Scots Whay Hae!

For the first Scots Whay Hae! podcast of 2022 Ali speaks to journalist, cultural commentator, and music biographer Graeme Thomson to talk all about his latest book, 'Themes For Great Cities: A New History of Simple Minds', which concentrates on the early years and albums of one of Scotland's most successful and lauded bands. The two talk about the unusual working methods of the band, the many chan...

For the latest in our Best of 2021 podcasts it's all about music, with Ali joined by musician, podcaster, radio presenter, and champion of Scottish music, Fiona Liddell. The two have picked 10 of their favourite to represent a fantastic year of Scottish music.  There's great songs and singers, pop, jazz, hip-hop, indie, electronica, folk, and more, and it was such a pleasure to take a trip ba...

In a year when cinemas remain closed for the first few months, we did once again worry we wouldn't have that much to talk about when it came to the Best Films of 2021, and once again we were wrong. Because film found a way, with many memorable releases making it onto cinema screens as well as on the increasing variety of streaming services. To celebrate that, and all things film, Chris Ward, Wesle...

For the first of our Best of 2021 podcast it's about all things bookish as Ali is once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly. The two look at the themes and trends of the year, the notable debuts, poetry, publishing, crime, memoirs and non-fiction, the return of some notable names, and a whole lot more. They also look ahead to 2022 to see what's coming in the year ahead. It's a podcas...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali talks to one of Scots Whay Hae!'s favourite singer/songwriters, Annie Booth, to mark the release of her latest album 'Lazybody'. The two discuss how Annie feels to have a new record out, how it came to be, the differences between playing in a band and working solo, working with producer/musician Chris McCrory, the importance of collaboration, the exciting current st...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer and poet Charlie Roy about her debut novel 'THE BROKEN PANE', which we consider one of the books of the year so far. The two discuss why this was the story Charlie wanted to tell, how the structure of the novel developed, her close relationship with, and the duty of care she felt for, her central character 'Tam', the importance of redrafting, creatin...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer C. F. Peterson about his new novel 'The Purified', available now - published by Scotland Street Press. It's the second in the Duncul series following on from 2017's 'Errant Blood'. The two talk about the challenges of writing a sequel, setting the books in the Scottish Highlands, Calum's approach to writing, the writers who influence him, and working...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer George Paterson about his debut novel 'The Girl, The Crow, The Writer And The Fighter', available on 21st October 2021 - published by Into Books. The two discuss what inspired George to write this novel, the influence of all things American, specific influences, American literature, the importance of film with regard to the way the book was written,...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with writer Iain Maloney (live from Japan!), and Angela and Paul Docherty from his publishers Liminal Ink. The main reason is to talk about Iain's new novella 'Life is Elsewhere/Burn Your Flags', a terrific, timeless, treatise on what happens when love dies, set against the specific backdrop of COVID. However, the conversation also covers the relationship...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer, and returning guest, Graeme Macrae Burnet about his latest novel 'Case Study' (published by Saraband). As with all of Graeme's books there's a lot to discuss, and the conversation turns to the life and work of R.D. Laing, the importance of research, the structure of the novel, how Graeme approaches writing, the excitement of writing a controversial...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Charles E McGarry about his new novel 'The Mystery of the Strange Piper', the latest in the 'Leo Moran Mysteries'. We consider Leo Moran to be one of the most memorable literary characters of recent times, and the two discuss how Leo came to be, the inspirations behind him and the series, the supernatural aspect, Leo Moran's moral and aesthetic sensi...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to music historian and writer Stewart Smith about Jazz at the Third Eye , the multi-media project exploring Glasgow’s visionary arts centre which launches on October 22nd, 2021. Stewart talks about how the project came about and his involvement, the central role of the Centre's director Tom McGrath, some of the musicians and other artists who appeared there, a...

For the latest podcast Ali speaks to sculptor Oliver Cook and painter Calum McClure about their exhibitions at The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh (2nd-25th September). 'Exploring the relationship between light and movement and the translucent properties of alabaster through sculptural forms and everyday objects, Oliver Cook’s work challenges the viewer to reconsider their preconceptions of sculptur...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with writer John Gerard Fagan to talk about his memoir 'Fish Town' (published by Guts Publishing) which is all about his time living and working in Japan. The two discuss why John decided to write it, the reasons for the format of free-verse poetry, and some of the influences he drew on. They also talk about why John decided to head east in the first place...

The latest SWH! podcast is a rather special one. It's a collaboration with the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Publishing Scotland as part of the Scottish Publisher Showcase at this year's book festival. There are interviews with eight representatives from a variety of publishers who tell us all about who they are, what they do, the challenges they face, and the books they are excited ab...

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with musician Xan Tyler to talk about her collaboration with reggae legend Mad Professor on the album 'Clarion Call' (out now!), the first time they have worked together in 20 years. Xan also discusses her recent work with another music legend, Kramer, on the album 'Songs We Sang In Our Dreams', her life in music from her beginnings as a teenage backing singer...

For the latest podcast Ali catches up with musician and producer Joe Kane who invited SWH! to his home studio. It was great to do another podcast face to face, and the two discuss Joe's latest project The Poppermost and the accompanying album 'Hits To Spare'. They also discuss Joe's life in music and all his previous bands and projects, the highs and lows of working through Lockdown, dealing with...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with an old friend of the podcast, writer and musician Doug Johnstone - the fourth time he's been a guest, but the first time since 2015. A lot has happened in the meantime and Doug talks about his new solo album 'Crow Hill' and the third in the Skelf series, 'The Great Silence'. The two also discuss the stroke Doug had at the beginning of Lockdown, his re...

The latest podcast is all about this year's Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, and Ali caught up with the festival's strategic and creative director Melanie Purdie, and Neil Gore from Townsend Theatre Productions, to discuss it. After having to postpone last year the festival is back with a fantastic and varied programme, and Melanie takes us through what to expect, where to find it, and how e...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to musician Man of the Minch (AKA Pedro Cameron) and poet Peter Mackay about Sradagan Na Sràide / Street Sparks, the EP they have collaborated on marrying the latter's lyrics with the former's magical music. The result is a collection of songs which celebrate and reflect on the lives of contemporary Gaels in the urban environment. They discuss why they came to work...

For the latest podcast - it's all about HANG, Scotland's first ever Hip Hop & Grime Music Conference, presented by the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) in partnership with Creative Scotland. Ali talks to producer of the SAMAs Richy Muirhead who talks about the HANG programme and how you can join in and get involved. He then catches up with one of the guest speakers, Jill Brown, who tal...

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 productio...

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 importanc...

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...

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'...