Dundee singer-songwriter Andrew Baird is, by day, a soft-spoken nurse, keen community gardener, and advocate for wellbeing.
But by night he’s a musical storyteller, playing his guitar and singing his whimsical original songs in cafes and open mics under the name of Patchworks.
Now the 32-year-old is sharing his talents with Tayside’s aspiring songwriters through beginner’s workshops across the city, as he aims to weave other people’s voices into his ‘patchwork’ of songs.
I sat down with Andrew to find out more about what it’s like to be a singer-songwriter marching to the beat of your own drum in 2022.
‘I got the idea from a hospital ward’
Why do you call yourself ‘Patchworks’?
My favourite genres are folk, electronic and soul, and my stuff is a bit of a mix.
The original idea was that it was going to be something like (anime film studio) Studio Ghibli – everything would feel homemade, a bit rougher round the edges – a bit patchworked.
What age were you when you first started writing songs and performing?
I’ve always written stories, since I was three or four, but I started doing proper structured songs 3 or 4 years ago, just as a hobby.
In the last couple of years I’ve been writing them more for people, to be listened to – whereas before it was more of a little diary.
Where’s the most unexpected place you’ve found songwriting inspiration?
I have one song that’s called The Ghost Ship, and it’s a bit of a surreal, silly story.
I got the idea from a hospital ward – people had bits missing everywhere and were losing everything, but they were kind of joking about it, there was a camaraderie.
Who are your biggest three musical influences?
Bjork, Bob Dylan and Otis Redding.
What’s a song you wish you’d written?
Cocoon by Bjork.
‘You just need to be able to hum’
You run songwriting workshops in Dundee – do people need to be musicians to write songs, do you think?
No, no! That’s what my workshop is about.
I feel like a lot of people get hung up on knowing theory, or being a specific type of person – they think they have to be ‘musical’. But really, the more you listen to music, the more you’ll write songs.
Everyone’s got a unique perspective and I want to hear it. So I definitely don’t think you have to have a particular skillset, you just need to be able to hum a melody and be a person!
What would you have done if you hadn’t done the job you’re doing now?
I wanted to be a palaeontologist, so I’d be looking for dinosaurs.
Where in the world are you happiest?
In a park – Balgay Park.
Favourite part of Scotland to explore?
Inverness.
Last book you read?
I read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel – but I didn’t like it!
Music you listen to in the car?
A big, rambling Bob Dylan tale.
‘You can have seed of love at first sight’
Your house is on fire – what one item do you save?
Can I have a bucket full of plants? It would be like the Titanic – I’d be like: ‘Should I take the young ones or the old ones?’
First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
Go on holiday, to Japan.
If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do?
No one has to go to work that day!
What makes you happy?
Music, birds. I like a good tree. Silly, surreal comedy.
What makes you sad?
When things are done carelessly, or something is not looked after properly.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
I think you can have the seed of it at first sight.
What was the first album you ever bought?
The Back Room by Editors. And the Strokes one that was out at that time – it was two for £10!
‘I had to stand up to people who didn’t treat others well’
What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
My gran: ‘What’s for ye’ll no go past ye’. She says it about 100 times a day.
Biggest regret?
I wish I’d started doing the things that make me happy sooner.
What or who are you proudest of?
At the moment I’m most proud of my flat.
I had an idea of what I wanted, but I was a student for a long time and I really wanted a nice place to live that I could build up into a little home. It’s taken a long time but I have that now.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Do what makes you happy – if you enjoy it, other people will enjoy it too.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
Probably to get my degree. I had to stand up to people who didn’t treat other people well. So I guess being in bad environments for a good cause.
Could you save someone’s life if they were dying in the street?
Depends what they were dying of! I could have a go.
What’s your motto?
Do what you feel.
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