Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer Leila Aboulela to talk about her latest novel, 'River Spirit', which will be published with Saqi Books on the 7th March. Leila spoke about her reasons for writing it, the research required, her interest in Sudanese history, why this period is so important to the country and its people, exploring history through fiction, managing the balance between real events (and individuals) and fiction, the Scottish strand to the story, and much more. The two also discuss Leila's desire to bring Sudanese and Scottish culture together, the importance of memory, history repeating itself, and Aberdeen's current, and thriving, writing, arts, and culture scene. It's a wonderful and warm conversation with one of Scotland's finest and most admired writers, and we hope you enjoy this podcast as much as we did recording it. All the relevant links as to where you can learn more about Leila Aboulela's life and work, and where you can buy a copy of 'River Spirit', are over at scotswhayh

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to theatre director Tania Azevedo and musician and composer Finn Anderson about the new folk musical A Mother’s Song which will has its World Premiere at the Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling from 23 - 26 February 2023. The three talk about the ideas behind A Mother's Song and its years in the making, and how it has developed over those years, Tania and Finn also set out the story, the transatlantic aspect of the production, the accompanying EP which is coming out, the single 'Sarah's Song', their hopes and fears as the Premiere approaches, and a whole lot more. It was great to learn all about this ambitious and exciting production, and we hope this whets your appetite for A Mother's Song. All the relevant links as to where you can learn more and buy tickets are over at scotswhayhae.com

Each week, for the Scots Whay Hae! Radio Show, Ali interviews the artists of the week. Usually the interviews are around 10-15mins, with the unedited versions available on our YouTube channel. Last Saturday's was a chat with Gill Higgins and Hannah Jarrett-Scott from the wonderful CLR Theory, and we blethered on for nearly 40mins so we thought is was too good not to make it into a podcast episode, so here it is. The three talk about how CLR Theory came to be, the forthcoming album 'Waves', the launch night at Glasgow's Glad Cafe on the 20th January (when they will be supported by the the iconic Jill Lorean), how Lockdown helped shape the band and their music, the Workers' Stories Project that they were part of, and so much more. It's such an easy conversation that it is no wonder time flew! You can find links to the band, their music, and the gig at The Glad, at scotswhayhae.com

For the first SWH! podcast of 2023 Ali spoke to Dawn Taylor, the Artistic Director & CEO at Puppet Animation Scotland, to learn all about this year's MANIPULATE International Festival of Visual Theatre which runs from 2nd - 12th February. Now in its 16th year, this year's festival will be the biggest yet and Dawn talks about the challenges met during lockdown and the valuable lessons learned, the history of the festival, the importance of supporting non-ext based theatre and film, just what festival goers can expect, and how and where people can get tickets and get involved. She also sets out just some of the extensive programme which you can find at manipulatefestival.org or you can find all the relative links at scotswhayhae.com

For our final podcast of 2022, Ali once again jumps on Zoom to talk to Andy, his brother who runs a gallery in Braemar, for what has become a regular end of year chat. The two talk about the highlights of their cultural year, which includes recorded music, live gigs, books, art, podcasts, films, magazines, & more. We hope you excuse this self-indulgence and enjoy the chat, and that you find something which you would like to investigate further. It's further proof that there was loads of great art being made in, and about, Scotland in 2022.

For the latest SWH! podcast, and the last of our Best of 2022 pods, Ali is joined once more by regulars Chris Ward and Wesley Shearer to talk all things film, or at least to talk about their films of the year.  Once again picking five each, they share their enthusiasm for films you may have missed first time around, and we’re sure you’ll find something to tickle your fancy.   They talk about small indies and major blockbusters, this year’s Glasgow Film Festival, the problems facing cinemas, directors old and new, documentaries, drama, the return of unlikely heroes, TV on the big screen, and a whole lot more. All the details, and all the ways to listen, at scotswhayhae.com

For our latest roundup of 2022 we look at the year in music, with Ali joined once again by musician, podcaster, radio presenter, and righteous supporter of Scottish music, Fiona Liddell. They each pick 10 tracks to discuss which have left their mark in the last 12 months. 

For the last in our Best Books of 2022 podcasts, Ali caught up with poet, writer, singer/songwriter, and previous podcast guest, Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, to learn about his Gaelic books of the year and other aspects of Gaelic writing over the last 12 months.

This is the second of our Best Books of 2022 podcasts. For both, Ali is once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly, and in this podcast the two talk crime fiction, poetry, memoirs and other non-fiction, publishing, and what we can look forward to in 2023. And you can catch up with our Best Books of 2022 - Part I podcast over at scotswhayhae.com . Always a SWH! highlight of the year, when taken together, these podcasts reflect, and celebrate, another exceptional 12 months in Scottish writing.

As is traditional, the first of our Best of 2022 podcasts are all about books, and there were so many books and book-related  things to talk about that we have split the podcast into two parts. For both, Ali is once again joined by Publishing Scotland's Vikki Reilly, and in this podcast the two talk fiction, some of the themes and trends of the year, the notable debuts, the return of some weel-kent names, and a whole lot more, as well as declaring their own choices for Book of the Year.  In Part II there will be further talks on crime fiction, poetry, memoirs and other non-fiction, publishing, and what we can look forward to in 2023. That will be with you soon. Always a SWH! highlight of the year, when taken together, these podcasts reflect, and celebrate, another exceptional 12 months in Scottish writing.

The latest SWH! podcast is our contribution to Scottish Podcast Collaboration Week which will run from the 5th - 11th December. This podcast works as a preview as to what to expect, as Ali speaks to 4 of the podcasts involved - Dawn from 'Scottish Murders' (and the driving force behind the collaboration), Nicky & Greg from The Culture Swally, Suzanne from Adventures in Scotland, and Satsu from Chatsunami. They are fascinating and informative conversations which give you just a taste of the range and diversity of the podcasts currently made in and about Scotland today. To find out more, and all about the other podcasts involved - and how to follow them - head over to scotswhayhae.com

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to returning guest, the poet, performer and playwright Leyla Josephine, to talk about her new poetry collection In Public / In Private which is published by Burning Eye Books. Leyla kindly reads some of her work, and talks about becoming a published poet, the ideas and themes that are behind the poems, the line between the public and the private, getting that balance right in both her poetry and other work, learning lessons from the past, and a whole lot more. She also talks about her current tour, which includes a night in Glasgow at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut on  Saturday 26th November, which will see Colin Bramwell, Ellen Renton, Empress, Iona Lee, Kevin P.Gilday, Niki Rush in support. It promises to be a special event, and you can get tickets and find out more over at www.scotswhayhae.com.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to musician Douglas MacIntyre, filmmaker Grant McPhee, and journalist Neil Cooper to learn all about their new book 'Hungry Beat - The Scottish Independent Pop Underground Movement (1977-1984)'.  It's seems a shame to have the three on the same podcast as each deserves an individual interview to themselves (and that may come to pass in the future.) Douglas runs the excellent indie record label Creeping Bent as well as putting on the FRET series of concerts at the Strathaven Hotel, and has played with a number of bands over the years. Grant McPhee has made three great documentaries looking at Scottish indie music, Teenage Superstars, The Glasgow School, and Big Gold Dream - the latter providing the inspiration for Hungry Beat.  Neil Cooper is a journalist, critic and cultural commentator who writes for the Herald, Bella Caledonia, and many other fine publications. Few have written more insightfully about, and on, Scottish culture as he has.  What follows is

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with musician Debbie Armour to talk all things Burd Ellen, and their new album 'A Tarot of the Green Wood', which is out on the 31st October on Debbie's own label, Mavis Recordings. Debbie talks about the history of Burd Ellen, working with Gayle Brogan, how the new album came about, the inspiration of tarot cards, blending the traditional with the contemporary, the influences behind the music - musical and otherwise - and a whole lot more. They also discuss the folk tradition, the possibility of playing the album live, and the atmosphere Burd Ellen's music creates. Burd Ellen are among the most interesting and innovative musicians around - with 'A Tarot of the Green Wood' being just the latest proof of that - and it was fascinating to get a glimpse behind the music. For links to learn more about Burd Ellen, and to buy their music, head over to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to writer and poet Dilys Rose to talk about her latest short story collection, the excellent 'Sea Fret' (published by Scotland Street Press). Dilys is one of Scotland's finest writers and it was such a pleasure to be able to talk about her work, the short story as a form, the stories behind the stories, teaching writing, the drama found in the everyday, the different sides of her writing, and a whole lot more. Quite simply it's a must listen for readers, writers, and all book lovers.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to Lyth Arts Centre's Marketing Director Calvin Wilson & author Gail Anthea Brown to learn all about The Northern Stories Festival, which is on between 7th - 16th October across Caithness. The two talk about the themes and ideas behind the festival, the extensive programme, the different strands, just a few of the highlights, and a whole lot more. They also discuss the importance of storytelling in bringing people together, and building bridges with other countries and cultures. You can find out further details, and book tickets to events, by going to lytharts.org.uk/northern-stories-festival

For the latest podcast Ali headed to Glasgow's Hidden Gardens (behind the Tramway) on a beautiful morning to meet up with singer, photographer, filmmaker, and author Marianne Dissard, to talk about her life and work, and how she came to Glasgow. They discuss her recent exhibition of photography 'On A Good Day You Can See France', the extensive and varied musical side of her career, collaborating with other musicians and artists, the challenges of writing her memoir 'Not Me', and her films. It's a fascinating conversation with someone who lives and breaths their art, and whose life continues to be shaped by her work. It was such a pleasure to be able to talk to Marianne, and in such peaceful surroundings, and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we did recording. All the links to Marianne's art and music can be found over at https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to writer N.E. Solomons about her debut thriller 'The Bone Road', which is published by Polygon Books. The two talk about why she wanted to write this book, how it changed into something very different from that initial conception, the challenges in writing in this specific genre, setting events in the Balkans, the creation of the two central characters and how they work together, and parallels with the present day. Natasha also talks about her life as a writer - be that historical fiction, as a playwright, or screenwriting, offering insights into that world and some advice for others. Altogether it's a fascinating conversation which will be of interest to writers, readers and all book lovers alike.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to hip-hop artist, DJ, music producer, and journalist, Sanjeev Mann (also know as Supermann on da Beat) about all those parts of his life and more. Sanjeev talks about starting to make music during lockdown, collaborating with other artists, his experiences of working in the Scottish music industry and the hip-hop community, and the musicians he admires. He also discusses his journalism, particularly with regard to campaigning for greater accessibility in music venues for both performers and audience members, his work with Drake Music Scotland and Hip Hop Scotland, and a whole lot more. Full details and all the links over at scotswhayhae.com.

The third of our collaborations with the Edinburgh International Book Festival is the Scottish Spoken Word Showcase Podcast - a companion to the live event of the same name. For it we interviewed six spoken word performers who tell us all about who they are, what they do, why they do it, and give us just a taste of their work. As well as those core conversations we also talk to the Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival Nick Barley, and Alice Tarbuck from Creative Scotland. Put together it offers just a small example as to the variety and diversity in the Spoken Word scene in Scotland today, and we hope you'll be encouraged to seek out, and investigate further, the work of our featured artists, and be persuaded to seek out spoken word events across the country. To learn more you can visit https://www.edbookfest.co.uk & https://www.creativescotland.com