18 & Life

Welcome to my online portfolio.

My name is Andrew McDonald, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1990. I am an English and Journalism student at the University of Stirling. Writing has gripped me from a young age, and I have been told I have a ‘real flair’ for it by a number of peers and superiors. This, together with a love of music, has inspired me to follow a career in the media.

I began writing reviews after attending my first concert as a young teenager – Iron Maiden at the SECC in Glasgow. Soon after, I started submitting such pieces to my home town’s local newspaper. I have since pursued the role of a journalist to undergraduate level and beyond. At the moment, I am a contributor to Rock Sound magazine and WheelScene magazine. In the past I have acted as an editor for Stirling’s Brig newspaper, and as a regular writer for RockNewsDesk.com (now Classic Rock’s news section), Ragnarok Radio (a popular Scottish heavy metal podcast), and to other sites and publications when the opportunity arose.

I have had the pleasure of  seeing several hundred bands of varying genre perform live, including renowned acts from AC/DC to ZZ Top, as well as newer talent from Biffy Clyro to You Me At Six. I have enjoyed meeting and interviewing many classic and contemporary bands, and attending events such as Ozzfest at the London O2 Arena and British legends Motörhead’s shows as a guest. I am also involved in the live music scene as an occasional promoter of gigs, as a performer in my own outfit, and through running a weekly rock club night in Stirling from 2010 till 2012. My most notable appearances as an artist and DJ have been at the world famous Download Festival at Donington Park in 2009 and 2010. I also have experience in live radio.

I believe my work to be informative, insightful and entertaining – qualities that I find are often lost in today’s world of amateur, self-satiating web journalism. I think of my writing as being of the quality deserved by those interested in my subject matter and, as such, I am always interested in any offers, paid or otherwise. Please feel free to get in touch via the CONTACT page.

I hope you enjoy looking at what I have on offer on these pages, and look forward to hearing from anyone who stops by.

- Andy

PS. I would also like to thank Mark ‘Value’ Morris for hosting my work on his website.