whilst I was in the German capital, Berlin.

I mentioned how vast the city was and how everyone should refrain from

loitering around Dynamo FC games in fear of being bludgeoned in the rear by

a fleshy bratwurst.

Anal sex euphemisms aside, Berlin was actually an astounding city that is

rich in history, culture and cocktails.

Here are a few other pointers for your consideration if and when you fancy

a European vacation.

1. The majority of German words sound like swear words.

Granted this doesn’t uniquely apply to Berlin but if you’re as immature as

me when it comes to innuendos and toilet humour then seeing signage

displaying words like ‘Kunterbunt’ and ‘Ausfahrt’ then I feel it is my duty

to titter ever so slightly.

It’s the same as when I’ve been to bingo and without fail I snigger amidst

my Betty Boo blotter each and every time the bellower calls out 6 and 9, 69.

I’m such a dich.

2. Lesbians still wear blazers, T.shirts with accompanying slouchly hung

ties.

They’re STILL channelling Avril Lavigne circa the Mall ‘riot’ in the

‘Complicated’ video. Pink and black stripy fingerless gloves and waistcoats

are all still pretty evident within the walls of Berlins nightlife. (Emily)

Strange.

3. No-one in Berlin ventures out to clubs before 1am.

Us British are so premature in comparison.

I was dumbfounded when on arrival around 11.30pm to our chosen location,

the place was barren. Previously during the day I overheard people

suggesting to one another that they would see one another later “about

2am..!”

Now exsqueeze the living daylights out of me if I’m mistaken by by 2am I’m

usually en-route home with a box of cheesy chips and a can of cherry coke.

Clubs often begin to get bustling’ around 2am and stay open until 7am.

Needless to say that Berroca and under-eye botox are the countries biggest

vices.

4. Whilst leaping like a gazelle with the ‘nightlife’ theme, It would be

rude of me not to mention just how much the citizens of Berlin still really

get a massive wide-on over Shakira songs.

‘Whenever Wherever’, ‘Loco’ and ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ serenaded the crowd and

sent them into a Colombian frenzy as though they were shaking off a

dictatorship.

AHA and Sean Paul were runner-up favourites.

5. Everyone must visit Tacheles.

Built as a department store in the Jewish quarter of Berlin, the

construction acted as a Nazi prison for a short while, it was later

partially demolished. After the Berlin Wall had come down, it was taken

over by artists who have since created a community within the site to house

their collections. Huge, colourful graffiti-style murals are painted on the

exterior walls, and modern art sculptures are featured inside. This place

was a highlight for me. It made me feel both uneasy and inspired at the

same time. I bought a piece of art that featured a cat pummelling itself in

the poon with a make-shift TV tower. Gonna refrain from talking about

Zyklon B.

Mostly been listening to: ‘Waste’ – Foster The People.

Mostly been watching: Mysterious Skin.

Mostly been reading: ‘How The Dead Live’ – Will Self.

Reading Craig’s Book, Shelbourne, it was clear that my friend is very talented indeed.

Shelbourne tells the story of Beryl, a talented Medium who encounters a restless spirit, who makes it his purpose to tell his story through her. With Beryl’s nephew by her side, Beryl embarks on a journey to try and discover who this ‘Mark’ is and get to the bottom of the power he has over her.

The book is cleverly written and while it tells the story of Beryl on her book tour, the ghost of Mark tells another, making the story fall into one book perfectly.

You will definitely be intrigued to continue this book and get to the bottom of these characters and what the future has in store for them. If you like the idea of a spirit world or simply like a bit of entertainment then this is a great book for you.

Craig also has three books including Shelbourne and new release for 2012 so why not check out his other books at http://www.craigphoenix.co.uk/index.html.

Suvilahti, Helsinki is home to the 9^th edition of music and arts Flow Festival.  Don’t let Helsinki bring horrendous ideas of Eurovision and Terry Wogan sloshing “Nil point.” Take that thought, design a paper aeroplane and throw it out to sea. Suvilahti is a creative’s dream, a place to call home for artists, photographers, production agencies and writers.

2012’s World Design Capital promises more indie rock, jazz, soul, folk and acid jazz that has graced such past legends as Kraftwerk, Royksopp, Chemical Brothers and Air and recent successes such as The Drums, The XX and Vampire Weekend.

This year promises even more. Held at the standard power plant setting, a certain beauty resides, including this year’s confirmed music headliners.

Opening the festival on August 8^th is the sublime Bon Iver, the unique vocals of Justine Vernon with words that pull your soul in directions you wouldn’t imagine possible.  Listening to the record For Emma, Forever ago, it’s difficult to visualise exactly how Bon Iver manage to translate from your choice of speakers to festival ambience but believe me, this will be a memory worth living 100 times over and will never tire, worth a 5 day ticket price alone.

And on the Sabbath, after the blood of Christ has been consumed, the perfect Scandinavian accompaniment with her rare Biophilia masterpiece – Bjork;  somehow bringing every genre of music together, usually in 4 minutes.  The best thing to come out of Iceland since Kerry Katona, the 36^th greatest woman in Rock n’ Roll promises her usual distinct diverseness that will leave you complete.

Throw into that spectacular designs, live graffiti, beautiful food and mind altering drinks, not to mention a brand new intimate stage designed by the winner of this year’s stage competition (see website for details – http://www.flowfestival.com ).  Flow Festival 2012 looks to be the greatest yet.

If the lack of Glastonbury this year has left your festival heart empty or you want a true experience, get your ticket for Flow Festival 2012 – You will not be disappointed.

Words: Ross Emeric

Boasting a Graduate Fashion Week collection that emulated Lady Gaga connotations and given her ravenous hunger for the art of texture juxtaposition, we’re keen (and just a bit nosey) to discover the behind-the-scenes secrets of her latest offerings. 

Word on the grapevine is that your finalizing the new collection, what can we expect?
I have to say its been a struggle! Expect something completely new for Katrina Ferrari. I’m looking at combining soft knits with our trademark fabrics and drapery. It’s very dark and gothic with a touch of drama!
Your graduate collection has been described as a cross between Lady GaGa and “Warrior Queen”, do you think that’s a fair comparison? Most definitely! I always want to create a strong image for women. I think its important that they feel empowered when wearing my clothes. Clothes should make you feel something when you wear them.

Can we expect a similar vibe in collections to come?I think as a designer you always tend to veer back to a signature style or certain ways of working so that your collections inevitably have similar ideas behind them but its always good to try something new and push your designer boundaries.

How would you define the signature house style of Katrina Ferrari?
Melodramatic draped elegance.

When designing, do you have a particular customer in mind?
I always imagine a very tall woman who pushes the boundaries with what she wears. For example, she would do the supermarket chore dressed in a full gown and not give a damn about what anyone says!

What has been your favourite fashion moment, to date? In designer terms, for me, it has to be one of McQueens first collections – Highland Rape. The clothes were shocking enough at the time but the models staggered down the catwalk. It wasn’t the generic walk that we see now, the models were portraying a character through the clothing. It was like a performance, the whole atmosphere adds to the style of the clothing.

Finally, London Fashion Week AW12 is looming, who are you most looking forward to seeing?
I always look forward to seeing Vivienne Westwood, but most recently I have been enticed by Charlie Le Mindu, he is seriously pushing the limits!

Expect to see Katrina’s latest collection (beautifully) draped across the internet in all its tactile glory oh so soon.

Mouth to Mouth is the first single to be released from Norwegian singer-songwriter, Kate Havnevik’s upcoming Album – YOU. And almost immediately you can hear the Nordic influences. It begins with a natty, synthetic glockenspiel and scratchy drums, before Kate’s overproduced and rasping vocals crash in over seemingly autonomous guitar strokes, being somewhat reminiscent of a youthful Bjork. You’d be forgiven for thinking Mouth to Mouth sounds characteristically like a Frou Frou track too because the single’s co-writer, Guy Sigworth was actually one half of the electro-pop duo in the early 2000’s. The renowned composer has also worked with the likes of Bjork, Madonna and Alanis Morrissette, and he certainly didn’t leave anything he learnt from collaborating with them at home the day he turned up at the studio to work with Havnevik. Her earlier album, Melankton listens a lot more like a Kate Bush record, focussing on classical instruments and her lyrical prowess rather than the inorganic synthiness Mouth to Mouth incorporates, which suggests her upcoming album might be striving toward a more prominent, electronic sound. Mouth to Mouth is an electro-pop single through and through; its minimalistic use of computerised sounds, and relatively simple beat, combined with her unusual and melodious voice make it an easily accessible song. It’s fairly enjoyable in its simplicity, however, without being either greatly ambitious or technical, it lacks some of the originality and vision that Havnevik’s Scandinavian predecessors possessed in volumes.

Heavily influenced by Sigworth and his experiences with glamorous pop-singers past, Mouth to Mouth struggles to bring anything ground-breaking to the metaphorical music table, or even to make a real lasting impression. However, with that said, her previous album Melankton proved that she has a real aptitude for classic song writing and that she’s endowed with an instantly delectable voice. So I wouldn’t write off her upcoming album YOU just yet, I’m absolutely sure it will contain at least a few snippets of that musical mysticism and Nordic ingenuity we have come to take for granted from our strange, sophisticated and unilaterally sexy, Scandinavian cousins.

Sadly, that’ll never be known, so I had to scrap that thought. Rocketeer are indeed a very English-sounding affair, (because after all, where you’ve spawned from does influence you to some degree. Unfortunate if you’re from North Korea or Middlesbrough) cultivating and crafting a sound as home-grown as wholemeal bread and more deeply nestled in the English countryside than Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at a Somerset pig farm.

There’s no stronger evidence of this than in their new single Cupid, which moreover confirms how the group are not too heavily indebted to pop, rock, or folk: they combine and effortlessly submerge all three, in turn creating a sound that’s authentic, fresh and melodic.

The opening few seconds of Cupid could be mistaken for the membership of The Vaccines on a comedown, although things propel to a couple of atmospheric stretches while being embroiled in crisp, erudite-sounding lyricism and guitar and drum work to compliment.

It’s tender workmanship, however fragile – and I can just imagine them slipping off to the most picturesque old tavern in town to sip mild ale and roll their own cigs after stepping out of the recording studio.

‘A Disco In A Darkroom’.

_

Following their immeasurable launch party way back in the Autumn CAMERA CLUB are BACK, and this time they’re girthier than a Bel Ami boy! Since October the guys behind the now infamous FANCLUB have been developing and processing another full fat phenomenon for you guys and this months event is going to be HEAVYWEIGHT. The launch party saw the club team up with boss brands, LONG CLOTHING AND BOY LONDON who have since collaborated with Rihanna, Jessie J and have also featured within the SPINDLE pages of the forthcoming issue.

Throughout the evening Limited Edition CAMERA CLUB T.Shirts will be thrown out for the masses to emblazon across their perfectly formed anatomies.

This months collaboration comes from PHOTOCOPY CLUB who’s launch exhibition at Create Studios was CHIEF.

PHOTOCOPY CLUB will be supplying a plethora of prints to decorate the installation photo-wall.

DJ’s for the affair include:

-SLY T

A British singer/rapper-songwriter, record producer and DJ. Combining grime with 8bit samples and electro synthesisers, Sly T has created a fresh style that compliments his sharp witty vocals and mixes infectious choruses with thrashing rap verses.

Definitely one to watch for!!

-FIFILICIOUS (O.Y.B, Shmooze, FANCLUB)

-MISSY (Shake It Out, Fuck The Pain Away)

Check out the CAMERA CLUB page here for regular updates and all Photo-booth images HERE

Words: Ben Clark

“Eating more carrots.” Dom begins, “to put the seeing in the dark theory to the test.” Quite an amusing and ironic resolution considering how Zulu Winter’s immediate future looks so bright. The immediate past? “We’ve been locked away in London writing and rehearsing for about two years now.” He explains. No wonder it is then that they’ve arrived to such a welcoming public. The closeness of their group and the concentration on music has really come through in the guilelessness of their sound. “Before that? We were all mostly doing ‘proper’ jobs, some more than others but all doing music as much as we could.”

Zulu Winter rose into the limelight in a year stained with media controversy, from the London riots to civil unrest in the Middle East, their energetic single “Never Leave” was released by Double Denim Records in November and was instantly lauded with positive criticism, the just as well received, sweetly rhythmical B-side, “Lets Move Back To Front” topped off their statement of intent. Have any of the numerous over-hyped media ‘events’ of last year made you think any differently about the state of the planet? There has certainly been a response in the musical community, would you consider writing political music? “Never say never. Last year had a lot of interring things going on for everyone I think. For me, PJ Harvey’s album last year was a beautiful response to England’s position in the world at the moment.”

Now, Zulu Winter have been thrown in the same pool as Coldplay by a few people, and I think the whole hating Coldplay thing has gone full circle. Insofar as it was pretty rare to find normal people openly endorsing them, but now they’re so widely disliked, its kind of a niche thing to like them again. But I digress. Despite all the stick, Coldplay are a huge, record-breaking band, Zulu Winter definitely have a touch of Coldplay in them, and being classed alongside them can’t all be a bad thing. How do you feel about these comparisons and where would you place your own music along the ever-increasing, ever-hybridizing list of music genres? “Luckily that’s not our job!” Dom explains, skillfully avoiding the question. “I hope we’ll manage to create our own space and someone will come up with a bizarre genre name for us.”

They tied up a successful year with an almost ethereal performance of “Lets Move Back To Front” for Black Cab Sessions, albeit a squashed one restricted to the confines of taxi. “We ate a strict diet of leeks and yogurt for a week before hand!” He explains. And looking ahead, what would you like to achieve in 2012? “Get the album out and play it to as many people as possible!” Dom enthuses. Their debut album, set to be released early May, is currently being mixed and expectations are skyrocketing, though this doesn’t seem to phase him. Has it been a difficult process? “In places! Voices have been raised, blood was shed.”

The Zulu boys are intelligent and talented. Their blogspot, packed with cultural influences and ‘musical friends’, suggests that they aren’t your stereotypical self-absorbed ‘image’ band, but an outwardly focused and inherently human one. This could well be the year for Zulu Winter. However, feeling facetious, I end by asking what he would be doing instead this year if the Mayan’s prediction of the end of the world in December were true. He answers simply “I’d set as many world records as possible, so then if the world did end, they’d stand forever.” So we’d have to hope that the final edition of the Guinness Book of Records found its way into an otherworldly, archive along with other important remnants of our society like the Harry Potter series, a portrait of George Bush and a 12” copy of Thriller.

Zulu winter are playing at the XOYO in London on the 26th of January, so get out there and make up your own mind, because our time might just be running out.

Aboard the split level peasant wagon train that we found ourselves on, I almost felt like a Jewish kinder who was flocking a gaggle of National Socialists in search of a better existence and less rations. All I was hoping for was to bump’n'grind into Michael Kross and grope his smooth nutsack. I found the TV Tower and a man who farted so loudly that he woke himself up. Here a re a few things that I learnt about my 72 hours in Berlin:

1. Germans, no matter how intensely cold the temperature maybe, will always eat ice-cream whilst walking the streets. They don’t wear fingerless gloves and they don’t give a ficken. I couldn’t possibly do this with a dairy milk Mcflurry on the streets of Spermville On-Sea (Brighton).

2. Berlin is vast. I felt like Jack and Rose without the wardrobe door. An over-acting fish in a big icy sea.Initially really difficult to navigate around if you’ve never been too before, so if you’re considering vacating to the city then get a friend who has been previously to scribble down some sort of itinerary. Otherwise you might end up amidst a gaggle of angry FC Dynamo fans who won’t hesitate in giving you a grade one and force feeding you their Bratwurst.

3. Germans love beer/bier. Cold bottles of beer. Barring graffiti, bottle tops are the most evident litter on the streets. People drink it everywhere! Excuse my generalisation, but in the UK drinking on streets is usually reserved for the hopeless homeless, lads that are destined for some Aussie bar or tweeny females that you’ll see on Party Paramedics, but it’s like some sort of German ‘must-do’. Businessman, women after a hard days graft at the office…EVERYONE is clutching a beer in the paw as they’re riding the S-bahns, shopping for Lederhoses or filling their vintage bags up by the kilo.

4. Getting offered a cigarette in a club means that someone wants to kiss you. Germans still smoke in clubs. Restricted indoor areas are kept to one side so partygoers can have a malignant munch. My dwarfed illustrator friend who is a: Not really a dwarf, but she’s so small that she ski’s on the toenail clippings of a grown adult, and b: She’s a ladyliker. She’s a clam clinger. She’s a lesbian that wears lipstick. She sat silently on the stage as Lil’Kim was serenading us audio wise with her smutty fucking mouth and then a pretty looking wench plonked herself next to her and handed her a cigarette. Throughout the night the aforementioned wench kept pestering Ms Kick Dirt for a smooch. She asked to take her home so that they could grow armpit hair together forever…..

Mostly Been Listening to:  ’My Drive Thru’ – Pharell Williams/Santigold/Julian Casablancas.

Mostly been watching: German TV. Dubbed Fresh Prince Of Bel Air.

Mostly been reading: ‘The Screwed Up Life Of Charlie 2nd’ by Drew Ferguson.

Next Week: Things I learnt about Berlin: Pt 2.