Well that is the over-riding theme to Abigail Tarttelin’s second novel Golden Boy. In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice the great bard wrote ‘The truth will out’ and that is exactly what Max Walker’s family have spent the past 16 years trying to prevent. Max was born intersex. Even now, not a lot is known about how this happens but the effect that it can have on the individual – let alone their families – can be devastating. The Walkers have managed to keep Max’s intersexuality clandestine, only close family and friends are aware of his “condition.” However, when someone close to Max takes advantage of him the protective walls that have been put up around Max come tumbling down with distressing results.

It has to be said that it is so very rare to find a book that will simultaneously break my heart, have me clutching my chest in panic and have me aching so palpably for the characters; when I find a novel that can do that I know that I have found something special. Golden Boy is a fantastic insight into a world that we may have little or no knowledge of – in this case hermaphroditism – and combines it so seamlessly with worlds we have been a part of such as the intricacies of family life, being a parent and being a teenager. Tarttelin’s seemingly effortless switch between different character voices is truly remarkable that one can only sit in awe of this promising young talent.

Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin is released 9^th May 2013.

Get listening (and keep your eyes peeled for the cheeky free downloads – you’re welcome).

1) The Sunset Strip Club – Einstein’s Theory

Anything that can incorporate happy guitar sounds and science is a winner by us. The Sunet Strip Club will be appearing at Brighton’s Great Escape festival on May 17^th. Get down there and show some love.

2) Cut Ribbons – Luna

Can’t tell you why we like this song, we just do. Check out more music from Cut Ribbons at www.CUTRIBBONS.co.uk.

3) Darwin Deez – You Can’t Be My Girl

There is something oddly likeable about Darwin Deez. As of yet we can’t decide if we like him because he reminds us of Napoleon Dynamite or if we like his music independent of that fact. Either way this is a really quirky video which means obviously you should give it a listen.

4) She & Him – I Could’ve Been Your Girl

Oh how we love Zooey Deschanel, let us count the ways. Oh how we love M. Ward, let us count the ways. Oh how we love She & Him….ok you get the picture. We here at DS are very, very excited for the new She & Him album Volume 3 which is due for release May 13^th.

5) The Summer Set – Boomerang

This is a bit of a random song to throw in the mix we think but heck the video is awesome so give it a watch.

6) Robert Vincent – The Passage

And if you thought the last song felt a bit weird on the playlist then check out The Passage by Robert Vincent. It’s a little bit country, a little bit folksy but also very fun and catchy. For more updates on Robert Vincent then go to his website http://robertvincent.com.

7) Bat For Lashes – Lilies

If you are not onto the amazing sounds that come from Bat For Lashes yet then you are missing out. Watch the video below and prepare to fall in love.

8) Nynke – Duns Fan De Siedden

Ok I know I am probably expecting a lot from you here, gentle music fan but give this song a listen. How much of this great world’s music are we denying ourselves just because it isn’t in our native language. Surely the point of music is that the emotion transcends language. Sounds a bit hippy dippy that, ah well, just give it a listen.

9) Findlay – Off & On (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Ok this is free, download it, listen to it over and over, tell all your friends to download it and then tell them to listen to it over and over – because it is good.

10) Born Ruffians – Needle

Summer comes early with this glorious track. LOVE IT!

11) Scarlett Fever – Where’s the Fun?

Have you ever asked yourself this question? Scarlett Fever has, check out the video and see if she found it.

12) Jay Leighton – Wish I Was Springsteen

Ok, we have never wanted to be Springsteen per se but we get the sentiment. We did wish we had written Born to Run because heck, that is an awesome song. Wish I Was Springsteen is a feel good, radio friendly track. Go on, give it a listen. You know you want to.

13) LAC – Borstal Boy (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Another free download (aren’t we nice), this song is a happy indie track, a track that deserves a place on your mp3 player.

14) Guards – Ready to Go

This is what we love; a happy song with a warm sense of nostalgia. Listen and love.

15) The Strypes – Blue Collar Jane

Ok, don’t let the overly-styled-to-look-like-serious-musicians-of-present-who-are styled-to-look-like-musicians-of-the-past put you off this band before you give them a listen. Blue Collared Jane is quite a good indie pop track.

16) Ian McCulloch – Bring on the Horses (Orchestral Rework)

Such a sumptuous interpretation of the Echo and the Bunnymen’s Bring on the Horses. Soft, gorgeous and emotive. Stunning - no other word is appropriate.

Often times one is grateful to be blessed with just one gift; maybe the gift of the gab or a special talent for acting, or even hunting out a great bargain. It is usually us uni-gifted people that tend to stare down our noses with jealous disdain at the bold and beautiful who can turn their talents to different mediums. One such multitalented lucky duck is none other than Dawn O’Porter.

For many a year have we admired her work as a TV presenter, bum wipe activist (seriously mine has never felt fresher….that was a bit of an overshare), documentary investigative journalist and probably most importantly she has shared her passion for one of the greatest movies ever made - Dirty Dancing. Oh yes, we here at Different Scene have many a reason to love Dawn O’Porter.

And now we have one more.

O’Porter has turned her hand to fiction. Her debut novel Paper Aeroplanes is due for release next week and showcases an extremely strong gift and flair for telling a story.

Set in Guernsey in the mid-90s, O’Porter paints a picture of a simpler time to grow up, not plagued by the incessant bitchery currently found through social media sites and texting whilst reminding us how difficult it was to be young. The story centres on the burgeoning friendship of Renee and Flo whose shared experience of loss, loneliness and embarrassing everyday situations develops the bond and the pace of the story. Without revealing too much this novel helps to remind us the value of friendship and to treasure those around us.

This is a book that everyone should read for all the reasons given already and also because for want of better way to put it – Dawn O’Porter can write. She has proven once again that she isn’t a one trick pony and whilst we should want to throw rocks at her for her excellence and mad skills, we won’t because she is Dawn O’Porter and we love her.

So, do yourself a massive favour, pre-order it, book in a couple of alone hours and lose yourself to a sense of nostalgia in this beautifully told story. You will be awfully glad that you have bought it.

Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O’Porter is due for release 2^nd May 2013.

Bernie

Director: Richard Linklater

Starring: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey

Release Date: 26^th April

This crime comedy drama comes to you from the makers of School of Rock and follows the journey of nice guy Bernie Teide (Black) who befriends and escorts elderly widow Marjorie Nugent (MacLaine) around town. However, the relationship soon turns sour and soon nice guy Bernie Teide is seen as sinister rather than squeaky clean.

Another week and with it comes another delightful array of new music for you to get your ears around. Get involved people!

Beach House – Wishes

This dreamy track is brought to you by the delightful folk at Bella Union, who in DS’s humble opinion only work with the crème de la crème of modern talent. The repetitive key accompaniment is hair-raisingly sumptuous and the mellow vocals only add to the magic. Check out the video below.

Enjoy that? Then how about another song from another Bella Union artist?

The Belle Game – Wait Up For You

Ok this song comes with a bit of a risky shout. The guitar accompaniment sounds very much as if it has been inspired by early Kings of Leon. The intensely evocative musicianship is just as intoxicating as a KOL track and if the vocals were not attached to the track one would be forgiven for confusing the track as one of their own. However the added vocals of Andrea Lo leave you in no doubt that The Belle Game are a band to keep an eye on.

In The Valley Below – Hymnal EP

The Hymnal EP from In The Valley Below compromises of three soothing, rich songs which consist of gorgeous lyrics, delectable harmonies and sit up and take notice music. Definitely one to check out.

Bleached – Next Stop

This is just exciting, the vocals and the intensity take you right back to when female fronted punk was good. Get involved!

Jaws – Friend Like You

This is quite a sweet ode to friendship which could easily fit on the soundtrack to an 80’s Brat Pack John Hughes movie. This is four and a half minutes of your life that you won’t regret losing. Listen, listen now!

K – Too Young To Die

It is the gravelly vocals that make this song a worthwhile listen, a good rock voice. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

Now we here at Different Scene know that you know what movie that quote was from however, if for some strange reason you don’t here are some clues. Nuns, music and Whoopi. Still not got it. Ok then, we concede; the line was taken from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.

For all those who love the Sister Act movies or for those of you who just want a great night out listening to some great music and just plain having a lot of fun then why not get your backsides down to the Liverpool Empire this Thursday, 11^th April to see the Liverpool and Manchester Show Choir performing songs from Sister Act? You will be awfully glad you got yourself a ticket which cost the meagre prices of £18.50 - £26.

The show will feature songs that were made famous in the movies and stage shows as well as a few surprises. This musical spectacular is only on for one night only so make sure that you do not miss out!

Come along, sing along, get dressed up and have fun in the greatest story ever told.

This is a fun, catchy pop ditty from a quirky vocalist; definitely one for your playlist. The song is taken from Shannon Hope’s self-titled EP which is available now for download.

Iggy Azalea – Work

Work is a fresh and memorable track that you will be singing along with in no time. The song is currently available on iTunes.

The Hush Now – Arkansas

Check out this wonderfully warm track by The Hush Now. Takes you back to a time when indie music was accessible and good.

Tom Odell – Hold Me

This is a great piano track from Tom Odell. Hold Me  was released 31^st March and his debut solo album is due for release April 15^th. Make sure you check Odell out on his upcoming tour. Tickets are available via www.gigsandtours.com.

11^th October – Guildhall, Southampton

12^th October – University Great Hall, Cardiff

13^th October – Corn Exchange, Cambridge

15^th October – o2 Academy, Leeds

16^th October – o2 Academy, Glasgow

17^th October – Picture House, Edinburgh

19^th October – Academy, Manchester

20^th October – o2 Academy, Newcastle

22^nd October – o2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

24^th October – UEA, Norwich

26^th October – Institute, Birmingham

27^th October – Rock City, Nottingham

29^th October – o2 Academy, Bristol

30^th October – o2 Academy, Sheffield

31^st October – o2 Academy, Liverpool

Tribes – How The Other Half Live

The new single from Tribes – How The Other Half Live is a seriously cool track that almost modernises old school rock and gives it a new face for a contemporary age. It can also be declared by this DS music writer that Tribes are one of the most underrated bands that are around today. The latest single was released March 24^th and comes from their new album Wish To Scream due to be released May 21^st.

You can catch the band on tour this month and throughout May.

6^th April – The Plug, Sheffield

7^th April – Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh

8^th April – Northumbria University, Newcastle

10^th April – Waterfront, Norwich

11^th April – o2 Academy, Oxford

12^th April – Great Hall 2, Cardiff

4^th May – Live at Leeds, Leeds

21^st May – Oran Mor, Glasgow

22^nd May – Academy 3, Manchester

23^rd May – Institute Library, Birmingham

28^th May – Thekla, Bristol

29^th May – The Roundhouse, London

The Good Natured – Lovers

The happy-go-lucky sounding pop track Lovers sounds like it should belong firmly in the 80s with its almost synth sound but good golly it is good pop. Try not bopping around the room to this one. Go on, we dare you!

Catch the band when they tour this month.

2^nd April – Academy, Bristol (with Imagine Dragons)

4^th April – Academy 2, Liverpool (with Imagine Dragons)

6^th April – The Garage, Glasgow (with Imagine Dragons)

8^th April – Club Academy, Manchester (with Imagine Dragons)

9^th April – HMV Institute, Birmingham (with Imagine Dragons)

10^th April – Moles, Bath

11^th April – HMV Forum, London (with Imagine Dragons)

13^th April – Rock City, Nottingham

14^th April – The Horn, St Albans

15^th April – Kasbah, Coventry

18^th April – Boileroom, Guildford

27^th April – Are you Listening? Festival, Reading

28^th April – Secret Garden Party Festival

John Sandler – Take My Time

This is a very sweet track that has come from New York’s John Sandler. At its basic it is a pop love song. Take it at face value and it is a good track however strip it back and look at the sentiment behind the song and it is more than your everyday pop ditty. Sandler has pop potential.

Although this is quite shocking, the answer was according to Max, from a gay man who is just starting to live his life so not quite clued up about the community. It seems that the fear of becoming old and subsequently unattractive is a common fear shared among gay men.

This might be the case of most gays who have been through bullying while growing up – and then come to realise that they are also bullied within the gay communities where they should find acceptance.

It is not unheard of, when talking to other gay men, to notice the frustration that most of us feel when seeing that six packed friend who posts a photo next to a car getting thirty four “likes” whilst that more intellectual guy - who went through a brainstorm trying to find the philosophical meaning of life gets two “likes” from his brother and aunt.

On GrindR, most people will dismiss that intelligent gay guy who opens up trying to be genuinely friendly. They will then send messages to the six pack guy who can hardly go beyond the “Wot u in2 m8?” On Twitter we have many members of the so called “#Naked Sunday” (the name says it all!) and those users (in my experience, mostly gay males) will post pictures of their naked torsos, while posting photos like David Beckham posing for that Giorgio Armani advert. Chances are the users’ who rant about issues that matter will mostly – go unnoticed.

That same frustrated gay man may then get even more irate when they see that same six packed boy getting even more likes for that shirtless “I just woke up” picture. People will still give that six pack boy more attention, even though he probably thinks that the Cold War was named that way because it snows in Russia, and the smarter gay holds a certificate from Cambridge. By this point, the smarter gay decides to make the not so smart decision that his reason for breathing is to become a six packed boy.

As stated in the original article, obviously this is a generalisation and not every muscular guy is dumb. There are exceptions to everything, but focusing on the exception is not the best way to form an opinion.

There are only 24 hours in the day, it is virtually impossible for someone to exercise their body to the current desired level in society (that of a GoGo dancer or a weightlifter, not simply athletic) and their brain in the same proportion – it's a simple matter of logic.

As Max so wittingly put it: “Who has never heard the saying: It doesn't matter how many books of Franz Kafka you have read, you will always lose your boyfriend to someone who is constantly admiring his own body at the gym mirror”

And here we get to his conclusion – just like Ugly Betty, the more intelligent gay guy feels that he is being pushed into a position he did not really want to be in. They get carried away by the current trend of giving shallow values worth, and make their success, happiness and potential dependent on that body/visual change. Just like Betty who was a successful professional whilst ugly, but only got her dream man and got her “happy ever after” once she accepted the standards of beauty in society and forcefully changed to become “pretty”.

So here is where DS asks the reader: How does this trend affect YOU? What stories have you got to tell? How do you deal with all this pressure were you go through diets, exercises and training and will still get ditched by the next guy with a couple more “packs”?

I am of similar opinion to the original writer of the article: “You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.” but I would also add “One sees clearly one with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye”. Two quotes from My Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

So if you feel the need to seek admiration through exposure then go ahead! But remember that nothing comes without a price – and there is nothing worse than being with someone who looks nice with their mouth shut (Arnold Schwarzenegger, I hear you say?).

Attracting Flies – AlunaGeorge

The latest track from AlunaGeorge is taken from their debut album Body Music which is due for release July 1st. Attracting Flies is set to was released 10^th March and below you can hear the song remixed. Get on it!

Gold – Hervé (feat. Maria Minerva)

The Art Of Disappearing, the new album by Hervé is released this week and features this belter of a track. Maria Minerva’s featured vocals are sumptuous and dreamy and the song overall is a mellow treat for the ears.

Matmos – Amplifier

Matmos is taken from Amplifiers new album Echo Street which is out today. The band are offering the track as a free download on the link below.

The band are also touring. Check them out on the following dates.

16th March - 53 Degrees, Preston
17th March - The Fleece, Bristol
18th March - The Duchess, York
19th March - King Tut's, Glasgow
20th March - Rock City, Nottingham
21st March - The Garage, London

Fantasy (Kele  from Bloc Party Remix) - Ms MR

Check out this awesome remix of Ms Mr’s new single Fantasy. The song has been remixed by Kele Okereke of Bloc Party fame. This is the third release from Ms MR and is a delightfully quirky track. Get involved.

Lovers and Liars – What Now

Lovers and Liars, the new track from What Now has been taken from their new album Move Like A Sinner which is due for release this week. The song is gorgeously slow and melodic. Check it out below. The band are currently touring. Make sure you get down to one of their gigs.

11^th March – The Water Rats, London

14^th March – The Horn, St Albans

18^th March – Boileroom, Guildford

14^th April – Academy 2, Oxford (with Fearless Vampire Killers)

Metaphors – San Cisco

If the desire for summer to come quicker had a sound then I think that San Cisco have managed to hit the nail on the head with their album track Metaphors. The song has been taken from their self-titled debut album which will be released this summer. The bands new single Wild Things is released today.

Here We Go Again – Christopher Owens

Former Girls member Christopher Owens releases his second single Here We Go Again today. The song is upbeat, uplifting and chock full of hooks. Give it a listen and let us know what you think.

Don’t forget that Christopher Owen’s debut album Lysandre is available now. Go out and buy it, go on, you know you want to.

Miracle – Hurts

Miracle - the new single from Hurts – is an epic display of musicianship. It has been taken from their new album Exile which is released today. If the rest of the album sounds as amazing as Miracle then our ears are in for a treat. Check it out.

No Diggity – Chet Faker

This cover version of No Diggity is quite frankly amazeballs. Check it out.