#ScotsWhayHaePodcast

Mar 2, 2021
2 min

The GFF 2021 Podcasts: The Yer Old Faither Interview…

For the latest of our Glasgow Film Festival Podcasts Ali spoke to Australian filmmaker Heather Croall about her documentary Yer Old Faither which, as the title suggests, is about her Glaswegian born Dad who took the family to settle in the industrial city of Whyalla, Australia. A deeply personal film which will nevertheless be relatable to all, Croall uses home movies, family pictures, delightful animation, and her own footage, to tell a tale about one man’s apparently ordina

Feb 26, 2021
1 min

The GFF 2021 Podcasts: The Iorram (Boat Song) Interview…

For the latest in out series of Glasgow Film Festival podcasts Ali spoke to director, producer, and cinematographer Alastair Cole to talk about his film Iorram (Boat Song), which is the first cinema documentary entirely in Scots Gaelic. Alastair talks about the unusual structure of the film, the vital importance of audio archive, the different types of cinematography used, the problems with filming at sea, connecting stories across time, and so much more. Here’s the trailer:

Feb 26, 2021
2 min

The GFF 2021 Podcasts: The Underplayed Interview…

For the latest in out series of Glasgow Film Festival 2021 podcasts Ali spoke to Maya Medvesek, better known as internationally renowned DJ Nightwave, to talk about the music documentary Underplayed. The film shines a light on gender inequality in the electronic dance music scene, and Maya, who features in the film, talks all about her experiences as a DJ, the challenges and discrimination she has faced, the women who were early pioneers of electronic music, the Producer Girl

Feb 26, 2021
1 min

The GFF 2021 Podcasts: The Eye Of The Storm Interview…

For the first of our Glasgow Film Festival Podcasts Ali spoke to a previous guest, Anthony Baxter, this time around to talk about Eye of the Storm, his documentary about the landscape artist James Morrison. Anthony discusses why he chose James as his subject, the use of mixed media in the film – especially Catriona Black’s animation, the soundtrack and what it brings to the film, the importance of storytelling, how the art influenced his own work, and a whole lot more. Here’s

Feb 23, 2021
2 min

Gray Day: The Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Talks To Sorcha Dallas…

Sorcha Dallas at the Alasdair Gray Archive For the latest SWH! podcast, Ali caught up with Sorcha Dallas, the custodian of the Alasdair Gray Archive, to talk about the plans for Gray Day, which is the 25th February 2021 – the 40th anniversary of the publication of Alasdair’s debut novel Lanark, a book which had a profound impact on Scotland’s literature and culture. They talk about the day itself and what’s happening to mark it, the wide-range of people involved, the ‘Lanark’

Feb 19, 2021
2 min

Loving The Alien: The SWH! Podcast Talks To Etienne Kubwabo…

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali caught up with filmmaker, DJ, and comic book creator Etienne Kubwabo to talk about Beats of War his comic book series which is so much more. The two discuss the inspiration behind the book, the importance of place and why Etienne was determined to put Scotland on the page, and hopefully on the screen, the influences from his own life that came together to create the characters and stories told. Etienne also talks about being inspired by the wor

Feb 17, 2021
1 min

Back And Forth: The SWH! Podcast Talks To Ross Sayers…

For the latest SWH! podcast Ali spoke to Young Adult author Ross Sayers about his latest novel Daisy on the Outer Line, as well as his previous work Mary’s the Name and Sonny and Me (all published by the YA publisher Cranachan). Ross is one of our favourite writers, and there are none better writing in the field of YA fiction today. It’s a fascinating conversation about finding the voice, language, getting “into character”, being defensive of those characters, the challenges

Feb 5, 2021
2 min

Coming Around Again: The SWH! Podcast Talks To Alan Bissett…

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with writer and performer Alan Bissett, who was one of our earliest podcast guests back in 2011. That was the year of his last novel Pack Men (the SWH! review of which you can still read here) and the two catch up to talk about his first book of published prose since, the novella Lazy Susan. They discuss the character of Susie ‘Q’ Martin, the return to writing fiction, the novella as a format, the book’s inventive structure, the relationsh

Dec 22, 2020
2 min

That Was The Year That Was: The Best Of 2020 Podcasts – Music…

The last of our roundups of 2020 looks at the year in music, with Ali joined by Richard Bull, the producer of BBC Radio Scotland’s Roddy Hart Show. Using the podcast as a great excuse to catch up and talk music, something they usually do at gigs and other live events, they each pick 10 releases to discuss which have left their mark in the last 12 months. They do take a few detours and diversions along the way, with subjects including the quality and range of new music release

Dec 15, 2020
2 min

A Family Affair: The SWH! Podcast Talks To Frances Macdonald & Ross Ryan…

Frances Macdonald Ross Ryan For the latest Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Ali spoke to artists Frances Macdonald & Ross Ryan about their current exhibition at The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh. Frances and Ross are mother and son, so the exhibition’s title of A Family Affair is apt. They explain their working methods, how the were first drawn to art, their approach to this collaborative exhibition, the importance of their home in Argyll in their work, (specifically Crinan where the

Dec 11, 2020
2 min

That Was The Year That Was: The Best Of 2020 Podcasts – Films…

In the year when cinemas were closed for most of it, and film release schedules were pushed back to who knows when, you might think it would be tough to talk about the Best Films of 2020 for any length of time. Well think again, as Chris Ward, Wesley Shearer, and Ali reunite for their annual chat about their favourite movies of the past 12 months. Picking five each, they share their enthusiasm for films you may have missed first time around, and we’re sure you’ll find somethi

Dec 8, 2020
2 min

That Was The Year That Was: The Best Of 2020 Podcasts – Books (Part II)…

This year was such a great one for Scottish writing that we had to split our Best Books of 2020 podcast into two parts to fit in everything we wanted to talk about. This is Part II. Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland‘s Vikki Reilly (right), who became a published author herself this year. The two pick their favourite books from the last 12 months, (most Scottish, but some not) and take many detours and diversions along the way. These are always among the most pl

Dec 4, 2020
2 min

That Was The Year That Was: The Best Of 2020 Podcasts – Books (Part I)…

This year was such a great one for Scottish writing that we had to split our Best Books of 2020 podcast into two parts to fit in everything we wanted to talk about. This is Part I. Ali was once again joined by Publishing Scotland‘s Vikki Reilly (right), who became a published author herself this year. The two pick their favourite books from the last 12 months, (most Scottish, but some not) and take many detours and diversions along the way. These are always among the most ple

Nov 30, 2020
1 min

Dangerous Waters: The Scots Whay Hae! Podcast Talks To Anthony Baxter…

The latest SWH! Podcast is an interview with filmmaker Anthony Baxter who talks to Ali all about his latest documentary Flint, which premieres on BBC Scotland this Tuesday at 10pm (1/12/20) and will be available on iPlayer afterwards. The two talk about the tragic ongoing story behind the film, how and why Anthony became involved, the themes explored and the lessons to be learned, the timely nature of its release, a filmmaker’s duty of care to their subject, the problems prom

Nov 21, 2020
2 min

Carefully Orchestrated: The SWH! Podcast Talks To The Bathers’ Chris Thomson…

For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke with The Bathers’ founder and frontman, Chris Thomson, initially to discuss the remastered and reissued Marina Trilogy of the Lagoon Blues, Sunpowder, and Kelvingrove Baby albums. However, the conversation also turns to Marina Records, the story behind the influential Friends Again, how Chris’s musical life has unfolded, The Bathers’ role in helping to capture and create the mood of Glasgow in the ’90s, the importance of the band’s style

Nov 17, 2020
2 min

Real Life Story: The SWH! Podcast Talks To Angela Hughes & Paul Docherty…

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to writer Angela Hughes and husband Paul about her memoir My Heart’s Content: A Journey to Transplant. Angela sets out not only why she wrote the book, but how it came to publication and the vital role that Paul, and their family and friends, play in the story. The three also discuss the different perspectives they, and others, bring, the input of friends and family, Angela’s reasons for choosing memoir over fiction, and the changes, if any, t

Nov 9, 2020
2 min

Melody Maker: A SWH! Podcast Extra With Calum Jones…

The latest podcast is more of a ‘podcast extra’ – it’s the uncut version of an interview Ali recorded for the Scots Whay Hae! Show on CamGlen Radio (Saturdays, 3-5pm – camglenradio.org) with musician Calum Jones. To fit the show it had to be edited down, but we thought their conversation merited being heard in full, so here it is as well as two examples of Calum’s music, his current single ‘Two Months’ and ‘Hollow Hopes’. The two discuss how Calum writes his songs, how the pl

Oct 23, 2020
1 min

The Big Scottish Book Club: The SWH! Podcast Talks To Damian Barr…

For the latest podcast Ali caught up with writer and presenter Damian Barr to talk all about the second series of The Big Scottish Book Club which airs on BBC Scotland this Sunday (25th October). It’s a welcome return to one of the all too few TV shows which unashamedly celebrates and discusses all aspects of the book world and those who love it, and it’s great to get such an informed and personal insight into the show, and hear who Damian has lined up to appear this time rou

Oct 20, 2020
2 min

The Sensual World: The SWH! Podcast Talks To Jenny Sturgeon…

Image credit: Anne Campbell For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke to Jenny Sturgeon about her latest project The Living Mountain, which is not only the name of her new album but her series of podcasts, and the audio/visual live show which she hopes to tour, all of which are inspired by, and infused with the spirit of, Nan Shepherd’s wonderful novella of the same name. The two discuss the album (right) and the themes and ideas behind it, Jenny’s personal connection with the ar

Oct 13, 2020
2 min

Artistic Freedom: The SWH! Podcast Talks To Kirsty Law…

For the latest SWH! Podcast Ali spoke to singer and songmaker Kirsty Law about her latest project, Helm Arts – the multi-disciplinary production company and artist support service. The two talk about the ethos and ideas behind Helm, and the need to support, advise, and offer help to artists of all kinds. Kirsty relates Helm Arts to experiences in her own career, including the numerous collaborations, multi-disciplinary events, and other projects with which she has been involv