Scots Whay Hae!

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 about. As well as those core conversations we talk to Nick Barley, the Director of the Edinburgh Book Festival, and Vikki Reilly from Publishing Scotland. Put together it makes for a fascinating insight into, and overview of, publishing in Scotland today, and we hope you'll be encouraged to investigate further, which you can do by visiting edbookfest.co.uk & publishingscotland.org.

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 cult band Death Bang Party, being signed to Creation Records, her solo material, the exciting plans for the future, and so much more. It's an absorbing and insightful conversation with someone steeped in music.

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 the musical expectations of fans, the yet-to-be-finished albums, playing live again with his new band, what the future may hold, and a whole lot more. As long time fans of Joe and his music it was a pleasure to be able to get him on the podcast and talk about both.

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 recovery from it and how it affected both new releases, his move to Orenda Books, his musical past and present - including the story of the Fun Lovin' Crime Writers - the joys of the Skelf novels, and a whole lot more. It's a cracking conversation, as it always is with Doug, and it was great to have him back.

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 everyone can take part no matter where they are. She also explains this year's theme of 'Hame'll Dae Me' and how that has driven the programme. Townsend Theatre's 'Talking Horse' venue is at the heart of what is going on, and Neil gives some background to the company and their work, explains how 'Talking Horse' works, and what audiences can expect. The three also discuss how exciting the return to live events is, the challenges faced, the necessary changes made, and what they are looking forward to. It's a lively and uplifting conversation which is a reminder of why such arts festivals are so important and that they have been sadly missed.

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 together, and how the process worked, the importance of incorporating their respective cultural traditions to create something new, working with Ceòl is Craic and The Bothy Society, and a whole lot more. And stay to the very end to hear a fantastic example of the music they have made.

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 talks about her own music, her involvement with record label Conviction Records, the importance of telling stories, and a whole lot more. It's a podcast to whet the appetite for the inaugural HANG which promises to the first of many.

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 production it features music, painting, poetry, photography, sound sculpture, installation, and film. Produced by Kirsty's multi-disciplinary production company and artist support service, Helm Arts, it's a thought-provoking and emotionally exciting exhibition which stimulates the senses as you lose yourself in Perring and Metcalf's Jura. Ali talks to Kirsty about how the project began, the differing, almost opposing, perspectives on the subject, each aspect of the final show, the plans for taking 'Exposure' around the country, her own role in proceedings, and a whole lot more. As the arts begin to open up again it's a fascinating insight into what goes on behind the scenes of such an exhibition, and is a reminder as to how much the arts need an audience, and how the two have missed each other.

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 importance of travel, writing and recording the album against the constraints of COVID, his love of Scottish music and musicians, and and a whole lot more. 'Ansema We Stand' is undoubtedly one of the best records of 2021 and it was fascinating to hear Roberto's journey to making it, and the stories behind it.

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.