Volume - Solent Volunteer Magazine

Creative Partnerships work

In June 2007 I was employed for a three-month period as Assistant to Communications and Development at Creative Partnerships, Southampton & Isle of Wight.

My main duties were writing press releases for events and projects, making phone calls and sending invites to the press, local councilors, schools and other contacts. I also took on administrative duties such as filing DVDs, CDs, Press cuttings and updating contact lists.

I wrote several press releases & web content for various projects including a radio station at a school in Redbridge (Radio Redbridge) and a media booth project called the Fascination station, that was set up at Bestival, on the Isle of Wight.

View CP's webiste:

http://www.creative-partnerships.com/area-delivery-organisations/southampton-portsmouth-hampshire/creative-partnerships-southampton-portsmouth-and-hampshire,7,ADO.html

Daily Echo Published work

In May 2008 I undertook a week's work experience at Southampton Daily Echo. Here I wrote several small articles, including the one pictured above, as well as several research and film tasks.

Beat the Crunch article:

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/search/2356512.Students_go_out_bargain_hunting/

More cuttings coming soon...

Sidecar 46 feature for RE:SUS magazine

RE:SUS loves to give credit to local talent, so we went along to Sidecar 46’s second show at the prestigious Monto Water Rats venue in London, to see what the Southampton-based trio have to offer.

Sidecar 46 are a three piece rock band consisting of Andy Convey (vocals and drums), Dan Fellows (bass) and Rob Bray (vocals and guitar).

The three guys started jamming together at college back in 2003 whilst they were studying Popular Music. The band kicked off after their previous musical ventures split up and thus Sidecar 46 was born.

After a gap year recording their first EP Paper vs. Scissor vs. Rock vs. Glue, performing around the country and failing to save much money, the three mates decided to continue the fun and success of Sidecar by enrolling at the same university, here in Southampton.

Rob: “We all wanted to do the same course and keep the band going at the same time”
Andy: “and we all thought we were alright with each other so why not live together play together and learn together.”

Now in their second year at Solent University studying Popular Music and Record Production the band have built up a large fan base here in the South, and have played a list of successful shows at the Joiners, Unit 22 and even the Water Rats in London.

Live Sidecar 46 definitely know how to get the crowd involved. With their cardboard cut out pal Arnie on stage with them (yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger), a timely rendition of Rhianna’s Umbrella and drummer Andy incorporating the Fresh Prince of Bell-air theme tune into the set, what’s not to love? Not to mention that they have the cheeriest bass player I’ve ever seen.

Andy: “I hate bands with the mentality that its‘us and them’ so we always try to get people involved, whether it’s a sold out venue or just one person.”
Rob: “The people coming through the door are the ones who are gonna buy your T-shirts, CD’s and support you. So why not make it a bit of a party.”

As a trio they certainly pack a powerful sound particularly on the beautifully composed song Glow Worm and the band’s finale track; a cover version of Angel by Massive Attack. The reverb on Andy’s impressive backing vocals combined with one last burst of explosive guitar noise made for an intense end to the show.

http://www.myspace.com/sidecar46

Jimmy Eat World live at Southampton guildhall

Printed in the Solent Star, Solent University's Journalism Course newspaper

Interview with Dallas Green

Interview with James Smith, frontman for Hadouken

Interview with Rob Rolfe, from Enter Shikari

Vox Pop for The News

Lifestyle features for The News

Interviews with local business women in Portsmouth

Music features for The News

Features I wrote for The News Guide, that unfortunately weren't given by-lines:

• Interview with The Model Village & Kosheen gig preview


• Interview with The Elements

Music reviews for the News

Live Music reviews from my work experience on the Features desk at The News, in Portsmouth

Glastonbury 2007 - Cutting

My first feature for RE:SUS magazine in 2007

You Me At Six gig review - RE:SUS magazine

You Me At Six - Southampton University, October 25th 2008

The best thing about You Me at Six? They’re not Welsh, or American. Not that I have anything against the aforementioned, only it’s nice to see a South England pop-punk band getting recognised, even if I have made the inevitable comparisons.

I must admit I originally thought that they were yet another format flown over from Florida, until I attended their show at Southampton University. Call me naïve but I was pleasantly surprised. The Welsh reference is in regards to the beginning of tracks like 'save it for the bedroom' - from their latest album 'take off your colours'. Front-man Josh’s vocal style does bare similarities to whats-his-face from FFAF, prior to their move towards ‘epic’ styled concepts.

That aside…YMAS are fun. Let’s face it, I could have be in a far worse place than at a sold out venue, jumping along (or slightly bouncing with my heels barely leaving the floor) to tunes like If I were in your shoes and Call that a comeback - plus being over 18 I managed to escape to the bar between acts and watch as those less fortunate pine across the barrier, ah luxury!

Farewell were also on the bill, and typical of an act from North-Carolina they were cheesy, repetitive, and hugely simplistic lyric-wise, but that’s not to say I didn’t like them. These bands are what make the world of pop-punk go round. They’re a feisty but cheery lot, whose colourful album artwork was spread across the stage, nearly engulfing their drummer - who for the most part of the gig I almost neglected to notice.

These bands make me wish I could go back to being 14 years old, when I first discovered music; lounging around in parks and industrial estates, skateboarding and bumming about with mates. Now instead it takes a venture to the local alt/rock/other genre defining club night, to bounce half-arsed around the room for me to get the same feel-good effect (sometimes more energetically depending on my state of mind at the time). Either way, YMAS seem to be a perfect soundtrack to each of these settings and are ‘like, SO totally’ infectious.

RE:SUS Magazine Website

Inner Party System - Inner Party System (Album Review)

Inner Party System - Inner Party System (Album Review)

Die Tonight, Live Forever is like a robotic anthem that throws you onto a packed dance floor. The vocals resound in your mind, blending beautifully with the synthetic beat and echoing off into the distance. This is the kind of record I wanted Shiny Toy Guns to release, but instead IPS come along and steal their thunder.

The problem with STG’s is, that they had two great tunes on We Are Pilots, but then they began to resemble some dated 80’s electro group, with seemingly meaningless lyrics about robots (very iRobot). Inner party system however, despite the similarities, take on a much more energetic, contemporary & most of all, non-patronising approach.

The track 'Structure' boasts perfect harmonies; merging the music and Drum 'N' Bass beats with vocalist Patrick’s emotionally powerful words. These tracks could quite easily be played across the board, from a Zane Lowe mix tape to Dave Pearce’s Dance Anthems. These are party tunes with real meaning, backed by moderate intelligence - sod the bimbo singers resonating across your airwaves, bands like this need to be taking over the dance genre.

'This empty love' carries heavy Nine Inch Nails similarities - this is the darker side of the album coming through. However, it does leave more to be desired. Like a disappointing chance-encounter, when it kicks in towards the end it is an atmospheric, industrial explosion, but it does take it’s time to get there and it doesn’t last long.

Inner Party System is an electro-rock-rave riot captured on record. This crossover rock is paving the future, let’s educate the new generation in that you don’t always have to be restricted to one sound.

Welcome to my blog

I'm Hayley, a recent graduate of Southampton Solent University's Journalism degree course.

This blog will hopefully encapsulate my life's work, (from here on out), for you to gaze at as you wish

I work full-time for Solent Students' Union as the Vice President Communications and Chief Editor of RE:SUS magazine.

I also work on a freelance basis writing reviews, features and articles of sorts for various publications, whilst contributing to other multi-media platforms, such as Community & University Radio (http://www.sinradio.co.uk/), TV & new media.