“It’s the most empowering and inspiring story I’ve ever had the privilege and pleasure of telling.”
Glen Matlock Q&A
Glen Matlock was the youngest member of The Sex Pistols at only 16 and he wrote many of their hits from God Save The Queen, he also played for many years in Iggy Pop’s band. Slick was Bowie’s guitarist. We caught up with Glen ahead of their gig at The Bungalow in Paisley to ask him a few questions.
Val McDermid Q&A
With over 16 million copies of her books published and having been translated into 40 languages. Val McDermid is one of Scotland’s most prolific writers. Her first novel was published in 1987. It was the first British crime novel with a lesbian detective. This was the time of Thatcher government creation of section 28, making it illegal for local authorities to support anything that may promote same sex relationships. I asked her how hard it was to get her book out there.
Caro Ramsay Q&A
Her writing has been described by the Guardian as “Black, bleak and brilliant.” Caro Ramsay is on her 14th novel. Although she was was born in Govan, Caro now lives in what she wryly tells us her publicity often describes as ‘a small fishing village on the west coast of Scotland; Elderslie.’ We were lucky enough to catch up her ahead of her talk at The Paisley Book Festival this month.
Next To Godley
In response to a recent tweet asking “What have you ever done?” Janey Godley replied: “Jailed a paedo, wrote a book, bought a house, survived rape, won a comedy award, gave birth, owned a pub, made soup, had a fight
Ed McCardie – Interview
Houston-based writer and producer Ed McCardie has helped create some of the most popular TV shows in the last decade, including Shameless, Sneaky Pete, Spotless and many more. He talks to INSIGHT Magazine about his big break, his favourite scenes
Elaine C. Smith – Interview
Elaine C. Smith is a national treasure. So it was HUGELY embarrassing when I had to text her after the interview we’d done saying I had lost the recording and could we redo it. I was downstairs berating myself for being an idiot, when I heard my phone vibrating… It couldn’t be, could it??
James Grant Interview
Muscian James Grant talks to Rona Simpson about his success with 80s bands Friends Again and Love and Money, growing up in Castlemilk and his recent involvement with RIG Arts project ‘Heid O’ the Hill’ where he mentored musicians from
Helen McCookerybook – Interview
Helen McCookerybook (a.k.a Dr Helen Reddington) is a London-based musician and academic best known for singing and playing bass with Brighton punk band The Chefs. She talks to Rona Simpson about feminism, music and film ventures, her punk days and the violence that coloured that time.
Eddi Reader Interview
Eddi Reader shot to fame in the 80s with her band Fairground Attraction. She is the recipient of 3 BRIT awards and in 2003 she gained worldwide attention for her album The Songs of Robert Burns. Rona Simpson caught up with her to chat about her new album Cavalier, feminism and the ‘instinctive beauty’ of playing live…