Left to right sitting: Emma Pollock, Alan Bissett, David Gow (Sons and Daughters), John Douglas (Trashcan Sinatras), James Woodside (De Rosa); left to right standing: Martin Henry (DR), Francis Reader (TS), Neil Woodside (DR), Chris Connick (DR), Hal Duncan, AL Kennedy, Stephen Douglas (TS), Paul Livingston (TS), Alasdair Roberts, Rodge Glass, Scott Patterson (8&0), Alun Woodward (Lord Cut-Glass), Adele Bethel (S810), Alasdair Gray, Ailidh Lennon (8&0) "

an outdoor stadium to sing Bad Moon Rising' and I've forgotten the words. All the same. musicians get exposed to free drugs. groupies and wild parties not part of your average literary festival. so perhaps writers do envy iriusicians a bit.‘

The Good Years 7 _ Karine Polwart A (collaborated

with Edwin Morgan) ‘Roddy sent through a cracking narrative by Al Kennedy and

more minimalist lyrics by Edwin Morgan. I guess I fell for the stark simplicity of Edwin's words. I love how the song's worked out. it's one of the most popular songs in my live set.

‘As a songwriter I'm obsessed most of all with lyrics. I've always felt that my lyrical leanings eclipsed any musical ability I might have. Normallyl don't feel too confident as a musician. But working with someone else's lyrics has made me realise that though what I do musically is really. really simple. it's totally appropriate to the words I have. which was really re; ssuringf

If You Love Destroy Me

was stoked. The worried than me work out. but when I went into the studio to hear the song, I was blown away. This whole collaboration pisses on that high art/low art distinction you find in certain circles. where popular

Me You'd

Hal Duncan (collaborated with Aereogramme) ‘When I found out Aereogramme had picked my words. | y seemed more about how it would

music is not seen as serious. or where writers are divided into literati and hacks. Truth is. if you look at indie music. everything from Belle and Sebastian to Idlewild. it's clear this is an art form capable of just as much maturity and intelligence as any Booker-winning novelist.‘

I Ballads of the Book is released on Chem/ka/ Underground, Mon 5 Mar. There is an album launch event at CCA. Glasgow, Fri 9 Mar and a Triptych show at Tramway, Glasgow. Sun 29 Apr. A documentary about the album is on STVon Thu 7 Mar,

I 1.30pm.

1- 11") Mar 200/ THE LIST 17