Always wanted to write for a magazine... |
Call this my audition piece. I've been a writer for as long as i can remember. I am someone that is not often self motivated, so i have to run with any creative idea that pops into my head and stays there. This blog is hopefully an entertaining one, and a showcase of some sort of talent. The magazine industry is hard to break into, i had to do something to get noticed. Fingers crossed... |
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Sophie Butcher
She’s this months FRONT Alt Girl (issue 161), she’s paying her dues learning the art of tattooing, she’s an all-round angel, and one of the funniest, smartest and most natural Alt Girls ever. What could be better than a word with Sophie Butcher! Now I’m in a strange position at the moment, posting an interview with a lady that FRONT has splashed all over its middle pages like an awesome oil slick. FRONT of course do their own interviews when they feature a new Alt Girl, and far be it for me to step on any toes. But what better time to post yet another interview with this minx of inks. I first got in touch with Sophie after seeing her top notch showing as a DIY Alt girl on the FRONT website (http://www.frontarmy.com/girls/alt-girl-diy-sophie-butcher). Then to my delight, she tells me during the course of our interview that she’s going to actually be in the magazine as the next Alt Girl. Talk about timing! As luck would have it, this interview all kind of fell into place two days after the magazine hit shelves. So now I share it with you lovely people. My interview with Sophie Butcher; a lady that was a pleasure to chat with, very generous, and whose Alt Girl shoot immediately had me wanting more. I think she’ll be a repeat delighter in the magazine for sure, and I can’t speak highly enough of her debut. It may have been fortuitous timing, but I think you’ll agree, it would have been a shame to keep this interview under wraps. The interview was conducted a few weeks ago, so you wouldn’t have seen her in “the Hut” tonight, and she’s probably bought more stuff since Chloe’s birthday (read on, it’ll make sense)…
Q: You’re part of a unique and wonderful club being a FRONT Alt Girl, how does it feel, and where do you hope it takes you?
Sophie: It’s so cool! I’ve wanted to do it for ages and finally knowing that I’m in the mag is just ace! I’d love to be in FRONT again, but it’s just a bit of fun for me, so it’s nice to have had “my turn” so to speak.
Q: What do you think it is to be Alt?
Sophie: Well, what I like about the alt girl feature in particular, is that it’s girls that don’t fit into the typical “glamour model” stereotype and it’s more about personality than just what your body looks like I guess. For me, it is obviously about tattoos, I’m an apprentice tattooist, so seeing tattooed alt girls is the best, but I guess it’s nice that I get to do it even though I don’t fit into the typical size conventions that glamour magazines put across either, because I don’t have massive boobs or a flat stomach ha-ha.
Q: What is your favourite part of FRONT and why?
S: I generally enjoy the pictures of the naked ladies, but the Cuntdown always brings a smile to my face!
Q: Who is your favourite FRONT female, and if you met them what would be on the cards?
S: I love so many FRONT ladies, it’s so difficult to choose! I guess Vikki Blows, Arabella Drummond, El Wood and Lauren Fernandez would have to be my favourites, getting drunk and naked would be the activity of choice. I met Mellisa Clarke and Lauren Fernandez at Sonisphere, Lauren was such a sweetheart, it was lovely to meet her.
Q: How would you sell a FRONT subscription to an Eskimo?
S: Show him the tits?
Q: What have you had your eyes and ears on of late?
S: My friend gave me Alkaline Trio’s new acoustic album, Damnesia, which is pretty cool, but I am addicted to their older albums really, as well as Muse’s early albums. I saw Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with my Dad the other day, that was pretty good, some very good subtle filming touches and awesome actors in it.
Q: Are you a gamer, and if so what are you playing?
S: I’m not really a gamer, I’ve had a yellow Gameboy Colour since I was seven, but I only completed Pokémon Yellow last year… that covers my gaming knowledge.
Q: What have you got in your pockets right now?
S: My car keys and a lipstick.
Q: What’s the last thing you paid money for?
S: My friend, Chloe’s, birthday card and cake!
Q: Have you got a party piece?
S: As crass as it sounds, getting my boobs out I guess…
Q: Shop you can’t stay away from?
S: Apart from the tattoo shop I work in, Daisy and Lola’s, it’s a little retro/vintage shop in Norwich.
Q: Naffest fashion trend out there at the moment?
S: I hate dip-dyed hair. It’s rubbish, what is the point?!
Q: What’s your money on as the next weird celebrity baby name?
S: Something crap, like a disease spelt backwards or something.
Q: How do you stay so fit, have you got a regime?
S: I really don’t, I’ve had… 6 takeaways this week, and hitting Pizza Hut tonight, I just love food.
Q: What are you working on next?
S: I’m just really trying to push myself with tattooing. I’m trying to do new stuff that you don’t see in my area much! There are a lot of old-school artists in Norwich, so I’m trying to do styles which are different to that, and develop my own style really.
Q: You’ve been invited to Vikki Blows house for tea and crumpets (and assorted insanity). How are you getting there? Motorbike, Limo, Helicopter, Sports Car, Skateboard, Moon-walking or piggyback?
S: Do I have to choose one of those options? Piggyback, I guess!
Q: Tell us a joke…
S: What do you call a budgie that has been run over by a lawnmower?
Shredded Tweet!
Q: Finally, could you answer Bernard Pivot’s questionnaire just for shits and giggles?
What is your favourite word?
Inevitable (but Naturwissenschaften, which is the German word for Science, I think, is pretty good).
What is your least favourite word?
Clunge. Ew.
What turns you on (spiritually emotionally or physically)?
I like people who are a bit weird, with random senses of humour.
What turns you off?
I don’t like people who try too hard.
What sound or noise do you love?
The sound of the microwave when it’s done?
What sound or noise do you hate?
Chalk on a chalk board.
What is your favourite curse word?
Cunt.
What professional other than your own would you like to attempt?
I really don’t know, I love my job! Having my own shop? Actually being a model? Not sure I’d like it though.
What profession would you not like to do?
I’d hate to be something really boring like an accountant…
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
“I’m David Tennant, and I’m not wearing any pants.”
I felt so lucky to be able to talk with Sophie, she was a real delight, and did everything she could to make this all happen. She took the questions at face value, was honest, and tried to answer everything asked (even though some of my questions weren’t the best). I have no doubt we’ll be seeing more of this very talented lady very soon. I have nothing but praise for her, and everyone can see that she has a talent for being photographed. But there’s also a passion and dedication for her work and art that is just as plain to see. I wish her all the best in her burgeoning tattooing career, and hope I’ll have the pleasure of a more in-depth interview again sometime.
The imagery used in this piece was all Sophie. She sorted out shooting the pictures, and was kind enough to supply a selection for the article. She’s a gem!
