Journalism
In 2003 I started writing a column for the Aston Times in Birmingham and have since had my material published in four other student publications. Today I still write regularly for the Aston Times and am a member of the paper's editorial committee helping to manage and generate the publications content.
My recent work is varied and includes live reviews, music commentary, interviews and consumer journalism.
Below is information on some of my pieces and examples of my work.
Interview: HK119 wants your report!
On the day of her debut album launch I travelled to London to interview musician and performance artist Heidi Kilpelainen about her futuristic creation HK119. With her character she explores themes of excess in television, plastic surgery and celebrity culture using imaginative lyrics and unusualy melodic synth pop.
The Modern vs Conformity
In March 2006 I obtained an interview with synth pop group and style councillors The Modern on behalf of The Aston Times. A live review and some of my images were published later by BBC Birmingham. The band liked my shoes.
Music Review: Dead or Alive - The return of Britain's last great pop star
In February 2006 Sony re released Dead or Alive's You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) following Pete Burns' appearence in Celebrity Big Brother and his return to the public eye. I wrote a review and small feature piece on the single and Burns' crown as our last great pop star.
Karl Bartos Review and Interview Feature
In November 2005 I obtained a rare interview with ex Kraftwerk member Karl Bartos. Karl performed a rare multimedia gig in Birmingham with his new Audiovision team and I interviewed him for a feature on his sound and vision concepts. My review of his concert and some of my pictures were published by BBC Birmingham and used on Karl's official website. A feature about Karl and his Audiovision concept was published in The Aston Times.
Music Review: Luxurious, Gwen Stefani
A review of Gwen Stefani's offering to the winter charts in November.
Aston Keycon? Campaign
After a number of complaints about the service offered by Keycom, the campus internet provider, I launched the Keycon? campaign with this article. The piece investigated the issues around the service and compared Keycom to other internet service providers. It also gave the company an opportunity to respond. The campaign gained a lot of interest and put pressure on the Keycom to clean up their act with regards to the quality of service and their handling of customer complaints.
The campaign is still running with some action planned for January 2006. Future updates will be follow in The Aston Times.
Music Review: Hung Up, Madonna
A look at the new non-political Madonna, her new music and whether she paid a price for being so political with her American Life output.
Style Features: Pugwash Magazine
I contibuted three features to Portsmouth Student Union's Pugwash Magazine in 2005. Each issue of the magazine features content centred around a main theme. I wrote three style and fashion related pieces for their issues on travel, ethics and leaving education.
Packing for travel
Ethical style and second hand clothes shopping
Lifestyle and Fashion Column
My lifestyle and fashion column Sly:Fi ran from 2003 until summer 2005. Starting in the Aston Times it was later carried by other student publications including Southampton University's Wessex Scene and the University of the West of England's Western Eye.
The fashion and style content was aimed to poke fun at the bland and boring constraints of men's high street fashion and try to encourage 18 - 24 year old guys to be more adventurous with their clothes. Lifestyle content took an alternative look at issues such as physical fitness, student lifestyles and self help.
A small selection of some of my columns will be available shortly.