The Tenementals: A History of Glasgow In Song with Professor David Archibald

Can a band tell the history of a city? And if so, what would that look and sound like? That’s what Professor David Archibald and his band, The Tenementals, are setting out to do. 

In this episode David, a Professor of Film & TV at the University of Glasgow, discusses with Niall and Fay the innovative project which aims to make and tell history through music rather than traditional academic means. The conversation explores how the band, composed of academics, artists, musicians, and filmmakers, challenges conventional historical narratives.

Despite the challenging landscape of the music industry The Tenementals have resonated with audiences, particularly young people, and have so far received an enthusiastic response - they’ll be releasing their first album later this year. 

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Highlights:

• ‘Liberated from books’: How The Tenementals’ history is told and made in song
• Why one song, Peat Bog Soldiers, has already made history
• Hear a little of The Tenementals live in Glasgow  

Key Moments:

• 00:00:00 — Can a rock band make history? 
• 00:01:15 — The Tenementals, a wild research project
• 00:02:00 — Constructing a transmedia history of a city
• 00:18:37 — Songwriting process
• 00:33:01 — Hope and Revolutionary Histories 

Learn more:

• You can follow The Tenementals on Facebook @TheTenementals and on Instagram @Tenementals
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)