The Magdalen

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

wiPe 9000 off Your DeBt

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3 3 J A N / F E B 2 0 1 3

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DuCC
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Editorial

editorial

Published by: Daniel McGlade, VPCC DUSA, Airlie Place Dundee, DD1 4PH vpcc@dusa.co.uk Printed by: Winters & Simpson Print 16 Dunsinane Avenue Dundee, DD2 3QT Editor in Chief: Melina Nicolaides
themagdalen@dusa.co.uk

And its 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 Valentines 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 youre 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.

Deputy Editor: Nicholas Manderson Editoral Assistants: Catriona Duthie Kevin Fullerton

Melina Nicolaides editor-iN-chief

Production:

Category Editors: Current Affairs | Benjamin Blaser Features | Danielle Ames Entertainment | Jane Johnston Art | Francisco Garcia Travel | Shannon Pryde Fashion | Claire McPhillimy Lifestyle | Mhairi Rutherford

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.
PAGE 2 The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 Editorial

4 Exec News & Rector Elections 5 New DUSA Media website

Lifestyle

6 Rose & Strawberry cupcakes 7 Chocolate dipped shortbread 8 Chocolate fudge hearts

Travel

9 Bratislava

Current Affairs
10 Action Palestine 12 Euro politics 2012 round-up

Features

15 DUSAtv Interview 18 Fairs Fair. Or is it? 20 Dating Tips

Fashion Action Palestine p. 10

22 The Hit List 24 Recycle Restyle 26 Captured on Campus

Art

27 Waterfront refurb. 28 Coming up 29 IdeasTap: 9000 debt fund

Entertainment

30 Reality TV Blues 32 Valentines playlist 33 Bands of the month

Sport dUSA Medias new website p. 5

Contents

34 Meet the Team: DUCC

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Contents
PAGE 3

Editorial

Editorial

EXEC
NEWS
ANDREW

JARDINE

vpe@dusa.co.uk

VPE

appy 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 DUSAs 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 VPSWs Mental Health Week, with many activities happening over the middle of February. Look out for information over our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Thats all from me just now, as ever feel free to contact me.

get iNvolved
the Magdalen is always looking for more people to get involved, whatever your interest.
themagdalen@dusa.co.uk
or SeNd US A MeSSAge oN fAcebook

coNtAct US At

PAGE 4

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Editorial

Editorial

dusa.co.uk/media

oNe webSite

three oUtletS

Editorial

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

PAGE 5

Rose & Strawberry

ingredients
125g plain flour

cupcakes
1. Preheat the oven to 170C. 2. Cream the butter in a bowl

Sheona Shankland

cupcakes

145g caster sugar 1 tsps baking powder 40g unsalted butter (at room temperature) 120ml milk 1 egg tsp vanilla essence pinch of salt

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

7. 8.

100g unsalted butter 250g icing sugar 2 tsps red food dye 1 tsp strawberry flavouring 1 tsp rose flavouring
PAGE 6

icing

Pour in half of your milk and mix until you have a wellcombined, sandy consistency.

3.

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.

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

4. 5.

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.

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

1.

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

2. 3.

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

icing

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

6.

Spoon out the mixture evenly amongst the 12 baking

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

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Lifestyle

cooking directions
by whisking, then add your sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Sift flour and cornflour into a separate bowl.

ingredients
145g plain flour 55g cornflour 60g caster sugar 115g unsalted butter 150- 200g chocolate

1. Preheat the oven to 170C. 2. Cream butter in a large bowl 3.

them on a baking tray.

7. 8.

Bake in an oven set at 170 C for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

4. 5.

Mix the sifted ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture.

9.

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

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

10.

6.

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

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

Makes 15-18

** You will also need a heart shaped cookie cutter

shortbread
Lifestyle The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Chocolate-Dipped
Sheona Shankland

PAGE 7

chocolate
Sheona Shankland

Sheonas Easy

Fudge hearts
ingredients
350g dark/plain chocolate 150g milk chocolate 75g unsalted butter 400g can of sweetened condensed milk 1tsp vanilla essence
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 dont normally last long enough for this to matter!

baking directions
melt your chocolate and butter, stirring regularly. Once your chocolate and butter is starting to become a smooth mixture, pour in the condensed milk and vanilla, and stir until smooth.

1.

2. 3.

Take a little of the butter and grease the baking tray

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

5.

Makes 8-10

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.

6.

4.

Now that you have the bainmarie set up, place your pot on the hob on a low heat and gently

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

** You will also need a heart shaped cookie cutter

Lifestyle

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The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Travel

dodge the crowdS iN

ienna 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

brAtiSlAvA
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.

RoSe MatheSon

Travel

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

PAGE 9

PAleStiNeS tUMUltUoUS 2012

hy you should join Dundee Universitys Action Palestine? A friend shared a New Years 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 worlds 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,

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 Universitys Action Palestine Society. Help make a difference towards peace and justice everywhere.

jalal abukhateR

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The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Current Affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 4

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

whAt it SAyS:
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

whAt it MeANS:

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

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

CURRENT AFFAIRS

european politics in review

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

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

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

erasmus Shall Not die

The European student exchange programme that has even made it to the big screen (Lauberge 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 Fraternit 2020, the first ever European Citizens Initiative, aiming to collect a million signatures to compel the European

the rise of the iron lady

Everyone is talking about Angela Merkel these days. Germanys Chancellor has gained a lot of power and uses it to push through her

benjaMin blaSeR

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The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Current Affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS

iN oUt?
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.
benjaMin blaSeR
ith 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 wouldnt 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.

or

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. Germanys finance minister called the UK one of Europes strongest, most innovative economies. In 2050, the UK will

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. Britains future in the EU can be powerful and prosperous -but it has to be all in.

whats your opinion? tell us on:

dusa.co.uk/media

49% 32% 19%

of britons would vote to leave the eU of britons would vote to stay in the eU of britons are undecided
According to a yougov Poll reported in the economist, december 2012.

Current Affairs

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

PAGE 13

CURRENT AFFAIRS

N O M I NAT I O N S O PE N : M O N 21 JA N - FR I 8 FE B

VOTI N G : 6TH , 7TH & 8TH MA R CH

VI S IT D U SA .C O.U K/E L E CTI O N S TO L E A R N M O R E
N o Vo t e , N o Vo i c e.
D u n d e e U n i v e r s i t y S t u d e n t s A s s o c i a t i o n ( D U S A) R e g i s t e r e d S c o t t i s h C h a r i t y N u m b e r S c 016 0 47

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The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Current Affairs

Features

iNterview
the Magdalens features editor, danielle Ames, managed to grab an interview with dUSA tv manager Maggie Pentcheva to pick her brain on the channels newest improvements, the challenges dUSA tv faces, and the gravitational pull of jessica wrights tits.
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, were 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 well 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 its for you. When I first joined, I had no clue at all, I just showed up, oh TV, that sounds interesting, I cant do anything, I cant film, I cant edit, I dont think Im comfortable in front of the camera. And now I do everything. Its really good to give it a try, so before you start making ambitious plans of working in the BBC, you want to see if youre 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 youre good, it doesnt if youre 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

MAggie PeNtchevA

Features

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

PAGE 15

Features
operators, editors, post-production staff, special effects people, and we all sort of promote it together. Theres 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? Ive 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, theyre amazing. And the last one is Ryan Higa, hes 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 Im interviewing him, he kept whispering into my ear, Your hairs 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, its alright, you dont have to. And all I meant was itll make good TV, Im 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 Im staring at his diamond ring which would have put me through university twice. Im staring at the ring going, this is Tinchy Stryder, these diamonds are the real shit, this isnt 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 didnt even perform. And Im pretty sure her boobs have their own gravitational pull. The Situation was another bad one, he didnt even take his top off.

DUSAtv crew lining up the shot when filming with brian cox
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 ideas well developed. Weve had some odd ideas, but weve tried everything. I mean, if you come to us and want to make a commercial about buttons, well freaking help you make a commercial about buttons. Nothings too ridiculous and we want to give everything a try. whats your favourite part of being dUSA tv manager? Everything. I love everything. Just working with so many people. Video making is just so rewarding its unreal, I dont think Ive ever felt better about creating something. The most exciting bit has to be in the beginning, when you have a good idea, and youre like wow I like this, it keeps you motivated because you know what you wanted it to be. And in the end, its almost perfect. Almost. Its never perfect. It never can be. whats 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, Wouldnt it be funny if we made out on

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The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Features

Features

Maggie adding to dUSA tvs collection of over 100 videos they have made.
investigative journalism, lighthearted 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 youd 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 dont know, theres not much I can do! I hadnt ever touched a camera, Id 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 Ive gained a lot, and I didnt think I would, I didnt think Id be good at it at all. I think people should definitely give it a try. Its rewarding and its really enjoyable as well. When youre properly committed to it, you spend a fair amount of time doing it, but it doesnt feel like work. Id say people should join, they should come along and check us out.

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. Im 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? Id 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 its a range of content. I want to do a lot of different things, news, short documentaries,

for more questions, information, and to see dUSA tvs work visit: dUSA.co.Uk/MediA or visit dUSA tvs dedicated youtube channel: yoUtUbe.coM/dUSAtv
Features The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013 PAGE 17

dUNdee UNiverSity MiNiMUM wAge | 7.20/h

ScotlANd MiNiMUM wAge | 7.45/h

loNdoN MiNiMUM wAge | 8.55/h

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?

Features

fAirS fAir. or iS it?

uestions 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 Lets 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, Britains 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 Scotlands 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 students campaign, to meet with the universitys principal, Pete Downes,

Felix ReiMeR
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

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 universitys human resources director, is in the pipeline, according to Robb (who, in the interest of full disclosure, is a friend of mine).

betweeN 2011 ANd 2012 the groSS hoUrly eArNiNgS (exclUdiNg overtiMe) for fUll-tiMe eMPloyeeS iN the bottoM decile wAS 7.16 Per hoUr*
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 years 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 universitys 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 universitys 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 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 Dundees Liberal Youth, Joe Derry Setch, expressed support for the initiatives 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.

whats your opinion? tell us on:

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

dusa.co.uk/media

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

Features

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

PAGE 19

dating!
kevin FulleRton

a simple guide
each and every portion of it. It was as if Masterchef had been accidentally paired with CSI. Biting into it was like entering a nuclear deadzone; 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 thats 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 its better not to really bother with gifts. This is especially true if you're attempting to copulate repeatedly with the person in question.

its the thought that counts

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

he first gift I ever purchased for my girlfriend was homemade. Having racked my brains trying to think of the perfect Valentines 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

location, location, location

Carparks and wedding shops are both overly presumptive locations for a first date PAGE 20

he 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 fastfood 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.

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Features

Features

to romantic success

Its true what they say: 99% of everything is awful. But the 1% thats 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 youre 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.

he 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/manfriend 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).

conversation topics

StUck for A vAleNtiNeS dAte ideA?

ProbleM Solved
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

Features

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

PAGE 21

the

hit list
leona Reid

P-P-P-POKeR FACe sPACe hOPPeR

Beauty Footwear
Its back to the future with our Hit List this month, and your beauty must-haves are getting the extraterrestrial treatment too. If anyone has this look down its Lady Gaga, however plenty of other celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon too. For that futuristic beauty look thats invading the catwalk, follow these simple guidelines. Firstly, were 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. Dont 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 pokerstraight hair scraped back with the help of a little wax or gel.
Rimmel Professional eyebrow Pencil, 2.99 Benefit Girl meets Pearl, liquid Pearl for face 24.50 max Factor Glide & define eyeliner: Boots, 6.99 vO5 mega hold Gel spray: Boots, 2.99

Jump into this seasons footwear fetish with an eyecatching pair of skyscraper platforms (thats 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 everpopular embellished pumps from last season will work just as well this time round when putting together a whole new look.
Black Glitter Peeptoe scultured Wedges: New look, 29.99 silver metallic Flatforms: New look, 24.99 Black Point Pumps: miss selfridge, 25 mirrored Court shoe: Zara, 69.99

eveRyBOdys COsmiC ChiC stARRy-eyed Clothing

Accessories
This 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 youre an eleven year old again, shopping in Claires Accessories (every second Saturday, without fail). Statement cuffs will really help emphasise this look, as well as plate style collar necklaces. Dont underestimate the versatility of diamantes either, they will never fail you; until the dreamy day you can afford the real rocks anyway.
spike Bomb Ring: topshop, 10 spike Glitter Alice Band: topshop, 12.50 Odyssey sequin Clutch: Accessorize, 45 mixed metal Collar Necklace: dorothy Perkins, 15

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 were going for here. The best thing is that its 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; dont be afraid of more embellishment in the form of sequins, beads, anything! The futuristic look is going to be over-the-top, (its 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 Cosmic Printed tube skirt: time. Whatever format its in, make topshop, 28 Knicker shorts: Foil Panelled topshop, 22 sure your look is totally out of this silver textured Boyfriend world. Blazer: River island, 40
Black scatter diamante Jumper: New look, 24.99

Recycle

&

Restyle
SaRaSvathi aRulaMpalaM

Theres a basic piece in your closet that you love and use more times than you check Facebook. Dont deny it, its true and its 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 students wardrobe.

Morning Lectuers
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 kneesocks and then give yourself a huge pat on the back for overcoming your hangover in the name of academia.
turquois over knee socks: topshop, 6 Calvin Klein purple ribbed thigh high socks: New look, 11 Black heart Jacquard Jumper: River island, 35

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The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Fashion

Fashion

MONO
Black Betty Polly suspender: River island, 10 macho Chunnky Glitter Boots: topshop, 38

For 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.

Air Bar
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 youre feeling down right bohemian, why not slap a beret on it and own that stage with your flawless version of La Vie Boheme?
Felt Pork Pie hat: topshop, 25 Apricot Red Cable Knitted Cardigan: New look, 24.99 dark Red Zip side Boots: River island, 40

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

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 seasons version of the statement necklace: an embellished collar.

Fashion

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PAGE 25

captured

on campus

fashion
on campus
ello! 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.

PAGE 26

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Fashion

ART

deSigN for A better city

he 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 awardwinning 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 Dundees recent industrial past. There arent 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

niCholaS MandeRSon

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 youre likely to pass the old Customs House. Its a grand neo-classical facade is looking very unfortunate now, with ugly to let signs signalling an uncertain future; but this building wouldnt be out of place on Edinburghs 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 Dundees 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 Dundees 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

cAird hAll

Site of diScovery PoiNt ANd v&A At dUNdee

image from: retrodundee.blogspot.co.uk

Art

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ART

whAtS oN | january + february

o the festive period was great wasnt it? You managed to spend loads of money on obscure relatives that you dont 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 its already mid-January and we are fast entering February; and as everyone knows, that means that you forfeit the right to even les Miserables DCA Friday 18th Thursday 31st January what ever happened to baby jane DCA Sunday 20th January, 1630 death in venice DCA Sunday 27th January, 1100 friends of Scottish opera, talk on werther by dr. david robb Chaplancy Centre Friday 1st February, 1930. Tickets | 2 chinatown DCA Sunday 3rd February, 1645
PAGE 28

pretend to be happy! Youll 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 isnt the spitting image of Cairo in high summer- well no one bloody well told me). Dont 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 whats on in the city. FRanCiSCo gaRCia Scottish dance theatre, open studio Dundee Rep Theatre Tuesday 22nd February, FREE but booking necessary opera trip to edinburgh with transport. See Scottish opera perform werther. Edinburgh Festival Theatre Thursday 28th February, 1930 Tickets | 19 including travel

Scottish ensemble, la follia Caird Hall Thursday 14th February, 1930. Tickets | 5 generator Projects, Members Show 2013 25-26 Mid Wynd Industrial Estate 16th February 10th March. Thurs Sun 12-5pm Scottish dance theatre Dundee Rep Theatre 20th 23rd February,. Tickets | 5 Scottish dance theatre new season Dundee Rep Theatre 20th 23rd February,. Tickets | 5

for more about these events and ical download visit:

dusa.co.uk/media
Art

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

ART

Saddled by student debt? Get 9,000 wiped off your loan by IdeasTap!
Whether youre 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.
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 IdeasTaps 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

Registered charity number 1132623 Design by Ben Gregory

Art

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

PAGE 29

REALITY TV BLUES

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

ENTERTAINMENT

n 2007, production company Endemol created a reality show in which a terminallyill 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 PanicFace-King, the show which made an unwitting citizen think he was going to die, to a studio-audiences hilarity. Haha! Look at the psychological trauma hes 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. Its 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 onehour 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 TVs 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 its the editing). News that all of these shows will return this year leaves 2013s 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 readjust the groove in your sofa, change the channel and find some other awful drivel to gawk at.

haRRiSon kelly

Entertainment

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Valentines Mix
kiRStie allan & jane johnSton valentines 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! Now we know what you might be thinking: youre alone and miserable about it. luckily, weve got that covered too! these are the stages of your despair. enjoy.
(Authors note: its actually okay to be single. Like, for realsies. Youll be fine).

t pe a

What I Want Youve 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)

A Palimpsest of Love Affairs

MUMFoRd ANd SoNS - I gave You All gEM CLUB - Spine INgRId MIChAELSoN - Im Through CoLd SpECkS - Elephant head BoN IvER - holocene FLEETWood MAC - The Chain

ThE xx - Angels ELLIE goULdINg - Joy Ed ShEERAN - kiss Me BEACh hoUSE - Used To Be ThE BEATLES - I Want You (Shes So heavy)

listen to these playlists at:

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

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The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT

bANdS of the MoNth

kiRStie allan
his 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 multiinstrumentalists 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 theyre bound to lead in the summer charts. A perfect fresh start to the new year.

Milo greeNe
liyl | the lumineers, the civil wars, feist. StArt with | dont you give Up on Me, cutty love, Silent way.

thAo & the get dowN StAy dowN

liyl | Passion Pit, regina Spektor, the Shins. StArt with | body, bag of hammers, the give.
f 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 hardlearned 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 doesnt it? like a lick of ice cream, proving that going through difficult times doesnt mean you have to grow up too much. When were 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.

Entertainment

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

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meet team
the

PAGE 34

The Magdalen NO. 33 - Jan/Feb 2013

Sport

D.U.C.C

Dundee University Canoe Club

where do you get the motivation to train so hard from?
Callum Hotchkiss The 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 everyones skills level.

what are your main objectives for the season?

CH We 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?

CH We 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?

CH We have 63 fresher members this year.

Any words of wisdom for the freshers on the team?

CH We 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?

CH A 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?

CH Yes. Last year we host Kilt up and ceilidh on at the Union. Well be doing the same again this semster and were hoping to make it a tradition. Photography: Keith Mcleod

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