“HOLLYWOOD WILL GIVE A DAMN,” SAYS SINCLAIR
Rie Sinclair: CalifornUKtion
California and Manchester have more in common than their weather. They're the places Rie Sinclair calls home. And listening to her music you'll see how she's drawn inspiration from both mindsets: melodic cynicism in gee minor, ethereal earthiness, and guitar/synth moments aplenty. One day she's strumming in a Manchester ale house; a week later she's recording a song to be played on a Hollywood TV show like Californication, Ghost Whisperer, Law & Order or General Hospital, for which she has been Emmy nominated.
Sparkling Violeteer
Rie's previous recorded projects include a solo studio album and a collaboration with ex-Eels, ex-Abandoned Pools genius Tommy Walter called Oliver the Penguin, but she considers A Moment You Never Dreamed her debut album. One listen shows you why. It's a giant leap and the recognition already coming her way is testament. Here is the video to the album's eponymous single. (7 February 2010) [more>>>
DO YOU COPY?
Stop it! Stop writing your own copy! We know what you’re thinking: “Everyone can write; we were taught in school.” That is a myth. We were taught to read in school. Writing takes a bit more mastery. And as language is ever-changing and new subjects emerge daily, it takes commitment.
Think of all the opportunities the modern world gives you to talk to your audience. Websites. Blogs. Social media. Print. Now think how your competition uses it. Train and Penny give you edge. We're experienced copywriters working for the national press, web developers, private companies and the public sector. We know how to wring the neck of copy so it squeals for attention.
The Man Who Sees Like a Fly
Andrew Brooks, Photographer
While much art photography is groping for direction, purity and meaning, Andrew Brooks has invented a style that's as bold and uncompromising as it is full of beauty, colour and meaning. He's not shy of digital manipulation; in fact he revels in it. Some of his most notable works have been multiple (and we mean multiple) images fired off and stitched together in a way that would not be possible with even the most drool-inspiring Leica.
Andrew P Brooks knows
some really weird colours
ART THOU PAUL?
Simon and Garfunkel fanatics Sounds of Simon bring their close harmonies to a stage near you.
Behind Art and Paul's famously harmonious vocals was an equally famous tempestuous relationship.
Sounds of Simon: at least
they're talking to each other
Sounds of Simon have thankfully limited their emulation of New York's finest to a stage presence and hauntingly precise vocal delivery that will transport you from The Diamond, Mansfield to Madison Square Garden or Widnes North Station. (5 February 2010) [more>>>
Finance Expert Khorshid Sees Bright Future
Did you know that Islamic banking is younger than the ATM? Aly Khorshid (below) has been involved with the sector through its faltering start, promising developments and partial successes.
Dr Khorshid: Controversial
However, he's frustrated that with a billion potential customers, it still represents a mere 1% of the world's finance industry – even after the crippling events that have blighted secular banking and left its Islamic counterpart untouched. He believes it's all down to a lack of modernisation and some entrenched values among the powers that be which are harming progress.
So now he's on the march to take on the administrators. And he's taking his message to Harvard, where he'll be delivering a speech to an eclectic audience on how to fix the bank. He believes Islamic banking can learn much from Western banking about governance, but that Western banking should be lapping up Islamic risk management techniques. His goal is nothing less than the betterment of humankind by introducing fairness, consistency and stability to banking and investment.