smudie

I'm a Scottish lyricist based in Paris, writing in English across indie, alternative, folk and experimental styles.

I like lyrics that tell stories, capture awkward moments and find something unexpected in ordinary situations. My writing ranges from playful and humorous to reflective and occasionally dark, often with a conversational voice and a fondness for wordplay.

I'm particularly interested in the things people say, the things they leave unsaid, and the distance between the two.

I write lyrics for the pleasure of writing them, and I'm happy to see other musicians bring their own interpretations to my words.

I'm originally from Dundee, Scotland, and have lived in Paris since 2001.

I've been writing poetry and lyrics for many years, exploring relationships, memory, humour, everyday life and the occasional absurdity.

I'm a member of Hitzak, a Paris-based collective combining original music, spoken word and poetry. I perform my texts alongside an ensemble of musicians, with whom I've played concerts in France and toured Galicia, Spain.

My experience with Hitzak has given me an appreciation of the different ways music can transform a text, and of how words and instruments can work together without either simply illustrating the other.

Alongside my work with the group, I maintain a collection of independent lyrics, some of which I'm now making available for other musicians to interpret.