Star: I’m thrilled programme raised profile of Ivor the Great
Getting back on the road gives KT Tunstall another reason to celebrate after being nominated for a Scottish Bafta.
She’s in the running in the specialist factual category for the documentary she made about maverick poet and musician Ivor Cutler, who died in 2006 at 83, at the ceremony next month.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all. When you make a documentary about Ivor Cutler, the last thing you expect is an award nomination. It was a wonderful adventure making it. I would love to see the brilliant work of Jackie Maclean, who was director of photography and producer, being recognised. She sadly passed away and she was such a delight to work with – she loved her job and loved storytelling through camera.”
Tunstall, who will release a new studio album next year, says Cutler’s surreal words, music and independent spirit helped her when she was at the height of her fame and feeling stressed.
“There was escapism in listening to him. My music at the time felt quite polished, and my vibe is not that, so it was nice listening to something that felt a bit imperfect and intimate.
“Ivor worked outside the lines of convention and reminds you that you can do whatever you want. It’s good to have artists that remind you of that.
“Every time the documentary has been on TV, I’ve had messages on social media from people saying how much they appreciated it – from people who knew and loved him, and people who’d never heard of him. It’s a nice opportunity to introduce more people to him.
“There is a real lack of weirdness and surrealism in pop culture these days, so someone like Ivor should be celebrated.
“I was so pleased Noel Fielding was part of the documentary, as he’s one of the very few iconic artists in the UK who is following on that very British tradition of surrealist comedy. It feels these days that everything is very controlled and has to be easily digestible.
“There’s a lack of things that challenge us, where it’s completely open to interpretation and we’re not being spoon-fed. It can mean whatever it means to you.”