Desperately Seeking...

22//Teesside//Journo

[jesslouxo-blog]

Working in a nightclub means that usually a weekend night out is a no go. However this week I managed to score a Friday night off at the last minute and decided I wasn’t going to do the usual of sitting in at home, with a cup of tea and this weeks copy of NME. No, I was going out.

When I thought it was going to be another tiresome night in Sumo (Empire’s Friday club night) the cup of tea seemed tempting. (I’d like to point out, I have nothing against Sumo or Empire, I’ve just overdone it in my time!) Then I got a Twitter notification through. A Mancunian three piece messaged me and just happened to let me know they’d be playing Mink on that very Friday. I was wary at first, and so before responding to their pretty personal invitation did a bit of background research to ensure I would actually enjoy this band. Well it turns out that their youtube account whet my appetite and it was decided, I was going to see Turrentine Jones.

As I had spoken to the band directly and not seen any sort of event information, I was delightfully surprised when Weird Shapes took to the stage before Turrentine Jones. Totally unsure of what to expect, the first band eased me into the night. It was easy listening at it’s very best (would recommend catching them if you can!).

Following Weird Shapes, TJ blew my mind with a powerful opening number that really got the audience going. It’s always amazing when a little known band perform an intimate gig for the first time in a town. That teamed with the fact that people danced to a band they hadn’t heard of before just screams success.

As the band tore their way through the set, it became clear that they should be big. With a sound that landed somewhere perfectly between The Rolling Stones and The Doors, these boys had tapped into something that I personally loved. It was clear I wasn’t the only one. My friend that accompanied me to Mink that night downloaded their album before they’d even finished playing! Now we do not usually download an album this soon into discovering a band. It’s more of a case of listening to them  A LOT on youtube for a couple of weeks, but this gig excited us!

Lead vocalist, Julian Neville had the charm and charisma we all look for in a leading man and it was clear that he was loving every second of being on stage! Teamed up with Thomas Scotson on the electric organ and Rich Watts on the drums, this threesome created noises that sent intense shivers of rapture through everyone in the room that night.

Definitely a band to watch out for in the future! Check out their newest single through the link below!

http://youtu.be/DNAkxyd_6RM

[jesslouxo-blog]

London isn't always at an expense!

Students no longer need to fear that a trip to the capital will leave them penniless.

Students are notorious for managing to live for less so a visit to London would probably seem like an expensive luxury that should be avoided.

After research, though, it has become apparent that a few days away in the big smoke are affordable and it’s something that students throughout the country are clocking on to.

Booking travel and a hotel at the right time is key to beginning a cheap trip down south. Too early or too late and prices can very easily rocket.

A couple of days in advance, although it seems very risky, seems to be the perfect time to grab a nice hotel for less than half of the usual price. No hotel wants empty rooms and so a last minute booking could see you in a double room in Paddington for less than £55!

Again, it is essential to book travel at the right time. Early is usually better for this for the train, but for those last minute getaways, coach travel can be a long, but penny saving option to consider. Megabus.com and NationalExpress.com both offer great deals.

When in London, there is a cap on the cost of tube travel in Zones 1 and 2, which is great as it’s unlikely you’ll find yourself leaving these zones as they cover pretty much everywhere! This costs £6.40 per day, with a £5 deposit on an oyster card, but for the amount of London you get to see, it’s a small price.

This is something that students all over the country are beginning to get to grips with. Molly-Jo Omathuna Brown, 22, University of West of England (UWE) is one such student who had this to say about her trip to the capital: “I came to London to do some University work and decided to extend my trip to do some exploring. Although I was initially worried about the price of London, it has worked out okay. Booking at the right time has enabled me to be able to spend as little as possible.”

Travel and accommodation done with, there is always the fear that everything in London costs so much more than elsewhere. This is true for some things, the price of a pint in the city is enough to make any northerner cry, but there is a massive amount of free and very cheap things to do while there. Here are three free and incredible must-do's while you're there.

Camden Town Camden Town, being in Zone 2 is covered in your Oyster card capped zones and so there is little need to worry about the costs of getting there. While there, there are of course the famous Camden Lock markets that spread for what seems like miles. Should your budget be extremely tight, it is such a vibrant, exciting place that sometimes walking around and taking in the atmosphere is enough. Should you have a bit of spare cash, there is a market shop for everyone there with some amazing little finds. Oh and it’d be rude not to mention CyberDog! The shop for cyber goths that is so dark yet contains so much Neon it is hard not to find yourself being drawn in. It is hard to miss with two giant metal dogs guarding the doors! An added note, Camden food markets are also extremely affordable, with amazing cuisine from all over the world and caters to every dietary need. (Cookies and Scream being a great little find!)

British Library As a student, you’d perhaps think a trip to a library while away? Not for you. Well the British Library is free to enter and is more than just a collection of dusty old books to research essays from. It contains history. One copy of every single thing published in the UK can be found here. It holds some of the most important and influential documents throughout time and constantly has new temporary exhibits as well as some permanent ones. Seriously though, who wouldn’t want to be able to see works such as Shakespeare’s First Folio and original Beatles manuscripts in one day, for nothing..?

The Social Okay, confession time, drinks prices in The Social are outrageous (to a northerner). So why would this be included? Well there’s nothing to say you HAVE to buy a pint when in the Social. Located just off Oxford Street, the bar is once again in a prime location for those with an Oyster card. With nearly every night of the week having some event or band on, this hidden little gem is a haven for those hipsters who want to stay away from the usual sights that Oxford Street offers. The bar, being owned by an indie record label, showcases some exciting new bands in a very intimate feeling venue. As well as bands, the bar also offers hip hop karaoke on a Thursday night! It's worth checking their website for up and coming events. This can be done here http://www.thesocial.com/events/ .

There are many more free and cheap things that could have been included here, it’s just about researching what you want to do while there.

Overall, the key to a cheap and successful trip to London really comes down to good planning and having the gumption to take the plunge and book it last minute!

[jesslouxo-blog]

Charity Fashion Show set to hit Teesside in Spring

Left to Right: Model Rebecca Pennock, House of Freaks collaborators Charley Archer & Emily Jones.

Local fashion companies are launching a catwalk in aid of two charities.

The idea, put together by Emily Jones and Charley Archer of “House of Freaks” online fashion label, is due to take place in Middlesbrough’s new industrial themed venue House of Blah Blah.

Inspired by the punk era and designers such as Vivienne Westwood in the 70/80’s eras this is a fashion show like no other in the area.

Emily and Charley are bringing a twist to the Middlesbrough fashion circuit.

All of the companies involved in showcasing their apparel are North East based and have been described by the girls as having “quirky” and “grungy” vibes about them.

With fabrics, models, makeup artists and photographers all sourced locally, this really is a brand that represents Teesside.

Showcasing House of Freaks, SCXII Independent Apparel, Vintageous rags and Vienna Lucie Boutique the show promises a fun, active and fashionable night hosted by Teesside’s own Jake Radio.

The charities receiving aid from the catwalk show are the RNLI and Cancer Research UK, two very different causes that are matched in their closeness in each girl’s heart.

Emily told us this about her choice of charity: "Cancer research is close to my heart as my nana passed a few years back and wasn't able to fight it, but recently a dear friend of mine has been there for her father while he fights cancer himself. Just days before Christmas he was given the all clear! And to see such an amazing family get the answer they deserve it's important to try and make sure every other family get the same answer."

The event is to take place on Friday 20th March 2015 at 7.30pm.

Advance tickets can be bought online from www.houseoffreaks.co.uk for £4 per ticket, or on the door for £5.