JASON ROSE, host of ‘The Cats Pyjamas on Moray Firth Radio, explains why what he does is part of a peaceful protest against the rising tide of conformity.

MFR is 21!

PEOPLE ASK ME why my show is called ‘The Cats Pyjamas. Well, what I draw listeners attention to is what I reckon to be the best of the best. Also, cat is a vague jazz reference and pyjamas fits in because its on in the evening. Oh, and Cats Pyjamas is politer than Dogs Bollocks, which is what I had tried to call it.

So what is it? Basically, my record collection and chats with cool people that I bump into. But how can such a freeform thing be allowed on commercial radio? Surely its all pop and mass market appeal material?

Well, not so on MFR. I feel amazingly lucky having two hours carte blanche each week. You can travel the length of the UK and find little freedom or creativity on the dial. Maybe I am just lucky but I like to think that the steadily rising listening figures and approving comments I get are because in the Highlands and Islands and in Moray theres a greater proportion of people who are creative and open to new experiences.

The music I play can be anything from the latest Scottish jazz outfit to traditional Hawaiian hula as well as what might be considered deeply uncool middle-of-the-road Americana like Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young that despite its broad appeal never seems to get played on daytime radio. Whatever it is, Im always looking for something that breaks boundaries and perhaps will take the listener somewhere they havent been before.

As for the people I chat to, here in the north of Scotland we have creative talent by the bucketload. That includes people who are from here and perhaps live abroad now or people from outwith the area whove relocated here for the great inspiration-generating scenery and peace.

I’m constantly amazed at the local connections that emerge when I interview people on my show. There are the obvious ones like writers Ali Smith and Michel Faber (Alis from Inverness but lives in Cambridge, and Michel is from Holland and Australia but lives in Easter Ross), but how about Italian author Nicollo Ammaniti who it transpired spent several months hiding in a farmhouse near Beauly to help him concentrate on his new novel?

And then there was Chris Haslam who sells tents down south but has just written a cracking crime caper about expat drug dealers in Spain – he used to work at Glenmore Lodge of all places.

Other guests on the show have included the brilliant and disgustingly young Lorne Balfe, who seems to split his time between Hollywood and Inverness as he dreams up cool soundtracks for movies and TV shows. He revealed on MFR that his biggest claim to fame is that when he was five he sang on one of the original Moray Firth Radio jingles!

The interview with him tapped into something that I believe in strongly – that the north of Scotland really is a cultural hub (2008? Pah, who needs it!) but were not very good at saying so.

I’m forever bumping into people in pubs who turn out to be composers or artists. Inverness seems content to become an ‘anywheresville with all the usual chainstores and attitudes to what entertainment is.

At the recent MFR 21st birthday party – Birthday at the Bught – I spent an amazing Saturday afternoon lying on the grass slurping hot chocolate and having my mind blown by a steady stream of young bands, mostly from Scotland, including the priceless Carson from Fort William.

There were people standing around in front of this huge professional T in the Park sized sound stage holding their message bags wondering what was going on and what they should do. I’ve never seen anything so bizarre. Clearly letting rip in public with new music isnt something that is done in the Highlands. The only mention of it in the press seems to have been the Inverness Couriers hysterical take on a few folk complaining about the noise.

However, I feel a change in the air. I always take the opportunity when I have the privilege of interviewing a well-known artist, musician or writer to tell them to come north. They always say that theyd like to and increasingly Ive been able to go to gigs that a few years ago I wouldnt have thought possible in Inverness.

Hootanannys has gained itself a good reputation for the unusual as well as traditional. That bunch of gypsy jazzers called the Baghdaddies deserve the freedom of the city for getting so many people up dancing, even in the street outside. Eden Court has plans to expand, hopefully attracting more big names and encouraging local talent, while yours truly is setting the wheels in motion for an Inverness book festival – stay tuned for details.

Jason Rose is a Senior News Reporter and presenter of The Cat’s Pyjamas (Sunday evenings, 9pm – 11pm ) on Moray Firth Radio (97.4FM).