What is your favourite track out there at the moment?

“Pusherman’s Shake It Off, which is out now on LNUK Records.”

 Which of the tracks you’ve created, or helped to create, are you most proud of?

“I think the My Nu Leng track Fireflies is the one I am most proud of. We both had a lot of input in to its outcome and it changed styles numerous times before finishing. The finished version has received a completely unexpected response with support from Mistajam and a handful of Rinse FM DJs. The track was featured on a recent compilation Big Step for Dub, and is the title track of our debut EP, out now on Mindstep Music. We also have a forthcoming Fireflies VIP & Remix EP with remixes from Tunnidge, Crises and Wonder.”

 Your tracks with My Nu Leng and those as Jammo are quite different; do you prefer working as a collective, or solo?

“We rarely get the opportunity to actually work on a tune at the same time, due to the distances between us. In that sense, there are not too many differences in writing Jammo or My Nu Leng tracks. I like being able to send projects over to Tommy and see the direction a track can take. The music I write as Jammo has taken a backseat over the last six months, due to being busy with My Nu Leng tracks, collabs and remixes. I am aiming to work on some new Jammo material some point this year.”

 What do you use to make your music?

“I am currently using FL Studio 10 on PC with a pair of KRK RP8 Monitors running through an E-MU 1616 PCI soundcard. I don’t work with much hardware and am constantly trying to expand my sample collection. I use a few VSTs including Massive and Nexus. I frequently use the Waves FX plug-ins including the reverbs and compressors.”

 Tell us about the best night you’ve performed at

“My Nu Leng are residents at 51° 27?, a weekly night at Thekla. Every week they have some of the biggest names in the UK Bass scene covering House, Techno, Garage and everything in between. We always have a great night there and would strongly suggest people check it out!”

 If you could listen to the works of only one artist for the rest of your life, who would it be?

“I would have to say Burial; his music is a huge, huge inspiration to both myself and Tommy. A track for any mood or moment, I am still yet to find a situation that a bit of Burial doesn’t help!”

 Vinyl, CDs, digital, or..?

“I learnt to mix, like many others, on some dodgy belt drive decks and as soon as I could, I moved to Technics 1210s. Over the years I started using CDs to play in clubs, but I still have a huge love for vinyl, and I know Tommy does as well. When we are able to mix together we use Serato with time coded vinyl.”

 Any last words?

“Just a huge thank you to anyone that has taken the time to check out our music, our sets or radio shows in 2011. We have music forthcoming on Mindstep Music and our debut 12” on LNUK over the next few months as well as a lot of remix and collab projects, so keep those eyes peeled!”

 To have a listen to My Nu Leng’s music, go to www.soundcloud.com/mynuleng or www.facebook.com/mynuleng. For bookings, contact mynuleng@gmail.com

 ED SHARP

From appearances, the Bay Bar is a seaside gem situated in the heart of Bedminster. The combination of comfy leather sofas and the enveloping pastel blue and white colours create the perfect retreat. Landscape scenes line the walls and even the drinks behind the bar have a few shells dotted between them. But while during the week its décor brings to mind the relaxing break of waves against the shore, come Saturday night, the Bay Bar transforms into a clubby disco. There’s a DJ every Friday and Saturday blasting the charts. Who doesn’t love a bit of Rihanna or Gaga? Although, if those aren’t your cup of tea, party classics such as ‘Beat It’ and ‘. . .Baby One More Time’ are occasionally tossed into the mix. The barmen here are incredibly talented – the majority being in the profession from a very young age, throwing together two drinks at once, concocting cocktails with flair and never missing a beat of the music. And I haven’t even mentioned the drink selection yet! They stock Tequila Rose (which I am currently fangirling over), Kahlua, and all the student favourites such as Smirnoff, Sambuca, Jager, and Baileys. Thatchers, Stella, Guinness, and Carling are available on tap, along with a plethora of others. However, the cocktail menu delivers the fruit to the feast and includes:
• Raspberry Mess – Vodka + Chambord over ice with Lemonade + Lime Wedges
• Dark Knight – Black Sambuca + Black Aftershock with Pepsi
• Pimm’s Pirate – Pimm’s, Sailor Jerry + Orange Juice
• Deep Purple – Red WKD, Blue Curacao + Silver Aftershock
With all that the Bay Bar has to offer, it is truly the place to spend your nights out.
ByAlaina Zimmerman

Based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, the musical (produced by the woman herself) is slap-bang in the middle of its UK tour. Penned by Cherie and Bill Steinkellner, the original West End production opened at the London Palladium in June 2009 and a new production has opened on Broadway to multiple Tony Award nominations in the past year.

This show sees Cynthia Erivo star as Deloris Van Cartier – a wannabe superstar singer who, from the curtain raise, throws us into a world of 70s soul and disco. Donned like Foxy Cleopatra, belting out “take me to heaven”, Erivo owns the stage. She radiates charisma and shifts effortlessly between the 70s vibe and the Broadway squeal encapsulating the show. Despite this, I thought that Sister Act has a rather low-key, prologue opening for my taste, which unfortunately made it feel a little slow. This feeling continues when Deloris is cut off in her prime by her lover-come-bar owner, Curtis, who claims she is not good enough to sing in his club yet, much to her chagrin.

Everything changes for Deloris though when she is hidden by police in a convent for protection, after she witnesses Curtis shoot a man in the street. Hardly the happiest setting to a musical comedy when your married lover sets his three violent (though farcical) goons on you, and initially I feared the worst when the introduction of smitten police officer “sweaty” Eddie Souther, played by Edward Baruwa, failed to pick up the pace.

However, It soon becomes clear that I had no reason to be worried as the introduction of the fantastic nuns, characterised beautifully by the ensemble cast and led by stubborn Mother Superior – played by Denise Black with her immaculately placed facial expressions – lifted the entire show to the rafters and beyond.

The dynamic between the repressed, rebellious nuns and Deloris worked wonderfully as a plot device and contributes much of the shows humour. The amazing Julie Atherton stood out particularly as Sister Mary Robert – I remember her from the West End production of “Avenue Q” and yet again she delivers a charming performance full of energy and joy.

What seems to be a recurring theme throughout the show is that first impressions are often misleading. This is certainly the way I felt about the show as a whole because it just got better and better as it went on. Baruwa’s Eddie personifies this with a smooth yet rousing number about half way through act one, featuring many costume changes, and made me feel really invested in the whole performance for the first time. It was fantastic.

An honourable mention to Gemma Knight Jones too, who took over the role of Deloris at the interval due to unknown circumstances, and carried the part off seamlessly – and just as strikingly! All this, paired with a catchy soundtrack, fabulously colourful costumes and an impressive amount of moveable scenery made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Loyal to the film, Sister Act is a feel-great, Broadway/70s Saturday night fever mash up. Fun, flashy and a rapping Granny! An utter pleasure.

James Bonser

“Sister Act” @ Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol – Stage Entertainment (in association with Whoopi Goldberg – Tickets available through www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk or by calling 0844 871 3012.

Khethiwe Mashavave, a Bristol resident since 2002, claimed asylum due to the dangers she faced resulting from her political activity in Zimbabwe.  As a strong supporter of democracy in Zimbabwe, Khethiwe has remained active since making Bristol her home, volunteering for Bristol Refugee Rights, participating in a local group calling for democracy in Zimbabwe, and helping out in her local church.  Khethiwe was a prominent figure during Bristol’s City of Sanctuary campaign last year, speaking for asylum seekers and refugees during the launch at the Council House.

After a series of issues caused by poor legal representation, Khethiwe was detained without notice at Trinity road Police Station  on the 21^st September, transferred to Yarl’s Wood detention centre and due to be deported on Thursday 6^th October from Heathrow airport.  However, due to a combination of hard work from her current solicitors, who are being funded by donations from friends and organisations, media attention, petitions and public demonstrations, her deportation was delayed, allowing the solicitors to mount a legal case for her to stay.

There were a number of UWE students amongst the protesters, many of whom also volunteer for various organisations supporting the rights of Migrants and Refugees in Bristol.  Dr Christien Van Den Anker, Director of the UWE Human Rights unit and the Migrant Rights Centre Bristol said ‘I participated because I believe the threat of deportation is ruining people’s lives and I agree with Father Richard McKay [of St Nicholas of Tolentino church, a speaker during the protest] who called it a form of terrorism as it creates ongoing terror in the lives of asylum seekers and their families. I strongly believe deporting people to Zimbabwe is putting people’s lives at risk as human rights violations are well documented there at the moment. ‘

It is only in the last year that the Home Office has begun deporting asylum seekers back to Zimbabwe believing conditions to have improved since the sharing of power between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.  However, a report in 2010 by the Bar Council suggests that rather than improving, the conditions in Zimbabwe may be getting worse.

Additionally, access to services in Bristol allowing Asylum Seekers to contend deportation has been drastically reduced due to funding cuts for legal aid.  In July this year, the Immigration Advisory Service, one of the largest providers of legal aid for immigration issues in Bristol went into administration.

Whilst successful in delaying Khethiwe’s deportation, the struggle to keep Khethiwe in Bristol carries on, and more protests have been scheduled to take place at College Green.  For more information on how to help, or to sign the petition or donate towards legal costs please visit the ‘Khethiwe must Stay’ blog at http://khethiwemuststay.posterous.com/.

Interview with Beth Legesse, Matt Stone and Corrine Pinfold on the ‘Khethiwe must stay’ protests.

Beth, Matt and Corrine are students on the MA Human Rights, and also volunteer with the Migrant Rights Centre Bristol.

How many protests were there in total and how many did you each go to?

Corrine: There was the protest at police station; there was the meeting the following day.  The day after that there was the protest at College Green and the day after that. There might have been more.

Matt: The Thursday she got taken [to Heathrow] there was another one.

Corrine: So there were at least five protests/meetings going on, and petition signing all through that time.  I went to two protests and one of the meetings.

How many people attended each protest?

Matt: The first day, at the police station, there were around 30 people were there at any one time.  There were more people at the protest in college green; there must have been 50 people.  People came and went; they didn’t stay all the time.

What was the demographics of the people who went- was it mainly people who knew Khethiwe, or people who cared about the issue of anti deportation, and were there many students there?

Beth: The protests were headed by a few organisations; BRR (Bristol Refugee Rights) and City of Sanctuary, the speaker on College Green, Forward Maisokwadzo knew her very well.  There were a lot of people from [organisation beginning with N] a committee in Bristol which aims to establish democracy in Zimbabwe which Khethiwe was involved with which was obviously get her in trouble back in Zimbabwe, so they were quite keen on getting her to stay.

Beth: Went we went to Manchester on Sunday [for a anti-Tory protest] there was a man who asked Corrine, ‘Is Khethiwe still here?’ and we were like ‘Yes!’

Corrine: There were a couple more students around on College Green, but it was mostly people from the organisations.

Matt: I think it was quite representative of the network of Migrant Rights organisations around here.

What was the atmosphere like?

Corrine: It kind of varied each of the days, I think the first day was quite grim, because it was outside a prison, but at the same time it was quite hopeful, we were going around the building trying to get to a spot where we thought Khethiwe could hear. The second day was the meeting, which was ok, until the point where Father Richard McKay left to phone the police station and when he came back we found out that Khethiwe had gone.

Matt: He’d got news that she’d been taken to Yarl’s Wood while we were actually there, meeting at the Pierian Centre.

Corrine: Before then we’d been talking about having another protest that day and going to the police station, and when we heard that it was a bit grim that there was nothing we could do.

Beth: But the next day at the protest, that wasn’t grim, there was a lot of loudness, lots of cheering.

Matt: Yep, lots of good speaking, Kerry McCarthy the MP spoke really well, it was brilliant she turned up, and was there for a long time.  She talked about doing everything she could do, and encouraged us to write to MP’s to create as much pressure as possible.

On the Thursday before Khethiwe was due to be sent back to Zimbabwe, there was a stay of deportation, when did you find out about that and how did you feel?

Corrine: I went and checked the blog that night to see what had happened that day, and to see whether she’d gone, and I got on twitter and other social networks and was like ‘Khethiwe’s staying!’ because I was bugging people to sign the petition and I got some really great responses there. So that was a really positive moment that we’d really gotten somewhere, and there was a chance for everything to be put right finally.

Matt: I kept an eye on the internet all day.

Beth: I found out on the Thursday on Facebook.  It was really good to finally see that the lobbying action worked, we always do it and sometimes we suspect it doesn’t actually achieve anything, so that was really positive.

Social media was used a lot in the ‘Khethiwe must stay’ protests; such as Twitter, Facebook, the blog- did you find it facilitated the spread of information in a positive way?

Matt: Well I was tweeting before they even got their twitter up, so it could have been a bit quicker, but yeah it was good. It did its job.

Beth: I think it was really positive, because there’s no doubt that people who didn’t turn up to the protests were able to contribute to the process online, and without that you’d never know what could have happened.  It was just recognised a bit more nationally, because at the end of the day it was a concern in Bristol, because we know her and have links with her, but other people weren’t even aware of it, but with Facebook and Twitter, and people lobbying MPs I think that’s really helped the case.  The fact that she’s got such an important role now, and had such an important role before the deportation case it’s just been more amplified with social networks.

Obviously the case is unresolved, will you be out there again protesting if Khethiwe is to be deported in the future?

Matt: Absolutely, I think we need to be protesting now, for the appeal to happen, but that means going to different people and going to the home office and writing letters to MP’s- it won’t be standing outside offices, it will be that kind of thing, but yeah, if they decide to send her away we need to make a big point of it.  The jobs only half done I think.

Danielle Baker

However, if you combine their indie-pop sound, which touches upon the already influential MGMT, and the festival atmosphere this band brought to the Anson Rooms, Bristol, it becomes easy to see why they are so much more than that. Their live show makes you feel as though you are at one massive party. The light show was particularly spectacular and added to the effect that this was no ordinary gig.

Some songs did feel all a little too similar, but amongst those, were the gems such as ‘Call it what you want’, ‘Helenabeats’, and of course ‘Pumped up kicks’. Admirably Foster the People went all out with this song, by giving it a dub step twist, suggesting they know exactly how to satisfy their army of loyal fans.

Although Mark Foster, the lead singer, has little interaction with his audience, you can not fault the group in their effort to entertain their crowd, and this hard work certainly paid off. Even in the cold British winter, Foster the People can bring you back to that feeling of festival fever which only occurs in the summer months.

Katy Huke

www.designingontea.tumblr.com

Harriet discusses their design, “We are creating an interactive environment which is an experience dependent on and controlled by viewer interaction.” She adds, “Field Song takes the idea of generative music and adds a tactile visual element – a magnetised framework of hanging metal sculptures that repel from visitors passing through the space.” The intention is that the audience determines the music depending on the path they take through the room.

Ben initiates his musical talent by creating chords which harmonise with one another to create a perfect harmony which also has the ability to intensify and become over whelming. Ben is currently studying a Music Masters in Piano Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He specialises in classical and contemporary repertoire but also has a considerable background in jazz, world music and improvisation. He has written music for solo piano, chamber ensembles and electronics. Field Song represents a new challenge in composing with technology to produce generative music in a tactile space.

Wayne Lloyd, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at UWE Bristol, said, “Like all true innovators, Harriet and Ben have come up with a hybrid concept with real impact. It fuses fine art, technology and music to broaden the audience’s awareness of what is possible. Recognition of our students through competitions and prizes is great testimony to their talent. The application process also provides the skills required to acquire funding for projects.”

Alex Gilkinson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education enthused, “We have some very talented students at UWE who are keen to make their mark. Our congratulations go out to Harriett and Ben for creating such a beautiful concept. The support from dedicated and inspiring lecturers continues to demonstrate how good teaching leads to many successes in competitions of this kind.”

The Ideas Fund Innovators is a UK based funding scheme for 16-25 year olds that aids to make ideas into a reality. The fund offers £1000 to designers of all creative disciplines. This freedom of a choice of combined disciplines has been ideal for Harriet and Ben to fuse their talents in both art and music. The money awarded by the fund will contribute to the production and promotion of the design with the intention of exhibiting the piece in Bristol, Brighton, London and beyond!

Field Song is a design that works with the concept of fascination and realisation for the viewer.

Harriet speaks out to other aspiring designers, “My advice is to apply to everything that appeals to you and if you get it then it’s fantastic but if you don’t then you will only learn from your mistakes.”

As an artist, Harriet is constantly thinking up new ideas for designs. She is currently working on a piece of her own which deals with similar concepts to field songs, working with space, audience interaction and tension.

For more information about the Ideas Fund Innovators or to follow Harriet and Benn’s blog please visit www.ideastap.com and search for the relevant tags.

Sam Hudson

He exclaims that he “always enjoys coming back to Bristol” before unleashing one of his bigger hits, ‘Cold Town’, onto the crowd, creating an ecstatic response. Yet it is not until he rolls into most notable song ‘Bedroom Eyes’ that the crowd really gets going, practically singing the whole song for him. He interacts with the crowd well for someone who professes himself to not enjoy talking on stage too much. He takes a moment to dedicate a song to one of the producers from his debut album, Man Like I, who sadly passed away a year after its creation, giving a stirring performance of ‘Things I’ve Done’.

A powerful, ten minute long jam-come-song follows, where he abandons his usual stance with an acoustic guitar in front of a mic stand, and dances round the stage whilst chanting into the microphone. He keeps the crowd encapsulated in what could have easily turned into an arduous experience. He clearly highlighted his talent not only as a songwriter and musician, but also a performer – something which is compounded by the fact his show sold out completely. July moves to both remind everyone of the joys of the summer just passed, but also to affirm a realisation of how long we have to wait to enjoy hot weather again.

Natty moves on to inform us that the end of the gig is near, to loud sighs of dismay from the followers, but he at least gives us something to salivate over. He states, to huge cheers, that he will be releasing a new album at some point next year, and says that whilst this is his last song, he will at least “make it last a bit”.

What follows is a powerful, extended performance of the titular track from the Change EP, with his live band staying on stage past his exit  to hang out the instrumental. His performance throughout the night can confirm that his UK “comeback” tour is a success, and leave all who experienced it with the feeling that there is a lot more to come from London-based Natty, not least the promise of a new record in 2012, which is enough to warm a few hearts as they drift off into the foggy Bristol night.

By Jack Brown

Marketgate, which is owned by Unite, is located behind Cabot Circus in a refurbished BT office block, and has become synonymous with the Bristol student party scene.

Unite accommodation is well known among prospective students, operating in several locations throughout Bristol, as well as the rest of the UK.

Marketgate has 490 flats, with Unite offering accommodation for a massive 2800 students in Bristol alone.

The prospect of university life and all it has to offer brings forth both feelings of excitement and uncertainty for many students. They are faced with their first foray into adulthood, where one of the most difficult decisions students inevitably have to make involves accommodation options and living arrangements.

Many students arrive at Marketgate year upon year with high expectations of the time ahead. The location could not be more convenient, the furnishings are fairly modern and there is a basement, which provides additional facilities such as a pool table.

However, students have found in recent times that expectations are not necessarily met and experiences can be quite different indeed.

Upon arrival at Marketgate, students hope to receive a warm welcome from staff, and a good standard of cleanliness within their bedrooms and communal areas.

For one resident in particular, Vicky Wallace, this was not the case.

Entering her kitchen, Vicky told WesternEye of how she was greeted by a nasty smell in her freezer. With closer inspection, she found meat that had been residing in a small compartment throughout the summer, manifesting into a nest of maggots.

Regional Manager Alan Blackmore told WesternEye, “We use contracted cleaners to carry out the intensive cleaning throughout the summer, and unfortunately this isolated incident was a human error.

“All the main electrical units are switched off during the summer months for energy saving, therefore escalating this problem”.

Needless to say this was reported and acted on within the hour, resulting in a new freezer being placed and the old one disposed of.

It has also been reported that Marketgate currently has a housing issue with mice, which have been sighted on various floors throughout the complex. Facilities company Mitie are said to be dealing with the situation.

Miss Wallace spoke of how she had been standing in her kitchen one day when across the floor ran a mouse, scuttling into a nearby hole underneath the cupboards.

Since WesternEye’s meeting with Miss Wallace, the pest controllers have been to the flat to investigate the problem alongside manager Steve Glew who laid more traps throughout the night.

Mr Blackmore further went on to say “we are dealing with the problem and taking this matter seriously”.

Miss Wallace also told of how, upon the resident’s arrival at the flat, a number of superficial issues within the communal kitchen area had to be dealt with, such as a missing cupboard door, a part of the work surface torn off and burn marks on the work tops.

When questioned regarding said issues, Mr Blackmore stated: “The stockists are awaiting delivery of cupboard doors, and it is taking a while.” Once more, since WesternEye’s visit, the whole worktop area had been replaced, and contact had been made with stockists to chase up on the delivery.

However, matters did end there as one morning, residents were woken by the sounding of the fire alarms, a familiar story within student halls.

On said morning, Miss Wallace and her flatmates told of how they used the emergency exit within the flat, a magnetised door that is released upon the sounding of the alarm, which opens up to a stairwell leading out of the main fire exit and, eventually, to the evacuation point outside the building.

As Miss Wallace and her housemates reached the door they were shocked to find that it had been padlocked, leaving them trapped inside the building.

During the commotion it had not been realised that the padlock, which remains there for safety reasons, stopping members of the public from gaining access to the building, can be opened by using the ‘break glass’ tube that holds the bolt in its place. By using the small metal hammer beside this bolt, residents are able to break this glass tube and ultimately get out of the building.

Unite stated that they have recently started making signs with clear instructions of how to break this glass tube in the event of a fire so as to not cause distress to residents in future. They also stated that emails would be sent across residents’ inboxes, explaining the procedure.

Miss Wallace also experienced an incident within the flat whereby the repair of a  broken shower by an on-site maintenance man consequently resulted in  a burst pipe the following morning. It had drained water from the above flats, causing a leak through the corridors and into her bedroom.

Mr Blackmore, who joined as the Regional Manager eleven months ago, has overseen the installation of two brand new lifts costing £700,000, alongside refurbishments such as the re-painting and carpeting of half the building, with brand new furniture also replacing the tired furnishings in many of the flats.

He stated: “The refurbishment has taken place due to its general life cycle and to upgrade the standards.  There will be further refurbishment plans for this coming summer.”

Mr Blackmore also hopes to initiate monthly kitchen inspections and to introduce the student halls reps programme, and is said to be working closely with the Students’ Union on the matter.

UWE Accommodation Services also added that “UWE were closely involved with the pre-inspections this year and were able to see the refurbishment that has taken place. We have had positive feedback from students at all Unite sites that UWE is involved with.”

Accommodation is a big expense and Unite cannot afford to take their position for granted as students may start to look further afield if the trust between tenant and landlord is tarnished.

Miss Wallace added: “It seems ridiculous we are paying £121 per week for the privilege of living somewhere that clearly has such little regard for health and safety standards.”

Although Marketgate has received negative feedback over the years, this could well be the push needed in order to improve facilities and customer service roles. Although one might assume that actions may have been pressed forward due to WesternEye’s involvement, it must be said that, from being escorted around the building by Mr Blackmore, the aesthetics of the building did seem in good order throughout and although Marketgate is a work in progress it perhaps still has a little way to go yet.

Lisa Fice

Friday 9th December