You've collaborated with some mighty fine artists. Which Broken Family band recordings are you on? Did you tour with them? Had you heard they've split?

I saw TBFB at the Strawberry Fair in Cambridge many moons ago, I was hooked immediately. By some strange twist of fate I ended up accidentally meeting Steve Adams over the phone later that week, and was invited to sing on The King Will Build a Disco and a couple of years later, Jesus Songs. I have never been on tour with them, but have guested with them if we've been in the same place at the same time. I love them very much, and am having a hard time coming to terms with the split.

Your creative relationship with Karine and Steven Polwart seems really rewarding. When did you first meet her? Have you plans for next year together?

Working with Karine and Steven is very rewarding. Steven is a meticulous player, so very reliable, and Karine brings us beautiful, thought provoking material to work with. We met almost a decade ago now, I had seen her live a couple of times and had been reduced (or maybe elevated?) to tears. I was thrilled to be asked to guest with the band in 2004. I'm involved in a Celtic Connections concert which is jointly MD'd by Karine and Brian McAlpine, it sounds quite interesting, others involved include Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh of Deacon Blue, Andy M Stewart and Craig Armstrong. We also have plans to do some recording in February before taking a break from the KPT to allow for more babies! (both Karine and Steven are expecting)

When Harem Scarem worked with Will 'Bonnie Price Billy' Oldman on the 'Is It The Sea' what was that like? Was there quite specific lines along which you worked or was it more open?

The collaboration between Will and Harem Scarem was funded by the Arts Council, so we had 10 days of rehearsing before we embarked on the tour, a total luxury for folk musicians. This allowed us to experiment a bit with different instrumentation and work out some pretty elaborate harmony vocal parts. The album was a live recording of our third gig (recorded by the BBC at the Queen's Hall Edinburgh) It was a very enjoyable gig, but in a way I'd have much rather recorded the gigs later on in the tour, as the music developed with every gig as we all found our place.

You've made a contribution to the forthcoming compilation of Sandy Wright covers with your husband Martin Green. Do you know Sandy? Tell us a about the song.

Yes, I know Sandy very well. When Martin and I first moved down to the Lothians we shared a house with Sandy. He was an inspiration to live with, always playing, always singing, very generous with his knowledge. The song we chose to cover, Tears of the Sun, has a sort of mystical lyric which we felt leant itself to some unusual glitchy instruments and vocal manipulation. I also got to use my Sansula for the first time on this recording.

How is it working with your husband on projects such as Sandy's and The Martin Green Machine?

Martin is a real musical visionary. He's very easy to work with as he has an open mind, and a great respect for other musicians. Both the above mentioned projects were easy peasy because of his nature.

Are there some dates planned for the new album?

Right now I'm working on getting some summer festivals so... hopefully.

http://www.ingethomson.com/

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