Traffic Jam with Animals

In my opinion, the Easter school holidays should equal the beginning of spring: i.e the tentative disposal of knitwear and coats from my wardrobe, balmy mid-day sunshine, and perhaps not having to wear thermal long-johns out in public. WRONG. It's sodding cold, and even the animals at Longleat Safari Park thought so. 

Yes, I know that I am 18- and perhaps I should act more like the legal adult that I really am. But honestly, what is wrong with a group of adult women attending a children's safari park for the day? Correct, nothing. Sometimes amid the stress of exams, UCAS applications, relationship-anxiety and maintaining a healthy work/social dynamic, some general idiocy is required. 

So today, donned in our thickest socks, myself and 3 other like-minded half-wits clambered into my tiny car and obediently listened to Sheila the sat-nav as she guided us toward what was, effectively, a trip to the zoo. AND IT WAS FUN, OKAY? We looked at Lord Bath's phallic art work, saw the real ghost of Lady Louisa, held a large spider, rode a tiny train, complained at the stench of ferrets, lost each other in two consecutive mazes and I didn't run-over an antelope in the safari: success. 

Alt-J (∆) - Taro

I just wanted to share this song with you all. Based upon the life of 1940/50's war photojournalist Gera Taro, who died in her line of field due to a tank collision, Alt-J have crafted a simply magnificent fusion of styles. The song is soothing, melancholy and beautiful; with a poignantly touching video; reflective of the sheer wonder of cultural diversity.

Right now, I just want to jump on a plane somewhere.

Indochina, Capa jumps Jeep, two feet creep up the road
To photo, to record meat lumps and war
They advance as does his chance, very yellow white flash
A violent wrench grips mass, rips light, tears limbs like rags

Burst so high finally Capa lands
Mine is a watery pit Painless with immense distance
From medic from colleague, friend, enemy, foe
Him five yards from his leg, from you, Taro

Do not spray into eyes, I have sprayed you into my eyes
3:10 pm, Capa pends death, quivers, last rattles, last chokes
All colors and cares glaze to gray, shriveled and stricken to dots
Left hand grasps what the body grasps not, le photographe est mort

31415, alive no longer my amour, faded for home May of '54
Doors open like arms my love, painless with a great closeness
To Capa, to Capa, Capa dark after nothing, re-united with his leg
And with you, Taro

Do not spray into eyes, I have sprayed you into my eyes
Hey Taro

Antonio Lulic - The City of Austin, Texas

When listening to Antonio Lulic, it's tricky to articulate the feature that is most captivating about his voice.

His vocal tone possesses an alluring sense of course richness; which paired with highly evocative lyrics, can be quite a heady mix.With a range suited to both strength and subtlety, his performance style is one of stark contrasts- spanning from songs of intense melancholy, like Now it's Cold, to ones of infectious vibrancy, such as Boozehound. 

Having toured relentlessly over the last year with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Ryan Keen, Nova's Basement and Kal Lavelle  his freshly honed folk-rock style has wowed audiences alike. 

See him live @ Komedia, Bath on 4th March 2013. With performances also from Joshua Porter, Joshua Luke Smith, Dani Miche and Dominik Sky. 

My 3 Wonders of the World

It's fair to say, I've been about a bit... and not in the licentious sense, (cheeky!), in the globe-hopping, aeroplane sense. This makes me incredibly lucky. Not only has traveling broadened my outlook of the earth we inhabit, it has also made me genuinely appreciative of other cultures, foreign cuisine, history and sheer natural beauty.

Thats the gushing stuff over with.

So, here are 3 places which I have visited, photographed and loved. It's quite simple really, enjoy!

p.s All pictures are un-edited and have been taken by me, on my trusted Olympus Pen.

1. Yosemite National Park, North America 

In the summer of 2012, my family and I embarked on our biggest adventure of all: a 3 week road-trip across California. Not only did we have to get to grips with driving, and parking, a 32ft R.V- the challenges of Bear Lockers (seriously, to stop bears breaking in and stealing your cake), sewage pipes and falling pine-cones proved somewhat of a struggle. However, after abandoning Gladys (our trusted motor-home) in a rickety and dusty campsite we were rewarded with Yosemite. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer natural sublimity of this place. With a scale beyond imagination; tumbling waterfalls, dense forestry and softly domed mountains greet you upon entry. Few places have reduced me to a similar state of awe. 

2. Pompeii, Italy

School trips, for me, have scarcely stretched beyond the mundane. Usually involving cramped coach journeys, travel sickness, feigned illness and mashed potato, they are hardly my fondest memories. But clearly A'Level Geography has it's perks, as this cheeky jaunt to Sorrento has got to be one of the highlights. Pompeii is eerily quiet. With twilight encroaching as we wandered the crumbling, dusty streets, you feel not only stunned by the absolute quality of that which remains, but an overwhelming sense of sadness for a society which lost everything. Preserved in ash, entire corpses, mosaics and buildings remain. Does it almost feel like nothing changed at all? ... Sorry, couldn't resist a Bastille quote.

3. Hua Hin, Thailand

Hua Hin, a beach town, south of Bangkok has long been a destination for my family. Embarking on my 11th trip there this summer, it's safe to say my experiences of this extraordinary country have helped to mould my cultural outlook. A first trip to Thailand is a little like an assault on the senses; immediately you are stuck by the pungent, aromatic odours; resplendent colourings and the invasion of a thriving community in full, noisy cry. Embrace it, and you will certainly be hungry for more. 

Roo Panes - 'Indigo Home'

I love discovering new music. This guy has an exceptionally moving voice; sombre yet affectionately charming. With folky, acoustic melodies and gritty, yet warm, vocals it's that sort of song to listen to on long, winding car journeys. Keep your eye on this one.

Bella Figura by Jiří Kylián

Bella Figura by Jiří Kylián

Netherlands Dans Theatre

Have you ever been on public transport, and you accidentally catch the eye of someone sat opposite? You both squirm with discomfort- yet can’t quite look away, because you are somewhat intrigued? … Yes, I’m afraid I did just compare Jiri Kylian’s immense collaboration of modern dance and classical ballet to being checked-out by some leering pervert on the Tube, but the analogy works, since there is something fascinating about the off-kilter quality to Kylian’s choreography.

An NDT dancer is a curious being: maintaining an extraordinary level of strength and movement dexterity, yet sustaining the ability to contort, twist and contract like a pipe-cleaner. Kylian’s forte appears to be one of innovation; the physical exploration of the human body in Bella Figura will surely have the geriatrics in the front row choking on that gentle, full-bodied Shiraz they ordered during the interval… for the gender of the dancers is almost undefinable. Through the use of billowing russet skirts, nudity and an interesting pair of beige knickers; both men and women are stripped down to the barest level of vulnerability; adopting regressional and distressing foetal contortions.

But I feel I should warn you: if twee country-side sets and smiling bourrées, that clatter in a perfect resonance with a sweet, orchestral score, float your boat… Bella Figura ain’t for you. The stage is sparse- with an industrial, exposed lighting-rig and unoccupied wings- creating a stage of an enthralling, infinite size. The dancers begin, vacant and unstructured, simply marking-through movement; a nod to the ‘performance’ that Kylian attempts to subvert. Then the music: a rich, luxurious drone which sways the piece away from the former unrehearsed nonchalance to an altogether more melancholy tone- with a constant, frugal wash of light standing as a contrast to the wealth and detail of Kylian’s movement vocabulary.

Burgh Island EP - Ben Howard

'Every Kingdom' was a masterpiece, reminiscent of a British summer and romanticised friendships; gaining Ben Howard the publicity he deserved as an acoustic, folk-inspired musician. But don't become complacent, because this Devon-lad has so much more to offer. Released on the 10th December 2012, 'Burgh Island' takes on a darker, more gritty, tone. The eclectic mix of lethargic, layered vocals and coarse, electrified instruments has resulted in a record with verisimilitude levels of realism. Fuelled by a gruelling tour schedule, the 4 tracks take on a rather more brooding outlook; speaking of heartbreak and abandonment. 'Esmerelda', 'Oats in the Water', 'To Be Alone' and 'Burgh Island' are a long, long way from the blissful, acoustic tenderness which Howard has dominated radio stations and venues alike with over the last 12 months. With equal levels of beauty and maturity, 'Burgh Island' is definitely worth a listen.