Carrie Marshall & Laura Jane Wilkie: Small Town Joy(s)

This week, we’re at the glorious Glasgow Women’s Library with musician and writer Carrie Marshall, whose fab new book is SMALL TOWN JOY: from Glam Rock to Hyperpop: How Queer Music Changed the Sound of Scotland. It’s out now via 404 Ink, and features interviews with Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry, Garbage’s Shirley Manson, and Horse, and so many other incredible voices. 

Her previous book, Carrie Kills A Man, is a tale of growing up in a world that doesn’t want you, how it feels to throw a hand grenade into your life, and ripping it up and starting again - from coming out to navigating parenthood as a trans woman… 

We’re joined by excellent fiddle player and composer Laura Jane Wilkie, whose gorgeous album, Vent, is centred around waulking songs - ancient women’s work songs from the Highlands and Islands, often sung while beating and softening tweed - and often infused with gossip, along with a sense of humour, love, safety, power, community - and freedom. 

Laura’s also performed with Man of the Minch - oh, he gets some love in here - along with The GRIT Orchestra, Shooglenifty, Siobhan Miller, and as we speak she’s bidding a fond farewell to the Kinnaris Quintet.

We recorded this at Glasgow Women’s Library, which is an utterly wonderful place that absolutely deserves the sanctuary status that it’s just been awarded… I’ve been a fan for many years, but it was library love at first sight for Carrie and Laura…

(There are always ace exhibitions on too - we loved the ‘Keys To My Mind’ installation, as you can see, with works by GWL’s adult literacy and numeracy members - but there’s always something interesting going on…)

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