are mostly written in Carter's dense, reader. Tóibín's modern Ireland is a mix of old and new, sometimes showy language, so the reader is advised to keep where a trad session in one story quickly gives way to a a weighty dictionary handy. beach-side, drug-fuelled rave in another.

Learning how to fend for yourself in the dating wilderness with the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Dating DIY Handbook. Words: Andrew Lynch

he Worst-Case Scenario some way or another. changing their appearance somehow), Survival Handbook: Dating So, for example, the founder of excuse yourself and climb out the and Sex is the sort of book Breast Augmentation and Breast Chapter One bathroom window, or even make you'd expect to !nd gracing Implants Information inappropriate comments about the the tables of Urban (www.implantinfo.com), Nicole ('Defensive suitor's ethnicity. OutT!tter's home-ware section: it's over- Cummings, is drafted in to identify The advice seems to be laid out so the-top, just a little crude, the kind of genuine fakes (here the advice is simple: Dating'), opens that more extreme situations come later book which inexplicably goes missing if it looks to good to be true, it probably with a step-by- in the book, culminating in what seems once you stop hiding it under your is) and a former CIA intelligence agent like the ultimate act of romantic mattress and start proudly displaying it is consulted for tips on how to make a “step guide to desperation: 'How to Stop a Wedding' : on your bookshelf. As the books three quick getaway from a disastrous date 'If you do not have the courage to speak authors point out in the Introduction, ('borrow "our from the kitchen to determining if up during the ceremony, feign a seizure' what distinguishes mankind from the lighten or gray your hair colour'). or pull the !re alarm or prevent the animal kingdom is not trivial things like Admittedly, a lot of the advice your date is an signing of the wedding license or, in the morality or free will, but the culture of occupies a bizarre grey area between most desperate of situations, try and courtship: 'In nature, there are no singles tongue-in-cheek humour and serious, axe-murderer or prevent the marriage being bars, personal ads, safe lunches, or blind Honest Abe advice. Chapter One not. consummated: 'Find out where the bride dates.' The book at least gets brownie ('Defensive Dating'), for example, opens and groom are planning to spend the points for daring to be different: if there with a step-by-step guide to determining !rst night and profess your love one last are thousands of books out there which if your date is an axe-murderer or not: time. If that fails, your only hope is tell you how to !nd Mr. or Mrs. Right, 'Axe murderers are usually Caucasian divorce.' this book will tell at least you how to males in their twenties and thirties. They the victim into the aggressor, as the axe The book closes with a useful escape from Mr. or Mrs. Wrong. frequently behave cruelly towards murderer is just as likely to be turned off Appendix, which includes a template for The authors (David, Josh and animals and may also be obsessed with by an obsessive stalker as the stalker is the 'It's Not You, It's Me' letter, a list of Jennifer - Jennifer apparently added for !re or matches.' by the axe murderer. 'useful excuses' ('Not tonight I have a good measure) have done their The solution, if you suspect your Nevertheless, there's a lot to mull meeting. I'm too drunk. I'm not drunk homework. Instead of coming up with latest squeeze of keeping body parts in over here. Some of the advice is” actually enough. I'm gay. I'm straight. I buy it for solutions to common dating af"ictions his unusually roomy freezer, is of course quite solid and well thought out. For the articles. I warned you about me. It (how to spot breast implants, to 'obtain his social security number and example, the authors recommend three won't stain) and a list of pick-up lines for instance) off their own bat, the investigate him. Call the Federal Prison different methods of escaping from a best avoided: 'Do you have a mirror in authors have consulted various experts Locator Service to determine if he was bad date. Aside from faking an your pants? Because I can see myself in in their !elds: sex therapists, etiquette ever incarcerated. Many online emergency (the book recommends the them.' If nothing else, The Worst-Case instructors, CIA and FBI agents, lawyers, companies can aid in !nancial reports or entirely plausible "My boss just called - Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating bartenders, psychologists, emergency tracking down previous addressees. You she's in Seattle for a major presentation, and Sex makes an excellent gift, to medical instructors, nutritionists, college may also want to enlist the services of a and has lost all her !les. I have to email yourself or any of your more professors, barbers, fashion consultants, private detective.' The trouble with a lot them to her immediately"), the unlucky romantically-challenged friends. dermatologists - all are accounted for in of the advice here is that it almost makes singleton can 'slip away unnoticed' (by THEATREP14 Player’s plays We take a look back at some of the shows produced by the Players them- selves in this past term. Words: Polly Graham and Kevin Brazil Fish Sandy With the Lovely Interludes

ish Sandy With The Lovely of!ce !nds itself amidst woodland Kate Brower and Sam Coll. In this Interludes is a new play thickets. This complexity is manifest fantastical sphere language seemed written in two parts, one by elsewhere, too. The success of the emptied of meaning as the birds Brian Martin and the other apparently realistic scene depended on exchanged word games and anecdotes by Michael Carroll. The Adam’s elaborate stories of his without conviction. They served as a Fdrama moves between two scenes and immediate family and their various contrast to Adam, who was so successful two contrasting worlds; interior and demises, which engaged the audience’s a deceiver because he believed so exterior, realistic and fantastical. The imagination. Manus Halligan’s strongly in the stories he spun. The birds realistic locus is a psychiatrist’s of!ce, the performance as Adam rose to the also seemed to be a lapsed version of fantastical is a wood inhabited by talking, virtuoso demands of the elaborate Adam and Eve (echoing Adam’s man-sized birds. language and complex characterization, reference to his sister – “I know, I know, However lest the audience jump too moving from an endearing oddball, a Adam and Eve”), wading through dead quickly to the simplistic conclusion that favourite of his psychiatrist (played leaves in a wintry, brittle wood, sounding in one world everything is normal and endearingly straight by Amelia Singer), the hollowness of language into the other strange, Martin’s set encourages to a sinister murderer as the plot of nonsense. Carroll’s vignette was perhaps us to be aware of overlaps. Branches Martin’s vignette unfolded. more daring, but ultimately was from the wood extend into Sandra’s The world of the birds was harder to overshadowed by Martin’s half of the of!ce, and the water machine from the enjoy, despite the strong comic paring of stage. The Three Birds

rom Achilles to Oedipus, paparazzi, they hounded Procne for classical myth continues as a interviews and pictures of her baby, Itys, source of inspiration for who was intriguingly played by a contemporary playwrights, puppet. Although the production and Week " saw the eschewed bloodier aspects of the story, productionF of The Three Birds by representation of violence was effective Joanna Laurens, a former RSC writer in in the sharp changes from comedy to residence, directed by Tara Robinson. tragedy. The building, credibly akward The play retells the story of Tereus’ escalation of Noah Wright’s Tereus’ rape of Philomela, but this production passion for Philomela shifted the mood focused less on the graphic details of of the drama unalterably as he clumsily the violence, and more on Laurens’ raped her and cut out her tongue, expressive, poetic language. fearing her threats to announce his Polly Graham, playing Procne, crime to the world. In a play achieved this through languid, preoccupied with linguistic seductive movements around the stage, experimentation, perhaps the most mirroring her character’s passionate, moving moment was seeing the fluid, alliterative language. The set silenced Philomela, powerfully played design by Colm Mc Nally contributed by Mo Loughman, alone on stage to this sense of fluidity, allowing the desperately striking and smacking the Chorus to weave between the walls and floor in a fultile attempt to be audience’s seats as they narrated parts heard. More than anything, this of the play with words and movement communicated the raw emotional or stylised gestures. The Chorus’ impact of this millenia old myth to the language too, was striking: like twenty first century. P15THEATRE

nor am I out of it”, but as the play continued, neither Mephistophales or With such a Lucifer was suf'ciently sinister. Members of the ensemble who Dr Faustus valiant played the pageant of the vices, the pope, his cardinals, and other cameos As part of the Players 75th performance should be commended. Bri Fitzpatrick’s Pope and Cristin Kehoe’s especially anniversary from Dave geriatric cardinal brought important “ comic relief before Faustus’ 'nal and McEntegart, full realization of his damnation. Much r Faustus has been a between Faustus’ book shelf and the of the potential in Marlowe’s powerful production much stage it self, this promised to be an one only ending, particularly the delivery of the anticipated this term. engrossing experience. last soliloquy, which could have been so Dan Herd’s production, However as the play unfolded, wished to terrifying on an empty stage, after the part of the Players !"th apart from Dave McEntagart’s strong, elaborate 'gures of the pageant had DAnniversary celebrations was specially frenzied rendition of the Doctor at its have been a disappeared, was lost. funded and commissioned by Players. centre, the essentials of the drama Faustus did not seem alone – the When one doesn’t have to pay actors or seemed to have been sacri'ced for the closer witness intrusive presence of technical hire a venue, #$%% euro seems a large extras. Marlowe’s poetry was repeatedly sensation distracted from the Doctor’s budget. On entering the theatre, it drowned out by the sound design, which to Faustus’ destruction, and we were left, bereft of seemed to have been well spent. Colm insisted on an atmosphere of Marlowe’s words which are the reason McNally’s set “in the round” literally melodrama. The casting and initial downfall why this play is immortal. With such a drew the audience into Faustus’ world; direction of Mephistophales was valiant performance from Dave the audience took seats around the edge interesting; played as a seductress who McEntegart, one only wished to have of the wooden &oored stage space, did not look at the Doctor until she been a closer witness to Faustus’ turning around to discover they were chillingly announced, “Why this is hell, downfall.

INREVIEW hile it could easily be scaffolding. The scaffolding forms the suggested that the balcony on which that famous scene ” familiar tale of shall be played out but in this instance Romeo and Juliet has it seems foreboding, a dark space that been done to death, predicts the tragic outcome of WJason Byrne clearly begs to differ as he forbidden love. The juxtaposition of the brings the play into its first ever full traditional and the contemporary is Digging up length production at the Abbey. His striking; the virginal figure of Juliet, difference of opinion however, does played by Gemma Reeves, stands out not appear to stem from the same old against an industrial backdrop. This platitudes that we continually hear gothic, dark atmosphere is reinforced about Shakespeare's most famous play, by the sordidness of the masquerade a classic such as love is timeless, their love is ball (complete with DJ), making the eternal etc. Rather his fascination with lovers (Aaron Monaghan playing Words: Kathy Clarke the play emerges from his assertion Romeo to Reeves’ Juliet) seem purer. that there are elements of the play that Their love is however, horribly tainted have been ignored or forgotten, that by the unexplained feud and its have been lost in its familiarization. repercussions, and this is what Byrne This is evidenced in the seeks to expose. production, in which Byrne delves deep The 21-strong cast including into the realms of the forgotten, and in talents such as Liam Carney, Peter particular, the dark web of irrational Gaynor and Karl Shiels, makes this hatred and resentment surrounding the production compelling. While the conflict between the Capulets and themes that are essentially exhumed by Montagues. The extreme use of Byrne make the story worth retelling violence on stage and the vast amount and the production worth attending, of swords, knives and guns, jilt the my one complaint might stem from the audience out of their comfort zone and uncertainty of the setting. While question our expectations of the play. Byrne's decision to refrain from setting We are reminded that, contrary to our the play anywhere in particular can be romantic associations with Romeo and appreciated, the mix-matching of Juliet, it is an extremely violent play. costumes and styles was confusing and Romeo and Juliet's love, while distracted from the action, especially in presented as pure and possessing a the case of Juliet’s skinny jeans. One kind of childish innocence, is set in a glance at them and I was teleported out backdrop of lies, hatred and murder. of this gothic fairytale and back to the Byrne effectively establishes this everyday. contrast by setting it up as a play of polarization. From the moment the Romeo and Juliet by William audience enter the auditorium, we are Shakespeare opened Tuesday 12th aware of desolation and hatred. The February and runs until Saturday 22nd stage is shadowy; shadows cast by an March. 8pm; Saturday matinees infiltration of purple light hitting 2.30pm. Photo by Ros Kavanagh, courtesy of The Abbey Theatre. ARTP16 Words: Nicholas Hamilton Words:

A blast from the past ollowing on from Barry O’Connell Street, the artist has employed sculpture on the street, though only two- shorts, suit and tie etc.) and short, limited Flanagan’s hare sculptures, the LED (light-emitting diode) technol- dimensional, Walking on O’Connell St. movements, which are looped infinitely. which bounced their way ogy most commonly used for illuminated deliberately flouts traditional categories The insistence of the pieces’ titles down the capital’s main advertising and street signs (perhaps not of art. Unsurprisingly, this exhibiting in that, despite their generic appearance, thoroughfare two years ago, the best medium for catching the atten- three dimensions of work that is two-di- they are in fact portraits, based on real Fon the occasion of the gallery’s reopen- tion of the public in this country, you mensional, using a double-sided light individuals, like the sculptures that sur- ing, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane might think, given our appalling record box that is about a foot thick and round them, is disquieting. It raises the has once again decided to extend itself on road safety), to create five, individual, screwed down to a prefabricated con- issue, not only of the nature and source beyond its Parnell Square premises, as animated portraits of people, including crete block, is extremely awkward. of individuality, but also of the very pos- part of its centenary celebrations, with himself, walking down the street –and, in Surely it would have been better to ex- sibility of its existence in modern, glob- four new works by British artist, Julian one case, dancing. Spread out, in be- hibit the work flat against a wall or with- alised, capitalist society. The pieces Opie, on O’Connell Street. As before, tween the sculptures, on the central me- out a pedestal, like an ad box. (While on inquire whether there really is such a Opie’s installations oppose the southerly dian of O’Connell St. and visible, on the subject of advertising, it has to be thing as individuality when, around the orientation of Daniel O’Connell, Jim double-sided light boxes, to people on said that discovery, on arrival at the world, people watch the same TV pro- Larkin and the other national figures both sides of the road, the large, simpli- Hugh Lane, that there is no exhibition by grammes and films, listen to the same commemorated on the street; as well as fied, orange images look like cooler- the artist whose work attracted you music and wear the same clothes, or enlivening the public’s experience of the than-usual, escaped traffic signal men there in the first place–though, admit- whether society has been reduced to a fi- capital, the intention being to guide peo- and women. tedly, plenty of other excellent work- is a nite number of easily identifiable types, ple north, past the Garden of Remem- Walking on O’Connell Street is not letdown and feels akin to false advertis- or target markets; and question the rele- brance, to where the final part of the Opie’s first time using LED technology; ing.) vance and viability of portraiture of the installation marks the entrance to the the medium constitutes a large part of Opie’s installations contradict type represented by the sculpture gallery. The twin celebratory and guiding his practise, with work in the same style everything about the sculptures with around it, in such a society. functions of Opie’s pieces are, however, on display across the globe. While the re- which they share O’Connell Street: Despite some questions about the where similarities with the Hugh Lane’s sults are funky and visually arresting, in through their modernity, movement, form and execution of the work, Walk- previous foray down O’Connell Street the context of the Hugh Lane’s project, technology, scale, but, most of all, beside ing on O’Connell St. is undeniably ar- stop. they also seem obvious and annoyingly all of the street’s important historical resting and cool; it shakes up the dull, Opie’s practise involves the use of explicit. The gallery’s decision to com- personages, through their anonymity. conservative nature of the other work on computer software to create simplified, mission, and the artist’s to execute, work Whereas we can see Daniel O’Connell’s O’Connell Street and asks probing ques- highly stylised portraiture. He is best in a style that is so clearly based on traf- chubby cheeks, William Smith O’Brien’s tions about the nature of individuality known for his portraits of the four mem- fic signs and street symbols, for a project mutton chops and Sir John Gray’s dour and representation, of those willing to bers of Blur, for the front cover of their where a large part of the motivation is to expression, Opie leaves the heads of his pause, for a second, from their busy jour- greatest hits album, though it is his work guide the public to the gallery door, is figures, the most identifying feature of neys. on the famously dramatic stage sets and hardly what can be called subtle. the body, blank –an empty bubble float- For this reason, it seems a shame lightshows of another band, U2, which Exhibited outdoors, on pedestals ing above the body. The installations are that the Hugh Lane has not continued its are most relevant here. For the matter- and visible from the two main points of distinguishable from each other only by projects on O’Connell Street on a more of-factly titled Julian Opie: Walking on view from which people experience their schematic clothes (t-shirt and regular basis. P17ART When Art and Fashion collide

ashion and art have always been closely into the material. Most impressive of all was the tied. Both require their creator’s “Kinetic Dress”, which comprised of an evening creativity, originality, skill and talent to gown embedded with electroluminescent create a piece that is truly spectacular embroidery and sensors that detect the wearer’s and unique. Many designers training movements. The dress gave the appearence of a Fincludes classes in fine art such as painting, simple black gown as the model stood still, but the sculpture and installation work, which seems to instant she moved, the skirt began to glow with greatly influence modern fashion design. This shimmering blue circles that gained in intensity the influence can particularly be seen in the growing more rapid movement. Though assigned to plinths trends in Haute Couture fashion, which have throughout the gallery, the models regularly walked gradually drifted from wearable outfits to include around in the crowd and changed spaces, giving the examples of a designer’s own creativity and with dresses a different context and dimension. many pieces emerging that are more sculptural In this show, the line between fashion and art that wearable. Designers such as Christian Lacroix become so imperceptible that it is impossible to and Jean-Paul Gautier are famous for incredible separate the two. Each dress in itself was a work of creations that exhibit their skill, imagination and art, constructed by the designer’s imagination into constructive talents, but are practically un-wearable practically a material sculpture of ruffles, curves off the catwalk. and cuts. The light elements not only looked The Lightwear fashion show, which took place amazing and demonstrated the technology, but also in Trinity College’s own Science Gallery on the 9th enhanced the dresses by highlighting the silhouette, February, was a perfect example of harmony the cut and construction of the dress and the outfit between fashion and art. The outfits featured were as a whole. A cross between modern light all created specifically for the Gallery exhibition by installations and the highest couture fashion, these the National College of Art and Design, who designs epitomise modern ideas and questions the amalgamated fashion, textiles, technology and art ideas of what is truly classified as “art” and to create these beautiful and unconventional pieces. “fashion”. Styles varied from romantic, full length gowns to The exhibition was directed by the acclaimed sculpted, bodyfitted catsuits and everything in Irish fashion designer Ciarán Sweeney. Sweeney between from intricate cocktail dresses to plastic was personally delighted with the show, stating “It boiler suites. The one element this variety retained was a great pleasure for me to be asked to produce in common was the incredible and fantastical way Lightwear at the science gallery. Fashion is at its they incorporated the theme of light into their most powerful when people interact with it and design. converse around it. The reaction to the event was Over 30 third year fashion and textile students highly positive from students, independent worked on the dresses featured, each of which had designers, models and the audience. I envisage that its own distinct design and method of illumination. this is only the start of science gallery's association Faye Rochford, a third year fashion student, with fashion and I commend the team at the gallery described how her “Knitwear” dress was made for their massive work on Lightwave in general.” explaining “The aim of all the dresses was to be The Lightwear show is an example of how sculptural but also wearable so the models could modern art should be- interactive, tangible, move around. I have always been interested in accessible and aesthetically interesting. Viewers can knitwear so my dress is constructed from knitted relate to the everyday association with clothes and plastic incorporating reflective yarn, with a jersey appreciate the progressive and artistic elements the dress underneath printed in sections with luminous show introduces. So pleased was Sweeney with the dye.” In this way the dress reflected the light in the show that he stated he will be back in Trinity at the room in three different ways, changing the effect end of May to produce the NCAD graduate show. continually as the model moved and emphasising This event is open to the public but sells out very Words and photograph: the luminous and reflective quality of the materials. quickly and details available at www.ncad.ie. Other dresses involved different modes of However wonderful the show will be, it will have a Caroline O’Leary lighting, from light bulbs to light reflective fabrics, difficult time living up to the originality and impact electroluminescent wire to fibre optic fibres woven of the Lightwear show.

UNIQUE ACT- Selected works by Sean Scully, photography by the two artists. Douglas Hyde MAURIZIO BONFANTI- exhibition of the ART EVENTS Carmengloria Morales, Ruth Root, Seán Gallery, Trinity. (until the 6th March) artists new incredible life drawing images. Shanahan and Frederic Thursz which explores Gormleys Fine Art Gallery, South Frederick JACK B. YEATS- Highlights from the Model works that are painted out of necessity. (I’M ALWAYS TOUCHED) BY YOUR Street, Dublin 2. (21st February–8th March) Arts and Niland Gallery, Sligo, including tow of Douglas Hyde Gallery (11th March– 25th PRESENCE, DEAR- 37 new acquisitions by the his outstanding Civil War paintings at the Yeats May 2008) Irish Museum of Modern Art (since 2003) ERIN DE BURCA, URBAN SOLITUDE- unique Museum in the National Gallery of Ireland. including a variety of important artists and perspective oil paintings of Dublin City at the (8th March – 30th November 2008) LOTHAR HEMPLE AND CLAUDE CAHUN- media. (until 2nd March) Bad Art Gallery, 79 Francis Street, Dublin 8. Mixed Media scenes and Surrealist (6th March) EDIBLESP18

INREVIEW: Nothing common about Commons

Words: Beth Armstrong

The dining hall may serve “common” food during lunch, but come the evening, it’s a far classier affair. Photo: Caroline O’Leary

ne of the upsides of took our seats among the students, with necessarily want every night. The meal notes that several of Trinity’s clubs and becoming a Scholar the High Table reserved for Fellows of ended at 7.15pm, with Grace again being societies do host annual commons (apart from the rent-free the College, dressed in their academic said, and everyone leaving straight away. dinners, and cites this as a way to accommodation on gowns. Then came the scraping of seats Talking to the scholars as I ate my meal experience Commons at cheaper prince. campus) is the free, three as everyone stood for the Latin Grace. it seemed unanimous that the meal was Alternatively, he suggests that if a group courseO dinner served every night as part Not really understanding anything great for them, being free. Although E19 of students are interested on attending of the Scholar package. Commons, as the (Trinity? Elizabeth I?) it was short, and for a three course meal is very Commons together, they should contact experience is known, is a tradition respected (with none of the unruly reasonable, with a spare 19 Euros, it may the Catering Department to see if it is centuries old, and unknown to many Scholar behaviour as reported of late) be more appealing to try out some of possible to arrange a lower price, which students, it available to all non-scholars with food being served immediately Dublin’s many eating establishments if seems like an excellent suggestion. within the student body. Having been after. Glasses of Guinness and jugs of it is adventurous food you are after. Another way Mr McGovern suggests told it was an experience worthy of water were placed on the tables, and the However, on the traditional side of students try Commons is by attending Harry Potter, I decided to give it a go, first course, a non-descriptive vegetable things, Commons was great. To eat in the Commencement Commons, which appropriately on the evening J.K. soup with croutons, was served with a historic Dining Hall, with the faces of allows students, on their Graduation day, Rowling was in town. It has to be said, bread roll. It was grand - standard Trinity’s past staring down at you, to attend commons with their family, for commons is expensive. It costs 19 Euro Buttery fare. The main course was roast among academics in gowns, and Latin a price. With a day full of historical to attend, which seems a lot for a dinner beef with yorkshire pudding, roast verse sounding out, it certainly is a customs, it is a lovely idea to mark the which lasts no more than one hour. potatoes and creamed cauliflower. Potter-esque experience. Eugene end of your time at College by showing However, I parted with my cash at the Again it was good, though reminded me McGovern, the Trinity Catering your family one of the traditions of Enquiries Office (situated in West of school dinners. The vegetarian option, Manager agrees that it certainly is an Trinity. To think of the past Trinity Chapel, just beside the Exam Hall) and which I have been informed isn’t usually experience that all Trinity students Fellows and students who have eaten in signed up to eat, which must be done the most inventive, was a courgette and should enjoy. The tradition of Commons that room, at the same time, followed before 3pm on the day you wish to dine. spinach Tartlet, which looked great. is an ancient one, written into the the same traditions, and heard the same Having persuaded a scholarly member Dessert was sticky toffee pudding, with College Statutes - so much so it was Grace certainly makes you appreciate of my class to baby-sit me through the butterscotch sauce and cream, and it was even served (albeit in the Exam Hall) the uniqueness and venerableness of experience I met her at 6pm at the delicious, with fruit also available. All in when a fire destroyed the Dining Hall a Trinity. It truly is an experience which Dining Hall, with Commons served at all the food on offer was grand, though number of years ago. Mr McGovern should be had at least once during your precisely 6.15pm. Unlike the self-service had the aura of school meals. This isn’t a realises however, that the 19 Euro cost, time at College. lunchtime option available in the Dining bad thing, in fact it is arguably for an hour long meal can stop students Hall, commons is served to you, so we comforting, but not something I’d trying out the Commons experience. He With thanks to Aoife Beirne P19EDIBLES

INREVIEW:

Reasonable fare in trendy Ranelagh

eciding to leave the confines of D2 for a dinner sea-salt and parmesan one option chosen. This alternative pizza out with the girls, we opted to head to Ranelagh, choice (potatoes on a pizza?) came in at €12 and looked a village with many culinary delights to chose interesting - completely white, with no tomato base. Although between. After a long conversation on the type the potatoes were impeccably flavoured, it was felt that the lack of food we wanted to eat… burgers, Thai, of tomato made this a weird, but still yummy choice. Two of us DItalian… Café Bar Deli was deemed the winner. With three went for the Tomato, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, pine nuts, other restaurants around town (including on Grafton Street) it goats cheese and basil pesto pizza, though with added was maybe a bit silly to Luas-it out to Ranelagh to have a go at pepperoni on mine in an effort to chose at least one manly dish. the pizza and pastas on offer, however with a menu promising The goats cheese and pesto combination was delicious, with one great food, served with style and at reasonable prices it looked plate scraped clean, although the added richness of the good. The restaurant was hiving, with was definitely a good sign, pepperoni ensured it wasn’t mine! The pizza was €14, with €2 and with a kitchen completely open view to all the diners, the extra for the meat. A tomato, mozzarella, rocket, sun dried hustle and the bustle was mighty, if not a bit too much with the tomatoes, Italian ham and parmesan pizza was chosen, at €15 occasional crash of broken dishes interrupting our meal. The the most expensive at the table. With added mushrooms, it was menu, was as promised varied and reasonable. On the wine described as delicious. With the portions so huge most of us front, the house options were priced at €5.50 a glass. Though per couldn’t finish our meals, so we initially thought dessert would beaker would perhaps be more appropriate, as when the red be out. However, a peek at the menu changed our minds. We wine for the table arrived it was served a la Italian rustic ordered two of the chocolate brownies and ice-creams to share, country style. The red French Cabernet sauvignon and the at €7 each. They were huge, but scrumptious and both plates Argentinean Shiraz were chosen, each easily drinkable. On the were cleared. The bill divided up to just over €20 each. We left food front, we opted to share a starter of Garlic pizzettes with feeling hugely full! Beth Armstrong herb oil, sea-salt and rosemary. These were delicious, crispy and flavoursome and the two pizettes were plenty for four people, 62 Ranelagh Village and reasonable at €6. We all went for pizzas for our main course, Dublin 6 with the parsley, garlic oil, mozzarella, sliced potatoes rosemary, Tel: 496 1886 ENDNOTESP20

Mrs Fixit Sleepy H T More than Dear Mrs Fix-It, I am 21 years old. I very much enjoy parties, and I get S.U. Elections: It’s now a 3 horse friends invited to many of them. However, I’m unable to get race, and with Rob Donohue through an entire party without a nap. For example, running, it promises to be anything the other evening I was at a party from 11pm- 5 am, but boring. Dear Mrs Fix-It, and went for three separate naps. On the one hand, my need for sleep is mildly embarrassing, yet on the I have made a new friend. He is splendid. We other hand, after each nap I awake energised and met while we were out one night and got on ready to have fun again. Have you any suggestions as 10 extremely well. He then invited me to his art to how to remedy this problem? show, and we hung out and drank lots of wine. Then we went to a party. The only Sleepily, Sarah. problem is that I’m not sure what his intentions are. I have a long-term girlfriend,

Dear Sarah, ASHION P and I get the feeling my new chum wants me I can only hope that this is a habit you’ll grow out of F to be his boyfriend. If I question his interest soon. While it’s all well and good to nap during house in me, does that mean I’ll lose my charming parties, there will come a time when you’re at a party Sunny Weather: Hurray Hurray new companion? If I don’t question it, which has no beds available. Unless you train yourself to Hurray Hurray. could it lead to disaster in the future? I’d have a small nap in the bathroom (which could lead to rather not let go of the friendship, he’s very concerns that you had passed out and ensuing amusing. embarrassing explanations), the situations in which Perturbed in Portmarnock sleeping through a party is acceptable are only going to dwindle in number until you reach old age. Though, Young Man, when you are elderly, it’s more than alright to go back to It’s your own fault that you’re in this your old habits of having a sneaky snooze. So really, pickle. You knew full well that you had a you’ve only got to figure out a short-term solution for Tesco Online: They’ll deliver girlfriend when you struck up this new between the ages of 21-60. That’s 39 nap-free years. I’m friendship. I note from your letter that sure you can handle that, right? your shopping to your house you’ve never spoken to your new pal for a minor fee. No more car- while sober- is he actually an rying bags of groceries around interesting person, or, at best, mildly amusing? Need it be resolved? As I town. can see, the consequences of your inaction can only grow more and more hilarious as the days go on. Have you got problems Perhaps leave it for another while- save yourself the hassle and maximise on the social awkwardness that’s of your own that need bound to follow in the coming weeks. !xing? Email Mrs Fixit at Hawley Arms Is No More: Fires in Camden have destroyed both the [email protected] notorious pub and most of the Lock Market. What’ll the mini- goths, indie-kids and tourists do Competition! now? We’ve got a pair of tickets to see Foals play live at The Academy in April to give away to one lucky reader, and entering couldn’t be simpler.

Just be the !rst person to e-mail [email protected] telling us why you think you’re cool enough to get them!

xkcd.com The Lightwave Gallery: Basically an empty nightclub. Waste. Of. Money.

Cover Versions: Alterna-has- beens New Found Glory have covered Sixpence None The Richer’s ‘Kiss Me’. All kinds of wrong.

Real men take care of themselves when it comes to skincare. We tell you why, how and what. how why, tell you We when it comes to skincare. care of themselves Real men take N T