Ivor Cutler: A Life Outside the Sitting Room

Ivor Cutler: A Life Outside the Sitting Room marks the first biography of one of post-war Britain's most distinctive authors, poets, and performers. Mr. Cutler, as he preferred to be known, wrote and recorded some of the most unusual and memorable songs and poems in British popular culture, including the hilariously unsettling 'Life in a Scotch Sitting Room' series.

Often described by fans and commentators as an outsider due to his eccentric behaviour both on and off stage, in many respects he was an insider. He spent thirty years working as a primary school teacher, garnered a dedicated fanbase from the heart of the cultural and social establishment, and frequently appeared on mainstream media. He was one of the first—if not the first—performers to appear on BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, and 4, and notably recorded more John Peel sessions than any other act apart from The Fall.

This book draws on evidence from official documents, print and broadcast media; archive interviews with Ivor Cutler, his close friends and family, fans and collaborators; and new interviews with fans, friends, and fellow performers. Contributors include musical and acting collaborators who have never before been interviewed about their experiences with Mr. Cutler.