Claire Sawers

Interview: Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches ... gives an interview to her former place of work

Claire Sawers chats with former work colleague about touring, success and giving up the day job

LGBT and Around Town editor at The List up until a couple of issues ago, Lauren Mayberry is in Chvrches, the synth-pop trio who, just a year after forming, are set to play TITP, then tour with Depeche Mode. She still has time for the little people…

Visiting Dublin for the first time? Take a gander at our insider's city guide

Avoid the naff tourist traps and take in the likes of Glasnevin, Whelan's and the Chester Beatty Lib

The capital of the Emerald Isle makes a good destination for a long weekend of pub appreciation and culture absorbing – and thanks to low cost direct flights from Scotland, you can be there and back for under £50, if you time it right. Although…

Scottish festivals 2013 - An A-Z of the best summer festivals

The best festivals of music, film, food, cycling and more taking place in Scotland 2013

When it comes to festivals, Scotland really doesn’t hold back. From Orkney to Byres Road, muddy fields to stately homes, the growing number of them cater to all tastes, styles and budgets. Our A-Z guide profiles Scotland’s best summer jamborees, the…

T-Break stage line-up announced for T in the Park 2013

Upcoming bands selected include Machines in Heaven, Honeyblood and Hector Bizerk

Time for the reveal. The annual announcement of the unsigned Scottish bands chosen to play at T in the Park went out this morning. Not unlike the official T line-up on the main stages, which this year covers old and new US hip hop, synth-melting…

Five highlights from Arika: Episode 5 - Hidden in Plain Sight

(M)IMOSA/Twenty Looks or Paris is Burning at the Judson Church. Inspired by the era-defining 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which shone a spotlight on New York’s underground drag queen culture, this dance performance by experimental choreographer…

Interview: Conquering Animal Sound's James Scott and Anneke Kampman

'We like that place where experimental and pop music meet'

A few things you might not know about Glasgow’s beautifully skewed electronic pop duo, Conquering Animal Sound. One: they only had one pint of milk to hand when taking this press photo (above). ‘The pressure was definitely on to get it right’, says…

Spring culture preview 2013

Nick Evans: Solar Eyes Evans' forthcoming solo show features a new set of his striking amorphic white plaster sculptures. The most ambitious is a large architectural complex which mimics the geometry of an Aztec temple. Evans' fascination with motifs…

Interview: Dan Deacon on making music, performing and his 2013 UK tour

Musician combining maximalist sounds on record and extreme live performances

‘I’m so sorry, I have this really weird thing in my throat,’ Dan Deacon says, interrupting himself mid-flow to cough. ‘My voice is suddenly all... [does cartoon growly voice],’ he laughs. It’s still early I point out, calculating it’s not quite 11am in…

Interview: High Wolf - French electronic producer of droney, mystical music

The secretive artist on his motivations, influences and background

Like a droney, mystical, hypnotic electronica shaman, Max (surname unknown) discusses Om, yoga, Hindu prayers and making the crowd ‘feel love’ Can you describe your music in five words? Human. Danceable. Spiritual. Colourful. Emotional. What will your…

Hogmanay 2012: Richard Wiseman on luck

The well-known psychologist is appearing as part of Edinburgh Hogmanay's Be Lucky events

Professor Richard Wiseman believes lucky people have lucky things happen to them. That’s right. Don’t put your coat on to leave, sceptics and scientists, please stay. He can explain himself. So, if you’re someone who thinks the number 13 is unlucky…

The best albums of 2012

Featuring Django Django, Meursault, Errors, The Twilight Sad and Konx-Om-Pax

1 Django Django - Django Django (Because) It’s easy to draw comparisons with The Beta Band – especially as DD member David Maclean is brothers with BB’s John Maclean – but from the chirping, floaty intro that segues into the transcendental swamp-funk…

Hot 100 2012: 10-2

John Tiffany, Andy Murray and Luke Fowler among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 19-11

David Greig, Karen Gillan and Chris Hoy among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 29-20

Chvrches, Cora Bissett and Grant Morrison among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 39-30

Konx-Om-Pax, Ingleby Gallery and NVA among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 49-40

FOUND, Paul Brannigan and Kerry Hudson among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 69-60

Rachel Sermanni, Limmy and Peter Capaldi among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 79-70

Dominic Hill, Ewan Morrison and LuckyMe among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 89-80

Daniel Sloss, Canongate and Julie Fowlis among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: 100-90

JK Rowling, Tilda Swinton and Andrew Fairlie among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

Hot 100 2012: Five beard trends of 2012

Photographer Jonathan Daniel Pryce - #49 in our Hot 100 - shares a few of his favourite beard pics

Jonathan Daniel Pryce has had a busy year, what with exhibiting his street-style portraits at the Jim Haynes Atelier in Paris, being voted Photographer of the Year at this year’s Scottish Fashion Awards and launching his first book, the beautifully…

Corin Roddick of Purity Ring explains the band's artistic processes

The duo are set to play Nice'n'Sleazy with cut'n'paste artist Doldrums

Purity Ring Montreal-based Corin Roddick started making gothy synth-pop with singer Megan James two years ago, and they brought out debut album, Shrines, this summer. He tells The List more, starting with their name... ‘I guess it’s not such a big…

Profile: Matthew Collings

The electronic sound artist explains why 'experimental' music needn't be alienating

The Edinburgh-based electronic composer/ sound artist has played alongside Tim Hecker, Chris Corsano and Nico Muhly. Besides his solo work, he’s a collaboration-loving, genre-embracing machine, making interactive audio-visual installations, or music for…

Eat, sleep and breathe: Phil Hague of Admiral Fallow

The drummer with the passionate Glasgow folk-rockers shares his touring habits

What time is breakfast? I’m pretty good at getting up for breakfast; my appetite is fierce and I’d happily wolf down a full roast dinner at 7am. Tea or coffee? I love both tea and coffee very much. I think most people would agree that tea is a more…

A guide to Scotland's best bands and gig venues in 2012

Bands include Hostage, Siobhan Wilson and We Are the Physics

The Scottish music scene’s most exciting prospects and venues are picked out by DJ and promoter Ally McCrae and List music editor Claire Sawers