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Magazine
SoundCraft
The Magazine of Strathclyde Fusion Radio.
KAMORA
NEW SINGLE Wild Thing
Some Degree of Comf ort+
Austin Miller
Eponymous & dedicated to his craft
A unique Astrological Chart
of your journey through
university.
Dj’s Talk out Loud
CLUBS&SOCIETIES
20:20 POLITICAL
ARMAGEDDON SCOTTISH WRESTLING
And the battle between
elephants and donkeys
With Max Murphy
- Finalist of The
Voice on TV
Raise The Roof
Festival -
Monday 16th.
BREXIT FEVER IS IN TOWN!
By Professor John Curtice.
MYTHOLOGY AND
MODERN FILM
Launch edition
STEPS TO SUCCESS
And an opportunity to
reinvent yourself.
76 pages!
inspire, invent and create..
+Get lost in the
beautiful world
of piano
Napoleon’s Knight in the
Glasgow Necropolis
BY GARY NISBET (EXCLUSIVE)
DAVE’S RADIO WAVES
THE GRAIL QUEST
MYTHOLOGY AND
MODERN FILM
Fresers
Edition
2019
luxury student living in glasgow
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2 Fusion Radio Magazine
Welcome to fusion
Hello to all our Fresher’s (and returning students) - This is our launch
edition of the SoundCraft Magazine and we hope it will guide you to
some of the exciting stuff which is happening in Fusion Radio and
around campus.
We have a tremendous amount of talent in our students and thought
that a magazine would help share a bit of that with you.
Most of the articles are written by students who have run/are running
shows with us. You too could be running your very own show and be
part of our vibrant community.
We are more than just a run of the mill music channel as we give live
time to politics, health and wellbeing, and much more.
We are located right in the heart of campus on the 14th Floor of Livingstone
Tower and we transmit throughout the week and weekend.
If you would like to review a band, write an article for our magazine
or deliver a show we would be love for you to get in touch for a chat.
Don’t forget our “Raise The Roof “ festival on Monday 16th Sept in
the Rottenrow Gardens and level 8 (Vertigo) of the Student Union.
Many of the bands, dj’s and societies in this magazine will be there
too!
The Fusion Radio Team
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good
3
INSIDE
FEATURES
Megan Black
Singer, Songwriter - her
quest for BBC stardom.
KAMORA
Max talks about the release
of the new single Wild Thing
Austin Miller
Reflects on his journey as a solo
artist into the mould of a band.
Listen to the Music
Robert - on the search for that
missing something.
PASSIONS
insight
Dj’s Talk out Loud
Seamus on being more than just a
music fan.
20
19
Robert Kokarev aka Polar Bob on
music to help humanity.
TECHNO TOWERS
TB Snook - It all started in a field
one day..
4 Fusion Radio Magazine
8
7
12
21
16
DAVE’S RADIO WAVES
From a hobby to my greatest adventure..
The ARTS
RADIO AIRSHIP
Everything from chatting to live
performances.
HIBIKE STRATHCLYDE
Onee-san presents J-Pop and Anime
to Kimonos!
MYTHOLOGY AND
MODERN FILM
Niall has crafted an eye opening
analysis of gods, superheroes and
legendary adventures.
POLITICS CORNER
20:20 POLITICAL
ARMAGEDDON
24
28
32
Dan, our North Americal Correspondent
lays out the battle between
Elephants & Donkeys.
BREXIT FEVER IS IN TOWN!
22
26
Professor Curtice lays out the nailbiting
months thay lie ahead.
36
CLUBS&SOCIETIES
“Spreading the Icing on the Cake”
Why They’re Great
Kalya Burns, VP Communities, is
our official Head Of Fun !
Strathclyde Piano
Zhun Tang, How one can get lost
in the Beautiful World of Piano.
BANDS AT STRATHCLYDE
Rory - A haven for anyone with a
passion for music.
SPORT AT STRATHCLYDE
Maddie Watson VP Sports, with
everything from aikido to Water
Polo.
SCOTTISH WRESTLING
A sporting pod cast with a twist.
LOST ( An Illustration)
A unique story about finding the
magic in the forest!
THE GRAIL QUEST
38
39
Gary Kidgell on the Symbolism of
Myth, Legend and Fairy Tales.
A CHART OF SUN ASTROLOGY
48
40
42
45
46
52
Kim McKayed reveals the astrological
chart of your journey through
university.
THE MATURE STUDENTS
ASSOCIATION
Gerry McDonnell - Study , relax
and enjoy it’s unique services.
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Raj Jeyaraj, First year and an opportunity
to reinvent yourself.
HOW THE RIPPLES FUZED
WITH THE STRATOSPHERE
La’King deals with the Postgraduate
world of tongue-twisting jargon.
REFLECTIONS
64
Caleb Gambrah shatters the idea
that Christian music is boring!
WHY YOU NEED MASSAGE
IN YOUR LIFE!
58
60
Caroline Robertson explains why
massage can be a life saver!
NAPOLEON’S KNIGHT IN THE
GLASGOW NECROPOLIS
Gary Nisbet unveils a world exclusive,
here for you, that spans
across centuries and continents -
which has a surprising connection
with Strathclyde University.
www.strathclyderadio.wordpress.com
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good
62
66
5
68
Radio is a part of everyone’s life,
whether you’re actively listening
to your favourite features,
shows and presenters, or absent-mindedly
humming to that song you heard
when your cab driver turned it on to
diffuse your awkward silence.
That’s the beauty of radio; it’s as little
or as much as you want it to be, whether
you’re listening to it or creating it.
But when you get involved in the making
of radio, it becomes more and more
obvious how broad it is, allowing you
to find your own (or make your own)
space to be able to do what you want
to do.
At the Student Radio Association, we
aim to encompass all this and more
by championing the work that student
radio stations around the country are
doing to include students regardless
of their background and interests,
and trying to make a place for everyone
that wants one. We’re very lucky
to have stations like Fusion Radio as
part of our network to help make this
happen. In championing student-created
content and offering current and
prospective members to grab hold of
opportunities that are both useful and
fun to do alongside your studies, as
well as giving members a taste of the
6 Fusion Radio Magazine
broadcast industry, we want student
radio to give everyone their own
unique experience.
Every station is different and has its
own identity, whether in the student
or professional radio world. Not only
does any radio experience you have
give you insight to the broadcasting
industry, but also allows you to
explore areas you may never have
thought are connected to radio, including:
Playlisting, PR, Events,
Social Media, Marketing, Design,
Production, Management, Finance,
Sales, HR, Sports, Culture, News and
Journalism. This isn’t even the extent
of the things you could get a taste of
whilst at your student radio station.
As well as prompting personal
growth, a gain of skills and increasing
confidence, radio is a great community
to be part of at student, national
and global level. As part of
the SRA, you’ll have the opportunity
to meet and communicate with student
radio members and organisers
all over the UK, and giving you the
ability to attend national events and
regional training days together.
No matter how seriously you want
to take it, joining your student radio
station [Fusion] is a fantastic opportunity,
and is not one to be missed.
Megan Black is a young
musician and vocalist
from Livingston, Scotland.
Megan’s musical influences
tend to derive from 70s blues rock
and early jazz. Bringing this into
the modern day, Megan tends to
base her songs on her own experiences,
political views, and what is
currently present in the world at
the moment.
Along with musical influences,
Megan also finds style inspiration
from many different artists and
tries to create more of a concept
within her stage persona, taking
away gender and a sense of familiarity,
and focusing more on how
she feels comfortable presenting
herself.For example, Megan’s song
‘Fur Coat Queen’ is based around
Megan familiarising herself more
with her own sexuality and as a result
of that, finding empowerment
from other women – both in the
music industry and in her day-today
life. This helps for Megan to
speak freely about her views regarding
feminism and the LGBTQ+
community and brings a fresh view
on an older style of music; connecting
different generations of people
and helping to create more awareness
for important issues in today’s
society.
Link for the BBC Singer Songwriter
Award - Use the QR code to
vote for Megan, who will be singing
at the Raise The Roof Festival
on Monday 16th Sept, and voting
closes on Friday 20th!
The BBC Singer Songwriter Award
is a new award to celebrate the talented
singer songwriters within
Scotland. The top 10 are chosen by
a group of industry professionals,
which is what Megan is in. It then
goes to a public vote to decide the
top 4. After that there will be a finale
at St Lukes in Glasgow where the
judges; Fran Healy, Geoff Ellis, Karine
Polwart, Dee Bahl and Horse
McDonald will decide the winner.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good
7
KAMORA
“He has worked
under massively
influential mentors
such as Ricky Wilson
& Kylie Minogue.”
8 Fusion Radio Magazine
@WEAREKAMORA
Since advancing to the finals on
BBC’s ‘The Voice’ as a teenager
in 2014, lead singer Max
has developed dramatically as a
Singer & Writer. Max grew up with
a passion for music at an early age
& started off playing his original
songs on the streets of Glasgow.
Influenced heavily by Johnny Cash
& Elvis, he aims to bring the Depth
& Energy of that era to the modern
stage. Max’s talents run far & wide
having represented Great Britain in
the Youth Olympics as a promising
young Judo athlete. He has worked
under massively influential mentors
such as Ricky Wilson & Kylie
Minogue. His strong, enchanting
voice has unquestionable potential.
Piano & Guitar // Chris Edwards
Chris trained as a pianist from a
very young age but, with the help
of his father & elder brother, decided
to convert to & focus on the
Guitar by the age of 12. Growing
up just streets away from fellow
friends & now successful artists
such as Blackmill & Rachel Sermanni,
Chris was spoilt for choice
with exposure. However, it wasn’t
until he moved to Glasgow in 2016
and met Max that he truly opened
up creatively as a songwriter. Since
they met in August 2016, Max &
Chris have spent all their free time
songwriting together.
“The rest of the band
refer to the drumming
expert as ‘The Human
Metronome’ or ‘One
Take Tony’.”
Drums // Tony Corio
Tony is a Sicilian from the hilltop
city of Agrigento on Sicily’s southwest
shore. Tony has been playing
drums for many years & moved
to Scotland to pursue a career in
music. Tony is involved in a few
projects but believes greatly in Kamora’s
potential. His impressive
technical ability has heightened the
band to new levels especially during
live performances & in the recording
studio. The rest of the band
refer to the drumming expert as
‘The Human Metronome’ or ‘One
Take Tony’.
Guitar // Taylor Callaghan
Since the arrival of 21 year old, lead
guitarist Taylor, the band has created
a more enhanced & atmospheric
sound that has caught the attention
of all audiences at gigs. Taylor’s
ability to hold down a banging rock
riff or take a more minimalist approach
in songs with his intricate
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good
9
W
i
l
d
-
t
h
i
n
g
KAMORA
“The word ‘Kamora’ is
recognised in many spellings
and cultures and holds a
variety of meanings across
the world.”
10 Fusion Radio Magazine
use of pedals has brought much
colour and depth to the band. His
ability to adapt from song to song
and strong use of note selection
contributes greatly to Max’s vocal
melodies & overall sound of the
band.
“the band has created a
more enhanced & atmospheric
sound that
has caught the attention
of all audiences at gigs.”
As the ‘new kids on the block’, Kamora
aim to establish a new wave of
music coming out of Glasgow that
can rival that of the rest of the UK.
The word ‘Kamora’ is recognised
in many spellings and cultures and
holds a variety of meanings across
the world. The actual origin of the
word is unknown therefore the
band could be many things or perhaps
nothing at all. You can decide
for yourself.
You can check out Kamora on Instagram
& Facebook at @wearekamora
Look out for the band’s new single
‘Wild Thing’, releasing this October
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 11
12 Fusion Radio Magazine
A USTIN
M
I
L
L
E
R
I’m Austin Miller a guitarist and singer/songwriter from Glasgow.
For the majority of my life I’ve played guitar and written
music. Whether that’s playing classical guitar or more recently
performing my own songs. It’s something I’ve always done and
will always do for as long as I’m physically able to. A couple years
ago I started a solo project, a 5 track EP called ‘Some Degree of
Comfort’ it came from a of collection songs I’d written over the
space of around 9 months picking out 5 songs that worked the
best together as an EP. when I recorded the EP I sang and played
almost all the instruments myself (which don’t get me wrong,
was a lot of work!) but after recording and playing a few solo gigs
I wanted to bring the songs to life in a live setting as I never really
wanted to be labelled as an acoustic “singer/songwriter”. So then
came the band.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 13
First to join was my good friend
Chris McVinnie, who I met at
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
where we both studied at the
junior department. He played cello
on the EP and to my surprise also
played piano! we played a few gigs
together along with a few other of
my friends that played drums, bass
and guitar but the line up was forever
changing. Now we finally have
a couple dedicated members Chris
and Julian Pombo (who I also met
at the Conservatoire) but unfortunately
still no drummer. A few
months after the EPs release we
played our first Headline show at
the Hug and Pint in Glasgow with
Drummer Stuart Donnachie and
live guitarist Gary Coulter. This
was one of the best gigs all of us
have ever played. The energy in the
room was something that none of
us had ever experienced before. (either
that or it was the red bull I had
before I went on?) though’s how
didn’t make it, I can assure you that
you missed out on a great show!
Since then I’ve moved to Manchester
where I study classical guitar at
the Royal Northern college of music
with Chris also moving there
to study cello this year. We’ve still
been playing shows throughout the
year around the UK. along with a
14 Fusion Radio Magazine
headline show in Manchester back in March
which went down a treat with the new audience.
In January of this year after a rather strange gig
at the Oran Mor in Glasgow we met Tiderays
an alt rock band from Dumfries. We’ve gone
onto play many gigs with them and just recorded
a few absolute bangers down at there local
studio. Along with Cameron Duff on drums
we’ve just recorded some of the best stuff we’ve
put together in a long time. bringing us into the
next era of whatever this solo project/band is
going to be. This is just the beginning.
To keep a look out for the new songs and shows
you can check us out on -
website:
https://www.austinmillermsc.com
bandcamp:
https://austinmillermusic.bandcamp.com
facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/austinmillermsc
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/austinmillermsc/
Streaming:
‘Some Degree of Comfort’ available on all
streaming platforms.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 15
“LISTEN TO THE MUSIC”
Listen to the music By Robert McCracken
Robert is Chief Engineer at Fusion Radio
16 Fusion Radio Magazine
“The artists become the
pretty face showing off
the formulaic peace of
work that the record labels
have created.”
With the constant growth
of the music industry,
it can be hard to
find songs and bands with that
missing...something. What is that
‘something’ that’s missing from the
music that we hear on the radio in
our cars? It’s something that can’t
be quantified.
With the backing of major record
labels for most artists, these musicians
can have very little say into
what goes into their songs. A majority
of these artists may not even
write the songs that they perform.
The artists become the pretty face
showing off the formulaic peace
of work that the record labels have
created.
Now theres nothing wrong with
formula in a composition, in fact
it’s very common in music to take
inspiration from another piece of
work. Whether its taking a chord
progression and using it as your
own (Check out Axis of awesome’s
four chord song as a great example
of this.), a beat or an ensemble of
instruments used on a
track. However, if all you
are doing is copying someones
style without any of your own
soul into this composition, you
may have a lifeless track. The problem
with the record
labels is they stick to the formulas
that make the most money. Up
until somebody breaks the mould,
and shows success. Then every other
label jumps on the band wagon.
Since Adel’s Rolling in the Deep
we’ve had plenty of artists getting
back at their ex’s. With Daft
Punk’s Get Lucky we’ve had more
than enough f u n k
inspired songs.
W h o
Know’s? Maybe
with Lewis Capaldi
b e -
coming more popular, we may see
an increase in average Scottish lads
on the radio! Looks like I may still
have a chance! It is very clear that
there is a lot more music out there
than the majority of people believe
there to be. How do we find
that music? Well we are listening
to music regularly, even without
intent. Ok, you may put on the mu-
“Well... I can’t think of a
time I’ve put on a movie
just to see if they have a
good sound track.”
sic channel or open up Spotify to
find music you like. These are great
ways to find new music, but what
do I mean without intent? Well anytime
you watch a TV show, movie,
or playing video games you are digesting
new music without intent.
Well.... I can’t think of a time I’ve
put on a movie just to see if they
have a good sound track. However,
I have found some of my favourite
bands from the previously mentioned
forms of entertainment.
My favourite album is currently
Act II: The Father of Death by The
Protomen,
which I found from
watching a Youtube drama. There
“Then you can get some
that make you want to
put cotton wool in your
ears, like whenever they
recommend a country
track.”
you go, you’re already finding new
bands! Which brings me nicely to
my next topic.
Word of mouth is also a viable way
of getting new music. It very much
depends on how well your pals
know you. You can get some great
recommendations from friends.
Then you can get some that make
you want to put cotton wool in
your ears, like whenever they recommend
a country track. That may
be a bit extreme, I hope nobody is
recommending country tracks. I
may be a bit Biased though. Word
of mouth is one of the most powerful
tools for advertisements. Because
nobody is being paid to tell
you they are good, It’s an honest
opinion from someone you may
trust. So ask your music pals for
recommendations in any genre;
you may find that they have some
good tracks for you to listen to.
There’s another way to find music,
which is probably oldest way of
finding new music. Going to see a
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 17
and live. Especially in Glasgow,
there are plenty of live music venues
to choose from. With choices
such as King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut,
Broadcast, Stereo and the
Barrowlands, there’s always a venue
to go to. With a huge range of
musical genres played at these
places, theres plenty of a time to be
enjoyed. Ross McCann voiced his
thoughts on the live music scene
by saying “One of the best. Seeing a
band live that you’ve never heard of
before is like getting to experience
their music in the greatest form,
“Seeing a band live that
you’ve never heard of
before is like getting to
experience their music
in the greatest form,
and when you commit
to being a fan and hearing
that music again on
record it gives it a whole
new angle.”
and when you commit to being a
fan and hearing that music again
on record it gives it a whole new
angle. I’ve found so many artists
I’ve loved from catching them as
support acts or as part of a festival
18 Fusion Radio Magazine
“There are many great
acts that need our support
as well. Make sure
you are buying the albums
instead of streaming
them..”
etc.” Ross has been part of the music
industry for the past ten years,
he is the drummer for MILK and
also the writer/producer for Hessian
Renegade. Ross also went on
to say how Youtube suggestions can
be surprisingly accurate for finding
new music. There are plenty of
ways to find new music to listen to.
There are many great acts that need
our support as well. Make sure you
are buying the albums instead of
streaming them, but that’s a whole
other topic to cover. Whether you
are going out to live venues, asking
your friends, or checking discover
weekly on your Spotify account.
Make sure you are always looking
for new music to keep the tunes
you listen to right now from growing
stale. Give the smaller bands
their place; there would be no music
without them.
Robert will be playing, with his
band, at the “Raise The Roof Festival.”
PASSIONS
Seamus is DJ’n at Raise the Roof
I
never expected to be playing
music in front of anything more
than an audience of one when I
first asked to borrow a small controller
from a friend’s partner. The
first time I played in front of a few
pals in Room 2 at Tunnels, I had
already gone further than I ever
thought I would. I can’t identify
a single moment where I decided
that “I want to DJ”, but it came from
a desire to share music that I enjoy,
and after I started playing out, to
try and add to a music scene which
I enjoy so much. Being a music fan
first is the key, and I still love the
buzz of finding new artists to share
their work. Many people like the
image of being “a DJ” and as such
you’re never more than 6 feet from
one. You can always tell if someone
will stick with it if they still
have the basic need to keep discovering,
rather than play what
everyone else is playing. Music
is such a creative outlet for
me, which is so important in
the time after graduating where
I’m finding my feet as adult. I’ve
had so many chances that I would
have never had otherwise, and met
friends who share the same pas-
sions. That’s been the best part.
Here’s one of my fave tracks to
sweeten up your day.
Phil Fuldner - Take Me
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 19
insight
Robert
An
essential element of music for
me is its capability of bringing
people together and closer to themselves.
What I mean by this is that the person
experiencing the music can contemplate
their emotions, thoughts, experiences
and be in touch with something that
is perhaps inaccessible with any other
means than these shiver-inducing vibrations
beating on their eardrums. The
different states into which various genres
and styles of music can put people
into, are often universal for all people.
These subjective experiences
which connect and bring people
together, work as a social glue
for us. This makes it easier for
us to be with one another
and simultaneously
ourselves. This is
because we naturally
feel positively
about belonging to
a group of people.
KOKAREV aka
POLAR-BOB (prev. Rojomako)
has flown in specially
from Finland to headline the
Raise the Roof Festival
By understanding one another through
these shared feelings, people can, have
and will break barriers caused by people’s
prejudices and attitudes towards
one another.
In this way, music can create a demographic
of people whom love the same
kind of music due to which they also experience
similar moments of bliss, love,
sadness or anger. This can help people
connect with others as well as their inner
selves. This therapeutic attribute of
music is one of the
main reasons why I
personally am fascinated
by music
and its potential
for helping
humanity.
20 Fusion Radio Magazine
TECHNO
TOWERS
TB SnoOK
A
few months ago while idly
scrolling through my feed I
noticed that MAD RADIO
were doing an internet radio thing
on a regular basis. I had been to a
couple of their night several years
ago and they are pretty well known
in the Glasgow club scene and those
of a certain age know that they’ve
been around long enough to know
the really good stuff.
So I made up my mind to find out
what was going on with that, found
out that it was a student internet
radio station and I got in touch to
ask if they had any spots free. As it
turns out they did, and that’s how
I started doing ‘Techno Towers’ a
few months ago.
I’m a vinyl DJ (and an unapologetic
snob about it) who has been
collecting and playing out since
around 2000. I started in Tokyo.
I met some people by chance in a
field one day (around 2007) who
were setting up a big sound system.
They told me if I went home and
got my records I could have a shot.
Now I know a lot of DJ’s from that
scene and lots of them don’t play
clubs or other events other than
parties for their friends but there is
“I met some people by
chance in a field one day
(around 2007) who were
setting up a big sound
system. They told me if
I went home and got my
records I could have a
shot.”
a lot of talent there. They’re just not
really into promotion or all the other
stuff that goes along with putting
on ‘nights’.
So the basic idea of Techno Towers
is that each month I get one or
two of them to join me in a longish
session (usually about 5-6 hours)
where we take turns on the decks
and play records that don’t get as
much notice as they should. I’m
thinking in the future we might also
include some live-sets from people
using synths and drum machines.
It gives those people a chance to be
heard by a slightly wider audience
and it’s something interesting to do
on a Saturday night.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 21
Dave’s Radio Waves
Bio : By David McKenna
I
started my love of music
through the vibrant and energetic
club scene in Glasgow in
my early teens. I decided to source
my own PA kit including a set of
decks /mic an amp and a mixer and
this was the start of my Dj adventure
as I then promoted myself on
gumtree which I received a couple
of phone calls which from that
moment in time I haven’t looked
back. I then start my own Friday
night residency in a pub in Hamilton
and started my own business
as a part time Dj for function /parties
and events hire which is now
my own vibrant business out with
day job. Securing my first gig at my
residency was the starting point -
talk about goosebumps wondering
what song to play first - thats what
I call exciting when people are tapping
their feet and hands on the table
to your music
Some people might call it a hobby
but I call it my greatest adventure. I
have my own show every Wednesday
on Strathclyde Fusion Radio
Station called Dave’s Radio Waves.
I have established myself as an artist
on Spotify and released to the
masses my own track called Dance
22 Fusion Radio Magazine
With Me.
I am a great believer in giving the
people what they want but also letting
people know who I am and
where it all happened as you need
the belief in yourself to achieve
your goals as only you can shape
your future.
I hope you have enjoyed reading
my story and I have attached my
links to my business page for you
to have a look at the content and
what I have posted and been up to
over the past few years.
https://www.facebook.com/twisteddmk/
FEEL FREE TO POP UP TO THE STATION TO DISCUSS
ANY IDEAS YOU HAVE FOR A SHOW!
OR SEND US A MESSAGE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE..
facebook.com/strathfusion/
Also check out our website on:
www.strathclyderadio.wordpress.com
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 23
RADIO
AIRSHIP
BY
Douglas
Devichinskij
My time as part of Fusion Radio at
Strathclyde University has been
a very interesting one. I originally
started out alone, playing my favourite
songs through the station. I never expected
to have the opportunity to experience something
so new, and it really allowed me to
open up and try something I wouldn’t normally
do. Fusion Radio is a great thing to
be a part of for those who are interested in
challenging themselves with being creative.
“I never expe
opportunity to exp
new, and it really a
and try something I
24 Fusion Radio Magazine
cted to have the
erience something so
llowed me to open up
wouldn’t normally do.’’
After broadcasting alone for a while,
I invited my friends to join me, forming
the group ‘Airship Radio’ where
we would everything from chatting
to live performances! This was all due
to the freedom Fusion Radio allowed
us, and was an experience very useful
for myself. Me and my friends gradually
took over more responsibility for
the show, and it became very exciting!
Running something that more people
got to know was a very interesting experience,
and I can honestly say that
Fusion has been one experience that I
will never forget!
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 25
Hibike
S
t
r
a
t
h
c
l
y
d
e
Hi, I’m David, aka Part-time
Onee-san. I present Hibike
Strathclyde on Fusion Radio,
a show playing J-Pop and anime music.
I got into anime and J-Culture later
than most of my friends. Of course,
I grew up watching and influenced
by franchises such as Pokemon, but
as time went on and the only shows
available appeared to be long-winded
action dramas, I lost what little interest
I had and stuck with Western media.
It wasn’t until my late 20s, when
a friend introduced me to an anime
called Lucky Star that this began to
change. It was, by its own admission,
a show about nothing. No plot, just a
group of characters going about and
talking about their daily lives. I found
myself unexpectedly enthralled by
this strange slice-of-life genre.
After this initial introduction, it
snowballed. Watching more shows
and branching into other genres,
such as romantic comedy, I completely
fell in love with the unique
character-driven method of storytelling.
From the absurd comedy of
Nichijou to the beautiful love story
of Your Name. Eventually, all this led
to attending conventions in Glasgow
and further afield, such as MCM and
26 Fusion Radio Magazine
Rai-Con. Cosplaying, the hobby of
dressing as your favourite characters
for these events, soon became one of
my passions.
I also expanded my interests beyond
anime and gaming, in particular to
fashion, learning from a friend the
intricacies of what makes an authentic
kimono, and even getting my own
yukata (a light, cotton kimono worn
at summer festivals), and organising
my own “kawaii” outfits for J-Fashion
shows.
But possibly my favourite aspect of
Japanese media is its music. While
western, and in particular, British
music seems dominated by moody
lovesick ballads by the likes of Adele
and Sam Smith, J-Pop features upbeat,
optimistic tunes. Event without
understanding a word of most of the
lyrics, my commuting playlists are
dominated by idol music. I’ve even
learned and performed dances to
some of these songs (as best I can,
anyway) at events. When I was first
offered the chance to present a show
as an alumnus, I knew immediately I
wanted to centre the show around Japan
and Japanese music. I hope if you
listen to the show, you’ll find a song or
two you can hum along to, and maybe
even a love of J-Pop music yourself.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 27
MYTHOLOGY AND MODERN fILM..
By Niall Love
Before the invention of TV
and movies, before theater
and over 1000 years before
Homer told the story of Troy and
the wooden horse, the ancestors
of Iraq listen to the Epic of
Gilgamesh, the first recorded
and oldest story in
the world. A legendary
adventure of an ancient
king who was two thirds
god one third man, the Gods
resent him and his selfish rule and
send the wild man Enkidu to kill
Gilgamesh, but he fails and the two
w i n d up becoming
friends. Later
the two embark on a journey to the
Cedar Forest to retrieve its magical
trees. There they must fight the giant
Humbaba. Gilgamesh wins by
slitting Humbaba’s throat. However
shortly after returning home
with the magic trees Enkidu
dies, and Gilgamesh grieves
for both his friend and that
he will die someday. Gilgamesh
travels across the
world to Mashu the giant scorpion
guarded mountain, to a heavenly
garden and finally to
the underworld itself all
in search of the secret
to eternal life. There Gilgamesh
finally learns that
28 Fusion Radio Magazine
physical immortality is impossible.
However when he returns home he
learns that he while he will die his
legacy and heroics will live on after
his death, the closest thing anyone
can get.
This Epic may sound strange to us,
but on closer examination we can
see it shares many plot points with
other modern day adventure movies.
Gilgamesh hating Enkidu then
benfrending him and teaming up
with him to kill the baddie, is many
movies. Such enemy turned friend
relationships are big plot points
in much of modern pop culture.
For example Han hating Luke
then joining him
against the Empire
in Star Wars, Commissioner
Gordon seeing Batman as another
crook before becoming his partner
against crime. Or in the Princess
Bride after Westley foils Vizini’s
plot to kidnap Princess Buttercup,
tricks him into comitting suicide
and defeqats his henchmen Fezzik
and Inigo, the latter later team up
with Weastly to again rescue Buttercup
from Prince Humperdink
and avenge the death of Inigo’s father
at the hands of Count Rugan.
This is just one example, just think
of how many epic movies involve
characters leaving their boring
home to go to an exotic local full of
danger and wonder.
For adventure movies, high fantasy,
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 29
space operas and superhero
flicks are but the modern
eversion of the epics and legends
of old. Superman is as much
a modern day Haraclues as he is
a metaphor for Jesus. Just as modern
audiences watch movies like
King Kong and Godzillia where
monsters wreak havoc the Greeks
listen to how Haracleus fought the
Hydra and Persus fought Medusa.
Likewise as people watch Game
of Thrones to see a war between
kingdoms dynastic houses dragons
and ice zombies. The ancient
Babaloyians listen to the Enuma
Elish where war erupts between
the old gods and new gods over
the comos. The Great Sun Marduk
fights monsters like the Sphinx the
Mad Dog Scorpion Man Kingu and
the powerful dragon Tiamat. Of
course its not all scary monsters
and world domination.
Many ancient tales have ele-
ments of social justice and the
strong protecting the weak.
Like Robin Hood defending
the poor from being robbed
Prince John, is just like Spider-man
protecting New Yorkers from the
grand thefts of Electro and Doc Oct.
As we can see from all these stories
despite having widely different settings
and set peices. They all maintain
many of the same tropes and
archetypes and ultimately serve
the same purpose. And that is not
just to entertain us but to enrich us
with raw escapism away from our
boring lives into a world of excitement
and wonder where lessons
are learned not in a text book but
shown to us so we don’t just learn it
but experience it. And that is why
these stories exist and we return
to them again and again. At the
end of the tale they help us better
ourselves to make us fix the world
which we used the story to escape
from at the start.
30 Fusion Radio Magazine
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 31
20:20
Political
Elephants
vs
Donkeys
Armageddon
By Dan Donahue
I’ve always considered myself a
student of American politics.
Having been born in 1988, I
remember the elections of 1996
and 2000. By 2004 as a teenager
I was holding a John Kerry
sign in my hometown as
cars passed by. Then in
2008, I proudly volunteered
for the Obama/
Biden campaign. That all
being said, I had thought
that I knew most of what
there was to know about American
politics, particularly American
Presidential politics, but man
was I wrong. In this article I’ll sum
up what happened in 2016, and
provide to you an idea of the state
of the 2020 Democratic primary
race, and what the Democratic
nominee will have to do to defeat
Trump in 2020. For full disclosure
however, it should be noted that
32 Fusion Radio Magazine
I’ve always voted for the Democratic
party, and have been a volunteer
for Democratic Party campaigns in
the past, most recently for Obama
in 2008.
As aforementioned, 2016 completely
through me for a loop.
All throughout the Republican
primary of 2015/2016,
Trump often said many
controversial things. At so
many points I thought to
myself that his campaign was
doomed. From saying negative
things about Mexicans, women,
and even war hero’s, at each juncture
I thought it was over. But surely
enough he won the Republican
primary to become the Republican
nominee.
The rest is history which you obviously
know, he went on to win
the presidency in November of
2016. But how? To be honest that’s
a question with many answers.
“Trump often said many
controversial things.
At so many points I
thought to myself that
his campaign was
doomed. From saying
negative things about
Mexicans, women, and
even war heroes,”
But in my opinion, the key thing
to realize about Trumps victory in
2016 is voter turnout in key battle
ground states. Trump won Pennsylvania
by less than 67,000 votes,
and Michigan by less than 11,000!
It can be said that one of the factors
as to why this happened was
because Democrats and independent
swing voters simply didn’t turn
out to the
polls.
B u t
enough about the past, let’s talk
about the fu- t u r e .
R i g h t
now, the
Democratic
Party
is in the
process of
deciding who will be their nominee
in 2020. Right now, there are over
24 candidates vying to become the
Democratic nominee for 2020. It’s
a very diverse field with men and
woman from various backgrounds,
political experience, and age. The
really interesting thing to me as a
political enthusiast is to examine
the political divide that currently
exists within the Democratic Party,
that being the divide between the
moderate wing of the party and the
more liberal wing of the party.
I think it’s a good thing that the field
is big because its facilitating good
conversation that the party needs
to have. The numbers though will
no doubt dwindle significantly.
As it stands in the polls, there
are really only a few candidates
that will probably remain deep
into the end of the year, due to
poll numbers and of course cash
o n hand. In my opinion
those candidates will be
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 33
former Vice
President
Joe Biden,
S enator
Kamala
Harris,
Senator
Cory
Booker, Sena- tor Michael
Bennet, Senator Bernie Sanders,
Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative
Tulsi Gabbard, former
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper,
and former Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development
Julian Castro. As I mentioned
there are really two wings of the
Democratic party, the moderates
represented chiefly by Joe Biden
and others like Michael Bennett,
and the more far left liberal wing
represented by Elizabeth Warren,
Bernie Sanders, and New York
City Mayor Bill De Blasio.
On the one hand, I think this
is a good thing for debate purposes
within the party, and
will help us come up with
an effective platform by
the convention in the
summer of 2020. But on
the other hand, I must admit I do
fear the prevalence of the far left in
the Democratic Party. Now don’t
get me wrong, I really do like both
Bernie and Warren, but like many
Americans I’m neither far left or far
right. I’d consider myself a center
left liberal, and despite the hype
of the far left and far right, most
Americans in my opinion are really
moderates gravitating between the
center left and center right largely
having to do with what region of
the country that they’re from.
So that being said, a far left candidate
could turn off many moderate
to center right voters that we must
pick up to win the next election. So,
for that reason, and because I just
personally admire his service and
dedication to the United States,
I have officially endorsed former
Vice President to be the Democratic
nominee for president. If in fact
he is the nominee, I hope that Kamala
Harris is chosen to be the VP.
If that were to happen, I think the
Biden/Harris ticket would win
easily. They would be able to
reach out to voters in rural
areas like the
34 Fusion Radio Magazine
“I must admit I do fear
the prevalence of the far
left in the Democratic
Party’’
Mid-West who were lost in the last
election, as well as excite people in
urban and suburban areas who we
also need to show up to the polls
in large numbers. Another benefit
is that in my opinion, a Biden/
Harris ticket could create a 16-
year dynasty if Biden serves two
terms, and then Harris succeeds
him and serves two as well. To me
as a supporter of the Democratic
Party, that’s an exciting prospect
that shouldn’t be ignored. In any
case the first Democratic primary
contest will be this coming January
in Iowa, followed by contests in
New Hampshire, South Carolina,
and the rest of the country. So, I
would say the world should know
who the Democratic nominee is by
next May at the latest. One thing is
for sure though, I’ll be voting for
whatever candidate that the Democrats
nominate, and if you’re a
U.S. citizen of eligible voting age,
I’m hoping that you will too!
(Dan ran a show in 2017/18 and
has since travelled back to the USA
to teach.)
Would you like to write
an article for the next
Fusion Radio’s
SoundCraft
Magazine
Well, we would love to see it!
The magazine exists because we are
happy publishing articles for students
by students.
Our magazine is also distributed
across campus so your article will be
read by thousands!
Just contact the station either at our
offices on Livingstone Tower Floor 14
Room 02 or through our Facebook
Page.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!!
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 35
Brexit Fever is in Town!
By Professor Sir John Curtice.
In theory, there should be no
chance of another UK general
election during the course of
this academic year.
Back in 2011 Parliament ended the
right of a Prime Minister to call a
general election at a time of their
own choosing. Instead it said that
elections should take place on a
fixed timetable every five years.
However, it allowed for a couple
of exceptions. The first was that
an election could be called
if two-thirds of MPs voted
for one. Because the
Labour opposition were
also willing to back the
idea, it was that provision
that enabled Theresa
May to call an early election
in 2017.
The second exception was that a
general election could be called
if a majority of MPs indicated in
a formal vote that they no longer
had confidence in the government.
However, even if such a vote were
to be passed (and that last happened
forty years ago) an election
would not take place if in the next
fortnight a new government was
formed that does have the confidence
of MPs.
There has been considerable spec-
36 Fusion Radio Magazine
ulation that one or other provision
may be invoked in the coming
months.
The current Conservative government
does not have a majority in
the Commons. It is reliant on the
support of ten Northern Irish MPs
who belong to the Democratic Unionist
Party. More importantly the
Conservatives are seriously divided
about Brexit.
It was these divisions that sealed
Theresa May’s fate when
she was unable to secure
MPs’ support for the EU
withdrawal treaty that
she had negotiated.
And it is those same
divisions that have led
to speculation that some
Conservative MPs might vote
against Boris Johnson in a vote of
confidence should his government
attempt to leave the EU without a
deal.
Should they do so – and no alternative
government can be formed
in the next 14 days – the UK would
be tipped into an early election.
But equally there is speculation
that Mr Johnson himself might try
to call an election by getting twothirds
of MPs to vote in favour of
one. Most likely this would happen
“It is quite possible that
any election would produce
another ‘hung’
parliament in which no
single party has an overall
majority.”
after October 31st - if the UK has
managed to leave the EU by that
date and the Conservatives were
enjoying a subsequent boost in
their popularity in the polls.
However, Mr Johnson might find
that, like Mrs May, he too is unable
to deliver Brexit because of obstruction
by MPs. In that event, he
might decide it would be best to
try and get voters to end the Brexit
impasse by calling for a general
election.
There is, though, no guarantee that
another election would result in a
House of Commons that was able
to agree on what to do about Brexit.
It is quite possible that any election
would produce another ‘hung’ parliament
in which no single party
has an overall majority.
The last few months has witnessed
a revival in the fortunes of the
Liberal Democrats and the emergence
of a new Eurosceptic party,
the Brexit Party headed by Nigel
Farage. While neither is likely to
perform as well in a general election
as they did in the European
Parliament election in May, when
they shared first and second place
between them, the polls suggest
both parties would fare relatively
well in a general election.
True, the Brexit Party might, like
UKIP before it, struggle to turn
votes into seats. But the Liberal
Democrats could well emerge as
a substantial parliamentary force
once again.
Meanwhile, the SNP still dominate
politics north of the border and
are favourites to win most Scottish
seats once again.
There could well be over 100 MPs
in the next House of Commons
representing parties other than
Conservative or Labour. That inevitably
makes it quite difficult for either
of those two parties to win an
overall majority.
Maybe if Boris Johnson does deliver
Brexit he will be able to win
a post-Brexit majority by winning
over Brexit Party supporters.
Equally, however, he faces the risk
in the next few months of a split in
his party that might yet bring him
down and give Jeremy Corbyn a
chance to become Prime Minister.
Perhaps despite all the speculation
there will not be an election in the
next few months. But if there is be
careful where you place your bet!
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 37
Clubs and societies:
Why they’re great!
by Kalya Burns VP Community
Calling all freshers and returning
students; I have a
world of fun and opportunities
for the year ahead – the
world of clubs and societies!
I am Kayla Burns, your VP
Community for the upcoming
year. My job is to be the official
Head Of Fun at StrathUnion
and my boss is you: the
students. During my first
year I was “that” student. I
signed up to any and every
club/society during freshers,
and I couldn’t be more grateful
that I did. I made new
friends, learnt new skills, progressed
to be a society president,
and eventually wound up
here as an elected student officer.
Now I can’t wait to see
you get involved, too!
Whether you’re looking to
make new friends, spruce up
your CV, or just want to get
the most out of student life,
there’s a club or society for
you. Here at StrathUnion we
have over 200 clubs and societies,
offering everything from
activism to acting, from media
to music, and from culture to
38 Fusion Radio Magazine
course-based
adventures, so
you’ll be able
to find something to
suit your taste.
Uni can be a nerve wracking
experience, especially if you’ve
moved away from home. Societies
were home away from
home for me. And they can
be that for you too, placing
you in a community of people
with common interests, and
allowing you to explore your
interests with a safety net.
You might have the chance to
explore the country and further,
start a social movement,
or try something you’ve always
wanted to try. The best
bit of it is: EVERYONE IS IN
THE SAME BOAT!
So have no fear. Sign up to
something you’re “bad at” or
are afraid to give a go. Come
and find your herd so that
when exams come around, or
home is feeling far away, you
can rely on it to de-stress
and enjoy yourself. University
is about so much more than
your grades and your books, so
come and be a part of it!
Strathclyde Piano
By Zhun Tang
As a member of the Strathclyde
Piano Society for 2
years, I have been really
enjoying every single second spent
with friends I met in this society.
Regular meetings are held every
second Wednesday where pianists
play their beloved pieces. All skills
levels accepted. It is such a valuable
opportunity to embrace pure melody.
We basically chill, chat and
relax.
The Piano Society is literally one of
the best places for us to share piano
performing experiences and
exchange brilliant piano sheets.
To promote both our society and
piano playing, we hold concerts
every semester for free at RC471,
Assembly Hall. Food, drinks are
provided. Our society concerts
always receive glowing reviews.
Apart from regular meetings
and society concerts,
we attend official concerts.
We are all fervent fans of
the RSNO (Royal Scotland
National Orchestra).
Attending concerts
as a group is another
popular pastime for
us. One can get lost in
the beautiful world of
piano music and it’s a just escape
from academic pressure or life
stress in general.
I volunteered at the society and was
appointed treasurer last year and
am now the current president.
Being part of the committee not
only enriches my working experience
but also helps me develop
people, communicating and corporating
skills.
I am more than lucky and honoured
to work with other committee
members. There are not many
of us, but we are always very zealous,
creative, dedicated and united.
Not only are we workmates, but we
are also friends who support each
other as much as we can.
I do cherish the opportunity to be
part of our Strathclyde Piano Society.
In the future, we hope more
and more people are willing to join
us - to embrace the pure music
w o r l d together!
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 39
By Rory
Performing every Tuesday
evening in The Priory, Bands
At Strathclyde Society is a
haven for anyone with a passion
for music (and pints)!
Whilst classic and indie
“This is a perfect place
to practice and get used
to playing, singing and
performing music with
other musicians, socialise,
have fun and drink!”
40 Fusion Radio Magazine
“This is a perfect place to
practice and get used to
playing, singing and performing
music with other
musicians, socialise,
have fun and drink!”
rock are the most popular genres to
perform, any style and instrument
is welcomed with open arms by the
society and its members.
A three-hour open mic/set is available
to anyone willing to get up
and have a jam, with a vast variety
of styles performed. Several times
each semester the society has a
dedicated music night
where differ- e n t
styles of music are pre-selected
for the evening, such as acoustic/
folk, blues, jazz, 80s and more! We
pride ourselves on being a society
open to every newcomer and those
who are seeking a casual performing
outlet. This is a perfect place
to practice and get used to playing,
singing and performing music with
other musicians, socialise, have
fun and drink! Come along with
friends or on your own, all you
need is a love of music.
Even if you don’t play any music
b u t love hearing it, come
along for a chat, a pint and few
covers of your favourite songs!
Tues- day evenings
5-8pm in the
union level 6
(The Priory).
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 41
Sport at Strathclyde
What’s it all about?
By Maddie Watson
Here at Strathy we pride
ourselves on our huge
sporting community of 53
sports clubs, 2500 members and
300 volunteers! We have everything
from aikido to water polo and a
whole spectrum of recreational
and competitive sports in-between.
Our mission is to make sure that
sport is for everyone whether that’s
being a first timer or having played
a sport since you could walk,
we really do have something
to suit everyone.
But why should you take
up a sport?
A recent study by British
University and College
Sport (BUCS) found that inactivity
is as dangerous to a person’s
health as smoking and nearly twice
as many deaths can be attributed to
physical inactivity as obesity, terrifying
right?! But fear not whether
you want to fit some relaxed sessions
in around your classes or
commit to a competitive weekly regime,
Strath Sports has it all, not to
mention the stress-relieving benefits
for your mental health!
To help you along, we have recently
opened up our brand, spank-
42 Fusion Radio Magazine
ing new £32million facility! This
gym truly is the best in the business
boasting a 25m pool with
Olympic standard diving
blocks, a dedicated
weight lifting room
with 10 platforms and
a turbo-boosted class
timetable with all your
high energy favourites!
Alongside the countless
health benefits sport can offer you,
it can also do wonders for your social
life. Most clubs have fit to bursting
social agendas with Wednesday
nights being the big event of the
week after all fixtures are played
on a Wednesday afternoon. These
will often be themed or be linked
up with other clubs so you soon
begin to feel like you’re part of a
real community! Then you’ve got
the sports union organised social
events, these really are some
“..inactivity is as dangerous
to a person’s health
as smoking and nearly
twice as many deaths can
be attributed to physical
inactivity as obesity.”
Sports Fair in the University Centre
opposite the Union on Wednesday
18th September to meet all of our
fantastic clubs for yourself and see
why they love sport at Strath!
of the best nights of the year with
the Captain’s Dinner, bus crawl and
most importantly Sports Ball itself,
there is always something to get
hyped for!
If all this is still not enough for you
(as is the case with many of our
members) then you can run for
committee roles to help shape the
future of your sports clubs. These
roles can be a great opportunity
to learn new skills and gain valuable
experiences which you can
take into the world of work. With
roles to compliment all degree disciplines
these can be a huge boost
to your CV. The BUCS survey
found that 65% of active students
were fairly or very confident that
they would be employed within 6
months of graduation compared to
only 54% of inactive students.
So whether your thing is competitive
sport, physical activity to destress
from the day or simply a good
night out then Strath Sports is the
place for you! Come along to our
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 43
Hi there, I’m Maddy and I’m
your new Vice President of
sport here at the University
of Strathclyde. Sport has always
been a huge part of my university
experience and since first year I’ve
jumped at every opportunity to get
involved in the sports union, competing
for both the cross country
and the horse-riding team. In addition
to this, from second year onwards
I have sat on three committees
every year including the sports
union executive and awards committee.
I was elected club captain of
athletics and cross-country in my
third year and went on to become
Vice President of the Sports Union
in my fourth. As my degree came
to a close I felt like I still hadn’t
had my fill of sport at Strathclyde
and it felt like the natural progression
to run for the Sports President
role. I was thrilled to be elected and
now two months in I’m living the
dream; eating, sleeping and breathing
student sport!
44 Fusion Radio Magazine
SCOTTISH
WRESTLING
Looking for a podcast that puts
a different twist on wrestling?
Then look no further as there
is one right here in Glasgow.
Founded in 2017, Eat Sleep Suplex
Retweet got it grass routes right here
at Strathclyde University and since
became one of Scotland’s most popular
sources for wrestling media.
Wrestling truly is going through a
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With so much variety at
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than ever to get the best possible
analysis of the sport as a whole. Us
here at Suplex Retweet strive to do
this with everything we produce.
With new shows released weekly,
the team tackle a range of topics
on the sport. From look-backs at
old WWE events to PPV reviews
and career retrospectives. Suplex
Retweet has something to cater
to any form of wrestling
fan, including
interviews with stars
from the US as well as
the up-and-comers from right here
in Scotland.
Manager of the podcast, Steven Wilson
said: “Wrestling is so much different
from other sports. Given this,
fans can easily relate to individuals
who take genuine enjoyment in it
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past and present. Eat Sleep Suplex
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So if you want to learn more about
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Subscribe now on the podcasting
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suplexretweet.com/subscribe
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 45
46 Fusion Radio Magazine
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 47
THE GRAIL QUEST
The Attainment: The Vision of the Holy Grail to Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir
Perceval (also known as The Achievement of the Grail or The Achievement of Sir
Galahad, accompanied by Sir Bors, and Sir Perceval) by Sir Edward Burne-Jones
1895-96, Birmingham Art Gallery via Wikimedia Commons
By Gary Kidgell
The symbolism found in
myth, legend and fairy tale
can be interpreted in different
ways. In relating this to the
psychology of Carl Jung, it may
be stated that these are symbolic
representations of archetypes or
‘divine ideas,’ evolutionary pattersn
which underlie human life.
Shakespeare famously stated ‘All
the worlds a stage, And all the men
and women merely players.’1 Our
lives follow archetypal patterns or
‘scripts’ which manifest in our lives
in existential ways.
The famous 20th century student
of myth Joseph Campbell outlines
three stages relating to the ‘nuclear
unit of the monomyth’: Separation;
Initiation; and Return.2 Campbell
illustrates how the heroes of myth
48 Fusion Radio Magazine
“Shakespeare famously
stated ‘All the worlds a
stage, And all the men
and women merely players.”
respond to the ‘call to adventure’ as
they go forth into distant and dangerous
lands to fulfil the requirements
of their quest. When this has
been realised they then return to
the rank and file of humanity to offer
the lessons of their illumination
to others as an act of service.
As I illustrate in my work The Inner
Journey: Pathways to the Higher
Self, 3 the symbolism of the hero
quest symbolically depicts the process
of spiritual transformation. I
shall now demonstrate, through
“You are ‘questing’ within
the mythic landscape
of student life and many
adventures lay ahead
before the opportunities
conferred by the attainment
of your degree present
themselves to you.”
the symbolism related to the Grail
Legend of how the hero quest
also relates symbolically to your
own ‘mythic adventure’ within the
realms of academia.
The Vulgate Queste del Saint Graal
(The Quest for the Holy Grail) describes
how the knights are seated
for supper at the Round Table when
the Grail appears. Each knight
vows to leave behind their noble
and honourable life at Camelot to
quest for the sacred vessel. In doing
so, they each enter the Forest
Adventurous by their own chosen
path.
As a matriculating student you have
enrolled upon your own particular
‘chosen path’ i.e. your course at university.
This is in accordance with
your ‘vision’ of the Grail of academic
achievement. You are ‘questing’
within the mythic landscape of
student life and many adventures
lay ahead before the opportunities
conferred by the attainment
of your degree present themselves
to you. This is the Separation stage
of Campbell’s hero’s journey as you
venture beyond the secure confines
of your current environment into a
new way of life.
In terms of psycho-spiritual development,
the Forest Adventurous
represents one’s subjective psyche
within which one seeks to attain
the Grail of the Soul or higher Self.
Your own ‘Forest Adventurous’ relates
to your experiences upon your
course: your halls of residence; your
lectures; the relationship with your
tutors; your extra-curricular activities
including the valuable and
fulfilling relationships which you
establish with your fellow students.
These constitute your adventures;
challenges; sources of inspiration;
and rewards as you pursue your academic
Grail.
“The Grail knight Perceval
is tempted by a beautiful
maiden who seeks
to deflect him from his
quest.”
The Grail knight Perceval is
tempted by a beautiful maiden who
seeks to deflect him from his quest.
He overcomes her temptation
when he glances at his sword which
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 49
eminds him of his quest. Similarly,
during the course of your undergraduate
studies there will be various
distractions and experiences
where one-pointed focus upon the
objective of attaining your degree
is paramount. Galahad arrives at
the Castle of Maidens where
he must overcome
the seven Knights of
Darkness to release the
symbolic virtues which
the maidens represent.
Likewise, your study and
discipline will enable you to
overcome the obstacles of selfdoubt
and fear as you cultivate
and ‘release’ your talents and
gifts.
“Upon attaining
the Grail, the successful
knights
are then required
to take the sacred vessel to
the mystical island of Sarras.”
Upon attaining the Grail,
the successful knights are then required
to take the sacred vessel to
the mystical island of Sarras. The
attainment of the Grail represents
the Initiation stage described by
Campbell whilst the transportation
of the Grail to Sarras represents the
Return stage. In psycho-spiritual
50 Fusion Radio Magazine
terms this represents the initiate
or enlightened person offering
the lessons of their experience to
humanity. Similarly, the ‘Grail’ of
your degree, allied to the talents
and psychological growth which
you have obtained throughout the
duration of your
course, must be
given application
in the form of expression
in your
chosen career.
I wish you
every success upon
your ‘mythic quest.’
I am in no doubt
that your experiences
within the
‘Forest Adventurous’
of university
life — both academic
and social
— will be both enrichening
and rewarding whilst
serving to equip you for negotiating
further ‘quests’ in your career
and personal life.
1. William Shakespeare, As You Like
It, Act II Scene 7.
2. Joseph Campbell, The Hero with
a Thousand Faces. London: Fontana
Press, 1993.
3. Gary Kidgell, The Inner Journey:
Pathways to the Higher Self. Llandysul,
Wales: Claregate Publications,
2015.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 51
A chart interpretation of Sun sign of astrology
You can’t stop the waves from crashing down, but you can learn to surf.’
Jon Kabat-Zinn
On the surface astrology
may seem to operate like
magic. It is in fact an extremely
practical psychological
tool for one’s psyche learning to
surf, particularly during turbulent
times. Any person with a thirst for
knowledge will make an attempt
to connect their experience of life
with the wider universe. This is essentially
what astrology does – to
relate our actions, reactions, emotions
and thought processes to the
universe. Just as our DNA contains
genetic code on our physiology,
our natal charts contain blue
prints of our psychological make
up governed by the placement of
the planets at birth. The harmony
between astrophysics and biomolecular
physics was first highlighted
by Hermes “trice great” Trismegistus
on The Emerald Tablet
-“As above, so below”.
As we enter together into a new
academic year, this writing wishes
to share with the students of 2019
52 Fusion Radio Magazine
“The collective astrological
chart has been
drawn for the term
commencing on 11th
September 2019 at noon
located at the University
of Strathclyde”
a study of their Sun sign astrology.
The collective astrological chart
has been drawn for the term commencing
on 11th September 2019
at noon located at the University
of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
4 degrees 15 minutes West, 55 degress
53 minutes North. Furthermore,
an analysis of each individual
sun sign has been interpreted in
relation.
The Sun represents the soul journey
that we are brought on with
our minds and bodies in this lifetime.
It is our individually, will
and our headways for significance
through the conscious side of our
“As we enter together
into a new academic
year, this writing
wishes to share with
the students of 2019 a
study of their Sun sign
astrology.’’
personality, allowing us to reach for
our true destinies. The Sun is the
primary indicator of when we are
trying to achieve the best versions
of ourselves. It is the active life
force used lovingly and attentively,
trying to use all potentials to develop
all available resources naturally
given to us at birth as we grow into
adulthood. Through our solar journey
or energy we find our creative
urges to fulfill our heartfelt hopes
for the present and the future. It is
truly our focused sense of destiny
on Earth.
The twelve heavenly houses are
often called “Places of the Sky”.
At birth each planet is in a zodiac
sign, and both planet and sign are
posited in a heavenly house. Each
house governs a certain area of societal
life. Chiron here is present in
the fourth house signifying that the
deepest healing, will come from a
connection with the roots of students
individually. The experience
of the first three houses – knowing
who I am, finding a way to strongly
connect myself and discovering
how to integrate myself – is taken
through to the fourth house containing
Chiron. Where here in the
fourth house the student must heal
her or his deepest roots to discover
who they truly are. Chiron itself
rules ecology, the healing of the
body/soul, and it’s in the depth of
the rootedness of the fourth house
that the true nature of the Chiron
healing seed that can be sown. This
signifies perhaps the most important
teaching of our times, amongst
much of the chaos in our modern
day society. Each person who finds
in herself or himself the will, and
creative force to heal themselves
striding towards happiness, will indeed
help heal our world simultaneously.
With Virgo energy this academic
year you never cease to learn, never
cease to win improvements in your
work and environment. Happiness
comes with each step each student
feels is successful, all the while as a
collective you go on towards further
steps to create perfection.
Kim McKayed
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 53
Aries March 21st – April 19th
Inspiration leads you to seek new worlds to conquer through adventuring
into this new life phase in third level academia. Happiness lies in a
victory over the constraints placed upon you. The conquest of university
life and study will lead to your greatest source of happiness. With this in
mind, changing course mid stream for an Aries is all too easy, therefore
doing so will slow down progress in university life and the prospect of
‘winning’, so Aries students try take care here. Once the accomplishment
of your studies is finally complete, you will seek a new challenge in life
and get the best of it to develop your inner self continuing on your soul
journey cheering.
Taurus April 20th - May 20th
You are quite steadfast in your view of happiness. To win and hold on
to an ideal cherished life mate, to rear a family of whom you can be
proud, to hold valuable property and have a solid savings account are all
in the nature of happiness for you. University life will present you with
many opportunities to branch off into and explore new territories for the
ego. Yes home is where the heart is, and it is here where your happiness
will lie. Have faith in your ability to provide good advice to friends and
family whilst keeping good intention at the fore. Decide wisely and slowly
as you progress through the academic year, as you are happy when you
feel your life is secure through benefits you have won. Giving up on a subject
is less likely that other signs, so if an inclination persists it is usually
good reason to seek a counselor.
Gemini May 21st - June 21st
You’re dual nature gives you the ability to switch thinking and solve
problems ingeniously. It will help to have faith and remember during
difficult times when options feel closed or boxed in, to fly with your
thoughts and find your freedom. Hermes once ruled the Gemini sign with
his wings. Your eloquence to charm is a valuable asset to progress your
career later in life. Being busy keeps you happy, finding more variation
in what you do will lend to even greater happiness. Keep good company
in this. Within group projects don’t hesitate to seek opportunity in using
your talents. Safe guard your self during assignments and exams by sticking
to the boring facts and enjoy a brilliant education.
54 Fusion Radio Magazine
Cancer June 22nd - July 22nd
Your most essential pleasure lies in finding happiness at home and in
family based conditions. You can have a second family in university
too by applying these caring feelings to your close circles whether your residing
at home or on campus. Good friends and frequent entertainment in
your new home adds to happiness. Use this responsibly to create a strong
base that can later springboard your academic and professional career.
Making meals and sharing is good practice and food for the soul. Taking
part in societies and community events will fill you with happiness. Any
in decision with subject choices warrants serious discussion with a vocation
counselor, otherwise changes of a good degree are excellent.
Leo July 23rd - Aug 23rd
high leadership position in a society or class representative, somewhere
that places you center stage can bring about happy delight
A
for you. Finding love in what you do comes with your ability to manage
things and be an authority in them. Moreover, a warm generosity will
allow you to help many and this will gratify your need for happiness. Its
nice to be important, but more important to be nice. User your talents to
keep group work entertaining and win praise that will ultimately support
the success of your projects.
Virgo August 24th – September 23rd
You are happy when reading informative material that supports your
achievement of academic goals. Happiness in indeed a straight forward
aspect and will never become stagnant while you make effort to
evolve your ego and inner-self, for even happiness itself can become monotonous
for an unchallenged Virgo. While fame does not attract you,
there is much praise for your capabilities and tireless efforts of a hardworking
nature. This in itself will bring quiet happiness and joy.
Worry will upset the Virgo stomach, so don’t worry and be happy.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 55
Libra September 24th – October 23rd
You enjoy using artistic talents or talking about art with people in the
know. Try remembering this passion can offer creative insights to
technical designs too. Advanced ideas please you and a good conversation
about them makes you happy. These in turn make you a natural asset
in any project team. A natural diplomat, use this trait to settle disputes
among friends and colleagues to enrich your qualities as a prominent
team player for your later career. Real happiness is achieved finally by
active work and results that are admired. Never bury or hide your talents.
Take special care on procrastination during exam periods, love life and
social affairs are particularly important to Librans, only by retaining balance
and good results be achieved.
Scorpio October 24th – November 24th
You are a natural force in the world, bring with you to university splendid
skills and mentality to all that you do. You are worker, happy
while busy with worthwhile tasks. Take care in how you decide to win
confidence of others, where you like to feel a sense of power over things
in your environment. While working alone pleases you, there is a formidable
opportunity for growth in bringing out your personality at group
work; this will win you the greatest happiness in your endeavors.
Try not to be reluctant to talk about your financial situation if the need
for help should arise.
Sagittarius November 23rd – December 21st
You are happy in mental encounters with others, in discussing high issues
and ideas you feel stimulating. If your degree or circle of friends,
don’t offer such an opportunities, try finding a suitable society or club to
join. While you enjoy changes to spice up your life, take care not to let that
interfere with your subject choices or progress on projects. To be socially
popular and attending glittery affairs delights you, so feel free to enjoy
your time at university. Impulsive travel pleases you so keep yourself free
from repeat exams during summer to make the most of this lust in life.
You’re work must be happy, meaning variety and challenge to your ingenuity
must be involved. Time spent abroad or on an exchange program
can be particularly beneficial for you if the right opportunity arises.
56 Fusion Radio Magazine
Capricorn December 22nd – January 19th
Rewards you receive from devoted effort make you happy. You like to
show an unusual capacity for work of a worthwhile type. Using this
passion on group projects in proficient way will certainly gain you praise,
just take care not over commit or provide. Modesty is key. You like to feel
in charge, a person of authority, being a constructive project leader will
bring happiness. You maybe a zealous worker for community improvement,
if so try volunteering if an opportunity arises. Giving your concern
to public matters and being recognized for your value brings happiness.
Take care not to underestimate your ability and achievements in and outside
of academia, as self-depreciation can be a common theme among
young Capricorns. You are amazing.
Aquarius January 20th – February 18th
You are happiest when needed by others and being successful with
helping them. Use your time in university to develop a benevolent
self in such endeavors as Aquarians like to sponsor causes for freedom
and equality, help make it possible for all people to know the good things
of life. Working towards a career in which you can alleviate bad conditions
will make you happy. Aquarians can be idealistic with large dreams,
and certainly have the uniqueness to achieve as such. Just take care to remember
happiness can be found in the small things life has to offer too.
At university Aquarians do well to choose subjects that will particularly
support them in their career later in life.
Pisces February 19th - March 20th
If you already have partner on board then passion will be high, and
important decisions could be made. The winter period, especially with
regard to January and February 2020, is excellent to recover a love relationship
as well as connect at a deeper level with your amazing loving self.
Get out, visit new places and tighten new friendships. Family affairs will
also be greatly improved. Keep yourself physically active with sports and
mobility. You will find a renewed interest in your studies and will learn
better, quicker and at a deeper level than before. Seek to catch as much
sun as you can as its light can reinvigorate your spirit and alertness. When
you are in tune you will be blessed by the loss of forgetfulness.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 57
The Mature Student’s Association
By Gerry McDonnell
A
huge MSA welcome to all
new and returning mature
students at the University
of Strathclyde. The MSA is a representative
group which caters for
the large numbers of the university’s
mature students. A mature student
is defined as a student who is
21 years or older on
the day their course starts.
The original MSA was set up in
the early 1990s and was based in
St. Pauls Annexe, in the old chaplaincy
opposite the Student Union
Building on John Street. In 2012 it
was decided to close the old chaplaincy
with no alternative accommodation
being offered. Following
dialogue with Estates a stay of execution
was granted for one year. A
campaign for new premises was initiated
and the issue was raised with
the Principal, Sir Jim McDonald, at
Stu- dent Congress. Sir Jim came to
the old MSA in February 2013 and
offered us two rooms in the Livingstone
Tower*, and a budget to refurbish
the rooms as we wished.
We moved to our present location
(LT202) in August 2013, with one
common room and one PC Lab.
Just four short years later we have
two common rooms with fridges,
58 Fusion Radio Magazine
microwaves, kettles, printer etc.,
three PC labs, and four quiet/group
study rooms with access to a further
four in the evenings. We also
provide ‘red cards’ to students who
wish/require to study when the
building is in ‘lockdown’ and in the
last year we issued over six hundred
(a new record).
The aims of the MSA are to provide
all mature students with a peer
support network of friends as well
as somewhere to study or relax.
Peer support is especially of vital
importance to the hundreds of new
‘widen- ing access’ mature students
who come to Strathclyde University
every year, as it helps to make
the transition to higher education
easier.
Our membership spans all faculties,
ages and backgrounds. We are
all on a journey through learning,
and at the MSA we pride ourselves
on drawing on all of our experiences
and learning together. We
also endeavour to ensure that every
member feels as welcome and as
equal as the next. The MSA provides
support independent of the
university to those students who
may not be following the typical
student path.
Our student population is becom-
ing much more diverse. During the
academic year 2016/17 the MSA
had members from over eighty different
countries registered online.
This greater diversity in the MSA
is to be welcomed, as it serves both
to improve the educational student
experience for all of our members,
and also to provide the basis for a
more diverse and enriched society.
The social interaction and integration
of our members is of huge
importance to the MSA as it helps
with: retention rates, student persistence,
and a students’ chance of
completing a degree. The idea of
belonging to a community of mature
students also helps to instil in
our members a sense of belonging
to the University of Strathclyde, as
it is the institution who have thankfully
provided us with the space in
which we operate.
The MSA is open to all mature students
of any background and accordingly,
the MSA and its members
shall not discriminate against
any individual(s) for reasons of:
age, colour, disability, gender identity
or expression, national or ethnic
origin, race, religion, sex, or
sexual orientation. No one can defend
the indefensible by claiming
that acts of discrimination, inequality
or injustice are just banter.
If you are a victim or witness to
any of the aforementioned please
#SPEAKOUT (see poster in all
MSA rooms) and the perpetrators
will be dealt with.
Over the past four years the MSA
has faced the challenge to manage
and deliver change. Hundreds of
written and verbal testimonies from
students who have either passed
through the MSA, or new students
who have graduated at different
institutions, are proof enough that
the facilities we provide
are second to none. The MSA also
represents its members (the student
voice) in numerous ways to
continually improve the facilities
and services that we provide. We
also work closely with members of
the Student Union Executive on a
regular basis to highlight academic
issues that our members have
raised, and we
to do this.
In conclusion, we wish every success
to all our members for the
future. Its members are the MSA’s
greatest resource, and there is always
someone available to discuss
problems or experiences. So, if you
want to join the MSA, or if you are
already a member who has any
ideas or queries please email: ussa.
msaconvenor @strath. ac.uk
(*Livingstone Tower is in the heart
of campus)
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 59
STEPS TO SUCCESS..
By Raj Jeyaraj, Managing Director, SMOOVEmedia Ltd.
New room, new friends,
new beginnings. First-year
of University is your opportunity
to reinvent yourself, test
your preconceptions, and become
the person you’ve always wanted to
be.
Say hello to everyone! Everyone
may seem like they know what they
are doing and have groups friends
already. Don’t let that fool you.
Everyone feels a little lost and are
looking for someone to introduce
themselves. A simple “Hi, I’m Pat,
What’s your name?” Will go a long
way.
Make friends with people from
other countries, with different interests,
learn a few new words in
other languages. People appreciate
that you have taken the effort!
Be yourself. You’ve heard it repeatedly.
That’s because it’s true. People
can sense when you’re “fronting”
and “flexing” and no one likes that.
Put your best self forward. Honesty,
transparency, and vulnerability
are cornerstones of great communications
and friendships.
Get involved with everything. The
first two weeks is a time that you
might have less sleep and fueled by
adrenaline. Believe me, it’s worth it!
60 Fusion Radio Magazine
That’s a foundation of
havin great year(s)
at university.
But get as much rest
and sleep you can
throughout the day.
Surviving on 3 hours
of sleep a day will burn you out by
day 3. Learn to take naps. Thay will
save your student life.
Try new things that you might never
have tried before, get involved
in societies you might never have
gotten involved in before! Get involved
in the pokemon society, try
joining the dance society, pick up
a martial art, do a new sport. The
possibilities are endless!
The dishes are the biggest reason
for fallouts among flatmates.
Please follow simple
house etiquettes!
Don’t leave food to
collect mould
in the fridge,
communicate
a n d
decide
who is go- ing to hover
and take out the trash, organise a
flat dinner party together at your
earliest opportunity.
Watch your money! Create a budget
for social activities, take cash when
going out, leave your debit card at
home, don’t buy a 4K HD TV with
your student loan/ SAAS and live
on beans on toast for the rest of the
year. Spread costs of essentials and
food by buying in bulk and sharing
with housemates.
Watch your energy. Calculate and
care- fully distribute your
energy every
day.
Watch your
time. Just
like energy
and
money - treat
them like finite
resources, because
they are, that you
should always keep an account.
Take care of your diet. Research
and find a diet that’s healthy for
your brain, body, and wallet. Plan
your meals every month, reduce
food waste, freeze food - these
are things that would have
saved me a lot of money in my
first years.
Learn outside the classroom!
Transferable skills like communications,
teamwork, time management,
project management, and
leadership skills are best found and
developed outside the classrooms
in student societies, class representation,
and other student union
activities. - Plus they are highly
coveted by employers!
Redefine yourself. First-year is all
about learning self-management,
independent living, healthy habits,
goal setting, and personal development.
Ask for help early. Part of your journey
of being a new student is being
lost, or not knowing how things
work, not just in your studies but
simple things like understanding
your rights as a tenant, knowing
where to go when you’re in financial
constraints, the counselling services
when you might need them, etc.
Your Students Union, Class reps,
lecturers, society committee members,
and university staff members
are there to help you. You might
find that not all the information
you need is even online!
Finally, GO TO CLASS! You might
be hungover, you might be tired,
but just pick yourself up and go to
class. Listen, take notes, highlight
things that you might need to revisit.
Induction and introduction
lectures are packed with the essential
information that you will need
in your student life!
(Raj was student President at Strathy
in 2017)
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 61
How the R.I.P.P.L.E.S
fused with the
Strath-osphere?
February 13th every year is
the eve of Valentine’s day, but
also celebrated as World Radio
day. For the radio lovers, that’s
two days of pure bliss. For me it
was triple bliss with icing last year
when I turned in the proposal for
my long brooded webcast to the
guys at Strathclyde Fusion studio; it
was submitted on the 13th, accepted
on the 14th and I had a tour of
studio facilities on the 15th!
R.I.P.P.L.E.S, an acronym for Research
Impacts Presented in Plain
Language for Everyone’s Sake
(Phew! defo a mouthful...) hit the
airwaves a week later and aired on
Mondays 7 – 8pm for the next 6
months. The show was unique in
content, delivery, audience reception
and achievement, compared to
other shows hosted by the station or
elsewhere. RIPPLES identified and
eulogised research breakthroughs
and experiences at the University
of Strathclyde, frantically communicating
these innovations in
ways accessible to the general public.
Guest researchers were invited
weekly to discuss their research devoid
of jargon, to foster public engagement
and provide a platform
62 Fusion Radio Magazine
“RIPPLES identified and
eulogised research breakthroughs
and experiences
at the University of
Strathclyde”
for the researchers to disseminate
their work and practice outreach
activities behind the ‘pseudo-anonymity’
our cosy studio provided.
By concerted efforts at successfully
avoiding floccinaucinihilipilification
of research and being
less bothered about how electroencephalography
helps to detect
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis
(hahahaa…), RIP-
PLES highlighted how researchers
at Strathclyde were leading the
way in research innovation, cutting
across health and wellbeing,
energy, advanced materials, enabling
technologies, Fintech and
policy among others (you should
see: https://www.imagesofresearch.
strath.ac.uk/2018/gallery.php).
If there is any commonality stringing
webcast and research as delivered
by @RIPPLEStrath for
research strides in an ambitious,
impactful and innovative institution
as Strathclyde, it would probably
be well captured by this humble
quote from Guy Gugliotta: “delivered
so much while initially promising
so little.” By Emmanuel Salifu.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 63
REFLECTIONS.
By Caleb Gambrah aka DJ Kwiksilva
(Host of “The Sunday Experience”)
Doing radio was one of
the things I had always
thought would be cool to
do. But for a long time it was just
that…a thought. I hadn’t necessarily
made any significant efforts
to pursue it. I guess it was one of
those things that I was waiting for
the universe to drop an opportunity
on my lap. Fast-forward to
fresher’s week, from the corner of
my eye, I see a guy, clad in overalls,
eclectic pair of sunglasses and a fitted
baseball cap to boot approach
our church stand. We had a chat
for a few minutes, found out he was
actively involved in the running of
the university campus radio station
(thank you universe, I said silently
to myself). I expressed my desire
to do radio, talked some more and
voila! I had a show.
Ok so I had a show,
now what next?
“I guess it was one of
those things that I was
waiting for the universe
to drop an opportunity
on my lap.”
One thing I knew for certain was
that the show would be an extension
of my Christian faith. The next
thing I needed to figure out was the
best medium of conveying such
message. I’ve always been a fan of
music and music is well known to
be a powerful tool of disseminating
information. However a huge
misconception, especially amongst
young people, is that Christian music
tends to be boring and bland.
My quest to present the love of God
in a more relatable manner resulted
in the decision
64 Fusion Radio Magazine
“However a huge misconception,
especially
amongst young people,
is that Christian music
tends to be boring and
bland.”
to incorporate music with words
of hope, inspiration and God’s love
laced over the soulful tones of RnB,
the funky up-tempo beats of hiphop,
and the soothing sounds of
jazz. This birthed the weekly contemporary
-gospel
music show dubbed “The Sunday
Experience”.
Hosting a radio show
was a personally rewarding
experience.
Through
the show I
w a s able to have honest
conversations
with persons who hitherto, had
misconceptions and strong negative
thoughts towards Christianity.
Winning an award for “Community
broadcaster of the year” was icing
on the cake. Developing a good
show however no bed of roses; it
requires a lot of planning and research.
I had to constantly research
into the right kind of music that fits
“This gave me the opportunity
to discover underground
artists and music
which was seemingly
hidden in plain sight.”
the ideology of the show. This gave
me the opportunity to discover underground
artists and music which
was seemingly hidden in plain
sight. With that being said getting
involved with Strathclyde Fusion
radio is something I would strongly
recommend.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 65
WHY YOU NEED
MASSAGE IN YOUR LIFE
Caroline Robertson
Massage Therapist and Presenter.
Why? Because it helps
with your health on a
deeper level, more than
just physical or mental, it helps
emotionally and spiritually, helping
to rebalance and relax, relieve pain,
discomfort, anxiety, stress, improve
sleep, amongst many more
positive aspects. Massage can be,
for many people, quite literally,
a life saver. It not only
helps to
Why wouldn’t you want this in
your life? We live in such a stressful
environment these days: noise, pollution,
work, family, that we leave
very little at
the end
alleviate
pain and discomfort, it
makes you more self aware of your
own body. You learn to understand
it more, see the signs when something
is wrong or right with it and
you do what you can to keep it in
optimum health by making changes
and seeing people who can help
keep it healthy.
66 Fusion Radio Magazine
“ Massage can be, for
many people, quite
literally, a life-saver! ’’
of the day to ourselves and with
massage, not only do you get some
‘me time’, some relief from the discomfort
you are in, you also get to
escape from the worries of this
world for a short time. Being
stressed,
worried,
tired is
not good
for your
health
long-term
– it can aggravate
and promote
poor health
and contribute
to chronic conditions
like poor sleep,
bad skin, digestive issues,
headaches and more.
Wherein massage is part of the
culture and daily life of the middle
east and far east countries and
has been for many years, Westerners
still see massage as a ‘treat’ but
slowly we are coming around to the
benefits of it and many more people
are having massage on a regular basis.
This is a good thing as we need
to understand that the body is a
wonderful, fascinating, complex
biological machine that needs
more than we give it – it needs to
be taken care of and massage can
help us keep it healthy, happy and
balanced.
“Wherin massage is part
of the culture and daily
life of the middle east
and far east countries,
and has been for centuries,
Westerners still see
it as a ‘treat’..”
As an experienced massage therapist,
I have regular clients who,
after experiencing the benefit of
regular massage, have learned
more about themselves and their
bodies.
They ask questions, for after care
advice and make changes to their
lifestyles, realising they need to
take care of their body more.
Please be aware that massage is
not a cure to all ailments – it is
one of many aids, to help improve
your health.
We only have one body – so let’s
look after it.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 67
Napoleon’s Knight in the
Glasgow Necropolis
By Gary Nisbet
It is not generally known that
there is a veteran of Napoleon’s
Grande Armée buried in the
Glasgow Necropolis. This was
François Joseph Foucart (1793-1862),
who settled in Glasgow after the end
of the Napoleonic Wars and became a
celebrated fencing master and teacher
of gymnastics at the University of
Strathclyde.
Foucart had served in Napoleon’s infantry,
and was a veteran of the Russian
campaign of 1812, and the battles
of Leipzig and Waterloo. At some
point he was appointed a Knight of the
légion d’honneur, which is represented
by a finely carved replica of the medal
on the front of the monument which
stands over his grave in the Necropolis.
Until recently little was known about
his early life and his years in the army,
and why he should have settled in
Glasgow after the Napoleonic Wars
ended in 1815. New information has
come to light, however, which enables
us to clarify and confirm many of these
missing details, and to correct some of
the erroneous information about him
that is recorded on his monument. The
most important of these is his birth
year, which is recorded on the monument
as 1781, when in fact his bap-
68 Fusion Radio Magazine
Foucalt’s Légion d’honneur.
tismal and military records state that
he was born in 1793. It is clear from
the dedicatory inscription, together
with his own written recollections and
military records, that Foucart was
not only a man of great courage and
determination to survive his military
service and many wounds, but also to
escape from the post-war persecution
of Bonapartist sympathisers in France
and flee to the United Kingdom as a
political refugee.
It turns out that his decision to move
to Scotland was an entirely happy one,
and he became a prosperous and much
loved character and contributor to the
life of the city, and to the University
of Strathclyde in particular, where
he taught fencing and gymnastics in
Andersonian University, Glasgow.
the 1830s (when it was known as the
Andersonian University). After this
he established a fencing school and
gymnasium in West Nile Street and
became celebrated in his day as one of
the finest fencing masters in Scotland,
and is recognised today as the ‘Father
of physical fitness in Glasgow’. But his
story also has a far greater dimension
that links his family name, via his sons
Auguste and Dr. Louis Foucart, and
his granddaughter, Alice, to other important
historic events at home and
abroad.
Foucart was born on in the fortress
town of Valenciennes in the North of
France, on 11 August 1793, the son of
Louis Foucart, a brewer and former
soldier, and Celestine Flamand. His
military career began in 1808, when
he volunteered as a teenager in the
National Guard of the North, then
entered the 44th Regiment of the Line
as a corporal in 1809. He later transferred
to the Walcheren Regiment
(later 131st Regiment) as a sergeant
in 1810, and eventually moved to the
22nd Regiment in 1814. During this
time he fought in the siege of Flushing,
where he received shrapnel wounds
to his thighs, and followed Napoleon
into Russia in 1812. After surviving
the epic retreat from Moscow, Foucart
was present at the battles of Wurtzen,
Bautzen, Jüterbog, and Leipzig, where,
with the help of 40 grenadiers, he delayed
the enemy at the Elster bridges
and enabled Napoleon’s defeated army
to escape annihilation and to return
to France. It was for this action that
he was cited for the legion d’honneur
and a field promotion but he received
neither until much later. He was also
present at Napoleon’s final battle, at
Waterloo in Belgium, in 1815, where
Trailleur of the Imperial Guard.
he fought the Prussians as a sergeant
of tirailleurs (skirmishers) in the Imperial
Guard at Plancenoit, and was
wounded in the chest by a lance and in
the leg by a bullet. Subsequently, after
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 69
70 Fusion Radio Magazine
Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena, he became
a sergeant in the 6th Regiment of
the Royal Guard. However, after voicing
his support for Bonaparte, he was
imprisoned and sentenced to transportation
to the French penal colony
at Cayenne (later known as Devil’s
Island) in South America. Before being
sent there, he escaped to Belgium
and the Netherlands before travelling
to England and then Scotland, around
1823-4, where he founded ‘The Glasgow
Fencing, Gymnasium and Orthopaedia
Institution’. He is listed in
the Glasgow Post Office Directory as
a fencing master for the first time in
1825.
He later became a Professor of Fencing
and Gymnastics at the Andersonian
at 178 George Street, where he rented
a large room in the university’s Old
Grammar School building (on the site
of the present Royal College). Foucart
is mentioned in the university’s Minute
Book covering the period 1832-39,
in which the matters concerning him
were of a relatively trivial nature, such
as arranging to have his gymnasium
whitewashed, the amount of rent he
was required to pay for the room (£18
per annum, or £15 if he couldn’t quite
afford the higher sum) and the number
of pupils attending his classes in
fencing and gymnastics. By 1837 they
numbered 58 young men and women
from the best families in Glasgow and
the surrounding districts. He appears
for the last time in the university’s records
in February 1839, by which time
he was involved in establishing a new
fencing academy and gymnasium in
the recently built Victoria Baths Building
at 106 West Nile Street, which still
Victoria Building, West Nile St.
stands today.
This was a time when sword fencing
was a much more popular sport
than it is today, and when swordsmanship
was regarded as an art to
be taught as part of a young gentleman’s
education. Foucart was particularly
successful in popularising
this branch of the martial arts and
regularly held public demonstrations
of his own and his pupils’
swordsmanship to great acclaim in
the town’s Assembly Rooms in Ingram
Street. These ‘assaults’ as they
are called, always attracted ‘brilliant
assemblages’ of fashionable society
eager to be thrilled and entertained
by Foucart’s skill with the rapier
and sabre, and they were rarely disappointed
by the spectacles he mounted.
For the winner of his pupils’ bouts, a
light sword donated by Foucart would
be their prize.
The press, too, were delighted by his
displays, which became a highlight of
the sporting calendar of both Glasgow
and Edinburgh, and they reported enthusiastically
on the events and the excitement
they generated. The assault
held for the anniversary meeting of
Foucart’s pupils on 18 April 1829 was,
according to The Glasgow Herald,
‘one of the finest ever witnessed’. In
Edinburgh he participated in the annual
assaults presented by Monsieur
George Roland, another French émigré
who established the finest fencing
academy in the capital. In February
1830, Foucart and Roland’s duels mesmerised
their audience, with Foucart
being reported as giving ‘more reason
than ever to admire his irresistible impetuosity’.
Two decades later, having
become firmly established in the city
and in the hearts of his pupils and
friends, a testimonial was presented
to him in the form of a silver cup, in
1847.
By 1852, with his business now a great
success, and with his son, Auguste, as a
partner and instructor, Foucart assiduously
promoted the health-enhancing
aspects of his work and introduced
new equipment devised by his doctor
son, Louis, with which to facilitate the
results in improving bodily strength
and alleviating physical infirmities in
both sexes. In the Glasgow Herald of
29 October 1852, they announced:
‘Messrs Foucart have resumed their
courses of practical instruction to ladies
and gentlemen in the art of training
and developing the human frame,
and in preventing and correcting bodily
distortions, and promoting health
by their system of gymnastic exercises.
Messrs Foucart have also much pleasure
in announcing that they have added
to their stock of apparatus, and will
give instructions in proper the use of
Dr [Louis] Foucart’s newly registered
Spinal Rectifier and Chest Expander,
which instrument has been patronised
by the royal family, and received
the approval and recommendation of
the leading [London] surgeons. The
institution is under the inspection of
the most eminent of the medical profession
in Glasgow…’
Foucart’s popularity amongst the higher
echelons of Scottish society is best
exemplified by his participation in the
famous Eglinton Tournament of 1839.
A spectacular recreation of medieval
pageantry and jousting which involved
the crème of Scottish knightly nobility
as participants and spectators, as well
as thousands of onlookers from the
general public. Foucart would have
been required to don medieval attire
and give his best performance in the
displays of swordsmanship that were
intended to enthral his audience and
remind them of the chivalric glories of
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 71
ages long past.
Foucart must have been quite a character
in his day and he was certainly
popular amongst his students and the
public alike. Amongst his students
were the poet William Motherwell and
the dramatist James Sheridan Knowles,
who modelled the hero of his Monsieur
de l’ Épée on him in 1838 (both
writers are also buried in the Necropolis).
It is also claimed that he was the
inspiration for the hero of Alexandre
Dumas’ romance ‘Le Maître d’Armes’
in 1840, although it is now known that
this was actually Dumas’ own fencing
teacher, Augustin Grisier.
Foucart’s life in Scotland was by all accounts
indeed happy and prosperous,
and he was blessed with a long marriage
and loving family. He and his
Belgian-born wife, Lambertine Levelly
(1791-1877), were married in London,
in the church of St John the Evangelist,
Westminster, on 26 July 1818.
They had at least four children: Louis,
who was born in France during a brief
return to Foucart’s homeland in 1820;
Virginie and Milenie, both of whom
were born in Ireland; and Auguste,
who was born in Glasgow in 1833, and
who followed his father’s profession as
a fencing master.
The family lived at various addresses
in central Glasgow. As early as 1826,
the Foucarts lived in a ‘Cottage Style’
house on the east side of Portland
Street. The house and land were put up
for sale and advertised as ‘admirably
adapted for building’ in the ‘Subjects
To Be Sold’ section of The Glasgow
Herald for 1 May 1826. The house
and garden have long since vanished,
presumably having been redeveloped
soon after they were sold.
The Foucarts had by then moved to
239 George Street, where they lived
throughout the 1830s. They later
moved to 5 St Vincent Place, staying
there for a decade from 1842. At this
time the family home also doubled as
a doctor’s surgery, which was run by
Foucart’s son, Louis, who had recently
graduated in medicine and surgery
at Glasgow University. The census returns
for the street in 1851 reveal that
they were wealthy enough to employ
a live-in house servant, Sarah Stewart.
After Louis left home to practice
in London, the family finally settled
down at Falkland Place, 4 St George’s
Road, in 1853.
François Foucart died at his home
on 26 June 1862, of acute bronchitis,
which he had suffered for about a
month. He was buried in the Glasgow
Necropolis at 2pm on 1 July, in lair 60
of the cemetery’s Petra section, which
was purchased for £16, the funeral being
undertaken by Wyllie & Lochead.
Since then, and due to a subsequent
reconfiguration of some of the Necropolis’
layout in the 20th century, his
lair was incorporated into the nearby
Upsilon section, which is where most
modern historians have stated that he
is buried.
72 Fusion Radio Magazine
His last Will and Testament, of 7
March 1862, offers evidence of his
prosperity. To his beloved wife he left
£5,557.9d, the value of which included
shares in the Clydesdale Bank, the
Bank of Scotland and the Glasgow
Gas Company, as well as a collection
of silver plate. A year later, in 1863,
the high esteem in which he was held
amongst his friends and former pupils
was attested to when they erected the
monument that stands over his grave
today.
This was produced by J. & G. Mossman,
the celebrated Glasgow-based
firm of monumental and architectural
sculptors. It is in the form of an obelisk,
15 feet tall (4.57m). As well as
the carving of Foucart’s Légion d’Honneur
on its front, a long eulogy was inscribed,
which was composed by James
Sheridan Knowles, and taken from his
play ‘Monsieur de l’ Épée’:
‘Talk you of scars? – That Frenchman
bears a crown!
Body and limb his vouchers palpable;
For many a thicket he has struggled
through
Of briery danger, wondering that he
Came off with even life, when right
and left
His mates dropp’d thick beside him. A
true man,
His rations with his master gone – for
he
Was honor’s soldier, that ne’er changes
sides.
He left his country for a foreign one
To teach his gallant art, and earn a
home.
I knew him to be honest, generous,
High soul’d, and modest, every way a
grace
To the fine martial race from whence
he sprang.’
The dedicatory inscription recording
Foucart’s personal details on the obelisk’s
pedestal was almost as effusive
as the eulogy cut on its shaft. This,
however, has been completely obliterated
by the passage of time and the
elements. Thanks to an account of
the monument which appeared in the
Glasgow Herald on Wednesday, 24
June 1863, soon after it was erected,
we know the inscription’s exact wording:
Francois Foucart
Born At Valenciennes, 1781.
Died At Glasgow, 1862.
An Officer In The Imperial Guard Of
France
During The First Empire,
Knight Of The Legion Of Honour,
Professor Of Fencing, Royal Academy,
Paris,
And Afterwards For Forty Years In
This City.
This Monument Has Been Erected
By Some Of His Pupils, To Mark The
Friendship They
Entertained For Him,
And To Designate The Spot Where The
Remains Of A
Brave And Gallant Soldier Rest.
1863.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 73
Foucart’s Monument,
Glasgow Necropolis
This was not, however, the end of Foucart’s
enterprise in promoting health
and fitness, or the fame garnered to his
family’s name. His son, Auguste, later
left the city to set up gymnasiums in
Liverpool, Inverness and Sydney, Australia,
where his brother, Louis, had
set up as a doctor. Louis, having already
established his medical credentials
in Scotland, later moved to London,
where he became indelibly linked
to the life and death of one of Britain’s
greatest Prime Ministers, Sir Robert
Peel. His association with him was
brief, however, but of the utmost importance
and renown, as it was Louis
who happened to be close-by when
Peel was thrown from his horse and
very badly injured on the evening of 29
June 1850. He attended to Sir Robert
until he died in the evening of 2 July.
Later, Dr Louis Foucart moved to Sydney,
Australia, where he became the
Government Medical Officer of Health
and Quarantine Officer at Port Jackson
(Sydney Harbour). He lived in
Rozelle, and owned land in the appropriately
named district of Waterloo.
He eventually retired to England,
where he died at Lucan House
in Ripon, Yorkshire, on 25 March
1899. Before this, however, Louis’
daughter, Alice, had married the
son of Colonel Henry Pulleine, who
has gone down in history as being
responsible for the worst defeat of a
modern British army at the hands of
spear wielding warriors at the Battle
of Isandlwana in the Zulu War
of 1879 (a century later, in the film
‘Zulu Dawn’, the role of Pulleine was
played by the actor Denholm Elliot).
Foucart Legion d’Honneur
Back in Australia, it was Louis who
was responsible for notices of his father’s
death appearing in Australian
newspapers in 1862, such as The Sydney
Morning Herald and The Argus in
Melbourne. This meant that François
Foucart became as well known in the
74 Fusion Radio Magazine
Southern Hemisphere as he was in
Scotland at the time of his death. There
is even a Foucart Street and Foucart
Lane in Sydney. Although these were
named after Louis, they also continue
the association with his father and the
great era of Napoleon and his Knight
who rests thousands of miles away in
the Glasgow Necropolis.
However, by the present day, Francois
Foucart had been completely forgotten
in France and Scotland until this
research into his military service and
later teaching career was undertaken.
This has been greatly assisted by Foucart’s
own descendants, Peter Eden
and his family, who live in Portugal,
and who are the guardians of not only
the memory of their illustrious forebear,
but also of many of his surviving
personal items, such as his legion
d’honneur, and a sword that Napoleon
is said to have owned and presented to
Foucart for saving the life of Marshal
Ney during the retreat from Moscow.
They also have Foucart’s fob watch
and the silver cup that his pupils in
Glasgow presented to him as a testimonial
to his popularity as a fencing
master and as an individual.
Of the greatest importance amongst
these personal items is the copy of a
letter which Foucart sent to Napoleon
III in 1852, which details his
military career in his own words and,
surprisingly, includes a request for the
sergeant’s back pay that had been owed
him from his time in Russia forty years
earlier. The letter is the closest thing we
have by way of a written memoir of his
time serving under Napoleon I, and its
contents are certainly of great value in
illuminating hitherto unrecorded incidents
during and after the war as experienced
by one of its forgotten protagonists.
It is especially enlightening with
regard to the treatment of the emperor’s
supporters by the French Royalists after
Waterloo and their later rehabilitation
in 1820, when they were pardoned by
royal decree on the birth of the Duke of
Bordeaux.
In Scotland, where he settled and flourished
in the land of his former foes, Foucart
is also now becoming better known
as a historical figure in his own right,
and might now be described as ‘the most
fascinating Frenchman who ever settled
in Glasgow’, as well as the ‘father of
physical fitness’ in the city. In addition
to this, it is to be hoped that his connection
to the University of Strathclyde in
particular, will someday be commemorated
by a plaque erected to his memory
and sporting achievements in the university’s
new sports centre in Cathedral
Street.
Student Radio Never Sounded So Good 75
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