Archant’s Pure Weddings 2015/16 has hit the shelves and I’m pleased it includes my feature on master cake maker, Emily Hankins. I was lucky enough to spend a day with Emily recently and try my hand at cake painting – it’s certainly a skill I’ll enjoy working on.
The South West Angels of Terror (SWAT) Roller Derby Team is based in both Somerset and Devon is putting the South West on the map for all the right reasons. The sport hails from America with it’s roots in roller skating endurance races dating back to 1884. These days it is played by around 1,250 amateur leagues worldwide, with nearly half of these now outside of America. Dominated by all-female amateur teams, Roller Derby is now so popular that it was under consideration for the 2020 Olympics! In this feature for Somerset Life magazine I meet the team and even try my luck on skates…
To say that Lucia Griggi has an enviable lifestyle is a bit like saying Jimi Hendrix was ‘good’ at playing the guitar. Lucia’s made her dreams a reality, courtesy of good old hard work and determination. She relocated from Cornwall to California in 2010, but spends most of her year globetrotting – whilst photographing surfing, surf lifestyle and wildlife in some of the most beautiful locations around the world. Her client list includes Roxy, Vans, Red Bull, Land Rover and National Geographic, amongst others. Most impressively however, is the freshness and energy she brings to her photography; she has a genuinely rare talent for emerging the viewer in a picture, as if you were there with her. Read my interview interview with Lucia here, over at Autographer.
Brandon Elijah Scott has a job that’s guaranteed to make you envious: travelling the world and then blogging his experiences through both words and photos on his brilliant blog, Eye & Pen. In this interview I did for Autographer, he talks to me about humble beginnings, travel as a catalyst for change, integrity and passion. Read it here.
Last month I had the pleasure of heading to Barrow Gurney in Somerset to meet furniture designer Tom Rowan and interview him for Somerset Life magazine. Tom’s work will blow you away: inspired by passions, memories and dreams and fuelled by a passion for speed and movement, his furniture bridges that important gap between art and function. Take a look a my feature below, see Tom’s website here and Somerset Life’s website here.
I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for more good weather this month – we all need a good ‘ol dose of vitamin D here at 247 Towers – we all look better with a tan. Plus, we’d really like a reason to treat ourselves to some of the delectable beach essentials and maybe even some of the awesome new swimmers in this month fashion shoot.
We have loads of great interviews for you in this issue: read what our cover star, Bastille, had to say before they headline Oceanfest this month and we find out what inspires the personal lyrics of solo sensation Josh Curnow. We also have a welcome chat with the Patrick James Pearson Band and meet Oxford-based solo artist Lewis Watson before he comes to the South West for the first time this month to play gigs in Exeter and Yeovil.
Of course, you’ll find all of our regulars inside this month too – music reviews, local restaurant reviews, Style Hunter and the biggest music and clubbing what’s on guide in the region – click here to read the magazine online and enjoy!
If you live in the South West of England, as 247 Magazine readers do, there is so much to do this month. Festival fans have Dot to Dot, Love Saves The Day / Sunday and many more to choose from, while clubbers will love Cadence Records 15th birthday drum ‘n’ bass bash or how about Love Riots huge summer party? See Recommended, News and of course our extended listings section for loads more ideas. Go out, it’s good for you. Probably.
We’ve got lots of interesting features lineup for you in this month’s issue – our interview with cover star and indie darling, Lucy Rose will inspire you and we’ve also introduce you to Bristol’s new supercharged new rockabilly project, The Rocker Covers and talk to pro surfer and laidback dude Alan Stokes. On a style tip, this month’s fashion shoot, shot by Cornish photographer, Jessica Augarde will make you feel like revamping your summer wardrobe – you have been warned! Or, you could take the cheaper option and just invest in a cool summer tee.
Enjoy your month and read the issue here!
I’m so happy to have double Brit Award nominee, Paloma Faith, gracing the cover of 247 Magazine and can’t wait to see her live at Plymouth Pavilions later this month.
Read what the singer / songwriter had to say on her new album, personal lyrics and being a feminist inside the February issue, which you can read here. Of course we’ve got lots of homegrown talent from the South West of England crammed into the issue too – this month we introduce you to Panda, Plymouth based DJs with an Infectious nu-garage sound and Audible 1, aka Alex Norgate, who has a unique take on drum and bass. This month’s fashion pages also have a distinctive local flavor too, as all the clothes are designed and modeled by the South West’s Alice Vandy. We get our action sport fix from Somerset – in the form of fearless street rider, Sam Baskett, who can clear truly amazing gaps on his BMX. Enjoy these features, plus all our regular features including music reviews, food, club and gig listings. This month we also expand our distribution to include Bristol within the South West edition – exciting times!
The December & January issue of 247 Magazine is out and we’re feeling festive at 247 Towers and hope you are too? If not, grab a mince pie and your mulled beverage of choice, head to www.247magazine.co.uk where you can read the magazine online (although if you live in the South West grab a copy at pubs, clubs, bars and bangin’ shops) and immerse yourself in our seasonal fashion (p17), Christmas gift guide (p20) and New Years Eve event round-up (p8). Bah, humbug? Feel free to ignore our yuletide spirit and just enjoy all our usual features: music reviews (p22), style (p16), food (p25) and features with snow/skate/surf star Stefani Nerding (p14), The Voice’s Adam Isaac (p10), Welsh post-hardcore band; Funeral For A Friend (p12) and local soft soul acoustic singer; Alice Watts (p24). Lastly if you’re looking for a great night out over the forthcoming months, be it a gig or club night, check out our comprehensive gig guide at the back of the mag. Have a great time!
Here are some sample spreads from the Dec/Jan issue:
FREELANCE CONTENT CREATIVE 