Scots Whay Hae!

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.