Plum
aka Shona Maguire is a multi-talented songwriter and producer, creating touching, eclectic, and always emotive music. After a stint in London and releasing on American label Summer Rain Recordings («The Whispering Chamber» in 2007 and «The Glory Feast» in 2008) she returned to Scotland. She quickly established herself as a notable force in the Scottish electronic music scene and was snapped up by prestigious label Benbecula Records as the only female artist in their 11 year history, releasing critically acclaimed album «Different Skin».
Wolfgang Goethe: «Faust». It’s poetic, and interesting, and brilliant. / Alexandre Dumas: «The Count Of Monte Cristo» / May Gibbs: «The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie». This was my absolute favourite bedtime story book. I recently got a bedtime story read to me for the first time as an adult (which I think more people should go for) and remembered how brilliant those stories were.
«Old Boy». To remind me that life is twisted and things could always be worse / «Labyrinth». To make me grateful for the lack of leggings. / «Amelie». To remind me of the brilliance of the small things.
Twister. May be easier for rescue planes to spot. / a pack of cards. You can do almost anything with a pack of cards: gamble, build houses, play tricks, use as plates, use as spoons, make oregami stuff, write postcards... / Cluedo. It was Colonel Mustard on the beach with the coconut.
Another language, f.e. Spanish, Korean, Swedish, German. I don’t really mind, but want to learn one fluently / Breakdancing; definitely the robot manoeuvre at least! / Jedi training – the force is strong.
Finger / The Metro / Future Music
warehouse parties / street art / the choice of stuff to do
Three people is reeeeeally hard! I've been sitting here for ages trying to narrow it down. I can’t do it. But here are the themes I'd like to cover: Someone who makes me laugh so hard my tummy hurts / Someone who likes adventure and maybe could teach me some survival skills / Someone wise
a pet dolphin to ride me to the next island for parties and provisions. / a pet elephant to ride around the island, become friends with and to shower under. / a pet gopher; coz they're fluffy and cute and funny.
I'd like to learn to play «Bohemian Rhapsody» on the hand flute (when you put your hands together and blow and it makes an owl noise).
My loop station / a microphone / a guitar
Edinburgh
I moved to Edinburgh when I was 18 and lived there for five years. That was during my time at the University. Before that I lived in a quaint town set in rolling hills in the Scottish Borders, called Peebles. People who live there call the region „The Shire“ – referring to the fictional Middle-earth area in „Lord Of The Rings“. It actually does look quite like it!
Edinburgh is a beautiful city, full of history, culture and brilliant people. I'd definitely recommend visiting during the Fringe Festival. It’s the world’s largest arts festival during three weeks every August. It’s mostly performing arts, drama, comedy, and even dance – from ancient Greece, Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett, through to new experimental works which might not be admitted to another festival. Or you come during the International Film festival in summer when the weather is good and the city is bustling with energy and life. Or over Christmas and New Year – with the street party, lots of Ceilidh dancing - an absolute must! They used to do brilliant Ceilidh nights (Ceilidh is a Scottish traditional dance which involves throwing yourself and your partner around the room energetically whilst whooping and screaming with delight and not worrying too much if you get the steps right) at the Caledonian brewery (in the Slateford area), but I don’t think they do them there anymore after they needed more room for making beer.
I have loads of happy memories of Edinburgh, but the one that I am smiling about today is climbing Arthurs Seat (the volcano in the middle of Edinburgh) with my brother and looking out across Edinburgh. The sea was sparkling and my mum was waving from below every time we turned round. We were finding it hysterically funny that EVERY time we turned round, her wee arm would go up and wave at us. And every time I slipped, my brother would hold his arm out like a banister for me to grab. It was funny - but you had to be there.
Well, Arthur's Seat is my favourite place in the world. It has a calming effect on me. I don’t know, I've always loved being up high. There's a higher proportion of sky, so you feel less pressure. It's an extinct volcano. I love coming home on the train, because you can see Arthur's Seat way before you can make out any of the rest of Edinburgh. It's a big strong rock in the centre of the city. At the very top, there is a white stone with a pointer showing you what city or landmark is in each direction (think of it as an old school sky tower). It's incredibly windy at the top, but we used to take shelter under the rock with a picnic. You can see all of Edinburgh from up there.
I left Edinburgh in 2003. I left to go see the world. I had a really strong desire to travel. The original plan was to go to Thailand for one month to „get the travel bug out of my system“ but after that experience I was desperate to see more. I was in Australia for a year – worked as a bus driver for a youth hostel, and worked for Greenpeace and MSF. At that time I was all concerned about the state of the world. But then when my friend died in the tsunami of 2004/5 in Thailand, I went into a dark place and questioned the why of everything. I went to Korea to teach English and ended up volunteering with North Korean refugees - which was really a massive eye opener. I wrote a lot of poetry. Then I moved to London to study music production. I completed my course in July this year, so now after 4 years away, I'm ready to return to Edinburgh and somewhere that feels like home.
«Christ.». Written like that with the full stop at the end. It’s because his real name is Christopher Horne and «Christ.» is the short form of it. He did a John Peel session back in 2003 and makes beautiful electronic music. He’s on the Edinburgh label Benbecula Records.
The National Museum of Scotland. It's got really smooth walls. And it’s actually museums linked on Chambers Street. One features the history and people of Scotland. The other one is more like a general museum with lots of geology, archaeology, science, technology and stuff.
Studio 21. It's been a while, but it was a great underground backstreet club with wicked music and a sweetie stall.
Saturday. Preferably in summer during the festival.
A picnic on Carlton Hill - has the best view of the city! Night or day.
Head of the International Film Festival
At Edinburgh Airport.
Trainspotting
Gav
The Salsa Hut on Albert Street. It's a tiny wee place with great Mexican food, and a good atmosphere. It's candle-lit, full with mismatching furniture and has really friendly lovely staff. That, or Kebab Mahal on Nicolson Square. A kind of cafe style Indian restaurant or kebab shop with extremely spicy korma (with almonds, nuts and yoghurt).
Arthur's Seat
«Although I know that I'm not alone... Feels like home... Feels like home»
Dunno.
Victoria Street. It's a gorgeous cobbled street with some great clothes shops, independent music, cafe's and gift shops.
The corner where the Royal Mile crosses the Bridges. It's cobbled and old and it's got character – and it’s close to good pubs and good live music places in Edinburgh Old Town. There is also a heart-shaped mosaic built into the pavement, the Heart of Midlothian, which marks where the Tolbooth prison used to be. Those prisoners used to spit as they had to walk into Tolbooth and still some people spit on the Heart for good luck as they walk on by.
