Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello my name is Andy Macleod. I used to have a nickname Horace (or half a job Horace) but that person doesn’t exist anymore. My full name is Andrew Finlay Macleod so even though I’ve lived south of the border my whole life, my name couldn’t be more Scottish. Both my parents were from Edinburgh. By day I am a music promoter based in London and have worked with lots of great bands at early pivotal stages of their career such as Artic Monkeys, Killers, Coldplay, and Bum Gravy. Before that I was lead singer of a band back in the nineties. We were managed by Ricky Gervais but I’m not sure what ever happened to him. I published my first book last year about the experience. It is called Anoint My Head - How I Failed to Make it as Brit pop indie Rockstar which went to number one in the Amazon Music Book charts. My show is an adaption of that book.
How would you describe your show?
A coming of age story about following your dreams and what happens when reality gets in the way.
Or a celebration of glorious failure.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
We came to Edinburgh every year for our summer holidays and one year when I was about 12 my grandad told me about this new underground movement called the Fringe. He gave me some pocket money and told me to investigate and report back. Up until this point my experience had been seeing kilted soldiers parade military hardware and blow bagpipes at the tattoo. My brother and me got the bus in and were blown by the world of music and comedy we discovered. We went every year and as the fringe grew so did our love for it. I made a promise that one day I would return but I never did. Until now…
What differentiates it from other festivals?
It’s the Glastonbury for comedy and theatre, where the best talent descends for a whole month. And the setting of Edinburgh makes it unique ‘coz Edinburgh is unique. Not just the beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets and whiff of the local brewery, but how many other cities can you see the mountains, the sea and the countryside from centre of town.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I have worked in music industry most of my life but always loved comedy. Infact our band’s slightly misguided mission was to combine music and comedy. It’s so great to now be doing that in reverse and now do a comedic show that is about and features music. My main inspiration growing up was Billy Connolly and his ability to find humour in any situation. Also Rik Mayall’s ability to just go for it and not give a shit. Punk rock comedy.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
My parents unintentionally created optimal conditions and incubated a long-haired wannabe rock star. Layered on to their DNA I had the perfect conditions to thrive. I was born with high energy levels and relentless waggy-tailed enthusiasm, plus fatally I had a happy childhood/liberal upbringing. My dad believed in the free market, and extended this to me. There was no pressure to get a career apart from the odd battle over homework, but if they banished me to my bedroom, there was always the hairbrush and mirror and the lock on the bedroom door. And even though I had fractions and algebra, I couldn't keep my fans waiting too much longer.
I also spent teenage years in suburbia so just right amount of boredom combined with cultural influences of shows like Top of The Pops and The Young Ones that transported me to an other world where people seemed to be having a good time all the time.
What is your earliest childhood memory?
Being force-fed a banana on a plane from London to Edinburgh. I was screaming and my parents were trying to keep me quiet. (It was last week) I was about two years old. Make of that what you will.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
Working in a shoe shop or something. (That is for all the spinal tap fans)
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
I put the book out at start of lockdown and looking back it was good timing in the sense that people had time to read, and I spent hours I might not have had promoting it online. I think doing Edinburgh is part of a different mindset to pull finger out and go for it which may be a part of lockdown.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Sad, scary, challenging, exciting, productive
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
Morality in art is a big question and much depends on the context. Generally I would say art should be exempt but there is always a line. I’m not entirely sure where that line is as it seems to move. But the best art should hold a mirror up to society make people reflect/evolve/improve. Someone clever once said good art should be like having a stone in your shoe. I went to see Jerusalem two nights ago and felt challenged, and I can’t stop thinking about it and a perfect example of what good art should be.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
PG Wodehouse. He could be prescribed by doctors as a cure for depression. So life affirming and funny. He’s the master of weaving character and plot. He wrote 99 books. All hilarious. How on earth did he do it?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Well I havent done a show at fringe yet as this year is my debut. So maybe ask me next year. But generally my advice is just do it.
When and where can people see your show?
Just the tonic at the Caves in the wee room at 1:30 pm each day.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
www.andymacleodauthor.com
Anoint My Head How I Failed To Make It As A Britpop Indie Rockstar will be at Just The Tonic Wee Room at The Caves from 4th August at 1.30pm for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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