Paterson is an award-winning poet
Music is his first passion – he went from musician to poet in the 90s. Paterson used music to access his memories. memories of memories
His new autobiography Toy Fights is from 1963 – 1983, which received top reviews.
The Tay Bridge was built, shopping centre and industries shutting down – the rage against poverty.
His father was a musician and ran the Dundee folk club. His grandfather was a minister in the United Free church.
DC Thompson high school – invisible cities, on top of each other.
He had a breakdown and was in hospital – ‘destruction of yourself in your core, thousands of fragments/ loss of self.'
Obsessive, addictive personalities. First inspired poetry by Tony Harrison on BBC.
Scotland’s cultural identity – there’s been an increase in confidence and more international. Plus the Kailyard school.
We don’t have full devolution and we don’t know who we are.’
“Poetry is more of a diagnostic way of thinking about language.”
