Welcome
Welcome to my website. It is mainly a repository for writing and things from the dim and distant past, but may occasionally be updated with some new pieces of writing – either of the personal, journalistic or academic variety.
What I do now
I am a lecturer in Music, part of the School of Culture and Creative Arts at the University of Glasgow, where I have worked in different roles since 2012. I teach courses on the politics of popular music and the contemporary music industries, reflecting my wider research interests in the history of popular music and the business surrounding it. My current research is focused on the history of popular music on television in Scotland and I previously co-authored and researched a book on the history of the British Musicians’ Union. More recently, I co-edited, ‘Made in Scotland’, a collection of articles and essays reflecting the history, politics and future of popular music in my home country.
What I did then
Prior to this, I did a number of things, often simultaneously, for different lengths of time and with varying degrees of both precarity and reward, none of which constituted ‘a proper job’ (Dad: 1997). Those that I can remember, in reverse order, include:
Chair, Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. 2012-23.
Manager, Belle and Sebastian. 2006-2012.
Lecturer, Department of Adult and Continuing Education, University of Glasgow. 2002-2010.
Lecturer, University of the West of Scotland (Paisley). 2004-2006.
PhD student / part-time lecturer, Queen Margaret University. 2003-2009.
Freelance music writer for The Herald. 1991-2008.
Founder/ Director, Monorail Music. 2002.
Director, Ten Day Weekend, Glasgow based music festival. 1995-2000.
Director, Sano Music / Management. Managing bis and others, releasing occasional records. 1994-2000.
Marketing and event management, Sound City 1994 [for Glasgow City Council].
Freelance sports reporter for The Sunday Times, Sunday World, Belfast Telegraph and various agencies, 1992-1996.
The 13th Note, 1992-94. [not sure I ever had a job title – bar work, gig fixer, promo and marketing], likewise at its predecessor, The Apollo [1991-2].
Director, New Music World. Music conference and events for 1990, Glasgow European City of Culture.
Marketing manager, Precious Organisation. 1989-1990.
Glasgow Music Editor, The List, 1986-1990.
Music columnist, Evening Times, 1986-88.