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