The Braw and The Brave

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions

Episode 214 is in conversation with award-winning composer Gareth Williams. From growing up in Armagh to studying in Belfast, before moving to Glasgow to continue his education in music composition, Gareth’s love of storytelling has seen him create a hugely impressive and extensive body of work to date. With ten operas under his belt, he has collaborated on a number of projects that endeavour to challenge the medium of opera, breathing life into untapped stories, introducing new audiences to the genre. As Composer in Residence at Scottish Opera from 2011 to 2014, alongside creating a series of operas, Gareth also established Breath Cycle at the respiratory ward of Gartnavel Royal Hospital, working with patients with Cystic Fibrosis. Breath Cycle was nominated for a Royal Philharmonic Award in 2015 and the project now supports those dealing with Long Covid.

With a self-confessed obsession with ‘writing wee tunes and telling wee stories’, during the pandemic, Gareth was inspired to compose a stunning album entitled Songs From The Last Page, which both showcases Scottish literature and explores the relationship between text and song. Released in August 2023, he has subsequently toured a number of venues across Scotland bringing the stories and songs to both music and book lovers alike.

Documenting his fascinating musical journey to date from playing in piano bars to writing an opera staged in a lighthouse, for Gareth Williams it’s always about the people, the places and the stories.

Links

Linktree

https://linktr.ee/gareth_composer

Website

https://www.garethwilliamsmusic.com/

Breath Cycle II- the Composer’s Songbook

https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/breath-cycle/the-covid-composers-songbook/

Rocking Horse Winner soundtrack

https://tapestryopera.bandcamp.com/album/rocking-horse-winner

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

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The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions

Episode 213 is in conversation with just some of the masterminds and talent behind Across The Universe, a production celebrating The Beatles’ “studio years” of 1966-1970. Musicians Davie Calder, Graeme Quinn and Paul Devlin join the BrawBrave Clan to document the origins and journey thus far of this epic project, as they endeavour with real precision, to bring to life these recordings that were never intended to be played in front of a live audience. ‘No wigs, no costumes’, Across The Universe will pay homage to the groundbreaking music of the Fab Four in a debut one-night only sell-out gig in Glasgow’s St Luke’s this November. With unwavering commitment to authenticity and accuracy, Across the Universe is a truly unique passion project brought to life by world class musicians.

Website

https://www.acrosstheuniverse6670.com/

Across The Universe on Instagram

https://instagram.com/acrosstheuniverse6670?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Across The Universe on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/AcrossTheUniverse6670

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave

Follow The Braw and The Brave

https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

https://twitter.com/BrawBrave

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions

Episode 212 is in conversation with actor Hannah Donaldson. First finding her tribe at youth theatre and in am dram, Hannah then studied at Glasgow’s RSAMD (now RCS) going on to carve out a stellar career in both stage and screen. From National Theatre of Scotland to Dundee Rep, STV’s Rebus to more recently playing Lara Bartlett in BBC’s Granite Harbour, her incredible talent and unwavering work ethic has seen her take on a variety of roles across theatre, tv, radio and beyond.

Co-writing and producing the hugely popular ‘Blanto’ with partner Ryan Fletcher, bringing a professional pantomime to Ryan’s hometown of Blantyre every year, Hannah embraces the juggle of freelance life and with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit, welcomes new ventures and the challenges that a life in the arts presents. From becoming a mum to doing the ‘lift shift’ in between acting jobs, Hannah opens up about the realities of building a career and a life and her fascinating journey in pursuing her passions to date.

Blanto Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Blantyrepanto

Blanto tickets

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/panto?fbclid=PAAaZym9INU7VF_Tsgf7DgMb6aoOHAC_VmERNuPk09qjRYdLsOI8meYoWBfV4_aem_AVd7V545d5rULfkQEtQxfBK8ZNgT3DFd6IaH6gC-__eB9wlEBjMjtmcAhrH9FilUU1I

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave

Follow The Braw and The Brave

https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

https://twitter.com/BrawBrave

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions

N.B. This episode references coercive control. Please see helpful links below.

Episode 211 is in conversation with Bgirl, choreographer and educator Emma Ready. With a hugely successful breaking career spanning over 25 years, she has travelled the globe dancing, as well as becoming a well respected and sought after teacher. In more recent years her creativity has been focused on making a new piece exploring the issue of coercive control which she plans to take on tour. Emma’s passion for dance and sharing her knowledge and experience with others has seen her ‘quietly causing riots’ as she continues to be inspired to challenge herself and explore her beloved art form.

Emma’s website

https://www.emmaready.one

Emma’s essay ‘How do you make a solo’

https://www.hiphopdancealmanac.com/ink-cypher-how-do-you-make-a-solo

Emma’s Instagram

https://instagram.com/emmaready?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Helpful links

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/coercive-control/

https://refuge.org.uk/i-need-help-now/coercive-control/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave

Follow The Braw and The Brave

https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

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https://twitter.com/BrawBrave

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions.

N.B. This episode references sexual abuse. See the helpful links below.

Episode 210 is in conversation with ocean advocate and athlete Laura McGuire. With over a decade of training and experience working all over the globe, Laura is scuba diving and free-diving instructor, as well as a expedition leader, breath work facilitator, yoga teacher and mermaid (yip, you read that right). From New Zealand to Timor-Leste, Egypt to Scotland, her connection with the world’s oceans and her passion for marine conservation, combined with a drive to challenge herself physically, Laura has built the most incredible life and career where she thrives on educating others and sharing her expertises. Establishing Mara Adventures in 2023, Laura curates and facilitates expeditions brimming with opportunities for participants to connect with the ocean and go on a explorative and spiritual journey.

A life lived to the fullest, Laura is a strong adventure seeking go-getter who embraces opportunities to share her love of the ocean whilst finding new ways of challenging herself.

Laura’s website

https://www.mara-adventures.com/

Laura’s Instagram

https://instagram.com/mara_ocean_adventures?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Helpful links

https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/help-helpline/

https://www.womensaid.org.uk

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave

Follow The Braw and The Brave

https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

https://twitter.com/BrawBrave

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions.

Episode 209 is in conversation with singer-songwriter Emma Dunlop. With natural talent and a real passion for music, Emma was playing guitar and writing songs from a young age, which led to her supporting Midge Ure and Richie Havens on tour in her late teens. Taking an impromptu ten year break from music, in 2020 during the global pandemic, she recorded her debut album Eleven Eleven at home on her phone! A featured artist on BBC Radio Scotland’s Upload and supporting Horse McDonald on tour in 2023, Emma reignited her creativity and has been reunited with her love of performing live and sharing her music with the world.

An honest account of her journey thus far and a behind the scenes look at what it takes to pursue a passion for making music.

Emma’s Instagram

https://instagram.com/emmadunlopmusic?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Emma on Spotify

https://tr.ee/PnWAHGH2op

Eleven Eleven on iTunes

https://tr.ee/rMpgg-JHfM

Emma on Bandcamp

https://emmadunlop.bandcamp.com/music

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave

Follow The Braw and The Brave

https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

https://twitter.com/BrawBrave

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions.

N.B. This episodes contains some strong language and references mental health issues. See helpful links below.

(This was a live event and so the sound quality isn’t quite the usual standard.)

In June 2023 I I had the absolute privilege and pleasure of hosting a Q&A with the two masterminds of magic, Ryan K Davidson and Colin Cloud in front of a live audience at 18 Candleriggs in Merchant City Glasgow, following their preview show Wonder in Progress to talk about their inspirations, career highlights to date and the creativity and imagination behind producing heir unforgettable shows!

Discovering magic at the age of 18 from a former con-artist he met on holiday, magician Ryan K Davidson has gone on to painstakingly craft a number of spectacular productions which incorporate all aspects of performance art to create a unique experience. From a year-long sell-out residency at The Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow to his outstanding theatre productions, Ryan continues to astound audiences with his creativity and mind blowing sorcery.

Ryan’s website

https://ryankdavidson.com/

Coined ‘The Real Life Sherlock Holmes’, from the Edinburgh Fringe to his current residency in The Mirage Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Colin Cloud has written and performed his incredible shows wowing audiences around the world for over 20 years. Appearing on both Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent, as well as at The Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium, his shows are a truly mesmerising, immersive experience.

Catch Colin at the Edinburgh Fringe!

https://www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/events/event/colin-cloud-after-dark

Mental Health support

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotland

https://breathingspace.scot

https://www.samh.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions.

N.B. This episodes contains some strong language and references mental health issues. See helpful links below.

Episode 207 is in conversation with actor, singer and musician Gary Bennet. Finding his passion for rock music at a young age, Gary became an accomplished guitarist and songwriter, with his band Solus enjoying success recording and releasing music, as well touring the UK and Ireland. Discovering a love of theatre, he eventually took the decision to retrain and pursue a career in musical theatre, having had extensive experience performing with Glasgow amateur group Pantheon. With a host of professional acting credits including River City and The Steamie and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest with AJ Productions, in more recent years Gary has starred in the hit musical Choir of Man, not only aboard luxury cruise liners but in Coventry and London, in addition to a one-off performance at the Edinburgh Fringe. With dedication to his craft and a strong work ethic, Blantyre-born Gary’s talents have taken him on quite the adventure to date, as he continues to embrace the opportunities that come his way. Lead singer for over 14 years with Cosmopolitan Big Band, Gary has also performed up and down the country with The Jerseytones and produced his own Michael Buble tribute show. With hard graft, skill and his positive attitude, Gary goes after what he loves most in life- entertaining others!

Mental Health support

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotland

https://breathingspace.scot

https://www.samh.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave

Follow The Braw and The Brave

https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

https://twitter.com/BrawBrave

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions.

N.B. This episodes contains some strong language and references mental health issues. See helpful links below.

Episode 206 is in conversation with award-winning actor, writer and director Eilidh Loan. Graduating from Guildford School of Acting Eilidh has pursued her passion for storytelling through various avenues, including her play Moorcroft, inspired by the stories of her dad’s youth, for which she was nominated for Best Writer at the Stage Debut Awards and two CATS Awards in 2022. Writing, directing and starring in her debut short film Soul which was selected by Screen Scotland and BFI Short Sharps programme, she continues to take inspiration from her upbringing, her hometown and the real life characters she has encountered along the way. Ever dedicated to connecting people and their stories, Eilidh’s quest to know more and communicate what it means to be a human is evident in her energy and humility. A positive, hardworking, humble and hugely talented force of nature, Eilidh Loan embodies what it means to be braw and brave.

Eilidh’s Instagram

https://instagram.com/eilidhloan?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Mental Health support

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotland

https://breathingspace.scot

https://www.samh.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave

Follow The Braw and The Brave

https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

https://twitter.com/BrawBrave

See https://soundcloud.com/ for privacy and terms of use

The Braw and The Brave is a podcast about people and their passions.

Episode 205 is in conversation with some of the team behind Solas Festival. A celebration of arts and ideas, Frank Strang, Tami Pein and Morag Wells explain the origins and ethos of this 3 day spectacular in Perthshire which aims to connect all walks of life through various art forms and opportunities to collaborate and share ideas. Live music, dance, discussions, art and much more, Solas Festival is fun for all the family, with community, equality and inclusion at it’s heart.

Ever wondered what it takes to put on a festival? Want a festival you can take the kids to? Hear what’s Solas Festival has to offer this year and the amazing work the team are putting in to make it accessible and enjoyable for everyone!

Solas Festival

Errol Park, Perthshire

16-18 June 2023

Check out Solas Festival

https://www.solasfestival.co.uk

Solas Festival on Instagram

https://instagram.com/solas.festival?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

If you’ve enjoyed this episode you can help support the production of future episodes by clicking on the Ko-Fi link below. Many thanks.

https://ko-fi.com/thebrawandthebrave

Follow The Braw and The Brave

https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

https://twitter.com/BrawBrave

See https://soundcloud.com/ for privacy and terms of use