This year’s Book Festival set out to ignite imagination and inspire change – and Saturday’s final event delivered on that promise with flair. In a memorable conversation hosted by broadcaster Vic Galloway, two iconic figures from Scotland’s cultural scene – Stuart Murdoch, frontman of Belle and Sebastian, and David Keenan, celebrated author and former proprietor of the legendary Glasgow record shop Volcanic Tongue – came together to explore music, memory, writing, and the enduring power of belief.
Murdoch was there to discuss his debut novel, Nobody’s Empire, a deeply personal work inspired by his own experiences in the early 1990s. With characteristic openness, he shared that writing the novel was less a choice and more a necessity – “something I had to do to stay alive,” he explained. The book mirrors key aspects of his own life: forming a band, traveling to California, and navigating life in Glasgow while also grappling with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Through fiction, he sheds light on the isolating reality of an often-misunderstood condition, as well as the institutional neglect faced by those who suffer from it.
Keenan, meanwhile, introduced his latest book- also titled Volcanic Tongue, subtitled A Time Travelling Evangelist’s Guide to Late 20th Century Underground Music. It’s a love letter to subversive sound, chronicling an expansive and often overlooked musical underground. When asked what connected the artists he profiled, Keenan spoke of a shared sense of conviction: a refusal to compromise, a determination to create with or without support. It’s not about chasing success, he suggested, but about believing – fiercely, even stubbornly – in the music.
That same conviction was echoed in the event’s recurring theme: spiritual seeking. Murdoch described himself as a Christian who also explores Buddhist philosophy. “The Church is its own worst enemy,” he said. “Buddhists say, ‘Come on in – you don’t need to believe in anything.’ Church is just so prohibitive.” Keenan, too, spoke of his spiritual life, defining himself as someone of faith, not belief. Their reflections opened a wider discussion on the present moment and its importance in both spiritual and creative practice. For Keenan, the present is a timeless portal—where all things happen. For Murdoch, it’s a form of mental refuge: a way to leave the past behind, keep the future at bay, and stay grounded in hope.
Throughout the evening, what shone through was a shared love of music, storytelling, and the sheer act of creating. Murdoch’s novel pulses with emotion and resilience, while Keenan’s encyclopaedic knowledge is matched by his infectious enthusiasm. If his book didn’t send the audience home with a to-do list of obscure bands to explore, it certainly inspired them to dig deeper into the world of underground music.
The evening wrapped up with a touching performance from Murdoch—an early Belle and Sebastian song that brought a gentle, nostalgic close to the night. For many in the audience, it was more than just an ending—it was a personal invitation to remember their own musical awakenings.
Joe Smith.
