WE HAVE BAND

A few weeks ago I was convinced to venture into the torrential rain and head to a music venue in Notting Hill. I was there to see 'We have Band' and they were definitely worth the wet weather, slippery streets and trek home.

They are a 3 piece band, who are absolutely incredible live. I had not, admittedly, done my homework, so i did not know what to expect.

at 10pm they came on stage - all dressed in white - and rocked it out.

The only female, in the middle, was like an incarnation from a 60's Kubrick music video - if ever he were to make one. She danced like a woman possessed, and with her waving arms and outlandish moves - she had us all mesmerised.

It was, by far, one of the most energetic performance I had ever seen.

If you like your percussion hard, your moves radical and your tunes addictive, then WE HAVE BAND are the group for you.

Review: Katie Cowell

Sunshine is in my step - but leave the shirts on

I think it has finally hit: there is a gait to my step and I have banished the winter fleece to my wardrobe! That's right: summer is here! And what a relief it has arrived! After a long, drawn out and damn right depressing winter we are finally feeling some warmth.

I love that I can leave the house in a t-shirt. I can don my sunglasses and I can actually work up a sweat. I love sitting out in the parks, feeling the grass between my toes and feeling the full brunt of the sun's warmth.

I do, however, have one objection.

Why do people insist of swanning around shirtless in the park?

Why do people whip out the bikini and lie splayed out as if they were on the golden sands of California?

The closest beach is a good hour and a half from central London - yet I'm still seeing the budgie smugglers (or speedos) on parade.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to enjoy the rays, and certainly nothing wrong with making the most of the summer. There is, however, something fundamentally wrong with a sun burnt older man frolicking with his gut on full display. This site greeted me the other day in none other than Royal Greenwich Park. A park, stately in its history, proud in its regality was playing host to a big, fleshy parade of flab.

I realise that not all of us should be obliged to have buff, sculpted abs bodies - nor should we. That being said, any blatant display of flesh outside a gym, pool, water related and bedroom activity, is not really welcome in my book. Particularly when is is burnt to a crisp (a result of not being sun safe enough) and monstrously hairy.

I do not want to become militant about flesh on display, but a certain amount of discretion would not go astray. I am not asking for a full purdah type situation, just a covering up of a stomach that protrudes more than a metre from where it should be!

Words: Katie Cowell

the joys of technology....

Our lives are supposedly easier now; we have self service machines at Tesco, thanking us for our patronage. We have automated telephone systems by which to pay our bills, and we even have 'smart' technology that can operate itself.

Despite all these advances, however, we are still (by and large) baffled when things do not quite go our way.

Last night I was attempting to transfer some files across to my hard drive; a simple enough task. Naturally, it was not and subsequently challenged me for the rest of the night.For some reason, the files just stopped copying over. Just like that. They became completely stubborn and decided to stall. Not only that, I was unable to close the application, so it remained frozen on my desk top.
So I was just sat, staring at my screen wondering what on earth I could do.

I searched far and wide, on all the internet forums, where people who seemingly have all the time in the world, trade Mac and PC secrets and advice. Despite searching this nerd domain, I had no love. Eventually i rang my Mac guru mate in a tizz, and she had to calmly explain the restart process. Not before telling me how hopeless I am. Not really adding to my self-worth regarding all things technical.

It made me wonder, however, how much do we really know anyway? I take for granted that when I press a button, it does what it is supposed to: usually switch itself on .

If it does not, I usually approach the closest male who
a) will know what to do OR.....
b) not know, but pretend that he does and by sheer force of will, fixes it anyhow.

I know that the day will come, when a savvy techy is not around, and I will have to fend for myself. That is why I am going to take matters into my own hands and start familiarising myself with all things technical. Much as that terrifies me. I could not handle another night of stress, yelling at my computer and utter bafflement.

It is not becoming, or conducive to this technically advanced era!


Words: Katie Cowell

Katie Cowell Reviews: Heidi Thomas

From the tender age of 8, Heidi Thomas has been writing music. She had a different introduction to music: having missed the school play due to a severe chest infection, she decided to write her own musical whilst languishing in bed.

From the age of 20 she started taking music seriously, and has been trying to forge a path in the industry since then. She has a no-nonsense attitude, and will not take any hassle from anyone. This attitude is complemented perfectly by brash lyrics and catchy rock tunes. She writes about her personal experiences, relationships and life in London.

She loves her rock music, and sounds like a cross between Pink and Katy Perry. She has just penned a tune for newly signed 'Chantelle Redman', and though happy writing for others, she still wants to be up there on stage rocking out with songs that have a positive and uplifting message for women.

www.myspace.com/missheidithomas

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Katie Cowell Reviews: FOLA

Born Sadiq Aolabi Makanjuola to Nigerian Parents in South West London,
FOLA - as he prefers to call himself- has dreamt of being a singer for as
long as he can remember.

He is self taught, and styled himself on the all time greats: Michael Jackson
and Whitney Houston. His influences are large and varied; from his Nigerian
heritage to Country and Western. He does not like to limit himself to
conventional genres, preferring to have an array of styles in his music.

Fola has only just turned 19, but possesses a poise and maturity of someone
much older. Given his ascent into adulthood, he likes to write songs which
document the experiences of someone his age, their problems, and the
complications of life. 'Break though' is a great track; with its gentle melody
and smooth vocals - and is about a person breaking through the problems
that life may throw at them.

Despite making it to the X-factor boot camp, FOLA realised that he wanted
to forge his own way in the industry - with his values intact. He was always
taught to be determined- and to maintain his morality. He differs from the
'typical' 19 year old boy in that he is sensibile, and would prefer to have his
wits about him in order to battle it out and have his voice heard.

www.myspace.com/foladastar


Review: Katie Cowell

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