The Ian Hastie experience

My guest on Friday evening was Ian Hastie, a semi-retired has-been from Stonehaven, a muso stuck in the 70s, amateur twitcher and purveyor of weak humour. As premium quality guests go he’d struggle to make Graham Norton’s invite list but here at Mearns FM we’ll take anybody so I shoved the headphones on him and away we went.

I first met Ian when he was the manager at Stonehaven Golf Club, residing in a wee office up the stairs, chapping away at his computer keyboard while tuned into his Spotify playlist. I’d gone in to apply for membership and was greeted by a Big Star track, the name of which escapes me, and knew then that we’d hit it off. His eclectic musical tastes were interesting but this can be a double edged sword, for every new discovery he unveiled to me there were a dozen turkeys and it’s taken me some time to whittle his recommendations down to a playable few. That said, he’s introduced me to some blinding music by King Creosote, Chuck Prophet and more recently Blue Rose Code who he appears to adore more than his wife. Warren Zevon was also a good tip (you have to listen to ‘Werewolves Of London’, class track that is.)

Anyhow, he ain’t the manager at SGC anymore, preferring to drift through his days in carpet slippers and smoking jacket, clicking his fingers when the brandy glass needs refreshing. It was good of him to take a break from his slothful lifestyle and join us on the radio, I’d asked him to bring tunes that my public would appreciate and he didn’t disappoint. Thanks Ian for your company and your choices, I might have you back when you’ve dealt with your halitosis. I’m not saying it’s strong but it’s come to a pretty pass when listeners call in complaining of the smell their wireless is giving off.