Scots Whay Hae!

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 challenges that different ones bring, with particular reference to the current 'Opera Highlights Tour' and the opera for young children 'Fox-tot!', and a lot more. Through it all Roxana's enthusiasm and love for what she does shines through, and we hope you enjoy listening to the conversation as much as we did recording it.

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 October 25th, St Luke's, Glasgow), and lots more. There are also 5 tracks from some of last year's winners, including Declan West and the Decadent West (Rock/Alternative), Lylo (Live Act), The Dunts (Newcomer), Solareye (Hip Hop), and Megan Airlie (Acoustic). Ali also offers the point of view from a SAMAs nominator, so hopefully you'll end up with a better understanding not only of how these awards work, but the aims and ideology behind them.

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 in creating memorable moments, the demands of different productions, the practicalities and problem solving involved, and the culture of prop making in Scotland and beyond. It's a fascinating insight into an area of the arts that is rarely discussed but which is crucial.

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, the psychology of desire, the quest for identity, and much more. You'll also hear 404 Ink's Laura Jones discussing why they felt they had no choice but to publish Elle once they had read her book. We consider it an instructive and insightful discussion which will interest writers, readers, and book lovers of all kinds. Have a listen and see if you agree.

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 Scottish Opera does off stage and often away from the public eye. As the conversation unfolds you are left in no doubt of the love that Jane has for her job, and how passionately she believes that art and performance have a vital role to play in a nation's education. And so say all of us!

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 philosophy, themes, influences, and a whole lot more. You'll also get two tracks from the album which will give you a clear idea as to just how good it is. And if the other two members of the band, Nici and Matthew, disagree with any of it Ali is more than willing to record a follow up to give their side of the story.

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 fascinating chat, one which, when taken as a whole, is an instructive insight into what it takes to make your living as an artist today. All that and poetry as well - we always aim to please!

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.

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to Chief Executive of Ringwood Publishing Sandy Jamieson, one of their authors Dr Anne Pettigrew, and their Assistant Managing Director Laure Camail. Celebrating their 20th birthday this year, Glasgow's Ringwood show that it is possible to publish and survive in a city which has notoriously had problems sustaining and maintaining a publishing culture in recent years. The discussion touches on the reasons for starting Ringwood, their co-operative business model and how that has evolved, Anne's novel 'No The Life Imagined' and the publishing process from the writer's point of view, how Ringwood has had to adapt the changes in the marketplace, and their plans for the future. It's a must listen for anyone interested in publishing as they talk about many aspects of the process and the industry, both positive and negative.