Amy Winehouse: Role Model to Everyone and to No-one.

A Tribute to one of music and indeed life’s True Greats

Amy Winehouse 1983-2011

On Saturday 25^th July 2011, the musical world lost one of the true greats of both contemporary music and musical contribution. You might scoff at that, but Amy Winehouse, legendary soul-singstress and siren of indie culture, offered music, the music industry and indeed the world so much more than just 2 of the greatest albums in recent memory.

She was a role model for everyone on our planet.

Beginning with the obvious, Amy’s music and musical legacy: When she burst onto the scene in 2003 with her Mercury nominated and critically acclaimed debut Frank, she brought a breath of both fresh air and originality to a stagnant and flagging music chart. Her smoky vocals and original and thought provoking lyrics breathed fresh life into a generic, fast produced and uncreative musical world; the type of world where DJ Pied Piper, Oxide and Neutrino and DJ Sammy could sneeze into a microphone and be labelled ‘the next big thing’, hitting number one before you could wipe the snot from the mic.

The iconic image: Big eyes, bigger hair, huge personality.

Amy changed that; she reintroduced audiences to clever music, where listening to the lyrics brought a new level of meaning to a track than just a ‘sick bass’. Where true heart and love for what she was producing could be felt in every line and note. She rejuvenated and rekindled passion for music with meaning. The knock on effect being one that required musicians to push themselves and take time and effort producing a track, rather than just throwing out an LP or album of ‘fillers’ with titles such as ‘DJ Pump it Up’, or ‘Pump up the Jam’, ‘Pump the Bass’; notice a pattern? You didn’t in 2000 or 2001, all these tracks broke into the top 10, one was from 2 different artists! Two different tracks from two different artists… But same name, the true mark of just how stagnant music had become.

However, as ground breaking and acclaimed as her album was, it did not break this trend immediately, indeed, her commercial and international success, her real break, did not come until three years later with her sophomore album, Back To Black. One of the biggest selling records of all time and one of the most critically acclaimed, nominated and commercially accepted albums of the modern global charts.

This was Amy’s triumph, her Mona Lisa, her lasting gift to the world. An album that was deeper than anything that had come before. An

Back to Black.

album so dark and sorrowful it punched critics with a force of emotion never seen in music before. Exploring personal episodes of early addiction, heartbreak, selfishness, her infidelity and self confessed bed hopping. A glimpse into Amy’s world, a dark world. The album barely scratched the surface of her troubled personality, but gave an insight into her troubles and what was to come.

But this album was more than that. It would kick start music, kick start British creativity and pride. Inspire thousands of women to reinvent themselves, empower thousands to go out and achieve their dreams and goals, and inspire others to end what was causing their own ‘Back to Black’ life, to improve themselves. She gifted the world with an album that scared so many of us into improving our lives for fear of ending up so unhappy, as she appeared to be on that record. The smoky voice that filled so many living rooms, filled so many hearts, so many minds.

But her contribution didn’t end there. Her success brought about early career boosts for so many other aspiring female solo artists. Adele, Duffy, Joss Stone and others that have since grown and rooted themselves into modern soul, blues and jazz history; they all owe Amy a nod of thanks for their success.

I do not say that they would not have made it without her, indeed Adele many would say has outshone Winehouse with her own Sophomore success (21 is indeed one of the most beautiful records since Back to Black, maybe more so). But, what I think is clear, is that Amy paved the way, she grounded the public with the a desire and a need and calling for more like her, more heartfelt music that had more than just a snappy chorus. We craved jusic that made us feel emotion again, that had the ability to make us cry, smile and get through different experiences in our lives. Audiences had found, in Back to Black a record they could play through a break up, through an argument or through a new fling and know that someone somewhere was doing and going through the same.

In a rather over exaggerated and overblown statement sort of way, Amy Winehouse reintroduced the idea of uniting a world through emotion and a love of music (yes, I know, it is overblown, but in an odd way, does make a silly sort of sense).

And yet, as powerful a positive role model as she was through her music, her public drive to follow her passion and her lust for perfection on these records, a lust that proved most successful I might add. As powerful a role model as she was in these positive lights, it is sad to think that it was her backstage and private life that many will remember her for.

I will not dwell on these here, as this is meant to be a celebration of her success and her legacy. But I cannot pretend they did not happen. But what I will say is that even these events and habits, even these, can be seen in a positive light, if looked at from the right perspective.

Her habits were not anything I would suggest one tries in ones own time. But what I will say is that her public image of drug and alcohol addiction, was one that I think many could use as an example. An example of what these substances can really do to a person. Drugs and alcohol destroyed Amy Winehouse, in a very public manner. A manner that allowed all of us to see that drugs are not glamorous, clever or even something you can do in moderation.

The very public destruction of her life.

The problems Amy had destroyed not only her career but her life. Her boyfriend was an addict also. Blake. And yet Amy, knowing what he was, what he did and what their relationship was doing to her stuck by him.

Her problems are an example of both true love and true addiction, in both a negative and positive sense. She was addicted to and loved Blake, just as she was addicted to and I think loved drugs and alcohol. No one can pressure you to quit these things, you have to want to, her father said that… Her father knew. Amy did not want to change, she was happy being unhappy, she was happy and knew what she enjoyed writing and singing about. And I think that is what makes her great. Despite the public pressure and despite the public light that was thrown onto her, she did not change who she was.

She had problems, and I am definitely not saying she was perfect. But Amy Winehouse was a role model. A role model for what humans are truly capable of.

She was great, know one can deny it. She was one of the greats in the music world. And she should always be remembered as such; someone who showed the world just how much emotion and love and dedication could be put into something, and just how much you every single person has to offer… no matter who they are.

She was also, an example of what we are capable of doing to ourselves. She destroyed herself for what she loved and who she was. She never changed and never wanted to. She is a role model for what not to become and just how addictive humanity truly is.

She lived her life to her full. The way she wanted to. And no one should say less or take that away from her. She did not waste her life, she filled it with what she wanted. And isn’t that what we all do and want to do? Fill our lives with what and who we love? Think on that before you criticize her. I think everyone of us should see ourselves in Amy Winehouse in that sense. Not in  the same way, but how can we be happy if we aren’t filling our lives like she did?

Goodbye Amy Winehouse, you have left a big hole in the music industry, it will miss your voice, your talent and your soul.

Goodbye Amy Winehouse, you have left a bigger hole in humanity and human nature. It will miss your personality, your example and your life. And I hope that we as a society, will miss you even more.

1983-2011. Remembered as a talent, a rebel and an icon. Remembered as a woman and as a human.

Student Housing: Cancelling out any other Student Discount since the dawn of Student Loans…

Student Housing - Clearing the Crap to make way for more crap

The sun’s out, its 23 degrees Celsius, students are lighting street and park barbeques up and down the country for a bit of an afternoon unwind in the run up to stress, last minute revision and of course, exam hell. It’s bliss, let’s be honest, the reason people became students in the first place; stress free, lazy afternoons in the sun, watching the world rush by (that world we will all, sadly, eventually have to join).

But, up until then, we have 3 years of long summer weekdays, quality morning naps, cheap food, drink, cheaper nights out, all nighters (of course I mean for last minute work, I am in NO way condoning staying out all night partying… no, of course not).

It was under this lovely back drop that myself and my friend were sat, having a few beers, contemplating life, our chances of actually passing a degree (slim to none was the conclusion) and the thought of leaving behind student life forever, and entering the real world of full prices, no more discounts, no more student offers… Jesus! Our worlds are creeping towards a very early and dismal ending aren’t they!?

But are they? I mean, as we sat there, our thoughts turned towards next year’s housing arrangements, we don’t qualify for student housing anymore, and do you know what we both agreed? That’s FUCKING. BRILLIANT!

Students don’t realise just how much students pay, just how much we are taken advantage of, it’s rather obscene: it almost boarders on

Would You Rather Live Here...

cancelling out all other Student Discounts that we get… So why do we do it, and what exactly does both the quality of the housing we live in and the amount that we actually pay actually do to our mentality? And how does this impact on our lifestyle, university results and our general happiness? Does it impact upon it at all? And, is it a cycle of naivety, stubbornness and lack of knowledge that is unbreakable? Or can students break out of this slump and demand (and get) a higher quality of housing? In my humble opinion, the quality and price of student housing is one of the main causes of student depression, drops in grades and even students dropping out all together, I also think… well, lets just see shall we, I’ll let you draw your own conclusions… let me explain…

To begin with, student housing DOMINATES student areas of any city. Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield… they all have their own ‘student designated areas’. For my own examples I am going to use Fallowfield, but it is the same with any heavily student populated area in any city.

Fallowfield is a very run of the mill cheap suburb area. Terraced housing, cheap, broken brick and narrow lanes and back alleys. The houses are all the same, terraced, often conversions from the classic 2 up 2 down so often seen around the Industrial Boom. What makes student areas so unique, so poorly maintained and frankly, so shite is one thing:

...With this?

Us. Students. The Market. We have no demand for quality, no demand for service and no demand for upkeep. In short, we have dug our own grave, a grave it is very difficult to do anything about other than lie down and accept. We do not demand any form of quality, and form of cleanliness, or any gaurentee on servicing and repairs. We very rarely badger letting agencies and landlords about any of the above, and what is REALLY depressing, is that they know it.

They are aware that they can get away with turning a complete blind eye to any problems reported by their student tenants. Why? Becuase students accept them, they’ll make do and mend: leaking roof? They’ll shove a bucket under the leak and carry on. Washing machine broken? They’ll just make do with dirty clothes.

Sadly, those times did actually occur. But with students paying more for their experience and a much broader range of students attending university and in far greater numbers, three problems have arisen:

1. Students no longer accept these abysmal conditions, they are demanding more (including, I kid you not, a dish washer?! A dishwasher for gods sake!) Agencies and landlords are now having to maintain their properties… But, years of poor upkeep have lead to massive MASSIVE costs. This leads to
2. An increase in price for these advertised ‘newly renevated’ properties. Be warned. THEY. ARE. NOT. They are repaired after years of neglected at the cheapest cost, with the shittest parts. Unfortunately –
3. Due to students not wishing to move into ‘professional’ accommodation, due to the misconception that it is either too expensive, too competitive to rent or too costly on upkeep and deposit charges (all misconceptions), and due to the unwillingness of many to move out of student areas. Student housing takes up roughly 78% of student areas. It is all that students have as an option to live. And do you know what? As crap as halls seemed, wait till you move into student housing – no bills paid for, lack of insulation – spiralling bill costs and of course –
4. Good luck dealing with energy and internet companies – call centre hell is waiting and beconing.

So with all those problems, why do students still put up with crappy standards of housing at obscene prices? OBSCENE prices – You can live in Fallowfield, in a 4 bedroom converted terrace (yep, 4 bedrooms in a terrace – cramped to say the least) for just over £1200 per month on an Opal Estates contract (I’ll come on to the evils of agencies later). Alternatively, 4 students can rent a city centre property, 4 bedroom penthouse 2 floor flat, council tax free don’t forget for… guess how much, go on… have a guess

As little as £900.

...Or in this?

Better quality, professional agencies who don’t give you the run around, insulated so bills are cheaper, better security?! You’re right by the clubs, so as much as you’d have to get a bus to Fallowfield to start your night, at the end just fall through you’re front door, no hassle…

So what’s not to like about that?! The deposit is far cheaper, you’re less likely to get fucked over by companies claiming they’ve called a cleaner in when they haven’t (a friend of mine and her 3 friends we’re charged £800 between them… £200 each of a £350 deposit for a cleaner that never appeared. £800… I’d clean a fucking street for that, never mind 6 rooms?! What did they do?! Lay gold leaf on every surface?)

So, so far students get fucked over on quality and upkeep, fucked over on price, fucked over on deposits… When less than 1.5 miles away, lies Shangri-la.

Now then, lets move on to evils of agencies and landlords… in case I haven’t convinced you you’re getting fucked over enough yet.

Agencies, Student Letting Agencies are not only the incarnation of Satan Himself, they’re are also the only thing that would tell Satan he wouldn’t get his deposit back, should he ever try and leave hell. They’re a nightmare.

When you move in, they offer no form of cleaning, even if they claim they have, don’t trust them, clean the house yourself properly first. (To test their actual level of cleaning, most students advise you to check inside the oven, and the bathroom plugholes… Just have a bucket for your own chunder handy!) What will make you chunder again, after this check, is the realisation that not only have they charged the previous tenants for this ‘cleaning’ but that they will do exactly the same to you once you leave.

Agencies run the property on behalf of a landlord (who in many ways are even worse… asking for rent by cheque, turning up on your doorstep unannounced to get it… Not cool!), these landlords ask opal to run it because they are too lazy and bone idle to do it themselves and essentially, just want free money coming in to top up their salary. Agencies reflect this attitude: they take a cut of the rent as a fee for running the property. However, again, they want this money for little or no outgoing cost… Marvellous.

What’s really really depressing about agencies about landlords and agencies is that they seemingly are above the law. Students are very naive and unaware about how to fight such battles against them: Do they simply shout down the phone and pray for a result? Do they go and protest outside? Many I know (I’ve been there) feel like firebombing the agency premises to get their message across, it can be that frustrating – with seemingly no way of winning the battle, even with right on their side.

The bottom line is that student housing wouldn’t even be considered good enough for poor quality council housing, in fact many would be considered poverty or below the minimum standard considered for living – my friend from above that I was sat outside with, her house is full of damp, mould and is actually responsible for making her own housemate ill. They told their landlord this, he said they all breathed too much and boiled the kettle too often… I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but no, just no. How can that be considered an arguement.

Citizens Advice Bureo are little if no help themselves as they simply move too slow. Students I know would love to consider full legal representation and advice… many would have a case that they would not only win, but get 5 figure payouts. So why don’t they? And why don’t agencies and landlords fear this action? Simple answer, students cannot afford this representation.

So waht can students do, it’s pretty obvious that housing is not only sub par in many areas, but also causing depression, stress and can seriously affect results and even force some to drop out (a house of 3 that I know of left university after their shower broke for 3 weeks with no sign of being fixed… that was the straw that broke their collective back).

A few things can be done by students. DO go to Citizens advice, if nothing else, you can tell agencies and landlords you are seeking advice if they are unwilling to help sort their accommodation out. You can also get free legal advice and (should it be considered a solid and viable case) you can get free Student Union legal representation. So visit the student Unions as well for advice and help. If all else fails, my advice (gathered from a few sources) would be to block the direct debits for rent. However, do this ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE WRITTEN TO YOUR AGENCY OR LANDLORD: Informing them that you are (and this is VERY important) ‘WITHOLDING RENT‘. You aren’t NOT PAYING, simply witholding payments until the issues are resolved. And tell your parents the issues: an angry parent striding into an office or banging on a landlords door – fuck me, I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of it! Also, some parents know a lot more about legal issues and your rights than you do, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

All in all, nothing will be done unless students take a collective stand. The best course of action in my view? MOVE. OUT. Students of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Island. MOVE OUT. Move to the City Centre, it’s move vibrant, more diverse and has much more going on than student areas. If students move, housing MUST improve and agencies and landlords might finally take notice.

Again, this is all opinion, I think it is right and I think Student Housing is a SERIOUS issue, especially with students now paying upto and including £9,000 they deserve a better standard of living.

Take note, and pass this on, if nothing else, stand up to these people.

I have to go… I have a firebomb to throw! (Just Joking!)