CHRIS EWAN - The Writer

A VERY SPECIAL PROFISLES...The Bees Gees Origin Story!

In 1997, broadcaster Bernie Quayle went to Miami and recorded a number of wonderful conversations with fellow Manxies Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb - and their Mum, Barbara. We thought these recordings were lost, after Bernie's website went offline not long after he died in 2021. However, his sister Pauline - my mum! - recently found the mp3 copies on a CD and agreed to let me share them on this podcast.  This first instalment is the family chatting together, remembering their childhood here on the Isle of Man, singing together, giggling like kids and showing a side of themselves they rarely revealed. And as a bonus for Mother's Day, there is an exclusive additional conversation between Bernie and Barbara, where she talks about meeting her husband Hugh, moving to the Isle of Man and what her 'little devils' were really like.  In coming weeks, we will also share the separate, individual conversations Bernie had with each of the brothers, who would of course go on to become some of the greatest recording artists of all time - The Bee Gees.

PROFISLES SPECIAL: COMING SOON...

Lucky Number 7 as a VERY special episode of ProfIsles is coming this week - interviews that once were lost, now are found. Any idea who these people could be?? Stay tuned for the big reveal...

THE FOLKLORIAN ARTIST : Julia Ashby Smyth

Guest no.6, Julia Ashby Smyth, is so much more than Just An Artist; she spends a great deal of her worldly life immersed in nature, but also flitting in and around the spaces of the inbetween. You will know her work from the extravagantly decorated bottles of Fynoderee gin, rum and vodka, perhaps also from various Manx books such as the 2013 publication of Sophia Morrison's Manx Fairy Tales and, very likely, from curating the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey.  We talk about myths and moggies, tribal culture and time travel, superstitions and seeing magic, something called the susserous and dreamweaving and Blue Peter Makes... amongst many other marvellous things.  This is full of wonder and fizzing with What If?s. And if, after listening, you find yourself drawn you into Julia's world as intensely as it did me, go see her latest exhibition 'Rare Sightings and Urban Faeries' at the Manx Museum* which transports you to her otherworlds - or 'Jubiverse' as she calls it. *Rare Sightings is open until February 23rd 2025. But if you can't make it, or you'd like to relive it, you'll find a series of photos and videos on our social media channel.

JAMIE LEWIS AND DREW FLEMING : The Entrepreneurs

Jamie Lewis and Drew Fleming are the two impressive young entrepreneurs behind the Extra Fancy brand and multi award winning Kiki's Lounge. They talk to us about friendship, fatherhood, the industry they love and global domination - with a healthy dose of chat about steam trains and Spice Girl fandom for good measure.  It will make you feel proud of the Island and hopeful for our future, which is surely somewhat safer in the hands of enthusiastic, driven and creative souls like this pair. Enjoy. And if you do enjoy it, please share it around. It’s what your Nan would have wanted. *WARNING - there are some swears.

CHRIS EWAN - The Writer

Best selling author C.M Ewan (aka Chris) made time just before Christmas to sit down for a good old chinwag, talking about how much he loves the Island and how much it inspired - and features in - a number of his best selling thrillers, utilising our dark and our tempestuous weather, mysterious and varied locations and unique traditions.