Scots Whay Hae!

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to TV comedy writer and author Lee Stuart Evans to talk about his new novel Pleasantly Disturbed, which is published with Scratching Shed Publishing Ltd. Lee gives a brief synopsis of the novel before talking about why he wanted to write it, and the central part music, and particularly Simple Minds, plays in the story he wanted to tell. The two then go deep on their shared appreciation of the 'Minds, before talking about music obsessions, the strength of fandom - particularly in the formative years, the influence of Gregory's Girl and the films of John Hughes, and how, in your teens, and to quote Ferris Bueller, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it". It's an amiable and affable conversation which gets to the heart of why pop culture, and music in particular, can not just affect but change and shape lives, and it was such a pleasure to discuss Lee's novel in detail, but there's so much more. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast, Ali spoke to Gill Higgins, who makes music as Curlew. Gill talks all things Evolution, her debut musical solo project, which includes 'Air', 'Earth', 'Fire', and 'Water'. She sets out what people can expect from the forthcoming live show at The Dream Machine in Glasgow, which promises to be "an ambient electronic soundscape launch at an immersive event with surround sound and 360° visuals." The two then talk about Gill's life in and around music, the importance of a musical community and collaboration, the unexpected cultural consequences of COVID, and why making music as part of CLR Theory led to Curlew. Gill also goes into further detail about Evolution, including her burgeoning relationship with electronic music and instruments - the synthesiser in particular - how her scientific and medical background fed into the project, reconnecting with nature, and how the music emerged from the process itself. Gill is one of Scots Whay Hae!'s very favourite musicians, playing over the years with only the finest bands and musicians, and it was such a treat to be able to learn at length about Curlew and Evolution. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with crime writer Michael J. Malone to talk about the latest in his Annie Jackson series of thrillers, The Torments - out now, published with Orenda Books. It's the sequel to The Murmurs, which was one of SWH!'s top five crime novels of last year, and Michael talks about the inspiration for that book before talking about The Torments and how it continues the story. The two talk about the tradition of gothic thrillers, the importance of understanding place, blending genres and getting the balance right, and why horror has an enduring appeal. They also discuss the collegiate nature of the crime writing community, the importance of festivals, and why crime chose Michael rather than the other way about. SWH! have long been fans of Michael J. Malone's, but this series is really special and it was such a pleasure to be able to talk to the man himself about these thrilling novels. For full details, including all the ways to listen, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Dr Nandini Manjunath and Himadri Madan to hear all about Theiyā Arts and their new interdisciplinary mixed-media performance/exhibition Maiden | Mother | Whore. Nandini and Himadri explain the themes and ideas behind the project, the number of organisations who they have collaborated with, how the show has developed, and the academcic as well as the performative sides of Maiden | Mother | Whore. They also explain the vital role audiences will play in the performance, and why this will mean a different show every time. The conversation then turns to talk more widely about the work of Theiyā Arts, particularly what they do in and with the community, and how you can learn more and get involved. It was such an interesting and informative chat about a show which will have a reach way beyond the actual performances, and we hope it will convince you to experience it all. For full details, including all the ways to listen, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Ali spoke to Professor Rhona Brown to hear all about The Collected Works of Robert Fergusson: Reconstructing Textual and Cultural Legacies which is a two-year research project, which runs from October 2023 until October 2025. A key poet of the Scottish eighteenth century, Rhona explains exactly who Robert Fergusson (1750-74) was and why he is so important to Scottish literature and culture more generally. She talks about his relationships to the better known Allan Ramsay and Robert Burns, how he was regarded in his too-short life time, his love of his home city of Edinburgh, and his sad demise. The two also discuss Fergusson's life and work, his legacy, his use of Scots, the challenges faced in collecting the works, rewriting past wrongs, and why this is a poet still relevant today. Rhona also sets out the various events and exhibitions which are happening to commemorate the 250th anniversary of his death, and celebrate his work. If you are not aware of Robert Fergusson (or even if you are) then this is an insightful and informed conversation which could lead to you discovering a new favourite poet. For full details, including all the ways to listen, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to author and singer/songwriter Malachy Tallack about his new novel and album, both of which are called That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz. Malachy tells us which came first, and how they developed, before giving a brief synopsis of the novel. He talks about the two strands and explains why these were stories he wanted to tell, before discussing his central characters of Sonny and Jack, and how their tales are intertwined. The two then talk about the album, which are 'Jack's songs' and how the idea to record them came about, the inspirations behind it, the importance of country music to Shetland, and the complexities of recording songs written by a fictional character. Also under discussion is the influence of music in our formative years, the importance of place, how seemingly insignificant words or events can be carried for a lifetime, the differences between contentment and happiness, and a whole lot more. That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz is one of the best novels of the year, and also a wonderful collection of songs, and it was a pleasure to be able to talk to Malachy about both. Each is worthy of your attention, but when taken together you have something very special indeed. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to previous guest, the writer Graeme Macrae Burnet, to hear all about his latest novel A Case Of Matricide, which is the final book in the Georges Gorski trilogy (all published on the Contraband imprint of Saraband), which are described as "a series of novels set in the unremarkable French town of Saint-Louis", but to say there is so much more is the biggest understatement. Before giving a brief synopsis of A Case Of Matricide Graeme talks about the trilogy as a whole and how it came about, creating the character of Georges Gorski, and how the latest novel relates to the other two. Carefully avoiding spoilers, the two then discuss the nature of the trilogy, crime novels where the crimes are not to the fore, the perils of using - and mildly abusing - a real place in the shape of Saint-Louis, telling a story through small details, and the themes they address. They also talk about the influence of 20th century European literature, naturalism versus existentialism, and the different levels to writing, and therefore reading, A Case Of Matricide. It's always a treat to talk to Graeme, one of Scots Whay Hae!'s favourite writers, someone who is always interesting in terms of how he works and why. If you are unaware of his writing, or are only familiar with his Booker-listed His Bloody Project and Case Study, then this is the perfect place to find out more, and discover the Georges Gorski Trilogy. For full details, and all the ways to listen, go to scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to writer Robert J. Harris to hear all about Redfalcon: Richard Hannay Returns his latest outing for John Buchan's hero, familiar to most from the novel, and numerous film adaptations of, The 39 Steps. Robert talks about how he came to write the Richard Hannay novels, how he approaches writing in another writer's style, adapting the cast of supporting characters from the original source material, the various screen versions of Hannay (and which he prefers) and the other influences he embraces. The two also talk about his Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson novels, which bring the heroes into the Second World War, and the enduring appeal of Holmes in particular. SWH! have long been admirers of Robert J. Harris, a writer who manages to bring beloved literary characters to life while always staying faithful and respectful to the original authors' vision, and this was a great opportunity to investigate the process and inspiration behind his work. For full details, including all the ways to listen, go to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Ali spoke to filmmaker and writer Grant McPhee to talk about his book Postcards from Scotland: Scottish Independent Music 1983-1995 which is published by Omnibus Press. Grant talks about how the book came about and why these are the years he wanted to cover, his film Teenage Superstars which inspired it, how the structure is shaped by the interviews, his previous book Hungry Beat (written with Douglas Macintyre) which set the template, the importance of the legendary, and often misunderstood, C86 cassette, and how many of the musicians in the book changed, and continue to change, Scotland's cultural landscape. The two also discuss the importance of place in the story, particularly outside of the cities, as well as talking about some of the lesser known bands who appear on these pages. It's a comprehensive conversation as befits such a book which covers its subject so thoroughly, and it makes for the perfect accompaniment to the text and the music it celebrates. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is another collaboration with Bloody Scotland - Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival - where Ali spoke to the five shortlisted authors for this year's McIlvanney Prize which is awarded for the best Scottish crime book of the year. They include D.V. Bishop (A Divine Fury), Chris Brookmyre (The Cracked Mirror), Val McDermid (Past Lying), Abir Mukherjee (Hunted) and Kim Sherwood (A Spy Like Me). All the writers give a brief synopsis of their shortlisted novels before explaining a bit more about why they chose to wrote them, and agree that they once again prove the variety of crime writing at the moment. They also discuss the importance of literary prizes, and the impact not only of winning, but simply being long and/or shortlisted can have in terms of publicising and selling a novel, before setting out just why the crime-writing community is such a supportive and welcoming one. The McIlvanney Prize is one of the most significant literary prizes around, and a great guide as to the best crime fiction on offer, so it was such a pleasure, and a privilege, to be able to talk to these great authors. This is a podcast which will be of interest to readers, writers, and book lovers of all kinds, but especially if crime is your thing. And Bloody Scotland is on between 13th - 15th September. Tickets are on sale now. For full details, including all the ways to listen, head to https://www.scotswhayhae.com