Temp Check: The Little Kicks' Steven Milne
The Little Kicks released their highly anticipated fifth album 'People Need Love' this week. Their first since 2017's successful 'Shake off Your Troubles.' The release sees the lead singer and songwriter Steven Milne explore the darker side of life while maintaining their infectious guitar-led vocal pop positivity.
Listen to the album on your favourite streaming service now.
The band recorded most of the album in 2019 and completed it in 2020, but the pandemic pushed the release until now. With so much love and effort put into the recording, they wanted to give it the very best chance to shine.
It's a very busy few days in Steven's life. We caught up with him ahead of the release of the album and fresh off a successful True North festival (Steven is an artist booker for Aberdeen Performing Arts). The Little Kicks also have live dates on the schedule across the country, so we are delighted that he took some time out to answer our questions.
Let's go back to the start. The Little Kicks have been releasing albums for 13 years now. How did you meet up?
Our first LP came out in 2009 but I don’t think we really found our feet until after we released our second LP (in 2011). That album’s material was so well received (particularly when playing at festival sets) and as a result, I think we felt a lot more confident to continue.
When we then tried to vary our sound on 'Put Your Love In Front Of Me' (2013) by incorporating a bit more of a concept to the record, using more strings and synths etc it became our most popular release. So we have been quite lucky that we aren’t bound by one sound and can sort of change as our influences and tastes change.
We all met through playing in various other bands or sharing stages so being in this band as a unit now feels like a natural fit. I think it has helped that we all have varying music tastes and we have had a couple of line-up changes along the way which has kept things fresh - we jokingly compare ourselves to the Sugababes and that at one point I will ultimately be next to be replaced.
Did you have big ambitions for The Little Kicks at the time or was it a case of having a bit of fun, letting off steam and seeing where it takes you?
I think probably when we started yeah. Speaking personally as a kid in your room you want to be as big as you can get and we perhaps had bigger ambitions previously but the music is the most important thing to me now.
I like the idea of a body of work that has a natural flow and I hope that each time we follow up the previous LP with a new release that it’s a development in some way and that we are not sounding the same. Perhaps the music may have similarities in sound (my voice/ our writing and playing style) but it has to change somehow to keep both us and the listener interested.
We probably had our biggest following locally when we came out sounding like The Strokes and Interpol waaayy back but it would be dull to still be like that now – for both the audience and us. In saying that, if the opportunity came along to get out there full-time we would take it with both hands, we want our music to be heard as far and wide as possible.
You, yourself have had your challenges coming through covid, becoming a dad for the first time, then losing your own dad. How do you think has that impacted this new album?
Our last LP came out in March 2017 but it had been finished for a wee while so I had started sketching for what became to be this record. My eldest was born in August and my Dad died very suddenly that November and we were very close. We were meant to go to Canada the week after he died, we obviously didn’t go, and I took some time off. Obviously, that was a strange mix of emotions (having become a father and losing mine) and it did knock me off compass for some time.
The year ahead (2018) had been planned as a writing year (other than two big shows at Belladrum & King Tuts) so come Spring 2018 I would try and pick up with the ideas I had begun the year before but the songs were becoming very sad (which I couldn’t help) and not really the direction I wanted to go.
The 2017 record 'Shake Off Your Troubles' best-received feature was its positivity so I didn’t want to make a downer but I needed to get how I felt out of my system as that’s how I usually deal with things. Slowly I managed to tip the balance in the right direction and I started bringing ideas into the room and sending demo ideas around.
The lads were great about it and incredibly encouraging which made me feel better about sending such personal lyrics out – although I admit now on the almost eve of the LP coming out it is strange to think other people will hear them.
The album (I think) is, on the whole, a very positive record but my hope would be that if someone is going through similar emotions to what I experienced I hope they can hear something in the words that chime with them and that maybe it can give them some comfort.
The band originally planned to release the album last year. It must feel like this one is kind of in the rearview for you? Are you already working on the next album?
Not at all actually, it has been a pretty constant process somehow since it was finished/ mastered in Autumn 2020. During the first wave of Covid, we were literally one session from finishing the record so we had to sit at a standstill of course but in 2021 we began planning ahead.
We commissioned the artist for the artwork paintings and whittled down which to use, our drummer Scott took on a new band space for us to use and kitted it out as a studio, we had to get the vinyl designed and ordered and we began rehearsing.
I have some sketches on my phone but there hasn’t been a huge desire to work on any further new material (or much time/ things to write about!) but once this album comes out I am sure I will get some brain space to get going again. To be honest, I am really so proud of these 10 songs which are sitting ready to go and all I have thought about for some time is how much I can’t wait to get out and play them live and let people hear them.
The Bon Accord Baths pool was a great backdrop for the Ruminations video. It really reflected the song's lyrics. What was it like filming there?
An immense honour to be honest. We cannot thank the BAB team enough for facilitating our access to the space and helping us make it work. Snap who made the video also did a fantastic job. To make that shoot happen took so much work from all sides and I am still a little in disbelief that we got in there.
Obviously being from Aberdeen and having grown up swimming there it was cool to be back in the space. Every room could be a film set it has so much character and the natural light in the pool area is amazing. It wasn’t without its challenges (illness cancelled the first shoot at a day’s notice, the venue has no power etc.) but we are overjoyed with the final result.
What do you love most, touring or recording? The three singles released from People Need Love have a nice distinctive crisp sound. How deeply do you get involved in the production of the Little Kicks music?
If I had to choose I would have to say I love being in the studio. It’s such a great way to spend time, being creative and trying things to make the songs happen together – this was especially true for this record.
We recorded in Chem19 in Hamilton with Paul Savage (his production credits are endless and too long to list) and he really elevated the songs to a different level. He knew how to push us in the right direction in terms of our performance and what the song needed (without being pushy about it) and he stopped us fussing over tiny details or ironing out creases within the mixing of the songs (which is a previous bad habit of ours). I think this is why the album has the energy it has.
Paul was keen for us to attend the mixing sessions wherever possible so I was fortunate to sit in and watch him work which was really cool. As he is fortunate to have accumulated lots of outboard equipment he doesn’t believe in using lots of digital or computer effects and prefers to make sure he gets what’s going in sounding good to cut the editing or mixing work down later. So there was a lot of emphasis on getting a strong performance down.
Also, some of his techniques with microphones for the drums or how he treated guitars & vocals, blended the synths in the mix were fascinating to watch and I truly hope we get to do another LP with him, so everyone reading do please buy this one.
On some of your upcoming live shows, you're playing with the Cairn String Quartet. You've worked with before…including on the new album. What do they bring to The Little Kicks' live experience?
I love the sound of strings in music and I think hearing them live is going to be very emotive and be the cherry on the cake for the live shows we have with them. When they did their parts in the studio we were blown away by what they added to the sound and considering their current engagement is to be on tour with Biffy Clyro I am staggered they have agreed to come and play with us.
As they are session musicians in high demand it’s doubtful (unfortunately) to be something we will repeat in a live capacity after these shows so do come and see us this Autumn.
Album artwork is clearly important to you. Tell us about the artwork for this new release.
We all collect vinyl and enjoy that listening experience. Our last two LPs have almost sold out of their vinyl editions so it was a no-brainer to get this one made on vinyl which allows the option to think more creatively with the artwork.
We felt like the title was a cool statement and Adam liked the artist Georgie Bell (the painter of the artwork on the sleeve) – we all agreed that having the title over one of her artworks would be a cool cover. Our friend Michael Chang helped us achieve this by spending a lot of time on the cover design (style, layout, fonts and direction) and as a result, we went to town on the vinyl edition. It has a die-cut sleeve with three different paintings from Georgie Bell that can be used as cover options and the vinyl is clear/ opaque.
The insert also has all the lyrics within as well as a dedication to my Dad. As a package, it is a truly beautiful thing.
What excites you about music? Who are you listening to right now?
I love checking out the new LP releases every Friday and I always like hearing new things. The latest things I have been enjoying at home are the new album by James Righton (formerly of the Klaxons now produced by Soulwax), Andrew Wasylyk’s back catalogue (instrumental composer from Dundee who is also in Idlewild), Nina Simone (specifically a live album I picked up) and I’ve been on a solo McCartney tip of late.
In a live capacity, I have really enjoyed Zoe Graham's 'Medicine Cabinet & Rival Saints' in the last few weeks, and in terms of upcoming records, I am looking forward to the new Arctic Monkeys LP based on the single and their last LP, which I loved.
This year the most listened to LP in our house is probably Harry Styles' last LP 'Harry's House'. It's an absolute banger.
We'd like to thank Steven again for taking the time to answer our questions in such a thoughtful and candid manner. This has been one of our favourite Temp Check interviews.
You can buy 'People Need Love' on vinyl from The Little Kicks' website, where you can also get tickets to their upcoming tour. You find the album on your favourite streaming service. Finally, please make sure to support and follow The Little Kicks on Twitter or Instagram.
Temp Check: Social media creative Grant Martin
Grant Martin is a well known face in Aberdeen. For the last few years he's been making his name producing funny and often brutally honest YouTube vlogs. He hasn't stopped there though, becoming a presenter on Original FM, featuring on BBC social media channel, The Social, and now turning to stand-up as a regular host at Aberdeen club, Breakneck Comedy.
His first moment of fame came with a video in which he bared his sole about being bullied at school. Determined not to pass on the chance it gave him, Grant grabbed every opportunity that came his way. This has lead to some fantastic videos. He's outgoing, ambitious and forthright but as we approach Christmas, we wanted to take some time to dig beneath the surface and learn more about the real Grant Martin.
We're all trying to find a new normal in our lives right now. It can leave us feeling a little exhausted and even anxious. How are you doing as you navigate through your world? Did you cope well through lockdown?
I’m doing well. I’m not going to pretend that everything is hunky dory, because I have down days like most people, but I try to keep in the light of life because it’s too easy to live this world depressed and down.
In the beginning of lockdown I had this rose tinted view of the pandemic. While some people were down I was trying to be perky and upbeat. However, a few months in everything went sideways and I was no good, but thanks to an amazing support system, exercise and making the choice to stay grateful, I’m getting better.
Who is your support group?
My immediate family. There literally is no one else in my life that means more than my five best friends in this world (Darn, you’re going to get me emotional)
I stop and actually physically switch my phone off at night...and just be.
You first came to our attention when you started making videos for BBC's The Social. How did that happen for you?
Well it was a mutual meeting. I had just came back from cruise ships and wanted a new chapter in my life. I contacted the team at BBC The Social, and coincidentally they were contacting me to join too. With them I managed to create amazing mini doc videos to inspire and make people smile.
You're a busy man, putting in long hours to create. How do you switch off at the end of the day? We know InstaGrant…who is regular, day-to-day Grant Martin.
InstaGrant, I love that. I have recently been more strict with myself to relax more. That sounds like an oxymoron but I always used to chase something else in my free time, be it an event, or video, or friend. Now I stop and actually physically switch off my phone at night, schedule all my posts and just be. The gym is my relax time. That and time with my family.
You've made the move into live comedy, hosting weekend nights at the Breakneck Comedy club. What does that give you that your online work doesn’t satisfy?
When I was 21, working on cruise ships, I would be in front of crowd of people every night. So when I came off the ships and started Vlogging and working in radio, I missed that human interaction and the reaction of a live audience. Let me tell you it’s so addictive.
What motivates you to create videos? What challenges do you face to get your work seen?
I used to try and force my content. I'd find random things to talk about and make “content” but I felt it was becoming unauthentic. So what motivates me to create is when I think about what makes me excited, scared or passionate. Yes that means there are gaps of time inbetween my posts, but it ensures good quality work instead of, I dunno, talking about going to the supermarket for shopping.
My biggest challenge is creativity block. I know I’m not the only one that gets this. Also the transition of script to screen. I can write down a great idea but when trying to present it on camera sometimes it’s a struggle because I work best off the cuff.
What is your process when you make a YouTube video and what keeps you motivated?
Write a foundation for the idea/script and go film it. Don’t put it off and procrastinate. Once you’ve filmed it you either need to begin editing immediately while it’s fresh, or stop take a breath then approach the footage with a new head. Then you might begin editing it with a different approach.
My brother said this to me that my motto should be “Never make a boring a video” and that has stayed with me. The moment I feel bored of my own work, then something is wrong. (I know that may sound egotistical) But your work should entertain you and you should engage with it and if you do then your audience will.
Who do you look up to as a creative? Tell us about them and what it is you respect about their work.
Wow, there’s a list, my creativity is my own if that doesn’t sound arrogant. I’ve never wanted to be like anyone but myself. I don’t copy but I am inspired by people. First would be Oprah Winfrey…I LOVE her. Someone that promoted staying true to her own style of hosting. Davina McCall is another authentic presenter I love. I think the best presenters are personable genuinely fun people. But my comedic heroes will forever be Lucielle Ball and Robin Williams who inspire my zany side.
Do you think you were always an entertainer?
You should ask my mum that. Yes. Always. I used to want to become an entertainer for the fame and validation side, but as i’ve grown I genuinely adore just making people smile. It’s the best gift ever. If I do become famous, I want to become famous to make an impact not for validation. Did I make the person smile? laugh? feel good? Then my work is done.
I think we all agree that social media isn't always positive. With content and channels as positive as yours, do you ever get negative comments?
I now and then receive the odd homophobic or right wing comment, but I don’t care. Because I managed to reach a level of security to know my content is good and what people think of me is none of my business.
You make a lot of videos at the gym. It comes across that you exercise as much for your mental fitness as your physical fitness. Is that right?
Yes absolutely. Listen we as human beings are supposed to run two miles a day for our food, lift heavy rocks and hunt animals. We as humans have cheated the system with modern living, but we have to keep that inner caveman active and fit. With physical fitness comes mental fitness, to quote Elle Woods from Legally Blonde “Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t”
What’s are you are most proud of?
Not my work, not my “online presence”, but reaching a place in my life where I am authentically happy with who I am and loving myself. Don’t get me wrong, there are some days it doesn’t feel that great, but when I hit 30 years old I just let go of so many “F-words” in my life. I'm just be grateful for the family I have, the health I have and the fact I’m working.
Do you make plans for yourself? Goals you’d like to achieve professionally and personally?
Always, if you don’t have a “why” when you wake up then what’s the point? “What’s your why?” Now your goal may be to become a parent, the manager of a supermarket, Prime Minister, or maybe to just be the best version of yourself that day, it doesn’t matter. Goals and ambitions are what pushes us in this world.
My dreams I think will always be job oriented though, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
It’s no secret to anyone that my biggest dream is to become a TV Presenter. When I was 19 I went to London and stood outside ITV studios and put out to the universe that I would one day walk through those doors as a TV Presenter. Now it doesn’t have to be ITV, but the dream is presenter or produce television for the sole reason to make people smile or to make an impact.
You've been very open about the tough time you had at school. How much did that drive you as a person?
To prove the haters wrong. And I feel I’ve been doing a great job so far. By the time I was 29 I had travelled to 65 countries, 140 ports of call, worked for Oprah 'frikkin’ Winfrey, had my own radio show and made it on BBC Scotland, and I’m only 30 so there’s still more to come. I’m still that same odd queer kid from Harlaw Academy and it’s clearly worked out for me.
What would you tell a younger version of Grant Martin, struggling with bullying?
That the social side of school isn’t real, it’s like a live action social media. What people think of you doesn’t really matter. It may suck right now but before you know it they’ll move onto something else. That thing that makes you weird and different is going to be your best asset.
I think we can all agree with that...so finally, what makes you happy?
Staying true to who I am and not changing for people anymore. Without a shadow of a doubt my family make me happy. Throw in a weekly trip to the Aberdeen Art Gallery and we’re set.
Where to find Grant Martin
You can find and follow Grant wherever you see great content online. Expect daft, heartfelt and very funny videos.
- YouTube
- Instagram
- Facebook
- TikTok
About POST
Kevin Mitchell and Chris Sansbury founded POST from a desire to cut through the noise to share the great things that happen in Aberdeen. They therefore focus on community, culture and the interesting people of the city. The local artists, businesses and charities; photographers, musicians and entertainers; the people at a local level that make a positive impact on our city each and every day. So they use video, audio, writing and social media to amplify the voices in our community, and to ultimately give a platform to Aberdeen folk to engage and tell their own stories.
Recent work includes interviews with We Are Here Scotland founder Ica Headlam; Paralympic gold medalist, Neil Fachie; Chef, an Aberdeen rapper who is pushing for success; an article by film director Mark Stirton about the state of high-rise buildings in the city; coverage of Nuart Aberdeen and TEDx Aberdeen, as well as coverage of British Art Show 9.
Temp Check: Paralympic Gold Medallist Neil Fachie MBE
Neil Fachie was born and grew up in Aberdeen, a city still close to his heart. Despite the challenges he's faced due to a condition that has deteriorated his eyesight, he's become a British sporting icon. He's an extremely determined personality who pushes himself to success, and of course we wanted to find out a little bit more about him.
In this latest Temp Check interview, we talk to Neil Fachie about his early life and education in Aberdeen. We cover his struggles to find his place in the sporting world. Then of course we chat about his success including his most recent gold medal at Tokyo 2020, breaking his own world record along the way. We also covered his family success as his wife Lora also won gold within a few minutes of him.
Settle in. This is one of our favourite Temp check interviews.
It's been a big few days for you, winning yet another gold medal for Team GB, breaking your own world record. But personally…how are you feeling right now?
Two emotions really, firstly relief. The fact that something we’d planned for so long all came together is such a relief. My event is one ride, one opportunity and if one thing goes wrong it can all be for nothing. The race on Saturday was as close to perfect as I think I’ve ever been and that showed in the time we produced. Secondly I just feel pride, no only that Matt and I were able to win that title, but also that I got to share gold medal success with my wife Lora, who also won her event in a world record time.
Neil Fachie's Childhood
I thought we'd start with your disability before we move onto your world beating abilities. You suffer from retinitis pigmentosa (RP), diagnosed at a young age. How did that diagnosis come about and how did it effect your childhood?
I was diagnosed at the age of 4 after running into a washing line pole in my Gran’s back garden on Christmas day. A common symptom of RP is to struggle in low level light and it had just been coming down dark outside. As both my Gran and Mum suffer from the condition, they knew the signs. As its a degenerative condition, it didn’t affect me too much in my early years, but as I got older, school became more of a challenge. I had to sit closer to the front and in the end had enlarged text for my exams. The poor night vision also meant I didn’t socialise with friends in an evening, so it definitely affected my social circle in my teenage years.
Was a career in sports inevitable for Neil Fachie?
I adored sport. I’d fallen in love with athletics and spent much of my time training at what was the Chris Anderson Stadium in Aberdeen. A career in sports never seemed likely though. In fact during my early teens I lost almost every race that I did. I was in it purely for the social side, as well as challenging myself to beat myself. I was constantly striving to improve, but sporting success seemed a long way off.
Would you say your education in Aberdeen helped or hindered your sporting ambitions? Did your school see your potential?
I didn’t get much in the way of help from my school. We’d often have to enter the Scottish Schools Championships off our own backs, but its the way it was. Studying at the University of Aberdeen did allow me to continue with Aberdeen Athletics Club, the extra time meaning I was essentially training as a full-time athlete. In the final year of my degree I became a member of the British Athletics development squad, things really took off from there.
The First Paralympics
At your first Paralympics in Beijing you were a sprinter, but after that changed to cycling. Tell us about that decision.
Following the Beijing Games I received a phone call from my manager at British Athletics. They told me that they didn’t think I had the potential to make it to London 2012 and were terminating my contract with immediate affect. At that stage my sporting dreams were done.
I desperately wanted to be part of a home Paralympic Games and so I decided to try every sport I could until I found one I might just be good enough at to have a chance of making it to the Games. As a life long fan of cycling, I decided that would be what I tried first. As it turns out, getting kicked off that athletics team was the best thing that ever happened to me. I obviously didn’t see it that way at the time.
What can powering on the back of a tandem bike pedalling at breakneck speeds tell us about trust? How important is your relationship with your tandem partner?
We hit speeds of 75 kph around the tight banking of the velodrome and so my life is very much in the hands of my pilot (the sighted rider on the front of the tandem). I very much have to trust in their bike handling skills, as well as trusting that they are also willing to dedicate their time towards achieving Paralympic success.
It takes a great deal of understanding between riders to make a fast tandem. Two great cyclists on a bike doesn’t equal a fast tandem. We have to be in sync, we have to compliment one another and we have to work well together. That relationship can take years to develop, if truth be told we are always learning more about one another.
London 2012 and Glasgow 2014
From a viewers point of view, being part of London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 looks like it would have been amazing. What was your experience of those games.
London 2012 was insane. The noise in the velodrome was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before or since. To win gold there was beyond my wildest dreams. Just taking part in those Games was all I’d ever wanted. For the following two weeks we were rockstars. We had to be accompanied by security when we went to events because everyone knew who we were. In that moment the Paralympic Games became mainstream.
To then follow that up with a home Games in Glasgow was very special. The crowd there were immense and pulling on the Scotland kit there was an extremely proud moment. My victory in the sprint in Glasgow is still my favourite ever win. It was an event we really shouldn’t have won, but somehow we managed to defeat the incredibly strong team from Australia.
I was devastated. As reigning world champion I was ready to race. The thought that I would have to keep going for another year, allowing my opposition time to catch me up, was gutting.
Neil Fachie
The build-up to Tokyo 2020
Let's skip forward to early 2020 as you were training for the Tokyo Olympics, we started to hear about this virus in China…and then in Italy. A worrying time for us all, but how were you feeling about your build-up?
In late January/early February we won gold at the World Championships in Canada and all was looking on track for the Games. We had beaten our opposition by a good margin and I felt extremely confident going into the final phase of training before the Games. Although the virus was starting to spread, I didn’t ever consider things would turn out the way they did.
When the games were eventually postponed, were you relieved, frustrated or a bit of both?
I was devastated. As reigning world champion I was ready to race. The thought that I would have to keep going for another year, allowing my opposition time to catch me up, was gutting. It was at that point that I started to doubt whether I would even continue to the Games.
Do you think, in terms of your performance, you benefitted from that postponement?
After the initial disappointment I started to fall in love with cycling again. As we had to train from home, I’d had to change the way I train. It turns out that this ‘freshening up’ was just what I needed. I thrived during lockdown, and once we were able to get back on track, we went from strength to strength. We used the extra year we had to work on areas of the event we hadn’t had the chance to before. We just kept getting quicker and quicker. There is no way we would’ve gone as fast as we did in Tokyo, had the race taken place in 2020.
Life in Tokyo
You are still in Tokyo right now. Tell us a little about the experience of being part of the mid pandemic olympic village beyond your cycling. What have you been able to get up to?
Regulations were very tight in Japan. We stayed outside of the athlete’s village because the velodrome is based over 100km away. For that reason it didn’t quite feel like the usual Games. Every morning we had to spit into a tube for testing, to ensure we weren’t carrying the coronavirus. Sport is often far from glamorous! The day following my race we headed to a hotel near the airport, ready to fly home. We were told that if we left the hotel, we could be arrested. Fortunately the view from our hotel was stunning, but its not quite how I wanted to see Tokyo.
Your wife Lora won a gold medal within 15 minutes of you, a truly fantastic family achievement. How did that feel?
The most incredible day. While warming up for my race I watched Lora break the world record in her qualifying ride. I knew the pressure was then on me. Matt and I then won gold, breaking the world record, so the pressure switched back to Lora and her pilot Corrine. In their gold medal ride they won a tough battle against the Irish bike, taking Paralympic gold. I didn’t see Lora for the next 30 minutes or so as I was taken away for my podium and Lora hers. When we finally came together I gave her a huge hug and she said to me, “we did it”. The tears were flowing at that point.
The Future for Neil Fachie
That top spot on the podium must be getting quite familiar, and we're now only three years away from Paris '24. Have you made the decision whether or not you'll aim to compete?
I have every intention of being there. Next summer the Commonwealth Games take place in Birmingham, an event I plan to be part of. In 2023 the cycling world champs take place in Glasgow. This will be the first time all cycling disciplines will come together to create a cycling Games of sort, so I definitely want to be part of that. Then at that stage we are just one year away from Paris. I might be 40 at that stage, but I’d love to be there to try and defend my title.
Thank you so much to the amazing Neil Fachie taking the time to answer our questions despite having an incredibly busy schedule following Tokyo. He's a truly inspirational character. This is a story we can all take motivation from no matter what path we are on.
Find out more
Neil Fachie's book Earn Your Stripes is a great read. You can learn more about it on his website. Neil hosts a podcast The 1% Club with fellow presenter, John Mellis. You can also make a connection with Neil on Twitter where he's very active.
If you enjoyed this Temp Check, why not check out our interview with Aberdeen radio presenter Lauren Mitchell. It's a great follow-up read.
Temp Check: Director Mark Stirton
Mark Stirton is an Aberdeen loon through and through. It comes across in his dialogue, his humour. That dry whit that is particular to folk here the North-East of Scotland. His second movie has a legendary status with the people of Aberdeen, though it didn't travel well. One Day Removals is the story of Andy and Ronnie, a pair of Aberdeen removal men who have a very, very bad day. The sharp dialogue is in doric, peppered with as many swear words as you could possibly hope for.
His first film, The Planet, was a low budget sci-fi. He filmed it at Balmedie Beach with a budget of just £8000. No mean feat for a film that doesn't shy away from visual effects. Mark and his production team spent two years to create the models and effects.
2018 saw the release of his third feature length, Dark Highlands, a horror about a Japanese artist who visits Scotland, only to become the target of a crazed killer. It's a delicate blend beautiful cinematography and high tension with very little dialogue.
We reached out to Mark Stirton to find out a little bit more about the man behind the films. We want to find out what inspired him to became a filmmaker, what he’s been up to during lockdown, and his plans for the future.
It's been a crazy few months with a few highs and a whole load of lows. How are you doing right now? Have you been coping okay with lockdown...and coming out of lockdown? Have you been able to work?
Yeah, I was pretty reclusive anyway so it didn't affect me so much. However I couldn't go filming so I turned to animation and had rather a fun time working with Composer Jon Brooks on Wrong Time, Wrong Space which won a few nice awards.
Being locked down really destroyed my ability to put a crew together. Now I love my crew and I enjoy working as a group, but that was just impossible, so i turned to a project that one man theoretically could do alone.
Wrong Time, Wrong Space
Animation is new for you. Can you tell us about that experience?
Slight problem, I'm not an animator. So I opened some animation software, started to build my hero spaceship and made a deal with myself. If I could make the spaceship, I'd make the film. It took a while but eventually I had a hero model that could star in the film, so I just learned how to do each shot pretty much in chronological order.
But, I'll never do it again. I had this one animation project in my head, and that's yer lot. It was nice to finally get it done after years of thinking about it, but it would never have happened without a lockdown.
So did you you do all the work on Wrong Time, Wrong Space yourself?
My only real collaborator was composer Jon Brooks, who also scored Dark Highlands for me and will also be providing a full orchestral score for the new [version of] One Day Removals.
I knew my animation would be, kinda rudimentary, so Jon really had to bring the whole thing to life with his music, which he did beautifully. The best days for me were hearing his music come in, as I painfully pushed the film forward with maybe four seconds complete each week. Maybe six if I was lucky.
CGI animation is neither easy nor fast. Particularly since I was using some very old equipment to achieve the shots. After all, I didn't know we'd be locked down for months and months, so it's not like I had a CGI workstation sitting waiting, I had to improvise one!
Why film making?
Nobody comes out of the womb a fully fledged creator. What inspired you to set out on the path to making movies?
Avoiding going to prison. My path, as a younger stupider man, wasn't exactly smart or legal. I was going no-where, except probably to prison so I pulled myself together a bit, focused on what I wanted to do, then did it.
One Day Removals
I think it's fair to say most folk know you for One Day Removals, your 2008 Doric comedy set very firmly in Aberdeen and around. Tell us about how the idea for that came about and how you took that from script to screen.
It took a long time. I wrote the first version in around 1993, but I just couldn't find anyone interested in funding it, so it sat in a folder for a decade. But, little by little, digital technology advanced enough and was affordable enough that I was eventually able to mount a feature film version for around 60 grand. The basic idea never changed, what if two removal men accidentally killed not just one person, but a van load.
A lot of folk were shocked by the language. To me, though, it just reflects the way that folk in the north-east speak at work and in the pub. Was the swearing a conscious decision when you wrote it?
Yes. The screenplay was written in Doric and was full of swearing. It was very much a mission statement. This is the way we are going to do it and it won't change. Unfortunately that was also the path to distribution failure.
I remember at the time it was the sort of movie that people passed between friends and co-workers. It’s a great way to ensure people in the city see the movie. However, it’s probably not the most profitable of distribution methods. Did it ever get a commercial release?
No. The Planet was released commercially, Dark Highlands was released commercially, but the Raindance selected BIFA nominated One Day Removals, was not.
Aberdeen’s film industry
Aberdeen's film making scene is particularly small even while other creative industries in the city are hitting a bit of a moment in the sun. So why do you think Scotland's film industry is stuck in the central belt...even just in terms of filming locations? What do you think can be done to help our industry?
I'm hardly the person to ask. I'm a multi award winning director with distribution deals in America, Japan, France and HBO Europe, but in Aberdeen I am both unemployed and unemployable. You'd be as well asking me how to get a job at ASDA.
Tell us about your most recent film, the horror Dark Highlands. It's a very different film so you must have experienced a different set of challenges and frustrations.
Very much so. I like to change genres every time I make a new film. Sci-fi, to Comedy to Horror to Animation. Keeps things challenging. In terms of Dark Highlands the most challenging aspect was filming everything in the actual Highlands. Filming miles away from anywhere, with bad weather and midges was not something I'm rushing to do again.
However, as a budget conscious director I was aware of the amazing production values you get from going there. It's not exactly free and it takes plenty of planning, but visually it was worth it.
What do you think motivates you to create?
I'm not sure, but even during the pandemic I was animating away on a new project, so even if I'm alone in a flat, I'll create something!
Is there anything you'd have done differently in your film-making career? What advice would you give to your younger self?
To be honest I kept being surprised that we got anywhere. I was surprised that The Planet sold, I was surprised One Day Removals opened in London at a big fancy festival, so maybe I'd advise myself to have a little faith and not worry so much.
The future
As folk get the vaccine and we can hopefully get on with the next part of our lives, what are you up to? Is there a new movie on the way?
Yes, I'm writing it now. One Day Removals never gained any real popularity outside the North East, so I'm going to try it again only based out of London next time with two English actors. Call it the Lock Stock version.
Find out more
Thanks very much to Mark for his time. It’s fantastic to get an insight into a local industry that perhaps needs no small amount of attention. You can find more about the work of Mark Stirton on his website. If talking directly is more your thing, you can follow him on Twitter.
If you enjoyed this interview, check out our Temp Check with Colin Farquhar from Aberdeen's Belmont Filmhouse Cinema.
You can also watch One Day Removals in full right here!
Temp Check: Mark McAulay from Singularity Sauce Co.
Mark McAulay likes it hot. Like…stupidly hot. So hot in fact he launched his own hot sauce company, Singularity Sauce Co. First as a first as a bit of fun, a hobby. It then grew into a side project and somewhere along the way people recognised his hard work and dedication. Before you could blink his hobby had become a proper grown-up craft hot sauce business.
As both of us here at POST are big fans of heat, we thought it was time to find out more about Singularity Sauce Co. and the man behind it.
How are you doing right now? Be honest. This is a safe space.
Oh, I'm doing great thanks. If anything, a little anxious about all the usual things when running a business, but also content with the knowledge that if everything goes wrong, it’s all my own fault.
How it all began
Like many small companies, Singularity Sauce Co. came out of nowhere…after five years of hard work and dedication. Tell us what inspired you to start your own craft hot sauce company, and how that developed into a real-life, grown-up company?
I’d been making my own sauces for a while. I was so bored with the hot sauces which we’re generally available and I decided I could do better. I'd spent a few years living in London and there was so much choice in small indie places that I wanted more choice up here in the frozen north. I’d buy the hottest chillies I could get my hands on and add other flavours and lots of vinegar. At that time, Komodo Dragon chillies had become available in the supermarket. They are bonkers hot and just what I needed.
I quickly moved away from using vinegar as a base because I’d gone off on a mission, one I’m still on today. I’d become fascinated with the flavours found in different types of chillis and I want to continually explore that. Dumping a bunch of vinegar into a sauce unsurprisingly makes it taste like vinegar. That had to stop.
I started experimenting with fermentation and that’s where things started working out. I could achieve low enough PH values to make things acidic enough to be shelf safe and instead of a heavy vinegar flavour, I had a world of funky flavours available. I'll spare you, but I could go on for days about this stuff.
I’d been testing these sauces out on friends, family and neighbours. The feedback had been really positive. One of my friends is a chef in Aberdeen and he’d started pushing me to sell the sauces I was making. Eventually, I did of course, but that was the point I had to get serious. I had to figure out just how you can create food for sale and that took me a while. As I did the dance of environmental health, trading standards, insurance etc, I realised that this couldn't be a hobby anymore.
At the time of transition from hobby to business, I'd suffered a bout of depression which ultimately led to the end of my day job. I had to do some real soul searching to figure out what I was going to do. I chose the most difficult option there is and turned my hobby into my full-time job. The sauce company became Singularity Sauce Co. LTD in November 2019 but didn't start trading until January 2020.
Eventually, I sold a few bottles to people. My friend, the chef, had managed to get me an order from the restaurant he was working in at the time and that snowballed into lots of orders from restaurants/bars. Positive things were happening and I found myself starting to get orders from delis/farm shops/etc too.
The challenges of the pandemic
You launched just as we learned about this crazy virus on the other side of the world…only a few weeks before we went into lockdown. Tell us about that experience.
Oh man, in the book of worst timed business start-ups, you’re going to find Singularity Sauce in the first few pages. All of my larger, wholesale orders were for hospitality venues. Pretty much all of my non-wholesale sales were done at farmers' markets. This was what was keeping the lights on. When the lockdown hit, all of this disappeared overnight.
There were no more orders from hospitality and there were no more farmers' markets. I'm really not kidding, this whole situation was terrifying and there were many moments of serious doubt. Some days it really did feel like the end.
Having no commercial premises meant I wasn’t eligible for the government support and it’s not as if I could furlough myself either. It was decision time, stick or twist.
Mark McAuley | Singularity Sauce Co.
I chose to spend night and day hammering away at my website. What else was I going to do? I went full guns at it, doing a bunch of targeted advertising and really amping up my social media. I knew if I could get a decent volume of online sales I’d live to fight another day. The rise of the "support local" vibe was incredible and I know of several other tiny businesses, much like ourselves, that simply wouldn't have made it otherwise. Online orders started coming in thick and fast. I had to upgrade all our postal packaging to cope.
I also had to locate the post offices closest to me that were less hardline about the number of parcels you could send per visit. Our nearest post office was restricted to 3 parcels per visit at one point. When you've got 20+ orders per day, that's not really going to work out! I found a couple of other post offices who were happy to help :)
How have your different markets reacted to the challenges of the pandemic? Has it refocused relationships or opened new ones you didn’t expect?
Some customers had no option but to stop buying from us. I get that and I don't hold any hard feelings. Every business had to make difficult decisions over the past 18 months and it's not been easy for anyone. As things have started to open up again, wholesale orders have never been better. I've also been able to show face at a few farmers' markets and there has been a real buzz of excitement from people there.
We've found our way into several more shops now. Many through Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, one in Glasgow, a bunch in London and one, in particular, you've probably heard of. We were absolutely blown away to have our full range stocked in Selfridges. Even more amazing was that they approached us.
Collaboration and working with others
You obviously love collaborating with other craft producers. Tell us about some of your experiences with that.
I have a bunch of collaboration sauces with some incredible people. I make the Transatlantic Habanero Express with Lukes Handcrafted Hot Sauces in NJ, USA. The way we go about it might even be a world first, we're not 100% sure of that though. I am so proud every day that I get to make a sauce for Fierce Beer. They're some of the best humans on earth and they'll always be my favourite. 😄
For the past 3 years, we've done a hot sauce ice cream collaboration with Fit's The Scoop over in Culter. This year, we've retired our pioneering "Raspberry Reaper". I guess I can tell you first what this year's is all about. Think blueberry ice cream, rippled with our Purple Naga Viper Brain & Blueberry hot sauce, smashed with lemon coated popping candy. This is a beauty and we can't wait to see it light up your faces.
I'm currently gearing up to launch a sauce built for pizza with The Gaff in Ellon. I also make a pretty unique hot sauce for The Coffee Apothecary based at Udny and Ellon. I've recently been working with Innis & Gunn on sauces for their food offerings in their taprooms throughout Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee.
The Tilly Butcher is doing things with some of our sauce, what that is, we don't know yet but you can be absolutely sure it'll be brilliant. We're up to no good with Bandit Bakery right now too.
You can look out for Singularity Sauce Co. collaborations with other UK food & drink producers. I've also had a few chats with some cool people in The Netherlands, USA and Denmark.
The common experience of working with all of these people, and as a marker for who I'll collaborate with in future is really just that they're lovely people. People I get on with and who I don't have to worry about getting into an argument with. We have to be able to work together and it has to be right for everyone in the collaboration. I don't say yes to everyone.
What makes a great hot sauce?
What do you look for in a hot sauce, whether it your own or somebody else's? Tell us a bit about some of your favourites.
Flavour combinations, less vinegar and I’m not ashamed to admit it, delicious labels! Personally, I look for originality. The sauce industry is at a point where there are dozens of new companies popping up. This is a really exciting time for inventive flavours. Some of my favourite sauce makers out there right now are Thicc Sauce, Lou's Brews, Double D's and Lazy Scientist. You might have noticed that all of these come from the U.K. Traditionally hot sauce has been thought of primarily as an American thing and of course, some of the best sauces in the world come from there.
There are very many influences from the US in lots of the hot sauce brands in the UK, but I think we can stand up and be counted. The UK is really starting to punch above its weight. I've entered some Singularity Sauce Co. sauces into a large hot sauce competition in the US. We're the only Scottish entrant and we're going up against some heavy hitters in the sauce world. You've got to test yourself against the very best from time to time to see how you're getting on. We'll find out in a few weeks time how we've done.
Hot sauces vary a lot and some people are simply scared of the heat. Does Singularity Sauce Co aim its sauces at a specific market or is there a bigger flavour mission at play?
We became well known for big heat almost immediately. I feel that’s a bit of a disservice. It's true that we use a lot of super hot chillies but there's more to this than just trying to hurt everyone. For us, the heat is the consequence of the flavour profile we’re chasing. There are different flavour notes to each chilli. We like to take those flavours and pair them with other flavours, sometimes unexpected pairings. We smashed Carolina Reapers (Officially the hottest chilli) into local Blackberries and won 2 stars at the Great Taste Awards last year for it. We've also done a big citrus sauce with Orange Habaneros, again a hot chilli. The important factor is flavour, even if these sauces end up too hot for some.
It's true that we use a lot of superhot chillies but there's more to this than just trying to hurt everyone.
Marc McAulay | Singularity Sauce Co
Heat is so subjective anyway. We regularly talk to people who feel our mildest sauces are too hot and we often hear that our hottest sauces aren’t hot enough. Everyone experiences the heat differently and we’ve always felt that makes it a weaker attribute from which to define a sauce as a whole. If we're using Moruga Scorpions, Purple Naga Viper Brains or 7Pot Yellows, yes the sauce will be hot. If we're using Jalapenos or Dutch Reds, not so much. That's about as deep as I like to get into the heat discussion.
Keeping up with demand
What's the biggest challenge, finding places to stock your sauce, or keeping up with the demand?
The biggest challenge for me has been finding a commercial kitchen from which to scale. I could be making a lot more sauce but my capacity is limited right now. It has taken well over a year but we do have a new home in the works, still in the mighty village of Tarves, the hot sauce capital of Aberdeenshire.
I guess at this point, keeping up with demand is my number one problem. I've trimmed our range to cope right now but I have several notebooks jammed full of sauce recipes, mustards, syrups and seasonings. I just can't launch any of them until I get the keys to the new lab.
I've been fortunate to find really good stockists. We look for like-minded businesses to work with because we know they'll do our brand the best service. We want to invest in promoting them as much as they'll promote us. I've been approached by some amazing businesses from throughout the UK also. Getting into Selfridges has to be one of the best "good fortune" stories yet. I'll tell you that story in full someday.
The future
What's the big plan for Singularity Sauce Co? Where does the company go over the next few months?
Well, I used to have a big plan and now I don't. That statement will have made all sorts of business advisers and consultants shudder.
Experience has taught me that you can have all the plans in the world but everything can change overnight, rendering those plans obsolete. Spending more energy on them feels wasteful and risky to me. I have targets of course, I have things I am trying to achieve but they're not "change the world" big. They're "make better hot sauce" small. Smaller, more achievable plans will shape whatever the big plan turns out to be. I'm pretty chill about this. I've never been more nimble or light on my feet. I can adapt to change quickly and if the past 18 months are anything to go by, I can be resilient in the face of utter devastation.
There are so many positive things which have happened which have involved no planning at all that I've just gone with it and unshackled myself from a formal strategic plan. Next for us is to move to our own fermentation lab and kitchen. You can ask me what the plan is at that point, once we're in. 😉
We’ve seen you experiment with dill pickles on TikTok. Who do we strong arm to get some?
I've wanted to make pickles forever. I couldn't resist just getting some together and starting to experiment. I've currently got one flavour I'm really happy with and another couple of prototypes on the go just now. I'll launch them a little later this summer. Word has it they might appear at a Market as a sample for people to try sometime. I'll give you a heads up…or maybe I'll eat them all myself. They're just so good!
Find out more
Thank you very much to Mark for his time and his frank answers. The thing we love about Temp Check interviews is people showing a true passion for the thing they do. You can find Singularity Sauce Co. and meet Mark in person at Curated Aberdeen in the Bon Accord Centre between 9 and 11 July. You can also visit their online store, as well as say 'hi' on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Thanks very much to the lovely team at Rosemount Market who generously allowed us to use their amazing shop as a backdrop for photographs.
EDIT 28 APRIL 2022: Mark is currently crowdfunding to help fund a move to commercial premises. Read all about it and consider supporting this amazing project over on Crowdfunder.
Temp Check - Lauren Mitchell from Northsound Radio
Lauren Mitchell's breakfast radio show with co-presenter Jeff Diack is a huge success. The presenters' positive disposition has has solidified their position as North East Scotland's most listened to breakfast show. In more normal times, you could also see them supporting community events in Aberdeen like Celebrate Aberdeen and Grampian Pride.
We thought it was time to catch up with Lauren to see how she's doing as Aberdeen on from lockdown to recovery.
Hey Lauren. Our first question in Temp Check interviews is always the same. It’s a simple question, but the answer is often not so simple…how are you doing right now?
Hiya Chris! Certainly a BIG question… however, the first answer that comes to mind is absolutely fantastic thank you! The sun is shining in Aberdeen today and I bought myself a houseplant this week, saw my family, some friends and had a BBQ! What more can I need in my life?!
Can you tell us a little about your background, how old you were when you started in radio, and how you became a presenter at Northsound?
I grew up all over the place, as my parents were in the Royal Air Force, which meant I had to become used to talking to many different people from a young age. This is where I developed my passion for “communication” and talking to people. When I was younger, I used to listen to the radio and repeat the adverts (usually that’s everyone’s least favourite part…I just loved it!)
We do tend to stay positive in the morning because nobody wants to listen to a negative Nigel do they? I believe it is so important to put your issues aside, unless of course you're sharing part of your life that may help somebody else.
Lauren Mitchell
I knew I wanted to go into Media/Journalism, so I joined college and completed a HND in Radio. From there, I completed my undergraduate degree in Media at Robert Gordon University. I graduated in 2015, moved back to St Andrews and I sent a video of myself doing the travel for a competition Northsound were running called "The Chosen One." About 3 weeks later, I got a call from Northsound telling me I was the CHOSEN ONE! I don't think I've ever been more excited in my whole life. That was 6 years ago which would have made me…. 21! I then moved everything back to Aberdeen and started on the Homerun show as a Travel Reporter.
You and your co-presenter Jeff Diack have a reputation for being hugely positive. How did you manage to maintain that at the start of lockdown when the rest of the world felt very scary?
Hahaha!! I love this question. We do tend to stay positive in the morning because nobody wants to listen to a negative Nigel do they? Being a presenter, I believe, a huge part of it (if not all of it) is being there for your listener and making them smile and laugh in the morning. I believe it is so important to put your issues aside, unless of course you're sharing part of your life that may help somebody else. 99% of the time though, when I walk into the studio, I would leave my personal problems at the door.
Has your outlook to the world changed over the past 12 months?
Absolutely! I’ve become someone who spends less money on clothes and I’m now investing in nice pillows and homely plants for my house… (Have I officially promoted myself to a sensible adult? Oh no!!!) In all seriousness though, I’ve always believed you should say YES to everything and worry about it later, do things that scare you, try new things, explore and make yourself as happy as you possibly can with whatever works for you… but now more than ever, I appreciate my family, my friends and the people around me. I am so grateful for the little things, just like everyone is I suppose. I feel like you will be nodding along there thinking, we definitely did take things for granted a bit, didn’t we?
It’s obvious to everyone that listens that you love your job. What is it about radio presenting that gets you up in the morning?
I really do feel lucky everyday to talk and play songs on the radio, it has its own little challenges like any job but I have to say, for me, it's the first laugh we have in the morning, the conversations we have with our listener, the funny things we talk about. Radio is very much a friend to most and it’s also a friend to me too… It is as much a comfort to me as it is to those who do turn to us in the morning.
Aside from your immediate colleagues, who inspires you professionally?
So many different people inspire me in different ways. My colleagues are great and I'm so thankful for them. My family of course are always driving themselves forward professionally which has always been an inspiration to me. Two people in particular though - 1. Kirstin Gove, who we all know is just an incredible person all round and 2. Pete McIntosh… the person who is always so positive, creative and pushing for his next challenge.
What is your favourite part of your working day?
I love the Win it Minute quiz that we do every morning. It's a really positive fun little way of interacting with every listener, no matter what age. I also reckon I’d be quite good at quizzes now after learning the most random facts from the Win it Minute over the last 5 years!
One aspect of your role at Northsound is to be part of the community they serve. How would you say Aberdeen has changed in the past 5 years?
I think Aberdeen has changed massively and I do believe we’ve become much more of a tight community, it feels like we are one city and we look after each other. When I think of Aberdeen, I think 'creative and innovative'. We have so many fantastic talented people in this city, I'm so proud to live here. Walking around the streets and seeing NUART, the SPECTRA festival, The beautiful Art Gallery and all the pop-up events with local producers and creatives - it is just a great place to be.
I’m determined to get a nugget of negativity from you today…so what pisses you off?
Bad drivers, I’d be a liar if I said I never get a little bit of inner road rage. Too scared to beep my horn though!
You seem to be a very determined and laser focused woman. What advice would you give to young girls who would like to follow in your footsteps.
I have three tips.
1. Find your confidence and own it! You are beautifully unique and you should champion yourself.
2. Don’t give up, get up and try again… If you fail, it is only a bigger lesson and better adventure.
3. Work hard (get experience) but also treat yourself, enjoy the crazy ride that life brings us!
And before we go…my youngest would like to know what your favourite tune is right now?
OH!!! Good question….I know in years to come, I’ll see this and I’ll think “DID I REALLY LIKE THAT SONG?!” but right now, it HAS to be Ella Henderson & Tom Grennan – Let's go Home together!
Ha, she'll love that! She's also a big fan of that song. Your early morning influence is strong! ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ
Thanks very much to Lauren for her brilliant answers to our questions. We're positive that we'll have her back at some time in the future. You can hear her every weekday on Jeff and Lauren in the Morning. The show also has a positive presence on Twitter, and Facebook.
Temp Check - Louise Grant from Aberdeen Brewery Fierce Beer
We chat with Louise Grant about building a brewery, running a business through the covid emergency and bouncing back with the help of community.
Louise Grant has been the friendly face of Fierce since it's inception...the welcoming smile. In our latest Temp Check Interview, we caught up with her to talk about her part in building the brewery, running a business through the covid emergency, and bouncing back with the help of the community. We also touch on her personal challenges and the amazing support from her husband Dave.
Hi Louise. I know life is very busy for you right now as Fierce has begun to welcome consumers face to face so thank you very much for taking the time to answer a few questions. We’ll stick with tradition by opening with “how are you doing right now?”
I am tip top and you?
I’m really good! I’ve been dying to talk to you for ages about your story, so tell us a little about your background and the part you played in starting Fierce family.
I left school (hated it) and had no desire for college or university (probably because I didn’t know what I wanted to do) and landed my first job in an oil service company just before I turned 18. From then I was always in oil, Drilling and Completions, for a couple of operators, but I always had a great job and loved what I did. My husband Dave and I moved to Cape Town in South Africa for a few years with oil, then returned in 2012. I got my job back at Chevron, still at the same desk and all the contents of shit I had left in the drawer!! It felt like I had never been away, ha ha!
Our house was like Breaking Bad, loads of stuff sitting bubbling away.
Louise Grant, Fierce Beer
When we came back, BrewDog’s Flagship bar was open, and Dave and I spent most of our weekends in there making friends with the regulars. When we first tasted Punk IPA we were like “what is this witchcraft?” Having spent years drinking Castle and Windhoek which tasted of nothing, it was a real eye opener for us.
Dave used to cycle a lot over there so when he came back, he was always looking for a hobby. A couple of the regulars used to homebrew, so Dave got chatting to them (Rick the Dentist deserves a shout out), and they inspired Dave to take it up. Our house was like Breaking Bad, loads of stuff sitting bubbling away. I was ‘Assistant to the Brewer’ which technically was a cleaner, but cleaning is one of the most important parts in beer making so I’m OK with that!
How did things develop from a hobby to a business?
Dave enrolled in a weeklong Brewlab brewing course in Sunderland and that’s where he met Dave McHardy who was also from Aberdeen and called Dave…the weirdest thing was my Dave also worked with Dave M’s wife Sheena. So random and yet clearly meant to be. Dave M was working at the time as a brewer (also an avid homebrewer) for Wooha Brewing.
The never-ending turbulence of the oil industry, layoffs, cost cutting etc really got Dave down and he was so fed up. I asked him what he wanted to do, he said make beer. Me being me, said “fuck it, let’s do it!” So we did. It was very scary, exciting and a bit crazy. We then registered Fierce as a brewery from the house with HMRC…that was 23 March 2015.
We used to take samples to the Flagship for people to taste. Dave was so good at it. For having not done it before, the recipes he came up with were brilliant! Cranachan Killer (Kenny Burns needs a shout out for this. His suggestion then Dave developed it), Café Racer and Heffen Heff to name a few were home brew recipes that we still make now.
So we are beginning to see what we now recognise as Fierce Beer today. How did you grow from there?
We built up a great relationship with BrewDog who were super supportive when we started and are still now. James [Watt] said we could do a tap take over at the Flagship. I think we are still the only brewery that has ever had a TTO with homebrew in a Brewdog venue…and it sold out fast. The buzz and the feeling of people enjoying what you have created was so thrilling and so satisfying.
After that it was clear that we could not continue doing this from home, especially full time, so we got our first premises in Dyce. A very surreal day getting the keys on 1st April 2016. We ordered all the kit and by May we had our first commercial beers out on the street.
And you were an integral part of this growing business?
I was still working in oil, at that time we thought I should keep working to keep money coming in. We both had high paying jobs so to go from that to nothing seemed ridiculous. By day three Dave and Dave said they needed me to quit my job, so I joined on May 1st 2016. We went with ridiculous!!
It’s not always been easy though. We ate and breathed nothing but Fierce and it was gruelling.
Louise Grant, Fierce Beer
I would take care of all the admin side, sales, accounts etc (not that I really knew what I was doing) but we managed and now having just celebrated our official 5th birthday, it’s insane and overwhelming to see how far we have come in such a short time.
It’s not always been easy though…cashflow, working 18-hour days, not really knowing what we were doing. We ate and breathed nothing but Fierce and it was gruelling. But when you are so passionate about something, you just do it. 😊 Absolutely no regrets.
I work for a small business and know that job titles often don’t really explain what your job actually entails; so what does a working day look like for you?
My job is a bit of everything to be honest, accounts, payroll, HR (one of our employees said that I was the reason Fierce needs an HR department lol), sales, exports, supermarkets, supporting the bars and customer service which is No. 1 in my opinion.
This might be a difficult question, but I’m really keen to know what your initial feelings were as we all went into lockdown, and how that changed through the following few weeks.
It was the weirdest thing ever. I didn’t really understand it and thought it would blow over in a few weeks (like most people I assume) but yet here we are over a years later! It has been so tough, keeping up with what we can and cannot do under restrictions. Having bars in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Manchester rules were different. It was so hard to get your head around and keep up. Every week it was changing. We had to adapt our business model, going from kegs and cans to all small pack as we had nowhere to sell kegs. It was really challenging. Luckily, we have a very smart, dynamic team and we rolled with the punches!
What was the biggest challenge for you personally through the pandemic.
I have MS so I have been working from home since March 2020. It’s tough not being with your team physically, but I am lucky I can do my job remotely, though you do miss the buzz of being in the brewery. I have had both jabs now so I will be able to work back there too. However, since I’ve been away my desk has been stolen!! Rude!
The stress of worrying if we would come out the other side was hard to swallow. When you have put everything you have into a business, the thought of losing it is the hardest and scariest thing to come to terms with.
We launched a ‘paying it forward’ crowdfund April 2020. People would invest and get 1½ times back in beer, discounts at our bars and online for life, and rewards for different amounts invested. If we did not have the support of those investors we would not have survived, and for that I am forever grateful. Typing this I have a lump in my throat 😔
Have challenges faced by your industry pulled independent breweries together in any way? Equally…have they driven some apart?
We are very lucky to have great relationships with other breweries. We used to do beer swaps so we would stock their beers in our bottle shops and vice versa. That really worked well. I don’t know of anything that has driven some apart but there have been many breweries that have had to close their doors, which is heart breaking. If you don’t have an outlet like we do to sell beer you have literally nothing coming in. Having an online web shop and bars to open as bottle shops helped us enormously.
Having the furlough scheme available was amazing. We managed to keep all our team employed which was ace!
What lessons do you think you will you take forward to the future as we cautiously move to the end of the pandemic emergency?
The world will never be the same again and this pandemic has taught us to never take anything for granted. We will always be cautious of how we operate now, ensuring we make the best quality products we can. Beer is a luxury item; many people have lost their jobs so making sure we have top end ingredients and beer for people that is affordable. Customer loyalty is important to keep Fierce alive. Looking after the team has been top priority for us. We are so lucky to have a dedicated long serving team, which is unique in this industry.
Fierce have been on the go for over five years now. What are your hopes for the evolution of the company through the rest of this year and beyond?
This year, plans are in motion to double capacity. We have ordered more tanks and a new canning line which we will have over the next few months. We have also employed new people to help grow the business (people who know what they are doing, ha ha.) A financial controller, Anel, who is doing a brilliant job keeping us right, and a General Manager who starts next month. She will be able to take work off myself and the Daves and have proper focus.
Dave and Dave still currently do packaging and brewing. They need to take a step back from that and do their jobs.
How do you see those roles?
Dave G doing what he does best. New strategies to grow the sales side and developing new recipes. We have two excellent brewers in Neil and James who have really helped improve our beers. They are tasting the best they ever have.
Dave M concentrating on the operations side and making sure the equipment is top and working more efficiently.
I will be focused on sales and customer service and that is what I do best, if I have all the other tasks, I mentioned before away from me I will be able to get stuck in.
Surviving! Things change all the time, but I think if we continue to do what we are doing we should be ok.
Community obviously means a great deal to Fierce Beer. What’s your secret for keeping your people engaged?
Community is EVERYTHING to Fierce. I think making interesting good beer to keep people engaged is the most important, and listening to your customers feedback to improve. Showing respect, being normal, approachable and treating people the way you want to be treated goes a long way. Be kind and honest. We are super transparent as a company, maybe too much. We are all human we make mistakes but when that happens just say “yes, we mucked up,” then learn from it and move on.
I love people. I’m a people person 😊
Who inspires you, and why?
Don’t get the sick bucket out, but my husband. Dave is the most hard-working person I know, takes everything in his stride and adapts when necessary. He is my hero, I am very proud of him. When I was diagnosed with MS not long ago, I think he was a bit traumatised. He worries about me a lot.
How have you coped yourself with the diagnosis?
I am honestly good, keeping well and working hard. We are the best team and lucky to have survived running a business together and being married. We live another day!
I’m going to pull out a classic job interview question…Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I’ll put it back to your readers. Is there anything you would like to tell us? Anything we can improve on or do better. Any feedback positive or negative is always appreciated.
Thank you so much to Louise for her time. You can find Fierce Beer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Go follow, say hi, and let them know your thoughts on their amazing beers. They really are a friendly bunch.
Temp Check: Creative and podcaster Ica Headlam
2020 has been harder for Ica Headlam than most…but has also seen him make the push from podcaster to campaigner. Originally from London, but settled in the the city for more than 15 years, his show Creative Me Podcast has shone a spotlight on the work of many of Aberdeen’s artists, musicians and creative businesses, putting him at the centre of a renaissance of our creative scene. This year he launched We Are Here Scotland. This is a platform to help lift up the voices of artistic people of colour throughout Scotland.
With so much going on in his life, we thought it was time to catch up with him and find out how he’s doing.
Hey Ica. Thanks for taking some time out to be probed by our questions. Traditionally we start with a question that’s easy to ask, but not always easy to answer honestly…how are you doing right now?
I’m doing good thanks. 2020 has been one of those years where we all just can’t wait to get to the finish line. We all hope better things in the new year.
2020 has been a rough year for many people, but you more than most. Tell us a little about what has been going on in your bubble.
Well as you know I caught Corona Virus in late April this year. This resulted in treatment at ARI for five days. It’s been a long road to recovery in terms of living with Long Covid health issues and Chest X-Rays as I developed pneumonia scarring on my lungs. But in comparison to my health earlier this year I am doing much better. I returned back to work in mid-October.
Being a huge fan and supporter of podcasts for a long time I just really wanted to document in my own way what was happening in the place I call home.
Creative Me Podcast has been on the go for 3 years now. What made you decide to start podcasting?
Being a huge fan and supporter of podcasts for a long time I wanted to document in my own way. What was happening in the place I call home. My particular interest is very much rooted in art, creativity, and community engagement. It’s crazy to think how quickly three years has gone by. However it’s something that I’m very passionate about. Having conversations with people in North East of Scotland who love what they do
I’m maybe opening myself up for a hiding here, but what do you think makes a great interview?
In my experience, a great interview happens when you put the guest at ease. When you make them comfortable with opening up about who they are and why they do what they do. I take a very simple approach with my conversations. I treat it like I’m just catching up with someone over a cuppa. Having a respectful conversation that hopefully doesn’t come across as one sided.
[pours cuppa]
So tell us what have been your biggest frustrations in recent times?
There have been stages when I would question as to whether the podcast was resonating with the target audiences. That is to say artists and creatives in the North East of Scotland and beyond. However, time has shown that when you keep being consistent with what you’re doing, good things will come back to you. People will recognise your hard work in one way or another.
How important is community to you?
It’s very important to me. Communities DO THINGS. They put on events, showcases and exhibitions. Community is something that I have seen a lot of. Especially this year during the pandemic. Small local businesses across various industries amplifying each other’s voices.
You’ve recently started a campaign to support and amplify the voices of people of colour in Scotland. How do you hope to help shine a beacon on these voices?
I hope We Are Here Scotland can exist beyond an online platform for championing people of colours within Scotland’s creative industries. This is why I have registered the platform as a Community Interest Company. I also set up the We Are Here Scotland Creators Fund. It's is a GoFundMe campaign which I established to provide practical support for creatives. Those that may require financial assistance for new equipment, exhibitions, residencies, or collaborate projects.
I get inspired by people who step out of their comfort zones and follow through with ideas that they are passionate about.
You (like me) seem to collect side projects. What do you think that says about you?
I think it tells me that I like to keep myself busy. My brain is always ticking over with ideas or thinking about what’s next. I think I’ve always had an inquisitive mind set too. I want to find out ways of doing things. The way things work. This is especially when it’s something I have an interested in.
Who inspires you?
This is a hard question as I can’t say just once person. However, for me people who step out of their comfort zones inspire me. Those follow through with ideas that they are passionate about. It takes a lot of courage and nerve to put yourself out there and remain consistent with it. There are so many people I know who have done this. That inspires me to keep doing what I do.
Has 2020 changed you in any way?
Oh for sure man not just physically since having Covid but also within my mindset. Like I love everything that I do. However, I also very much value the time I have with my wife Beth and our daughter Izzy. This is why podcasting or meetings for We Are Here doesn’t take place on weekends or when I’m on holiday. When I was unwell in hospital I honestly thought I wasn’t going recover. That very much changes your outlook on life in terms of health. Who you are as a person and how you want to live your life moving forward.
Thanks again to Ica to take some time out of his busy schedule to have a chat. I you’d like to know a little bit more, you can go read about (and donate to) the We Are Here Scotland Creators Fund. The Creative Me Podcast has recently done a series of episodes with North Lands Creatives interviewing artisans about their relationship with glass.
Read more about the experience of running a creative business. Check out our conversation with Gary Kemp, founder of Doric Skateboards.
Temp Check: Gary Kemp of Doric Skateboards
Doric Skateboards was launched in 2017. Gary Kemp wanted to create a brand that the skating community in the city could be proud of…and at the same time bringing in new skaters to the scene, along with those that had drifted away over time. He’s worked with artists to create unique boards that have become huge talking points as they are released.
Thanks for taking the time to chat to us Gary. We wanted to know how your 2020 has panned out, but we’ll start with the simple question…how are you feeling right now?
A mixture between complete apathy and nervous energy! That anxiety that tells you should be doing something “productive,” but then apathy says “nah, don’t worry just watch Netflix.” But overall I am ok…I think!
What inspired you to launch your own skateboard company?
It may sound trite but it was a genuine desire to do something creative, start my own thing, and to be in control. It was during the last oil price crash and redundancy threatened. My coping mechanism was to start this up. I’d got back on my skateboards a few years previously and was enjoying the nostalgia and the occasional role.
It was during the last oil price crash and redundancy threatened. My coping mechanism was to start this up.
One-person companies are rarely that in reality. Who in your community helped Doric Skateboards along the way?
Absolutely. And I like to think I give props to those who deserve it — in fact my website has a page doing exactly that!
My family are obviously front line — Nicola and my Mum have to listen to me. It must be painful. My brother Mark helped get me going with logo, strategy for launching etc. but others in the city are hugely supportive in many ways. Peacocks Visual Arts, Creative Learning, RGU/Grays School of Art/Look Again, Transition Extreme, Grey Area Ink, The Sticker Job, and Creative-me-podcast have all have been very welcoming and supportive whether I’ve reached out or they have…and without them all this would all be very different.
Aberdeen features strongly in Doric Skateboards branding and designs. What was the thinking behind this decision?
I’ve always defended Aberdeen. I find the old stereotypes so tedious. Even if there is truth to some, I think we should talk ourselves up more. We’ve got a beautiful city and surrounding area. It’s totally not without its problems…but where hasn’t? So I feel responsible for talking up our culture, our history, our people. Before doing this I had little appreciation for what had happened and is happening in the city culture wise. Now I do I’ll always try to champion that too.
2020 has been an extremely tough year for many, while some have been lucky enough to be able to use it as an opportunity. How would you say you have coped through this wildly crazy year?
I’m not sure I have coped to be honest. I think most of us are trying our best to function without focusing on that existential dread that is around the corner and all around us. I’m getting up, working from home and functioning and I think for now that’s ok!
Running Doric Skateboards has its positives and negatives when it comes to this year. Part of me felt that what I do is so trivial that I was a bit embarrassed to talk about it.
Running Doric Skateboards has its positives and negatives when it comes to this year. Part of me felt that what I do is so trivial that I was a bit embarrassed to talk about it. But we all need something in life to help us through — just the act of creating new stuff was enough for me. I managed to kick off some collaborations, and a wee design competition really helped to give me something to focus on.
What motivates you?
Ha! That assumes I am motivated. I honestly don’t see myself as a motivated person. I tackle what’s in front of me and keep everything else in the periphery as much as I can, then turn to that when I have to/want to. But actual motivation? I get excited to see something come together — a new design, a new collaboration — what ever it is. It’s gratifying to see that become a physical thing.
And the opposite…what demotivates you?
Feeling self-conscious. I’ve had that my whole life and its stopped me doing so much. Being so self-conscious essentially leads to complete lack of confidence. It’s a bizarre thing to feel at 44. But there it is! I think it wouldn’t matter how good I was at something I would always have that feeling of not belonging. Who knows? Maybe its because I listened to too much of The Smiths at school. 😉
You very proudly screen print some of your own boards. Why bother doing this in such a time intensive way?
Well I think its part of the DIY culture within skateboarding. All the old school brands didn’t just appear as factory ready; they started in garages and spare rooms. I also think its important to put your hands on the things you sell. This year I’ve tried to learn how to screen print Doric Skateboard branded clothing myself. This has been a real challenge! But I’m just as happy now to get some of the designs printed for me. It all depends on how suitable they are to my skills! But I do think that you should get your hands dirty from time to time!
You are known for your collaborations with local artists as well as those from further afield. Why is that?
I must admit that I didn’t really think about collaborations when I started. Outside of Vanilla Ice the word “collaborate” wasn’t in my vocabulary! So they have happened quite organically — it was never a part of a master plan. I didn’t have one then and still don’t! 😄
Has the pandemic changed you as a person or as a small business owner?
Well I think we’ll need to wait and see but I suspect we have all changed to some degree. I think that the increase we’ve seen in small businesses setting up, a big uptake in new hobbies/sports etc is very reminiscent of where I was 5 or so years ago when I set up Doric. People crave something to control in a world where you perhaps have none — or not as much as you had. Starting something new, learning something, taking part in something — that helps fill that gap for me and reduces the time I spend sitting catastrophising things!
We'd like to thank Gary for taking the time for a chat. It's inspiring to read about a business growing from a small idea and a lot of love. You can follow Doric Skateboards on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Read more of our temp check interviews. This one with Ica Headlam talks about We Are Here Scotland, his campaign to elevate creatives of colour throughout Scotland.
Temp Check: Aberdeen singer-songwriter Rachel Jack
Live music performances have taken a massive hit because of the need to keep people safe from Covid. During this time, many musicians have concentrated on releasing new music to give fans a diversion from lockdown life. We spoke to Aberdeen based singer-songwriter Rachel Jack who has been making waves in the Scottish music scene this year. Having released her brilliant debut EP, The Calgary Tapes in the summer of 2020, we wanted to catch up with her to see how life is treating her right now.
Hey Rachel. Thanks very much for taking time to chat. As always, we start with the easy question that doesn’t always have an easy answer…how are you feeling right now?
I’m feeling tired to be honest. I’ve been super busy and I’m really looking forward to taking a break over Christmas.
What make you take the leap to chasing a career in music?
I had a period of illness and it put everything into perspective for me. I did that thing of looking over my life to-date and felt a bit disappointed that I hadn’t done anything with my voice.
The part I’ll continue to be most proud of is divorcing myself from a career I spent over a decade building. I’d thought about it for ages and it was a really difficult decision to make.
Live performance is pretty much out the question right now, how have you replaced that?
I’ve been keeping my focus by releasing music. In fact, I've released 7 singles since we first went into lockdown.
You released your debut EP, The Calgary Tapes, earlier this year. How did that come about?
I wrote those songs while completing a songwriting scholarship from Paolo Nutini at UWS. I called them the Calgary Tapes because I recorded those songs while living in a place called Calgary on the Isle of Mull.
What are you most proud of so far in your musical career?
The part I’ll continue to be most proud of is divorcing myself from a career I spent over a decade building. I’d thought about it for ages and it was a really difficult decision to make because your job seems to become a massive part of your identity, and for a while I struggled with knowing who I was without a job title, if that makes sense. That process as been the most rewarding.
Is there anyone in your community that has inspired you? Tell us about them.
Normal every day people inspire me. I'm interested in their stories. Most of my songs are conversations I’ve had with people. In terms of the musical direction, there’s nothing intentional about it at all. When I meet people I like, we make music together and their style inspires mine. It’s all a very experimental go-with-the-flow kinda thing for me.
What pisses you off?
When people aren’t open to changing their minds. I’ve got a lot of respect for people who can hold their hands up and admit when they are wrong. We all have a right to change our minds when we learn new information but when people dig in their heels and refuse to have conversations about important matters, that really drains me.
I evaluated my life a few years ago and made some big changes. I feel as though I was mentally prepared for this. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not been easy by any means but it’s also not the worst thing I’ve been through, personally.
The pandemic has been tough on most people, but it has given many the opportunity to evaluate their lives. Has the pandemic changed you?
I evaluated my life a few years ago and made some big changes. I feel as though I was mentally prepared for this. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not been easy by any means but it’s also not the worst thing I’ve been through, personally.
What motivates you?
Knowing that this is it…right here, right now. Life is short and I want to enjoy it as much as possible.
What does the future hold for Rachel Jack? What are your ambitions?
I feel as though I’ve arrived at where I want to be in that I’ve got a job I like and I’m doing music at the same time. I’d love to write for other artists, that’s the dream really. But I’m only a couple of years into music and I’m enjoying writing for myself so I’m not in any rush. In terms of what I’ve got planned for 2021 — I’ll release my second EP Magazine Girls and I hope to perform live as much as possible!
Find out more about Rachel Jack
Thanks very much to Rachel Jack both for her time and for her candour. You can show your support by following her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and on Spotify, and also check out her latest single, For You, below.
If you enjoyed this Temp Check interview, take some time to read our chat with Stuart McPhee from Siberia Bar and Hotel about his experience of the lockdown. If you would like to hear more local music, check out our playlist, The Lounge. It highlights music from Aberdeen's diverse music scene.