N*E*R*D = Musical genius...my muse.

FUNK rock, mellow beats, sweet soul and perfect lyrics = the genius that is N*E*R*D. From the second their performance came to life, loyal fans at the HMV forum in London didn’t stop to catch a breath as they rocked along with the band.

The three piece band, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shae Haley are unstoppable. If you’ve loved their vibe and aura ever since they splashed onto the music scene back in 2002 with their album In Search Of; then their latest album Seeing Sounds will definitely not disappoint. Each track sets free the addictive and overwhelming unique beats, thought provocative contagious lyrics and distinctive instrumental fusions. They refuse to be categorised into one genre. To hear and see their creation, from past to present, was truly overwhelming, out of this world, amazing and quite possibly one of the best moments in my life…(yeah I know I sound like a nerd) especially as I’ve been waiting to see them in the flesh since In Search Of. I’ve fallen in love with the band & what they’re all about all over again!

I am SO HAPPY I finally saw them...it was well worth the wait. To be honest, I'm pretty impressed with the shots I managed to capture, especially as I was squashed near the front in a mosh-pit! You can probably hear me singing too in the background in my videos...I couldn't help it..I got lost in the moment...!

Their beautiful album is a melting pot consisting of songs which keep you clinging onto their every word. Lovebomb is dramatic, epic and the title itself is a symbolism of two very powerful or destructive words, like a nightmare eating up a dream. If you want to read deeper between the lines, the song is an anti-war song, indirectly singing about how we need to pull together, open our eyes and realise that the Government isn’t always right or isn’t always leading us onto the right path.

The album has definitely moved on with the times; it’s aware of the world we’re living in now and I’m sure it’s loyal fans have played and re-played each song over and over again. I know I have. Some of the songs reflect sounds of the 60’s & 70’s pop metal, such as Windows, which is fundamentally about a peeing tom with oldskool handclaps & vocals. Sounds scandalous but the music drowns out its initial meaning. It skips between various themes and issues, in which its listeners can most definitely understand, get lost in or relate to. You have to unravel each song through its layers.

Crashing down can be broken down…life isn’t always going to be sugar coated and full of sunshine. Quite evident as the end of song instrumentally goes passionately wild and crazy with an outbreak of drums and guitars-like the human emotion of screaming releasing all their frustration and anger. One of my favourites from the album in which I listen to loudly on my 7am drive to work every morning.

What I love about N*E*R*D is their adventurous streak, they experiment with different sounds & beats, their ‘gangster’ lyrics are merely mocking those in the hip-hop scene and each lyric can have more than deeper meaning attached to it. They appeal to people who feel like they don’t quite fit in with the rest of the sheep in society. They have so much substance & there is no-one out there who even comes close to them. Their sound is simply irresistible...

Save your local citizen journalist!

JOURNALISM has evolved and developed as a result of the deep, dark recession. The past year has seen redundancies, job-sharing, cut backs in newsroom budgets and news content being compromised as a result of these shrinking newsrooms. Not a pretty sight.

Employed journalists were constantly on edge wondering if they were going to be the next batch to be made redundant. Those who wanted to be employed by a newspaper felt like they had no chance.

However, all is not lost! Cue the phenomenon that is Facebook and Twitter. As newspapers cut their workforce and said goodbye to its printed publications, the web became the best cost-effective and efficient form of gathering and presenting news. In a bid to increase it’s interaction with its readers, on-line newspapers tapped into the regular use of video content and blogs

This rise of online journalism has introduced the trusty, local citizen journalist. However, even though journalism is adapting to how its readers and audiences are choosing to view the news, journalism still needs to be preserved as a skilful profession. Anyone can share information or ‘news’ but lets not forget, only a journalist can piece together a fair and accurate news story.

When you log into Facebook/Twitter, you can obtain various types of ‘news’ about what’s going on in your friends’ lives. Some of this information can be taken as an exclusive scoop.

Last year I wrote a front page story for Cannock’s Chase Post newspaper, based on rumours that Gary Glitter would be moving to the local area. A Facebook user started the group to petition his move- if rumours turned out to be true. For a journalist, it’s easy to obtain quotes and interview the Facebook user when content is open to the public.

To me, locality is absolutely vital with the way social networking sites are incorporated into news gathering. People like to read what’s going on in their local neighbourhood and how it could directly or indirectly affect them, as opposed to issues on the other side of the world.

Newspapers in particular need to let go of its traditional image and adapt to the rapid use of the internet. For example Facebook fan pages for the newspaper can appeal to the younger readers. Long term it’s beneficial.

Accuracy, fairness and objectivity still need to be upheld by a journalist, whether they are behind a news-desk or blogging on the go. This skilful profession needs to be preserved; social networking sites are now just another method of newsgathering, presenting news and drawing in more readers.

Domestic violence against men by Harvy Matharu

MEN are just as likely as women to be victims of domestic violence in the Cannock area. The British Crime Survey figures for the West Midlands show that in 2007/08 - a higher percentage of men, 5.4% were victims of partner abuse than women 4.9%, aged between 16 and 59.
Across the Staffordshire area, there could be a higher number of silent victims too afraid to speak up.

Diane Yates, domestic violence coordinator from Cannock Chase Council, revealed that Cannock has the highest incidents of domestic violence within the Chase Division. She said: “It is a hard for any victim to report domestic abuse; they usually hope things will improve. They often feel they are to blame for the abuse. Male victims sometimes feel they will not be believed on the grounds that men are viewed stronger than women.”

I found a Facebook common interest group which stems from the West Midlands, called ‘Stop domestic violence against men.' A male victim posted a comment within the group of his traumatic experience. He said: “I am a male victim; my ex-girlfriend and her boys were abusing me for nearly twelve years. I ended up self-harming myself, I cut my left arm with knives, pen and hitting myself and broke my jaw, I ended up in hospital after I took tablets, I nearly died of overdose. I hit the wall all the time, because she was treating me badly and her sons as well, she wouldn’t move out from the house four years ago. Now they have moved out and I am very happy. When she came home from pubs, she always hit me for no reason, I couldn’t hit back because she is a woman. To all males, do not suffer in silence and we are not alone.”

If you are the victim of male domestic violence, contact victim support on 0845 30 30 900.

(A feature I researched & wrote for the Cannock Chase newspaper 2009.)

My quickie with Jay Sean

Once upon a time...I worked as a journalist for a British-Asian national newspaper - Eastern Voice. (Click on the image twice to zoom in.)

After taking over the music scene in the U.K and before heading off to America, I interviewed the pop sensation (about 5 times actually, he must of thought "not her again.)

It looks like taking a chance with his music career and quitting med school really paid off. He's evolved into a pop icon whilst breaking stereotypical and musical barriers. Just reflecting on that point, if you don't take the chance, then you will never know what's around the corner...

The Boy With The Topknot

The Boy With The Topknot: A Memoir of Love, Secrets and Lies in Wolverhampton

TORN between two identities, Sathnam Sanghera, a successful London journalist from a Punjabi Sikh family takes a nostalgic yet challenging trip down memory lane, as he uncovers the truth about his family growing up in the 90’s in Wolverhampton.

This is one of my favourite books of all time. Even though it's been out for quite a while, it's still sitting proudly on a Waterstones shelf amongst local talented writers.

The book is written as a family memoir and engages the readers with how his family struggled and overcame taboo issues such as mental illness, illiteracy and domestic violence. Through exploring these personal issues, he has attempted to break these restrictive barriers within the Asian community. I have read this book a few times and each time there are strands of the narrative which can be related to-even if you're not Asian. For any British Asian growing up in Wolves, it allows you to visualise the characters in the book and their local surroundings.

Not forgetting the recurring arranged marriage system, in which Sathnam is sure that many of the readers may be able to relate to. I interviewed Sathnam when the book was first published. He revealed the deeper narrative which unfolds through each chapter.

One of the main strands within the book is the “us” and “them” notion which still exists today. He interweaves his own experiences with the hurdles his family had overcome. The clash of cultures sees Sathnam leave his swanky London flat behind for Wolverhampton, where his inspiration stemmed from for the heart of his story. Chapter by chapter, he reveals his secrets. It turns out that Jagjit Singh Sanghera, his father, is schizophrenic, as is Sathnam's older sister, Puli. The next secret is Sanghera's. "I'm going to type up a letter I've been drafting, in one way or another, for half a lifetime. When I'm done, I'm going to send it to someone in India who, for an almost unethically small fee, will translate it into a language I can speak and understand but cannot read or write ... [then] hand it over to the person I love more than any other and let the contents break her heart." He wants to tell his mother that the arranged marriage she desperately desires for him will never happen, not whilst he is wrapped up in his lies between his two lifestyles. It is a well-rounded story which makes you look at your own family closely whilst capturing the true essence of being a British Asian, growing up in Wolverhampton.

When Gordon Brown met Harvy..he smiled!

Smile Gordon! (omg he actually did)

Back in 2008, equipped with my notebook and pen, I attended the Labour Conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. I was actually star-struck for a moment when he walked into the room! Being the enthusiastic geeky-journalist I was back then ( and still am) I managed to squeeze my way through the crowd to the Prime Minister for a quick snap.

Don't ever say he never smiles!

De-activate Facebook

I did something crazy last night.

I de-activated my Facebook account.

It was something I had wanted to do for quite a while, just to see what life would be like without constantly informing the Facebook world where I was, what I was doing or when something bizarre or random had just happened. I’ll admit it; this became a habit of mine. In just a few minutes, with a few simple clicks I had detached myself. In a bid to tempt it’s users from leaving, before you hit the deactivate button, it shows you a random selection of your friends who will apparently “miss you” if you leave. Ha! Yeah right.

I have never felt so liberated. I’m free!

So...no more constant status updates whilst exploring the lives of others to fill the voids in my day. Now what?

I suppose I better use my time productively now.


Funnily enough, five minutes after I’d escaped from Facebook, I had the urge to update my status about how free I felt from people bragging on Facebook whilst fulfilling their ego.

Hmm... I wonder what everyone’s up to?