Irvine Welsh

For this edition of the Victrola Vinyl Five, we welcome Scottish novelist Irvine Welsh, known for his gritty contemporary fiction that captured a generation's angst, music, and disparate realities. He is best known for his visceral debut novel, Trainspotting, which was later adapted into a feature film directed by Danny Boyle and starring Ewan McGregor. Welsh's sharp, raw, and often disturbing storytelling captures life through his distinct and uniquely smudgy lens. His other notable works include Filth, Porno, and Glue, further cementing his reputation as one of modern literature's most honest and provocative voices. 

Welsh's connection to the music scene is as deeply influential as his literary impact. Music has profoundly shaped his narratives, characters, and settings, underscoring his storytelling's complex and rebellious energy. Welsh's work vibrantly intertwines with musical culture, from punk and electronic to rock and beyond, resonating with fans and creators alike. Trainspotting's film soundtrack remains as fresh and relevant as ever, with iconic tracks from Underworld, Primal Scream, Goldie, Leftfield, and Iggy Pop. And yes, we highly recommend picking it up on vinyl!

For his Victrola Vinyl Five, Welsh has selected five albums that weave together perfectly and, in a way, hold a mirror up to his literary works. His choices feel like lost soundtracks to his novels, ranging from Bowie's subversively entrancing The Hours and Nick Cave's haunting storytelling in Murder Ballads to Sparks' brilliantly unconventional Propaganda. He also highlights Bob Dylan's introspective and powerful late-career masterpiece The Tempest, and Brian Jonestown Massacre's uniquely visionary soundscape crafted by Anton Newcombe.

We hope you enjoy this installment of The Vinyl Five and keep an eye for these upcoming projects from Irvine Welsh:

Men in Love (novel) - Irvine Welsh 
Men in Love (soul/disco album)  - Irvine Welsh and Si Fi Soul Orchestra 
Reality is Not Enough (Irvine Welsh documentary) - Directed and Produced by Paul Sng

Q&A

In a world of streaming and almost limitless titles available, why do you think people are going back to vinyl?

They want to own things. A scroll of data on a screen is meaningless. A tactile experience is everything. You get the work as the artist intended. Your vinyl purchase is a more evocative memory of your experience than an instagram account.

If you had (or have) your dream vinyl listening room, what would/ does it look like? What would/ does it sound like?

My front room in my Miami apartment is unfussy, uncluttered and my long couch is perfect for stretching out on and letting the music take me away. 

What's your favorite record store?

Shakespeare and Elvis in Leith. It does books as well. I miss the ones of my youth, Bruce’s, Ards, Bandparts etc but my favorite one is the one I’m in at any given time.

Tell us a story about each of the records you selected, and explain why they mean something to you.

1. David Bowie: 'Hours...'

This was the Bowie album I liked the least when I initially heard it. That made me suspicious as I love everything Bowie does. It initially comes across as a restrained piece of work dominated by co-producer Reeves Gabrels' slick, smooth but sharp and confrontational guitar work.

Gabrels was one of Bowie’s Tin Machine collaborators. It’s not the most celebrated of his collaborations but perhaps it should be. On repeated play this album glides subversively under your skin. The beautiful gatefold sleeve and lyrics are why vinyl shits over downloads.

2. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: Murder Ballads

I love storytelling songwriters, and he is one of the best. His evocative voice makes you feel that these stories are unraveling on a screen in front of you.

Interestingly an album of three sides…

3. Sparks: Propaganda

What a band. Too busy being mental and original to be bothered about making hit records. They had them anyway, just by virtue of being so good.

Kimono My House was the big bold debut they were best known for, but Propaganda, with its iconic cover, is their best studio album.

4. Bob Dylan: Tempest

This is not universally rated as one of Dylan’s best albums. I’m perhaps a contrarian but I love it. His throwaway ruminations on love, loss, desire, and thwarted dreams have a power and wisdom beyond practically every other lyricist.

I switch of the lights and lie on the couch and get sucked into the guts of this record.

5. The Brian Jonestown Massacre

Anton Newcombe is a musical genius combining incredible deftness yet great density and heft in his music.

One of the great original visionaries of our age - nobody sounds like BJM.

Q&A

When you shop for records, do you make a plan or just ransack the stacks and hope for the best?

No. I find out what cooler people than me are listening to, then check it out and pretend I knew about it first all along.

When listening to records, what's your go-to beverage? Whiskey? Wine? Beer? High-end mineral water? Nada?

It depends on the genre of music, but I like my first few listens unfettered by intoxicants.

What is the most important album in your current collection? What is the weirdest? Rarest?

Diamond Dogs - David Bowie, Frank Sidebottom salutes the magic of Queen, and Kylie Minogue.

On a 10-scale how much of an audiophile are you really (One: if it sounds ok, I'm ok. Ten: I'm extremely picky and need it to sound just so!)?

Seven. Any higher than that indicates you aren’t getting laid.

Q&A

Did you make mixtapes as a kid? How elaborate were they? Did you deck them out with custom ink-work? Fill them with rare grooves? Were they full of your favorites you wanted to share?

No. I just taped them and handed them to girls I fancied, like an analog tinder.

What are some of your favorite music films or documentaries?

A Complete Unknown has basically destroyed every other music film in my mind. Sorry.

If your career had a soundtrack, what artists would be on it and why?

Iggy, Lou, Underworld, Leftfield, Pulp, Blur, etc - you get the picture.

Any genres of music that are a hard pass?

No. The best of every genre is absolutely magnificent.

Do you organize your records? If so, how?

Alphabet by artist. The only way. I tried genre but spent hours arguing with myself.

Q&A

Any favorite record labels?

Motown. Junior Boys Own. Styx. Strictly Rhythm. Jack Said What.

What new albums or artists do you have in your current rotation that are flipping your lid right now?

The new Primal Scream is magnificent. Kneecap. Fontaines DC.

Headphones or speakers?

Speakers every time.

What was your first album (and how did you score it)?

Electric Warrior - T. Rex 9/10.

Is there any specific person, place, or moment that minted your love of music?

My old girlfriend Amy and I were totally bonded by music. We were always finding new stuff to impress/seduce each other.

Level Up Your Sound

As part of our Vinyl Five series, we ask our esteemed participants to play their thoughtfully picked records on a premium turntable while sharing their thoughts and feelings.

The Victrola Eastwood LP is the first full-size record player in the Eastwood lineup, featuring a 12-inch platter, enhanced speakers, and a sleek modern design. This 3-speed, belt-driven turntable comes equipped with a premium Audio-Technica AT-3600LA cartridge for superior tracking and sound quality.

Ideal for those who love the original Eastwood but want to level up in size and sound performance.