Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest in our series of Glasgow Film Festival podcasts, Ali spoke to director Scott Graham, about his latest feature 'Run', which follows on from the success of previous films 'Shell' and 'Iona' and which shares some of their themes. Graham talks about those themes, as well as what inspired 'Run', the influence of the music of Bruce Springsteen, the challenges of family life, the escape of...

For the latest of SWH!'s Glasgow Film Festival 2020 podcasts Ali spoke to a previous guest, director Peter Mackie Burns, who told us all about his latest feature 'Rialto', which will be at the festival on 27th Feb (with a Q&A) and, if you miss that, on the afternoon of the 28th. Peter explains the story of the film's title, why it's set in Dublin, the themes and thoughts behind the film, the impor...

For the latest of SWH!'s Glasgow Film Festival 2020 podcasts Ali spoke to a previous guest, director Peter Mackie Burns, who told us all about his latest feature 'Rialto', which will be at the festival on 27th Feb (with a Q&A) and, if you miss that, on the afternoon of the 28th. Peter explains the story of the film's title, why it's set in Dublin, the themes and thoughts behind the film, the i...

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with poet, performer, and story-teller Leyla Josephine to talk about her show 'Daddy Drag' which is going to be at Glasgow's Tron Theatre (26-29th Feb) after it's acclaimed run at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. This is a show which "asks audiences to consider how relationships (or lack of) with our fathers affect us, and, to reflect on the imprints they leave be...

For the latest of our podcasts in collaboration with Scottish Opera we spoke to the company's General Director Alex Reedijk, and it proved to be a fascinating conversation - one which adds extra context to the other podcasts in the series. Alex talks about how he came to the role, what makes it so special, the challenges faced when he joined 14 years ago, the four central strands that run through...

For the latest podcast Ali spoke with Keira Brown about the inaugural Paisley Book Festival (20th-29th Feb). As well as hearing all about the fantastic programme of events, Keira explains the festival's theme of 'radical voices and rebel stories', the celebration of local hero John Byrne, the wide and varied range of what's available, some of the many, many highlights, the importance of place as w...

For the latest podcast Ali met up with one of SWH!'s favourite writers, M.J. Nicholls, to discuss in detail his latest novel, 'Scotland Before The Bomb' - one of the most inventive, and funniest, books of recent years. The conversation touches upon Nicholls' reasons for writing, the themes and form of his previous work, how he came to have an American publisher, his approach to being a writer, his...

For the first of our podcasts celebrating this year's Glasgow Film Festival we spoke to festival co-directors Allison Gardner and Allan Hunter. What unfolded was a warm, fun, and fascinating chat about this year's programme, the challenges of programming a festival, the GFF ethos, the multiple strands, how the festival has grown, and some memories of past galas and glories. It's a lovely conversat...

For the latest Scottish Opera podcast we spoke to one of the company's Emerging Artists, Arthur Bruce. The SO Emerging Artist programme is now in its 10th year, and, as Arthur explains, it is hugely important in developing and supporting all areas of opera, helping to ensure the future remains bright. He also discusses how his interest in opera began, his musical background, the challenges of acti...

For the last of our Best of 2019 podcasts Ali is joined once more by annual regulars Wesley Shearer and Chris Ward, with SWH! sound guru Ian Gregson also in the house (which turned out to be lucky for all). This time around they are looking at the best films of the year, and Ali's role becomes more host rather than participant as his own movie going has been admittedly lacking this year. Luckily t...

For our Best Books of 2019 podcast Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly to discuss their year in books. As well as discussing in detail their personal favourites, they look at the writers who have left their mark, awards and award winners, festivals old and new, the healthy state of Scottish poetry, what's happening in the publishing world, the prevailing trends and them...

For this year's Best Music 2019 podcast Ali spoke to Mark McNally and Gary Bannatyne from Cumbernauld FM's Postcards From The Underground radio show. The two are among the finest champions of Scottish music and beyond, playing old songs and new, and having regular live sessions and guests. As well as hearing all about the Postcards From The Underground show, the three discuss their favourite track...

For the latest podcast Ali was back in Edinburgh to talk to mountaineer, storyteller, and writer, John D. Burns, and the story he has to tell is a fascinating one. He talks about how he first discovered the delights of hillwalking in the Lake District in his youth, his thoughts on how we should treat, view, and interact with nature, why he fell out and then back in love with the hills, the politic...

For the latest in our series of podcasts in conjunction with Scottish Opera SWH! spoke to Gordon Grant, the company's Music Librarian. What unfolds is a fascinating insight into a role which few consider when they think of opera but which, as you will hear, is a vital one. Crucially involved in productions from the very beginning to the final curtain fall, Gordon explains what the role entails, ho...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali headed to Edinburgh to chat to writer Jemma Neville all about 'Constitution Street: finding hope in an age of anxiety' (published by 404 Ink), her fascinating and inspirational book which SWH! described as, "a socio-political work with humanity at its heart, and a timely reminder that there is more that unites than divides us." Talking in the welcoming surroundings...

For the latest in our series of podcasts in conjunction with Scottish Opera Ali spoke to John Duncan, the company's Resident Stage Manager. Over the course of their conversation John provides a fascinating insight into a role which is vital to all theatre, but which rarely gets discussed. He talks about how he fell in love with the theatre, his early years in the role, how the team dynamic works,...

For number 6 in our series of podcasts in conjunction with Scottish Opera Ali spoke to Staff Director, Roxana Haines. It's a fascinating and informative discussion with someone whose job brings her into contact and collaboration with most areas of the company. She explains her journey to the role, her training in theatre and the specific demands of opera, her role in terms of productions and the c...

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with Richy Muirhead, the founder and creative director of the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMAS) which is celebrating its 10th year. It's a fascinating chat which covers the origins and history of the awards, an explanation of the criteria, the categories, this year's nominees, notable previous winners, the importance of the live show (this year on Octob...

For the fifth of our series of podcasts with members of Scottish Opera we spoke to Marian Colquhoun, the Head of Props. If you have ever been to a Scottish Opera performance, no matter the scale of the production, you'll know what an integral, important, and creative part the props department have to play. Marian discusses her approach to the role, the collaboration with other departments, the joy...

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali headed to Edinburgh to speak to the American writer Elle Nash who was over for a couple of events at the Book Festival. The conversation focused on her powerful novel 'Animals Eat Each Other', which is published by 404 Ink. The two discuss the novel's themes and content, Elle's intentions for the novel, how her style developed, the importance of names and language,...

For the fourth of our series of podcasts with members of Scottish Opera we spoke to Jane Davidson, their Director of Education & Outreach. She explains what the job entails, the company's education strategy, their partnerships at home and abroad, the challenges faced in the role, how they reach out to all areas of Scotland, and work with all ages groups. It's a fascinating insight into the work Sc...

For the third of our series of podcasts with members of Scottish Opera we spoke to the Programme Editor, David Kettle about his role and what it entails. He explains how he came to the job, the approach to writing a programme, the balance required between information and other articles and content, the importance of design, the collaboration required with the rest of the company, and much more.

For the latest podcast Ali headed through to Edinburgh to talk to Edwin and Morgan, two members of Half Formed Things (unapologetically one of SWH!'s favourite bands, as you'll quickly be able to tell). They talk about their album 'To Live In The Flicker', the origins of the band, what it's like to work with such close friends and family, the importance or otherwise of place, their shared philosop...

For the latest podcast Ali headed to Glasgow's Tron Theatre to talk to poet and polymath Kevin P. Gilday about his Edinburgh Fringe show 'Suffering From Scottishness', his new collection of poetry 'Sad Songs For White Boys', his work with Cat Hepburn as the instigators and organisers of spoken word house party Sonnet Youth, his band Kevin P. Gilday & the Glasgow Cross, and a whole lot more. It's a...

For the second of our series of podcasts with members of Scottish Opera we spoke to the Head of Music, Derek Clark about his role and what the job entails. It's a fascinating insight into the working life of someone central to Scottish Opera and their productions.