BELFAST TELEGRAPH TUESDAY JANUARY 21 2014 BELFAST TELEGRAPH TUESDAY JANUARY 21 2014 27 26 DEBATENI WHO CAUGHT THE EYE OF FASHIONSPY THIS WEEK IN BELFAST? PAGE 29 q WHY TRYING TO BE HEALTHY CAN SOMETIMES BE BAD FOR YOU: PAGE 31q Letters may also be sent by post to: Letters to the Editor, Belfast Telegraph, 124-144 Royal MARY KENNY: PHILOMENA FILM DOESN’T TELL FULL STORY: PAGE 32 q [email protected] Avenue, Belfast BT1 1EB. Fax: (028) 90554518 Life Better alcohol If parties are not self-serving, they will be fine Second chances When his wife walked out than the ‘alien’ help our young I, LIKE many others, was disap- preparation of government, which This committee worked tire- table society, which can be cannabis drug pointed — if not surprised — that comprised members of all the par- lessly throughout the summer of achieved by political society work- people succeed the Haass talks did not have a ties and had, as its remit, to dis- 2006 and set up sub-committees ing with civil society in a con- he had lost his best friend, JOHN Rentoul (DebateNI, Janu- successful ending. cuss various issues that would to deal with specific items. structive, positive way. FROM joining the gym to learn- ary 9) is right to question the de- There does, however, seem to be form the basis of a fully devolved The rest of the Assembly Politicians should have no fear ing a new language, this month criminalisation of cannabis here, agreement that the momentum government. worked through debates, discus- of elections if they clearly show many of us will have resolved to following Colorado’s decision to do built up within the Haass process I remember that when I, as pre- sions in the chamber and gener- that they can work for the future make positive changes in our his lover and companion ... so. Our failure to control its con- will be continued within the par- siding officer, welcomed the mem- ally made preparations for good of all and not primarily their lives. sumption does not mean it should ties. I remember that, when I was bers to the first session, I pointed devolution. own parties’ futures. But, for each of us who feels be legalised. appointed speaker/presiding offi- out that this was the first time we The people have had enough hopeful about the future, there are Our national drug, alcohol, al- cer of the Transitional Assembly, had a meeting which would not be of fear and intimidation and the EILEEN BELL CBE thousands of young people feeling though harmful to some, is well- we set up a committee for the chaired by an outside person. majority do want a stable, equi- Bangor, Co Down desperate about theirs. understood and plays an Earlier this month, we important role in society: from launched The Prince's Trust Mac- the toasting of great events, to quarie Youth Index, which was a the celebration of the Eucharist. It particularly sobering read. is unlikely that Western civilisa- Picture of the day: out of the blue To read our full report, visit tion could have evolved without it. www.princes-trust.org.uk/mac Cannabis, on the other hand, is quarieyouthindex. an alien drug not fully understood. Better the drug you know. IAN JEFFERS The day that Regional director,The Prince’s Trust (NI) SL Belfast By email Church change Join fight against not just Pope-led coronary disease WE are fighting for everybody I WOULD like to ask a bookie to who suffers with a heart condition give odds on whether or not Pope — from babies born with life- Francis would agree with the ideas threatening heart problems, to Andy White’s in Philip O'Neill's letter (Write the many mums, dads and grand- Back, January 13). parents who endure the daily The first big mistake is in think- struggles of heart failure. ing that all change comes from the But there are still so many peo- top. ple who need our help. I'm sure Pope Francis would be On Friday, February 7 we need embarrassed to think he was the everyone to Ramp up the Red to only hope for the Church. help fight the UK's single biggest Mr O'Neill is also confused killer — coronary heart disease. about the doctrine of infallibility. Visit bhf.org.uk/red, or call Infallibility doesn't mean moral 08000 316 316 for your free perfection; it means guidance in fundraising pack. world turned correct teaching i.e. doctrine. GARY WILSON KEITH KAVANAGH British Heart Foundation (NI) By email HIV a growing Why not mark issue in Uganda The sun rises over flood water still present in fields on the Somerset Levels near Langport yesterday MATT CARDY/GETTY the end of war?

IN recent media coverage of Ugan- HAVING read lots of articles, com- da's new draconian anti-homo- ments and letters, I’m afraid I upside down Online sexuality laws, there has been no still don’t understand why we so mention of the massive and grow- determinedly insist on celebrating ing HIV/Aids problem. who cannot be relieved of respon- younger, more ambitious one. that he meant to include a mega- the beginning of a world war and Recently, Uganda's President Ian Paisley’s sibility for the deaths, injuries How often, when a new manager, lomaniac whose entire life has not the end of this occasion of Museveni publicly took a HIV test and losses suffered by everyone or director, takes over a company been motivated and fuelled by death, misery and destruction. to raise awareness of the epidem- wrath for DUP who lived here. A man who does he bring friends and acquain- enraged hatred — often against ic among the population. Cur- brought lots of others to the fore- tances into the company with him his betters — and caused untold SONJA KARL rently, there are 1.5m people with successor front of fame and fortune. And, as to try and ensure none of the ex- misery. It is comforting to know Bangor As the Belfast-born star comes home for HIV in Uganda and one million it seems, was cast aside by those isting staff, who feel resentful that that his dreams of ongoing polit- children orphaned because of same people in his moment of he got this position, will try to ical domination of Catholics/na- Please note that letters should a gig, he tells Ivan Little of the pain Aids. In all, 7% of the adult Ugan- So this is an epilogue of a man weakness. As far as Peter Robin- oust him? Is it possible that’s why, tionalists are in tatters. be short and to the point. da population are living with HIV. who rose to fame and greatness on son, Nigel Dodds et al, it is a case in industry, we do not always have Europephile Letters will be edited as following the break-up of his marriage How these statistics interplay the backs of others, established a of a collective “Et tu, Brute?” the best people in key positions? deemed necessary and should with the Uganda government's Church, several forces to defend ArthurM1 Paddywakk I'm not usually one for schaden- be authenticated with a full Off balance: splitting with his wife left Andy White in turmoil new laws is a matter for further Northern Ireland, through his in- freude, but watching the DUP name and postal address, not n his teens, Andy White called How Things Are, which is far from family andPHOTO: friends DARREN to talKIDDk discussion. fluence caused a hatred of Catholi- Did he not realise that “That’s ‘Do not go gentle into that good self-destruct over the coming necessarily for publication. A used to hide behind a pil- full of new songs which he wrote to and instead wrote about it all in cism in the minds of many, or life”? It happens everywhere, even night/Rage, rage against the dying years is going to be a whole lot of daytime telephone number lar on the stage of Belfast's about the breakdown of his 19 songs. I didn't go back to them for MARGARET HICKEY stirred that hatred up in the minds in the animal world, where the of the light.’ Thus wrote Dylan fun. Death by a thousand cuts. would also be useful. Errigle Inn because in the year marriage — a split that was- quite a while and initially I By email in which it was dormant. A man lead animal is ousted by a Thomas. But I very much doubt Coilsandco eyes of the law he wasn't n't of his choice. thought about bringing them out Iold enough to be playing his Just listening to the intimate in a double album but this is the music there. But the lyrics is hard for an outsider and first chapter.” singer/songwriter won't be it doesn't take a febrile imagina- Andy's Swiss-born wife Chris- shying away from anything tion to realise just how difficult it tine told him that she wanted to as he returns an older and must have been for Andy to write start life again and that no-one Off balance: splitting wiser man to his cherished the songs at a time when the pain else was involved. In the songs with his wife left stomping ground from his of the collapse of his relationship Andy writes of his regrets and of Andy White in turmoil new home in Australia later was raw. But it was clearly his “living in a brand new hell” in this month. way of coping. the aftermath of the break-up and The 51-year-old sometime poet He says: “It was a very instinc- of wishing she’d told him sooner. will be showcasing an album tive thing to do at the time. I was CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 BELFAST TELEGRAPH TUESDAY JANUARY 21 2014 TUESDAY JANUARY 21 2014 BELFAST TELEGRAPH 28 LIFE LIFE 29

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One of the last lines he sings on the album is “I don't make ... great break-up albums you happy — that's the end of the story”. SPY In notes which accompany the There’s nothing quite like a songs such as When All Is Tuesday fashion record Andy writes: “She walked relationship meltdown to Said And Done, Slipping and I'd lost by best friend, lover create some great music, as Through My Fingers and and companion ... Love at first these famous names discov- One of Us Kerry McKittrick checks out the style in Victoria Square, Belfast sight? Yes that Romeo and Juliet ered: moment does exist. I know how n Bruce Springsteen lucky I am that it happened. Even n Fleetwood Mac Tunnel Of Love (1987) PICTURES BY BRIAN LYTTLE/PRESSEYE just once is amazing.” Rumours (1977) With lyrics such as ‘Another The sentiments are obviously The TransAtlantic band’s fight and I slam the door/ intense and highly personal for seminal album was record- Another battle in our dirty Andy, but he knows they'll res- ed against the backdrop of little war’, Springsteen Monthly Monthly onate with thousands of people Christine and John McVie’s poignantly captured the spend spend who've been through a similar marriage breakdown relentless demise of his £100-150 £200 break-up. And, while the album and Lindsey Buckingham whirlwind marriage to may be wracked with sadness, it's and Stevie Nicks’ tempes- model and actress not from the Leonard Cohen tuous relationship, Julianne Phillips, in wrist-slitting school of misery be- while the marriage what is regarded as cause Andy's melodies — a mix of Mick Fleetwood him- one of his most rock and acoustic folk — often self was disintegrat- personal albums belie the words. ing. Despite such “For me it is a kind of uplifting unpromising origins, n Alanis and beautiful thing as well as the album went on to Morissette (left) being a traumatic thing,” he says. sell over 40 mil- Jagged Little Pill “As soon as you put something to lion copies (1995) music it engages emotions in a re- A broken af- ally joyous and positive way and n ABBA fair with it is something that just telling the The Visitors actor-comedi- story couldn't convey.” (1981) an Dave It feels almost like an intrusion The Swedish Coulier to ask Andy to talk in more depth quartet’s final helped about the marital difficulties that album flavour this Rachael Christine he's put down in song but he's Happy family: Andy White with followed the Nineties clas- willing, if not happy, to elaborate. son Sebastian and (below, from divorce of the sic, which Westwood (22) Armstrong (24) He says he didn't see the end of left) Andy in Belfast in 1989, and quartet’s two includes the the marriage coming. “It was re- his sisters Ali and Cathy, (below couples and strident song ally bad when it happened, but we right) his father, former Belfast included You Oughta are getting through it.” Telegraph writer, Barry White such wistful Know The couple's student son Se- bastian lives in Melbourne with Andy and he sees his mother reg- Ireland. He left to study and grad- Andy is keen to pass on his ex- ularly. Sebastian was born in uated from Cambridge in 1984. perience to young musicians in Student, Nottingham PR executive, Belfast Belfast and lived with his parents But his first single in 1985, Re- Australia and he's been record- Wore what? Coat, £15, shirt, £15, jeans, £15 all Wore what? Coat, £40, Primark; blouse, £28, in Dublin before they moved to ligious Persuasion, was his early ing a number of them in his stu- from New Look; boots, £20, Asda; bag £8, Topshop; leggings, £20, River Island; boots, £120, Australia in 2002. take on the Troubles. The punk dio. Primark. House of Fraser; bag, £60, Zara. Away from his studies as a revolution in Belfast had shown He's happy, however, that his Why? I like shirts and jeans with leather jackets, Why? My style changes depending on my mood. graphic designer, Sebastian, who young singers like Andy that they son has no plans to become a full- so I’m not particularly girly. I don’t like anything It’s probably classic but girly. I don’t like it when travelled extensively with his dad didn't have to go to Los Angeles to time musician. too pink or glittery, or anything with diamante. people wear clothes that are too tight — I don’t on his musical journeys, is also a record their music. Instead, he “He's lived in a musician's fam- Who? Kate Moss and Kate Middleton have nice, mind what size a dress is, as long as it fits. drummer. He first learnt to play ‘Playing with my son on album went to Randalstown. ily long enough to know that he's classic styles. I don’t like how Rihanna dresses, Who? I love Molly King from The Saturdays as she “Punk gave me and the group going to have to choose some- though — she shows too much flesh, and I’m not has a classic but feminine style. I don’t have much Therapy, who were also at the stu- thing else,” Andy says. “I've al- a fan of that. time for chavvy styles like Tulisa’s. ‘I stood on the dios at the same time, the confi- ways brought him up just to enjoy dence that you could record for music and not to think about it as steps of Good yourself in Northern Ireland.” a career, though he would be good Religious Persuasion was even- enough.” Monthly Monthly Monthly Vibrations to tually released by the revered Stiff Andy, whose sisters Cathy spend spend spend was a real bonding experience’ Records label in England and Ali are actresses, has £100 £200 £50 get autographs’ and Radio One DJ Jan- been spreading his ice Long picked it up, creative wings with playing it regularly other artistic pur- on a little set of drums Andy “I've never had a real plan about schoolmate, Glenn Patterson, who on her show, which suits. He's writ- bought for him in the Argos store where to go and what to do,” he along with Colin Carberry, has opened doors — ten two Lagan in Great Victoria Street in Belfast says. “I just go with the flow and received a BAFTA nomination and ears — across Press volumes of for £9.99. He plays on the album follow the opportunities. Dublin for the screenplay. the UK. poetry and an which was recorded in Andy's was becoming too expensive to “They asked me to write a His first LP — often hilarious home studio — The Growlery. live in. And things were happen- piece for the introduction of the Rave On, Andy book called 21st “It was a real bonding experi- ing in Australia for me and we de- film and it was a real honour,” White — was also Century Trouba- ence,” Andy says. “It's really just cided to move to Melbourne. I Andy says. “I remember I was on driven by his feelings dour which, along the two of us on the album, apart liked the idea of Sebastian having the steps of Good Vibes when I about politics and vio- with a double CD of the from a girl who added strings. the chance of growing up in a was 14 or 15. It was almost too lence here. same name, is essentially Looking around to see my son summery outdoor life.” cool for me to go in but I used to “I wanted to bring something an account of the good times and playing the drums was a really Another major break was his queue up to get autographs.” beautiful out of the chaos,” he the bad times of a singer on the big deal.” collaboration with Aboriginal says. “That is what a lot of what art road. But wasn't it tough for him to singer Christine Anu on Coz I'm e adds: “I was knocked out is about.” There’s preparatory work going Melissa contribute to an album charting Free, a song about iconic Aus- by the film. I was 10,000 Many of Andy's subsequent 10 on to turn Troubadour into a stage the end of his parents' marriage? tralian 400m Olympic medal win- Hmiles away but it took me solo studio albums have also been play and the Australian writer Samantha Copeland (23) “As a drummer he didn't focus ner Cathy Freeman, which was right back to Belfast. The crowd autobiographical, ranging from Kieran Carroll is confident that in on the lyrics. Drummers main- performed at the Sydney games. went crazy for it. his observations on his travels or the show will hit the road. Seaton (21) ly concentrate on the feel of the Still, coming back to Belfast is “And for me it was particular- his early days as a father. “It’s a fantastic journey about song,” Andy says. always special for Andy. “I can't ly special because my son Sebas- But the response to the Troubles the joys and hassles of gigs from Andy feels totally at home in wait to come home,” he says. “And tian was there too. I was delighted songs like Religious Persuasion Alaska to Italy,” says Kieran. Holly Australia but doesn't know if it the Errigle holds a myriad of that he could see a little bit of still surprises him. Andy is optimistic too, adding: will always be home. memories.” Another outstanding memory is “I grew up with Moondance ito. It can be Carrickfergus and what life was like in Belfast in “I didn't think they would mean “I've seen a first draft of the play. McCusker (19) He says he always thought he Not only did he take refuge of seeing Van Morrison singing a and Astral Weeks and they're re- Ballymena if you want it to be. the ’70s’ and ’80s.” anything to people outside North- And it's great. I would love it to be would return to Ireland, but adds: behind that aforementioned pillar couple of songs with James ally deep inside me. I listened to And you can make it feel like po- Andy, whose father Barry was ern Ireland. But even if they don't staged back home in Belfast. Paediatric nurse, Belfast Nursery assistant, Belfast “It looks good in Australia at the so that no one would catch on Brown's All Stars in 1984. He was Astral Weeks last week with tears etic reality wherever you are and an acclaimed writer for the Belfast understand the words they can Which is where it all began.” Wore what? Jacket, £50, Superdry; jumper, £18, Wore what? Hat, £8, Dunnes Stores; coat, £50, Student, Belfast moment” that he was underage as he played also to play support for Van on his in my eyes,” he says. reach out and touch people's Telegraph, says he had a “lucky up- understand the attitude of it.” Tesco; disco pants, £25, New Look; boots, £20, Next; top, £10, H&M; skirt, £10, Exhibit; shoes Wore what? Coat, £110,Topshop; dress, £20, H&M; bag, Andy visited there after he bass guitar in the upstairs music No Guru, No Method, No Teacher “The way Van puts Belfast street hearts.” bringing” in the midst of the Trou- Even now, nearly 30 years later, Andy White will be is playing at Primark; scarf, £10, Next; bag, present. £17, River Island. £25,Accessorize; shoes, £30, New Look. formed a group called ALT with lounge, but his music-teacher tour of the British Isles a couple of names into his songs was just as Recently, Belfast came to Mel- bles but adds: “They did affect Andy still includes Religious Per- the Errigle Inn, Belfast, on Why? My style is a bit rock chick so I go for leg- Why? I go for a vintage style with bright colours Why? I like colour and I’m very girly, so I wear lots of former Split Enz and Crowded grandmother also lived just a few years later. He admits the Belfast inspiring as punk groups having bourne in the shape of the pre- everyone.” suasion on his set-list because it's Thursday, January 30. For details, gings and jeans a lot. I don’t like floral print tops and I’m not afraid to be a little different. I don’t dresses.Thing like trainers with heels just make your feet House musician Tim Finn and doors away from the Ormeau singer was a huge influence on their records played by John Peel. miere of the Terri Hooley biopic Andy was writing poetry from such a crowd favourite. “I was visit www.errigle.com. His new or trousers. wear anything that’s too short or revealing. look really chunky, though. ex-Hothouse Flower singer Liam Road pub. him and there's a nod to Morri- “I always wanted to do that too, Good Vibrations, which was writ- the age of nine and it was influ- taught that you should always album How Things Are, is released Who? I like what Fearne Cotton wears as long as Who? Alexa Chung has a nice vintage style but Who? I like Dannii Minogue’s style, as she likes block O Maonlai. The permanent move “Part of my childhood was spent son's music on a song called Sep- to be proud of the names. It does- ten by Andy's “oldest and clos- enced by what was starting to sing the songs people want to through Floating World Records on it’s not too girly. Cheryl Cole is too over-dressed Lady Gaga is too out there for my taste. She takes colour and dresses, but Nikki Minaj takes colour too far came later. in her house,” says Andy. aration Street on the new album. n't have to be Memphis or Sausal- est” friend and former Methody happen on the streets of Northern hear,” he says. February 17 for my taste. ‘different’ to another level! with lots of neon.