Mags: Yen (Guest Review)

If Yen had existed while I was at university (in the era BMS – Before MySpace), I might have shared Margaret Tran's enthusiasm: it traverses editorial territory between Nylon, Frankie, Paper and Marie Claire, potentially filling the void Jane left behind (though, not quite). Ms. Tran takes a break from her studies to indulge in the mag's mosh-pit-packed 'Women in Music' issue...

The average female university student looks for moments of clarity and inspiration. She worships quirky fashion, insightful discussion, and indie women in music. She listens to Cat Power religiously and also consumes ear candy by the likes of potty-mouthed Frenchmen The Teenagers and psychedelic folk Sparkadia. So it is fitting that YEN, the uni student’s reference book, should devote an entire issue covering women in music.

I feel it safe to proclaim that I have an official writing crush on Fiona Killackey. Her feature on the ethereal yet erratic Cat Power performs in the same way her subject commands an audience – quiet yet formidable in its intricacies. Writing a fairly personable piece on her encounter with the indie goddess, Killackey balances the rumours with reality, and we find that Chan Marshall is a competitive yet kindred soul whose total belief in the arts’ ability to change the world is as tangible as the words on the page. Marshall totes a cigarette and baggage of love and loss throughout the exclusive interview, further intensifying my feelings about the woman behind one of my favourite songs ever (The Greatest).

Over the following pages, within the issue's ‘Hear Them Roar’ women in music special, Clare Bowditch continues to be visually and aurally stunning, while the likes of Kate Nash, Coco Rosie, the girls from CSS (Cansei De Ser Sexy) and Juno runaway Kimya Dawson (formerly of The Moldy Peaches) offer their thoughts on the unifying power of music and its ability to create change and stir emotions.
The YEN party held in honour of its 33rd issue late last month produced some glamorous results, according to the Sun-Herald’s social pages. In contrast, the magazine’s monthly dose of animal rights editorial and eco credentials continues as we’re given the cold hard visuals and facts on the trade of live animal exports, with particular focus on the 37,000 sheep who died en route to the Middle East in 2006. According to WSPA, Australia is the leading country in this trade, making $830 million in sales and shelling out $1 billion in wages per year – YEN highlights the conditions the animals suffer as they are transported across rough seas before being mishandled and slaughtered, and calls into question the scale of economics versus compassionate practises. Being an omnivore myself, I would at least appreciate it if our animals were being treated better before their imminent deaths. Yet, I can’t help but wonder to what extent should I voice my opinion over Middle Eastern activities, considering my limited understanding of said region?

Further on, the women of Wadeye (Australia’s largest Aboriginal community) are given the spotlight in another social justice feature framed in the context of the Federal Government’s Northern Territory “intervention”. Formed prior to the intervention by a group of women from the community, the Wadeye Palngun Warangat Women’s Association runs various programs to support the underprivileged community (unemployment hovers around 90 per cent; average literacy levels are Grade One), with a particular focus on youth and empowerment through the setting up of businesses, which merge the traditional (maintaining cultural practises and using local ingredients) with the practical. Vanessa Hunter’s photographic essay speaks for itself, as females of the community are photographed in their homes and the Wadeye Women’s Centre. I find myself realising exactly how privileged I am compared to the country’s Indigenous community.
Cancer survivor Marisa Aveling writes an insightful, honest and decidedly non-Woman’s-Day account of her experience with the disease in ‘Rhythm is a Cancer’. The term “social pariah” comes to mind, as the topic of cancer has a tendency to dim a conversation faster than you can say “remission”. Her friend, Luke Ryan, offers the most refreshing response to the news of his diagnosis: “Bring the noise! It’s a tumour!” He goes on to tell Aveling that his Raw Comedy stand-up experience (tumour humour!) taught him to “run on the principle that if I’m fine laughing about it, by definition you have to be. It’s our power, you know, we can use it for good and evil.” It’s so easy to forget that cancer sufferers are still normal people, despite the anvil life’s thrown at them.

Animals and veganism are given a second airing via a “How To” guide (‘Why everyone’s going animal-free’), while I become nostalgic about Neil from childhood show Art Attack as YEN uncovers art galleries and artists around the world over six inspiring pages. Also adding to their signature brand of female affirmation, YEN gives me what is officially my favourite visual this month, as readers are put through “Spirituality Bootcamp” – it’s not everyday you see Buddhist monks having a rippin’ good time on a rollercoaster.
Fashion covers modern day romance by combining dreamy unicorn-esque garden photography with 1960s pink mesh and pastels, while underwear becomes outerwear with pearl earrings in a Little House on the Prairie-inspired shoot. Androgynous fashion puts another spin on the old black and white formula via “Oh Annie!”, as sex and fashion clash with hip-hop inspired apparel. The Sharon Stone-era of Bad Girls completes the month’s fashion offering with plaid, denim and cowboy boots featured on the ‘West End Girls’ high-street page.
While I am not the person most likely to self-induce preening habits, YEN’s beauty pages are often my favourite from each issue – the art direction and illustrations take a familiar creative direction from Nylon, but with just the right amount of clash. This month creative types are given the cosmetic once-over (match your creative persuasion to your makeup), French illustrator Fafi gets more press, and makeup bags, chocolate scented product, Talitha Getty and skincare to get you glowing get the ‘Beauty Call’ treatment.
The strength of YEN is in its social and political features, but Nicholas Milligan’s “Film Snobs 101” article proves an enlightening read (consider it cinematic education) – in actual fact, it was French actress Jean Seburg’s face that drew me (normally I skip the music and social sections altogether).

There is probably a good reason why YEN is a bimonthly – the sheer impact of its mix of politics and activism is enough to last me til spring, by which time Sex and The City fever will have well and truly run its course.

Overall excitement factor: 7/8
Feel-good factor: 5
Eye-candy rating: 4

The Stats
Issue: No. 33 (July/August 2008)
Book size: 128 pages
Inside front cover: Diesel Fuel fragrance
Back cover: Volvo C30 T5 R-Design
FOB ads: Diesel fragrance, Wish clothing, Levis,
Editor: Kristy Bradley
Publisher: Paper Tiger Media Group
Website: www.yenmag.net

Yours truly,
Girl With a Satchel