Realist

There are all sorts of problems with this, Katy presents herself as a product, Simply put, this is a female presenting herself as something to be consumed. Arguably this is what all pop stars do - but that in itself is the problem.  Is it just me or is Katy Perry's new music video perhaps a little too far? I recently read an article on the video commending the use of food and sexuality in the one video and how fantastic this video is. However, I would have to very strongly disagree. Katy opens the video in some revealing clothing and is presenting herself as food. Throughout the video, she goes through various stages of food preparation. The first of which is where she is bread and being kneaded, throughout which she is suggestively enjoying all male chefs rubbing her body. This is the first introduction of sexuality into the video. Unquestionably, in recent years, arguably as a result of some of Marks and Spencer's advertisements, we have seen the emergence of the ...

Recently I've been listening to a lot of Mac Miller and he's really growing on me.  This song is called "The Weekend" something we can all relate to. It also feels like a very summery song and the video is very aesthetically pleasing.

Some of you might already be familiar with Syd. Syd originally started off with Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. To be entirely honest I was really shocked by Syd's voice when I first heard it, after watching her perform a dj set for OFWKTA in Dublin back in 2011, it was so intense and her voice and the music she produces is so drastically different to Odd Future. Syd then went on to The Internet, who released their first album in 2011 called Purple Naked Ladies, including the song 'Cocaine' which I grew to love very quickly. The Internet unquestionably has a number of really incredible musicians. After doing some collaborations with the likes of Snakeships and Kaytranda, Syd has finally gone solo and released her first album earlier this year. She's someone I expect will continue to grow and bring out some really great music in the future. Here is All About Me,

An artist using a very interesting and delicious palette. Carnes Griffiths is a New York based artist who uses liquids such as tea, coffee, vodka and brandy accompanied with inks to great these wonderful pieces.  Here are some pieces I found particularly interesting. 

This year my January started off with an excessive amount of college assignments, so I spent a considerable amount of time sitting at my laptop playing my discovery while struggling to get ideas together.  Gladly all of the assignments are over for the moment and my music taste broadened considerably.  This month I listened predominantly to slow, electric, soul-inspired music with musicians such as Anderson Paak, Connie Constance and a few more.

This video has been all over my feeds since its release. I eventually got time and watched it today. This piece is raw, abrupt, makes no excuses, addresses tough issues in an eloquent manner.  Emmet Kirwan has unquestionably an exceptional talent. I'm particularly drawn to his work due to his exceptional use of colloquial language. Colloquial language or Dublin slurs have always been something that appeals to me and I have personally embraced with full force. Emmet seems to place similar values on this unique language. The colloquial is welcomely embraced by beautiful poetry combining politics, everyday and women all in one.  Various harsh and tough issues are challenged, from pregnancy, class, judgements. These beautiful words cannot help but provoke various emotions, extremely intense ones at that and in doing so causes any viewer, regardless of their position or views, to reconsider their own views, values and perhaps even their own judgements.  ...

I'm possibly a little late with this one. London Grammar finally returned to the scene, I have personally been longing to hear more.  They have returned with the song 'Rooting For You' which is extremely raw and shows Hannah Reid's exquisite voice in all its' bare beauty. 

São Paulo-based painter Harumi-Hironaka has some fantastic work. I stumbled across her work when trying to find an artist for a painting I had saved for a very long time on my phone.  Harumi has some really dark, erotic and interesting work. The majority of her work I've seen is portraits of women but as you can see they are all gorgeous.  You can find her on Instagram @harumi_hironaka or her website  where you can buy prints.   

I've been spending a considerable amount of time on my laptop and doing an awful lot of work in general. As a force of habit, I always listening to music when I have a heavy workload, I'm not sure why but I think it helps to maintain my focus for a longer period.  Since January has started I have religiously been listening to my Discover Weekly Playlist - basically, I'll have a nice playlist put together at the end of the month for whoever is interested.  One of the songs I discovered that I have been obsessively listening to is 'Dang!' by Mac Miller featuring Anderson Paak. Mac Miller is someone who I like but haven't invested much time into. Anderson Paak has also recently grabbed my attention with his song 'Come Down' and I have been listening to his album a lot recently. 

If you don't know Garbage, you need to sort that out immediately.  I was pretty much raised on Garbage when I was younger and Shirley was a real role model for me. When the alternative female icons were people like Britney Spears it was so amazing so see some sassy, grungey and smart presenting something really edgy.  Shirley still remains iconic. Shirley is an artist who really promotes a strong feminist agenda, but unlike every other female artist like Taylor Swift she does so by promoting actual theory and arguments rather than bold statements about sexism. Recently sharing Rebecca Solnit's book Men Explain Things To Me on Instagram. She's really maintained her role model identity in my eyes.  Here's an all time 90s classic by Garbage. 

I had been sick the last few days and have been reading The Female Eunuch the last few weeks so I decided to spend my sick days off work binge watching feminist documentaries.  I started off with 'She's Beautiful When She's Angry,' which began by looking at the origins of the feminist movement. Here I have included the trailer to give a taste.  What I always find fascinating about watching documentaries and reading books from earlier feminist movements is the changes I can almost instantly consider. This documentary begins by conveying how second wave feminism came into existence in an extremely inspirational way, as something which started off small but grew followers, attention and more support. Equally, the documentary explored the opposition feminism faced from the media, politicians and even other females who wanted to remain housewives. She's Beautiful When She's Angry moves at a wonderful pace and explores every single issue in depth a...

Brew Lab was top of my list of places to check out in Edinburgh. From what I had read about online and from anyone to talk to it was 'THE' coffee shop in Edinburgh. Also they served HasBean so I was more than a little intrigued. We arrived here after a messy self-guided tour of Edinburgh University, amazed by the beautiful campus but exhausted and thirsty for some coffee. With a beautiful decor and a fantastic selection of coffee and accessories I knew they would live up the reputation I had been hearing about. The place was really bustling when we arrived, with a varied crowd from business men, students to families. I was extremely impressed with the décor and how well the unfinished urban walls worked so well with the rustic stools and vintage couches. It was an interesting mixture to say the least but maintained a consistent flow and a trademark design.  As I mentioned when I arrived we were both exhausted and I was being more indecisive ...

I have been OBSESSIVELY listening to this artist recently. The song 'Storm Bloom' would be my favorite but I couldn't find a great quality version. Instead I've featured 'Almost Living' by HTML Flowers. 

Everyone seems to be on the feminist train at the moment. However seeing a comibination of feminist values and movements combined with perhaps the ultimate 90's jam was something I never dreamed of.  #WhatIReallyReallyWant

Upon a recommendation from a good friend I recently discovered a local band. I'm horribly out of touch with local/Irish bands the last (good) few years, honestly it has been too long. But nonetheless, I eventually found this incredible punk inspired band from Dublin. With their undoubtedly bizarre but fascinating videos, this is Girl Band. 

It's been a long time, but here is an amazing mix from Majestic if you're looking for some new summer jams and all round chilled out vibes. 

Tinashe is really making a strong name for herself recently especially having featured in 'All My Friends' with Snakeship.  Without a doubt she's got a very relaxed mellow vibe. Which I think we haven't heard from a female R'N'B singer in a while. Here's Player. 

I absolutely adored 'Rumour Mill' by Rudimental when I first heard it in work which featured Anne-Marie. Now however she's finally released some of her solo work, which I've been very keen to hear. She has been featured in MTV's Artists to Watch for 2016 and without doubt you can see why.  Here is her video for 'Do It Right' where we can see some of her very amazing style too! I'm also sharing Rudimental's Rumour Mill for old times. 

Ok I think it's safe to say that a weekly discovery playlist is definitely the best part of Spotify. I know it has been an age since I've shared some new music, so long that I didn't even know where to begin.  So here is Banoffee 'With Her.' A lovely mellow beat and a sweet story. Unfortunately I couldn't upload the actual video on this for some reason. Also I'm not sure if it's just me, but isn't the courus from Mario's song 'Let Me Love You'?

In recent years, there's been considerable publicity around abusive relationships both physical, emotional and psychological. In my mind this is one of the huge advantages of online media.  The point that struck me most about this advertisement was the people featured and the simplicity of the sentences and how quickly it all escalates. In reality, this is perhaps how some people experience abusive relationships, a rapid escalation. This is a terrific advertisement and hopefully will educate and spread awareness.  You can join  One Love Foundation  today and help to raise awareness in your local community. #ThatsNotLove