Trust - Heaven
TRUST’s gloomy, techno-inflected debut came out in the US in late 2011, but a 2012 release on these shores has created a deserved spike in UK appreciation. They’re capitalising on it with a European tour this coming January, including a London stop on Jan 31st at Angel’s goth cave, Electrowerkz. In an album of gems it seems like any track could have life as a single, and the latest to get the treatment is “Heaven” – see the video above.
17 Dec 2012
Boris Johnson's holiday with Evgeny Lebedev was "purely personal"
Boris Johnson’s Italian holiday with the owner of the Evening Standard was “purely personal” and “not in his capacity as the Mayor of London” City Hall said today.
When asked about the trip last month, a spokesperson for the Mayor insisted it was “an opportunity to relentlessly promote his vision for London.”
However, it now appears that it was just a simple jolly between good friends.
Responding to a Freedom of Information request about his two flights to Perugia, City Hall said today that:
“I can confirm that this was a private jet flight and the estimated value was £1,696.00. The flight was taken by Boris Johnson in a purely personal capacity and not in his capacity as the Mayor of London. The GLA does not hold a list of the people on the flight or the make of jet. “
The Lebedev family reportedly own a 17th century palace in the Umbrian hills.
Lebedev, who owns both the Evening Standard and the Independent provided Boris with use of the private jet and two nights accommodation.
The Mayor’s journey back from the airport was picked up by close family friend and Evening standard editor, Sarah Sands.
17 Dec 2012
Chart: The number of people getting so drunk in London they need an ambulance is increasing
The Standard’s best writer (Brian Sewell, naturally, excepted) is Richard Godwin. He has a note in his column this week suggesting that younger people are binge drinking (you may prefer the term “getting absolutely wankered”) less.
“The disturbing scenes in London’s theme bars this Christmas party season might suggest otherwise but binge drinking looks to be in long-term decline. Out of a group of 16- to 24-year-old women surveyed by the Department of Health in 2010, 17 per cent confessed to drinking more than six units on their heaviest drinking day, compared with 27 per cent five years before.”
But a glance at the above graph shows that the number of people getting absolutely wankered in London, as measured by the number of people so wankered an ambulance is called to sort them out, is rising.
The data is available via the GLA’s London Dashboard. Here’s a breakdown:
“The highest number of binge drinkers seen by the London Ambulance Service since December 2009 (when the data was first collected) was 3,012 in August 2012. The number of cases in the most recent quarter (Aug-Oct) was 18% higher than the same quarter last year.”
In London, the number of people getting absolutely wankered is not falling. It’s increasing. I’ve yet to see a compelling explanation of why.
14 Dec 2012
Snipe Likes: Phosphorescent
Phosphorescent, aka Matthew Houck has finally returned to the studio following an exhaustive 18-month jaunt in support of his critically acclaimed 2010 LP, Here’s to Taking it Easy. The result is Muchaco, his seventh studio album, available March 18 though Dead Oceans.
Album taster Song for Zula, streaming above, is a defiant, country-tinged affair: all reverberating beats and lush, subtle orchestration – a perfect aperitif.
13 Dec 2012
Officials to investigate Stephen Greenhalgh allegations
City Hall officials will investigate allegations about Boris Johnson’s Policing deputy Stephen Greenhalgh after we revealed claims that he had molested a female member of staff.
Last night we revealed that Greenhalgh was accused of inappropriately touching a woman in a City Hall lift.
Greenhalgh issued an apology, but insisted that he could not recollect the incident.
Following widespread media coverage of the story throughout the day, the Mayor tonight ordered an “immediate review” of the allegations.
Labour are now calling for Greenhalgh to be suspended whilst investigations take place.
Labour London Assembly leader Len Duvall said:
“At my request and under pressure the Mayor has finally decided to set up an investigation into these allegations, this will be headed up by City Hall’s Monitoring Officer. However, due to the seriousness of these allegations the Mayor should suspend Mr Greenhalgh from his position of deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime while this investigation is underway.”
Officials will report to the Mayor, after which he will decide what, if any action, should be taken against his deputy.
12 Dec 2012
Snipe Likes: Sugar C. by Misfit Mod
Sugar C is the debut single from London-based Kiwi Sarah Kelleher, aka Misfit Mod. It’s a stylish take on electro-blues – as deceptively sweet and intoxicating as a cheap navy rum, but with the elegant tonality and finish of a more refined spirit.
Available now as a limited edition 7” and a digital download via Stars & Letters; an album – Islands and Islands – has been pencilled in for a February 19 release.
12 Dec 2012
Senior Boris aide accused of molesting woman in lift
A senior aide to Boris Johnson has apologised after he was accused of molesting a female member of staff.
The Deputy Mayor for Policing, Stephen Greenhalgh allegedly “patted” the woman’s behind whilst in a City Hall lift last month.
She told a colleague about the incident, and they then passed it on to senior management.
The woman was upset but did not want to pursue an official complaint. No further action has been taken.
In a statement tonight, Stephen Greenhalgh said that he could not recall the incident but issued the following “unreserved” apology:
“I have no recollection of this event and I understand no complaint has been made. Nonetheless I would like to apologise unreservedly for anything that could be or may have been construed as inappropriate behaviour on my part.”
The woman concerned has asked that her name remains private.
Greenhalgh was appointed as the Mayor’s new Policing Deputy following his re-election this year.
He is known for his combative style and has had a rocky relationship with the London Assembly so far.
He was previously the Conservative leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council and is often referred to as David Cameron’s favourite councillor.
Update Leader of the Labour London Assembly group Len Duvall has called for Stephen Greenhalgh to resign unless there is “urgent clarification” on what happened:
“The statement made by Stephen Greenhalgh is absurd. If he didn’t do anything wrong why did he apologise? Boris Johnson needs to get to the root of this immediately… Regardless of whether a formal complaint is made or not this needs investigating. This is a serious matter that needs urgent clarification. If it remains unclear or unresolved then he should step down.”
11 Dec 2012
MPFree: Snudge by Night Panther
We very rarely miss a trick here at Snipe. Unfortunately, with the sheer volume of excellent music whizzing around the online universe, occasionally an amazing song of indeterminate vintage passes us by, like two potential soulmates unwittingly brushing shoulders in a busy city bar.
Night Panther is brought to you by three former members of Philadelphia lo-fi gods (in our eyes at least) White Birds; today’s MPFree was released in May – sorry guys – but it’s so good in an early Billy Joel barroom kind of way we couldn’t not bring it to your attention.
There’s also a Chris Powell (Man Man, Spaceship Aloha) remix available here.
11 Dec 2012
Boris welcomes former Thai PM despite murder charge
Boris Johnson has defended his decision to welcome a controversial Thai politician to City Hall, despite him facing a murder charge.
Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was charged with murder earlier this month.
The charge relates to Vejjajiva’s decision to authorise the use of live ammunition against anti-government protestors in 2010.
More than 90 people died during the protests.
Speaking to the BBC yesterday, Vejjajiva said he had “very little option” but to allow government forces to fire on protestors.
The Mayor would not be drawn on the charges against Vejjajiva today, but insisted that the meeting was purely “private.”
Photos of their meeting were posted on Vejjajiva’s Facebook page last night.
A spokesperson told The Scoop:
“Abhisit Vejjajiva is leader of the Opposition in Thailand and recently met with the Foreign Secretary William Hague. This was a private meeting between two men, Mr Vejjajiva and Mr Johnson, who were at school together.”
Vejjajiva and Johnson were fellow classmates at Eton. When Vejjajiva was elected in 2008, Johnson said
“He was an exact contemporary of mine at school and is a seriously clever fellow. I’m sure he’s going to do great things in Thailand.”
Vejjajiva is due to face questioning tomorrow. If found guilty he could face the death penalty.
11 Dec 2012
Categorising London locations by who switched on their Christmas lights
The grimly commercial
Oxford St – Robbie Williams
Westfield West – Taylor Swift
Westfield East – Rihanna
You can try to resist their light-switching abilities and keep your wallet in your pocket. But. You. Will. Fail.
The grimly uncommerical
Bluewater – Singer Conor Maynard
Ealing – Britain’s Got Talent stars Loveable Rogues
You probably can resist their light-switching abilities.
Places so confident, or cash-strapped, they went with the celeb next door
Marylebone High St – Claudia Winkleman
Croydon – Laila Morse off Eastenders
You could just imagine them popping round and switching on your living room light’
Jumpers on the unstoppable bandwagon
Regent St – Team GB & Paralympics GB
These guys are switching on lights at 4 o’clock in the morning while your fingers are still aching from switching them off the night before. How does that make you feel?
Serving up a sweet, but confusing cocktail
Fulham – The borough’s oldest resident, 102 year-old Lily Davies, plus Chelsea players Victor Moses, Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta
What on earth did they talk about? Lights, presumably.
Aaaaah-chway
Archway – Anais Higgins, who won a festive poster design competition and attends St John’s Upper Holloway CofE Primary School
God bless us, every one.
See also:
Relive the excitement of the Christmas light-switchers of 2011 (WARNING – contains multiple Larry Lambs).
11 Dec 2012
Snipe Highlights
Some popular articles from past years
- An interview with Desiree Akhavan
- Only 16 commuters touch in to Emirates Air Line, figures reveal
- Peter Bayley has worked for 50 years as a cinema projectionist in East Finchley
- A unique collection of photos of Edwardian Londoners
- The five spookiest abandoned London hospitals
- The five best places in London to have an epiphany
- Punk brewery just as sexist and homophobic as the industry they rail against
- Summer Camp: Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days
- The best church names in London, and where they come from
- Random Interview: Eileen Conn, co-ordinator of Peckham Vision
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