← back

For the Record is a conversation series where we speak with all manner of music heads — DJs, music journos, indie label captains, record shop owners, listening bar kingpins, et al — about their stories + the music that makes them.

Dougal Perman

Dougal Perman is a seasoned figure in Scotland's music industry, with a career spanning over two decades. In 2001, he co-founded Radio Magnetic, one of the UK's pioneering internet radio stations, dedicated to promoting underground and alternative music. His leadership extended to the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), where he served as Chair from 2016 to 2023. During his tenure, Dougal played a pivotal role in launching and developing the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, now recognised as Scotland's national music prize. He was actively involved in lobbying government and industry representation during the pandemic.
collect on: 

Beyond his contributions to music media and industry development, Dougal loves playing music. He began DJing at 16, ran hip hop clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow later was a resident at Kinky Afro at Glasgow's Sub Club and various Radio Magnetic nights around Scotland. He plays piano, guitar and oboe, and occasionally creates electronic music. Music is a family affair, Dougal enjoys jamming with his girlfriend and children. He believes that music is in all of us, it's part of what makes us human.

Music Mentions

Radio Magnetic (31:00):

Q&A

Discovering music today (1:01:24):

First album ever purchased (1:07:45):

Most recent album purchased (1:08:25):

Artists discovered in the past year (1:11:15):

Desert island discs (1:17:00):