From Russia with love

Here's the new tune of the month thanks to Ben, an amalgamation of DnB and dubstep, very minimal, very nice. A whole new sound coming out at the mo, let me know your thoughts.

End of an era or a fresh start?

After four months of making the weekly commute to London, next week will be my last. My internship, which at times seemed to have gone on forever, has finally come to an end. It does only seem like a few weeks ago that I started down there and I am only now really feeling comfortable in the office. However, I feel I have gotten to the point where as an intern, I cant really learn that much more, but what I have learned is loads.

I started back in November, for a small charity/development organisation called World Emergency Relief (WER). WER is mainly aimed at helping disadvantaged and impoverished children form around the world by setting up various projects as a means of sustainable development. They are a really good organisation who are very committed to helping children around the world. I have felt really fortunate to be able to work here, as the people have been great and made me feel part of the team. Coupled with the fact that I have been given proper work to do rather than just admin duties I am really grateful for the opportunity they have given me.

One of my tasks has been involved in writing various news articles for their websites and other online resources, a couple of which have been published on Reuteurs Alertnet. It is down to my work here that I have found I actually enjoy writing, especially from a more of a journalistic viewpoint. I have also found that I have made a real contribution to the work they do overseas, especially during the Haiti crisis.

I believe that internships, with the right companies, are really good for helping young people like me gain some work experience in the field that they want to move into. I know there are lots of arguments for and against unpaid voluntary work. My mum recently showed me an article her neighbour had showed her in the Mail. Now you know my opinion on the Mail so we wont go into that. But it basically was against internships pointing out how companies exploit graduates. I do believe there are some bad internship programmes out there and some interns are treated poorly, but in all of the cases the article highlighted I didn’t understand why the intern didn’t just leave. For me there is more to life than worrying about getting a good reference, especially when you feel someone is taking advantage of you as this article argued. As long as you know the company and know exactly what they are expecting of you then there should not be a problem. Half the reason for an interview is for them to assess you and you to assess them in a way, find out what they are about. From the outset, WER made it clear that they always had interns, what my role would be and that unfortunately there would be no job at the end. I knew that I was doing them a favour, by working for free, but at the same time they were doing me a favour.

Obviously I was only able to do the internship because I mates in London whos flat I could crash at a few times a week. This is where the argument against internships comes in, arguing they are only for people who can afford them. Well, Ive been on the dole throughout and only just got by, maybe it is more of a rich mans role, but I think it is achievable but only if you have good friends who are willing to put you up for free!

Im not going to miss the commute to London every week, or sleeping on a mattress on the floor, or constantly being skint. However, I will miss spending time in London and hanging out with some of my best mates. I enjoyed the work I did, but I enjoyed more just getting away from home, as bad as it sounds, but at 24, Im sick of still being at home. I think London is a great city, such a vibrant atmosphere, and so much to do. I cant wait to move there, if I ever do. For now its back to the pub full time and the continuing search for that elusive job!

Get your groove on!

Here's a little taste of some of the music I like, just in case you didn't know! This set is by a DJ called Umek playing out some sick techno, why wouldnt anybody like this...

DanceTrippin 129: Umek @ Space Ibiza from DanceTrippin.tv on Vimeo.

Smoking doesnt cause cancer...Facebook does!

My friend Ben recently posted a link to me about an article written in the daily Mail. Now being a liberal left Guardian reader I tend to take a cautious approach about the truth behind the stories of this crappy excuse for a newspaper. This article that he highlighted for me enshrined the fact that this paper is utter shite, 'How using Facebook could raise the risk of Cancer'!!!

The article argues that by spending hours a day in front of the computer on social networking sites can alter your genes which can make you more susceptible to illnesses such as cancer and heart conditions. What are they going to publish next, that wanking too much will actually make you go blind!

What annoyed me most about this article is that it only briefly mentions the link to cancer once. It was a classic Mail headline, there to grap your attention and get you to read there drivel on what they actually believe is a worthy piece for news journalism. The article is in fact mainly about how there is less face to face social interaction in the current day due to social network sites.

I have more respect for papers such as The Sun and Mirror, at least they don’t pretend to be truthful upstanding newspapers delivering quality reports. I think Ben summed up the paper nicely:

‘[i’m] starting to think that the daily mail is aware of what they write and is written by a really subversive comedy genius satirizing the people who believe what they write...or their mental cunts!’

I believe the latter.

Clubbers guide to.....Secretsundaze

I’m giving big credits to this event ,mainly for the sick location. Secretsundaz is best known for its daytime clubbing and Sunday parties where they play host to some of the best underground house and techno and where people go to have one last blow out before its back to work on Monday. They hold their events in unique and often open air locations, and this time it didn’t disappoint.

This was my first time to Secretsundaze and I was pretty excited having heard some good reports about it. The location this time was Central Point off Tottenham Court Road on the 33rd floor. I haven’t really done much daytime clubbing before, apart from festivals, so it made it a unique experience for me. The event is free but strictly quest list only; this is just to stop anyone going who just wants to get wasted on a Sunday afternoon. As such, it attracts quite a hedonistic and trendy crowd giving the place a great vibe and friendly feel.

Being our first time we went pretty early, around 3ish, to avoid any disappointment of not getting in. Once our names had been ticked off the quest list we took the express elevator to the 33rd floor where we were greeted by that familiar sound of bass thumping and bouncing off the walls. The venue can be best summed up, as one of my good friends puts it, ‘a scene’. The long floor was divided by the bar and DJ booth down the middle with each side supporting massive windows which gave the best views of the cities skyline. It blew me away a little having a rave in such an amazing location. One thinks of warehouses, tents, or grimy undergrounds clubs when thinking of raving, not high up with a stunning view of the city to gaze down upon. We were equally blessed with a perfect cloudless day which made for an amazing sunset.

The venue was perfect for me, its a pity the music didn’t do the same. Secretsundaze is where you are likely to hear an array of underground house and techno, however, this time they went for more of a disco feel. The music went in peeks and troughs, one minute there would be some nice techno thumping away only to be mixed in with a bit of disco. This was a little disappointing, and there were a few grumblings about the choice of music. However, im sure this is a one off, and for small nights like this to survive it is important that they diversify there events every now and then.

Despite the lack in good music, I had an awesome time. It was weird, but good, partying from day to night for a change rather than stumbling home when the sun is coming up and the birds are singing. The perfect day gave a real feel that winter is finally over and spring is here. Another few months and summer will be around the corner. I am very much looking forward to going to this event again, especially when it is in an open air venue and we really can dance in the sun!

Writers block

In the past few months, ever since I started my internship, I have found myself enjoying something which I never have given much thought to before, writing. This is something which I have surprised myself, having never being the academic type. Back in the old days of GCSE's I was way down in the bottom set for English, and even in my undergrad days I struggled to put pen to paper. However, as I have got a bit older, and maybe matured in a certain sense, I have found that I have increasingly enjoyed writing, whether it is for an essay, a diary or an article I have written. In a strange way I find it therapeutic.

I only really started writing outside academia when I went travelling. For the five months that I was away from home I kept a travel diary which ended up becoming an important part of my trip. In it I would record the various activities I had been doing, the things I had seen and my thoughts and experiences. I found writing it quite satisfying, and for me it seemed important to help lock down my memories of that trip.

Now well into my internship, I seem to have developed a bit of a bug for writing. Part of my role as an intern is to write articles on the various projects that my organisation does. These articles are then put on their website and other online resources, a couple of which have been published on Reuters Alertnet. Part of what I enjoy about the writing is the research behind it. When I was at uni, doing essays was at times a laborious process. However, when I look back I always found that despite the struggle it seemed, I actually quite enjoyed the process. This is true of my current situation, I enjoy researching the background to my articles, and I enjoying writing them from a journalistic viewpoint.

With this in mind I have decided to enter into a competition for a little known newspaper, The Guardian. It is an international development journalism completion with the entrants writing on one of the themes set. Now I am being realistic when I say I dont have a hope in hell in getting anywhere near the top. Despite enjoying writing, I dont consider myself to be that literate, and I struggle to write with the flow and ease that some people do. However it is a challenge, and I am looking forward to tackling it.

I dont know how long this new love of writing will last, my interests seem to come and go with the wind, but who knows, maybe ill just stick at this one for a change!

Light at the end of the tunnel

Having possibly secured a part time job, things may be looking up slightly, however from my experience of the last 6 months I am not going to get my hopes up. The part time job will not only mean that Im going to have a bit more expendable income, but also will break up the long and boring days.

For those of you who ever been in a similar situation to myself will know that the boredom of having nothing to do during the days are depressing and at times can drive you a bit crazy. There are only so many hours a day that you can look and apply for jobs until your mind ends up like a mixing bowl of applications, covering letters and CV's. If like me, you live out in the country you are limited to what you can do, especially if you dont have a car, and with he weather like it has been, your home starts to feel all to prison like. But of course there is all ways the day time TV to give you your daily feed of regurgitated dregs of the media world. You start finding yourself watching reruns of FRIENDS and Star Trek (both of which I have a bit of a guilty pleasure for) knowing all the jokes and the story line. As much as people think it is great not working, when you have nothing to do it is fucking boring!

However, now that I may have a part time job it also means I can sign off the Jobseekers. The joy of going to the jobcentre every two weeks can be a depressing experience. I stand in line with the rest of the unemployed waiting for my name to be called out so I can pick up that government check which Mr Brown so kindly gives out to those of us not able to find work. Every time I get asked the same question, 'has there been any change in your circumstances?', Well no of course there hasnt been or else I would be fucking sat here in front of you! You would think with two degrees under my belt and now some work experience it would be easier finding work, obviously not.

Six months out of work and I reckon Im due a bit of good luck, as one of my mates said, its all about positive thinking, who knows we'll see.

A bit of beatboxing

Dub FX is not the average beatboxer. He uses loop and effect pedals along with his voice to create his distinctive sound. I first stumbled across him at Glasto last year, enjoy....

Bass and Drums!

Around a year ago now, a good friend of mine Kenny donated his decks on a semi permanent loan. A couple of technics 1210s, an Ecler mixer, some fat speakers and around 100 vinyl....christmas had come early! Needless to say I was like an excited kid and couldnt wait to set them up in my cramped room at uni.

The setup that I eventually had was not exactly perfect, having to squeeze in speakers here and there and giving up a working desk to allow me to pursue my dream of becoming a DJ (the MA Degree would just have to wait!). Kenny, being a bit of an old hand at mixing was happy to show me the basics, going as far to take a deck apart to show me how it all worked. He was the one responsible for first getting me into proper dance music, giving me mixes by different DJ's and telling me stories about his antics on one of his many seasons in Ibiza.

Finally with my own set of decks and my less than perfect setup I was ready to start mixing. Having been shown the basics Kenny warned that it would be a good few months till I was able to mix together any two records to a decent degree! Like everything it was going to take practise, practise, practise and a bit of time before it would eventually click.

The first time I had ago on the decks byself, I must of spent at least two hours 'mixing'. In my mind I thought I had done a couple of decent mixes, however in reality it properly sounded like a jumbled up mix of beats and bass all totally out of sync. In any case I was proud and just happy to have some decks to mess around on.

Now a year down the line and suprise suprise I have actually stuck at it. In the past I have had a bad reputation of never following things through. I took up the piano when I was younger and got bored because I had to practise and couldnt play it straight away, the same with the Clarinet. However with the decks I have found something that I really enjoy doing, being quite happy to spend an hour or two practising different mixes. I am now pretty competent in mixing two records together, though I still need to work on some fine tuning, but in terms of bedroom DJs I am up there with the best! I even now have a small collection of my own vinyl, around 20 tracks from what I think is one of the best genres out there.....Drum and Bass!!

These days, you tend to see less and less DJ's using vinyl to play, rather, you are more likely to see a DJ stood behind a laptop with the all to familar apple logo on it. Gone are the days when DJ's had to carry round heavy bags of vinyl, or when wanting to play at a house party you had to up lift your whole setup from your room. The rise of modern technology has allowed DJ's to carry all the tunes and their setup on their laptop, making it more practical and cheaper. It has also allowed them to do so much more with the music. Now rather than just mixing in one tune after the next in a linear fashion; DJ's can now mix tunes on top of each other, loop in sections, cut parts out, add effects or completley cut up the track live and make a new one. Programmes such as Ableton and Traktor make the possibilities of what you can do, endless.

However there is something I love about watching DJ's use vinyl to play. Rather than just clicking away at a computer screen there is more involved when using vinyl, it turns into more of a show making it look more skillful and is just simply coolier. Thats partly what I love about DnB and its militant tendency of strictly vinyl only. Some DJ's such as London Elektricty will only use vinyl to play, wanting to preserve the vinyl culture believing it to be the best way to DJ. Others such as Richie Hawtin have moved on as technology has progressed using an increasing mix of tools to play to the masses. I dont think it really matters whether you use vinyl or the latest laptop programme, as long as you enjoy it and understand the basic principals behind it.

Kenny last used his decks around 10 years ago before giving them to me, back in the 'golden era' of dance music, when most DJ's still used vinyl, when pills were pills and raves were still some what underground. The technology like the dance scene has now expanded so much. There is now a huge variety of products for DJ's and producers alike to create their own individual sounds. Its funny to think that it all started off with the basic principal: take one track, and mix it together with another track on another deck. Despite being less common, vinyl will always be around as there are always people who prefer to do things old school. However what is not certain is what the technology will be in 10 years and ultimatly where it will take the music.

Going cold turkey

Throughout the year people like to indulge in certain pleasures whether it be chocolate, alcohol or shopping etc. Some of us like to indulge more than others,this often leads to a feeling of guilt for our over consumption always promising that next time we wont do so much. However next time comes around and we usually do just as much, if not more. We are a society of consumers, brought up by a materialistic establishment that tells us to acquire more than we actually need. Whether it be a super size meal from McDonald's or the latest 50" HD flatscreen TV. I am by no means innocent, I am just as guilty of bowing into this materialistic urge to acquire things I dont actually need.

But then comes around the time of year when everyone feels they need to give up a certain pleasure for the period of Lent. Traditionally, the season of Lent is a period of renewal and reconciliation with God. It is a 40 day period of prayer, fasting and alms giving where Christians reflect on their lives of the past year and try to strengthen their relationship with God and fellow humans. I respect the Christian tradition, and for those Christians who follow the customs of Lent as there is a purpose and reason for their participation. However, from a non-Christian view, I dont understand why people want to give up certain things for Lent when they are not doing it for religious reasons. I dont see the point of it, what are you going to achieve? As a non Christian, I doubt your going to be praying, or reflecting on your moral conscience of the past year. You are just going to be giving up something which you have done all year, whether it is eat chocolate, drink alcohol or spend too much.

Its like a junkie trying to give up his drug of choice and going cold turkey. We all know that there is a strong chance at some point in the future they will go back to shooting up those dirty chemicals. At some point, whether its one week, two weeks or even after the full forty days, you will go back to doing what ever it was you gave up, and if there is no reason for this, why do it?

I guess the point Im trying to make is that I dont understand why people feel the need to give up something for Lent when they dont have a reason to do so. What ever it is we give up we do throughout the year, so why not just do it all year, enjoy the the few pleasures we have. Rather than feel we have to completely cut something out in our lives, try things in moderation. There are many reasons do give things up, but just for the sake of a religious tradition that you do not adhere to, is not one.

A few tunes

Here's some tunes that are hanging around the top of my playlist at the moment. In no particular order....

1. Taxman - Too Bad

2. Zed Bias - Neighbourhood (Logistics remix)

3.Fink - All Cried Out

4. Sia - Breathe

5. Top Catt - Ruffest Gunnark

6. Booka Shade Vs Plastic Operator - Night Falls Vs Wont BackDown

7. Spectrasoul - Wedgehead

A mixed bag!

As you have probably noticed I decided to 'pimp my blog' up a little. No, I have not found a job yet, and yes im still unemployed having to do my fortnightly trip to go pick up my 'paycheck' from the ever inspiring Job Centre!

Having read over my first post I thought it would be a little boring and quite frankly, as one of my mates puts it, 'fucking depressing' (though he is doing a ski season in Canada so anything thats not that must be) just to inform you the joys of unemployment. Instead, seeing that I seem to spend 70 percent of time thinking and only about 30 percent doing it only seems appropriate to put down my weird and wonderful thoughts from pen to paper, or as in this case onto the internet.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Clubbers guide to.....Matter

Over the past few years I have been lucky enough to check out some of the UKs top nights, venues and clubs. Now I am not pretenting to be some expert on the UK clubbing scene, and my clubbing experience has certainly not been as extensive as some, but still I think Ive been to enough nights to give my opinion on the nights I have been to. Hence the Clubbers guide to..... Now just to clarify, im not talking about your average cheesy r'n'b commercial dance cesspit where your more likely to get a punch than you are to hear a decent tune..... No im talking about the unique clubs and venues that are there for people who want to rave away to the wee small hours, where people can go to let their hair down, safe in the fact that there not going to get any agro from wankers, where they know everyone will be on the same level, and everyone being there for the same reason....the music!

So this brings me to my first club, one of the 'premier' nightclubs in the country, Matter. This club is located in the O2 areana, and having only been open a short period of time it has been recognised as a world class venue for large scale club nights attracting DJ's and bands alike from all over the world. Each weekend it lays hosts to various club nights and DJ's bringing you music from across the dance spectrum.

I went last friday to the RAM records night. Now this was my second time to the club having previously been to Hospitality late last year. Now seeing that I have only been to DnB nights here you might think that I have not got the full experience, but still I think these nights leave a good impression of the venue. The first thing I was struck by it was the size, its massive! When you walk into the dance floor of room 1 you look up to see 3 floors of party goers raving hard. Its hard not be impressed. The first time I went everyone was dancing and having a good time, even the pie-eyed grinning bar staff were enjoing themselves. This just adds to the atmosphere.

The first room there are three floors with a foot bridge on the third floor going across the main room allowing you to look down on the raving crowds below. The soundsystem in the club is big, bassy and loud, which is definately needed for a club this size. Plus with the subs lying underneath the dance floor you really get shaken by the bass. Unlike other venues though the sound quality is good meaning you dont walk away with ringing ears for the next few days. Room 2 is a lot smaller and darker and in my opinion the best room. Because of its smaller size it gives it a better atmosphere, plus you can really get your brain shaken by the fat bass driven speakers that are planted next to the dance floor. Overall the sound quality in the club is good, mixed in with a good crowd it all adds up to a good night.

However, for supposedly being one of the UK's 'premier' night spots there were a few down sides. The queues!!!! Considering we had payed £18+ on advance tickets you would think we'd walk in pretty quick, but no, after half an hour of queueing we were finally at the door. Then there was the queue to put your coat up, and the queue to get upstairs, and the queue for the toilet....... we British love our fucking queues!! Due to the sheer amount of people in there, the place was rammed and at times hard to move, which made it frustrating.

Overall I quite like Matter, it has a good atmosphere and a nice sound, I ended up having a quality night both times. The people are cool and the music was good. However, Matter is a bit out of the way, its not a club that you just happen to walk by and with tickets costing up to 20 quid its a bit expensive. I almost sure I will end up in Matter at some point again in the future, however when you can go and see the same DJ's in more central and just as good venues for half the price, it wont be a frequent visit.

Its been a long time waiting

Its now coming up to 6 months without any hint of a job. Leaving Lancaster last September, I though id be in a job by now, but that seems to be a far off dream. After sending off countless letters, emails and applications I seem to have come to a dead end! Yes I know I have my internship which I am grateful for, and cant really complain about because I know I am doing some good work and gaining some good experience....but i cant go on doing that for ever. Its got to the point now where I have not had one interview and to be honest, I am at a bit of a loss! What do I do now??

Well, most people are saying to carrying on what I have been doing, keep on plugging away looking for jobs and ‘something will eventually turn up’. Well I have been doing that now for 6 months, you could even say 10 months when I first started looking for jobs back in uni, and so far nothing has turned up. The most frustrating thing is that I cant even find a part time job in Worcester. It wouldn’t be so bad if I had a bit of money to spend, nothing like a bit of retail therapy, but i don’t!

The days that i’m back from London I spend in the monotony of home trawling through the internet in hope that the perfect job will come up. The routine of home life has become all very dull and boring. For someone who never really wanted a proper job, but to just coast through life trying to live the dream is now desperate for one!

So i decided to start this blog. Im not sure what I hope to achieve by putting down my thoughts and fears of being unemployed, but hopefully it will give me a bit of closure on the frustration im feeling at not being able to get out there in the real world. At 24 I did not think id be back at home wandering where my life was going, but then nothing turns out how you think it will, does it?