Den meisten von uns ist Robin Laing, der "Whisky Barde" aus Schottland, durch seine Lieder und Bücher wohl bekannt. Auch bei uns in Deutschland ist er ein gern gesehener Gast auf Whiskymessen, Tastings und als Solokünstler weiß er stets sein Publikum zu unterhalten und begeistern. Wir von Fassstark.de hatten die Ehre, ein Interview mit ihm führen zu dürfen.
Um das Interview und die Antworten von Robin Laing nicht zu verfälschen, veröffentlichen wir es in englischer Sprache, so wie wir es geführt haben.
Fassstark.de: First I would like to say thank you very much Robin for taking the time to answer our questions. We are starting an Interview Area an it`s a great honor for us to start it with you.
Fassstark.de: You were born in Edinburgh in 1953. You live your life as a working man and recorded your first Album “Edinburgh Skyline” in 1989. All but two of the songs on this Album were already written by you. When did you start writing and making music?
Robin Laing: Oh – I started a long time before that, but mostly I only wrote songs for myself, though I might let close friends hear them once in a while. Many of the songs on ‘Edinburgh Skyline’ had been written years before. I didn’t have much confidence in those days, but I started singing in folk music pubs and people encouraged me. ‘Edinburgh Skyline’ was a big break for me – a small label, but a record label all the same.
Fassstark.de: 1990 you have won a music competition on the occasion of 100 years Forth Bridge that makes you well known in Scotland and 1994 follows your second recording “Walking in Time”. Later you stopped working, started your professional career and released 1997 “The Angel`s Share”. What was the reason to change your profession? The love for music?
Robin Laing: Well, the Forth Bridge song and the album ‘Walking in Time’ were good publicity for me and did make it easier for me to get gigs etc – ‘Walking in Time’ was billed as one of the top ten albums of the year by La Republica in Italy! But the truth is that I had been working in the area of mental health and felt that I wanted a change, to do something more creative. It was difficult decision for me – it’s hard to give up a well-paid job! To begin with I wanted to do journalism as well as music, but I had no success with journalism. Instead I found a way to combine my two passions – music and whisky. Of course once I got deeper into whisky I found I could do some journalism and other writing on that subject.
Fassstark.de: On “The Angel`s Share” the first time the most songs are about Whisky. When did you discover your passion for Whisky?
Robin Laing: In the 1970’s I had a summer job (I was a student) working in the cocktail bar of the Arisaig Hotel. They had many single malts, which was quite unusual at that time. I felt I had to do a little research (despite my previous negative experience of whisky) and by luck I discovered Talisker 100 proof – which was a very positive experience. That was my favourite dram for many years. Sometime around 1990, my (previous) wife got me a membership of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for my Christmas. It was all downhill from there!
Fassstark.de: You are writing tasting Notes for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Would you describe yourself as “Whisky Expert”?
Robin Laing: I would never describe myself as an expert – maybe a perpetual student. I find there is always more to learn. It is such a fascinating subject – and so rewarding too. I studied it quite hard for a few years, while I was writing books on the subject (e.g. ‘The Whisky River’). I am no longer a serious student – I just drink it for all the different pleasures it gives. And it is not so much having a good nose that helps me write tasting notes for SMWS – it is being good with words.
Fassstark.de: Do you have a favorite Distillery or Whisky and if so. which?
Robin Laing: I always say my favourite whisky is – the next one! As I said previously it was Talisker for years. Now it is the diversity that I love most. It’s incredible that so many flavour variations can come from three simple ingredients. I would say that Bruichladdich has been my favourite distillery for a few years – mainly because of the people who worked there (Jim MacEwan, Mark Reynier etc) and because of the location (the magical Rinns of Islay) – and of course the whisky is also very good. I have a few go-to whiskies, you could call favourites – Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Benriach, Longmorn, Glen Moray, Isle of Arran – and yes, still Talisker.
Fassstark.de: When did you get the Name “The Whisky Bard” and who gave it to you?
Robin Laing: I really don’t remember – maybe I even coined it myself, but I don’t believe anyone has written anything like the number of poems and songs about whisky as I have. They are all in my book The Whisky Muse II. I might even go on and write more – who knows?
Fassstark.de: As the saying goes: In a Single Malt sticks the heart, the honor and the passion of those who made him. I think that`s definitely still true but Whisky is also a business today. So, what do you think about this?
Robin Laing: Ah, well – in a way it is a business for me too – selling books and CDs – but only in a small way. I don’t have a problem with whisky as a business. If it had not been embraced and developed by the great whisky barons and entrepreneurs of Scotland in the past, it would not be the wonderfully complex, crafted drink that it is today – and Scotland would not be the best whisky maker in the world. I meet many people who work in the whisky industry or business and who cannot help but have passion about what they make and sell – it is not difficult. However, I have also met people for whom whisky is only a business, only a job – they do not have the passion (or maybe only a passion for money or status, or whatever). Unfortunately, the light does not shine in their eyes – but I am ever hopeful - give them time.
Fassstark.de: Do you think the Brexit will take effect on this business?
Robin Laing: If the whisky business is all about reaching markets, it can only be damaged by additional barriers. We have Donald Trump slapping tariffs on any country that he thinks offends him – and now we have the possibility of new frictions in reaching our biggest market of Europe. Some people think it will be balanced by the emerging markets of India, China etc – but I am not convinced. Personally I think Brexit is a wrong turning for our country and I regret it very much.
Fassstark.de: On Facebook your current profile picture is the flag of the European Union. How do you think about the Brexit and Scottish independence?
Robin Laing: For me the best outcome would be an independent Scotland as part of the European Union. I wish it would happen in my lifetime, but I realize there are many people who disagree with me (including my wife!) – and I know that people are afraid of change and the establishment may well resort to dirty tricks. But I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Fassstark.de: But enough of politics. Let`s talk about your new Album “Holding Gold” that I like very much. It`s a Album with some thoughtful and personal songs. What induced you to do this Album? In some songs you are singing about very personal experiences.
Robin Laing: Until now I kept my whisky songs and my non whisky songs on separate albums, but this time I decided to combine them. I am getting old and maybe losing the urge to write new songs (this may just be a phase – don’t give up on me yet) – so I thought I would gather up all my loose ends and put them on one album (well, most of them). In a way it is a more true representation of who I am. I write about many things that move me – not just whisky – relationships, stories history, poems etc. It all comes together in this album.
Fassstark.de: On your Album “Ebb and Flow” were the Song “I Believe in you”. Now “I still Believe in you” follows and both songs are dedicated to your wife as far as I know. You have ups and downs and stayed strong together. What`s the secret of a good marriage in your opinion?
Robin Laing: I have written many love songs for my wife – of course we have faced many challenges in 25 years, but in terms of our relationship we have only really had ups – no downs. However, I was married two times before – so to answer your question – the secret of a good marriage is – choose the right person!
Fassstark.de: The Album ends with the song “Whisky Pilgrims” in that you welcome the Whisky enthusiasts in Scotland. You don`t call them explicit “Whisky Tourists”. Do you think “Whisky Tourist” has a negative meaning?
Robin Laing: Whisky tourist is not a negative or disparaging term, but many of the people I meet come here with enthusiasm,passion, interest, respect and love – for whisky and for Scotland. That seems to me to go beyond whisky tourism. I think they are pilgrims in the old sense – on a voyage that involves both expressing devotion and self discovery
Fassstark.de: Every Year a lot of “Whisky Pilgrims” come to Scotland because Scottish Whisky is the best in the world I think and they want to see the place where the Whisky are produced. Do you think the high number of them could be a problem some day?
Robin Laing: I think any place that is popular with tourists has a challenge not to be swamped or have their beauty destroyed. We have seen it so many times. I come from Edinburgh – and that city has an issue – and yet it becomes such a vibrant place in the summer. The secret is in how we manage the problem. In Edinburgh, the authorities have spread the festivals over the year and around the city and beyond to lessen the congestion. In Scotland we created the North Coast 500 route - if it becomes too congested we have to improve the amenities and the infrastructure – and maybe create the South Coast 500 or the East Coast 500; it is all about management. Tourism is very important to Scotland’s economy, so we must tackle these issues. And don’t forget we always have the midgies to help keep the numbers down.
Fassstark.de: At the moment because of Corona pandemic are performances not possible. Do you miss your audience? I think it`s difficult for a singer isn´t it?
Robin Laing: It is difficult – and if I was younger I would find it very challenging. I have been enjoying the long break but I would like to get back on the road now – and I fear the few gigs I have still lined up for this year will evaporate. Fortunately, I will always find interesting things to do – I am working on a book of poems about Scottish Castles. But yes – I miss my audience – songs don’t work very well without an audience. And it is difficult to sell my new CD also!
Fassstark.de: You`re often in Germany for appearance. How do you experience your German audience?
Robin Laing: I have been coming to Germany for many years – a long time ago I would do folk clubs and now I do whisky clubs,events and festivals etc. My experience, right from the beginning, is that your audiences seem to be much more appreciative. One of my first gigs ever, in Bielefeld, I was presented with flowers after the concert – unheard of in the UK. I have also been very well looked after – even pampered some time – and you can get used to that! So I am eager to get back on the autobahn.
Fassstark.de: Where have you had your best audience?
Robin Laing: I have had many wonderful audiences and memorable concerts – in Belfast, in Turin, in Luzern, in Nuremberg, inBonn, in English folk clubs, in Norway, in New Zealand – sometimes because they clap loudly, or they buy lots of CDs, or they are super friendly and want to talk after the gig, or because they try to get me drunk on good whisky late into the night.
Fassstark.de: Let me close saying that we hope to see you soon back in Germany for appearances. But there is only one question left that I have to ask absolutely with a smile on my face. I`m a great fan of Kilchoman Whisky. Why there`s no Song about Kilchoman and their great Whisky until now?
Robin Laing: You know for a while I didn’t know what all the rumpus was about with Kilchoman, but I had a very nice single cask bottle in Denmark a year or so ago and recently I was on holiday on Islay and as Coronavirus restrictions were just slowly relaxing the only distillery open was Kilchoman – so we went along to see the new visitor center. I bought a bottle of Sanaig. Now I had been introducing my 18 year old son to Islay whiskies and we had Ardbeg, Port Charlotte and Lagavulin – but for me the Sanaig was the best – so it pays to keep an open mind – and who knows – maybe a song might come out of it – but I just finished the bottle tonight – so I might need to go and get some more inspiration!
Fassstark.de: Thank you very much for your time Robin. Slàinte mhath
