Mill issue 2 | November/December 2018

MILL

002 Culture and lifestyle for Paisley and Renfrewshire Exclusive Young Fathers interview Warm and cool winter fashion Local, ethical Christmas gifts Extensive gig and events guide

HUGO BOSS ABSORBA EMILE ET ROSE COCO LEVI'S TUTTO PICCOLO PATACHOU MAYORAL SARAH LOUISE SATILA HATS MITCH & SON TIMBERLAND DKNY KENZO

Hugo Boss boys range up to age 16

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Continental Children’s Wear for babies, boys and girls Serving Renfrewshire since 2004 56B Causeyside St, Paisley PA1 1YW, Tel: 0141 561 0293

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

54

04 HELLO! A few words from our editor 06 WHAT’S ON Our jam-packed events guide

FEATURES

12 INTERVIEW Scottish actor Kevin Guthrie 20 THE PAISLEY SNAIL An unsung heroine is immortalised in bronze 22 THE SOUND OF YOUNG RENFREWSHIRE A profile of independent label Lead Boot Records 54 INTERVIEW Young Fathers 60 PEOPLE Teenage singer-songwriter Lisa Kowalski

LIFESTYLE

14 GREEN CHRISTMAS An eco-conscious guide to buying ethical gifts 28 FASHION Cool winter knitwear 34 BEAUTY Glittering tips 39 WELLBEING A masseuse message 40 INTERIORS Some expert advice from BoConcept 47 PROPERTY How to invest wisely 48 TRAVEL European Christmas markets 62 FOOD & DRINK Lunch at Woodlands and dinner at Palomino’s

28

CULTURE

56 MUSIC The hottest winter gigs and more 60 ENTERTAINMENT A round-up of the best new TV shows, films and DVDs

48

INTRODUCTION

Hello!

MILL

002 Culture and lifestyle for Paisley and Renfrewshire Exclusive Young Fathers interview Warm and cool winter fashion Local, ethical Christmas gifts Extensive gig and events guide

ISSUE 002 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

Paul Whitelaw

Published by Mill Magazine Ltd. 115 Abercorn Street Paisley PA3 4AT CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

Well, here we are. Our second issue. If this is the first time you’ve held a copy of Mill in your hands, then welcome to the fold. If you read and enjoyed our first issue, then welcome back.

Basically what I’m saying is this: welcome.

In the pages ahead, you’ll find exclusive interviews with the actor Kevin Guthrie and multi-award-winning Scottish band Young Fathers. You’ll also be introduced to an exciting new independent record label, a sculptor who recently immortalised an unsung Paisley heroine, and a pleasingly heaving plethora of gift, fashion, beauty, property and travel tips.

We’ll also gently guide you towards some of the best events, concerts and cultural highlights taking place in your orbit during these cold yet inviting months.

That’s why we’re here.

Some housekeeping: on behalf of team Mill, I’d like to thank everyone who’s been in touch with enthusiastic words of support for this endeavour.

That makes it all worthwhile. You’re smashing, you lot.

I’d also like to thank everyone who entered our inaugural competition. We were inundated with entries, but there could only ever be one randomly-generated winner. Step forward, Susan Doherty. Enjoy your bespoke prize.

So, that was 2018. We hope it treated you kindly. Take care of you and yours this Christmas.

We’ll see you again in the bold new dawn of January 2019.

Cover image: Jumper, £20, Matalan. Stores in Blythswood Retail Park, Renfrew and Phoenix Retail Park, Linwood Rd, Paisley.

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4 MILL

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Paul Whitelaw, Editor

You can keep in touch with Paul and the Mill team via social media or email editor@millmagazine.co.uk

Editor: Paul Whitelaw Photographer: Colin D Fisher Director: Paul Dickson Beauty Editor: Susie Cormack Bruce Travel Editor: David Walsh Contributors: Adam Davidson, Alan Gray, Ainslie Henderson, Rebecca Johnston, Brian McGuire, Gus Michael, Kenny Niven, Natalie Niven, Natalie Wood

Produced on environmentally friendly chlorine-free paper derived from sustained forests. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices are correct at time of going to press but subject to change.

The content of all advertisements in this publication is the responsibility of the advertiser and is received in good faith. Mill Magazine cannot be held responsible for any erroneous advertising content. The opinions expressed in Mill Magazine are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or publishers who cannot be held responsible for actions taken as a result of the content of this magazine. © Mill Magazine Ltd 2018.

PAISLEY’S AWARD-WINNING JEWELLER 53 Moss Street, Paisley PA1 1DR • Tel: 01418 894904 • www.johnmckayjewellers.co.uk

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WHAT'S ON 3 NOV 2pm

Our sleigh-driven guide to some of the big events taking place in November and December.

PAISLEY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

Never mind Guy Fawkes, it’s time to remember, remember the ‘90s with this nostalgic day-long event. ‘Vintage’ arcade games and a silent disco - as well as workshops for the kids – will be followed by the main event: fireworks exploding over the Abbey (presumably soundtracked by Whigfield). Town Centre, fireworks start at 7pm, free.

6-8 NOV

A CUP OF PAISLEY

Local designer Rebecca Johnstone – aka Dainty Dora – hosts this artistin-residence exhibition of her popular prints and illustrations. She’ll also showcase a range of oneoff textile pieces such as purses, cushions and felt hats incorporating her take on the iconic Paisley Pattern. Check out Rebecca’s guide to ethical Christmas gifts on page 14. 11am and 2.30pm.

Mile End Mill, Paisley, free.

6 MILL

NOW OPEN

CRAFTY PLAY CAFÉ Every Tuesday, this delightful little circus offers a whole host of fun for you and your little ones. It’s packed with dressing-up clothes, books, games, jigsaws and age-appropriate toys for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

A popular family hang-out, you’re advised to arrange a table booking via threesistersbake.co.uk or 0333 344 7344 to avoid disappointment. 10am – 4pm. Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers Village.

WHAT’S ON

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON The festive season doesn’t officially start until the nation’s high streets are aglow with electrified Christmas cheer.

8-9 NOV

ERSKINE CHRISTMAS CRACKER

This luxury shopping event has been an annual festive fixture for over 30 years. Browse to your heart’s content through its colourful range of pop-up shops, offering hand-crafted gifts, homeware and so much more.

Shoppers can also enjoy special rate lunches, tea, coffee and cake. Christmas really has come early. Noon – 4pm.

The Glynhill Hotel & Leisure Club, Renfrew, £4.

NOW OPEN

WHITE CART COMPANY HAS MOVED AROUND THE CORNER From St Mirren Street to 30B High Street, Paisley.

They now offer private shopping experiences.

In our neck of the woods, Paisley plugs in first this year with a tinselly cavalcade of live reindeer, Capital FM DJs and X Factor stars The Cutkelvins (pictured). There’s also a dedicated Kids Zone inside Paisley Town Hall. Town Centre, fireworks start at 6pm, free.

17 NOV 1pm

In Renfrew you can enjoy a Provost’s carol service, live entertainment and even more reindeer (we hope our antlered-friends receive a healthy bonus at this time of year). Town Centre, event starts at 12pm, free.

24 NOV 12pm

Alas, our print deadline prohibits us from telling you what Johnstone has in store, but a fun jamboree is guaranteed. Houston Square, event starts at 12pm, free.

01 DEC 12pm

Finally, the good people of Bishopton can enjoy a community carol service prior to their village Christmas tree sparkling into life Bishopton Community Centre, fireworks start at 7pm, free.

02 DEC 6.15pm

17-24 NOV

SANTA AND THE SNOW

Now doesn’t this sound lovely? An innocent extravaganza in which children learn how to become fully-fledged elves, visit Santa’s workshop, listen to a story read by its benign owner/operator, and finish their day frolicking in the snow. Twilight sessions – offering a sweet bedtime twist – are also available. Times vary. Snow Factor, Soar at intu Braehead, Renfrew, from £9.95.

MILL 7

WHAT’S ON

17 NOV TO 30 DEC

PAISLEY FIRST NUTCRACKER TRAIL

15 nutcracker kings have materialised throughout Paisley town centre. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find and name them all. If you do, you could be rewarded with prizes galore. Collect your free trail booklet at the Paisley Centre or Piazza Paisley Shopping Centre. 10am – 5.30pm. Paisley Town Centre.

24 NOV TO 30 DEC

24 NOV TO 23 DEC

DINE WITH SANTA

Break gingerbread with the big man himself at this charming, classy family event. Your kids can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, late lunch or dinner with an authentic-looking Santa (or is he the real thing?) while receiving a gift, a group-based short story and 30 minutes of sledging fun on real snow. From 9am. Snow Factor, Intu Braehead, Renfrew, £29.

PAISLEY FIRST WINTERFEST

We here at Mill believe that the perfect Christmassy day involves the following activities: skating around an open air ice rink; browsing a Christmas market; wolfing down German sausages; guzzling hot chocolate, rum and mulled wine. That’s all available here at this rosy-glow event. 10am – 10pm.

Town Centre, from £3.50.

28 NOV TO 31 DEC

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Produced by Paisley’s renowned PACE Theatre Company, this pantomime adaptation of the classic fairy tale follows on from last year’s sell-out staging of Snow White. Times vary. Paisley Arts Centre, from £10.

8 MILL

Fridge Benefits Community Fridge and Cabinet is a valuable resource for vulnerable members of society. Owner Rekz Afzal outlines their mission statement.

W

e provide needy people with food, hygiene products and toiletries donated by local businesses and charities. Our beneficiaries are victims of crime and a fragile, austere welfare system people who’ve fallen through the cracks of society.

This service helps people to comfortably endure a lengthy benefits application process, while encouraging the unemployed back into work by relieving them of everyday stresses.

People released from prison find it difficult to get up to date with benefits that may apply to them. That’s a challenging, confusing process, which can result in them reoffending. We provide support that allows them to get back on their feet, thus creating a safer environment for everyone.

This revolutionary concept is an evolution of the foodbank model. We allow local food businesses the environmentally-friendly option of donating their perfectly consumable end-of-day produce. Better there than in the bin.

Members of our local community can also donate food directly. With Christmas just around the corner, we would really appreciate it if you could help us spread some festive cheer.

If you feel inclined to support our service, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

The Community Fridge and Cabinet, within RSA Newsagents, 27b Moss Street, Paisley, PA1 1DJ, 07843 702003 email: community.fridge.cabinet@outlook.com

10 MILL

26 NOV TO 1 DEC

ALADDIN

Join Widow Twankey, Wishee Washee and the rest in this colourful production of a hardy panto perennial. You’ll believe a carpet can fly. Times vary.

Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock, from £12.

9 DEC 7.30pm

STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE IN CONCERT

The immortal music of composer John Williams is brought to life by a live symphonic orchestra during this special screening of the science-fiction adventure classic.

SSE Hydro, Glasgow, from £36.90

11 DEC 7pm

A CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH SIMON CALLOW

Beloved Thespian Simon Callow is rightly regarded as one of the world’s foremost Charles Dickens experts and interpreters. Suitable for all ages, his filmed retelling of this timeless festive masterpiece is a bewitching treat. Odeon Braehead, Renfrew, from £10.

WHAT’S ON

12-13 DEC

CINDERELLA The Krankies! Jonathan Watson! Gavin Mitchell from Still Game! Loads of other folk! Yes, you can’t go wrong with a lavish, traditional Glasgow panto. Times vary. SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, from £18.

15 DEC 6.30pm

PANTO-CRIME! A FESTIVE MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PARTY

Unleash your inner Poirot and unwrap that untapped Marple with this Cluedo-style puzzle staffed by professional actors. You can enjoy a three-course meal to boot.

Beat that, Sherlock. The Watermill Hotel, Paisley, £35.

SPECIAL OFFERS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS INSIDE THIS ISSUE

40% OFF

Initial consultations at Glasgow Chiropractic Paisley

30% OFF

All retail products from Fake Bake

25% OFF

Wedding packages in 2019 at Ingliston Country Club & Hotel 22 DEC 2&6pm

RSNO CHRISTMAS CONCERT FEATURING THE SNOWMAN This special screening of Raymond Briggs’ animated Christmas tearjerker is accompanied by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in all their air-walking glory.

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, from £19.

£10 OFF

Your first treatment at SoMEtime Wellbeing Centre

MILL 11

INTERVIEW

Kevin Guthrie

The star of Sunshine on Leith and Sunset Song reflects on his ascent from Renfrewshire youth theatre productions to appearing in major films.

12 MILL

FEATURES

K

evin Guthrie was a shy child. As it happens, that turned out to be a blessing. “Mum and dad thought it would be a good idea if myself and my older sisters went to PACE Youth Theatre in Paisley,” he recalls. “I actually went there to combat shyness, as I wasn’t particularly confident. So every Saturday morning, as well as going to football, I’d be going to PACE. I remember at the time not really loving it, but subconsciously thinking there was actually something quite different about it.”

Gradually, acting and performing captured his imagination. “I did some pantomimes and theatre shows with them. The more I performed, without really being aware of it, I was actually really enjoying it.”

Did those early years of treading the boards eventually cure his shyness?

“Absolutely,” he says. “There’s a confidence that comes from acting and performing. I still wouldn’t say I’m the most confident socially, I still feel like I have to brace myself for certain social situations.

It’s a bit of a running joke in the family that I can perform to millions of people worldwide, but not in front of my nearest and dearest.”

Born in 1988, Guthrie attended St Thomas’ Primary School in Neilston, before going on to St Luke’s High School in Barrhead. It was there that his future as an acclaimed star of stage and screen was cemented.

“I had a really brilliant drama teacher at St Luke’s, Amanda Gracie, who properly put me on the path. She said it was something I was really good at and I should think about it more seriously. I played Bugsy in Bugsy Malone, I played Danny Zucco in Grease, and by that point I was beginning to get parts in Still Game and adverts. It grew arms and legs from there really.”

After graduating from St Luke’s, Guthrie studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (then known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama) in Glasgow, which had recently been attended by another PACE alumnus, James McAvoy. Following in McAvoy’s footsteps was part of the ambitious young Guthrie’s career plan.

As he explains: “I’ve always tracked careers like Robert Carlyle, James McAvoy, these guys from this neck of the woods, similar height and casting bracket. Having seen them create a pathway, I decided it was time for me to step up to the plate.”

Guthrie eventually got the chance to work with his idols. In 2015 he had a prominent supporting role in Carlyle’s directorial debut, The Legend of Barney Thomson. Two years prior, he appeared in

“

HAVING SEEN ROBERT CARLYLE AND JAMES MCAVOY CREATE A PATHWAY, I DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE

Q&A FAVOURITE FILM? My Name Is Joe starring Peter Mullan and directed by Ken Loach FAVOURITE TV SHOW? Friends FAVOURITE ACTOR? Either James McAvoy or Bobby Carlyle, who’s another good mentor and friend WHICH ROLE HAVE YOU ENJOYED PLAYING THE MOST? It hasn’t been seen yet, but Abernathy in the second Fantastic Beasts film is a pretty special role FAVOURITE PROCLAIMERS SONG? Joyful Kilmarnock Blues is an absolute topper of a song

a well-received London production of Macbeth starring McAvoy. That came about after he befriended the X-Men star during their time together playing in an all-actors football team (Guthrie is an avid Celtic fan).

As he recalls, “One day he rang me up and said, ‘I’m going to do Macbeth, Kev, how do you feel about being in it with me?’ I remember thinking, My God, if you’d told me ten years ago that McAvoy would be on the phone offering me a theatre gig in London, I would’ve thought you were off your head! It was a really nice way for us to come together, and from then on we’ve been good friends.”

Guthrie’s big film break was his co-starring role in the hit Proclaimers musical, Sunshine On Leith, in 2013.

“I was absolutely terrified at the prospect of it being released,” he laughs, “because contrary to what a lot of people think, I wasn’t the most confident singer. When you get labelled as that musical guy, you think that all of a sudden you’re going to be offered all these musical roles!

I’m not sure I wanted to be doing that. But I’m so lucky to have been a part of something that is ultimately so positive.”

From there he went straight on to a leading role in director Terence Davies’ critically acclaimed adaptation of Lewis Grassic Gibbons’ classic Scottish novel, Sunset Song.

“That is probably one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read, let alone performed,” he says. “I was so grateful to be handed an epic role in an epic film. Sometimes you go through a career and you might only get one Sunshine on Leith or one Sunset Song. To be an actor who was given both in the space of eighteen months, I was thanking my lucky stars.”

Guthrie has a slate of films due for release next year, chief among them the sequel to J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Boyz in the Wood, an offbeat comedy in which he co-stars with Kate Dickie, James Cosmo and Eddie Izzard.

From the outside it looks as though Guthrie has risen through the ranks with ease. Not so, he says.

“From the get-go, I was always very clear with my agent that I didn’t really want overnight success.

I didn’t want to be seen as a one-trick pony with one big hit, I’ve always wanted to pick work that feels high-calibre.”

“I’ve always worked extremely hard,” he says, “but the just rewards always happen when you get offered a job and build a profile of work that stands the test of time.”

MILL 13

Dainty Dora, aka Renfrewshire artist Rebecca Johnstone, presents an eco-conscious guide to buying ethical Christmas gifts.

14 MILL

FEATURES

A

s the festive machine swings into action and an Insta-bokeh halo transforms heavily discounted gadgets into potential Christmas morning wonders, I’m delving through the fairy lights and tinsel to see if there is a calmer, more green way to celebrate the season this year.

The old adage ‘red and green should never be seen’ may be true everywhere save for the Christmas tree, but what if we could make more sustainable, conscious choices in the gifts that we bought, right down to the packaging, our festive tables and decor?

By looking to natural resources and manufacturing processes that work with the environment rather than against it, a host of alternative purchases are waiting to be discovered, offering more than the usual socks and perfume/aftershave combo. (Unless they’re bamboo socks - bamboo socks are in a league of their own.)

Here’s my selection of ‘green’ gifts available right here in Renfrewshire.

WHISKY FRAMES These sturdy, rustic photo frames with styles such as Ring, Chime, Stave and Bilge are hewn from old Scottish whisky barrels, so they each feature individual markings and rivets as per their colourful heritage. They come with either Harris Tweed or a tartan photo backing and can be personalised with a tartan of your choice, or even engraved along the edge of the frame. White Cart Co., 30B High Street, Paisley, from £37.

‘ARTISANS FAIR’ HAND-POURED PILLAR CANDLES Available in classic cream, pale blue and festive red, these Fairtrade candles are 100% natural and double the glow. Rainbow Turtle, 7 Gauze Street, Paisley, from £12.

PLACEMAT SLATES Ideal for your festive table, slates also make a great interiors statement and will only look better with use. Johnstone Slates at No.8 Johnstone, the Artisan Gift Shop, Johnstone. From £10 per set. Slates also available at Ivad Gifts, 29 Gauze Street, Paisley.

MILL 15

FEATURES

TURTLE CUPS A range of reusable glass cups in zingy beach-fresh shades that help to keep our beaches clean (50p from each sale is donated to the #2minutebeachclean project) – and I think they look a bit like turtles too! Cut plastic and look the part with your festive latte this winter; then buy one for all your friends. I’m going mint-green, no red… The Lion’s Paw, 1 Morrison Place, Bridge of Weir, £12.95.

TARTAN/TWEED FRAME HANDBAGS Made from bale-ends of tartan and Harris Tweed direct from the weavers, these eye-catching handmade bags are the perfect example of the circular economy thriving between Scottish makers and manufacturers. No two designs are the same due to the nature of production.

By Helen Craig, Corner House Crafts at No. 8 Johnstone, the Artisan Gift Shop, 66 High Street, Johnstone, £39.95.

WOODEN GLASSES HOLDERS Fun and Fairtrade-crafted from mixed wood sources, these clever his’ n’ hers designs would make a great gift for those of us blessed with an extra pair of eyes - or a novel Secret Santa for the office party. Moustache or red lips? Rainbow Turtle, Paisley, £12.

16 MILL

we have moved!

Just around the corner to 30B High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BZ Shop local. Shop unique. Shop personal. Now offering a private shopping experience.

www.whitecartcompany.co.uk

gifting a little bit of love

FEATURES

DIVINE FAIRTRADE MILK CHOCOLATE ADVENT CALENDAR 44% owned by farmers, this Fairtrade chocolate company celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Indulgent but guilt-free. Rainbow Turtle, Paisley, £5.

SANTA STACKS Made from foraged woodland branches, these hand-painted and decorated ‘stacks’ are ideal fireside friends – just don’t sit them too close to the flames! By Heather Archer at No.8 Johnstone, the Artisan Gift Shop, Johnstone.

From £7.50.

LANKA KADE WOODEN PULL-ALONG TOY Available as a white unicorn, red fox or green dino (pictured), these Fairtrade creatures are made from sustainable natural wood. The head, tail and body move up and down as the toy is pulled along.

Suitable from 10 months +. Rainbow Turtle, Paisley, £16.

PLAN TOYS These toys have an amazing story of sustainability, and have caught my eye on more than one occasion. Each toy is designed to track specific child development goals such as grasping, hand-eye coordination and logical thinking, all made from recycled rubber trees coloured with organic pigment and water-based dyes. With an age range of 0-4 years +, I’ll definitely be stocking up for my baby boy who celebrates his first birthday in December. My pick is the camera with a real kaleidoscope lens shown below.

White Cart Co., Paisley, £10.95.

• For wrapping, nothing beats brown paper tied with string and a few pieces of foraged greenery for a crisp and modern look. You could also try the Japanese art of furoshiki – using fabric rather than paper which is then folded or tied with ribbon.

• Gift tags can be made from old cards or upcycled from books and magazines. You could even try your hand at making some presents this year if you’re feeling creative? There are so many ways to give thoughtful, clever gifts whilst also supporting our planet - and even your bank balance.

• May your Christmas be merry, bright and green.

Find out more about Rebecca’s work at dainty.dora.co.uk and follow her on Twitter via @Dainty_Dora.

18 MILL

FEATURES

20 MILL

FEATURES

The Paisley Snail A new statue in Paisley pays tribute to a woman who changed the course of legal history. We spoke to the artist behind it.

O

n 26 August 1928, May Donoghue, a working-class single parent from Glasgow, visited a café in Paisley. The ginger beer she bought that day eventually led to the foundation of the modern law of negligence and the basic principles of duty of care.

May was shocked and literally sickened when she discovered a dead snail in her bottle of pop. When she sued the manufacturer, her case grew to such an extent that the House of Lords eventually introduced a new type of legal liability.

This remarkable woman was recently commemorated by a bronze statue situated just yards from where the café once stood. It was sculpted by Paisleybased artist Mandy McIntosh. How did the project come about?

“Four or five years ago I was working in the NHS as an artist in mental health,” she recalls. “When I discovered the story of the Paisley snail, I made the connection between the establishment of the duty of care and the Mental Health Act. When the Paisley 2021 campaign was up and running, I applied for funding to make a more visual piece around the story, which a lot of people in Paisley don’t actually know about.

The sculpture then became part of the legacy, or aftermath, of when Paisley didn’t win the bid.”

Mandy based her sculpture on the only known photograph of May,

which depicts her holding her twin granddaughters. “The thing that really struck me about the way she’s holding the babies was the balance, like the scales of justice, fairness and equality,” she explains. “The twins are held at equal height, they weigh the same, and I felt there was something poetic about that.”

May’s heroic stand gains even more traction when you consider her personal circumstances at the time.

“She was very poor,” says Mandy.

“She had lost two children to poverty.

She was a single parent, she’d left her husband, and in those days that wasn’t as common as it is now. She was living with her brother, and in modern-day terms she could’ve been classed as homeless. What differentiates her from other people was her indignant response. Anyone else would’ve walked away, they’d be angry but then forget about it. The fact that she kept going with the case demonstrates real tenacity and will-power.”

There are still relatively few statues of women in Scotland, much to Mandy’s chagrin.

“It’s actually chronic,” she sighs.

“There are more statues of dogs in Edinburgh than there are of women.

In Paisley itself there are several women depicted as statues, Queen Victoria being one of them, but I’m sick of looking at the monarchy and not seeing ordinary people, particularly women,

who are usually shown as nymphs garlanded around a plinth holding up a man.”

This shameful state of affairs has been redressed, somewhat, by the unveiling this year, not only of Mandy’s tribute to May, but also by the statue of radical campaigner Mary Barbour in Govan.

“There’s definitely a real shift in cultural sensitivity around who should be given the honour of being cast in bronze,” says Mandy, who reveals that the statues of these pioneering women are symbolically entwined in a rather wonderful way.

“The Mary Barbour statue was actually cast in the same foundry as May, they were born out of the same bubbling, fiery furnace!”

Find out more about Mandy and her work at mandymcintosh.com.

MILL 21

FEATURES

THE SOUND OF

Photo by Danny Howe, unsplash

INTRODUCING A NEW PAISLEY-BASED INDEPENDENT LABEL WITH BIG PLANS.

22 MILL

FEATURES

O

“

ur thing is that good music is good music,” says Chris Allan, co-founder of Lead Boot Records, a proudly eclectic musical empire based in Paisley’s Brick Lane Recording Studio.

The label launched earlier this year, but Allan and business partner Ally Macdonald - a veteran producer, engineer and soundman - first hatched the idea when they met in 2016.

However, these things take a while to get going, hence their collective moniker.

“It was a joke about how long it takes to do anything,” explains Macdonald.

“It’s like walking down the Clyde with lead boots on.”

Allan elaborates: “I like it because lead boots are what deep sea divers wear.

They take you deeper.”

So what’s the ethos behind this deep sea diving expedition?

“We want to create work for the studio,” says Allan, “while getting good stuff out there that wouldn’t normally have a chance.”

Situated across the road from popular live music venue CC’s – where Macdonald can often be found manning the sound-desk - Lead Boot and Brick Lane have established their own all-inclusive hub of creativity.

“We’ve got access to everything we need,” says Allan. “We realised that to be a good label you need a studio. We don’t expect to sell millions of records, but if we like it and the band wants to work

with us, then great. It doesn’t matter if it’s hip-hop or metal or whatever.”

This genre-straddling approach is neatly illustrated by their Under 25’s Recording Deal, an ambitious new Culture, Events and Heritage-funded project in which ten young acts from Renfrewshire release 100 EP’s each accompanied by a video and live launch.

Allan and Macdonald hope that projects such as this should help Paisley and Renfrewshire escape from the long shadow of the Glasgow music scene.

“There’s never been anything like this in Paisley for a long time,” says Allan.

“There hasn’t really been anything for bands to stay here for. If they’re any good, and if they want to be somebody, they go to Glasgow. Bands who say they’re from Glasgow often aren’t: nah, you’re from Paisley, I know your mother.”

Macdonald picks up the theme: “People from Glasgow might come to Paisley for a night out. I recently did a really good night with six bands, some from Ayrshire, some from Glasgow. They met in the middle and played in Paisley.”

“Our idea is that bands should have something here,” states Allan.

“There should be a scene, there should be venues who put them on. If they play here, then they’ll drink here, and if they drink here then more people might open venues. It’s a self-perpetuating thing.”

MILL 23

FEATURES

THE ACTS

The Lead Boot maestros introduce the artists taking part in their Under 25’s Recording Deal.

They’ve been dubbed as ‘80s prog-rock, also electronic ambient music. That’s quite a cross-section.

We’ve been doing drum machinerelated songs. It’s good stuff, nice harmonies. A lot of the young guys seem to be into prog-rock and Krautrock these days. soundcloud. com/subtopianplanningboard

HAROLD BIGMANN

LAZY ACTIVISTS Dom, the main guy in Lazy Activists, came into the studio with two other guys and recorded an album when they were 15. Really mature song-writing and great playing. That line-up changed, and Dom now works with a guy named Alan. Their music is full of off-the-wall humour, it’s comedy angst. Dom is really good at wordplay, his songs are all about being a teenager and working out life. soundcloud.com/lazy-activists

lugzy

SUBTOPIAN PLANNING BOARD

They’re an electronic, ambient, techno duo. They met in college, one of them is from here and the other one is from Portsmouth. They’re really good.

STRAY DUG

LUGZY

They’re a very talented band from Lochwinnoch and they’ve been around for a while. Great song-writing and playing. They’ll go far for sure. soundcloud.com/straydug

A really talented hip-hop artist. He came in and produced some original beats with one of our engineers. soundcloud.com/liam-mcneilage-1

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The Paisley Community Website

FEATURES

SOPHIE WOOD She’s 16. Really good voice, really good songs.

We haven’t just recorded her solo, we’ve added some guitar and drums. I think you’re limiting yourself if you just open up for acts as a solo singer-songwriter, so we’ve been trying to encourage her to develop into a band at some point. soundcloud.com/sophie-elizabeth-wood

VERA They’re one of the youngest bands. They were pretty awe-inspired by the whole studio thing, but it all worked out really well. That’s part of the point of this whole project, to introduce acts to the recording world. We think most of these bands will do very well for themselves. facebook.com/veraofficialband/

CIARAN WHYTE

UNCUTT They’re teenagers, but they’re growing up pretty quickly. They developed from a Brick Lane youth project which basically involved getting a bunch of kids together to form a band.

ANIMALS TO CREATORS Very much their own sound, but we suppose you could compare them to heavy Seattle rock or Kings of Leon. These guys are pretty dynamic.

There’s a heavy metal influence but they’re more than that. soundcloud.com/animals-16

Keep updated via leadbootrecords.com and bricklanerecording.com. 0141 374 2522.

7-9 Weir Street, Paisley, PA3 4DW.

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uncutt

He’s a 21-year-old multi-instrumentalist, he can basically pick up anything and get a tune out of it. Very talented. soundcloud.com/cwhytemusic

FEATURES

ALL

KNITTED

OUT THE KNITWEAR YOU NEED TO STAY WARM AND LOOK COOL THIS WINTER

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FASHION

SWEATER WEATHER A jazzy knitted jumper is the ideal seasonal statement to take you from laidback weekends right through to a sparkling Christmas lunch. Ladies, try it with cropped jeans and heels to make your jumper the star of the show, or go all-out and team it with a pleated midi skirt. Guys, why not try your jumper over a denim shirt for a contemporary twist?

He wears... Coat, £99; jumper, £35; shirt, £19.50; jeans, £25; all from Marks & Spencer.

She wears... Jumper, £20; jeans, £20; red courts, £16; all from F&F at Tesco.

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FEATURES

SUNNY SIDE UP Who said yellow was just for summer?

Brighten up your wardrobe on grey winter days with a splash of sunshine – whether it’s a light lemon or an opulent mustard, there’s a shade to suit. Just contrast it with strong shades, like black or deep greys, to make sure that your yellow pops perfectly.

He wears... Coat, £99; jumper, £19.50; t-shirt £15; all from Marks & Spencer.

She wears... Jumper, £20, Matalan.

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FASHION

COLOUR DRENCHING Don’t be scared to get a little matchy-matchy this winter! If you’re struggling with choosing colours that complement, think of your wardrobe like a paint chart, with a base colour and accent shades in the same colour family, to create a harmonised look that feels opulent, well-considered and seriously stylish.

He wears... Longline hooded jacket, £30; knit jumper, £14; chinos, £16; all from Matalan.

She wears... Shirt, £22; embellished jumper, £35; pencil skirt, £24; studded bag, £18; all from Dorothy Perkins.

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FASHION

CHECK MATE Update your winter wardrobe with a houndstooth coat this season. It’s easy to dress up or down, depending on your outfit, and works with both tonal shades and pops of bright colour too.

If you’re feeling brave, double down on your houndstooth with a pair of matching trousers, and add in a sleek roll neck jumper for a touch of retro flair.

He wears: Faux wool grey check coat, £79; check trouser, £32; zip neck top £32; all from Burton.

She wears: Roll neck top, £20; check Crombie, £69; check culottes, £28; all from Dorothy Perkins.

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FREE 5 DAY GYM PASS

Try the award-winning Origins Fitness for yourself, free for five days. Pick up your pass from our gym and workout the same day.

Voted Renfrewshire’s Favourite Business two years running and Glasgow’s Best Gym

22 Earl Haig Road, Hillington Park, Glasgow G52 4JU Tel: 0141 891 5995 | Email: info@originsfitness.co.uk www.originsfitness.co.uk

Origins FP SepOct18.indd 1

22/08/2018 22:28

All That

Glitters

If you can’t wear glitter at Chrimbo, when can you? Well, according to Scottish make-up mogul and A-list make-up artist Sara Hill we can wear it all year round but she agrees the festive season is a good place to start.

As well as a supermodel worthy selection of shades, Sara has a great YouTube video showing you how to apply it. There’s a genius tip in there too. Search Sara Hill Glitter to buy and click on videos on Google to watch.

TRUNK CALL We all expect a drunk auntie or uncle over the festivities but a Drunk Elephant in the room? That’s exactly what all skincare buffs will be hunting down (in the nice way!) this winter as the cult US brand is now available here and this is one brand were you can believe the hype. Find in store at Space NK or online at Cult Beauty.

BEAUTY Treat yourself this Christmas with Susie Cormack Bruce’s luxury hamper of beauty tips.

S

Looking for glow but without the added dazzle? Look no further than the new Becca Glow Glaze Stick, which delivers a sheeny slick of buildable highlight minus any tell-tale shimmer or sparkle. It’s not the cheapest out there but it is arguably the most natural and it lasts for ages. £23.

’

IT WELL HEELED If you’ve been very good this year, you might want to gift yourself the fab new scent from Carolina Herrera, the appropriately named Good Girl. It’s a mix of Tuberose, Sambac Jasmine, Tonka Bean and Cocoa and the stiletto shaped bottle would look good on any girl’s, good or bad, vanity shelf. From £50.

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T IC K U P S A

FULLY BOOKED Having a great make-up collection is worthless if you don’t know how to use it.

Step in Val Garland, veteran of legendary catwalk shows and magazine covers with her new book, Validated. Featuring some of fashion and beauty’s most iconic modern images, it’s a must-have for budding make-up artists or anyone who seriously wants to beautify their coffee table. £35.

Renfrewshire’s award-winning dentists Now accepting new patients Cosmetic Dentistry • Facial Rejuvenation • Snoring Solutions • Teeth Whitening • Teeth Straightening Invisalign • Pola Whitening • Zoom! • Quick Straight Teeth • Simply Health Plans

Book your first appointment by calling 01505 843105 69 High Street, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AB info@bluewaterdentist.co.uk | www.bluewaterdentist.co.uk

Dentist of the Year

er for Special off ers Mill Read ith code w f f o % 30 V30 MILLNO

With its award winning and innovative formulas, Fake Bake is the global leader in self-tanning, giving you the ultimate tan from a bottle. With a tan to suit every skin type, skin tone and lifestyle, Fake Bake are truly the experts in creating that perfect tan. Fake Bake have teamed up with Mill Magazine to bring you an exclusive offer of 30% off ALL retail products, using the code MILLNOV30 at the checkout.

Visit www.fakebake.co.uk to browse the full range and grab your exclusive discount today!

Discount code: MILLNOV30 Live from 30/10/18 until 31/11/18

BEAUTY

Smooth Operator If mum’s been dropping hints about finding something electrical to eliminate wrinkles in her stocking this year, don’t make the mistake of gifting her a steam iron. Instead, choose one of these three beauty gadgets to claim your place as favourite child. They’re pricey, but so much cheaper than paying for a facelift.

NuFACE Mini Facial Toner The NuFACE mini is often referred to as the five-minute facelift: the effects of this pain-free, at-home treatment are instantly apparent. The device uses low-level micro-currents to energise facial muscles, which causes a lifted appearance and boosts the production of elastin and collagen.

Win-win on the pressie front. From £158.

Philips Visapure Advanced Facial Device With a complementary trio of heads, this clever cookie offers the perks of three different treatments all from one device.

It’s ten times more effective than traditional cleansing, as the deep-level massage is equivalent to having 750 fingertip sensations per minute on your face. The result? Radiant, revitalised skin for her and serious brownie points for you. From £159.20.

LightStim for Wrinkles This uses clever LED light therapy technology to promote the growth of cells and the production of youth-enhancing collagen and elastin to fill out skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In clinical trials, 100% of those trying the device reported an improvement in just eight weeks. From £159.

*Prices correct on print date but check online for discounts and offers.

DENTAL

expert Bluewater Dental Surgery in Lochwinnoch is a family-run practice that welcomes NHS patients.

Barry Lemon, their Principal Dentist and 2015 Scottish Dentist of the Year, fills us in on the latest teeth straightening technology.

1

2 We all want the perfect Hollywood smile and the quest for this has resulted in discreet orthodontic treatments becoming very popular. Many people associate braces with metal train tracks, as they are unaware of the clear options available through modern dentistry.

1. Made popular by Tom Cruise and Justin Bieber, Invisalign involves a set of custom-made, clear retainers which are designed to achieve a straighter smile in as little as three months.

2. Another good example is Quick Straight Teeth, which uses tooth-coloured brackets and wires to allow for fixed, discreet tooth whitening.”

Book your free smile consultation today by calling 01505 843 105 or online via bluewaterdentist.co.uk.

MILL 37

ADVERTORIAL

STOP WAITING AND START HEALING Do you suffer from back pain or neck pain?

Would you like to improve your posture or get rid of those persistent headaches?

Glasgow Chiropractic Paisley have been keeping families healthy for 20 years, we might have a solution for you too.

T

hrough improving the relationship between the brain and the body, chiropractic care has been shown to help a wide range of neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

In 2018, Glasgow Chiropractic Paisley celebrated its 20th year of providing chiropractic care to the Paisley community.

Over those 20 years, our chiropractors and massage therapists have been able to help many of its community to achieve a pain-free healthy lifestyle and helped many more to accomplish goals they never thought possible. All our chiropractors are fully qualified and have undertaken five years of university study in which they became experts at diagnosing and treating neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

If you suffer from any of the following conditions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office. You’ll soon feel the benefits of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic has been shown to help with the following: • • • • •

38 MILL

Headaches Back pain Neck pain Sports injuries Posture

• Sciatica • Tension and the inability to relax • Improved mobility

20TH BIRTHDAY OFFER Get started today with 40% OFF your initial consultation, report of findings and first adjustment. This could save you over £30.

Please quote ‘Mills20’ when booking your appointment, offer valid until 31st December 2018.

Glasgow Chiropractic Paisley, 2 Glasgow Road, Paisley PA1 3QA, 0141 887 5770, email: gcpaisley@gmail.com, glasgowchiropractic.com

WELLBEING

for you MAKE SOME TIME

relax

Professional therapist Natalie Wood provides a variety of soothing massage services via her SoMEtime practice. She tells us more…

“SELF-CARE? I JUST DON’T HAVE THE TIME.” This is the most common response whenever I ask why anyone would suffer niggling muscle pains for weeks and months, while spending a fortune on painkillers and Deep Heat rub because they don't have time for a massage.

As a sports and remedial therapist, I assess all aspects of your musculoskeletal health, including nutrition, physical activity and stress. I am qualified and insured in more than 18 treatments, from aromatherapy and hot stones to pregnancy and Thai foot.

I charge for time rather than treatment, so I will devise the most appropriate treatment plan based on your assessment. This can include several different modalities.

If you have stubborn bits that are hard to shift - I’m talking about the knots in your muscles, not an annoying partner! - I will use cupping and integrated needling to assist in the clearing of those toxins.

To accompany my holistic approach, I will provide aftercare info, stretching advice and behaviour change workbooks. I also sell foam rollers, resistance bands, hot and cold pads, Himalayan salt and aromatherapy bath salts.

It's not just about booking in for a massage treatment when you're in pain, self-care is about an ongoing awareness of your own physical and mental health. I will be an important part of your self-care regime, but I don’t want to see you that often (no offence). That means following the advice you are given.

In need of some ME time? Contact me to book or just to chat about your concerns. Gift vouchers are also available – that’s especially important when you're bored listening to your partner or friend moaning about their aches and pains, or because you're a lovely person and don't like to see anyone in pain…

If you suffer from aches, pains, stress, or just want to feel relaxed, speak to our professional therapist, Natalie Wood. She will assess your needs and provide several forms of treatment that include: Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue Massage, Indian Head Massage, Thai Foot Massage, Hot Stones, Natural Lift Facial, Pregnancy Massage, Swedish Massage, Hopi Ear Candling, Remedial and Sports Massage.

Quote ‘Mill’ to get £10 off your first treatment Gift vouchers available

soMEtime SoMEtimeMakeSomeTimeForYou Email: nat_kdy@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07743 186031

The SoMEtime Wellbeing Centre is located at 40 Wellmeadow Street, Paisley, PA1 2EG. sometime-makesometimeforyou.weebly. com. Quote ‘Mill’ to get £10 off your first treatment.

MILL 39

FEATURES

40 MILL

INTERIORS

Amazing Spaces BoConcept is a Danish interiors company with more than 300 stores in 60 countries around the world. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to hiring an interior designer, follow this advice from Adam Davidson, director of their Glasgow branch.

T

he concept of individual rooms in a home is disappearing and being replaced by open plan living. A seamless transition between kitchen, dining, living and sleeping areas is essential for that co-ordinated look.

The kitchen tends to take up a huge part of any interiors budget. The dining table is the glue in the perfect open plan room. It should never be the poor relation to any successful interiors project.

Stunning new projects are often spoiled with the home owner’s tatty old belongings, because they aren’t sure what to do to meet their vision.

Everyone can benefit from a second opinion but they sometimes struggle with who can help.

This is where an interior designer comes in.

BoConcept have their solution to this problem, as Paisley born and bred director for Scotland, Adam Davidson, explains: “We get two kinds of clients coming to us. The ones who have a vision but want someone to confirm it and those who have no idea where to start. We feel there is often resistance to hiring an interior designer. Some feel it is too over the top for their project or that it will be very expensive.”

With their free design service, BoConcept are unique in the interiors industry; they are happy to help with any size of project. The BoConcept design consultant will either visit the customer’s home to discuss the options and take dimensions, or the customer can visit the Glasgow showroom with their plans. The design consultant will then draw up a 3D plan of the room or rooms based on the look the customer wants. Even if all the customer wants is a sofa or a dining table, there is no charge for the design service.

Adam is understandably proud of the service BoConcept offers. “We are confident that,

MILL 41

INTERIORS

t op t ip s f or c hoo s ing your in t e rior de s igne r 1 When planning a project, most people will have a vision in mind even if they don’t realise it. Dig deep and write down your vision. The end result must reflect your personality.

2 Get inspired. Find images that match your vision. Pinterest, Houzz and manufacturer catalogues are a great starting point.

3 Chat with potential interior designers.

Do you like them? Can you work with them? Do you trust their opinion?

4 Ask potential designers to show you examples of their work that match your general vision. Most will have an area they specialise in; does it work for you?

5 Make your budget very clear. No matter the size of your home, your designer needs to know at what level to pitch your project.

6 Interior designers often charge a design fee and a percentage of the project value.

Negotiate on this.

42 MILL

after delivery, you will be 100% satisfied with our designs. If you aren’t, we will gladly swap anything for something more suitable.”

“We are sometimes asked about the quality of our products,” he says, “so we offer a lifetime guarantee for as long as our customers own the items. No other interiors company would dare make that promise.”

That combination of confidence, clever design and a touch of Scandinavia results in a world-beating interior design solution.

You can find BoConcept at Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow and Princes Square, Glasgow. 0141 341 4920. They also have an Edinburgh branch at 19B Rose Street. 0131 226 6367. Visit boncept.com for more information.

“

WE OFFER A LIFETIME GUARANTEE FOR AS LONG AS OUR CUSTOMERS OWN THE ITEMS

LIGHTING

FURNITURE

RENFREWSHIRE’S PREMIER HOME FURNISHING STORE

BEDROOMS

Gael Home Interiors is an independent, family-run business for over 40 years. Visit our vast 8,000 sq ft showroom for a large selection of wallpaper, lighting, furniture, beds and accessories to furnish your home.

4-6 Orchard Street, Paisley PA1 1UZ | Tel: 0141 889 7555 Gaelhomeinteriors

WALLPAPER

Aurelia spiral pendant, MRP £358, Gael price £269

Bilbao pendant, MRP £58, Gael price £44

Christmas L I G H T S

Spread a cosy Yuletide glow across your home with this stylish selection of lamps and pendants from Gael Home Interiors.

Table lamp, MRP £132, Gael price £99

Ubeda table lamp, MRP £59, Gael price £45

Terrace table lamp, MRP £98, Gael price £74 Alyx touch switch table lamp, MRP £38, Gael price £29

Jolson table lamp, MRP £120, Gael price £90 Large range of bulbs in stock

All products available from Gael Home Interiors, 4-6 Orchard Street, Paisley PA1 1UZ, gaelhomeinteriors

44 MILL

Tower cluster pendant, MRP £125, Gael price £95

PERFECTION COMES AS STANDARD WITH EVERY KN KITCHEN

Call 0141 473 1800 to arrange your FREE no obligation survey Visit our new showroom and let us design your brand new kitchen. Our experts will guide you through our range of finishes and materials, allowing you to create the perfect space.

We can also re-face your existing units to give your current kitchen a new lease of life.

What our customers say...

Kenny is one of the most talented and patient joiners I’ve encountered. Also, to say he is a perfectionist is an understatement!”

Maria Brown, Facebook Can’t thank Kenny enough for our amazing brand new kitchen! Extremely professional and quality service! The before and after could be two different houses... would highly recommend to anyone!”

Teagan Delaney, Facebook

13 Greenhill Road, Paisley PA3 1RN 0141 473 1800 KNKitchensscotland

THE ESTATE AGENCY SERVICE YOU DESERVE FROM PEOPLE YOU CAN TRUST

With over 30 years industry experience, Caledonia Property have helped thousands of homeowners buy, sell, let and rent property. By taking the

BUY

very best of our traditional estate agency services and expertise, we are now

SELL

able to offer a range of transparent and affordable online and classic estate

LET

agency marketing options. So, please contact Caledonia Property today on 0141 648 0888 today to start your next home move.

RENT

WHAT’S YOUR HOME WORTH? CALL FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION VALUATION

25-29 Causeyside Street Paisley, PA1 1UL 0141 648 0888 caledoniabureau.co.uk.

PROPERTY

PROPERTY

Take some comfortably furnished advice from our local property experts.

KITCHEN TIPS The do's and don'ts of planning your new kitchen with Kenny and Natalie Niven from KN Kitchens DO start the kitchen planning process with safety as the first priority.

DON’T sacrifice safety for aesthetics.

DO allow for at least 42 inches of space between an island and an appliance or wall-mounted cabinets.

DON’T skimp on that space. 42 inches is the minimum clearance for a wheelchair, and while no one wants to consider worst-case scenarios, doing so is the designer's job.

DO offer your new home buyers design packages – e.g. standard, gourmet, designer. This offer helps buyers manage the options process and improves construction scheduling.

DON’T forget that materials, colours and finishes still allow home buyers to create their unique kitchen.

DO create a kitchen that allows for more uses than just cooking. Other common uses include: a computer work area, a seating area apart from the eating table where children can do homework, and a media centre for a television.

DON’T assume a family has only one cook. In a lot of dualincome households, families participate in meal preparation, so individual work areas are important. This might mean including a second kitchen sink or a cooktop on an island away from the primary food preparation area.

DO use cabinet panels on appliances to create a unified look in larger kitchen spaces.

DON’T be afraid to be creative - mix door styles, paints and stains.

KN Kitchens, 13 Greenhill Road, Paisley, PA3 1RN.

MARKET WATCH Interested in investing your money in trusted property?

Ainslie Henderson from Caledonia Estate and Letting Agents provides a few simple tips.

Just starting out? Contact a letting agent for expert advice on purchasing the right buy-to-let property. Use their knowledge on areas and typical rental monthly incomes. Appointing a letting agent will ensure your investment is in safe hands and up to legal compliance standards. Research your choices before handing over one of your biggest assets. Make sure your investment is inspected regularly. Once every 12 weeks should be enough to make sure the property remains in order.

This will stop unwanted problems from escalating and help you to avoid costly redecorations. Have a rent guarantee policy. Tenants may find themselves in financial difficulty due to a variety of situations.

With rent guarantee you’ll have peace of mind. Most reputable letting agents will offer this safeguard.

Self-managing? Bear in mind that any deposit taken must be legally held by one of the accredited organisations in Scotland. Both landlord and tenant will receive the holding details, but neither will be given access until both parties confirm they are happy for it to be released.

Split the risk? Some people find it wise to have at least two properties, with one covering the costs of both should a property lie empty until a new tenant is found.

The Renfrewshire rental market remains busy throughout the year with constant stimuli from seasonal workers from a variety of professions including Glasgow International Airport, Royal Alexandra Hospital, new housing developments, the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Paisley’s own University of the West of Scotland. Paisley offers great quality homes with a huge cost differential to the Glasgow rental market. With the M8 motorway network bringing people into the area, the Renfrewshire rental market will continue to flourish.

Contact Ainslie at Caledonia Bureau Estate & Letting Agents, 25-29 Causeyside Street, Paisley, PA1 1UL, 0141 648 0888, caledoniabureau.co.uk.

MILL 47

O TANNENBAUM Globe-trotting bon viveur David Walsh presents an aromatic guide to some of the best European Christmas markets.

Salzburg

48 MILL

TRAVEL

W

ould it be Christmas at all if you weren’t cupping a mug of Glühwein for warmth as the smell of spices, gingerbread and grilled sausages leads you by the nose around twinkling market stalls? Visiting a Christmas market here in the UK is one thing, but a city break to central Europe this winter is the festive shot in the arm you didn’t know you needed.

Munich

Dating back some 700 years, Munich’s Christkindlmarkt is considered to be Europe’s quintessential Christmas market, attracting millions each year to soak up its festive ambience. Stalls cover 20,000 square feet of the city centre, fanning out from Marienplatz into the surrounding streets.

As the capital of Catholic Bavaria, Munich’s markets are just about as traditional as you can get. For a more romantic feel, check out the Sendlinger Tor market, set against medieval city walls. Live music from the balcony of the town hall will also add a touch of magic as you wrap up warm and browse the handcrafted wares and food for sale.

How to get there: Lufthansa (lufthansa. com) flies direct from Glasgow to Munich five times a week. Fares start at £67.72 one way.

Dates: 27 Nov - 24 Dec

Munich, photo by Lukas Barth

Berlin

Christmas is a serious business in Berlin.

With over 60 different markets throughout the city, festive cheer is definitely not in short supply in the German capital. One of its most popular markets plays out beneath the city’s famous TV tower, bringing some softness to the austere Soviet-era Alexanderplatz.

The main draw, though, is the market at the Gedächtniskirche, where funfair rides, hot treats and mulled wine bring families out in their hordes. For an apres-ski feel, head to Potsdamer Platz which is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with a towering toboggan run, a huge open-air ice rink as well as live music.

How to get there: easyJet (easyjet.com) operates six flights a week to Berlin. Fares start at £29.22.

Dates: 26 Nov - 6 Jan

Berlin

Berlin

MILL 49

TRAVEL

Cologne

Just an hour by rail from Düsseldorf airport, the 150 market stalls around Cologne’s renowned gothic cathedral - ablaze with light, colours and aromas - are a welcome sight to many a weary traveller. Late to the party with its Christmas markets, Cologne has made up for it since with some of the most popular markets in Europe. It’s the city’s oldest market on the Neumarkt - often called the ‘Angels’ Christmas Market’ - that will really set the seal on your winter getaway.

How to get there: Eurowings (eurowings.com) operates daily flights between Glasgow and Düsseldorf.

Fares start at £87 return.

Dates: 26 Nov - 23 Dec

Frankfurt

As Germany’s financial centre, the steel and glass skyscrapers of Frankfurt belie its reputation as the home of Germany’s largest traditional Christmas markets.

The experience of navigating around stalls surrounded by the timber-framed ‘gingerbread houses’ that line the Römerberg and the 30-metre-high Christmas tree make Frankfurt’s festive celebrations feel like something from the pages of a novel. Be sure to check out the honey house, a 300-year-old timber building assembled every year in Paulsplatz that sells honey, mead and beeswax candles.

How to get there: Lufthansa (lufthansa. com) operates daily flights from Glasgow to Frankfurt. Fares start at £38.22 one way.

Dates: 26 Nov - 22 Dec

50 MILL

©Visit Frankfurt/Holger Ullmann

NEW! IZMIR, NAPLES & VENICE

THINK GLOBAL. FLY GLA.

Over 100 direct destinations worldwide

Get inspired at glasgowairport.com/flygla

TRAVEL

Prague

Germany may lay claim to the best of them, but Christmas markets are just as traditional in the Czech Republic. With a tree cut from the dense Bohemian forests outside the city as the focal point, the wooden market stalls in Prague’s Old Town Square groan under the weight of crafts, ceramics, jewellery and toys. Czech street food is perfect for fuelling winter wanderings, so expect large hams and trdelník - the sugar-coated cakes - roasted on spits, and hot honey wine by the gallon to keep you warm as you explore.

How to get there: Jet2.com flies to Prague from Glasgow twice a week. Fares start at £42 one way.

Dates: 1 Dec - 6 Jan

Prague Salzburg

Salzburg

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Salzburg

Can you imagine a better place to visit at Christmas than the home of the world’s best loved carol? Penned 200 years ago this year, Silent Night has secured Salzburg’s place in folklore.

A fairytale city in the eastern Alps, its snow-dusted laneways shimmer in the glow of the Christmas lights adorning stalls selling Austrian delicacies, glühwein and gifts in the Domplatz. With live musical performances throughout the city, your heart will swell up like the Grinch’s when you hear Silent Night in its birthplace.

How to get there: Lufthansa (lufthansa.com) flies from Glasgow to Munich five times a week. Fares start at £67.72 one way. Hourly intercity rail connections (bahn.com) start at €19.90 (£17.50) return.

Dates: 22 Nov - 26 Dec

FEATURES

MILL 53

FEATURES

YOUNG FATHERS We speak to Alloysious Massaquoi from one of Britain’s most critically acclaimed bands ahead of their sold-out gig at the 02 Academy.

54 MILL

FEATURES

S

ince forming in Edinburgh in 2008, Young Fathers have gone on to become one of Scotland’s most critically acclaimed bands. Their darkly atmospheric fusion of experimental hip-hop, R&B and art-pop is practically unclassifiable; they sail their ship alone. In this exclusive interview, founding band-member Alloysious Massaquoi opens up about their unique approach to music-making.

You recently became the first band to win a Scottish Album of the Year Award for the second time. You also won the Mercury Prize in 2014. Do these awards mean much to you? They mean everything and nothing all at the same time. I don’t think any artist who takes their music seriously is doing it for awards, but you do need these signifiers along the way. They open doors and allow people to hear more of your stuff, it becomes more tangible. Awards matter, performing on TV matters, getting played on radio matters, doing interviews matters, it all serves its purpose.

When you first met your bandmates, Kayus Bankole and Graham Hastings, at a hip-hop club in Edinburgh, was there an immediate sense of kindred spirits? On a base level we just wanted to be creative. We just wanted to write songs and record, we wanted to express ourselves.

Do you feel in a sense that you were deliberately reacting against that scene?

Folk would be doing rap battles and stuff, but we’d be going on with three minute pop songs.

Automatically we knew we weren’t part of a scene. We just did what felt natural to us.

You don’t really sound like anyone else… There’s no loyalty to any genre, it’s a kind of free for all. We like different things, but there’s a commonality in that. We all like certain parts of songs, the sweet spot, the magic, the little sprinkle. Everybody tries to get their tuppence-worth in for a song, to find those magic bits, and over a period of time you finesse that and get better at being more direct. We want to create something that moves you or makes you think. If you think it’s crap then that’s cool, that’s a strong emotion. I think the great acts do that all the time, and we want to emulate that. We want to be up there with those people, there’s no fear of any L-R Kayus Bankole, Alloysious Massaquoi and Graham Hastings artist present or past.

We’re not trying to be anybody else and there’s no blueprint for what we do

Admiring other artists is one thing, but being in thrall to them is quite another.

It stunts creativity? Yeah, it places you in this psychological battle where you think, “If we don’t sound like any of these people then what he have has no currency.” You have to destroy the obvious reference points. We’re not trying to be anybody else and there’s no blueprint for what we do. We want to be one of those bands that comes along every 15 or 20 years. When you’re the first of your kind, so to speak, sometimes you don’t know how to gauge certain things. Is this song good?

I don’t know, but I like it! That’s all you can go on.

Being derivative is boring, so we want to create something that excites us.

The current album Cocoa Sugar has been described as your most accessible album to date. It’s almost, dare I say it, normal!

The music doesn’t always have to be weird and wonderful, because sometimes I don’t like weird and wonderful sounds. We’ve always loved rock and pop music, ultimately we love melodies.

When we met, none of us said, “We’re gonna rap, we’re gonna do this and that.” It was always about writing songs through trial and error.

We can make an album in a week, it’s that instinctive. Usually the first thing that comes to mind is the best. We’ve put in our 10,000 hours since we were 18, which is why we’re now comfortable with trusting instant gratification.

It’s about working quickly to capture that moment, because these moments are fleeting.

Young Fathers perform live at the O2 Academy in Glasgow on 30th November. Keep up to date with them at young-fathers.com.

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MUSIC

A guide to some of the best gigs taking place near you this winter.

GRUFF RHYS

LEON BRIDGES Texas-born Bridges is a heartfelt throwback to the sounds of ‘60s soul.

It’s more than a retro pose: his honey and sandpaper croon is matched by some sensitive song-writing chops. Soul music prides itself on authenticity, and Bridges is the real deal. 02 Academy, Glasgow, 9th November.

Does this Welsh eccentric ever sleep?

Whenever he isn’t fronting Super Furry Animals, he’s busy with various side-projects and a solo career. A gifted songwriter, he’s currently promoting his latest solo album, Babelsberg, a gloriously string-laden melange of Lee Hazlewood, Glen Campbell and Rhys’ own charming idiosyncrasies.

SWG3, Glasgow, 15th November.

THE VASELINES Whenever this cult Glasgow duo are invoked in print, journalists are contractually obliged to mention that they were one of Kurt Cobain’s favourite bands. It’s not hard to understand why, as their DIY punk combo of lo-fi fuzz and sweet pop melodies were an obvious influence. They’re still utterly charming and unique. The Great Eastern, Glasgow, 30th November.

LAURYN HILL Startling pop fact: despite her fame and acclaim, Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which was released in 1998, is her only solo studio album to date. Since then, the erstwhile Fugees singer has more or less renounced the music industry.

However, she’s returned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her classic debut. Who knows when, or if, she’ll return, so grab your tickets pronto. SSE Hydro, Glasgow, 23rd November.

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MUSIC

NILE RODGERS AND CHIC Good times – hey! – are guaranteed whenever the king of disco straps on his hit-making white Stratocaster and takes to the stage. This man blessed the world with Le Freak, We Are Family, Let’s Dance, Get Lucky and countless other golden nuggets of joy. There should be a statue of him visible from space.

SSE Hydro, Glasgow, 13th December.

MC50

© Bella Howard

It’s time once again to kick out the jams as these incendiary proto-punk legends celebrate their 50th anniversary. Granted, the only original member of the MC5 in this current line-up is the influential guitarist Wayne Kramer, but he’s surrounded by a sturdy gang of hand-picked musicians. Are you ready to testify? Hell yeah.

02 Academy, Glasgow, 10th November.

LILY ALLEN Inspired by the breakdown of her marriage, Allen’s latest album, No Shame, is a typically candid affair. Her pretty melodies and gentle electropop/grime arrangements provide a sympathetic bed for her anguish. If that sounds disconcertingly downbeat for a live performance, she will, of course, play her springier hits too.

Barrowland, Glasgow, 13th December.

PAUL MCCARTNEY It can’t have escaped your notice that Macca is backa with a new album, and here’s the tour to support it. Egypt Station, his 18th solo studio release, has received largely positive reviews. A genuinely good record, it deserves acclaim. When the septuagenarian pop genius announces, “Here’s one from the new album” during this stadium show, it won’t be an excuse to nip to the bar. A Paul McCartney concert never fails to deliver. How could it when the set-list consists of some of the greatest songs ever written? SSE Hydro, Glasgow, 14th December.

MGMT These American oddballs have access to a bottomless magic well of catchy pop tunes. 12 years into their career, their fusion of fluorescent psychedelia and ‘80s-influenced synth-pop – imagine Flaming Lips sliding down a helter-skelter with Timeera Jeff Lynne – still sounds rather wonderful and inventive.

SWG3, Glasgow, 15th December.

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MUSIC

FOR THE RECORD Pulse 98.4 breakfast DJ Gus Michael tells us what he’s currently listening to.

It’s About Time

by Nile Rodgers and Chic This is the first Chic album in 26 years.

Nile Rodgers is obviously one of the most renowned producers of all time, and there are some fabulous guests on this album, people like Lady Gaga and Elton John. It’s a mix of old-school Chic with a new twist. Every track is a winner.

Emerald Island by Caro Emerald This Dutch singer-songwriter makes upbeat jazz with a swing element and some bluesy R&B. She has a fabulous voice and a great late 1950s look.

PAISLEY UNDERGROUND

The Vegan Leather are a fast-rising art-pop band who dare to dance. Singer/ guitarist Gianluca Bernacchi spills the beans.

You formed in Paisley in 2014.

How did you meet? Marie (Collins, vocals/guitar) and I went to school together. Duncan (Carswell, drums), Matt (McGoldrick, bass) and I have been in different bands with each other for years.

How have you evolved since then?

Initially a lot of our songs where quite

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ambient-based as opposed to dancebased, but when Marie came along we refined that and made a go of writing pop music.

What was it like working with arts initiative Create Paisley during your formative days? They hosted monthly open mic nights when we were sixteen.

The amount of people who would turn up was amazing. We’re talking 1,300

Mr Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra by ELO Jeff Lynne is such a brilliant songwriter. This is a great compilation album, all the hits are on there and the deluxe version features some live recordings.

The great thing about ELO is that whether you’re 60 or 16, you’ll love their amazing music.

people at the UWS Students’ Union.

Dealing with crowds that big definitely set us up for when we went to Glasgow, where we played to no people!

You’ve gathered quite a following over the years. What kind of fans do you attract? Hard-core! A lot of our headlining shows in the last year have started at half one in the morning and last for about 40 minutes, but everyone in the crowd is still ready to go until the end of the night.

What have been some of your career highlights so far? Supporting Phoenix, one of our favourite bands, at the Barrowlands, and also supporting Paolo Nutini in 2016. He looked after us very well.

Keep up to speed with the band at facebook.com/TheVeganLeather

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ENTERTAINMENT

Follow Paul Whitelaw’s guide to the best new TV, film and DVD releases.

TELEVISION WAR OF THE WORLDS

©BBC

If Doctor Who has taught us anything, it’s that nothing unites families more at Christmas than alien invasions. So no wonder the BBC has mounted yet another adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic 1898 novel: it’s the unbeatable source of every Earth vs extra-terrestrials adventure. Whereas some TV and film versions have contemporised the setting, this expensive miniseries is a faithful period piece. The impressive cast includes Robert Carlyle, Rupert Graves, Rafe Spall and Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson.

BBC One, December

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TELEVISION MAKING A MURDERER

©BBC

A pure shot of adrenaline, this addictive eight-part thriller is a knowingly OTT collision of droll comedy and cartoon violence.

Likeable Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy) stars as a humble M15 pen-pusher who becomes dangerously obsessed with tracking down a psychopathic serial killer at large in Europe.

The latter is played by Jodie Comer as a kind of spoiled, amused, almost childlike force of murderous nature.

She’s great fun to be around (from a comfortable distance, of course). Prepare to binge.

BBC iPlayer, available now

©Netflix

TELEVISION KILLING EVE

Season one of this gripping true-crime documentary became a huge talking point when it premiered in 2015.

It chronicled the shockingly twist-strewn saga of Wisconsin natives Steven Avery and his cousin Brendan Dassey, who were given life sentences for the murder of a local woman, Teresa Halbach. However, over the course of ten thoroughly detailed hours, the series made a strong case for their defence. This highly-anticipated sequel explores further developments in the case, as Avery and Dassey continue to appeal against their convictions.

Were they really victims of a corrupt miscarriage of justice?

Netflix, available now

©Universal

©Disney

ENTERTAINMENT

DVD MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN FILM MARY POPPINS RETURNS

FILM CREED II When writer/director/star Sylvester Stallone released the well-received Rocky Balboa in 2006, it seemed to mark a natural end for the much-loved boxing franchise. Well, you can’t keep a heavyweight down. Nine years later, the series was successfully revived with Creed, which found Rocky training the son of his late boxing opponent and friend, Apollo Creed. Here comes the inevitable sequel, in which young Adonis Creed faces off against the son of Ivan Drago, the man who killed his father in the ring. Sounds hokey?

Sure, but when Rocky films work, they’re utterly irresistible.

Warner Bros, released December.

DVD THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN LIVE AGAIN!

©BBC

©Warner Bros

This sequel to the beloved Disney musical arrives a mere 54 years later. Let’s hope it was worth the wait. Set 25 years after the events of Mary Poppins, it finds the magical nanny (Emily Blunt) returning to London when her erstwhile charges, Michael and Jane, experience a family tragedy. It’s authored

by Oscar-nominated screenwriter David Magee (Finding Neverland; Life of Pi) and directed by Rob Marshall of Chicago renown. On paper at least, they sound like the ideal team to revive Ms Poppins with the requisite spoonful of sugar.

Walt Disney Pictures, released December.

The title of this follow-up to the hit ABBA musical sounds like it should be accompanied by a shrug and a sigh, but it’s far more entertaining than anyone could’ve expected. Rather than rest on their laurels, the filmmakers decided to do something a little bit different this time: it’s both a sequel and a prequel to the original 2008 film. A fine-tuned blast of cheerfully unpretentious entertainment, you’d have to be cursed with a heart of stone to resist its charms.

Universal Pictures UK, £9.99, released 26 November.

Earlier this year, one of Britain’s greatest comedy troupes reunited for a series of live shows to celebrate their 20th anniversary. It’s a combination of sketches old and new, with the latter being a direct continuation from the hair-raising events of last year’s one-off TV revival. Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith and backroom member Jeremy Dyson could never be accused of phoning it in: this riotous show is packed with invention. BBC, £12.99, released 19 November.

MILL 61

LUNCH AT WOODLANDS In need of some warmth and sustenance as the days grow shorter? Paul Whitelaw has found the ideal daytime retreat.

S

ituated just outside Paisley town centre, a mere tenminute walk from Gilmour Street station, this convivial eatery deserves to be more than a popular secret.

It’s an aromatic oasis of speciality teas, coffees, cakes and freshly-cooked food, a charming destination for all your breakfast and luncheon needs.

The cosiness of Woodlands was just what I needed upon arriving for lunch on a rain-lashed afternoon. It felt instantly welcoming, a comfortably busy, stress-free environment.

Dressed in warm, muted browns and caramels, it practically demands, albeit gently, that you order a hot beverage and some food.

Once I’d wiped the rain and condensation from my glasses, I noticed that the clientele spanned the generation gap. Older ladies and gents quietly rubbed shoulders with younger patrons and families. The staff were friendly and attentive, they’re happy to chat while ensuring swift service (please

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bear in mind, however, that Woodlands don’t accept card payments; a literally small price to pay).

My lunch-buddy was Paul, a colleague from this parish. NB: It’s important for me to clarify that, otherwise you’ll think I’m referring to myself in the third person during the rest of this review. I haven’t taken leave of my senses.

The well-stocked menu spoiled us for choice, but we eventually found what we were looking for. It was lunch hour, but we didn’t have to wait long for our food to arrive.

I opted for beans on toast (£4.20), which isn’t as dull as it sounds. On the contrary, those delicious baked beans, served in a classy oval receptacle, were garnished with delicately buttered fingers of brown bread. I followed that with a platter of cheese and pickle sandwiches (£3.50), by which point I was fit to burst.

Paul opted for the chef ’s speciality, Woodlands black pancakes (£8.10). This mouth-watering confection consists of Scottish pancakes accompanied by sauté peppers, red onion, black pudding, two soft poached eggs and a sprinkling of cracked black pepper. T’other Paul heartily recommends that and his dessert choice, the home-made apple pie.

This was all washed down with a splendid pot of tea for two.

By that satisfied point, the rain outside was a distant memory.

Woodlands Coffee House & Tea Room is situated at 44 Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3PW. 07949 842 504.

Photo by Brian McGuire, paisley.org.uk

FOOD & DRINK

FIND YOUR NEW FAVOURITE TASTE

ONE COVE ROAD

FENWICK 47

Baker Street Food & Drink Incubator

Ladyburn Business Centre

Kelburn Business Park

THREE SISTERS BAKE

The Long Room at Custom House

Scarlow House Business Centre

DINNER AT PALOMINO'S Paul Dickson enjoys a fine dining experience in one of Renfrewshire’s classiest restaurants.

M

y family and I have been visiting Ingliston Country Club & Hotel for several years. We stay in the lodges while the kids are enjoying one of their countless school holidays. Every time we visit they’ve added new facilities or made improvements to their services. It’s an award-winning five-star destination that keeps bettering itself.

On this occasion, however, I left my family behind to dine at Palomino’s Restaurant with my good friend David.

It’s a stylish restaurant, bright, spacious and relaxed.

Parents were dining with their kids, a large group enjoyed a birthday party in the private dining area, and the staff were friendly and attentive. We sat in a booth near the window where we could see the horses going by.

To start, David opted for a healthy serving of bruschetta topped with plum tomatoes and basil, buffalo mozzarella, rocket and balsamic reduction (£6.95). I chose the hand-dived West Coast scallops, caught fresh that day. They were pan-fried and came with Stornoway black pudding, caramelised onion, pepperoni puree and crispy Parma ham (£11.45). It was a small plate of the highest quality ingredients with a taste to match.

When it comes to main courses, I usually go for fish or a burger. Having eaten here before, I knew the burger would challenge the hungriest of men. David was famished, so he went for the Palomino’s Scotch beef burger, dry-aged for at least 21 days, with cheese and crisp Parma ham (£18.45). It’s a

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big burger and I was excited to see how David would tackle it.

Disappointingly, he picked up his knife and fork and ate it like a gentleman (on a first date).

Every main on the menu looked good, but our host talked me into choosing the Chef ’s favourite seafood macaroni.

On paper, that didn’t sound right, but it contained everything I like. Tiger prawns, Loch Fyne hot smoked salmon, scallops, garden peas and cheese pasta bake with garlic bread (£19.45).

Chef ’s favourite was now my favourite.

My seven-year-old son often asks me what my favourite food is. Every time I give him the same answer: ice cream.

So for pudding I picked the strawberry Eton mess. Two scoops of made-in-Paisley Porelli’s ice cream with fresh strawberries, meringue pieces, strawberry sauce, cream and wafers (£7.95): dessert heaven. David, having conquered the massive burger, sensibly opted for a coffee while I astonished us both by finishing my sundae.

Palomino’s is a true dining experience. The food is of the highest quality, the staff are brilliant and it’s only 20 minutes from my home in Paisley. Try it for yourself.

Palomino’s, Ingliston Country Club & Hotel, Ingliston Estate, Old Greenock Road, Bishopton PA7 5PA. 01505 864333. ingliston.com.

From 4.30pm-6.30pm, Monday to Friday, kids main courses are £1 and adults get half price pizza or pasta dishes.

DISTRIBUTION

Where to pick up your copy of Mill PAISLEY Abbey Mill Business Centre 12 Seedhill Road, PA1 1JS Black & Lizars 6 New Street, PA1 1XY Blend Coffee Lounge 25b Causeyside Street, PA1 1UL Bull Inn 7 New Street, PA1 1XU Cafe Lusso 4 School Wynd, PA1 2DB Cardosi Espresso Bar 65 High Street, PA1 2AS Courtyard by Marriott Marchburn Drive, Glasgow Airport Business Park, PA3 2SJ Claire Reid Hairdressing 7 Mill Street, PA1 1LY Elixir Lounge, Upper Floor 12 New Street, PA1 1XY Ethos Hair & Beauty Unit 2 Brown’s Lane, PA1 2JH Eve Spa 11 Christie Street, PA1 1NB Feel the Groove 48 Causeyside Street, PA1 1YH Fullerton Chiropractic 7 Neilston Road, PA2 6LL Gael Interiors 4 Orchard St, PA1 1UZ Graphic Hair Design 67 Glasgow Road, PA1 3PD Grumpy Monkey 22 Moss Street, PA1 1BA Houston Kiltmakers 67 High Street, PA1 2AY Iain Stewart Hairdressing 97 Causeyside Street, PA1 1TU Incube Shop 9b Gilmour Street, PA1 1DG Incube 27 High Street, PA1 2AF Incognito 63 Causeyside Street, PA1 1YT Ivad Gifts 95 Causeyside Street, PA1 1TU, 29 Gauze Street, PA1 1ES Jam Jar 16 Shuttle St, PA1 1YD James Martin Hairdressing 74 Causeyside St, PA1 1YP John McKay Jewellers 53 Moss Street, PA1 1DR Kaoss Hair & Beauty 29 Gauze Street, PA1 1ES Kenneth Edwards 45 Causeyside Street, PA1 1YN La Banca 63 Neilston Rd, PA2 6NA Lagoon Leisure Centre 11 Christie Street, PA1 1NB Lixie Boutique 14 New Street, PA1 1XY Mad Hatter’s 39 Gauze Street, PA1 1EZ My Hair Guru 48 Glasgow Road, PA1 3PW Paisley Physiotherapy 13 Old Sneddon Street, PA3 2AG

Patrick & Son 52-54 Causeyside Street, PA1 1YH Rainbow Turtle 7 Gauze Street, PA1 1EP Renfrewshire House Cotton Street, PA1 1UJ Rowantree Café 165 Glasgow Road, PA1 3LF Shoe 52 5 Mill Street, PA1 1LY Soho Salon 35 High Street, PA1 2AF Soho Salon 20 Moss Street, PA1 1BL Ta Ta Bella’s Tea Room 63 High Street, PA1 2AS The Gatehouse Coffee Roasters Benn Avenue, PA1 1JS The Lane 7 Shuttle St, PA1 1YD The Little Coffee Company 28 Causeyside Street, PA1 1UN The White Cart Company 75 Glasgow Road, PA1 3PE The White Cart Company 30B High Street, PA1 2BZ Woodlands Coffee House 44 Glasgow Road, PA1 3PW Zambretto 38 High Street, PA1 2DQ Zambretto 42 Old Sneddon Street, PA3 2AP BISHOPTON Ingliston Country Club & Hotel Old Greenock Rd, PA7 5PA BRIDGE OF WEIR Harrods Dry Cleaners 8 Castle Terrace, PA11 3EF Laura’s Nail & Beauty Lounge 37 Main St, PA11 3NR Seasons 35 Mains Street, PA11 3NR The Lion’s Paw 1 Morrison Place, PA11 3NU Tulip Hair Design Unit 10, 23 Livery Walk, PA11 3NN ELDERSLIE Elderslie Coffee Shop 11 Stoddard Square, PA5 9AS Hairpod 16A Canal Street, PA5 9AU Romauld SA 29 Stoddard Square, PA5 9AS ERSKINE Erskine Community Sports Centre Kilpatrick Dr, PA8 7AF HILLINGTON Ducati Glasgow 6 Mossland Drive, Hillington Park, G52 4FA

Origin Fitness 22 Earl Haig Rd, Hillington Park, G52 4JU The Experience Montrose Avenue, Hillington Park, G52 4JR

HOUSTON The Paper Shop North St, PA6 7HF HOWWOOD The Boarding House Main Street, PA9 1BQ JOHNSTONE Hairpod 62A High St, PA5 8SJ Johnstone Community Sports Hub Beith Rd, PA5 0JA No. 8 66 High St, PA5 8SG Quality Cards & Gifts 2 Houstoun Square, PA5 8DT KILMACOLM

Cairn Drumpellier Place, 1 Lochwinnoch Rd, PA13 4HE Wild Rose Ardgowan Place, PA13 4AA LINWOOD ON-X Linwood Brediland Rd, PA3 3RA The Salon 15 Napier Street, PA3 3AJ Tweedie Hall and Library 15 Bridge Street, PA3 3DB LOCHWINNOCH Cucina Minucci 2 High St, PA12 4DA Now & Then 8 Church Street, PA12 4AD RSPB Largs Rd, PA12 4JF QUARRIER'S VILLAGE The Sourcery Faith Avenue, PA11 3TF Three Sisters Bake Faith Avenue, PA11 3TF

RENFREW Renfrew Leisure Centre Paisley Rd, PA4 8JL Quality Cards & Gifts 17 Canal St, PA4 8QE CK Hair 44 Canal St, PA4 8QD The Hair Boutique 28 High St, PA4 8QP Judy McFaite Hairdressing 29 Dunlop Street, PA4 8PG

If you are a business that would like to distribute Mill, please contact paul@millmagazine.co.uk MILL 65

LAST WORD

PEOPLE

From busking on the streets of Paisley to headlining at King Tut’s in Glasgow, teenage singer-songwriter Lisa Kowalski has come a long way in a short space of time. She tells us more about her burgeoning career.

You turned 18 this year. When did you start writing songs? When I was 13. I started recording when I was 16, and released my first EP when I was 17. When I was 11, I got a guitar for Christmas, but I never really used it for a long time. I didn’t know where to start, but one day in music class I went up to my teacher and said, “Please help me!” He pointed me towards a website that showed you how to play basic chords.

I basically just taught myself from there.

Career highlights so far? Headlining King Tut’s on my eighteenth birthday was definitely one of them. That was cool, and such a nice way to celebrate, with lots of love. I’ve also played at St Mirren. Obviously people are there for football, not to hear me sing, but they’re always so nice and supportive.

What inspires you to write? All my songs are based on true stories, my thoughts, feelings and opinions. They’re always based on something I’m passionate about. Real life inspires me, as do other songwriters like Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen.

Paisley obviously means a lot to you, so much so that you wrote a song, Hearts of Gold, in tribute to the town. My first public performances were busking in Paisley, and if it wasn’t for that I probably wouldn’t be where I am now. I really owe a lot to Paisley.

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“

LISA SAYS...

REAL LIFE INSPIRES ME, AS DO OTHER SONGWRITERS LIKE TAYLOR SWIFT AND BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

FAVOURITE MUSICAL ARTIST? Bruce Springsteen WHAT SONG DO YOU WISH YOU’D WRITTEN? Travelling Song by Ryn Weaver

FIRST ALBUM YOU EVER BOUGHT? Fearless by Taylor Swift BEST GIG YOU’VE SEEN? Kendrick Lamar at Glasgow Green in 2018

The video for Hearts of Gold depicts you dancing in the streets with various Paisley residents. How did that come about?

We invited people to come down and take part.

It was an uplifting thing to show how amazing Paisley is after the bad result of the 2021 campaign.

When can we expect another EP? Either later this year or early next year. I’ll promote that next year, play more gigs, maybe some festivals. I just want to get more music out there and build an audience, not only for next year, but for all the years afterwards.

You’re in this for the long haul?

Oh yeah, for sure!

Keep up to date with Lisa at facebook.com/lisakowalskimusic

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