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EDITOR’S LETTER
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or Impulse Magazine’s 2015 issue, we wanted to focus on everything Edinburgh. It’s a city that is full of creativity and culture, but most often overlooked during the absence of the annual Edinburgh international festival, AKA the other 11 months of the year. We wanted to celebrate the wonderful artists, comedians, musicians, poets, writers et al who live and work in this glorious city, providing you with exclusive interviews and content in one neat A5-sized package. Our cover star, Groundskeeper Fanny is at the forefront of creating a drag scene here in Edinburgh. Along with Alice Rabbit, the pair are determined to establish a community where the art of drag can flourish within the capital. With Fanny having debuted in Edinburgh’s first monthly drag night in March, it is hoped that this new residence will act as a hub for the city’s queens and those who worship them. We chat music, bringing you some of the up and coming bands, artists and DJs who can be found playing relentlessly throughout the city. We also showcase some of the minds who are creating unconventional performance spaces for these artists, with DIY music and art festivals created off the back of various venue closures. Then there are the books. We explore why so many authors have chosen or been inspired by Edinburgh as settings for their novels, looking at how the streets and landscape have helped to write their stories. If fashion is more your thing, we’ve got an exclusive shoot with designers Lizzie O, Nicci. N, and C. Watson whose latest designs come together to create a ‘70s inspired spread. We’ve even worked with some artists and illustrators studying at the various universities here, so keep a look out for our specially commissioned Impulse illustrations throughout this issue. I may be biased, but this issue of Impulse is looking to be the best one yet. – Lauren Stephen, Editor-in-Chief
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IMPULSE TEAM 2015 Editor-in-Chief: Deputy Editors: Features Editors: Design Editor: Photo Editor: Online Editor: Video Editor: Chief Sub Editor: Sub Editors: Distribution Manager: Production Editor: Ad Sales Manager: Ad Sales Executives:
Lauren Stephen Finlay Matheson, Jamie Hall Alice Cruickshank, Amanda Manno Cassie Burke Laura Palmer Alex Godlewski Deane Walsh Katie Campbell Meghan McCormack, Marisa Tesoro Nicola Park Larissa Just Rosie Smith Deane Laouadi, Emma Williamson
Advertising Team: Rebekah Heath, Lauren McKinney, Kirsten McStay, Aline Siekierski, & Cameron Willis Design Team: Rebecca Barrett, Joe Burns, Jane Campbell, & Sarah Devine Staff Writers: Corri Allan, Robyn Baillie, Stephanie Gray, Jamie Harkin, Drew Haughey, Daniel Hodgson, Ross Kelly, Danielle Kinahan, Declan Kinsella, Matt Lawless, Emma Logan, Max Meres, James Molloy, Lauren Ritchie, & Scott Thomson Photography: Nicole Bell, Ollie Buchanan, Angus Duncan, Danielle Kinahan, & Chris Scott Illustrations: Peony Gent, Lois Glen, Patrick Hughes, Nicola Laurie, Kirsty Struthers, & Andrea Popyordanova Special Thanks To: Derek ‘Command-D-for-Derek’ Allan, Neil Braidwood, Kate Smith, Iain MacKay, & J.Thomson Colour Printers
IMPULSE magazine is produced by BA Journalism students from the School of Arts & Creative Industries, Edinburgh Napier University. The views and opinions within this publication are not necessarily those of Edinburgh Napier University.
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CONTENTS Windy City Wanderer Paint The Town Homegrown Talent Scotland On The Silver Screen A Cut Above One More Tune The Rising Tide Spoken Word 4
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Altern’ Essence Capital Collection Drag Me To Edinburgh Comedy Books Humans of Edinburgh Not In The Guide Books Down Memory Lane
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WINDY CITY WANDERER From Chicago to Edinburgh, and every Ceilidh she goes to, AMANDA MANNO is exploring Edinburgh with fresh eyes.
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T was 8am, and my plane had just landed. My trimester in Edinburgh started in the middle of January, and despite the chill nipping at my cheeks, it was a pleasant surprise from the sleet storm I had just escaped in Chicago. I walked out on to the street, and instead of the small, bright, yellow cars that surrounded the airport in Chicago I was greeted with rows of unfamiliar, less colourful taxis. I tried to look beyond, expecting to see the hills and castles
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that I had seen on Pinterest, but the streetlights only managed to illuminate the rain-soaked pavement at my feet. Luckily the promise of daylight showed on the horizon, if only for a mere seven hours. Feelings of unfamiliarity and uncertainty overcame me, and I started to wonder why I decided to come 3,000 miles away from home. While this feeling of unfamiliarity never completely diminished, the uncertainty of this strange place did. I was over-
whelmed by the rolling green hills that replaced dead leafless trees and brown grass back in Chicago. Ancient architecture and a lower skyline replaced tall skyscrapers in the adolescent 178 year-old city that I left. Walking the streets of Edinburgh, I became constantly immersed in the blend of modern and ancient culture. The bold castle that watched over me on Princes Street put
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H&M and Urban Outfitters in its shadow. Looking at this castle from almost any part of the city made me think of how many people centuries before stood and admired or protected that very same castle. It made me feel quite small and humble. While all of these feelings were new, they are expected anytime you travel to a different place. I expected to be consumed with this aesthetic beauty. I expected to be awed into silence when I stood in front of the castle for the first time on a snowy night.
But I didn’t expect that it would be the people of Edinburgh that would truly give me a lasting impression on this city. I went to my first ceilidh on Burns Night and was dragged into a roomful of stumbling, laughing strangers. We stood in two lines facing one another and attempted to listen to the instructor over the loud music. Our moves didn’t quite match the actual dance, but the pulse
in the room kept constant from our stomping feet and clapping hands. The bagpipes and kilts weren’t the only things that made this a novel, unique experience. It was a different taste of fun. People who had just met at the beginning of the night were brought together through a tradition that had been in practice for over a hundred years. It was genuine, and it was refreshing. After that night, I got the impression that people weren’t afraid to be their raw selves. I saw originality and creativity valued more than conformity. I was drawn to these traits in the intricate architecture and in the people, traits that are rooted in a rich and ancient culture.
Illustration: Nicola Laurie IMPULSE | 2015
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PAINT THE TOWN Local artists transform bland walls into works of art, reinventing Edinburgh’s landscape. DANIELLE KINAHAN found out more about the scene.
Photos: Danielle Kinahan 8
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Pieute acts as a temporary home for some of Edinburgh’s most renowned graffiti artists.
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IMPULSE | STREET ART
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UNDAY afternoon finds me breathing in the sketch lines has transformed into the two boys’ tag fumes of 20 spray-paint cans. The pop-up names, blown up in technicolor and popping off clothing store Pieute is undergoing a makeo- the wall. What is on display is dedication. ver and a unique one at that. Housed under the Graffiti, for all its subculture status, is not a cheap store’s roof, a “graffiti jam” is underway, and most of hobby to undertake. Consider this: an average can Edinburgh’s graffiti community have shown up to of spray paint costs around £6 and painters nortalk, drink and turn the place into an artist’s mecca. mally go through half a dozen cans in one sitting. The store will soon undergo a complete renova- It takes years to hone the skill to execute a decent tion so the walls of the shop are open season. Paint- piece of graffiti, so the process can be pricey. For ers arrive and section off a piece of the wall for their most, it’s worth the catharsis of creative energy. work, all the while glancing down at sketches to But there’s another drawback: for all its love of make sure they have enough room or boldly start- culture, Edinburgh is a hostile place for painters. ing their piece freehand. In the corner sits a Lady Harsh fines and jail terms are common responses and the Tramp bag innocuously filled to the brim to anyone caught painting where they shouldn’t with spray paint. Respirators make be, and more moderate sentencing an appearance, but a few painters, doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. “It’s funny,” and me, have opted out of wearing But for most the illegality adds to another masks. All the more fun. the appeal and respect that comes painter, Hobo, Within the span of an afterwith the community. “It’s funny,” says, “but I noon, the shop has morphed another painter, Hobo, says, “but I rather like from a bland, beige-walled morgue rather like the fact that it’s illegal.” the fact that into a mosaic of colour and shape. As a woman, Sencha is the miit’s illegal” Characters and tags are emblanority in the community but like zoned on the walls. Ranging in Ches and Osoh, her interest in size and style, “or lack thereof ” painting stems from skateboardone painter quips, the work takes undeniable skill. ing. But once she started, it manifested into someBut the painter Vidal tells me he’s not keen on the thing more. She began to use graffiti as a platform for feminism by creating female iconography, which term “street art” because it implies an audience. “It’s something I do for myself,” he says, looking comfortably can be coined “art.” Like most others up at the tag he has spent the afternoon perfecting. in the community, she attests to the fact that there’s The tag names are born organically as a selec- a thrill that comes with street art. It has the potion of the letters that the painter can do best, tential to hit you while you’re out on the street. Ches and Usoh explain. Still in high school, the It’s unexpected, which is something that no art two had their interest sparked in graffiti through gallery can imitate. Edinburgh is a beautiful city awash with historic skateboard culture. It takes a lot of time, and even more patience, to sites and imposing castles. Rain-washed and grey, nail down a tag. The work shows. In the course of graffiti adds a punch of colour to the city and a a few hours, the initial maze of incomprehensible space to say whatever it is you want.
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HOMEGROWN TALENT Illustration: Andrea Popyordanova Photos: Chris Scott
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IMPULSE | MUSIC
King Creosote entertains crowds at a photography event at LeithLate 14.
Simply add some local talent and the DIY festival scene will flourish. JAMIE HARKIN investigates.
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rassroots events have been growing in popularity for a number of years now, with more independent festivals and events popping up in and around the city. Events like the Hidden Door festival and Tradfest Edinburgh grow more popular every year. One of these events is the much loved Leith Late Festival. Leith Late is a two day event that celebrates art and music while highlighting new venues and art spaces in the local comIMPULSE | 2015
“It’s a case of getting spaces that have a commitment to artistic value already, whether they be gig or gallery spaces” munity. Creator and organiser of Leith Late, Morvern Cunningham believes that the economy plays a large part in the events popularity, “I think the grass-
roots scene thrives in times of difficulty. So I think in terms of the recession that’s almost been quite good because it’s been kind of encouraging people to get off their arses and do it themselves.” The growing attraction of these events could also be attributed to the kind of acts they feature. Rather than attempting to reach out to more well known acts, the festival acts as a showcase for rising local talent. According to Cunningham, ”It’s made by people who live in 13
Leith, care about Leith and want to show Leith at its best capacity.” Another important factor is the number and variety of acts that they reach out to. Leith Late is becoming known for its wide range of acts: “The particular format of Leith Late to date has been this idea of having almost too many things going on, to the
point where you can’t get round everything. So there’s that kind of excitement and buzz.” It isn’t just the quantity of acts that keep people coming back to Leith Late – the quality is also very high. They employ a rigorous selection process for both the venue and the artist, Cunningham said they attempt
to “capture the spirit of up and coming creative Leith.” In terms of venues they also have a lot of editorial decisions to make, “It’s a case of getting spaces that have a commitment to artistic value already, whether they be gig or gallery spaces. That’s what we look for. We don’t want to just dress something up
It’s not all about music. Slam champion, Texture, performs at the Brass Monkey. 14
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Revellers can enjoy a huge variety of arts and culture events around Leith during the festival.
to be something it’s not; we want to show what’s there already.” The festival may have to change tactics on what venues to involve, as Cunningham was concerned that “Leith Late was originally was a showcase of grass roots art spaces. Unfortunately those art spaces no longer exist anymore, they’ve transformed into something kind of a little bit more established. “ The main intention is to have more of a lasting impact on those IMPULSE | 2015
“It’s important to take people away from the norm and to inspire people who maybe walk down the same street they have all their life to look at it in a different way”
who attend. “It’s important to take people away from the norm and to inspire people who maybe walk down the same street they have all their life to look at it in a different way.” There is however a major issue in terms of funding. Leith Late has not yet received funding from any official source, leaving them to fund the majority of it themselves through an after party. Arranging it “takes blood sweat and tears” and they have
to consider carefully how to finance and plan the event. As Cunningham says, “I think it’s all about being creative with the ways you pull it off.” So if you’re looking for a good night, why not go along and support the event this year. It will not only give you the chance to see a showcase of great up and coming local artists and acts, but it will help the festival grow. After all, “It’s better than just going to the pub and moaning.” 15
SCOTLAND ON THE SILVER SCREEN ROBYN BAILLIE spoke to up-and-coming director John McPhail about his debut movie, Where Do We Go From Here?
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HREE years since his directorial debut, John McPhail is far from losing his passion for film-making. Having just wrapped up his first feature film Where Do We Go From Here?, there’s hope of screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June. “When my friends found out I’d made a romcom, they laughed at me,” said McPhail. “I’m not a romcom fan at all. My favourite films are like Arnold Schwarzenegger films – Predator and Total Recall, but I’m a big comedy fan.” “I love making people laugh on a day to day basis. If I can make someone smile then that’s amazing and the inspiration for romantic comedies came from that.” Since he began directing, McPhail, along with 16
“When I’m watching the scene unfold from the monitor and my cast are bringing the characters to life, nothing could be more awesome” his production company, Worrying Drake, has received a huge amount of recognition, with his films being shown in 106 cities around the world. He has also picked up several awards, including best director after a screening at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and two audience choice IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
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Photos: Laura Palmer
awards from the Virgin Media Shorts. Now with his first feature length film in the bag, McPhail has nothing but fond memories of filming Where Do We Go From Here? “[It was] the single best experience of my life. I didn’t eat or sleep for two and a bit weeks” he joked, “but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.” With an energy that seems inexhaustible, McPhail describes what it was like working on a project that was entirely his own creation: “Being on set was just amazing – I loved the pressure, the hustle and bustle of it all,” he said. “When I’m watching the scene unfold from the monitor and my cast are bringing the characters to life, nothing could be more awesome.” Where Do We Go From Here? is centred on the character of James as he tries to cope with the death of his grandfather. Living and working in a care home, he realises that the only sensible thing to do is organise a breakout with the care home residents to scatter his grandfather’s ashes. The movie also features McPhail’s regular collaborator, actor Tyler Collins. “Tyler has been the 18
lead in all my shorts; he was just so much fun to work with and we work so well together,” McPhail explains. “When I’m writing, I’ll call him up and just bounce ideas. I think having someone like that in my life is invaluable.” As he rapidly gains a name for himself in comedy, what was behind the decision to avoid themes of drugs and violence so beloved of Scottish film directors? “Don’t get me wrong, I do love Scottish films. I think there are some great Scottish films out there, and to be able to tackle big subjects like drugs and anger is so important, but I want to tell my stories to everyone. I don’t want to just appeal to a Scottish audience.” “I try to stay away from the stereotypical Scottish film and just go out and make nice films,” McPhail said. With the film wrapped, there’s talk of festival strategies and distribution plans. McPhail has already started writing his next feature, removing the need to ask the question: where do we go from here? IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
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IMPULSE | PEOPLE
A CUT ABOVE With manscaping back in fashion and beards growing in popularity again, SCOTT THOMSON took us to one of Edinburgh’s best new barbershops to find out more.
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HE capital has seen an upsurge in the traditional barbershop with men more eager to take care of themselves than ever before. The modern man has ditched the unisex salon and has rediscovered the male sanctuary of the barbers, which are re-emerging as a staple of Edinburgh’s streets once again. “Men are being men again, and they are becoming dapper gentlemen,” is the verdict of hair aficionado Murray McRae – a man at the centre of the male grooming renaissance. Facial hair has made a comeback with debonair gents eager to follow in suit of UK models Chris Millington and Ricki Hall – the guys who brought back the beard. It’s the current trend that has barbershops booming again. Tucked away in Lady Lawson Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town is Stag Barber Co, a modern barber’s with traditional charm, which was opened by McRae last year after cutting his teeth at established high street hair salon Charlie Miller. Stag has a strong masculine feel about it, with the logo of the brand particularly eye-catching – a stag’s head dressed as a dapper gentleman with a suit jacket and bow tie – which was designed by McRae’s cousin, Eleanor Stewart. It provides a unique, but classic look. The interior of the shop is in keeping with the brand: “I wanted it to look like it was something 20
that just didn’t look like a barbershop and I wanted it to be inviting for every kind of man,” said McRae. “I wanted it to be somewhere that was warm and comfortable and somewhere where I would want to get my hair cut. With the antlers that I’ve got on the wall, it is in keeping the theme of the name of the shop. It seems to work as it is not overkill.” The current beard and barber trend has always been there, according to McRae, but it’s just the growth of a more liberal culture that has led more men to be willing to take greater pride in their appearance. “There are a lot of models who took it upon themselves to grow a beard and it’s sort of accepted of being a classic style rather being something which is scruffy and overgrown,” he said. “We now live in a culture where it’s more expressive. You’re not just a man if you are working with your head underneath a bonnet of a car or if you are a soldier or whatever. You can do whatever you want and express yourself how you want to.” Once neglected for the salon, the barbershop is here to stay. “It should hopefully last for a long time,” said McRae. “It’s not something that is going to go away, men are always going to have hair on their head and as long as it continues to do that and everyone keeps the passion for it, then they should stay alive. It’s a really good time for us.” IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
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Photo: Laura Palmer 21
ONE MORE TUNE Through the depths of Edinburgh’s most infamous haunts, Cassie Burke, Joe Burns, Matt Lawless and Max Meres have compiled a showcase of the capital’s finest musical acts. So lace up those dancing shoes as we present an array of artists across a variety of venues, from sticky dancefloors to sweaty moshpits.
RED RETRO PILOT Edinburgh pop/rock quartet Red Retro Pilot have been playing to crowds across Edinburgh and as far afield as London since early 2013. A collective of local music students, they first met and performed under the namer Otoban, a creation of talented Edinburgh songwriter, Lewis Maxwell. With a chance to catch their gigs in several locations across Scotland, you’re most likely to see them gracing the capital in venues such as Whistlebinkies or Sneaky Pete’s with their eccentric and incredibly active on-stage performances. The debut single Tattoo and their latest EP Transmission 101 are available now on Spotify and iTunes.
FILIP BLAST Filip Blast are an Edinburgh-based pop/funk outfit, incorporating styles of hip hop, rock and jazz in their sound. Mostly Scottish with the exception of a South African vocalist and London-native trumpeter, Filip Blast have released a bold five-track funk/rock EP since their formation in the summer of 2013. Two years on, they have continued to perform in Edinburgh and Glasgow, despite frontman Michael Friederich’s current London postcode. The band have confirmed that they will be returning to the studio to record their second EP this spring.
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IMPULSE | MUSIC
LAW Leicester-born LAW (real name Lauren Holt) has been a regular of the Edinburgh music scene since early 2013. Her initial EP Haters & Gangsters was, for a while, the only available example of her experimental style, which combines Holt’s raw vocals with gothic hip-hop beats and eerie electronica. LAW’s latest release, Cowboys & Hustlers, builds upon her already growing reputation as a breakthrough artist, with powerful tracks such as Peter
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and Lilo redefining a new style of modern pop music. Although LAW can often be seen performing in the capital, she recently completed a small tour of South Africa with friends and collaborators, Young Fathers, the Edinburgh-based winners of last year’s Mercury Prize. With her summer tour dates fast approaching – including a show in Edinburgh – be sure to grab both the EPs for free download via LAW’s SoundCloud.
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Photos: Laura Palmer
PASSION PUSHER Passion Pusher – the moniker adopted by vocalist and guitarist James Gage in 2012 – play ambient, lo-fi rock music influenced by the likes of Dinosaur Jr among others. After releasing almost 200 demos recorded in Gage’s bedroom, he later decided to take on a backing band to further solidify their sound. Passion Pusher’s demo releases came out on labels like Benzo Records, which is also one of
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Gage’s side projects, clearly demonstrating the doit-yourself ethic of the group. Their latest releases Going Places and Distant Youth EP can be found on the band’s intimidatingly lengthy Bandcamp page. Passion Pusher play shows regularly all over Scotland, and have played in other cities up and down the UK. You can check their Facebook page for information about upcoming shows and releases.
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CRAIG SMITH Label owner, DJ, and one half of the legendary 6th Borough Project, Craig Smith has been at the helm of Edinburgh’s house music scene for over 20 years. Alongside Peter Oakden, Smith runs the label Fifty Fathoms Deep, which released music from Ugly Drums and The Revenge to name a few. Since making his debut at Edinburgh’s most influential club night The Hooch in 1987, Smith has played alongside some of the most well known names in house music such as Kerri Chandler. His most recent release, Love, Hate and Everything Inbetween, released on Valentine’s Day, proves Smith is still going stronger than ever.
PAINTING ROCKETS For fans of Paramore and Tonight Alive, Painting Rockets are a female-fronted alt rock band who released their debut EP Happiness in Measures in January, with talk of an official launch performance this spring. Their sound ranges from bluesy atmospheric rock to feisty pop/punk, riding through on powerful vocals, sincere lyricism and solid production. If Happiness in Measures stands as testament to anything, it’s that Painting Rockets are really about to take off – pun intended.
THEO KOTTIS Theo Kottis is a young Edinburgh based DJ/Producer, whose recent debut EP, Waiting Game – released on the highly acclaimed Moda Black label – received support from some of the world’s biggest DJs, including Pete Tong and Solomon. Waiting Game was brilliantly received, and charted in the top ten of Beatport’s Electronica section. Kottis gained a wealth of experience by playing extensively in Edinburgh’s underground scene, as well taking to the stage at world renowned venues like Fabric and Sub Club. His second EP, Human Nature, is set for release in March, meaning this year could be Kottis’ brightest yet. IMPULSE | 2015
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THE RISING TIDE
Did the referendum leave you with a passion for politics? Well FINLAY MATHESON has news for you.
Illustration: Kirsty Struthers
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IMPULSE | POLITICS
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AST year’s referendum changed Scottish proportion of SNP members under the age of 30 politics forever, of that there is no doubt. A more than doubled after the referendum. Under political wave crashed over the country and, 30s now make up 21% of the party’s following. In whether your side won or lost, Scotland arguably comparison, Scottish Unionist parties have been became the most politically engaged country in quiet on membership figures since the referendum. Western Europe. Scottish Labour membership figures jump between Perhaps the most heartening result of the refer- 7000 and 14,000, depending on who you believe. endum was the level of youth engagement ahead The media will also play a huge role in keeping of the vote. For the first time in Scottish political youth engagement as high as it has been in recent history, 16 and 17 year-olds were enfranchised. times. All too often middle-aged newsreaders talk Scotland saw young people debating in school halls to middle-aged politicians about middle-aged and arenas, universities, pubs and clubs. In an age problems. That’s why Luna Webster set up Have I Got News of political apathy, young people genuinely cared about the outcome of the vote. And it showed. For Youth (HIGNFY) at the beginning of 2015. More than 106,000 under-18s HIGNFY is a politics website for registered to vote, with 71% of young people, by young people. “All too often those who turned out backing She says, “I came up with the idea middle-aged independence, according to a for the website from that feeling newsreaders poll published by Lord Ashcroft. of exclusion.” talk to middleDuring the campaign groups Webster agrees the onus is like National Collective sprang aged politicians on the media to include young up, hosting gig nights and em- about middle-aged people: “I think the media has a problems” barking on a festival road trip huge responsibility to represent around Scotland, getting young young voices in the run up to the people involved in the issues affecting them in general election because the choices made by our the debate. Even the Usher Hall sold out, with governments affect us.” Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai and Frightened Rabbit Grassroots politics will play a huge role in the lending their support to the campaign. The BBC, future of Scottish politics too, according to the though hugely criticised for their referendum cov- HIGNFY founder: “These groups have more politierage, hosted the largest televised debate in Scottish cal sway than politicians because they are actually history, with 12,000 school pupils taking on a panel relatable to voters and speak to them directly”. of politicians at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. What is clear in this General Election year is that The problem now facing Scottish politicians is the media, both mainstream and alternative, will be how to keep young people engaged ahead of the critical in keeping young people involved in politics. tribal mudsling that is General Electioneering. This If successful, we can make Scotland as exciting and problem does not seem to exist for the SNP. The engaging as was in the run up to the referendum.
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SPEAK THE TRUTH
MARISA TESORO spoke to Jenny Lindsay from Rally & Broad about the “rude health” of Edinburgh’s spoken word scene.
Photo: Chris Scott
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ENNY Lindsay is one-half of the dynamic duo that makes up Rally & Broad, a platform for new writers and professional poetic performers alike to showcase their work. Together, she and Rachel McCrum invite audiences to witness a variety of acts, from slam-style poets to musical guests. Both seasoned performers, Lindsay and McCrum know a thing or two about the spoken word, and Lindsay explains that there is definitely room for that scene to grow in Edinburgh.
How would you describe the spoken word scene in Edinburgh? In rude health. There are a lot of things going on in Edinburgh from student nights offering a firststep to new performers and writers, to Loud Poets, where high-energy, rapid-fire delivery, and a ban on reading, is the order of the day. Neu Reekie [is] where you can see very established writers alongside excellent bands and short films. Rally & Broad prides itself on showcasing the best of the Scottish scene, alongside a New Voices slot and acts from outside Scotland.
When were both of you introduced to poetry in performance and how did you find yourselves on the spoken word scene in Edinburgh? I’ve been performing since 2002. Back then, I was one of very few poets under the age of 30 performing on the scene. I started out as a singer-songwriter in Glasgow, whose lyrics were always better than my singing. After my flat was robbed and my electric piano stolen, I started performing those lyrics at open mic nights, and someone involved in the scene saw me and told me I was a poet. It was news to me, but I haven’t looked back since. I moved back to Edinburgh in 2004 and ran Big Word from 2002 to 2008 and then Is This Poetry? in 2010. Rachel and I met in August 2011 and that was when we hatched a plan to create Rally & Broad – a platform for new writers alongside big name acts. We launched in October 2012.
Do you have any advice for anyone attending their first spoken word performance? Be open to something new. Spoken word is like music — people come at it from lots of different angles. If you see one bad spoken word performer, it shouldn’t put you off exploring others!
How would you define spoken word? Spoken word is a great term as it encompasses any literary medium designed for, or suitable for, a live audience. To us, that encompasses great poets reading their work well, slam-style poets performing, authors and short-story writers who can entertain an audience.
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Do you have any advice for someone hoping to try spoken word or poetry performance? Read poetry of all styles. Listen to poetry readings, slam performances, live literature, and author readings. Explore different acts online and offline, learn to recognise what works and what doesn’t. Use your own voice and don’t feel the need to follow someone else’s style or ‘rules.’ Spoken word shouldn’t have any rules, other than to bear in mind that audience reaction is a major part of the form. What has been one of your favorite memories from either performing or organizing an event? Rachel and I absolutely love running Rally & Broad, and I have never enjoyed running events as much as I have since meeting Rachel. From the nailbiting “will anyone turn up” panics at the beginning of the night, to the cherry bourbon celebrations when everything turns out right, there’s nothing better than bringing together amazing acts with an amazing audience. 29
Illustration: Nicola Laurie
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IMPULSE | PERFUME Fabio Cunha creates one of Altern’ Essence’s signature scents in the couple’s Edinburgh flat.
Photos: Lauren Stephen
EAU D’EDINBURGH
Meghan McCormack visited the brains behind Altern’ Essence Perfumery to chat influences, home and all things Edinburgh.
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DINBURGH: a haunt, a sanctuary, a dwelling place. To many, Scotland’s capital is a homestead. Walking through its antiquated streets you would be forgiven for merely appreciating its outward beauty. But unbeknown to passers by, nestled in a stylish modern flat, is the home of Altern’ Essence Perfumery. Aidan Cave and Fabio Cunha, both 22, are the architects behind each handcrafted, cruelty free, vegan scent. “Creating perfume is like a cross between chemistry and painting,” explains Cave. The couple, originally from Portugal, moved to Scotland four years ago before toying with the idea of creating their own perfumes. “I didn’t really see the beauty of it at first,” Cunha recalls. “But when we made the first two scents, Dead Elephant and Between Mountains, there it IMPULSE | 2015
was, it was beautiful.” Edinburgh certainly provides the pair with a deluge of inspiration. One recent project saw Altern’ Essence collaborate with Edinburgh-based singer LAW to create a scent based on her single Haters. “We met her at a ‘zine launch in Edinburgh,” laughs Cave. “Her song was playing and we just approached her. She was very involved in the whole process. She gave us her lyrics as well as their deep meaning and she even picked out some of the ingredients!”
“The dampness of the hops; I would love to recreate that. An Edinburgh scent would be stunning”
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“I fall in love with the Haters scent over and over again,” Cunha said. “It was very difficult to make because it was such a unique project, but we had so much fun doing it.” It is clear that the pair are passionate about their chosen art form. Each scent has a deeper sense of purpose, with an intent to provoke an emotional response with its wearer. Could an Edinburgh inspired scent be in the pipeline? “Definitely,” Cunha said. “I would love to experiment with the smells of the stone here. Or even, you know that smell, when you arrive on the plane in Edinburgh? The dampness of the hops; I would love to re-create that. An Edinburgh scent would be stunning.” However it is not just the city that inspires their fragrance. “I am a people watcher,” confesses Cave. “It would be cool to create a scent about a random person, who would never know that they are the muse.” With such ambition and an already apparent following of loyal customers, could Altern’ Essence be on the brink of expanding?
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“The thing about Altern’ Essence is that we are not trying to make a business,” explains Cunha. “We are just trying to learn more and have fun. However if we ever did open a shop I like to think that it would be in Edinburgh.” Cave and Cunha are undoubtedly settled in here in the capital. But what is it about Edinburgh that keeps the pair here? “The bus we used to get stopped on Princes Street, just next to the Scott Monument,” said Cave. “In Portugal, everything is very flat; but when our bus stopped and you looked out of the window, all you could see was hills and old buildings.” “We had such a warm welcome when we arrived” adds Cunha. “We made friends straight away.” Originally, the pair only planned to move to Scotland for six months with the intention of moving on to Australia. “Our six month plan turned into a year and a half ” admits Cave. “After that we went to Asia for five months, and thought we would go back to Portugal afterwards. When it came to booking our flights home, we booked tickets back to Edinburgh.” “Edinburgh is after all our second home.”
IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
IMPULSE | PERFUME Perfume is made up of three levels. Each level of scent is grouped
DID YOU KNOW? together according to how much time after application they can be smelled. HEAD NOTES:
Evaporate quickly. For example, citrus scents.
HEART NOTES:
Makes the main body of the perfume. For example, floral scents.
BASE NOTES:
Bring a sense of depth to the perfume. For example, musky and woody scents.
Illustration: Peony Gent
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, LAUREN STEPHEN AND I JOINED THE TEAM AT ALTERN’ ESSENCE PERFUMERY AND MADE OUR VERY OWN SCENT...
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IDAN and Fabio kindly let us loose among their fully stocked cabinet of oils before leaving us to experiment with what worked. Or in my case, what didn’t work. I don’t think I’ll be giving Jo Malone a run for her money anytime soon. After smelling each tiny bottle I was left in a bit of a haze. I like gin, so did I like juniper berries? Or was that the one that smelled like head lice treatment?
IMPULSE | 2015
Playing it safe, I grabbed some familiar looking scents to contribute to our concoction. Rose, cedar wood… I had a feeling I wasn’t quite as good at pairing as Lauren. Oils chosen, it was time for science. Each bottle had to be tipped to allow precise droplets to fall into the beaker. This required patience, again, not one of my stronger points. Mix complete, we were both
given a small spray bottle of our scent. It was strong, and my fellow passengers on the train home did not appreciate it. Note duly taken. Despite our valiant attempts, our scent did not compare to the beautiful fragrances of Altern’ Essence creation. Perfumery is something perhaps left to the skills of the masters.
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Sittings Editor: Robyn Baillie Assistant: Alice Cruickshank Photographer: Natalie Baxter Make-Up: Samantha Rachel Model: Rebecca Baillie
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CAPITAL COLLECTION
Edinburgh designers captivate with striking printed fabrics and contemporary imaginings of vintage styles. Words: ALICE CRUICKSHANK
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LIZZIE O Luxurious oriental fabrics and a touch of retro Hollywood glamour combine to shape this collection. With each piece lovingly handcrafted from vintage kimono fabric, every item by Lizzie O has a unique heritage and a story to be told. Designer Julie professes to a life-long fascination with Japan, and the ornate beauty of geishas serves as continuing inspiration to her designs.
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NICCI. N. Specialised printing techniques are central to Nicci. N.’s collections, which are created to give women an alternative to High Street shopping. The designer spans a widerange of inspiration, from sweet shops to the darkness of death, and these contrasting ideas and fabrics combine to create standout pieces.
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C. WATSON Designer Christine Watson puts two fingers up to the questionable Scottish weather with her luxury waterproof designs. Leather-look fabrics and polka dots are complemented by biker details and flowing cuts. Her full-skirted skater dresses are a staple piece and are reimagined in different colours and fabrics for each collection.
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DRAG ME TO EDINBURGH Shante you stay! DEANE LAOUADI spoke to the Edinburgh queens trying to establish their very own drag circuit in the city.
Photos: Nicole Bell & Laura Palmer
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IMPULSE | DRAG QUEENS
Groundskeeper Fanny ventures out of her parlour to bask in the shade of the Botanic Gardens.
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RAG, the ancient craft of female impersonation, is having ‘a moment’ right now. Typically the art form has always existed in the margins of our cultural zeitgeist, brazenly holding up a mirror to society by exaggerating traditional motifs of femininity and mocking the often-absurd expectations placed on women. However, thanks to the huge success of reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race, as well as increased acceptance of different forms of gender expression, drag is currently enjoying a level of mainstream 42
exposure not experienced since the nineties, when pioneering queen RuPaul had the whole world spinning on the tip of her bejewelled acrylics. This newfound cultural appetite is being sated not only by the seasoned professionals that have been donning tits and tights since 68 BC (Before Cher) but also by the new generation of ingenues who have only just been introduced to the glamorous entertainment format. The UK boasts some of the most eclectic drag scenes in the world, among which Glasgow is an IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
irrefutable standout. The city’s thriving club nights and competition circuits have allowed a tight-knit community to prosper among its queens, a sisterhood forged in love and lace-front wigs. The same however cannot be said for Scotland’s capital. Edinburgh’s drag scene currently borders on non-existent. Despite occasional sparks of brilliance in queer oriented events like Confusion is Sex or Cilla Slack’s string of drag competitions at Chalky’s, nothing has ignited enough interest to create permanent drag scene. The city’s hollow circuit is completely at odds with the throng of talent within it. Edinburgh’s queens are fiercely dedicated, and work tirelessly not just to perfect their craft, but to cultivate spaces in which it can be appreciated. One of these queens is the elusive Alice Rabbit, who describes her alter ego as a “monstrously sexual” presence that exists “somewhere between reality and cartoon,” and is steadily becoming a ubiquitous fixture of Edinburgh’s gay scene. On the reasons behind Edinburgh’s lagging drag
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scene, Rabbit said: “What’s good about the Glasgow scene is that whether there’s shade being thrown it’s a sisterhood and they all support each other, whereas here it’s more competitive than sisterly”. In the drag community insult is considered sport, referred to by many as “reading’” or “throwing shade.” The exchange of biting remarks between queens is observed as an essential wit sharpening exercise but is generally practiced in good faith. Rabbit alluded that this undercurrent of mutual love and respect is less prevalent among Edinburgh’s queens. “You’ll get a queen who goes for fish [a style which seeks to achieve the authentic appearance of a woman] and a queen that’s a club kid [an avant-garde style which draws inspiration from the New York ballroom scene]; fishy queen doesn’t want anything to do with club kid because they’re different and she thinks they’ll make her look bad,” said Rabbit. “Drag here is treated more as a bitch fest than performance art.”
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“I started this club night with a clear goal to create something I love and that I know the community will enjoy”
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Another local queen and Rabbit’s own drag mother Fedora Homburg, whose aesthetic evokes a plethora of pop icons using both femininity and masculinity as a palette, agreed with this sentiment. She also cited Edinburgh’s festival-centric arts and culture calendar as a reason for the lack of interest. “Edinburgh is a tiny place that isn’t that artistic for 11 months of the year then during the Fringe the entire world comes here and the city gets spoiled by having all this culture at its door for one month which then dissipates immediately after,” said Homburg. “There are loads of drag acts during the Fringe but the problem is it kills the creativity for the rest of the year. “You can’t have a weekly drag scene because everyone is basically preparing for this one month.” Rabbit agreed with her mother’s sentiments, going on to describe the Fringe as being “like a period” for the city in terms of creativity. In spite of bleak prospects, Edinburgh’s drag drought has not deterred fresh faces from immersing themselves in this gender blind world of plunging contours and panty lines. Young queens are sashaying out of the drag womb with more drive and polish than ever before. Groundskeeper Fanny, a relative newcomer to the drag scene, already has her sights set on lofty ambitions. Fanny likened her experience of the more lively circuit in Manchester to “tasting really good food for the first time, but it’s drag queens slaying my entire existence.” “I’m currently co-founding Edinburgh’s first drag club night. It’s called Such A Drag and is premiering at The Electric Circus. I started this club night with a clear goal to create something I love and that I know the community will enjoy,” she said. Fanny’s project is set to feature a line-up of local queens who will collaborate for a night of performances at the end of every month. Discussing the possibility of her involvement, Rabbit, herself a fiery proponent of bringing drag back to Edinburgh, said: “Any stage I’m good for; it’s another foot in the door and I’m happy that she’s doing it.” Of her own contribution to the burgeoning IMPULSE | 2015
Groundskeeper Fanny and Alice Rabbit outside of the Electric Circus, where Such A Drag is set to premiere.
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popularity of drag in the city Rabbit went on to stress the potency of visibility: “Drag was quite quiet here and I think when I started showing up and being out in drag a lot it made other little baby queens in the bars think “well if she can walk in and do it all the time without being afraid then why can’t I?” “My goal was for drag to be seen more, that’s all I wanted.” Whether Such A Drag proves successful or not it will mark a huge turning point for the art form in Scotland’s capital, and prove once and for all that drag has a home in Edinburgh. These queens are a testament to the inexhaustible possibilities drag offers as an entertainment platform. Observing the passion and professionalism with which they approach their craft leaves the unshakeable impression that Edinburgh’s gay scene could be on the verge of a massive makeover. Mascara wands at the ready.
To see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of our Drag Queen photoshoot at the Electric Circus head over to Impulsemag-online.com.
IMPULSE | 2015
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IMPULSE | COMEDY
“With such a well-respected name in the Scottish stand-up circuit at the helm, Monkey Barrel Comedy is a prime hotspot”
BARREL OF LAUGHS
Fed up of The Stand? KATIE CAMPBELL tells you where you can go in Edinburgh to get your comedy fix.
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URING the month of August, you can’t turn a corner in Edinburgh without stumbling on a bar, club or phone box advertising itself as a comedy venue of some kind. The other eleven months of the year, it’s a bit of a different story. Globally renowned club The Stand operates several venues throughout the city and has grown massively since its opening in 1996, but what alternatives do we have to The Stand’s stranglehold on the Edinburgh comedy scene? The Beehive on the Grassmarket has been a mainstay of the Fringe for years. Its attic is home to comedy club, Monkey Barrel Comedy, which is held there on a Friday and Saturday. The host, Rick Molland, is known for his fantastically brutal and audacious style of comedy. With such a well-respected name in the Scottish stand-up circuit at the helm, Monkey Barrel Comedy is a prime hotspot for discovering new talent on the stand-up scene. Not a weekend goes by without established Scottish talent like Vladimir McTavish or Jojo Sutherland taking their turn on the mic alongside some of the best rising talent. You can find line-ups for each week’s shows on the Monkey Barrel Comedy website. If improvisational comedy is your bag, look no further than the Canon’s Gait on the Royal Mile, which plays host to Fringe
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favourites Men With Coconuts, AKA Impro FX. The show takes you on a 90-minute improvised comedy adventure based on audience suggestions. It’s an all singing, all dancing, spur of the moment affair that showcases the best aspects of stand-up in one neat package. You can catch the Men With Coconuts every Thursday night at the Canon’s Gait for a modest £6. It is always worth keeping an eye out for what is on in the Bedlam Theatre. The student run theatre has been another key Fringe venue for many years, situated just off Bristo Square and
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acting as a home for some of the festival’s most popular acts, such as the Penny Dreadfuls and Miles Jupp. At the moment, it’s playing host to improv troupe The Improverts, who host one late show every Friday night at 10.30pm during Edinburgh University’s term time. The Improverts create games using the audience’s suggestions, leading to a new and hilarious show every time. They have been a staple of the Fringe for 26 years, and it’s easy to see why they are such an established force in Edinburgh’s comedy scene.
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IMPULSE | COMEDY
TAKING A STAND Ross Hepburn is a stand-up comedian with a difference. ROSS KELLY spoke to him about his life on the stage.
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OSS Hepburn is a standup comedian like no other. With an incredibly vivid and fascinating imagination and comedic style, he is certainly one to watch for the future. On April 2nd of this year, Hepburn will be hosting a show at Banshee Labyrinth named Science Fiction: Double Feature alongside close friend Des Gorman. The inspiration for Hepburn’s show comes from his interest in cinema and his fascination with the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show while growing up, describing his act as “a love letter about the films I found solace in watching.” Science Fiction follows in a similar vein to Hepburn’s previous works (which include three performances at The Stand) in being a very conversational show where the crowd are encouraged to engage and share in the experience. However this time Hepburn has a cause to promote –Autism Awareness. Hepburn has Asperger’s Syndrome, a type of autism that can be debilitating. Many with Asperger’s struggle throughout their childhood and teenage years often with poor social skills and a reluctance to interact with others. Growing up with autism impacted not only Hepburn’s life but also his family, with many people simply not understanding how to cope with the disorder. “You know there’s something wrong, but you can’t quite put your finger on it,” Hepburn said. “I just thought differently from other children.”
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“Having someone say ‘hey, that really brightened my day’ is the most satisfying feeling”
Diagnosed at seven, Hepburn felt disconnected from his peers. Seeing the world differently was a terrifying and strange experience. His development in high school was at times hindered by his condition. He describes being taken out of class regularly as a disheartening process in his education. But in many aspects, his condition allowed him to be very creative and flourish in art, English and other literary subjects—ones in which he could express himself in a way he saw fit. Hepburn’s state of mind reflects and compliments his style of comedy. “I’m a conversationalist,” he said. “I like talking, and I enjoy making people laugh. Having someone say ‘hey, that really brightened my day’ is the most satisfying feeling.” It was in the early days of high school he realised he could make people laugh simply by conveying his inner thoughts and feelings. “I love Tommy Cooper, he’s my idol,” Hepburn said. “In high school I stood up in front of class and told a joke. The only thing I could conjure up was something from one of his sketches, and to my surprise, everybody laughed.” It was at that point he knew he wanted to be a comedian. In using comedy as a way to vent the workings of his mind, Hepburn will have you keeled over with laughter but also fascinate you with how he truly thinks. Ultimately, audience members will leave with sore sides and a newfound understanding of autism.
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IMPULSE | BOOKS
THE LITERARY LIFE OF LOTHIAN
Edinburgh has a rich literary history. EMMA LOGAN went out to discover why our capital city is such a popular setting.
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DINBURGH is a city steeped in history, and it is this aspect that predominantly draws the tourists to Auld Reekie. In 2012, 68% of tourists came to Edinburgh because of its historical background. It should come as no surprise to find that Edinburgh has always been a popular setting for authors. If you take a trip to the Writer’s Museum on the Royal Mile, you will discover some famous figures 52
that took inspiration from the capital, a prime example being Robert Louis Stevenson. Although his most famous stories, such as Treasure Island, are set far from Scotland’s shores. Stevenson’s writings are still haunted by the memory of his home city. Even though The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is set in London, many believe the dark closes of the Old Town are what pervade IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
Photo: Angus Duncan
Nathan Lawrie works at the Writer’s Museum, and is passionate about Edinburgh’s stamp on the literary world. “The city has such a unique history; the buildings, the way it’s laid out, it’s different from anywhere else in the world and I think that can be quite inspirational” he explains. “If you look at J.K Rowling and the things she wrote here I think it’s easy to set fantasy around the city because when you look about the place it doesn’t really have a modern vibe about it, and I think that makes it much easier to inspire you to do different things.” The unique characteristics of Edinburgh have
Edinburgh’s Old Town provides the perfect setting for any Scottish tale, and authors take full advantage.
“The city has such a unique history; the buildings, the way it’s laid out, it’s different from anywhere else in the world and I think that can be quite inspirational”
the story. Or even, that his idea of the character’s split personality was influenced by the differences between the Old and New Town. Edinburgh’s aura influenced Stevenson when he created Body Snatcher in 1884. Not only is this story set in Edinburgh, it is also widely believed that it was based on the famous murders associated with Burke and Hare. Kidnapped was set all over Scotland but key moments took place in Edinburgh with references to Corstorphine Hill and Queensferry Road. Mentions of the city continue throughout Stevenson’s career. In The Wrecker the main character visits his grandfather in Edinburgh and explores Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat and Princes Street.
helped create many fictional masterpieces. Even when Stevenson moved thousands of miles away to Western Samoa, his thoughts were never far from his home city. In his last days, it was these memories of Edinburgh that helped inspire him: “Writing as I do in a strange quarter of the world, and a late day of my age, I can still behold the profile of her towers and chimneys, and the long trail of her smoke against the sunset.” This influence and lasting effect that Edinburgh has on her residents and visitors, is what made her become the first city in the world to be presented the UNESCO City of Literature award in 2004. A fine acknowledgement of the capital’s distinctiveness and beauty.
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Photo: Lauren Stephen
THE CITY BEHIND THE STORY
Of all the places to set your story, why choose Edinburgh? LAUREN RITCHIE investigates the capital’s popularity as a literary setting.
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S you walk Edinburgh’s grey, cobbled streets you walk where authors were inspired and where dreamers could finally see their stories come to life. Robert Louis Stevenson saw the pirates of Treasure Island on Firde Island, as he played with his friends in the caves. David Nicholls imagined the romantic walk up Arthurs Seat of Dex and Em in One Day. JK Rowling envisioned Edinburgh Castle as a school for young wizards and Ian Rankin could see himself sharing a pint with John Rebus in The Oxford Bar as he brooded over a case. These stories and characters were wandering lost in authors’ minds, but they found a home in Edinburgh. Why are writers drawn to this tiny, old city? We asked writers for their reason for setting their novels in Edinburgh. 54
David Nicholls has achieved phenomenal success with his books and screenplays. His novel One Day was adapted into a movie starring Anne Hathaway and was a huge hit. In the book his two main characters Dexter and Emma begin their love story in Edinburgh. “Why did I choose Edinburgh? It probably comes back to that old cliche of writing what you know. One Day starts in July 1988, and I was also in Edinburgh that summer, sharing a single room in Rankeillor Street with twelve other student actors while we put on a show at the Fringe.” “I loved everything about it. Thirty years later, sitting down to write One Day, I wanted to summon up that sense of excitement and anxiety, idealism and uncertainty and so it seemed natural to return IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
IMPULSE | BOOKS
Everyone has read a book inspired by, or set in Edinburgh at one point. Even Taystee.
to the city at that particular time, and the little flat on Rankeillor Street where the fictional Emma Morley lives.” Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Scotland. Her first novel On Dublin Street is about Jocelyn Butler who has left her tragic past behind in the States and has decided to start over in Edinburgh. Her guarded world is then shaken by her roommate’s seductive older brother: “Very simply, the reason I chose Edinburgh as a setting for my On Dublin Street series is because of my love for the city. This series was my first step into adult contemporary romance. I decided it was pivotal to write from my own experience as much as possible and I’d worked and lived in Edinburgh for a number of years. I knew the city well. When you know the setting well it allows you to concentrate solely on your characters and plot-the setting naturally moves with the story. Moreover, IMPULSE | 2015
my largest readership is the US and Scotland has extremely romantic connotations for Americans.” Christopher Brookmyre’s first novel Quite Ugly One Morning was the winner of the Critics’ First Blood Award for Best First Crime Novel of the Year in 1996. The book is about Jack Parlabane, a Glaswegian journalist, who has just returned to Scotland from LA after finding out that someone wanted him dead. “My first novel Quite Ugly One Morning was really based on my first impressions of Edinburgh when I just moved there from Glasgow in the 1990s. My take on Edinburgh in the novel was actually quite impressionistic which made it quite satirical. At the time when I thought of Edinburgh I thought of ladies in tweed jackets in Jenners and things like that, but then my novels set in Edinburgh became less like that as my impressions of the city changed when I lived longer in the city. The longer you live in a city the less you understand it.” 55
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IMPULSE | PEOPLE
MAKING EDINBURGH HUMAN It is a concept that has swept the globe, and Edinburgh with it. DREW HAUGHEY takes a peek at who is behind the camera.
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HE Humans movement began in New York five years ago, as the brainchild of Brandon Stanton. The premise is simple enough. Photograph anybody at all - with consent - and extract some words of wisdom. It quickly became clear though, as others became inspire to document their own city, that the appeal wasn’t just confined to a few square miles of Manhattan. The architect of this more local Facebook phenomenon, Humans of Edinburgh, is Ollie Buchanan. With over 43,000 followers, the 20 year old English student has an eye for stories. A combined love for photography and Humans of New York convinced him to shoot his first subject over a year ago. “I just thought of it as photography to start with, but now it’s more about the finding stuff out, just being nosy.” Over time his photography has stood out for its accompanying quotes, which give both deep personal insights and spark debates via the comments. A sense of community has conjured to the point that people respond in turn with equally private detail. “As soon as I started doing it I realised people open up way more to a stranger than they do to their friends. Even though they know that their friends are going to see it. “It’s getting it off your conscience. Something’s driving you mad, and as soon as 40,000 people know it, it’s tiny then.” Of course, not every opinion sought will be so admirable,
Photos: Ollie Buchanan IMPULSE | 2015
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IMPULSE | PEOPLE Photo: Drew Haughey
The man behind Humans of Edinburgh, Ollie Buchanan, in front of the camera for a change.
therefore the quotes have been mildly moderated to prevent an overload of downbeat opinion. “I like the funny ones, so it’s what I push for,” Ollie remarks. Some encounters however, such as with two Russian girls asked their opinion of gay people in the aftermath of LGBTQ protests at the Sochi games, leave little light. What did emerge though,
“I just thought of it as photography to start with, but now it’s more about the finding stuff out, just being nosy” was the character of the online community to counter homophobia. “Yeah, she spat, and I don’t remember where it hit but it landed on my shoe or leg, or the ground in front of me...but yeah, she spat at me, and I walked away thinking, this is going to go viral.” 58
“I completely lost all element of being professional with it. It was like, what did you just say, how dare you kind of thing. And then they were like ‘all gay people should burn in hell.’” A notable aspect of the Edinburgh version of this unpatented, worldwide brand is the effort to intervene in the lives of those who are having difficulties. Buchanan went as far as to set up PayPal accounts for homeless subjects, such as Carl, a man who wanted to work with dogs. Although claiming the process was a learning curve, and that he had perhaps been naive, Buchanan still raised a large amount quickly. “That guy ate good food for as long as that money lasted, which was a couple of months at least. “Humans of Edinburgh is just a platform for other people’s opinion. I could just go out every day, photograph normal people on the street and ask them what they had for dinner last night; or I could use it for something that has a bit more meaning, and can last longer than that.” IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
[EN]GAGE Fitness | Sport | Conditioning
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Our choice of flexible and affordable fitness packages really set us apart at [EN]GAGE, with a range of memberships on offer for students, staff and the public. We also offer fitness consultations with our expert staff, where you can create a 6 week tailor-made programme to help you reach your fitness goals.
0131 455 4437 | engage@napier.ac.uk. http://bit.ly/ENGAGE_Home @engage_fitness IMPULSE | 2015
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NOT IN THE GUIDE BOOKS
It’s a city filled to the brim with art, entertainment, and culture but the true beauty of Edinburgh can be found in the lesser known hotspots. STEPHANIE GRAY and ALICE CRUICKSHANK reveal the city’s hidden gems.
Illustration: Patrick Hughes
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OU have scaled Arthur’s Seat, you’ve shuddered at the price of the castle, and you’ve scared yourself silly through Mary King’s Close – so what’s next? Edinburgh guides always focus on the cliches, the busy tourist hotspots that we’ve all seen before. We’ve come up with an alternative weekend in the capital guaranteed to keep you busy when you’re sick of the usual suggestions. Whether you’re up for anything, or just after a leisurely weekend out, we have it covered.
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Blackford Hill
Stockbridge Market
Still got some energy left? Go for a sunset walk. We’ve all climbed Arthur’s Seat a thousand times, so instead you should try Blackford Hill. It offers a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city as well as great views of the castle and Arthur’s Seat itself.
If you find yourself in the west end, wander down Dean Bridge and into Stockbridge – their Sunday Market is a great alternative to busy town shopping and you’ll be doing your bit for the local community as well.
Royal Observatory
Looking for a challenge? Take on the Foxfall Ropes Course set in Scotland’s only wakeboarding park about 40 minutes outside of Edinburgh. The low ropes course doesn’t involve a harness, which is completely unique to the UK. With freezing water below you, the course is a test of willpower as well as agility with two different courses to tackle.
For the budding astronomers among us, there’s the Edinburgh Royal Observatory. They hold public events weekly until the end of April, and monthly throughout the summer. Booking is essential for these sessions, where you can expect to spend an evening observing the night sky through telescopes as well as learning to identify constellations with the naked eye. Head along for an experience that’s out of this world.
Cameo Cinema
For a more relaxed activity, try the Cameo Cinema. Just a 15minute walk from the city centre, it’s perfect for crowd dodging on a rainy day. While others flock to bigger chain cinemas, at the Cameo, you can enjoy select viewings of films in a cosier, vintage setting. They do great movie marathons and special showings, too. In addition, there’s plenty of atmosphere in the tiny screens, and you can head to their bar for a drink if you’ve got time before your film.
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Foxfall Ropes Course
Traverse Theatre If you’re after a quiet, cultured evening head to the Traverse Theatre just off Lothian Road. They opened in 1963, and today they feature some of Scotland’s best new writing. They pride themselves on their innovation and risk taking. They’re committed to providing opportunities for writers at all stages of their careers, so you’re bound to find something unique and exciting.
Glentress Forest A real off road adventure to the south of the city, Glentress Forest is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Their mountain bike routes are some of the best in the country and are colour coded according to a range of difficulties.
A LT E R N AT I V E BARS AND CAFES IN THE CITY:
BEST BREAKFAST Fair Trade Coffee Shop, Albert Place
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The Whole Shebang breakfast will combat ravenous appetites (and hangovers) without being heavy on grease. The coffee is top-notch, too.
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SWEET TREATS
Mary’s Milk Bar, Grassmarket You’ll find proper Italian ice cream in every flavour you could dream of. Calories don’t count when it tastes this good, right?
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KILLER COCKTAILS
Panda & Sons, Queen Street Cleverly disguised as a vintage barbershop, this speakeasyinspired cocktail bar serves up elaborate concoctions.
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BEST ATMOSPHERE
52 Canoes Tiki Den, Melville Street Enjoy a little slice of Hawaii in this quirky venue. They serve cocktails in tiki glasses, and the food portions are huge.
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DOWN MEMORY LANE LAUREN RITCHIE remembers the forgotten aspects of our Scottish past, from Irn Bru bars to Smeeto saving Glasgow. 1. IRN BRU BARS
6. LEON JACKSON
2. STINX
7. ACTUAL HISTORICAL FACTS IN BRAVEHEART
Remember that guy that won The X Factor? You may not find his albums in HMV, but you will find his great customer service.
Scottish public, we must unite and bring peace back to our precious land. Our time is now, Scotland. We must bring back the Irn Bru Bar! Children used to think twice about taking up smoking thanks to pop music. The girl band STINX’s catchy lyrics, “Why do you keep on running boy? Can’t run so fast, got a pain in my chest,” have been stuck in our heads for over a decade now.
A moment of silence for Scottish historians when Braveheart was released. The historical inaccuracies included a depiction of the Battle of Stirling Bridge—without a BRIDGE.
8. MONARCH OF THE GLEN
3. THE SCHEME
At one point, the height of Scottish drama was The Scheme, the documentary following six different families all living in a large housing scheme in Kilmarnock. Does “happy as Larry” mean anything to anyone anymore? And what happened to Bullet the dog?
Sunday night just isn’t the same without Monarch of The Glen. The twee Highland drama made viewers go wild when Archie finally kissed his true love, Lexie. But Scotland has never truly recovered from the heartbreak of poor, old Hector accidentally blowing himself up while fishing. Bring back MOTG.
4. GLASVEGAS
Where on earth did our favourite Glaswegian indie rock band go? No one pulled off depressing songs and big, old quiffs like they did. Okay, maybe The Smiths had that pretty nailed – and maybe Arctic Monkeys did too…
9. JOCK FROM THE LADY AND THE TRAMP
Forget Merida from Brave or Scrooge McDuck; Jock is our Scottish Disney hero.
5. SANDI THOM
Before the movement of Scottish independence, there was a movement in being punk rockers with flowers in our hair. 62
10. JOHN SMEATON Illustrations: Lois Glen
“I kicked a burning terrorist so hard in the balls I tore a tendon in my foot.” John Smeaton, you are a Scottish legend. IMPULSEMAG-ONLINE.COM
IMPULSE | 2015
Reviews from original London production Shrek the Musical Š 2014 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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