The Magdalen issue 33

D U N D E E U N I V E R S I T Y S T U D E N T S ’ M A G A Z I N E

The Magdalen

A fAir wAge for stAff At DunDee uni?

DuCCMeet

I S S U E 3 3 J A N / F E B 2 0 1 3

ListHitfAsHion

wiPe £9000off Your DeBt

Editorial

The MagdalenPAGE 2 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Editorial

edit

or

ial

And it’s back to Uni with a bump. No more Christmas daytime drinking, the cocktail glass has turned into a mug and the wine into coffee. In addition to the release of this issue of The Magdalen, we also launch the wonderful, brand new DUSA Media website. The new site dusa.co.uk/media has your three media outlets, The Magdalen, DUSA TV and Discover Radio in the same place. So you can watch, read and listen in the one place whether on your laptop, tablet or smart phone. Also, check the DUSA Media facebook page for the latest DUSA Media news.This issue of The Magdalen brings you yummy Valentine’s treats, as well as all important dating tips from Kevin Fullerton. We speak to the lovely Maggie Petcheva, manager of DUSA TV, and in the world of politics we have a re-cap of what happened across Europe.. Flick straight to page 29 for your chance to have £9000 wiped from your student debt. If you’re interested in getting involved with The Magdalen just drop us an email or send us a Facebok message. As always, a huge thanks to all our writers and contributors for their work in creating the latest issue of The Magdalen.

Melina Nicolaideseditor-iN-chief

Published by:Daniel McGlade, VPCCDUSA, Airlie PlaceDundee, DD1 [email protected]

Printed by:Winters & Simpson Print16 Dunsinane AvenueDundee, DD2 3QT

Editor in Chief:Melina [email protected]

Deputy Editor:Nicholas Manderson

Editoral Assistants:Catriona Duthie Kevin Fullerton

Category Editors:

Current Affairs | Benjamin BlaserFeatures | Danielle AmesEntertainment | Jane JohnstonArt | Francisco GarciaTravel | Shannon PrydeFashion | Claire McPhillimyLifestyle | Mhairi Rutherford

Production:

Graphic Design | Nicholas Manderson, Melina Nicolaides, Steven Fullerton

Contributors: Benjamin Blaser, Danielle Ames, Jane Johnston, Francisco Garcia, Shannon Pryde, Claire McPhillimy, Mhairi Rutherford, NIcholas Manderson, Melina Nicolaides, Steven Fullerton, Kevin Fullerton, Catriona Duthie, Staci Rowlison, Rob Ryder-Richardson, Linda Barclay, Callum Hotchkiss, Maggie Pentcheva, Felix Reimer, Jalal Abukhater, Andrew Jardine, Sheona Shankland, Claire McPhillimy, Sarasvatha Arulampalam, Kirstie Alln, Keith Mcleod.

The Magdalen PAGE 3NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Contents

Co

nte

nts

Editorial 4 Exec News & Rector Elections 5 New DUSA Media website

Lifestyle6 Rose & Strawberry cupcakes7 Chocolate dipped shortbread 8 Chocolate fudge hearts

Travel 9 Bratislava

Current Affairs10 Action Palestine 12 Euro politics 2012 round-up

Features15 DUSAtv Interview18 Fair’s Fair. Or is it?20 Dating Tips

Fashion22 The Hit List24 Recycle Restyle26 Captured on Campus

Art27 Waterfront refurb.28 Coming up29 IdeasTap: £9000 debt fund

Entertainment30 Reality TV Blues32 Valentine’s playlist33 Bands of the month

Sport 34 Meet the Team: DUCC

dUSA Media’s new website p. 5

Action Palestine p. 10

Editorial

The MagdalenPAGE 4 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Editorial

Happy New Year to all The Magdalen readers! I hope everyone has settled back into the new semester and all your classes are going well. Here at DUSA, we have had a busy time lately.

The VPSA, Anna Dimitrova, successfully ran DUSA’s Raising and Giving (RAG) Week, raising lots of money for TCCL Lodge. A big well done and thank you to everyone involved!

In the coming months there are many exciting things for everyone to be involved in. At the end of January, nominations open for your Student Executive Elections. This is your chance to have your say and run your Student Union. For more details check out the DUSA website.

You can also get involved in the VPSW’s Mental Health Week, with many activities happening over the middle of February. Look out for information over our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

That’s all from me just now, as ever feel free to contact me.

EXECNEWSA N D R E W J A R D I N E [email protected]

get iNvolvedthe Magdalen is always looking for more people to get involved, whatever your interest.

[email protected] US At

or SeNd US A MeSSAge oN fAcebook

Editorial

The Magdalen PAGE 5NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Editorial

three oUtletS

dusa.co.uk/mediaoNe webSite

The MagdalenPAGE 6 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Lifestyle

1. Preheat the oven to 170C.

2. Cream the butter in a bowl using a whisk. Once it is of a smooth consistency, sieve the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into the same bowl and whisk until all the ingredients are mixed together.

3. Pour in half of your milk and mix until you have a well-combined, sandy consistency.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and the vanilla essence until frothy, then pour in the rest of the milk.

5. Slowly add the egg mixture to the original mixture, whisking all the time. Once combined, mix for a few more minutes to ensure it’s smooth.

6. Spoon out the mixture evenly amongst the 12 baking

cupcakesRose & Strawberry

Sheona Shankland

125g plain flour

145g caster sugar

1½ tsps baking powder

40g unsalted butter (at room temperature)

120ml milk

1 egg

½ tsp vanilla essence

pinch of salt

ingredients

cooking directions cases, filling them about 2/3rds full.

7. Place into the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and springy to the touch.

8. To test if they are cooked, pierce one in the middle with a knife. If the knife comes out clean then they are cooked, if there is residue then put the cupcakes back in the oven for a couple of minutes.

100g unsalted butter

250g icing sugar

2 tsps red food dye

1 tsp strawberry flavouring

1 tsp rose flavouring

cupcakes

icing1. Whisk the butter in a bowl with the strawberry and rose flavouring until a smooth consistency is reached.

2. Slowly add the icing sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.

3. Add the food dye gradually until the desired colour is achieved.

cupcakes

icing

The Magdalen PAGE 7NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Lifestyle

1. Preheat the oven to 170C.

2. Cream butter in a large bowl by whisking, then add your sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

3. Sift flour and cornflour into a separate bowl.

4. Mix the sifted ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture.

5. Put the doughy mixture between two pieces of cling film and roll it out.

6. Once it is about 2 cm thick, cut out heart shapes and lay

shortbreadChocolate-Dipped

Sheona Shankland

145g plain flour

55g cornflour

60g caster sugar

115g unsalted butter

150- 200g chocolate

ingredients cooking directions them on a baking tray.

7. Bake in an oven set at 170 C for 20 to 25 minutes.

8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

9. In the meantime, melt the chocolate in a bowl so it is nice and smooth.

10. Once the shortbread has cooled, gently dip the side into the melted chocolate and place on a chopping board in the fridge to set.

** You will also need a heart shaped cookie

cutter

Makes 15-18

The MagdalenPAGE 8 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Lifestyle

350g dark/plain chocolate

150g milk chocolate

75g unsalted butter

400g can of sweetened condensed milk

1tsp vanilla essence

baking directions this is one of the easiest recipes I know and it gives delicious results! perfect for any occassion, but can be given a wee romantic spin for Valentines day by cutting into little heart shapes. but they don’t normally last long enough for this to matter!

1. Take a little of the butter and grease the baking tray

2. Break up all of the chocolate into the bowl with the remaining butter.

3. Pour a small amount of boiling water into your pot; when you place the bowl into the pot it should sit without touching the water. This is called a bain-marie.

4. Now that you have the bain-marie set up, place your pot on the hob on a low heat and gently

melt your chocolate and butter, stirring regularly.

5. Once your chocolate and butter is starting to become a smooth mixture, pour in the condensed milk and vanilla, and stir until smooth.

6. THAT’S IT! Pour your mixture into you pre-prepared tray and put it in the fridge to set for a good few hours. Then, once it’s hardened, you can cut it into romantic little heart shapes for Valentines.

ingredients

Sheona’s Easy

chocolateFudge hearts

Sheona Shankland

** You will also need a heart shaped cookie

cutter

Makes 8-10

The Magdalen PAGE 9 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Travel

Vienna is one of the Christkindlmarkt capitals of the world, but you can

dodge the crowds in Bratislava, which are supposedly the two closest capital cities in the world. These two cities offer a break from the wind and rain, which the UK is currently being battered with, in exchange for a really crisp winter air. Both are suitable in winter and summer, offering surprisingly contrasting backdrops despite being only miles apart.

When people say everything in Europe looks the same, they have obviously not looked close enough. I took the short trip from Vienna to Bratislava, which, as mentioned, are the two closest capital cities in the world. This was my sixth time to Vienna and so I do believe I have a pretty good feel for the place, hence the trip outside the city. Crossing a border is always exciting, even if there is not much to it these days, especially in the EU. As a child I would jump up and down waiting to hear the punch of the stamp against my clean passport, letting me go discover a new land, even if it was just Ireland.

Nowadays though there are just derelict buildings that represent an ambiguous border and only once you have changed mobile phone

network do you feel you have really entered a new country. If you look closely you can see differences, even in the countries closest to one another. The roads, the upkeep of public areas, fashion sense, language and history are all different; the list is endless. The people and the way they live creates a totally different environment and central Europe is a great place to see it first-hand. Vienna is a very cosmopolitan city; beautiful buildings are all kept to look like they were built yesterday. The roads are a place where potholes don't exist. Public parks are maintained as if they were a private garden for royals (to be fair, most of Vienna's public parks used to be exactly that).

Architecture ranges from the grand Upper Belvedere in the 4th district by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, to the quirky Hunderwasserhaus by Freidensreich Hunderwasser and Joseph Karwina; both of which are breathtaking in their own way. There is a very clean atmosphere to the city; the air is fresh due to limitations on emissions and, from just looking around, everything appears very neat. Sometimes it is nice to let loose and find somewhere to relax without worrying about doing the wrong thing.

Bratislava does just that. Driving from Vienna you are faced with a plague of communist-style block of flats encircling a gorgeous old town centre. You could say Bratislava is literally a little rough round the edges. I do still appreciate the "ugly" buildings as part of the city's history; it helps make it what it is and adds to its charm and culture. The Bratislava Castle is somewhat of an exception, it appears to be in immaculate condition, and this is because in 1811 it was burnt down and has been restored several times. It now stands as the Slovak National Museum. It sits high about the Danube, the original linking chain of all of central Europe's most beautiful cities, and on a clear day you can see three countries: Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. The centre of Bratislava is similar to Vienna, but even more so are its red-roofed comrades in more eastern countries. The buildings still have a beautiful baroque touch to them but their upkeep isn't as extensive as their next-door neighbours. And that's why I love Bratislava, not everything is trying to be perfect; it is authentic and this is the same for its people, food, beer and all-round atmosphere.

Travel

RoSe MatheSon

brAtiSlAvAdodge the crowdS iN

Why you should join Dundee University’s Action Palestine?

A friend shared a New Year’s resolution card with me, which was originally published in 1946. A bandaged figure “the world” is shaking hands with an angel labelled “Peace”. The card read: A New Year Blessing! It is the will of all that lives forever: This year, you shall make peace with each other! Amen!

Sixty-six years on, however, Palestinian suffering continues and peace is far from realised in the region. The year 2012 has proven to be bittersweet for Palestinians. Little good happened, while worse stuff did not stop. 2012 witnessed a renewed Israeli offensive on the Gaza strip, one of the world’s most densely populated areas. Over a period of eight days, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed over 160, around 50

were children. Seventy per cent of the people killed were civilians. Hundreds were injured. On the Israeli side, six lives were lost. The misery of 1.7 million Palestinians living in the besieged Gaza strip continues.

In the West Bank, the Israeli government continues to illegally appropriate Palestinian land to build settlements and continues to destroy cisterns (water holding receptacle) and expel local populations. Governments across the world have expressed their anger about those policies, but no action was taken – as always. On 29th November 2012, 138 member states of the United Nations voted in favour of Palestine to become a non-member observer state. Merely a symbolic move, it had no actual impact.

This is where you, as students,

PAleStiNe’S tUMUltUoUS 2012

The MagdalenPAGE 10 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Current Affairs

come in. Make 2013 the year you take action for justice in Palestine. Injustice anywhere, is injustice everywhere. On the Palestine/Israel issue, student actions around the globe have proven more effective than any diplomacy. Join BDS to make a difference. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement is the most effective non-violent global campaign (www.bdsmovement.net). Inspired by actions against Apartheid in South Africa, it is now fighting Apartheid in Israel. Campuses across the world are taking actions to force Israel to abide by international law and grant Palestinians their rights. Learn more about BDS and get involved with Dundee University’s Action Palestine Society. Help make a difference – towards peace and justice everywhere.

jalal abukhateR

CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Magdalen PAGE 11 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Current Affairs

2

1

3 41 Mahmoud Abbas , President of Palestine, addressed the United Nations General Assembly to defend Palestine in

front of the international delegation and to argue the case for non-member status for Palestine at the UN.

2 President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, was elected on 13th June 2007. Israel opposed the UN resolution granting Palestine non-member observer status in the United Nations. The State of Israel was declared in 1948.

3 United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon. UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19 granted Palestine non-member observer status in the United Nations. The resolution passed with 138 votes on 29th November 2012.

4 Tensions grew throughout the region when Israel and Palestine escalated aggression towards one another, with fears of a ground warfare developing. Bombing and missile strikes were carried out by both sides. Photo: Reuters/Suhaid Salem

UN geNerAl ASSeMbly reS. 67/19

Decides to accord to Palestine non-member observer State status in the United Nations, without prejudice to the acquired rights, privileges and role of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the United Nations as the representative of the Palestinian people, in accordance with the relevant resolutions and practice. — United Nations general Assembly resolution 67/19, Point 2

the resolution upgrades Palestine to a non-member observer state at the United Nations general Assembly. this allows Palestine to speak at UN general Assembly meetings, participate in procedural votes and to sponsor and sign resolutions but not vote on substantive matters.

whAt it SAyS:

whAt it MeANS:


CURRENT AFFAIRS

the Umbrellas: efSf/eSMAs bailing out the banks saddled

countries with heaps of debt, the EU brought into life the ESFS (European System of Financial Supervisors) to provide bailout funds to troubled countries. Being a temporary fix, member states in 2012 ratified a treaty creating the ESM (European Stability Mechanism). This permanent ‘bazooka’ is loaded with 500billion Euros. Until the EFSF is closed down next June, Europe has some 748 billion Euros to throw at the problem. In 2012 Ireland, Portugal and Greece got aid. So did Spain for its banks and Cyprus is currently negotiating a deal.

the rise of the iron lady Everyone is talking about Angela

Merkel these days. Germany’s Chancellor has gained a lot of power and uses it to push through her

policy of austerity. She is now called the new Iron Lady. But, while the original faced angry unions, this edition has infuriated all of southern Europe. Last year we saw little of Van Rompuy (President of the European Council) or Barroso (President of the European Commission), in 2012 ‘Angie’ ruled again. This year she faces election – could this be the end of her reign of austerity?

erasmus Shall Not dieThe European student exchange

programme that has even made it to the big screen (L’auberge espagnole) is under threat. As budget negotiations last year ended without compromise, future funding for the programme is uncertain. This lead to the formation of Fraternité 2020, the first ever European Citizens’ Initiative, aiming to collect a million signatures to compel the European

european politics in review

2012 proved eventful for the eU. did you get lost in all the chaos? then here is what you need to know:

Commission to better fund exchange programmes (http://www.fraternite2020.eu/).

we all won! Have EU citizenship? Congrats!

You just won yourself the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize! The controversial move by the Norwegian committee intended to remind everyone that the great civilization project was all about ensuring peace in Europe. As it has successfully done so in past six decades the prize was justified. The job now is to ensure that this peace survives these times of economic turmoil and social unrest.

Angela Merkel ruled the roost in 2012, but certainly won no friends in greece. with elections later this year how long will she last?

francois hollande won the french elections sending Sarkozy down the champs-Élysées with his suitcase and supermodel first lady.

Nicolas Sarkozy has left the Élysée Palace but will remain in headlines as french courts ask about $50m he received from Col. Gaddafi.

2012

benjaMin blaSeR

The Magdalen PAGE 13NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Current Affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS

With the economy flatlining, EU-bashing is all too popular. But are

we having the wrong debate? David Cameron broke a

major taboo by calling a ‘Brexit’ “imaginable” in a climate where UKIP are at his neck and a majority of Conservatives are wanting Britain out. Boris Johnson thinks it wouldn’t be “the end of the world”, while Michael Gove and Iain Duncan-Smith are calling for a UK withdrawal and public polls show that half the country wants the same.

Stuck at an impasse, Cameron blames the EU for the economy and calls for “powers” to be repatriated, exploiting anti-EU sentiment. At the same time he wants to “stay in the European Union, to be members of the single market, to maximize our impact in Europe”. Behind all that vagueness hide two options: the Swiss or the Norwegian model.

Norway, member of the European Economic Area, has access to the common market but is not a member of the EU. It still has to comply with 75% of EU laws and pays €340million to EU funds. This small country has no international ambition and lives of abundant gas and oil resources.

As it rejected EEA membership, Switzerland has had to negotiate over 120 special bilateral agreements to gain access to the market. French president Hollande was not shy to remind Britain that there is no “Europe a la carte”.

But there is a side that is hardly heard: those who see Britain as a leading nation in the EU. Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, said the UK was crucial in building the common market, shaping foreign policy as well as policies on finance and trade. English became the new lingua franca of Europe. Germany’s finance minister called the UK “one of Europe’s strongest, most innovative economies.” In 2050, the UK will

what’s your opinion?tell us on:

dusa.co.uk/media

oUt?

be the biggest member state by population. With its historically strong international links and its economic traditions, Britain could be a main actor in the EU.

Instead of choosing to maximise the opt-outs to please petty nationalist interests, Britain should take a bold new approach towards the EU. It is time to get over nostalgia. Britain’s future in the EU can be powerful and prosperous -but it has to be all in.

After joiNiNg the eUroPeAN UNioN iN 1973, britAiN coUld be votiNg jUSt 40 yeArS lAter oN whether or Not to reMAiN PArt

of the eU.

oriN

According to a yougov Poll reported in the economist, december 2012.

of britons would vote to leave the eU

49%of britons would vote

to stay in the eU

32%of britons are

undecided

19%

benjaMin blaSeR


CURRENT AFFAIRS

NOMINATIONS OPEN : MON 21 JAN - FRI 8 FEB

No Vote, No Voice.

VOTING : 6TH, 7TH & 8TH MARCH

Dundee Un ivers i t y S tudents ’ Assoc iat ion (DUSA) Regis te red Scot t i sh Char i t y Number Sc016047

VIS IT DUSA.CO.UK/ELECTIONS TO LEARN MORE

The Magdalen PAGE 15NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Features

Features

tell us a bit about your job as media manager at dUSA tv and what sorts of things dUSA tv does?

My job, I do a lot, manage people, appoint committees, organise filming and training, projects, deal with everything the TV has to do, we make videos that people hopefully like to watch. We have a weekly news show, Soc Adventures, promo videos and short movies. We give a creative platform to students. DUSA Media is part of an unpaid department of DUSA, we’re not a society, we are the video, TV side of media.

for incoming students who are interested in getting involved in media, where would you advise them to begin?

As far as joining DUSA TV, just e-mail us, and then we’ll take you on from there. One of the best things about DUSA TV is that it gives you a platform towards gaining industry experience, and to see if it’s for you. When I first joined, I had no clue at all, I just showed up, ‘oh TV, that sounds interesting, I can’t do anything, I can’t film, I can’t edit, I don’t think I’m comfortable in front of the camera.’ And now I do everything. It’s really good to give

it a try, so before you start making ambitious plans of working in the BBC, you want to see if you’re good enough, and if you enjoy it as well. If you want to get into the industry, you need to have a passion for it. It brings money if you’re good, it doesn’t if you’re not.

within dUSA tv, what different positions are there that people can hold?

We have everything from coming up with concepts and ideas, developed by writers, storyboards, make-up team, actors, presenters, journalists, camera people, sound

the Magdalen’s features editor, danielle Ames, managed to grab an interview with dUSA tv manager Maggie Pentcheva to pick her brain on the channel’s newest improvements, the challenges dUSA tv faces, and the gravitational pull of jessica wright’s tits.

iNterviewMAggie PeNtchevA

The MagdalenPAGE 16 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Features

Features

operators, editors, post-production staff, special effects people, and we all sort of promote it together. There’s pretty much anything, you can do anything.

how do you get your ideas for the short films DUSA TV makes?

Sometimes people come up to us with concepts already. As far as the Halloween short film, the skateboarding ghost, someone came up to us and went, “Did you

on the topic of media, what are your favourite youtube channels, besides dUSA tv?

I’ve got three main ones that I love. TED talks, the inspirational lectures, you can always find something on there. Collective Cadenza (CDZA), their slogan is, ‘We create musical video experiments,’ everything they do is so clever, they’re amazing. And the last one is Ryan Higa, he’s just hilarious. He does YouTube very well.

camera?” and I just think, “No, not for me, no.” The cheesy beano guy in freshers week probably goes down in history as well. This guy gave me a recipe for making beans on toast. It was an eight-minute interview with all his friends and they harassed me. There was this one guy who did not want to leave my hair alone, and while I’m interviewing him, he kept whispering into my ear, “Your hair’s on fire.” I was trying to smile without punching them, and I ended up elbowing one of them to the ground by the end of it.

what are your best celebrity stories?

Tinchy Stryder had to be the best one, after his performance we went into his room backstage and asked if we could interview him, he had his shirt off, and said, “Oh, I should probably put my top on then.” And I just go, “No, it’s alright, you don’t have to.” And all I meant was it’ll make good TV, I’m sure people will appreciate it. And his friends started laughing, and they laughed even more when they saw my face. I went outside and sunk to the ground because I had to go back in and ask him what shower gel he uses. He uses Dove soap. We were doing a wish video, and I asked him if he had one wish what would it be, and he says he wished there would be no poverty, and that everyone would be equal, whilst I’m staring at his diamond ring which would have put me through university twice. I’m staring at the ring going, this is Tinchy Stryder, these diamonds are the real shit, this isn’t Claires! Tinchy Stryder really was lovely though, he ended up asking us to go back for drinks afterwards. But I had videos to make.

who was your least favourite celebrity to interview?

I have to say Jessica Wright was ...yeah, yeah… she was quite something. The fact is that she came in and made no effort at all. Supposedly she has a talent, although she didn’t even perform. And I’m pretty sure her boobs have their own gravitational pull. The Situation was another bad one, he didn’t even take his top off.

know the union is haunted?? You should totally make a film about that!” And they told me about this skateboarding ghost that they were genuinely serious about, I gave it to my writer and asked if they could do something about it, and we discussed it, had loads of ideas, narrowed it down, and took it from there. Once somebody actually came up to me and said they wanted to make a documentary about scooters, they went, “We have thought about this for two and a half years, we want to make sure the idea’s well developed.” We’ve had some odd ideas, but we’ve tried everything. I mean, if you come to us and want to make a commercial about buttons, we’ll freaking help you make a commercial about buttons. Nothing’s too ridiculous and we want to give everything a try.

what’s your favourite part of being dUSA tv manager?

Everything. I love everything. Just working with so many people. Video making is just so rewarding it’s unreal, I don’t think I’ve ever felt better about creating something. The most exciting bit has to be in the beginning, when you have a good idea, and you’re like ‘wow I like this’, it keeps you motivated because you know what you wanted it to be. And in the end, it’s almost perfect. Almost. It’s never perfect. It never can be.

what’s your most amusing experience interviewing drunks at Skint, whilst you remained far too sober?

There have been a couple of times during freshers week when guys drunk off their face go, “Wouldn’t it be funny if we made out on

DUSAtv crew lining up the shot when filming with brian cox


Features

what would you like to work on after University media wise?

The absolute dream would be to work on films with Peter Jackson or Quentin Tarantino. Co-directing, directing would be amazing. The main thing is that I would like to make something that people actually enjoy and get something out of. I’m not trying to change the world, just to make a good film.

what improvements would you like to see happen within the whole of dUSA tv?

I’d love us to be a massive team with a lot more smaller filming teams, so we can pursue more projects at one time. The main thing is that people are enjoying the content, and it’s a range of content. I want to do a lot of different things, news, short documentaries,

investigative journalism, light-hearted stuff, chat shows, a bit of everything. That would have to be done by a lot more people. Just gather momentum, and build upon each other.

Any last words you’d like to add? I think people should get involved

with the TV. I started the TV with no experience at all. Nothing. I just walked up, they asked me what I wanted to do, and I said, “I don’t know, there’s not much I can do!” I hadn’t ever touched a camera, I’d never even touched a Mac, and after a couple weeks I kept quiet but stuck around, I joined a couple projects and did tiny things for them. Then I started my own show. Then I got hooked up and became president. And I feel like I’ve gained a lot, and I didn’t think I would, I didn’t think I’d be good at it at all. I

for more questions, information, and to see dUSA tv’s work visit:dUSA.co.Uk/MediA

or visit dUSA tv’s dedicated youtube channel:yoUtUbe.coM/dUSAtv

Maggie adding to dUSA tv’s collection of over 100 videos they have made.

think people should definitely give it a try. It’s rewarding and it’s really enjoyable as well. When you’re properly committed to it, you spend a fair amount of time doing it, but it doesn’t feel like work. I’d say people should join, they should come along and check us out.

do yoU thiNk yoUr hoUrly PAy iS fAir? coUld yoU rAiSe A fAMily oN MiNiMUM wAge? or woUld thAt PUt yoU oN the roAd to Poverty?

ScotlANdMiNiMUM wAge | £7.45/h

dUNdee UNiverSityMiNiMUM wAge | £7.20/h

loNdoNMiNiMUM wAge | £8.55/h

Features


Questions like these are behind the Living Wage campaign that began

in London in 2001 and has since gained support across the country. Its goal is to convince employers to pay more than the national minimum wage of £6.19 per hour. Each year it calculates two different Living Wage rates based on the cost of living: one for London, where it currently endorses an hourly pay of £8.55, and one for the rest of the UK, for which it recommends £7.45 an hour.

This year, under the motto “Let’s end poverty at Dundee University,” the Living Wage campaign has arrived on campus. Lee Robb, its vice chair, argues that the university should implement the recommended rates immediately, “The remuneration of some staff technically puts them below the poverty line. It means they have to decide whether to pay for housing or food or heating but cannot necessarily pay for all of it, especially if they have to commute to work.”

Other Living Wage supporters like UNISON, Britain’s biggest trade union that also represents staff members on campus, make similar points. They demand that the university should follow the example set by most of Scotland’s public sector. Around 97% of council employees are already covered by Living Wage agreements, according to UNISON.

So far, the university has shown little enthusiasm for the Living Wage message. Requests by Robb and Connor McElwaine, chair of the student’s campaign, to meet with the university’s principal, Pete Downes,

were met with silence. Downes did not reply to a request for comment for this article. However, there are some signs of outreach. A meeting with Pamela Milne, the university’s human resources director, is “in the pipeline”, according to Robb (who, in the interest of full disclosure, is a friend of mine).

The way Pamela Milne framed it in an interview with the Magdalen, it seems the Living Wage activists are barking up the wrong tree. “We do not negotiate pay for any of our staff locally, that is done on a national basis,” she explained. For this year’s negotiations, a spokesperson for the University and Colleges Employers Association that represents Dundee University, said in an email, “the trade unions raised the Living Wage campaign as an important part of their claim”.

The university’s pay structure has 51 levels that correlate with the position and the length of service. Only employees in the two bottom brackets are paid less than the £7.45 the Living Wage campaign recommends (£7.15 and £7.34 per hour, respectively). According to Milne, that affects 153 out of the university’s 3,200 staffers. The university also offers to contribute an additional 22.1% of salary to a pension scheme if staff members match that with 7.75% of their wage; a contribution which she feels should be taken into account.

Milne went on to argue that, “Dundee is not an expensive place

to live, including house prices and travel to work”. She also made the case that the pay rate is only one part of the remuneration package; “We have other conditions that are often much more generous than the statutory minimum”, citing examples like sick leave with full pay for up to six months. Staff

members can also access the gym and the library and use various other services. Milne points out that many other employers in Dundee offer lower wages and fewer benefits than the university.

So far, the Living Wage campaign has largely been driven by the Labour student society led by McElwaine and Robb. The president of Dundee’s Liberal Youth, Joe Derry Setch, expressed support for the initiative’s goals but voiced reservations about how the campaign was handled. His society, he said, “was not approached with the issue at all, even though it is something I fully support”.

Robb shrugs off such criticism, pointing to a petition calling on the university to implement the scheme that has been signed almost 250 times. Among its supporters are MP Jim McGovern and Dundee MSP Jenny Marra. Robb commented, “Others have claimed they support the Living Wage but we are the only ones acting on it.”

editor’S Note | the Magdalen is published by dUSA, a major employer on campus. A representative did not respond to a request for comment on dUSA’s position on the minimum wage before deadline.

loNdoNMiNiMUM wAge | £8.55/h

betweeN 2011 ANd 2012 the groSS hoUrly eArNiNgS (exclUdiNg overtiMe) for fUll-tiMe eMPloyeeS iN the bottoM decile wAS £7.16 Per hoUr*

*From the Office for National Statistics, 2012 Annual Survey of Hours and Earning

fAir’S fAir. or iS it? Felix ReiMeR

what’s your opinion?tell us on:

dusa.co.uk/media

The MagdalenPAGE 20 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Features

The first gift I ever purchased for my girlfriend was home-made. Having racked my

brains trying to think of the perfect Valentine’s Day present, I decided to hell with all of this pre-purchased cards and chocolate crap! I would instead bake a cake in the shape of a heart. It was on the morning of Valentine's Day that I came up

with this plan, with it not really occurring to me that I had never actually baked anything before, let alone a cake. I went out and bought what I assumed were the correct ingredients, and came back to commence my masterfully baked treat. Not owning any scales, I kind of just assumed that I was putting in the correct measurements, a block or two of butter, a punnet of sugar, stuff that sounded generally cakey. Not owning any heart stencils, I cut out an approximation of a heart and put on the icing by moulding it onto the cake with my fingers. The results were not pretty.. Frankly it looked more like a real human heart than a valentines one. It was more contusion than cake, with unidentifiable bits sticking out in a pink mass of dissatisfaction as my fingerprints were embedded onto

“dating!”– a simple guide to romantic success

The location of a date is important, showcasing both your good taste and awareness of the romantic ambience

that can later be carried over to the boudoir, (which is French for sex-chamber.). The most traditional of dating areas is the restaurant, but finding a romantic one in your price range can be tricky. The more expensive ones are a nightmare. They're the type of place where a drink has to be paid for in six-monthly instalments and you need to take a mortgage out for the main course. The only free things in an expensive restaurant are the breath mints and bread sticks, so it's best to try to fill your date up on those before she/he orders. Also, bring a jacket with large pockets: that'll make it easier to stash mints in for later consumption.

But if you're on a tight budget then the real trick is to bring some romantic candles and a sexy mixtape to your local fast–food chain, KFC, Burger King/Queen etc. Remember to bring some plates along with you so you can decant the contents of your greasy bucket onto them. Plates add romance to virtually any situation. There isn't a girl I've been out with who hasn't loved a good plate.

location, location, location

Carparks and wedding shops are both overly presumptive locations for a first date

it’s the thought that countseach and every portion of it. It was as if Masterchef had been accidentally paired with CSI. Biting into it was like entering a nuclear dead–zone; you didn't know what to expect, but it would probably lead to long-term illness. But despite being essentially inedible the cake was still appreciated, and that’s the moral to the story: it's the thought that counts when it comes to gifts. Unless that thought is something sinister, like ‘oh my word I hope this person dies horribly’ or something, in which case it’s better not to really bother with gifts. This is especially true if you're attempting to copulate repeatedly with the person in question.

kevin FulleRton


Features

It’s true what they say: 99% of everything is awful. But the 1% that’s left is love, which is at the very least bearable. But in order to woo that potential soulmate, dating is a necessity, mainly to illustrate to your partner that you’re not completely psychotic. And having been on at least two-and-a-half dates – the last girl walked out halfway through for some reason – I feel I'm more than qualified to be giving out some tips to help you secure that perfect partner who can help you pretend that you won't inevitably die alone.

See Scottish ensemble perform ‘la follia’ - musical madness at the caird hall, thursday 14th february, 7.30pm. for AN exclUSive ticket offer check the event details online at dUSA.co.Uk/MediA

The first thing you have to remember when out on a date with someone is to never talk about death. While your friends, nieces and nephews might enjoy hearing about their inevitable decay in a pointless universe,

it's simply not appropriate romantic discussion while wooing a lady/man–friend with a bit of Barry White in your local KFC. I'm pretty sure that's why that girl walked out halfway through our last date anyway. The best thing for a first date is to stick to general, safe topics, What do you do?, What are your hobbies?, What are you wearing underneath that?, good safe topics that won't make you sound creepy. The main aim of a first date is to make a woman/man think you're much better than you actually are in order to secure a few further dates where you can slowly disappoint them with your true, lazy, pathetic nature. I, for instance, once convinced a woman that I was a professional footballer. This later came true when I went on to win the Premier League for Arsenal (Any woman who just believed that can come on a date with me to hear equally impressive lies).

– a simple guide to romantic success

conversation topics

StUck for A vAleNtiNe’S dAte

ideA?ProbleM Solved

the

hitlist

leona Reid

BeautyP-P-P-POKeR FACe

COsmiC ChiCClothing

sPACe hOPPeRFootwear

eveRyBOdy’s stARRy-eyed

AccessoriesThis is an area you can really go

to town on with the futuristic trend. You can practically hear the

intergalactic forces (aka the High Street) calling your name… Bit much?

Point taken. But in all seriousness, you can now wear star-shaped

jewellery without feeling like you’re an eleven year old again, shopping

in Claire’s Accessories (every second Saturday, without fail). Statement

cuffs will really help emphasise this look, as well as plate style collar necklaces. Don’t underestimate the versatility of diamantes either, they will never fail you; until the dreamy

day you can afford the real rocks anyway.

It’s back to the future with our Hit List this month, and your beauty must-haves are getting the extra-terrestrial treatment too. If anyone has this look down it’s Lady Gaga, however plenty of other celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon too. For that futuristic beauty look that’s invading the catwalk, follow these simple guidelines. Firstly, we’re thinking structure; prominent, angular eyebrows and accentuated, shimmering cheekbones are what this look is all about. Follow suit with a jet-black flick of eyeliner, adding in a shot of metallic blue. Don’t be afraid to add a little gold or silver into the mix for that perfect night-time look. Go easy on the lips, keeping them matte and subtle, and finally, keep poker-straight hair scraped back with the help of a little wax or gel.

Jump into this season’s footwear fetish with an eye-catching pair of skyscraper platforms (that’s if you can actually jump whilst wearing them without twisting an ankle). The more sparkly the better, a good motto to have in life I reckon. However, for something a bit more day-appropriate, try a shiny, holographic pair of flatforms or converse-style trainers to add that certain outerspace edge to your outfit. The ever-popular embellished pumps from last season will work just as well this time round when putting together a whole new look.

spike Bomb Ring: topshop, £10spike Glitter Alice Band: topshop, £12.50Odyssey sequin Clutch: Accessorize, £45

mixed metal Collar Necklace: dorothy Perkins, £15

Cosmic Printed tube skirt: topshop, £28 Foil Panelled Knicker shorts: topshop, £22silver textured Boyfriend Blazer: River island, £40Black scatter diamante Jumper: New look, £24.99

Black Glitter Peeptoe scultured Wedges: New look, £29.99silver metallic Flatforms: New look, £24.99Black Point Pumps: miss selfridge, £25 mirrored Court shoe: Zara, £69.99

Rimmel Professional eyebrow Pencil, £2.99Benefit Girl meets Pearl, liquid Pearl for face £24.50

max Factor Glide & define eyeliner: Boots, £6.99vO5 mega hold Gel spray: Boots, £2.99

The first thing worth noticing about the different pieces taking over the High Street this season is that they all have a certain glow about them - shimmering, shiny and sheen is definitely the look we’re going for here. The best thing is that it’s totally transferable from day to night, meaning you can feel like your own version of Princess Leia around the clock (minus the whole white robe situation). Patterns and textures are the key here; don’t be afraid of more embellishment in the form of sequins, beads, anything! The futur-istic look is going to be over-the-top, (it’s the future, duh!) Try an oversized jumper with sparkling diamantes over a pair of galactic style leggings for a perfect daytime look. Bodycon skirts and dresses work well with a silver shimmering blazer for night time. Whatever format it’s in, make sure your look is totally out of this world.

The MagdalenPAGE 24 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Fashion

There’s a basic piece in your closet that you love and use more times than you check Facebook. Don’t deny it, it’s true and it’s getting to the point where you don said item, drag on layers of mascara and venture outside of your room to be met by your flatmates disdainful stares and a snarky ‘oh, inspired choice, darling!’. The Magdalen is doing its part in these charitable times and has put together a guide to keep you fashionable for every occasion – by sprucing up that poor overworked dress of yours with some simple tweaks found in every student’s wardrobe.

&Recycle Restyle

Those many oversized jumpers that have been all the rage lately? Pull them over your party dress to get that splash of inappropriate daytime glamour (and decrease your amount of laundry). Pair with some knee-socks and then give yourself a huge pat on the back for overcoming your hangover in the name of academia.

Morning Lectuersturquois over knee socks: topshop, £6Calvin Klein purple ribbed thigh high socks: New look, £11Black heart Jacquard Jumper: River island, £35

SaRaSvathi aRulaMpalaM

The Magdalen PAGE 25NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Fashion

Fashion

Nothing says bring “bring me a strawberry daiquiri” like a bold blazer, creating the perfect attitude of elegance mid-cocktail. Complete the look with some scathing gossip about your flatmates and this season’s version of the statement necklace: an embellished collar.

Open-mic night is a chance for you to channel your inner ‘Rent’ character. Downplay the dress with a baggy cardigan, patterned for the adventurous of you. If you’re feeling down right bohemian, why not slap a beret on it and own that stage with your flawless version of “La Vie Boheme”?

Liar BarAsymetrical Jacket: h&m, £24.99Gold tone diamonte and Pearl Collae: New look, £28

Felt Pork Pie hat: topshop, £25Apricot Red Cable Knitted Cardigan: New look, £24.99

dark Red Zip side Boots: River island, £40

MONOFor that flirty dancing look everyone craves, belt up the dress to create a not quite, but teetering on, indecently short hem. Pair with some funky tights and sparkly shoes to draw attention to those fabulous legs of yours and Gangnam-style those exam worries away.Black Betty Polly suspender: River island, £10macho Chunnky Glitter Boots: topshop, £38

Air Bar

The MagdalenPAGE 26 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Fashion

captured on campus

Hello! This month we were on the hunt for students who'd actually managed to stylishly wrap up

against the cold - a difficult challenge, especially on a student budget - and we weren't disappointed. Our pick of the best dressed students are all showing us how to keep our winter wardrobe interesting with flashes of colour and pattern. Steal their style trick with chunky scarves, indie knit jumpers and even bright orange footwear (fashion risks really do pay off- those boots are amazing!)

Checks, stripes and colour-fading were clear favourites on campus, but simple colour-blocking in mustard and burgundy is also a popular look, and adds a little sophisticated chic to casual wear.

This month's futuristic Hit List proves that even though Christ-mas is over there's still plenty of room for party sparkle in our wardrobes! Captured will be hitting the Union for the next issue, so pull out your glitziest showstopper and strike a pose for our photographers.

on campusfashion

The Magdalen PAGE 27NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Art

ART

The construction of the past is everywhere to be seen. On our own campus the

Tower Building and Belmont tower, known better as Belmont flats, stand in stark contrast to the award-winning Queen Mother Building. These two towers were constructed in the 1950s before Dundee University was officially chartered, in 1967, to become an independent university. Fortunately, across the city the design and construction mistakes of the 1960s, 70s and 80s are being corrected.

The construction programmes started in the 60s seemed to have the intention of blotting out Dundee’s recent industrial past. There aren’t many cities in the UK that escaped the, what now seems, flawed logic of the ‘streets in the sky’ tower blocks. The relatively cheap, bland concrete buildings cast Dundee with a bleak architectural homogeneity. Behind the very aged exterior of Dundee train station a beautiful Victorian railway station is hiding. The design for the new Dundee train station is bright and clean, though it is unclear whether any of the original Victorian building will be conserved. With

dundee has had an ever-changing face for years. the latest and most exciting investment is across the waterfront, with the v&A at dundee as the jewel in the redevelopment crown.

any luck it will, as Dundee has lost already lost a little too many of the characterful Georgian and Victorian buildings that sprung up in the wake of industrial profit from their respective centuries.

If you wander along to the redeveloped City Quay area you’re likely to pass the old Customs House. It’s a grand neo-classical facade is looking very unfortunate now, with ugly ‘to let’ signs signalling an uncertain future; but this building wouldn’t be out of place on Edinburgh’s George Street. It is exciting to know that the waterfront area is being improved and being reconnected with the rest of the city, rather than being cleaved away by a major arterial road. Maybe this fear is unfounded as it can be seen that Dundee’s older buildings are being looked after in the latest stage of redevelopment, with the old hotel on Dock Street being renovated to become a Malmaison Hotel offering

luxury accommodation to future visitors to Dundee. In an update last December from Dundee Waterfront, there has been a planning permission request for a £7 million transformation of Customs House to become a hotel.

This all comes as part of the £1 billion investment redeveloping the waterfront. 2013 is going to see more major changes in Dundee’s appearance, but fortunately change for the better. With any luck, and the avoidance of any unforeseen circumstances, the V&A at Dundee will be open in 2015 and herald a nice new face for Dundee.

dUNdee eArly 60s

origiNAl overgAte ceNtre

Site of diScovery PoiNt ANd v&A At dUNdee

cAird hAll

image from: retrodundee.blogspot.co.uk

deSigN for A better cityniCholaS MandeRSon

The MagdalenPAGE 28 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Art

ART

So the festive period was great wasn’t it? You managed to spend loads of money on obscure relatives that you

don’t particularly know (or like), put on half a stone from turkey leftovers, drink enough to precipitate massive internal organ failure and managed to ruin the work night out by punching Steve from IT: Hohoho tralalala Merry Christmas one and all!

Well all that nonsense is over because it’s already mid-January and we are fast entering February; and as everyone knows, that means that you forfeit the right to even

whAt’S oN | january + february

‘les Miserables’DCAFriday 18th – Thursday 31st January

‘what ever happened to baby jane’DCASunday 20th January, 1630

‘death in venice’DCASunday 27th January, 1100

friends of Scottish opera, talk on ‘werther’ by dr. david robbChaplancy CentreFriday 1st February, 1930. Tickets | £2

‘chinatown’DCASunday 3rd February, 1645

Scottish ensemble, ‘la follia’Caird HallThursday 14th February, 1930. Tickets | £5

generator Projects, Members Show 201325-26 Mid Wynd Industrial Estate16th February – 10th March. Thurs – Sun 12-5pm

Scottish dance theatreDundee Rep Theatre20th – 23rd February,.Tickets | £5

Scottish dance theatre new seasonDundee Rep Theatre20th – 23rd February,.Tickets | £5

Scottish dance theatre, open studioDundee Rep TheatreTuesday 22nd February, FREE but booking necessary

opera trip to edinburgh with transport. See Scottish opera perform ‘werther’.Edinburgh Festival TheatreThursday 28th February, 1930Tickets | £19 including travel

for more about these events and ical

download visit:dusa.co.uk/media

pretend to be happy! You’ll probably spend the next few weeks moaning to one another about how wet/cold/miserable it is, which is fine because it really is pretty grim (Dundee in midwinter isn’t the spitting image of Cairo in high summer- well no one bloody well told me). Don’t entirely despair though, for all you filthy little arts lovers there is a veritable culture feast on the way to warm your frozen little hearts. Keep glued to the websites for the DCA, Rep Theatre and Mcmanus Galleries for the full rundown on what’s on in the city.

FRanCiSCo gaRCia

The Magdalen PAGE 29NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Art

ART

IdeasTap is a charity set up to help young people get into the arts through funding, opportunities, arts jobs and career advice.

For a chance to win, simply explain in 100 words or less what you would offer to IdeasTap’s network in exchange for the cash. It could be anything from an editorial feature to an event, marketing stunt, suggested website development, photo diary, sponsored parachute jump… the more exciting, the better.

One lucky winner will get £9,000 paid off their student loan and four runners-up will each receive £500 towards their loan.

For further information/to apply visit www.ideastap.com/UniFeeFund

Saddled by student debt?Get £9,000 wiped off your loan by IdeasTap!Whether you’re a first year student or graduate, if you embarked on a BA degree in 2004 or later, you could get £9,000 paid off your outstanding student loan by IdeasTap, the creative network.

Registered charity number 1132623Design by Ben Gregory

REALITY TV BLUES

SEIzE ThIS oppoRTUnITY: chUck YoUR TV-SET, REAd wIdELY, gET hoBBIES, SocIALISE, ThRow YoURSELf InTo A RELATIonShIp, oR YoUR STUdIES.

The Magdalen PAGE 31NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT

In 2007, production company Endemol created a reality show in which a terminally-

ill woman picked one of three transplant patients to give her kidneys to. The show sparked outrage, until it was revealed to be a publicity-stunt highlighting the importance of organ-donation. Two years later Japanese TV aired Panic-Face-King, the show which made an unwitting citizen think he was going to die, to a studio-audience’s hilarity. ‘Haha! Look at the psychological trauma he’s going through!’ Classic.

In theory, British viewing standards are more humane. Our schedules consist of a different form of torment: ritual humiliation. Whatever Sir Alan says, The Apprentice was never a recruitment contest to illustrate good business acumen. It’s really an annual world-record-attempt to fit as many cocksure cockheads in a boardroom

as possible. And who in their right mind applies to be ridiculed by the voiceover on Come Dine With Me?

Still, no show humiliates participants to the same degree as Big Brother, which mastered condensing a 24-hour day into a one-hour episode, carefully constructing a narrative complete with baddies. If this show decided to, it could turn Desmond Tutu into a hate-figure.

Amazingly, participants in these shows seldom realise they are being humiliated. Take Geordie Shore; those oxygen-thieves have managed to turn being the worst people in the world into a career. Students at this very university (yes, you) queued for staggering lengths of time to meet human-satsumas Vicky and Ricci, despite neither seeming any more sentient than a paving-slab.

The reality-format is cheap to produce and gets such high ratings that execs see no reason to stop

creating them. Just imagine: why pay professional actors to perform a script? Reality TV’s only prerequisite is that “real people” are depicted. The Only Way Is Essex cleverly sidesteps this by reducing its entire cast to two-dimensional characters, using slick editing to make them seem like conceited, moronic, high-end sex-dolls (at least I think it’s the editing).

News that all of these shows will return this year leaves 2013’s schedule suggesting a worrying future for British television. Seize this opportunity: chuck out your TV-set, read widely, get hobbies, socialise, throw yourself into a relationship, or your studies. Or simply re–adjust the groove in your sofa, change the channel and find some other awful drivel to gawk at.

haRRiSon kelly

The MagdalenPAGE 32 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Entertainment

valentine’s day is just around the corner, so we wanted to provide you with some music for the occasion! for those of you loved-up, here are some of our favourite tracks for slow dancing, reminiscing, and

getting in the mood!

What I Want You’ve Got

WALk ThE MooN - Shiver Shiver

hALL ANd oATES - You Make My dreams Come True

ThE SUpREMES - Come See About Me

EdWARd ShARpE ANd ThE MAgNETIC ZERoS - home

ThE YEAh YEAh YEAhS - hysteric (Acoustic)

ThE xx - Angels

Ed ShEERAN - kiss Me

ThE BEATLES - I Want You (She’s So heavy)

Now we know what you might be thinking: you’re alone and miserable about it. luckily, we’ve got that covered too! these are the stages

of your despair. enjoy.(Author’s note: it’s actually okay to be single.

Like, for realsies. You’ll be fine).

A Palimpsest of Love Affairs

MUMFoRd ANd SoNS - I gave You All

gEM CLUB - Spine

INgRId MIChAELSoN - I’m Through

CoLd SpECkS - Elephant head

BoN IvER - holocene

FLEETWood MAC - The Chain

ELLIE goULdINg - Joy

BEACh hoUSE - Used To Be

Valentine’sMixtape

kiRStie allan & jane johnSton

hTTp://WWW.dUSA.Co.Uk/MEdIA/

listen to these playlists at:

The Magdalen PAGE 33NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT

bANdS of the MoNth

Milo greeNeliyl | the lumineers, the civil wars, feist. StArt with | ‘don’t you give Up on Me’, cutty love’, ‘Silent way’.

kiRStie allan

This harmony-infused pop band have an interesting tapestry. Firstly, of the four

guys-one gal configuration, no one is actually called Milo. Mr Greene is their fictional manager they used back in the early days to try and book themselves some gigs.

Secondly, the multi-instrumentalists will randomly swap instruments, guaranteeing an original performance and an impressive advantage on the tracks too. Having all been vocalists in previous bands they knew they wanted to focus on harmonies, and their experience shows itself here. Their vocals blend smoothly in their songs that are relaxing yet have a vibrant tempo, evoking the sound of Fleetwood Mac fronting a modern folk band.

Their album (released 21/01/13) makes your mind wander to a place of its own making and their Cali-conscious, sing-along choruses means they’re bound to lead in the summer charts. A perfect fresh start to the new year.

If you don't have your happy hat on now, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down will gallop

over and assist you with that. While the songs are an anthology of hard-learned lessons about love, sex and human connection, all of them are bouncy, upbeat and simply make you feel good. As Thao intones on the chorus of ‘Bag of Hammers’, “as sharp as i sting, as sharp as i sing, it still soothes you doesn’t it? like a lick of ice cream”, proving that going through difficult times doesn’t mean you have to grow up too much.

When we’re finally at a point when someone like James Arthur can win X Factor, I thought it appropriate to illuminate artists that contribute something to listening, other than the generic. This band could be the face of this campaign. An artist to have on standby throughout the year.

thAo & the get dowN StAy dowNliyl | Passion Pit, regina Spektor, the Shins. StArt with | ‘body’, ‘bag of hammers’, ‘the give’.

The MagdalenPAGE 34 NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Sport

meettheteam

where do you get the motivation to train so hard from? Callum HotchkissThe first part of our year is spent coaching new freshers and this is always a rewarding process. Turout remains high as we introduce kayak polo to the training sessions. This is always fun and improves everyone’s skills level.

what are your main objectives for the season? CHWe are committed to entering as many BUCS events as possible. These include slalom, white water racing and polo. Doing well in these events means getting new people involved as much as possible; which is our main goal.

tell me more about the social aspect of the club? CHWe are always at our sponsor pub after training sessions. Our formal gatherings include pub quizzes and a Christmas meal. On and off the river we are a close group of friends.

did you get a lot of freshers signing up? CHWe have 63 fresher members this year.

Any words of wisdom for the freshers on the team? CHWe have a great group of freshers this year. Many went from noveices to braving the white waters off the west coast of Scotland at our freshers weekend away. They all have a great semester ahead of them, with highlights including SSS polo in Glasgow.

has the club improved in recent years? CHA couple of years ago we got ‘most involved club.’ SInce then we have gone from strength to strength. Our key achievements, recently, have been entering competitions, which are new to the club. At BUCS white water racing we sped our way down the Nottingham race course. At the National Student Rodeo our team threw some cool tricks with our own William Mawdsley coming second in the novice category. We also came sixth at the 2011/12 BUCS polo tournament and recently hosted our second annual slalom tournament. All in all a good few years.

Any fundraisers we can look forward to?CHYes. Last year we host “Kilt up and ceilidh on” at the Union. We’ll be doing the same again this semster and we’re hoping to make it a tradition.

D.U.C.CDundee University Canoe Club

Photography: Keith Mcleod

same day ticketson all shows

all the timewww.dundeerep.co.uk

£5Dundee Rep Student Pass

drama, dance, comedy & music

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