Scots Whay Hae!

For our first video podcast (or vodcast, as no one is calling it) in some time, SWH! made a welcome trip Doon the Watter to Dunoon Burgh Hall to talk to previous podcast guest Kirsty Law about 'Exposure' - an exhibition which is a result of a collaboration between Gilles Perring and Andy Metcalf. Focusing on the two artists' relationship with the Isle of Jura, 'Exposure' is a multi-media production it features music, painting, poetry, photography, sound sculpture, installation, and film. Produced by Kirsty's multi-disciplinary production company and artist support service, Helm Arts, it's a thought-provoking and emotionally exciting exhibition which stimulates the senses as you lose yourself in Perring and Metcalf's Jura. Ali talks to Kirsty about how the project began, the differing, almost opposing, perspectives on the subject, each aspect of the final show, the plans for taking 'Exposure' around the country, her own role in proceedings, and a whole lot more. As the arts begin to open up again it's a fasc

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to musician Roberto Cassani about his sensational album 'Ansema We Stand', his incredible life in music, and how he came to settle in rural Perthshire. The two also discuss how the young Roberto discovered the double bass was 'his instrument', how he became the darling of Italy's musical royalty, the importance of his Lombardy childhood to this album, the importance of travel, writing and recording the album against the constraints of COVID, his love of Scottish music and musicians, and and a whole lot more. 'Ansema We Stand' is undoubtedly one of the best records of 2021 and it was fascinating to hear Roberto's journey to making it, and the stories behind it.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali talks to Guy Peploe, director at The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh, about their forthcoming exhibition 'Joan Eardley | Centenary'. Since her untimely death in 1963 Joan Eardley has gone on to become one of Scotland's artistic national treasure's and Guy talks about her life and work, as well as her special relationship with The Scottish Gallery. The two also discuss Eardley's iconic 'Glasgow' paintings and the stories behind them, her 'Catterline' work which explores the wild coastal landscapes of North East Scotland, and so much more. It's a fascinating insight into an artist who helped define how we have come to think of 20th century Scotland and beyond.

For what we now realise is the 200th SWH! Podcast, Ali spoke to musician, filmmaker, photographer, and broadcaster Adam Stafford about his forthcoming album 'Trophic Asynchrony', the current single 'Threnody for February Swallows', and the themes and inspirations behind both. The two also discuss the importance of film and photography in the project, his previous album 'Diamonds Of A Horse Famine' and returning to Adam's musical past, making music - and adapting - during COVID, the dangers of not learning lessons from history, and so much more. Adam has long been one of our favourite musicians and it is apt that he guests on this landmark pod. 201 is coming soon...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to rapper, poet, and songwriter Conscious Route. The two talk about his life in music, and the music of his life, including his recent collaboration with producer Tzusan on 'Father & Son'. They also discuss the differences between being part of a band and going solo, the hip-hop and dance scene in Scotland, constantly learning and changing through music, and a whole lot more. There are some sound issues on this one, but we hope they won't affect your enjoyment of what we think is a fascinating conversation.

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to Carla J. Easton about 'Since Yesterday: Unsung Pioneers of Scottish Pop', the feature-length documentary which she is working on and which you can support by going to the Kickstarter page - www.kickstarter.com/projects/sinceyesterday/since-yesterday-music-documentary  The two talk about the inspiration behind the film, the bands featured, the importance of alternative histories, the surprising practicalities of making movies, the uplifting wave of support for 'Since Yesterday', and a whole lot more. It's a conversation which will hopefully encourage you to explore further and convince you to take part in what promises to be a defining documentary about Scottish pop.

The latest SWH! podcast is about all things Rymour Books as Ali talks to founder Ian Spring, and two of their authors Kirsti Wishart and, previous podcast guest, Graham Lironi. Rymour are a new(ish) small independent publisher and Ian tells us all about how it came to be, the ideas being Rymour, and their publications to date. Kirsti and Graham then give us the story from a writer's point of view, talking about their new books, 'The Knitting Station' and 'Fake Flowers' respectively, as does Ian who as well being a publisher is also a writer, with his collection of short stories 'The Stone Mirror' out now. It's an inspirational story which proves that despite all obstacles new publishers are emerging.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Alan Gillespie whose novel debut 'The Mash House' is out now, published with Unbound. The two talk about Alan's life as a writer from the early days through to the writing and publication of 'The Mash House', his inspirations and influences, the interaction between people and place in the novel, working with Unbound, what he's planning next, and a lot more. It's an honest and insightful conversation which will be of interest to readers and writers alike.

The latest SWH! podcast is an interview with director & theatre-maker Beth Morton and playwright Morna Young who tell us all about Braw Tales - five short animated stories by some of Scotland’s most exciting writers and animators, presented by An Tobar & Mull Theatre. They talk about the process of collaborating with animators, musicians, performers, and the move to theatre online. Morna's 'Stella' is the first of the Braw Tales, which will be available from 1pm on Monday 10th May, and she takes us through her experience of this new way of working, while Beth talks about all the other productions and her role in the project as a whole. All of this and a whole lot more!

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to singer/songwriter, composer, and arranger Debra Salem about 'In A Sma Room', the musical project inspired by the life and poetry of William Soutar. The two talk about what drew Debra to Soutar's work, how the project began, its theatrical roots, the involvement of writer Ajay Close, the incredible musicians Debra brought on board, adapting poetry to music, and a lot more. They also discuss Soutar's part in, and influence on, the Scottish literary renaissance of the early 20th century, and why he isn't better known. It's an entertaining and enlightening conversation which is a must for all music and poetry lovers.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Linda Cracknell about her latest novel, 'The Other Side of Stone' (or is it a novella, or a short story collection?). As well as the format, the two discuss the importance of place in Linda's work, her fascination with derelict buildings, how and why she picked these stories to tell, the unusual starting point for 'The Other Side of Stone', the physical aspect to her writing, and a whole lot more. It's a fascinating insight into the life and work of a writer who avoids easy categorisation, and who is all the better for it.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with poet, spoken word artist, and scriptwriter Cat Hepburn to talk about her latest published collection 'Dating & Other Hobbies'. Cat is someone we've wanted on the podcast for a while, and it's fascinating to hear about the new poetry, her first published short stories, the way she approaches different forms of writing, using the personal to examine more universal themes, how things have changed since her previous publication '#GIRLHOOD', and so much more.

For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke to rapper. poet, songwriter, and producer, Dave Hook (better known to many as Solareye). The two discuss the history of Stanley Odd and the band's new album 'STAY ODD: The Magic of Everyday Things', why they decided to publish a book of lyrics to go with it, some of the individual tracks and themes, the collaborative, supportive, and enduring nature of the Scottish Hip Hop community, and a whole lot more.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Aidan Martin about 'Euphoric Recall', a memoir which deals with his recovery from extreme trauma and addiction. The two discuss why he wrote the book - and why he chose memoir over fiction, how it felt to return to these traumatic events, how writing helped his recovery, the inspiration for the book's structure, the reaction from friends and family, his involvement with recovery support, the kindness of strangers, his love for his home town of Ladywell, and so much more.

For the latest podcast Ali spoke folksinger Iona Fyfe about her exceptional musical career, as well as her work in support of Scots language. They talk about her unconventional time at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the inspirational lecturers she encountered, her deep roots in traditional music, the recent changes she has seen in Folk, as well as her work with 'Oor Vyce - the campaign for the legal recognition of the Scots language', translating songs into Scots, the importance of representation, and a whole lot more. It's an insightful conversation with someone who is at the heart of many of the current cultural discussions and debates.

For the latest SWH! podcast we welcome back writer John D. Burns to talk about his latest book, 'Wild Winter - In Search of Nature in Scotland's Mountain Landscape'. Originally proposed as an account of Winter in the wilds of Scotland, the arrival of the COVID 19 pandemic threw those plans into disarray and the result is a very different book to the one John intended, but it's one which captures the relationship between man and the natural world in a manner which is entirely relatable, and in many ways comforting.

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to Martin Metcalfe who has been in a variety of bands over the years, but who is best known to many as the frontman of Goodbye Mr Mackenzie - one of Scotland's finest bands. Martin talks about the early days of the band, the music scene in Edinburgh in the '80s, the bands who influenced them and those they admired, their reformation and sell-out tour of 2019, the new live album, the forthcoming DVD documentary about the band, and a whole lot more. It's a fascinating chat with one of Scottish music's most intriguing characters.

For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke to Dr Craig Lamont about his fascinating  book The Cultural Memory of Georgian Glasgow which gives new insight into Scotland's largest city during what was known as the long 18th century, merging historical, literary, and memory studies. The two discuss the Scottish Enlightenment, the emerging print culture, the transatlantic slave trade, and how the philosophy, science, art, and religion, all helped to shape the city as it moved into its better know Industrial period. https://www.scotswhayhae.com/post/georgian-on-my-mind-the-swh-podcast-talks-to-craig-lamont

For the latest of our Glasgow Film Festival Podcasts Ali spoke to Australian filmmaker Heather Croall about her documentary 'Yer Old Faither' which, as the title suggests, is about her Glaswegian born Dad who took the family to settle in the infamous industrial city of Whyalla, Australia. It's a deeply personal film which will be nevertheless be relatable to all, and which uses home movies, family pictures, animation, and Heather's own footage, to tell a tale about one man's apparently ordinary life yet one which touched the lives of a whole community in extraordinary ways. It's a fascinating conversation about a fantastic film, one which we hope will persuade you to see the film for yourself.

For the latest in out series of Glasgow Film Festival podcasts Ali spoke to director, producer, and cinematographer Alastair Cole to talk about his film 'Iorram (Boat Song)', which is the first cinema documentary entirely in Scots Gaelic. Alastair talks about the unusual structure of the film, the vital importance of audio archive, the different types of cinematography used, the problems with filming at sea, connecting stories across time, and so much more.