James Yorkston: book and live music

It's a joy to have James Yorkston visit the Tree House, with his new book as well as his wonderful music.

James is a singer-songwriter and author from the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. Since signing to Domino Records in 2001, James has released a steady flow of highly acclaimed albums, leading to him touring his music worldwide.

He has a new book out - Callum, Reine, Sylvie and Sparrow - from which he ​will be reading, as well as playing songs from his 20-year career.

A bit more about James

James’ 2025 album, ‘Songs for Nina and Johanna’ is a collection of duets with Nina Persson of The Cardigans and Johanna Söderberg of First Aid Kit and earned James and Nina a slot on Later… With Jools Holland (September 2025) as well as BBC6 sessions for Huw Stephens, Marc Riley and Gideon Coe.

Like most of Yorkston's best work, Songs for Nina and Johanna succeeds not only because of his talents as a songwriter, but by his choices as a collaborator – AllMusic 8/10

A likeable collection of songs about family and companionship. .... The happy point where Belle And Sebastian meets Stephen Sondheim – Mojo 8/10

While his two female stars certainly elevate his songs, Yorkston shows that he can still kick it on his own as a singer with his distinguished group – Pop Matters 8/10

A record which explodes Yorkston's typically understated, open-hearted songwriting with a fierce emotional interplay between the three voices at work here – Record Collector 8/10

James’s 2023 album, ‘The Great White Sea Eagle’, is a collaboration with Nina Persson (The Cardigans).

All Music 9/10 -“Some of the most beautiful and moving music he's made, which is high praise indeed”

Under the Radar – “On The Great White Sea Eagle, Yorkston shows again that he is a significant 21st century songwriter. It’s a beautiful, hand-made collection of natural and unforced songs to be treasured.”

Clash – “A work of real refinement, ‘The Great White Sea Eagle’ is peppered with jewels.”
 
James’ 2021 album ‘The Wide, Wide River’ was called “Another fascinating, curious contribution to the Scottish musician’s constantly eddying catalogue” by The Guardian, “A beautiful experience” by Clash and “Another career highlight” by The Scotsman.
With his Yorkston / Thorne / Khan project, James explores his love of traditional and experimental music, mixing them with Indian Classical music. Y/T/K's 2020 release, Navarasa, was The Guardian's Folk Album of the Year.

James has had published four books – the novel ‘3 Craws’, and the memoir ‘It’s Lovely to be Here – The Touring Diaries of a Scottish Gent’. James’ second novel, ‘The Book of the Gaels’ (Oldcastle Press, 2022) was a Times Newspaper Book of the Month and one of their Historical Fiction Books of the Year. 2025’s novel ‘Tommy The Bruce’, The Sunday Mail called “An outstandingly well written, emotionally complex slice of Scottish noir”

James also runs a diverse club night ‘Tae Sup wi’ a Fifer’ and hosts the music podcast 46-30, which explores “Quality Music of no fixed Abode”.

We will be serving soft drinks, but feel free to bring your own drinks of any kind. We have corkscrews, glasses, etc.

Doors 7pm
Music 7.30pm

Artist photo: Ren Rox

BOOK NOW