AC Scott Talks Latest Single, Forthcoming Debut Album And More

After emerging as one of the UK’s most unexpected new songwriting voices, AC Scott (Alison Craig) releases her deeply moving single ‘Sometimes’ (out now via Right Track/Universal Distribution), ahead of her debut album arriving in early 2026. We spoke to her here:

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

My Dad playing his banjo anywhere and everywhere and our house full of party animals, singing and playing and me in my pyjamas age 7 being asked to play the piano amongst them all.

 

When did you begin songwriting?

2 years ago I wrote my first song, Sometimes which is my debut single. After a weekend at the Secret Coast Songwriters retreat in Scotland I realised after all these years the noise in my head were songs, the floodgates opened and it’s been pouring out of me since then.

 

You have your debut album ‘Out Of The Blue’ set for release in 2026. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

It was an organic process with no plan. I didn’t write songs thinking there would be an album. I just wanted to love it. And I do. Every single note.

Being the new kid on the block I stood back and listened to as much advice as I could garner from the amazing people I have been so fortunate to work with. Andrew Rollins, Kate Hyman, Keith Blackhurst, Kevin Salem, Bill Gill all living legends.

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

I cant fly as I have LAM a rare lung condition so I took a boat to the US, drove to LA over 10k miles to work with Andrew Rollins, which was a dream. He is an Emmy award winning songwriter and producer who has worked with everyone from Chaka Khan to BB King. From the day he heard Sometimes he has believed in me. I did some mixing in London with Kevin Salem, another huge talent and of course I did a lot of recording here in Scotland.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Being a Scot I am aware that sometimes I speak so quickly it is hard to make out what I say. So there I was in LA, in a recording studio singing and we stopped for a second and I explained in what I thought was a slow and comprehensible way what I thought about that take, and I was met with a series of glass eyed expressions and someone piped up sheepishly ‘I’m sorry but we have absolutely no idea what you just said’

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

I am a piano addict so always a piano, I have a Juno DS which I got on Ebay, the old Yamaha that I learnt to play on when I was a kid and a Roland HP507 about 15 years old. I’m a singer songwriter so if I have a piano of any sort I am good to go. Andrew and Kevin are the magicians when it comes to interpreting my ideas, we talk, they understand, and the end result to me is perfect.

 

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

a. Happiest Never Too Late, it’s my story about no matter what people say, or what your inner voice tells you, follow your heart, anything is possible. It was my first co/write with Andrew in LA. Amongst the pal trees and sunshine. Very happy.

b. Trouble Ahead is the angriest, my new wave, alternative bones came out in this one. Spencer Rollins produced it, and played on it too, Kevin Salems guitars have a Clash like thwack in this which I love.

c. Most reflective. Highlands which is the story of that shift when you return home every so often and see the heartbreaking changes in your parents and their inevitable decline. It was cathartic, I sobbed like a baby when I wrote it as many do when they hear it. It’s the hardest thing I have done writing that.

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?

Surrounded by brilliance. It’s hard to take it in really.

Andrew Rollins guitar he has played with everyone from BB King, Joe Walsh and a million others I just sit jaw hanging open when he plays. Andrew did all the string arrangements too, a classically trained musician he can bring all of this to the party so it is a fully immersive experience.

Kevin Salem guitar is a thing of joy, first time I heard it I woke my husband up in the middle of the night and ‘oh my God listen to this’ When in studio with him this year I felt like I was in there with Prince.

Spencer Rollins another great guitar player.

Gregg Cash Bass player from LA who can turn his hand to anything and is one of life’s natual born enthusiasts.

Cody Rahn drummer who can thrash it out or barely touch the vellum, his touch is magical.

Garrison Starr a wonderful country singer did some BVS on some of the tracks/ check her stuff out she is an amazing artist in her own right.

Cameron Henderson a fiddle player who can in a heartbeat have you dancing and the next sobbing, a genius on the violin.

Does the album’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

Yes. This whole journey has come out of the blue, I never sang or wrote songs until 2 years ago and now it was changed my life. I had no idea this thing was in me I was talking to Kate Hyman one day and she used the expression Out Of The Blue…and we both stopped and went…Yup that’s it!

Was it a difficult album to write?

No I had the songs, too many songs, the hardest part was whittling them down to 12 for the vinyl. I am a working on my next album and don’t tell the guys they will freak out…the one after that too…I don’t know when this rollercoaster of songs will stop so I am going with the flow till it does.

 

Who designed the album artwork?

Carol Gordon a great photographer in Edinburgh took some shots and one of them seemed the natural choice as I look basically very happy. Gail Turpin a graphic designer and artist in Edinburgh put it all together for me. Two very talented women I am blessed to have in my corner.

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Edinburgh, beautiful, historic, friendly, buzzy, eclectic.

 

How do you look after your voice?

Good question. I don’t really. I just look after myself and hope that includes my voice. I must google that! Thanks .

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

Yes I am rehearsing at the moment with my double bass player Jenny Hill to do some low key gigs round Edinburgh in anticipation of the album launch which will be in Edinburgh and London.

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

That people have enjoyed their evening, laughed maybe cried but are happy to have joined the party.

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

One day a grand piano, a Bechstein…but any keyboard and I am happy.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I had a 3 book deal with Orion and my first novel was picked up as a potential film by Jason Connery and we worked on the screenplay during lockdown but as we did so all I heard was the music..so would send him little snippets of music which he was really surprised about, that’s when the penny dropped that I should go and find out what this is all about. It’s not dead in the water to it would have to be this one.

One of the tracks is the single ‘Sometimes’. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?

That was the first song I wrote, it was about being so low and yet trying to keep it together but finally having to give in and admit you can’t get your head off the pillow. I had a period of seriously bad health and thought my number was up, so it’s about resilience, determination and acceptance that things will always change and you will survive…the lyrics can be interpreted in any number of ways… my son when he heard it said ‘Mum are you having an affair?’ it means different things to different people. The answer to that was a resounding no by the way.

Do you have any visualisers to accompany the album?

No.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Marianne Faithful, Chrissie Hynde, Talking Heads, Margot Price, Jesse Welles, Blue Nile,

 

What makes AC Scott happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happy surrounded by people making music.

Unhappy knowing the behemoths that run the music industry have no respect for the creatives who produce the material that makes them jaw droppingly rich and don’t compensate them in anyway whatsoever. Unhappy that the biggest artists in the world who do have the power to affect change by shouting about it and holding these guys to ransom on behalf of all of us, don’t.

 

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Fifth Element PR

AC Scott’s  debut single ‘Sometimes’ is out now via Right Track/Universal Distribution.

Listen Here: https://lnk.to/SometimesACSCOTT

The debut album Out Of The Blue is due in 2026.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acscottsings/