UNBOUNDLATE NIGHTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL 10 25 AUG 2014 An Introduction to Jura Unbound 2014

he Edinburgh International Book Festival is once more that it’s not just in August that the T18 days of bookish brilliance bursting out of literary sun shines bright in Edinburgh. the tents inside Charlotte Square Gardens. 16 It wouldn’t be a proper Jura Unbound of those days transform into nights of literary programme without a delicious collision of delight with Jura Unbound, the Book Festival’s words and music, and the lovely Willy Vlautin eclectic programme of fantastic, free events and legendary Vic Galloway both host their own inviting you to discover the makers of some truly special evenings. Importantly, we remain rooted magnificent stories. in books and stories, with the ethereal tales Jura Unbound is a mischievously magical of E.O. Higgins and the literary fitness freak thing. Quietly created from dreams and schemes, Andy Miller. To top it all, Spoken Word takes to ideas and frivolous fancies, it unleashes our centre stage with Nasty Little Press plus a word- unique creative chaos onto the world from inside wrestling battle-to-the-death independence the magnificent Guardian Spiegeltent. Each debate with a difference. night, enveloped by the velvet roof and mirrored Look out for Jura Unbound’s special series walls, a little bit of magic happens. Maybe of #shelfies from participants, performers and, it's because of the mysterious stilt-walking hopefully, you. Belgians who build the venue, or perhaps it’s the And the most magical thing about Jura audience, who are looking to fend off the festival Unbound? It is still completely free. Come along, frenzy that make it so special. Whatever it is, and if you see something you like, you’re sure people gather together after a day of sunshine to find something just as good elsewhere in the or rain to restore themselves with stories, to be Book Festival programme – you can browse the entertained, enthralled and surprised, but most events on www.edbookfest.co.uk – I promise you of all to share their love of storytelling. won’t be disappointed. This year’s Jura Unbound programme grabs Thanks go out to those who have helped the themes and ideas from across the wider to keep Jura Unbound free. First and foremost Book Festival programme, plays with them and Jura, sponsor of our Unbound programme, the celebrates them. It presents an astonishing array City of Edinburgh Council, the Idlewild Trust of Scottish and international writers, artists and who have supported individual events and, most performers, capturing the indefatigable energy importantly, huge thanks to all the partners, and creativity that continues all year round. authors and organisations who have contributed From the Caribbean to Syria to Poland, the time, energy and passion needed to make we span the globe with readings, poetry, each Jura Unbound night extra special. performance, hip-hop and translation, and no This year the Book Festival is saying to doubt some dancing! With nights created by people ‘Let's Talk’. For Jura Unbound we’re saying Scottish regulars Canongate, Neu! Reekie!, Jim Let's shout! Let's sing! Let's dance! Lambie’s Poetry Club and Rally & Broad we prove [Roland Gulliver] ‘Let’s Talk’ Edinburgh International Book Festival

perfect place to escape the madness makes his first trip to Edinburgh, Martin Amis, A of Edinburgh in full festival mode, the who launches his new novel, Will Self, Amy Bloom, leafy Charlotte Square Gardens, home of the Willy Vlautin, Alan Warner, Esther Freud, Kevin Edinburgh International Book Festival, offers Eldon, Christopher Brookmyre, Gruff Rhys, Ali a peaceful green space to relax, take a breath Smith. The list goes on… and on. and decide what event to see next. Each year a On Saturday 16 August, an eclectic range of bustling tented village is created replete with voices from Britain’s cutting edge Spoken Word bookshops, cafés, bars and plenty of grass to scene can be heard in Babble On, a series of lounge on with friends and a glass of whatever events staged in partnership with rambunctious takes your fancy. It’s also right in the heart of the poet Luke Wright and produced by Becky city, just off the west end of Princes Street. Fincham. Featuring celebrated live performance The Book Festival doesn’t just put on artists including , Elvis McGonagall, the popular Jura Unbound late evening interactive theatre makers Hannah Jane Walker entertainment – details of which you’ll find on and Chris Thorpe and poets William Letford and the following pages – it also has hundreds of Rachel McCrum amongst others. author events and activities to broaden your Of course the few events mentioned here understanding of the world, spark debate, make are only a fraction of the highlights. Come you laugh, make you think. along to Charlotte Square Gardens, enjoy a If you want diversity, we have it. The range of drink, have a flick through the programme and authors appearing in events is always surprising pick something to see. We’re pretty sure you’ll and often people can discover their next discover something memorable. There’s so much ‘favourite’ read, something they would never have to explore and Jura Unbound is the perfect otherwise found. Have a look at the debut fiction starting point. [Roland Guliver] on the Book Festival’s First Book Award list for Full details of the programme can be found at the emerging talent of 2014. www.edbookfest.co.uk. Tickets to all events can be bought Familiar names include such literary stars online, by calling the box office 0845 373 5888 or in person as Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin, at The Hub, Castlehill. Japan’s heavyweight Haruki Murakami, who

Editors: Rosamund West & Alan Bett Designer: Maeve Redmond Production Manager: Billie Dryden Illustrator: Emily Nash

2 Feature JURA UNBOUND THE SKINNY Beyond the Headlines As Reel Festivals return to Jura Unbound, this time with Syria Speaks, Literature Programmer Ryan Van Winkle explains how they plan to open a window into the country and culture beyond the conflict Interview: Alan Bett

yria Speaks, and so does its Literature relationships, and those relationships are really of Syrian Lingerie will highlight the humour, spend two hours dwelling on the horrors. We’re SProgrammer Ryan Van Winkle while sitting powerful and they’re something we love to share resilience and strength of Syrian art, even in going to present the fullest possible picture we in Summerhall discussing his evening of Syrian in events like this one.” A prime example is their these most challenging times. Ryan suggests can. I want people to come away thinking that culture at Jura Unbound. He displays the type poetry workshop, where artists come together that the tone of the evening will be respectful they’ve hung out with some beautiful friends in a of enthusiastic verbosity you would hope and to translate each other’s work. An act which while at the same time a celebration of life and beautiful place that they’ve never been before. I expect from somebody working on such an must prove difficult, considering the intricacy culture. This will be typified by the band Raast. want to give that feeling to the audience.” interesting and worthwhile project. and hidden personal meaning contained within “The band is formed around one member who But what’s the role of poetry and music in “The idea is that we use art and culture as a this form. It’s something Ryan believes is “A grew up in the Palestinian refugee camp outside this situation, is it going to save a single life? way of exploring a place beyond the headlines,” really intimate and special act, one person to of Damascus.” While providing some context What can art achieve in the face of war? Beauty he states while discussing the primary aim of another.” about where their songs are coming from they seems futile next to the suffering of millions. this event, and also of Reel Festivals in general; Acknowledging its difficulties while plan to end the evening with some party music “It’s really hard to see the point of art when guns an organisation which works in regions of discovering an unexpected bonus. “The great and a bit of a dance. are being fired and many people would say there conflict, “using art to show that when people get thing about the translation workshop is you get is no point,” Ryan acknowledges. However Reel together there are not too many dissimilarities to say that thing to a poet that you never get Festivals attach a simple yet important purpose between humankind.” to say, which is ‘What the fuck are you talking “Art gives to their events. “The role is to remind us that In this case the medium is song, dance about?’” This refreshing honesty pays dividends. there are human beings and lives here. I don’t and word; provided by a diverse range of Syrian “They’ll explain what it means, they’ll break the you empathy, really think that Assad is going to see a poignant artists, keen to show us the true culture and poem down, they give a real insight into their painting and change the course of action, but I character of their country. “Your first immediate lives and their experience and you need to understanding do think the more of these things can be seen thought is a warzone,” Ryan admits, “... and it’s internalise and translate that into English as and felt the better.” not a very human portrait of the place. What best you can, translate that feeling. It’s a really and context about We compare with Picasso and his painting art does, it gives you empathy, understanding incredible process.” And that bond of trust will in response to the hellish bombing of a Basque and context about where these conflicts are then further benefit the Jura Unbound audience. where these town during the Spanish Civil War. “What role happening and what they’re doing to people.” “That friendship and that relationship when does Guernica have to play? It makes us sad and These are people just like you and I. Who care it gets on stage is really palpable, there’s a shows us the bloody horror of it.” There is an about their kids, who want a good boyfriend connection deeper than text.” conflicts are additional function of art over reportage which or girlfriend, who want to go out dancing on The evening promises a varied collection allows a level of understanding and compassion. a Saturday night. They don’t want to work too of artists, each offering a fresh perspective and happening and “The great thing about filmmaking and telling hard, they want a good education; our basic very personal viewpoint. “We’re bringing Golan stories and writing is that it’s a direct line right human concerns, no matter where we’re from, Hagi over,” a Syrian Kurd, doctor and Robert what they’re doing into your heart – here are people and their what kind of trauma our countries have been Louis Stevenson aficionado – having translated situation, and here’s understanding for another through, are the same. And by holding their The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde into to people” human being.” And a final result may be for the lives in comparison with our own we may begin Arabic. A trip to will obviously suit him artists themselves – for many the work must act to see past the region’s one-dimensional media and he will be reading his award-winning poetry Ryan Van Winkle as catharsis. generated stereotypes. “We have this feeling on the night. “He feels the conflict very deeply,” While Ryan earlier acknowledged that So, this is an event which offers many like, of course it happened there, they must Ryan explains, having been forced out of Syria war is what comes instantly to mind when things: to see beyond the detached rigid have been expecting it, it’s a hotbed, a zone of and now living in France. The event also features Syria is mentioned, it is a subject which will headlines, to understand and empathise, to terror,” suggests Ryan of our pre-programmed Samar Yazbek, awarded the prestigious PEN/ be addressed without miring an evening which form bonds of friendship. Quite simply to sing patterns of thought. “...but mostly people were Pinter prize of International Writer of Courage. hopes to delight as well as inform us. “It doesn’t and dance and experience the words and music just hanging out there. I mean if a bomb fell on She wrote a diary of the first 100 days of the war always need to be about the war, I mean we’ve of Syria. It refuses to present a one-sided flyer, Summerhall people would be amazed.” and will be reading from this. Providing a unique shown loads of great films which have taken or exist as a political or revolutionary tool. Insight and empathy, as far as Reel view of the conflict through two sets of eyes will place in areas of conflict but are really about “We’re not going to try and tell you that war is Festivals are concerned, is not only built be Scottish Syrian Robin Yassin-Kassab, author something simple, like your first bicycle.” bad.” Ryan concludes, “If you don’t know that by through experiencing the work of others but of The Road from Damascus, a man who has Yet the backdrop cannot and should not be now...” by collaborating with them. “From working written not only on the conflict but the general ignored. “You can’t talk about Syria without Syria Speaks is at 9pm, Tue 12 Aug in the Guardian together and using art and literature we create culture of the region. Malu Halasa’s Secret Life acknowledging conflict but we’re not going to Spiegeltent, part of Jura Unbound

July 2014 JURA UNBOUND 3 he unmistakable riff of Eye of the Tiger throbs seems a ridiculous point to raise with Dan, a man Tthrough the arena, and as the smoke slowly no stranger to hosting poetry in entertaining clears a microphone descends from the heavens and accessible ways. “He caused uproar on the Sticks & Stones into hell, to be clasped in hand and amplify the scene... there were lots of poets really upset by As opposing poets get into character and enter the ring cry, the question, the challenge... ‘Are you ready?’ it.” Then agreeing diplomatically that Paxman (no literary metaphor — an actual wrestling ring), we find This is Page Match; a literary fight club, but may be correct in challenging one small corner the first rule being that you do talk about Page of the universe. “I don’t think the things he said that at Page Match names can and will definitely hurt you Match, where masters of spoken word suffer were that bad; I think he gave quite a balanced the death of 100 cuts from verbal lacerations. argument. But what he didn’t say is that there Interview: : Alan Bett It is the opportunity for poets to stretch lycra are poets engaging audiences. A lot of nights I in place of imagination and slip into their know are raucous, passionate and are talking to wrestling finery and the ring, to clothes-line their everyday people.” The form is engaging with those opponents’ egos. far beyond the upper echelons of the scene. “We were just trying to find platforms to “Today I was doing poetry takeaway which is an make poetry entertaining, and attract people amazing thing,” Dan tells me. “Ordinary people who wouldn’t normally go to a poetry event,” come up and order a poem, on any subject and suggests Dan Cockrill, the man bringing Page within fifteen minutes you deliver it back to them. Match to Jura Unbound. “It’s a bit of false It’s just another way of honing your skills as a advertising as a poetry event for people who writer but also delivering poetry to people who don’t like poetry... the acts were the best poetry wouldn’t necessarily come along and see it.” acts around, but it’s the glue between them which makes it more accessible, there’s music, fun games, a lot of drinking; it’s really raucous.” “Like watered down Even more so when you use this year of referendum to organise a Scotland versus beer your lines are England grudge match in Edinburgh. In the headlining bout, Luke – The Earl of Essex – weak, you must Wright will boldly challenge an – as yet – mystery Scottish poet (come along to find out who). And be drunk because while Salmond and Darling refuse to squeeze themselves into leotards, perhaps we can view these Page Match competitors as surrogates – you think you can conduits for public feeling. Or will they simply indulge in a juvenile slanging match of racial challenge me” and political insults, so far from the mature Peter ‘The Penge Pulveriser’ and reasoned referendum debate witnessed to date (cough!). Past battles have resulted in Hayhoe head shavings and book shreddings as forfeit for defeat, so English poet Wright may have a tough time in store at this away day, considering Page Match offers a line-up of the finest the winner is judged by the bloodthirsty, baying wordsmiths around – sharpening their stanzas in crowd. “The audience are going to vote with preparation are Rob Auton, winner of the Fringe their noise,” Dan confirms, suggesting that this 2013 funniest line, Mark Grist the rapping teacher might offer some real life political prophecy. “You and many more. Gather around the bearpit on 16 may get a feel of how people will vote in the real August to witness the stereotypical role of poet referendum... if they were drunk at 9pm in the as soothsayer turned on its head and piledriven Spiegeltent.” into the mat. This night will act as antidote to the recent Page Match is at 9pm Sat 16 Aug in the Guardian Spiegeltent, comments from Jeremy Paxman, suggesting that part of Jura Unbound poetry has “connived at its own irrelevance.” It Helping the Sun to Finally Set One creative initiative is looking beyond the Commonwealth Games countdown, to examine the roots of Scotland’s relationship with Empire and the transatlantic slave trade. Author Louise Welsh talks to us about The Empire Café Interview: Ceris Aston

n 2012 Louise Welsh worked with architect The Empire Café was born out of this earlier On 10 August The Empire Café will bring IJude Barber on the project Merchant City project. Welsh remarks: “When we finished “All these things poetry, music and discussion to Jura Unbound. Voices, which explored Glasgow’s relationship Merchant City Voices we felt as though the The aim of the event is to provoke conversation, with the slave trade through a series of sound story wasn’t finished, there was more to do.” that make up the “to make the audience aware of our history – and installations in the city. “It’s a really tangled The Commonwealth Games – once the British then aware of what is happening now. We still history,” Welsh explains. “We’re quite rightly Empire Games – provided a timely opportunity to quintessential have so many people in the world enslaved. These proud of our history, our working class culture, revisit the subject: “Commonwealth is intimately things haven’t ended.” Stephen Mullen, author our buildings – but we’ve got to realise that a lot connected with Empire and we still feel Scottish tea of The Truth about Glasgow and Slavery, will of these buildings were built with money made by uncomfortable with this association. We don’t introduce the event with a short talk on Scotland working slaves on plantations in the Caribbean. really know what it means to Commonwealth and the slave trade. A number of poets from The widening of the Clyde – which enabled our countries to be part of the Commonwealth. It table came from Scotland and the Caribbean will perform a set of ship-building industry – was initially for import of would have been nice if we’d had this discussion poems from The Empire Café anthology, which products of the Empire from overseas.” ten years ago, twenty years ago – but it’s still Jamaican slavery” will be available at the event. Already confirmed Unlike England, whose big port cities relevant today.” Louise Welsh are Millicent Graham, Dorothea Smartt, Malika typically have some memorial recognising their Together, Welsh and Barber came up with In collaboration with the Scottish Poetry Booker and Sanesarine Persaud. Alternative past links with slavery, Scotland has rarely the idea of The Empire Café – opening up ‘a Library and Scottish PEN, The Empire Café hip-hop band Stanley Odd will bring music to the acknowledged this sobering aspect of its history. welcome conversation’ about Scotland’s imperial has also commissioned a poetry anthology, in evening with a high-energy set including a song While it can be difficult to come to terms with past to coincide with the Commonwealth Games. which Caribbean and Scottish poets respond composed specifically for The Empire Café. The national culpability for such atrocities, Welsh They have created a programme of readings, to themes of Empire and the slave trade. “We’ve band is known for intelligent, impassioned social believes it is important to remember our national debate, films, workshops and installations in a been extremely lucky – everyone has been commentary and vibrant performances to get past, including those who fought against the slave specially designed café venue at the Briggait, so generous,” Welsh effervesces. “They’ve all audiences moving. It’s a stunning line-up for what trade. She recounts that “Glasgow, like other big Glasgow. “So many of the conversations of the been intrigued, or angered, or moved to write promises to be a brilliant, eclectic and thought- ports of that time, was a centre of abolitionism, a Enlightenment went on in tea shops,” Welsh says something – really different pieces from different provoking event. place where people were actively fighting against of the venue. “Sugar, tobacco, cotton – all these angles. There’s an essay too, by historian Stephen The Empire Café is at 9pm Sun 10 Aug in the Guardian the idea that you could own other people and use things that make up the quintessential Scottish Mullen, putting everything into context. It’s a Spiegeltent, part of Jura Unbound their labour for profit.” tea table – came from Jamaican slavery.” really textured anthology.”

4 Feature JURA UNBOUND THE SKINNY Luke(y)-likey With Nasty Little Press co-founder Luke Wright bringing a full programme of spoken word to the Book Festival under the banner of Babble On, we arranged a tête-à-tête with his fellow poet, pal and Jura Unbound performer Interview: Michael Pedersen

hen I was starting out in 2008 / 2009, Luke This NLP event at Jura Unbound is of the sorts of things, a writer of theatre shows, she’s Clarke stepped in and were good to us and you WWright was one of the biggest names in the spoken word all-stars ilk. Can you tell us about just written a sitcom with John Osborne that’ll want to be good to people back. We produce the poetry business. It’s safe to say he’s even bigger who’s coming along? appear on Sky in September. Like a lot of people book, they keep all the money and we try and get now: slicker hair, more fastidiously styled and, Martin Newell is maybe the top jewel in who write multi-genre, often poetry has a special them some press and publicity off the back of most importantly, he’s progressed – a powerhouse there. He’s an odd one, in that if you learn to place in their hearts – she really wanted to do a it. If we like working together maybe we’ll do a of the spoken word scene and more prominent understand everything he’s done he’s clearly a book. We published a book of her first show years bit more, if it doesn’t work out then good luck to in publication too. He curates regular nights leading poet of his generation but he doesn’t ago, but I always wanted to work with her in the them. Because NLP isn’t my job, but more of an in London, the Spoken Word Stage at Latitude really (and I think he’d be the first to admit poetry way – that’s where my heart lies. We made enjoyable hobby, if people want to head elsewhere Festival, plus he’s often on the ‘telly’ (which doesn’t this) play the poetry game (i.e. flock to London, a vow to make this happen and now we have – well for future works – to a bigger publisher say – usually happen to poets) and seen touring about crave prizes or get big reviews) – it’s a bit of a nearly, it’ll be ready in the autumn. that’s great for them and fine by us. the country with John Cooper Clarke. Last year hackneyed phrase but he is a Peoples’ Poet. But Tim Clare is such a visceral writer, he Luke and myself re-launched our first full-length then, for example, when his collected works came brings things to life, often in a horrific and gory Who are some of your favourite people to share collections in a joint show at the Edinburgh out a few years ago Germaine Greer volunteered way and then he can be completely surreal too. a bill with and who’s still on your hit list? International Book Festival. This year he’s back with to write the foreword for it – she loves his stuff My favourite poem in his book is where he’s I have to mention John Cooper Clarke – my first a bang – bringing cads and cadres with him and it and she gets it. He writes poems that get you imagining his lover getting decapitated on a ever professional gig was supporting him and I’ve seems he’s many a trick up his sleeve. in the gut and hit you first time out, still they’re roller coaster. Tim was the first full collection gigged with him a lot over the years. I’m really beautifully crafted. NLP published and a great first choice. I was lucky in that I’ve met and gigged with a lot of my Let’s talk about this year, Nasty Little Press and Salena Godden: I love Salena to bits and chuffed he wanted me to do it because he’s such heroes – and that’s not just in poetry, that’s some the Jura Unbound Event. pieces, she’s great. Her poems are great on a great mate and the thing about great mates is of my favourite comedians too. I’ve gigged with I’ve programmed a section of the 2014 Edinburgh the page and a real force when delivered live – they know how flawed you are as a human being. Michael Pedersen now so the list is complete International Book Festival called Babble On there’s nothing like it. Good Cock and Imagine If So with all that knowledge he still wanted to [MP: naturally there was a slight tone to this.] – mainly to bring more spoken word into Jura You Had To Lick are two stand-outs. Salena was come to me. What’s more exciting than heroes is those people Unbound and the main programme. It’s about nine running the Book Club Boutique in Soho when you weren’t expecting – for example three or four events, two of which are Jura Unbound events – we first started and we worked with her on some years ago I was at Arvon, I picked a pamphlet off the first of which is Nasty Little Press. I started of our launches. And then she said to me after the shelf by Catherine Smith – I was just blown Nasty Little Press to get great spoken word one of our nights – something like “I love what “I just wanted to away. A bit later I met her and invited her to acts into print. Also a bit out of the frustrations we’re doing would you be interested in working Latitude to perform, now we’re mates with loads I was having getting my own work to print with with me.” Salena’s been in the game longer than make beautiful of gigs together under our belts. What’s more a publisher. I met a two-year waiting list on a me and I’d always thought she was both cool and exciting than gigging with someone you loved at pamphlet when I wanted it to arrive immediately. talented. So I, of course, said YES, in a flash. I books with people fifteen? So I found four people to publish and made took this as a massive compliment. Luke departs to tend to his children who’ve it happen – myself, Byron Vincent, John Osborne Elvis McGonagall has just had his first Radio I like” made a few cameos throughout the interview: and Martin Figura. Even if we hadn’t done any 4 series, he was on The One Show the other day the customary checking on how long he’s going more books after these, we’d have still got four too. It’s political satire, clever rhyming and he’s Luke Wright to be and post dinner chatter. At one point Luke people swiftly into print (myself included) that very funny in between the poems as well, a sign remarks – “Aidan could you please put some deserved to be in print. It went well, people got of a great performer. Believe it or not, Elvis The Nasty Little Intros series sounds pants on.” Like father like son? Let’s wait and see excited and it didn’t really stop from then on. McGonagall isn’t his real name. The persona interesting – limited releases of mini at Jura Unbound! We’ve done about 20 books now and still seem to is almost a character but there’s lots of him in pamphlets for fresh voices. You’re the elders, Nasty Little Press is at 9pm Fri 15 Aug in the Guardian be punching above our weight. John Osborne got there too. A lover of language, very visceral, it’s they’re the youngsters. Can you tell us a little Spiegeltent, part of Jura Unbound a highly commended in Forward Prize Best Single really funny stuff, alliterative and the words jump about the ethos behind it? Poem last year. I just wanted to make beautiful out. Everyone’s going to be rolling in the aisles Yeah it’s a way of giving support to newer writers. books with people I like – things like that are an for him. There wasn’t much support when we were added bonus. Molly Naylor is our newest signing. She’s all starting out. Martin Newell and John Cooper

July 2014 JURA UNBOUND 5 website, and he was quickly spotted by literary Head succinctly puts it, “appear on cable crowd-funding website Unbound.co.uk. Higgins television with Yvette Fielding and lock members continued to receive overwhelming support from of the boyband McFly in a cellar.” While many 100% Proof: Spirits his online readers, and Unbound.co.uk’s funding authors are awkward in the spotlight, Higgins target was promptly met. appears unfazed: “I don’t think of myself as a The author was then picked up by a natural performer – but it’ll be Laars conducting in the Spiegeltent conventional publisher and given three short the séance, not me.” And to see who from ‘the months to complete the novel – a pressure which other side’ decides to turn up and what they Séance master E.O. Higgins (or is that Laars Head?) would see lesser writers founder, but under which wish to communicate, you only need to be in the talks about breaking on through to the other side, in he fl ourished. “I don’t think I slept for about two of Spiegeltent on 23 August. both publishing and psychic matters those three months! It really sped up the process. Before this I’d spent a long time working on a really long-winded novel that must have got to about “There is no life and Interview: Rosie Hopegood 1000 pages. In fact, it’s in a shoebox somewhere – it’s probably still growing in there.” no death, merely a So what was it about the book that captured his readers’ attention? Most likely it is his misunderstanding improbable hero, the eccentric Trelawney Hart, who, when the novel opens, has suffered a of the ever- breakdown and is holed up in a gentleman’s club in Pall Mall, having replaced his childhood diet decreasing energy of logic and reason with one of cherry brandy and cigarettes. When Arthur Conan Doyle arrives unannounced and asks for his assistance in a vibration. I am at case investigating a medium, Hart agrees half- heartedly and so begins the comic mystery the centre of that that leaves the protagonist questioning his life choices. “It’s really less of a whodunit, and more energy, swaying of a howdunnit,” Higgins comments, and it is perhaps this mix of enigma and humour that has gently” snared him an army of loyal fans. In keeping with the psychical theme of the Laars Head, Psychic novel, Higgins will be hosting a special séance- It’s been an exciting couple of years for styled event at Jura Unbound this year, unlike Higgins, whose unconventional route to success t’s no secret that the last decade has seen wake of the change. Higgins’ success story is a anything the Book Festival has seen before. He has culminated in a nomination for the Book Ithe face of publishing exponentially altered. thoroughly modern one, and the unorthodox will be appearing as his ‘psychic thaumaturge’ Festival's First Book Award. When asked whether The advent of e-books, self-publishing and the manner of his rise to fame was unimaginable a alter ego, the comic creation of Laars Head. Fans he feels confi dent about the award his answer internet have left some publishers running few years ago. With a few draft chapters of the of the author’s work will not be disappointed, sheds good humoured doubt upon his psychic scared, and many writers stifl ed beneath a mass novel under his belt, Higgins stumbled upon as his unique brand of comedy shines through ability. “Um, am I really nominated? This is the fi rst of promotional events, Twitter accounts, blogs Jottify.com, an online community for writers. As in this entertaining sketch. While Conversations I’ve heard of it – wow!” and marketing. he explains, “I posted the fi rst fi ve chapters of with Spirits features a medium who seems to be E.O. Higgins presents Laars Head at 9pm Sat 23 Aug in the Yet there is a fl ipside to all this negativity, my novel-in-progress, and was amazed by the the real deal, this tongue in cheek performance Guardian Spiegeltent, part of Jura Unbound and E.O. Higgins, author of the acclaimed positive response it received.” Within a short will make no such claims but rather poke fun at laarshead.com Conversations with Spirits, is riding high in the time his writing was the most read work on the the sort of psychic performers who, as Higgins/

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6 Feature JURA UNBOUND THE SKINNY Lost is the New Found

anongate Books are one of Scotland’s For Jura Unbound, Canongate explore Clongest established and most exciting what it means to be Lost and Found. Whether publishers. They achieve that rare literary that is through the hedonistic excess of drink alchemy of classy credibility and cult cool. and drugs, the trauma of illness or through the From publishing Alasdair Gray’s momentous sheer pleasure of reading literature. Hosted by Lanark back in the 80s, to launching the global author and comedian Viv Groskop, the night will phenomenon that became Life of Pi, to becoming feature readings, performance and music from the UK publisher of a little known politician the likes of Emma Jane Unsworth, whose new who then became the President of the USA, novel Animals is an unflinching insight into being they have always known how to pick a winner. In young and female; poet and performer Byron tandem with some damn fine Scottish writing, Vincent, whose work explores mental illness, and they continue to publish the most exciting Ella Berthoud, co-author of The Novel Cure, who international voices: Niccolo Ammaniti, Ron Rash offers an A-Z of literary remedies. and Tahmima Anam to name just a few favourites. Join them and more for a night exploring the And in celebrating their 40th anniversary last lines of our limits, how and why we lose control year, they continued to push the envelope (all of consciousness and what stories we find on the puns intended!) with their hugely successful other side when we lose ourselves. Letters Live events (check the Book Festival Canongate Night, 9pm, Mon 11 Aug, free programme on 9 August to find out more).

James Yorkston Hero’s Return

ames Yorkston is becoming something of chucking out time. Ja fixture in the Jura Unbound programme. Musicians like Yorkston encapsulate the ’s finest takes up residence for the Edinburgh strong bonds between literature and music launch of his new album The Cellardyke in Scotland, a nation steeped in storytelling Recording and Wassailing Society, which features regardless of the format. Many an author has contributions from and KT been known to take up the guitar and record an Tunstall. album. Yorkston’s songs are crafted like short Yorkston went down a storm when he stories and if you have read the epilogue of It’s first performed at the Book Festival with The Lovely to be Here, you will see an astute short Pictish Trail and Lisa O’Neill. Earlier that day story-writer-in-waiting. So for this one-off Jura he chatted with about his excellent Unbound night Yorkston is joined by some of the It’s Lovely To Be Here: The Touring Diaries Of A album contributors and specially invited poets Scottish Gent, a humorous, intimate account of and performers to play, tell tales and no doubt the aches and absurdities of life on the road. He further the Festival merriment. returned last year in Jura Unbound to celebrate The Cellardyke Recording and Wassailing Vic Galloway’s book documenting the life of the Society is out on Domino Records on 18 Aug. It is Fence Collective. James, Vic and produced by Alexis Taylor from . sang, talked and entertained audiences late into Shattered ice, Jim Lambie & friends, 9pm, Sun 24 Aug, free the evening, sharing tales and rude jokes until Join the Club Band Books

he Poetry Club is renowned for its nights of of Performance Poetry. Key to the Factory art he Bookshop Band makes a very welcome persuade Ian Rankin to introduce his own song. Tspoken word, music, small-scale theatre and scene, Giorno was a friend and contemporary Treturn to Jura Unbound after the success This year they promise to create another performance art. The story goes that the ever- of many of the most significant 1960s writers of their 2013 debut. Once more they are set to literary kaleidoscope of words and music in the resourceful Glasgow-based artist Jim Lambie and artists, including Ginsberg, Rauschenberg beguile and charm with their own unique brand Book Festival’s Guardian Spiegeltent drawing on had an upcoming collaborative event with writer and Jasper Johns, and was the subject of Andy of words and music. Not only are Poppy Pitt, Beth their extensive back catalogue and performing and punk-pioneer Richard Hell, but rather than Warhol’s experimental 1963 film Sleep. The Porter and Ben Please ridiculously multi-talented new songs, reflecting new work and linking into look for a venue he opted to design and build his Poetry Club’s Jura Unbound evening will continue musicians but they also have the incredibly the World War One anniversary. Alongside the own in the space of six weeks. The Poetry Club with live music from resident band Elara Caluna unnerving ability to take a novel and distil it into a music there will be readings from Kate Mosse in Glasgow successfully blends the excitement plus special guests, and the club’s DJs will bring delicately crafted four minute song. whose short story collection The Mistletoe and immediacy of a pop-up venue with the the night to a close. Since forming in 2010 and first performing Bride has had three stories transformed and over-arching aesthetic of something more Glasgow School of Art alumnus Jim Lambie at Mr B’s Emporium of Reading in Bath, they performed, and Ned Beauman whose novel The permanent. And now that same Poetry Club will is also a musician and DJ who once played in the have recorded an impressive seven albums and Teleportation Accident has been the subject of be in residence at Jura Unbound for one night popular Glaswegian band The Boy Hairdressers, toured the country’s bookshops and festivals two songs and whose brand new story, Glow, will only of indie-art magic. Bringing a sampler of which went on to become Teenage Fanclub. sharing their sounds. No novel is too daunting, inspire a new song. highlights from its past two years, it assembles His art is rich with references to music and his no book too big, no genre too intimidating. If you are suffering from the noise, clutter some of the people who, in Lambie’s words, “give installation Mental Oyster was shortlisted for Authors like Hilary Mantel, China Miéville, Andrey and intensity of Edinburgh in August, a night in the us our dreams.” the Turner Prize back in 2005. He’s currently Kurkov, Armistead Maupin and Eleanor Catton company of The Bookshop Band will revive your First up is John Giorno. Born in New York in exhibiting at The Fruitmarket Gallery. have all fallen under The Bookshop Band’s sagging spirits and have you returning to your 1936 and with a career spanning over 50 years, musical scalpel to be delightfully dissected and bookshelves for that book that’s slipped your mind. Jim Lambie's Poetry Club, 9pm, Sun 17 Aug, free he is considered to be one of the originators musically reborn. Last year they even managed to The Bookshop Band, 9pm, Thu 21 Aug, free

July 2014 JURA UNBOUND 7 What's On

Sun 10 Aug Wed 13 Aug The Empire Café Vic Galloway and friends Jura Unbound opens with a celebration BBC presenter, DJ, journalist and of Glasgow’s Empire Café project author Vic Galloway brings together created by Louise Welsh and a brilliant night of music and words. Jude Barber to explore Scotland’s Music comes from SAY award longlister relationship with the North Atlantic Adam Stafford, The Hazey Janes’ slave trade. Tonight will be a delicious, Andrew Mitchell and singer-songwriter scintillating mixture of poetry, prose, Siobhan Wilson. Readings come from new writing and music, including Anneliese Mackintosh and her debut newly commissioned poetry from story collection Any Other Mouth; Yonder Awa, the Empire Cafe’s poetry Kate Tough and her debut novel Head anthology read by Caribbean and for the Edge, Keep Walking, plus Liam Scottish writers plus performance Murray Bell whose second novel is from hip-hop band Stanley Odd. appropriately called The Busker. Whether writing or singing, you will find Scotland in fine voice this August! Mon 11 Aug Canongate presents: Lost & Found Join host, author and comedian Thu 14 Aug Viv Groskop as she explores what it Neu! Reekie! means to lose ourselves – our minds, Curated by poets and Neu! Reekie! our meaning, our mojo – and how to founders Michael Pedersen and Kevin get it back. Including readings from Williamson, this launch will showcase Emma Jane Unsworth (whose Animals the virile new limbs of the Neu! Reekie! Sat 16 Aug Mon 18 Aug literature – Mantel to Miéville, Catton to has been described as ‘Withnail with literary collective / circus: the bold Page Match Born To Be Wide Kurkov. This year they will be joined by girls’) and Matt Haig (Reasons to Stay birth of Neu! Reekie! Publishing and What is Page Match? Imagine all For 10 years Born To Be Wide has authors Ned Beauman and Kate Mosse, Alive), comedy from self-confessed the snap, crackle and pop of Neu! your favourite spoken word artists provided a focal point for Scotland's who will be reading from their work. neurotic Byron Vincent and live music. Reekie! Records. Expect a greatest smashed together with the razzmatazz music scene, combining discussions, Ella Berthoud, author of The Novel hits style cut to the jib – with past of WrestleMania. This is PAGE MATCH. interviews and self-indulgent DJ sets Cure, will prescribe literary therapy participants including everyone from So join BANG SAID THE GUN for the from invited guests. Join founder and Fri 22 Aug throughout the evening which will push Irvine Welsh to Primal Scream, Liz finest purveyors of stand-up poetry, host Olaf Furniss for a talk show with a Read Y’self Fitter with Andy Miller us beyond our limits and explore our Lochhead to The Pastels, Tom Leonard the Biggest and Toughest Word difference, featuring veteran manager The 4th Estate Literary Salon presents excesses. to Frightened Rabbit, Alasdair Gray to Wrestling Grudge Match Ever: The Simon Napier-Bell and live music. a night of literary confession and David Shrigley, who knows who could Battle for Scottish Independence. This Simon, who managed acts including inspiration. Andy Miller is the author rock-up? is going to hurt. Expect head ripping, the Yarbirds, Wham and Japan, will of The Year of Reading Dangerously, Tue 12 Aug blood curdling, limb breaking, arm be talking about his career and his his account of how to live, love and Syria Speaks: An Evening of locking, lip splitting, eye popping, hair latest book, Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay, most importantly, read the classics Resistance & Celebration Fri 15 Aug raising, knock out prose. DIRECT FROM which charts the history of the music of literature. In Read Y’self Fitter he Reel Festivals presents Syria Speaks, Nasty Little Press RINGSIDE – PAGE MATCH – THIS TIME business. invites you on a whirlwind literary tour a celebration of contemporary Syrian Nasty Little Press publishes distinctive IT’S PERSONAL. to repent, rediscover and refresh your writing and music. With readings from books full of poetry that gets you in reading lives. Samar Yazbek’s Pinter Prize-winning the gut. Their list includes some of Tue 19 Aug war diaries and Malu Halasa’s sly (but Britain’s best loved poet-performers. Sun 17 Aug New Wave Krakow not shy) Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie, Tonight we have sharp satire from Jim Lambie’s Poetry Club We celebrate the 10th anniversary of Sat 23 Aug this event highlights the humour, Elvis McGonagall; bawdy, visceral On the back of his exhibition at The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature E.O. Higgins presents Laars Head resilience and strength of Syrian art, delight from Tim Clare; the tumbling, Fruitmarket Gallery, Jim Lambie hosts with a special evening in partnership & friends even in these most challenging times. breathless, boozy confessions of a special edition of his iconic Poetry with Krakow, the seventh city to earn Join world renowned psychic Through the poetry of Golan Haji, the Salena Godden; witty yet reflective Club. Running since 2012 in Glasgow the status. Krakow is a city steeped medium Laars Head for a séance in adventures of novelist Robin Yassin- words from Molly Naylor; and a rare it has quickly built a reputation for in literature, from 11th century the Spiegeltent. Head, the creation Kassab, and the storytelling and songs Scottish gig from Martin Newell, with presenting cult heroes, legendary scriptoriums to Nobel winner Czesław of author E.O. Higgins, will be joined of the irrepressible Raast Collective, poems that are wistful and gorgeous, icons and new voices from Scotland Miłosz and the iconic Joseph Conrad. by authors that explore the sinister Syria Speaks will make you laugh, cry aching for the past in a chippy and abroad. Tonight is no exception, In recent years Jura Unbound has and the spooky, the ghoulish and the and maybe even dance. tetrameter. Hosted by NLP Editor with American poet and performance enjoyed the likes of Paweł Huelle and unnerving, as well as some special Luke Wright. artist John Giorno and punk musician Olga Tokarczuk from Poland; tonight guests from 'the other side.' Lawrence and his band Go Kart Mozart we discover the next wave of exciting taking to the stage. new writers and musicians. Sun 24 Aug James Yorkston & friends Wed 20 Aug The magnificent James Yorkston Willy Vlautin & friends returns to Jura Unbound for the A very welcome return to Jura Edinburgh launch of his new album Unbound for Willy Vlautin. The author The Cellardyke Recording and and singer of Richmond Fontaine will Wassailing Society. And he is bringing be performing and reading from The some very special guests including Motel Life, Lean on Pete and his new contributors to the album ¨ The Pictish novel, The Free. In addition, he will be Trail and KT Tunstall. joined by fellow authors Michael Pitre, Joseph Boyden and Craig Davidson to explore myths, masculinity and making Mon 25 Aug do in modern North America. Rally & Broad What better way to toast the finale of Jura Unbound than with Edinburgh’s Thu 21 Aug own Rally & Broad. Created and hosted The Bookshop Band by Jenny Lindsay and Rachel McCrum, After their brilliant debut performance Rally & Broad have re-energised in 2013 we are delighted to welcome the city’s live literature scene in back Beth, Poppy and Ben to beguile recent years. Join them for a special us with their beautiful book-inspired Ampersand Edition, bringing together ballads. Their musical versatility is artists from different art forms paired with courageous creativity to create original collaborations, in crafting miniature musical including poets Don Paterson and Ryan masterpieces from a startling array of Van Winkle, plus many more.

8 JURA UNBOUND THE SKINNY