Peter Varran has come along way, having played locally for some time now he still manages to give love to the vinyl. What animal does he think he resembles the most? Read on…

Pod! What first inspired you to take up Djing?

Djing was never really something I thought I’d find myself involved with! It all came about when I met Alex Mos, we used to go to his pub for a few pints and I’d listen to him mix drum and bass, that was my first real experience with the whole thing. Then from there I began to meet more people involved in the scene, more dj’s and decided that I fancied giving it a go myself.

What were your musical interests as a kid?

Growing up I was always your typical indie kid, with a massive influence from the 60′s thanks to my mum! I was also well into Adam Ant, but he was a one off.

What can you remember about your first proper DJ gig?

My first proper gig out was playing a warm up set at Bassed Out, a night of which I am now a resident. I was well nervous and really didn’t want to do it, but I turned up, clanged a few, but for me, that was the hard part out the way and done with.

First record bought …

My first record I brought was DJ Pleasure – Wizard. I’d been given a couple of freebies to practice with, but this was the first one that I actually brought online.

What’s been your favourite set you’ve played?

I’ve enjoyed quite a few of my sets recently, I think that where I’m getting more confident playing in front of crowds, it rubs off on the mixing. But to pick one, I’d say it was mine and DJ Mos’ birthday bash at the Fawcett Inn, we had a lock in and the midnight set was pretty sick!

What tune are you loving right now?

At the minute Netsky, big producer, also liking a lot of tunes from Fourward, but my favourite has got to be Flesh Eaters VIP by DJ Pleasure.

Tell us about the club nights you’re involved in Portsmouth with…

I’m currently doing quite a lot with Bassed Out, and Funktion when it’s on, but at the moment I’m looking to expand and play out of Portsmouth a bit more, see where the wind takes me.

What’s the hardest part of being a DJ?

I think the hardest part can be adjusting to so many different set ups. Obviously when you play out its not the same rig each time, so you have to learn the different mixers, make sure your monitors are spot on and all sorts.

What artists do you find yourself listening to the most?

Whenever I’m on my way to work or on a bit of a journey I find myself listening to either sets by big name artists, or some of my own sets, just to try and constantly improve. But I’m a big fan of any Taxman mix and the same has got to be said for Andy C.

Fill in the blanks please…

When I’m at the bar I like to drink…a nice chilled cider.

I’d give my last Rolo to…one of my main inspirations, and my pal JD.

If I could have a pet it would be a…dog, always had dogs growing up.

When I grow up I want to be a…doing what I’m already doing, but better.

The animal I most resemble is a…is probably a meerkat – I can be a nosey bastard.

I like to watch comedy panel shows on TV

I get offended when… very rarely.

My fave film is… probably Stand by Me, although I’ve not seen it in a few years.

What head-liner you’ve been on the same bill with has impressed you the most?

The only real headliner I’ve played with is Nightbreed, so for that reason, I’m going to have to say him, but there’s some really good local talent around which I’ve played alongside!

What do you like to do before a set?

I usually have my energy drink, followed by a swift pint and get on with it.

How many records do you own roughly?

I must have about 1000 records or so now, possibly even more, it’s such a horrible addiction!

What do you think about DJs mixing digitally?

I’m quite open about the whole thing really, whatever platform people decide to mix on is up to them, so fair play to them for keeping with the times, but I’m all about the vinyl, nothing as crisp or authentic!

What do you think about the drum and bass scene in Portsmouth?

I really love the drum and bass scene in Portsmouth, back from the old pier days (Breakneck), to the new liquid days, to the inbetween bits and bobs in Southsea. There is always something happening, whether it be a big event of a small one, well worth a trip I’d say!

What’s your favourite place to eat out in Portsmouth?

I’m a big Nando’s kid at heart, can’t beat some good old fashioned chicken.

What’s in store for Poduwan in the future?

Well, when money allows I’m going to look at going into producing, gotta get the works before I start getting involved in it! Then hopefully see where that takes me.

Where can we catch you playing next at?

I’ve got a couple of gigs outside of Portsmouth coming up. The next is supporting Shy FX at the Mud club in Bognor Regis on the 17th April. Going back to back with my pal Liquid Dubz. And the next event after that is a 2 hour, 3 way b2b set with Kainer and Liquid Dubz supporting Spectrasoul and Instra:Mental in Epsom for a night called Dubfriction!

Thank you Poduwan, you sound like an interesting DJ. Anything you’d like to add?

……..

no? Okay!

Poduwan on Facebook

Dead Man’s Glory on Albert road stocks a fantastic range of vintage wear, from 1920′s clothing to household items like retro telephones. The 28^th March marks the shop’s first birthday, Luci Hollingsworth tells us about her passion for vintage…

“I’ve always collected vintage clothing and it’s something I really enjoy, we don’t stock the same stuff as other shops do, it’s all about personal taste really. We do a re-worked range by a local designer and she uses vintage fabrics and garments and alters them to reflect current trends.”

Do you think Portsmouth is fashionable?

I think it’s getting there! With the students it’s becoming more of a trendy place, very up and coming in Southsea. Fashion is a big thing for students and there are a lot of them.

What expensive items do you stock?

Probably the 1920′s items, flapper dresses range from about £100-£300 but they’re very hard to come by. It depends on the conditions as well, what you get them for and what you sell them for. Jackets can be expensive too depending on the era. A dress can be a tenner or £100, it just depends on the era, the rarity and the style of it.

What’s your favourite pieces?

I love the 40′s, I love collecting it and that’s what’s mainly in my wardrobe. I also like our vintage band t-shirts by a company called Amplified and they’ve been doing well in here, they’re made to look old and original but they’re new.

Do you buy vintage clothes off the public?

Yeah I do, more so because you know they history behind it and it means a lot, then you can pass it onto someone and it makes it more personable.

And lastly, how will you be celebrating your first birthday?

Well on the 27^th March we’ll be throwing an event and giving away 15% off everything, we’re going to give out some freebies, launch our new t-shirts and we’re going to have live music as well as DJ’s playing rockabilly, motown and things like that. That’ll be between 10 and 7 so everybody is welcome to come along and join in, there’ll also be a bit of drink! It’ll just be a bit of fun, just like the day we opened and to say thank you.

http://deadmansglory.co.uk

Ursula Reynolds

Southsea’s express glam bar gives you more than just a manicure! Its owner Bridey-rae Lipscombe talks about what else it has to offer.

“We’ve been opened since October last year and we have two focuses, firstly hair; we specialise in weave hair extensions, so we do all lengths and colours and we also offer other services for hair treatments like hair dyeing, cutting and styling, etc. Obviously we have the beauty side, everything you’d expect from a salon, from spray tans to waxing to eyebrows and nails.”

What’s been the most popular beauty treatment?

“Probably spray tans. I think that’s what every girl needs for the weekend, and because we’re open till late Thursday and Friday, spray tans needs to be left on overnight, we find girls often come in late on these days to have that done ready for the weekend.”

Tell us about your £99 Pretty B*tch package, and how long does it last?

“It started when we opened and we’re going to keep rolling it forever. A girl can have a full set of weave extensions in any length and colour she wants, a spray tan and then some eye lashes, so it’s pretty much everything she’d need. A mini make over for the weekend and it’s proved really popular. We tend to book the girl in for two and half to three hours. Depending on how many rows of extensions she wants, it can take one and half to two hours, then we squeeze in the spray tan and eyelashes after”.

How did you recruit your team?

“My sister and I came up with the business idea and she’s being trained up in beauty at the moment so we’ve got a girl called Danielle Grant who I’ve known since I was about ten.

We have Charlotte Calton who is the manager of our hair department who I’ve known for about 6 months and Danielle has known for years so she came highly recommended. Sammie Galea is the second hairdresser with us but has worked in the hair industry for about four years.”

“Although we really push our hair extensions, which was the original business idea, we realised because the girls have been trained for years it made absolute sense to do what they know best. We specialise in extensions but do everything else from full highlights to complete re-styles. We do it all”.

You’re re-doing the place at the moment, what’s the future plan?

“We’ve completely refurbished the front but have a few things to do at the back of the salon. Ideally what we’re going to be doing is recruiting more staff and by the summer we’re aiming to have another full time hairdresser and potentially a part timer and finally more beauty staff. We’re looking to open up another salon in the Fareham area and potentially produce Pretty Bitch products, like hair serum and brushes for extensions.

What new beauty treatments are you going to introduce?

“At the moment we just do basic manicures but we’re interviewing for an acrylic nail specialist so we’ll be having that soon. We’ve been chatting to aloe vera suppliers because a few of us has been using it and it’s amazing so we’re thinking of having aloe vera facials. A lot of what we do is about looking good for that night out and what we’re looking into doing is the more indulgent beauty treatments”.

Any new promotions coming up?

“We’ll be launching a Prom package with everything a girl needs from hair extensions to styling on the day. It’ll be very similar to the Pretty B*tch package but it’s going to include a lot more. She’ll probably have two stages; get all the tanning and weaves done first, then on the day she can have her hair styled, so at the moment we’re putting that together. We’ll be advertising that on the Facebook group and then we’ll go into dress suppliers and put flyers there. I’d imagine we’ll be launching it in a few weeks so people can start booking it in advance”.

For more information visit: Pretty B*tch on Facebook

Ursula Reynolds

‘Quirky, sexy and fierce’ are used to describe the small fashion label’s designs made in Brighton and set up by Emily Bosence. Mixing ‘traditional tweed and jerseys with bright African prints and vintage fabrics’ Bosence likes to collaborate with like minded individuals, be it designers, photographers and rappers. London all girl alternative choir Gaggle, (an alternative to Burlesque, shit TV and bad boy band watching) have appeared in NME magazine wearing Oops! gowns on their backs. Big things awaits for this young designer, watch out 2010!

Bangerz n Mash

Gaggle

http://oopsfashion.co.uk/

It all started on a chilly, sunny afternoon with Nik and Jim calmly setting the scene at The Barn, until Ash marauded in manically running around like a kid eating skittles. With psychedelic bed linen, eye piercing lazers, army reject camo and a strange picture of a hindu guru, the scene was set for Redemption to begin!

The Monitors arrived for their soundcheck, all smiles, jokes and peace and love. Rowan on form tickling everyone’s funny bones and Curly and Thea their usual cheerful positive selves!! The night started full of diversity with J Tek and Bad Intentions laying down some down tempo drum and bass hummers to get The Sweat Box grooving. Simultaneously, The Tardis Room was rocking to some barely legal dubstep courtesy of Joel of 21st Century Dubclash, a couple of minor nosebleeds ensued as a result…..

The Random Scarves followed on in The Sweat Box for their first official randomness of 2010 with their mandatory eclectic musical wanderings; from rock to rave, weirdstep to wonkno. The dawn of a new musical era for Redemption! In the Tardis, Tom Mayhem took control with sub driven, ragga infused breaks and jungle to syncopate the dancefloor and set the tone for the second room nicely!

Meanwhile in the main room The Monitors got stuck into their laid back soulful reggae swing with gusto. Bringing a combination of original reggae tracks with a nicely executed Bob Marley cover and even a rework of Ray Charles to boot! This was the icing on the cake for an already promising evening! Despite having man-flu, J Tek manned the door like a Strongbowed Beefeater and provided a plethora of shameless promotional bric-a-brac from cds to t-shirts. It ain’t Paris Fashion Week but this is Pompey and it was all free!!!!

The Tardis switched nicely to a combination of Acid House and Breaks skillfully delivered by Rob Watts from Reverb and Custard. Whilst in the main room Ash C delivered a marmite UK Funky set to educate the masses with DrumNation adding some tribal groove and percussive seasoning!!! The night was hotting up and everyone was feeling the atmosphere which was complete with strange conversations about gender confused trips to Amsterdam and a random man doing press ups on the dancefloor, this isn’t The Blue Oyster, don’t worry!. Loll was tearing the Tardis up with some classic old skool hardcore and just plain good early 90’s dance music. Analogue head honchos LP switched the tempo in the main room to their brand of deep, rolling drum and bass which was lapped up by the sweaty massive! The Random Scarves reared their ugly heads again for a swift 30 minute dubstep mash-up with crack house flavourings starting their set with a 16 Bit killer rock dubstep crossover, complete with martial arts vocal touches.

“Without your sight how can you see everything? Young man how is it that you do not!”.

Bad Intentions, the one legged wonky waffler tore up the final hour with an awesome selection of dark rolling drum and bass classics. Despite not being able to stand up for longer than 15 seconds, he tech soldiered on to the end until the Random Scarves once again hijacked the turntables for the now legendary “little record”, if you don’t know, get to know…….

After an unprompted “Night at the Proms” round of applause when the “little record” finally came to its glorious finale it was time for the sweaty drunken stumblings of the pack down to begin. With lost leads, misplaced mics and sticky equipment it was a sign of a good night had by all.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122928792622

The Random Scarves