Interview: Ian Mackechnie, ‘The Other’

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with Ian Mackechnie about The Others.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far..

I’m a Scottish, Edinburgh based guitarist & composer, now playing with an amazing ensemble of musicians, which is really the culmination of decades of playing in bands covering a diverse range of genres, line-ups and cultural influences. I have been lucky to have been exposed to music from different cultures from a very early age, growing up in the far East in Brunei, travelled a lot, and engaged with many musicians  who have inspired me to learn from their musical backgrounds and cultures.

What is your show about?

This is a collaboration with 8 musicians , plus a visual artist, from Scotland, England, Iran, Brazil, Chile and  Yemen. Initially the musicians created 5 new compositions drawing on the diversity of cultures, music and experiences of those involved. Some of the line-up have experienced forced displacement and the project is very much about focusing on their stories, and the positive contribution that many of those who have to migrate from their countries of origin have brought to Scotland.

What was the inspiration for The Other and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

The name of the band (The Other)  was inspired by a book by Polish journalist Ryzsard Kapuscinski, who wrote  about what it means to be perceived as ‘the other’. Reflecting on the prejudices and judgements we make when confronted by someone who we see as different , we can become fearful and negative . The writer, after travelling abroad,  then turns this around to say that he then became aware that he is also  ‘the other’ , saying that he recognised that ‘The Other’ can hold up a mirror to ourselves, exposing our own fears, prejudices and bigotry, thus creating an opportunity to reflect on everyone’s humanity, to break down barriers to create a more open  approach to our differences.  

What made you want to take The Other to the Fringe?

The ensemble formed during 2019 as a 4-piece,  in 2022 with support from Creative Scotland we were able to develop new compositions with an increased line-up of 7 musicians, then in 2023 we recorded 6 studio tracks plus created a website. Now we are really pleased and excited to be part of the Made in Scotland Showcase during the Fringe this year.

In January 2024, we were invited to perform at Celtic Connections, which was an amazing boost to raising our profile and confirming the value of the musicians as a collective. The Fringe presents an opportunity to showcase new material that also includes new work inspired by  Shatha Altowai ,  an artist from Yemen, plus her husband Sabar Bamatrof, a gifted pianist . Shatha created a back-projection for our performance at the Festival of Migration  in June 2023, supported by Edinburgh Council Diversity & Inclusion Fund.

We are now ready to reach out to new audiences, media and industry professionals to raise our profile and develop contacts who can promote what we do, and to secure a long-term  future for “The Other”. There are plans to also develop new work in the future with Chilean dancer Andrea Torres, and Syrian film-maker and journalist Humam Hasari.

Apart from seeing The Other , what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

Anything that is part of the Made in Scotland Showcase programme, like Catriona Price & Friends, Stumped, Puddles and Amazons….but of course something that you wouldn’t normally select. Don’t always go for big names and comfortable themes.

Why should people book The Other?

‘The Other’ is a vibrant and moving multimedia experience of music and visual art.

When and where can people see The Other?

Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SR 

Date(s): 14, 15 August

15:15 (1hr approx) | £14/£12, Asylum Seekers/Refugees; Friends of the Fringe 2for1, *14 Aug Relaxed Performance

16 August

18:45 (1hr approx) | £14/£12, Asylum Seekers/Refugees; Friends of the Fringe 2for1