Music: Albums To Look Out For

Hunter Valentine - Lessons From The Late Night
If you have never heard of this band you need to go check them out they have a rock/indie/alternative feel to their music. They one are one of my all time faveourites! The band hales from Toronto, Canada and consists of 3 girls, Kiyomi McCloskey(vocalist/guitarist), Adrienne Lloyd(bassist) and Laura Petracca(Drummer). "Lessons from the late night" is their second album, their first being "The Impatient Romantic". The album consists of 7 tracks a little short but I've listened to this album non stop and let me tell you it's not about quantity but quality. And they definitly bring the quality! To get your hands on this CD which is realeased on the 11th of May 2010, you will probably need to look at the online stores or smaller cd shops as South Africa's biggest music supplier doesn't import cd's. Here is their music video for their first single of this album, "The Stalker".



The Plastics - SHARK
The hale from South Africa and have a retro-rock and classic pop imagery going on. They have mainly been focusing on live performances and have performed with the majority of South African musical acts. They have realeased two EP's, The Plastics (2007) and Kiss The Plastics (2008). They don't have a set date for when this album will be released but it will be somewhere in 2010. Their first single from this album will be Caves and is currently being remastered and is set for release to local and national radio stations in May. Here is a glimpse of what they sound like.



Annuals - Sweet Sister [EP]
This band consists of 6 members who come from America. I happened to sumble upon them as I was trying to get you a diverse mix of music to write for this article. They just captured me and held on. Their music to me is really feel good in a mellow way. I sound high now, don't I? Anyways their sound is more indie/rock and on this album, which is only 19 minutes long, you
will hear different kinds of instruments which makes for a different perspective in their music. Here is one of the songs from the new album it's called, "Loxtep".



New Young Pony Club - The Optimist
They are British band who self-produced this album and it is a follow up to their 2007 debut "Fantastic Playroom". This album has an exciting mix of crescendo, space and charm to it. although this band is classified as rock/indie/pop this album takes a turn at post-punk goth with a pop ethic. Here is the music video for their song "We Want To":



Free Energy - Stuck On Nothing
Philidelphia band, Free Energy, shows some influences from the 1970s pop-rock music era which you can clearly hear in their songs. Listening to them makes you wish you were around in the 70s for some free loving, booze and well you get the idea! But leaving that aside their lyrics are positive and you can hear their enthusiasm and a general depth of talent. Why don't you judge for yourself, here is a live performance of their song "Free Energy":



- Article Written By Megan

Technology For All

Are you a nerd,geek,computer enthusiast? Does Apple own your heart? Would you love to know more about gadgets that you know you will never buy? If you answered yes to just one of these questions then please do read on.

Creepy Mario
Who of you remember the very first "TV Games"? The one's where if the game cartridge didn't work you just threw it on the ground and somehow it worked again. Well if you do remember, you would also remember the little guy in red that had to save his princess (like all old fashioned games, movies, books). I am of course talking about Super Mario, and to freak you all out today someone over at Pixaloo created this:
Now that actually looks kinda creepy. Sort of like a pedophile crossed with a plumber. Good thing he didn't look like that back in the day, talk about getting your ass banned!

Energy Saving Gadget
After that disturbing image let's move on to something even more disturbing the BugPlug. You had to read that twice didn't you? Or was that just me? The BugPlug, which looks like one of the monsters in the movie Monsters, is a device that uses it's sensor to switch off your electronics when you leave the room. You heard me! Time to save some power ladies and make the earth a brighter more radiant place for us to live in and flourish in all our lesbian glory.
You see those eyeballs they are not only for show they are actually sensors that will turn your
electronics on or off. The belly is a timer that you can adjust so Sparky (yes that's what I call it) knows when it should turn off all your stuff. How cool is this thing!

Lego Space Shuttle
Check it out a Lego Space Shuttle! I know if I was still a kid I would beg my parents for this. Begging doesn't seem to work anymore, I wonder why?
Lego created this amazing piece of work so we can remember the space shuttle that is high up in the sky as some president stopped the US Space Program. If you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about go Google it or skip this part. This set can even seperate and do a landing.
This set wil cost you about R766 for a 44.5cm tall with a wingspan of 25.4cm and 1,204 pieces. Also included is a launch pad, detachable fuel tank, booster rockets, robot arm, retractable landing gear, opening cockpit with two mini astronauts(male and female), opening cargo compartment, satellite and a ground vehicle. (Try saying that with one breath!)

Star Wars and TomTom
For all you Star Wars loving ladies who love to travel with your TomTom GPS here is a little surprise for you. If you are willing to spend a little money you will be able to have your favorite Star Wars hero or villain guide you to your next destination. Darth Vader is now available for
download at about R97. C-3PO will be available from June, Yoda from July and Han Solo from August. Watch a little behind the scenes with Darth Vader, cooo cuhh cooo cuh (yes that was my attempt at his breathing):



Ipad Competitor
The Ipad has a competitor on the market called the WeTab. But previously it was called the WePad, but then they said something about how they wanted to differentiate their products and they put up this message on their website to poke some fun at Appel "Some people seem to think life is all about the I, and the Me Me Me. We beg to differ." There was also a comparison page about how the WeTab is better than the Ipad but those pages just magically disappeared. *poof* But as I am awesome and you can thank me later Google still has the cache for the homepage
and the comparison
Awesome Lamps
Who of you love a good UFO conspiracy? I only see a few of you going I do! Me, Me, Me! Well even if UFOs is not your thing but funky coloured lights are, then look no further than the UFO Table Lamps complete with abducted animal! This awesome item stands about 1.5m tall! Now if that hasn't got you hooked I'd consider looking at the super mario dude again!
Within the beam is a cow and guess what the cow has to endure. Yip you guessed it, it is slowly being pulled up to the alien spaceship. But in actual fact it just gets pulled up and down, with no escape. Just some fun facts of this lamp, it was made from recycled glass tubes, light diffusers and acrylic rings. The tube holds 37.8L of water. I hope someone doesn't knock that of the table. Indoor swimming pool anyone? The light also uses a air pump to make the bubbles. BUBBLES, bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. My bubbles! The light forms used are CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Lamp/Energy Saving Light), LED's (Light-Emitting Diode) and halogens.

Well that's it for all the geek outs and nerdgasms. Tune in next time for more awesome news. Oh and if you liked this or would like something else to be showcased please let us know.

- Article Written By Megan

The Runaways Movie Release Date

The Runaways will start it's screen debut on the 18th of June here in South Africa. For those of you who have not yet heard about this movie here is a little background information
for you. The movie is based on Cherie Currie's 1989 autobiography, Neon Angel. Cherie was also a Runaway lead by the one and only Joan Jett. For those who don't know Joan Jett I would recommend you go Google her, now. Just some background info on the band, The Runaways were an all-girl teenage rock band that performed in the 1970's. Some of their best known songs are "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise", "Rock n Roll", "Neon Angels" and "Born to Be Bad".

The film follows the two friends Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota
Fanning), as they rise from rebellious Southern California kids to rock starts of the now
legendary group The Runaways that paved the way for future generations of girl bands. Joan and Cherie fall under the Svengali-like influence of rock impresario Kim Fowley
(Michael Shannon), who turns the group into an outrageous success and a family of misfits.

With its tough-chick image and raw talent, the band quickly earns a name for itself—and so do its two leads: Joan is the band's pure rock 'n' roll heart, while Cherie, with her Bowie-Bardot looks, is the sex kitten. The Runaways chronicles Joan and Cherie's tumultuous relationship on and off stage, as the band starts to break out.


- Article Written By Megan

Health Tips: Are You A Workaholic

As I was busy searching for ideas on health tips, my best friend came over coffee and the usual chat. Needless to say she looked exhausted, zombie like even. She is a good person, hardworking and does what her job asks of her. Basically
she is a workoholic. Now we are not talking about the 8 or 12 hour day we are leaning more to 16 hours everyday with one weekend off a month! After handing her a coffee she started sobbing and saying "I can't do this anymore". Yes, she has let work control her and now it has almost driven her off the edge. She doesn't take vitamins, she doesn't spend time with loved ones or even go on a date. Basically she is not taking care of herself at all. If you can relate to this story here are some health wise tips:

- Honesty
Your friends don't see you anymore, you family hardly gets a text. Be honest with them and tell them the truth about why you have been so distance, assure them of your love. If you have problems at work or had a terrible week, tell someone. Don't think that it will make you a whiner or less of a person for complaining as it will not only help you feel better but also make them understand.

- Be Caring
You only have a Sunday or one day a week to yourself, meaning no work. What are you going to do? Think about what you have to do when you get back to work? No ways! It's time you spent some time on yourself whether it be staying in bed the whole day reading a book, go on a dinner date with friends whoe haven't seen you in ages, maybe going out with that special girl you have fancied for the past year or how about getting some fresh air and go for a picnic.

- Vitamins
It's time to see a doctor or herbalist or even a pharmisit, explain your situation to them and let them suggest some vitamins and supplements. Don't just take the first box of vitamin pills on the shelf in store rather find out what will be good for you. Remember that saying "Diamonds are a girls best friend". Well they lied it's more like "Vitamins are a girls best friend".

- Be Healthy
Eat foods that are healthy, like that stuff you call vegtables, and stay away from junk food. Drink lots of water and keep your alcohol intake to a minimum. Most importantly, get some proper sleep. If you can't sleep try reading a book or magazine, but avoid watching TV or sitting infront of the PC as this also causes sleeplessness. Remember your mind needs to rest too.

- Article Written By Martha

God of War: Ghost Of Sparta for PSP

Excitement arose amongst all God of War fans. The announcement of God of War: Ghost of Sparta came as a surprise to all as the creators told us that there will not be another God of War for the PSP console. But now we as fans have something to look forward to.
Ghost of Sparta will be created by the same company that gave us God of War: Chains of Olympus, ReadyAtDawn Studios. So just from that you know it will be amazing. If you ever played Chains of Olympus you know that they pushed the PSP's boundaries and showed us what that little hand-held piece of heaven can do! This time around they are making it 25% better by giving us:
- Longer Campaigns - Larger Bosses
- Improved Enemy Intelligence and Textures
- New Magics and Abilities
- More characters on screen at once
Ghost of Sparta will tell the story of the great God of War, Kratos, ascension to power. In his quest to rid himself from the nightmares that haunt him, Kratos will have to face his dark, mysterious and blood soaked past to prove that he is worthy to the Gods. This journey will reveal the origins of lost worlds and finally answer those long-awaited answers about Kratos' tattoo, scar and family.

Are you as excited as I am about this? Unfortunately we will have to wait as the release date is marked as some-time-this-year.

- Article Written By Megan

Interview With Amanda Bester

She's cool, she's funky, the girl next door, full of awesomness and best of all she is gay. Amanda Bester born in 1983 is making it big for herself in the graphic design world.This Capetonian is definitly going to go far. Be sure to keep an eye out for her and her art. But now let's see what goes in that artistic mind:

TML : How did you decide between being a graphic designer and a painter?
AB : I still do illustration but it just isn't that good or stable as graphic design is.

TML : What is your favourite category?
AB : Pen and watercolor

TML : What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
AB : I love vector artwork. I love to manipulate the art and of course the finished product. Nothing sexier than a truck, building etc. with new signs.

TML : For those of us that are not familiar with vector artwork, would you mind explaining it?
AB : Vector is line work. It's art that consists of lines and shapes.

TML : Your job sounds like a lot of fun. It must be amazing for you to see something being made from scratch into something amazing?
AB : Yes it's insane! I can stand infront of a building, car, boat, whatever and come up with a design right there on the spot.

TML : How did you get to where you are today?
AB : Hardwork and stubbornness. Extra hours goes a long way.

TML : On the social network. How would you rate yourself?
AB : I know people and they know me, I know where and when events occur. So almost there.

TML : How do you think the gay and lesbian scene changed over the past 20 years?
AB : Wow it did change alot! There are more gay clubs and restaurants. Girls are putting in more of an effort and events are endless.

TML : Do you think South Africa should host more LGBT festivals?
AB : I think South Africa must realize that nothing will work without their input.

TML : Where can people go to see your illustrations?
AB : I am currently working on a website put for now they can go to deviantArt

Well ladies what did you think about that? Are you going to go check out her artwork?

- Article Written By Martha

Welcome

The Modern L is created by lesbians for lesbians. We hope that you will enjoy our blog and up and coming South African lesbian magazine. Here you will find anything from night life to articles, recipes for those indulging evenings, interviews with great woman and much more. You can also tell us what you like and what not, how we can improve and about what more you would like to see at themodernlinfo@gmail.com

Kind regards
The Modern L Team