The Skinny Current Issue

Another month, another somewhat ambiguous theme that prompted endless discussion in the editorial group chat about what exactly this is. The jumping-off points were the Scottish elections and May Day, but they are happening, respectively, three days after and three days before the magazine hits the street. Is it an election special? Too narrow for the content. A May Day special? Again, happening literally before the magazine comes out. There’s a throughline of societal ills, is that anything? The ‘searching for change’ theme was proposed then dismissed by Jamie Dunn as sounding “Too much like I need money for the bus.”

In the end we settled on politics and community because that is sort of what all these features are about. We open with an introduction to the next generation of Scottish politicians, with Eilidh inviting a selection from across the non-fascist parties to share what motivates them to represent their communities. We take a closer look at Purpose Built Student Accommodation, the parasitic blight of Scottish cities and an active contributor to the lack of affordable housing for permanent residents. It’s terrible for students and their neighbours! Great for extractive capitalism though. 

As Glasgow’s Kinning Park Complex turns 30, we hear about their 55-day programme of events honouring the 55 days the building was occupied by local mothers and campaigners to prevent its closure. It’s a positive tale of local resistance and community organising that must surely inform the response to the existential threat to Trongate 103. In our next feature, we look at how the drive for landlord profits is endangering this crucial creative hub. 

Film looks at documentary Sailm nan Daoine, an exploration of Gaelic psalm singing and its grounding in community and identity. Music meets DOSS to talk all things Glasgow, and learns about musical instrument libraries and the massive impact they can have on making music accessible. One writer shares the personal history of dancing that led to organising diasporic celebration Brown Gals Dance Club. Books meet the Syrian journalist behind a new collection of testimonials from Gazans living under genocide Your Presence Is a Danger to Your Life: Voices From Gaza. Our poster this month is a May Day design by illustrator and cartoonist Lorna Miller. We also have an interview with her discussing, amongst other things, the resilience necessary for a creative career. 

Beyond the theme, we’ve got an interview with Spanish director Carla Simón on the forthcoming Romería, which mines her personal history to record a lost generation. We have an interview with another Carla, Carla J Easton, here to discuss her fifth solo album I Think That I Might Love You, which she’s recorded in amongst directing award-winning documentaries and doing a PhD. Lauren Auder tells us about her new album, Whole World As Vigil, ahead of her forthcoming gig at Hidden Door Festival, which is returning to the old Paper Factory in early June. 

Theatre’s looking forward to a new Scottish Opera production of The Marriage of Figaro, and Comedy meets Fatiha El-Ghorri to hear about how she’s had to (maybe literally?) fight for her place on stage. We close with another comedian, as Stuart McPherson takes on our Q&A ahead of his touring show, Crisps and a Lie Down, arriving in Glasgow. We asked for his campaign promises, should he run for parliament – fixing pot holes and vape shop regulation, very sensible and highly electable. 

- Rosamund West