SML Presents James Yorkston plus Emily Portman

James Yorkston is a singer-songwriter and author from the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. Since 2001, he has released a series of acclaimed albums on Domino Records and toured them worldwide. His most recent album, 2025's Songs for Nina and Johanna is a collection of duets with Nina Persson of The Cardigans and Johanna of First Aid Kit and earned James and Nina a slot on Later... With Jools Holland, as well as BBC6 sessions for Huw Stephens, Marc Riley and Gideon Coe. "Travelling with James Yorkston, Persson, Söderberg, and all their friends is a journey entirely devoid of cliché, full of adventure, and impossible to tire of." - Popmatters.

James most recent novel is due in October 2026 - Callum, Reine, Sylvie and Sparrow - A fragmentary novel by James Yorkston. Nine interwoven fictional tales involving Callum, a journalist and musician, alongside his friends, lovers and family. Includes: Music, travel, lochs, love, despair, strippers, football, antiquarian books, Scotland, Ireland, goodies and baddies and everything else that matters in the world. Perhaps.

'Yorkston is a brilliant writer, he never fails to deliver something unique' - Sam Heughan

'An outstandingly well written, emotionally complex slice of Scottish noir' - The Mail on Sunday on Tommy The Bruce

'There are echoes of Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain... This slim, punchy book is extraordinarily powerful' - The Times on The Book of the Gaels

'I absolutely love this book... The story flows effortlessly... An unsentimental and unflinching miracle of remembrance' - Jarvis Cocker on The Book of the Gaels.

Emily Portman is an award-winning singer and songwriter whose new album, Dominion of Spells, brings her distinctive songwriting to the fore in a spellbinding exploration of women’s lives and voices through folktales and ballads of transformation.

Hailed by Uncut as ‘one of the new British folk scene’s most beguiling presences’, Emily has spent over 15 years touring and recording as a solo artist, band leader and collaborator. She has released three critically acclaimed albums of original songs, including Coracle, which earned international recognition and festival appearances across Europe.

Emily is also a member of award-winning folk collective The Furrow Collective, with whom she has released four acclaimed albums of traditional song. Her collaborations include a duo with Rob Harbron, Sea Song Sessions with Jon Boden and Seth Lakeman, and appearances with Martin Simpson and the Waterson: Carthy Family. She is a BBC Folk Award winner for Best Original Song.