NEW BLOG: www.helswrites.wordpress.com

I've started a new blog on Wordpress. I think it looks more sophisticated and mirrors the fact that I have decided I have changed of late. Not really sure how I have 'changed', but I think it is progressive. It's like when you realise you still have that old email address you started when you were 13 - mine was lionhels88 - I think it's just possibly and probably, I've grown up a bit... Maybe.

So here is the address: www.helswrites.wordpress.com

GO, PLEASE, I IMPLORE YOU! But not before you've had a good gander at all the posts on this blog eh?

THANKS for your TIME.

Yours,

Helen Matin
helswrites@live.co.uk

'The guy rides up on a white horse, sweeps the girl off her feet and says, "Marry me and I'll give you everything you want. Years pass and the wife comes to the painful conclusion that she is miserable. "Why are you unhappy?" Asks the husband. "What do you want?". "I don't know", replies the wife helplessly. I thought you knew and I thought you were going to give it to me."'

John Foreman (1950s predicaments)

Spectrals lays his heart open. In the way that he doesn't at all. Thanks then. (See my review about his nice music with great pictures though)

Illustration my Matilde Sazio

Your music has a definite Californian glow to it. Where did you get your surfy sound inspiration from?
I realised that “surf” music was going to be really “cool”, so I made some songs with that kind of sound so I could be rich.

Yorkshire right now is covered in snow. Its rocky walls, white capped, its sheep bleeting in the wind. “Bahhh”. Very picturesque, perfect for the nostalgic Victorian Christmas we’ve never seen. Hark! What’s that I can hear? Californian sounding guitar strumming, muffled notes, twinkly idealism? It’s like suddenly I’m on a balmy beach in the 60s with my good friends, Bruce and Summer. Splendid…splendid indeed. Who is this?

It’s the Spectrals, a chap from Yorkshire called Louis Jones. Brought up on a collection of 60s and 70s soul, Motown and doo-wop, alongside elements of garage rock, he’s created an amalgamation of genres in his bedroom. Essentially I would say Jones’ music is dreamy and rock and roll. A perfect antidote to sitting on your squidgy sofa with your pastry pies and chocolate cocktails washed down with warm wine. His voice sounds faintly tinny, old school and a whole world away from seasonal affective disorder. Let’s just for a second, remember what summer is… And now, what it is/could be like to live by the sea… yep, invigorating thoughts.

I caught up with Louis Jones fresh from his tour with Best Coast and asked him a few questions about his music.

Full review and interview with the Spectrals for Amelia's Magazine Here

Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration - featuring the very best in ethical fashion

As you are hopefully aware from my blog posts, I really do love to write for Amelia's Magazine. Consciousnesses are permitted to stream and imaginations allowed to run wild within the regularly updated digital publication. Each post is something special and they are created in such an individual and stylish manner, the awfully huge amount of effort from the writers and illustrators is obvious. Each one is quite the work of art. And on a personal level, I adore seeing the words I have written next to the varied and stunning unique illustrations. I have also met some marvelous people through the magazine, who are are always happy to offer support and a healthy reality check - and I hope I do the same for them (- all hail twitter! Ha!) Amelia herself, has been a great influence on my work and she works (very) hard to show us so much gorgeous talent, showcasing all the fabulous creativity from around the world. I am certain she has cemented the self belief of many an artist.

AND Amelia has created something beautiful for anyone who loves illustration and ethical fashion. That is definitely me, and I am sure it is you too. It comes in the form of this book; Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration. This coffee table stunner comes with a pearlised cover designed by Arizona based artist Andrea Peterson and brings together the best illustration from Amelia's Magazine alongside the best new ethical designers. Featured designers include Ada Zanditon, Beautiful Soul, Christopher Raeburn, Dem Collective and Edun - among many others.

Here's a sneaky peek:

Mmmm...

....and mmm.

I think you will agree, it looks very fantastic. At £18, it's a bargain. Hurry and get yours for you and your bessies today: HERE. 

Christmas Cards

Michelle Barker

(Full the full version of this article - click HERE, where you will find me in my new position as columnist for Bristol 24-7 (yay!))

I am a sucker for cards. All types of cards; postcards will leave me stranded in shops, greetings cards will have me immersed in situational comedies and heroics for hours. Actually. Hours. I adore them. I like to choose cards that are personal and that people could put on their wall (i'd like to think) as a piece of artwork - as often that is what cards are; beautiful art. Hence, Christmas is good for me and bad for my pennies.

I normally end up spending a couple of pounds per card, minimum. I like it to be for charitable causes, and I like to hunt out the cards in lots of different shops. (I love by Christmas Steps). However the other day, whilst meandering about on the internet, weaving along the avenues of links and links of links, I came across Young Bristol's cards. Young Bristol work with young people across Bristol, running projects to help build confidence and increase their skills and feelings of self-worth, thus opening up a world of possibilities. The cards are called All I want for Christmas and they are gorgeous.

Peskimo

From a creative perspective, the designs are original, varied and make me once again realise what talented artists we hold in this city and nation. If you want to support the cause and impress the ol' friends and fam. the cards are litho printed on 100% recycled card, and include 20 envelopes and an A2 poster. Collection One is £10 and Collection Two is £15 not including p&p.

Tom Mullen

- Santa looks a bit fierce in this one...