Mailbox Ask Bob
Bob Servant, window cleaning kingpin and beneficiary of Dundee’s Cheeseburger Wars, turns Agony Uncle for The List
Dear Bob, Intrigued to hear your thoughts on the hacking scandal? Mike Kolacz Bob, It’s festival season in Edinburgh I see. Any top tips? Frank
Hi pal, I have to say I’ve watched this hacking business with a knowing smile and my eyes crinkled in the corners because I’ve been a victim myself. For several years when I picked up my phone I could hear a click at the other end and, lo and behold, the next day The Dundee Courier would have a splash about my Chinese takeaway order or some bust-up I’d had on a chatline. In the end I went round to the editor’s house, gave him a bottle of Gordon’s and a dozen jazz mags and told him to call off the wolves. That’s how the world works, Mike, as we’re all beginning to find out. Yours, Bob
Thanks Frank, On an unrelated note can I make it very clear my views on self- promotion? Take for example this so-called Bob Servant event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on 23 August at 8.30pm (full details at bobservant.com). You’ll hear whispers about it all over the shop, but never from me and if someone asks me about it I just mutter something about ‘a tribute act’. That’s how strongly I feel about self-promotion and I like to think I will never change. I believe that answers your question, Bob Send your questions to bob@bobservant.com twitter.com/bobservant
LETTER OF THE FORTNIGHT PRO-ANTIFOLK Article: Lach – Ramshackle Heart (682, ●●●●●) Yes our loss may be your gain [with musician Lach moving to Edinburgh from New York]. I have heard a number of the songs performed live, and recently – and hopefully something continuing over your way – Lach has been putting together incredible sets out of all the songs in his repertoire. You never know exactly where’s he’s going. Sometimes I feel like an old Deadhead describing a Grateful Dead set when discussing a Lach show – ‘Well he did “Spiderman”, followed by “Gigantor”, into “Steven Says”, and then morphed right in “Staying Sober in North Beach”.’ Catch this dude live as often as possible. JJ Hayes New York City You can catch Lach’s pioneering late-night Antihoot when it returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August.
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE ONE BOTTLE OF THE BLACK GROUSE WHISKY Smoky and Smooth – a marriage of fine peated Scotch malt whiskies and The Famous Grouse
NEXT ISSUE Wednesday 3 August
EDINBURGH FESTIVALS We’re kicking into overdrive for August, delivering one special Festival issue per week while the Fringe, International and other fests are ongoing. Our first issue will be packed with previews and recommendations. HIDDEN GLASGOW While Edinburgh turns exhibitionist, Glasgow maintains a dignified and somewhat secretive air through its variety of pop-up eateries, secret societies and other underground events. We dish the dirt on all of them.
96 THE LIST 21 Jul–4 Aug 2011
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor
Robin Hodge Director Simon Dessain
EDITORIAL
Editor Jonny Ensall Deputy Editor Claire Sawers
Assistant Editor Henry Northmore,
Allan Radcliffe Research Manager
Laura Ennor Research
Alex Johnston, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd, Kirstyn Smith
Editorial Assistant
Niki Boyle Editorial Intern
John Darley, Lalita Augustine
SALES & MARKETING
Media Sales Manager Juliet Tweedie
Media Sales Executive Jude Moir, Nicky Carter,
Lindsay Paul Business Development
Executive Adam Coulson Business Development
Manager Brendan Miles
Sponsorship & Promotions
Manager Sheri Friers
Promotions Executive
Amy Russell
Circulation Executive Murray Robertson
PRODUCTION Senior Designer
Lucy Munro Production Manager
Simon Armin
DIGITAL Web Editor Hamish Brown
Senior Developer Andy Carmichael Senior Designer Bruce Combe
Software Developer Iain McCusker
Digital Design Assistant
Daniella Zelli
Online Editorial Assistant
Alice White
ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Renwick
SECTION EDITORS Around Town Kirstin Innes
Books/Comedy Brian Donaldson Clubs/Play Henry Northmore
Dance/Kids Kelly Apter Food & Drink Donald Reid
Film Paul Dale LGBT Lauren Mayberry
Music/Shopping Claire Sawers Noticeboard Anna Millar
Theatre/Visual Art Allan Radcliffe