Le chat et le machine à écrire...

This is our housemates typewriter, which he's bought as a gift for his friends wedding. Incidentally , that's his cat too. 

This would probs make the apartment look a lot better if I instagramed the crap outta this but whatevs. 

Irish Blog's Feature for Go Magazine...

Underwood typewriter currently residing at our apartment- nice huh? 

Those Singing Priests feature interview for The Belfast Telegraph Weekend Magazine...

Northern Irish Artist Colin Davidson Interviewed for Go Magazine...

The Irish Times...

Covering the Hillsborough agreement for the front page of February 6th 2010's Irish Times... 

 

(Printed from website) 

Reasons to be Cheerful, 1...2...3...

Reasons to be cheerful despite that dastardly recession. AU magazine... 

Secret Supper Club for The Irish Times...

Tia Clarke
Monday March 3rd 2010 

I am on the doorstep of a house in central Belfast, about to enter a strangers home to take part in the dining experience du jour, a secret supper club.

Peering through the open window into the candlelit dining area, I see a group of people sitting at a long table chatting, drinking wine and generally having a merry old time. It all looks so cosy.

My friend and I put on our bravest faces and venture inside not knowing quite what to expect. The sense of nervousness in the room is palpable, but soon we, the nine diners, realise we’re in this together and start mingling.

Secret supper clubs are becoming increasingly popular in London and the US. They can be defined as underground home bistros, where people with an interest in fine food invite you into their home or a random venue either via a social newtworking site or by simple word of mouth. 

Jenny O’Neill and Sarah Allen, both from Belfast are two such people. They set up Plot 15 supper club (named after their allotment in the city) just two months ago and have had four hugely sucessful nights to date. It is the first official supper club in Ireland, with a Dublin club following hot on their heels.

Described in their own words as an “alternative dining scene with up to 12 guests enjoying the best local, seasonal food in a sociable, relaxed environment – our home. All guests eat at one large table providing a great setting for meeting new people who are interested in socialising as well.”

Both women know their way round a kitchen and have experience in the catering buisness but their supper club isn’t about fancy food. “It’s more about putting energy and money back into the local economy here in Belfast. I think it’s important to support your own economy,” says Sarah.

Our hosts Jenny and Sarah emerge from the kitchen wearing snazzy Plot 15 Supper Club aprons to welcome us formally to the fourth supper club.

“Jenny’s mum made them up for tonight,” Marie whispers to me.

Our waitress for the evening Lynn, a PHD student at Queens encourages us to nibble on some quails eggs dipped in cumin seeds and sea salt.

As you would expect, the kind of people who are attracted events such as this are quite open minded. The varied professions of our fellow diners reads like the cast of screwball comedy ala Woody Allen. To my left sits Melanie Carmicheal, from North Antrim 37, a costume maker for theatres in Belfast. Melanie’s acquaintance Caroline Dillion from Derry, 35, works as an interior designer and is also a talented dress-maker.

We are also joined by a friend of Jenny and Sarah’s, Marie Quiery a psychotherapist and consultant in orginsational development from Belfast. A former supper club attendee, Dr Paulo Sousa from Brazil, works as a lecturer in Cognitive Anthropology in Queens University Belfast and Adar Eisenbruch a 23-year-old New Yorker who has come to study Anthropology at Queens are also acquaintences of the hosts.

Micheal Steele, a 22-year-old accountancy student and Heather Smith, 21, a trainee pharmacist decided to come to the supper club after hearing about it on Facebook.

“I came across Plot 15 Supper Club after looking at the Secret Belfast page. It’s a site where people can share their knowledge of underground events in Belfast,” Micheal says, before confiding, “To be honest I came tonight out of nosiness.”

The Plot 15 organisers spent the start of the year researching and advertising the idea on Facebook and within 24-hours they were fully booked for their first supper club in January.

Since then, an article on the BBC Northern Ireland website, a mention on the secret Belfast Facebook page and rave reviews from people who have attended Plot 15 supper club has seen the women trying to keep up with the demand.

“People have raved about it to friends. We’ve even had some people travel all the way from Dublin. It’s the social aspect that attracts people. It has really captured people’s imaginations,” says Jenny.

In the current econmic climate, supper clubs also represent outstanding value for money. Most clubs encourage you to leave a donation of £15 to £20.

“You just can’t get a three course meal in Belfast for £20,” points out Sarah.

Once the diners master the tricky task of deshelling the quail eggs, we all agree that they are delectible mixed with a hit of cumin seed. Then it’s onto our starter of spicy sweet potato soup topped with crispy Jerusalem artichoke shavings, with home-made bread.

The soup is mouth wateringly delicious and illicits lots of  “mmms” and nods in agreement from fellow diners. It is hearty and wholesome, with a spicy kick. The unusual addition of the fried artichoke shavings giving it a subtle sweetness. Every last solitary drop of soup is soaked up by the homemade bread.

Another clever addition to the night is that you can bring your own alcohol. Glasses clink and bottles open as we await our main course. There’s even a basket in the corner bulging with wine if you run out. Ambient music streams in the background and soon the conversation is flowing.

The roasted whole mackrel in citrus and coriander is a feast for the eyes. The fish dominates the plate and is accompanied by a generous serving of dahl and rice. The vegetarians opt for the Saag paneer with basmati rice and dhal.

Earlier, Sarah told me how supper club newcomers can get really nervous  because they’re unsure of what to expect.

 “But once people get here they realise they are in it together- it’s a new experience for all of them, so it’s immediately something to talk about,” she said. 

In between mouthfuls, the dinner table conversation ranges from cognitive theraphy, a subject which Paulo, Adar and Marie seen to have considerable knowledge on, while the rest of us scratch our heads and try to understand the concept. 

In what could be known as the relevations section of the night, our New Yorker friend, Adar reveals he dabbled in stand up comedy back in the States, Paulo tells us he is a published poet, Melanie reveals she has acted in some Irish fims and Sarah confides that she is a newly qualified hypnotist.

“You didn’t bring us here to hypnotise us did you?” asks a semi-serious Michael.

On that note, desert is served. It is a moreish tunisian orange and almond cake served with a tangy greek yoghurt washed down with some coffees and more wine.

As the evening winds down, we exchange niceities with our new friends and decide it’s about time we gave them their home back.

Would you come again I ask my fellow diners?

“Yes, definately. It was a great way of socializing and just a really interesting night,” Michael tells me.

 “It’s been a memorable night,” says Marie.

I agree with them entirely. The supper club allows one a chance to socialise and meet new people in a different setting. In the usual social settings, such as a nightclubs or pubs, one could never hope to learn so much about people and share so much with strangers over the course of an evening. It throws you out of your comfort zone and allows for engaging conversations with people you wouldn’t normally mix with and subjects you may not usually encounter.

And as for the food, it was just divine.

You can reserve a place at the next Plot 15 Supper Club on April 9th by sending an email to plot15supperclub@gmail.com. For more information visit the Plot 15 website at:http://plot15supperclub.wordpress.com

Link to online article: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/0322/1224266807254.html

M.I.A. live review...

Review of M.I.A's live show @Tripod Dublin for AU magazine... http://iheartau.com/2010/11/m-i-a/

The Weird Weird World of Die Antwoord...

Feature on South African duo Die Antwoord for AU Magazine. Read all about it  here:  http://iheartau.com/2010/10/world-town-the-weird-world-of-die-antwoord/

With illustration by Stephen Maurice Graham @ http://400facts.tumblr.com/

Hangin' with punk poet John Cooper Clarke...

A rock n'roll evening/interview sharing dinner with John Cooper Clarke in Belfast for AU Magazine...

http://iheartau.com/2010/11/john-cooper-clarke-2/

Here's a review of his Belfast show I wrote, also for AU:

http://iheartau.com/2010/09/john-cooper-clarke/

Trendhunter Portfolio...

Here lies a collection of the pieces that I have written for Trendhunter.com recently on subjects as disparate as Pussy Riot, Google street view as high art, fashion and some prettay weird illustrations.

http://www.trendhunter.com/Tia.Clarke

Some more due soon...

Spindle Magazine

Since moving to the fab-u-lus city of Toronto in July 2012, I've started writing for the UK based Spindle Magazine.

Spindle is an amazing culture crammed glossy mag all about 'unravelling creativity'. I'm pretty chuffed to be one of the writers heading the Canadian team aiming to promote the best in music, art, fashion and design.

With that in mind, here's my first piece of writing for them, a short n' sweet review of Canadian folker Gabrielle Papillion's latest album.

Click below to read the review...

http://spindlemagazine.com/2012/09/review-gabrielle-papillon-little-bug/

Follow Spindle on Facebook and Twitter:

https://www.facebook.com/spindlemagazine

https://twitter.com/SpindleMagazine

ART/MUSIC/ALCHEMY

By: Tim Presley  

from Darker My Love

              

Check out this cool exhibition which features artworks by some top musicians like Devendra Banhart, Liars, Nancy Whang from LCD Soundsystem and a chap called David who says he's in The Pixies. 

 http://www.artmusicalchemy.com/

It's in New Zealand so you probably can't go, unless you're rich. But you can buy them online. 

Look at me, look at me, it's Lykee Li...

Here's a round up of some great new singles. 

First up it's Frenchy electro pop erm, lady Yelle with her funktastic new single 'Safari Disco Club'. Album of the same name is due out on March 21st. 

Second is the stonking new single Lykee Li 'Get Some'. Read an interview with her recently and was pretty impressed at her ballsiness. Here's an equally ballsy song... 

 The Beck remix is soooooo good, as you would expect from his Beckliness. I think I even prefer this to the original... 

Her new album 'Wounded Rhymes' is out in the UK and Ireland on Feb 28th. 

Here's PJ Harvey's new single 'Let England Shake' again incase you missed it on the last post. Check her out bringing back the autoharp! 

Listen Up!

Bon Voyage Aileen! 

Hi there! Haven't been here in Bloggerland in a while as I've been working quite a bit lately, splitting myself between two really fun jobs in moderhn Art and Fashion. Shur I can't complain.

Oh and there was about a month long month of going away parties for my bessie mate, Aileen (pictured above as David Bowie!) who's away off to Toronto for year to become a hipster and join a travelling folk/death metal band or start writing that psycho horror novel that will get banned in 45 countries we all know is in her. You just never know with Aileen. I'll miss her crazy ways!

Anyways check out this awesome (that's awful American isn't it, what's the Irish equivalent? Feckin Brilliant? Bleedin' Deadly. Fucken class boy) January playlist by Dazed and Confused mag. With the exception of about two tunes it's quality...

The PJ Harvey single 'Let England Shake' (from the soon to be released-Feb 14th- album of the same name) is absolutely gorgeous. Her voice sounds so different. Can't wait for the album. Oh and the Sroeng Santi (whoever he is) track is deliciously eclectic and features a ridiculously riff-tastic sample from Black Sabbath. 

Get listening here: 

http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/9315/1/dazed-january-2011-playlist

Girl Talk...

You can download superior mashup artist Girl Talk's new album, 'All Day' here: http://www.illegal-art.net/allday/

This album went up as a free download yesterday and led to Girl Talk being the most Googled name on the internet. It's a delicious mash up of samples from Neil Diamond, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Rage Against the Machine, Beyonce. It's got a hyper, manic effect which I love and more samples and segues than a performance from Wagner on X-Factor.  

Check out this track, Get It Get It, sampling Lady Gaga's Bad Romance over Aphex Twin's Windowlicker before bleeding into Missy Elliot rapping over Daft Punks Digital Love. Delicious! 

 Get It Get It by threeminutesthirtyseconds

Hot Chip collaboration with Bernard Summers...

Check out this class new video from a collaboration with the two main dudes from Hot Chip and Bernard Summers, of New Order and Joy Division fame. The track 'Didn't Know What Love Was' is sponsored by Converse.

The video is directed by Andreas Nilsson (Fever Ray and MGMT) and has a bit of a Micheal Gondry vibe going on. Enjoy...




You remember this cracking tune from Santogold, Julian Casablancas and NERD for Converse in 2008? 'My Drive Thru', love it!

M.I.A. Dublin gig Review...

Here's my review of M.I.A's excellent show at Dublin's Tripod on Friday 12th November 2010. This is the full version, subbed and shortened version appears here: http://iheartau.com/reviews/m-i-a/

Photo by Alessio Michelini

AU is glancing around at a lot of empty space in Dublin's Tripod venue tonight and wondering if the M.I.A. backlash has properly kicked in. It's pushing on 9pm and the venue is only a quarter full. Hell doesn't she have any fans left? 

Maya Arulpragasam, exploded onto the scene in 2005 with her mouthwateringly eclectic debut, Arular. M.I.A. sounded like no one else, mashing up elements of hip-hop, grime, world music, street culture and political activism and cleverly contextualizing it all by making the personal the political. She raised political awareness about the rights of the Tamil people in her native Sri Lanka through her lyrics and artwork (her father is believed to have been involved with the Tamil Tigers). 

M.I.A's dress sense was also wild- all clashing prints and hand me downs, what she called 'a refugee uniform'. In 2007 she dropped the epic Kala, which contained the smash hit 'Paper Planes' and also garnered rave reviews. At this stage rapper Nas had declared her 'the future'. 

Fast forward to May 2010 (just two months before her much anticipated third album, /\/\/\Y/\ was released) and M.I.A's credibility was blown apart by Lynn Hirschberg's controversial interview in The New York Times. It portrayed the singer as a spoilt rich kid, living a charmed life in an LA mansion with a heir to the Bronfman liquor fortune who was vague and ill- informed about her political arguements. The article dealt a serious blow to her credibility, how could she be singing about the plight of the third world, when she was so far removed from it? It didn't help matters that M.I.A. retaliated by tweeting the journalist's number.

Tonight, she is in Dublin for the first time in three years and will go onto play a much hyped sell out date with Sleigh Bells at The Warehouse Project in Manchester, the following night.  

We needn't have doubted her, by the time the first rumblings of 'Born Free' rock the place, the venue is heaving with excited looking fans. M.I.A. rocks onto the stage looking every bit the slacker fashionista- dressed in black and white patterned leggings, a loose fitting white shirt with black triangles, black shades and a neon pink lipstick which pops out every time the lights go down. 

'Born Free' is a raucous punk call to arms, with M.I.A. as our commander in chief. Blood splatters flash up on the screen, strobe lights go wild and her female DJ pumps out bass so loud it must be illegal in several countries. The singer has such a commanding stage presence, disaffected yet intense and powerful. 

No one seems too fussed about the furore over the banned video for the song or even all the bad press that M.I.A's being getting, everyone's just here for the music and a good time. 

When she sings it sounds muffled and at times it looks like it could all just be a mime act but not even this dampens the atmosphere. 

M.I.A. tests out tunes on the decks first, judging the crowds reaction. There's no diva behaviour here, just a eagerness to please. Notably the tunes that go down best are from the first and second albums. M.I.A. fans are a loyal bunch and sing every word to early tunes like 'Xr2', 'Pull up the People' and 'Galang'. They still sound fresh and years ahead of their time. The party atmosphere is aided by two redneck/refugee looking male dancers who shake their limbs so loose they look like they're dislocating muscles in the process. The visuals, strobe lights and female DJ dropping dirty Drum and Bass beats all add up to give the gig a really futuristic feel. 

The punk aesthetics of /\/\/\Y/\ shine through in the visuals for the attitude laden 'Illy Girl', M.I.A. runs down a highway followed by a disorientating, shaky camera. It's easy to see why the singer was nominated for the Alternative Turner Prize in 2001. Another song is backed by a transfixing visual of M.I.A. defying gravity and floating around the inside of a car, curled up in the foetal position. It's discombobulating and looks like she's admist a car crash. 

The singer doesn't come off as the icy, unapproachable rich bitch the NY times portrayed her as. She jumps into the crowd, shakes the crowds hands and for 'Boyz' she invites an army of fans onstage to dance with her. The overexcited teens drape their arms around M.I.A. and sing along, too busy documenting the experience on their cameras for Facebook to actually enjoy the moment. The fun atmosphere is infectious. 

The anthemic 'Paper Planes' lifts the roof off, with everyone punching their fists in the air at the gunshot sounds.

AU came here all cynical and judgemental but we've been won over by M.I.A's ballziness. We're going home to give /\/\/\Y/\ a few more listens and hope she can come back with the goods for album number four. 

ELECTROMAGNETIC PHENOMENONS...

I love art and music so I was pretty excited to hear about this project combining the two.

Electromagnetic Phenomenon- Portrait of a Broadcaster is a promising two part project by artist Garrett Phelan, involving one of Ireland's finest DJ's Donal Dineen . 

For all of last week Donal broadcast his Today FM show, The Small Hours from 12-2am live from the Context Art Gallery in Derry and members of the public came in to watch. You can listen back to Donal charming shows here . It's really, really beautiful stuff. 

The second part of the project is a video installation based on and documenting Dineen's broadcasts. This will be on view in the gallery from the 15th Nov- 30th November. 

The artist choose Donal Dineen because he regards him as:

"someone whose iconic voice represents integrity and seriousness to his core audience, many of whom have developed their musical knowledge with him over many years. The project exists as an analogy between Energy, Electricity, Voice, the Power of the Mind and Other Matter." 

"Whilst acknowledging the importance of the content of Donal Dineen’s radio programme, Phelan focuses this portrait on the resonance of the broadcaster’s voice, its mediation to the outside world via the microphone, the wires and the transmission of the FM signal into the ether." 


"The aesthetic of this work represents the unknown properties of the electromagnetic signal once it travels beyond human understanding and how it relates back to us throughout its infinite, sublime and mystical journey." 

Anyone who has listened to the show will know what Garrett means here. Dineen has such a soothing voice, with an almost hypnotic quality, who plays sublime heartfelt music that exists on a higher plane than your average hype laden radio shows. I for one am so glad independent shows like this still exist. 

Love the flyer and invites for the show too, as seen above. 

More info on the artist here: http://www.garrettphelan.com/now.htm 

Here's an image courtesy of the artist, Garret Phelan's website: 

Photodrawing - ‘ELECTROMAGNETIC PHENOMENON - Portrait of a Broadcaster – Donal Dineen 2010.’, spirit marker on photograph, 20.3 x 15.2cm, 201

FREEEE MUSIC....

Hey guys, just back from a stonking weekend of fun down in Dublin. Saw M.I.A. in Tripod on Friday. Screw all the bad press, she rocked the place and had a pretty powerful presence. It was one of those messy, sweaty gigs where everyone was just there for a good time. I'm doing a review of the gig for AU, so I'll stick it up here. Caught The Rubberbandits on Saturday in The Twisted Pepper who were every bit as hilarious and weird as I had hoped. Unfortunately my camera died when I was about to take the first picture, FAIL!

Here's MIA shakin her stuff: 

Now onto that free music. It's from Nouveau Noise, two Dublin/Galway guys who produce quality ambient dreamy electronica, which is my favourite kind. You can get their 2 track EP Panaka for free at their bandcamp site here. How gorgeous is the artwork?

Let me know what you think of the tracks.  If you like them enough you can buy the album Paraphrase Accolade for E3 on Digital and E5 in CD Format here. I bought it after their stunning show at Crescent Arts Centre a few months back. It's top stuff. Gogeddit!