There's a real chance to end the ruling-class offensive in Britain' Singer-songwriter Calum Baird talks music and politics with Bob Oram 
After the welcome release last year of his brilliant album No Right Turn, acclaimed singer-songwriter Calum Baird knuckled down to his university studies.
After graduation, he's back with an energy and intent worthy of his huge talent.  A regular at the last three Edinburgh fringe festivals, he's ubiquitous again this year. He's playing 30 shows in 15 different venues, including a handful at the BBC Castle Tent.
At some, he's accompanied by fellow Edinburgh singer-songwriter Jack Hinks on guitar and they've been “really well received.” At Tron Kirk at the start of the month, with an antifa flag on the stage, there were a lot of supportive clenched-fist salutes in evidence. Baird has also been busking with a new campaign modelled on US singer-songwriter David Rovics' Artists for Rent Control. “I and a group of other Edinburgh musicians busk in areas with a lot of footfall, make as much noise as possible and mix political canvassing with song,” he explains.
”Given that the rents in the city go through the roof at this time of year — the Scottish average rent is £727 a month, £850 in Aberdeen — it has had a good response and encouraging comments from passers-by. “They all agree — we need rent controls reinstated. We're calling for rents to be capped at 10 per cent of the average regional monthly income, implemented at local level. That would make the most expensive rents in Edinburgh £250.
“The SNP government has talked a good game about rent controls in the past but have been in power for the last 9 years and have yet to lift a finger to stop the rent rip-offs. Baird is determined to give such new work a big push because “it's important that music reflects what is going on around the musician,rather than being a vague and individualistic expression as a lot of music is.
“The EU referendum has thrown a lot up in the air again, politics seems to be on pause until the exact implications of Brexit are known and it is hard to see where a left-wing breakthrough will come in Scotland.”
Even with a Labour Party under Corbyn? “It will not be guaranteed or simple or quick,” he responds. 
“Maybe those CLPs which supported Jeremy and labour movement allies can coalesce around a real anti-austerity agenda but the Scottish national question needs to be laid to rest at this time of political uncertainty, not provoked even more. “Feral leftism around that issue should be abandoned to ensure a victory for the progressive forces building around Corbyn. Ideas of a socially progressive Scotland are just that at the moment — ideas. I believe, though, that there is a real chance to end the ruling-class offensive in Britain and it should not be wasted.”
Next week, Baird is off to Portugal where he'll be playing Festa do Avante from September 2-4. Organised by the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP),it is the largest political and cultural event in the country with some 150,000 attending from all over the world. Baird is rightly proud that he'll be there and playing on the main stage on one of the nights. “This year is the 40th festival and with the PCP being valuable supporters of the Portuguese left government, it is sure to be a lively one.
“I'm looking forward to meeting comrades from around the world, hearing about political situations outside Britain and swapping stories and experiences, just as much as I'm looking forward to playing at this legendary festival hosted by the working class of Portugal.”
After Avante, he'll be playing at a celebration of the international brigades in Glasgow and at the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street in Edinburgh in October.Next February he'll be in Spain, performing at a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Jarama in Rivas with a host of musicians from Britain and Ireland, including The Wakes and Gallo Rojo.
He is certainly going to be busy — finance permitting, there's a new EP in the pipeline — and this brilliant live performer and talented singer is well worth catching. Details of his gigs and recordings are available at calumbaird.com.