Sometimes, stories find us—hidden in forgotten notes, faded tickets, or photographs tucked between the pages of old books. At the second-hand bookshop in Culzean Castle, these lost fragments of someone’s life have been carefully preserved on a notice board titled Things Found In Books. It was this collection that inspired Yvonne Lyon and Boo Hewerdine to create their new album of the same name.

This record is an attempt to bring back the memories of those whose traces remain on the shelves of old bookshops. Yvonne and Boo, each with a remarkable musical legacy, have joined forces to turn these lost moments into stories filled with warmth, melancholy, and hope. We spoke with them about the making of the album, the magic of chance discoveries, and how music can uncover the secrets of the past.

photo by @yvonnelyonmusic

There is a certain magic in the discarded mementos that emerge from between well-thumbed pages. Your new album ‘‘Things Found In Books’’ draws inspiration from these subtle, often overlooked elements of humanity’s collective memory. How did this concept first capture your imagination and guide you toward creating an entire body of work around these forgotten fragments?

Yvonne saw the noticeboard at the secondhand bookshop at Culzean Castle where they pinned interesting ephemera that feels from the pages of donated books. She. Quite rightly, saw that this could be a rich source of inspiration for a song cycle. She contacted me and asked if I’d like to be involved. I was.

Within any artistic collaboration, there can be a remarkable interplay of distinct creative voices. In your case, one can picture two seasoned storytellers stepping into that second-hand bookshop, sharing discoveries, and bonding over the unpredictability of the items found. How do you balance each other’s influences when writing songs and deciding on the final arrangements?

I’ve been an admirer of Yvonne for some years now. I had an instinct that we would work together well. A good collaboration is a wonderful creative space and takes a project beyond the constraints we sometimes put on ourselves when flying solo. We let the items suggest not only the songs but the musical arrangements too.

This album arrives with a special physical edition—a bespoke CD book—placed in the hands of listeners, bridging the gap between music and tactile storytelling. How crucial was it for you to present these songs in a form that echoes the tangible charm of those original found objects?

The book was always an important element of the project. We thought it vital to make something physically beautiful. We want Things Found In Books to be as immersive as possible.

Culzean Castle’s second-hand bookshop stands in a setting enriched by the rugged Scottish coast. Given that geography and environment often shape an artist’s mindset, in what ways has Scotland’s landscape—or perhaps the very atmosphere of Culzean Castle—infused itself into these songs?

Secondhand bookshops are miraculous places. Conduits for the movement of human expression. And so very human. It was the shop itself that was the star. The castle too second billing!

Scotland has such a strong cultural identity, and it often feels like the people are a big part of what makes it so unique. From your perspective, what are people in Scotland like in terms of temperament? 

Oh! I think (as an Englisher in Glasgow) that people are people wherever I go. Yvonne is from Greenock but primarily  my super talented pal. Having said that I do love living here.

People often say that true magic lies in the little things. Your album is literally built on this idea. Among the found objects, was there anything that struck you as particularly unusual or unexpectedly moving?

I was particularly moved by the empty packet of Navy Cut cigarettes. A memento of a lost relative? And possibly the very thing that took that loved one away.

You’re both highly experienced musicians, but this project feels like something truly special, almost like a new challenge. Were there any moments where you had to step out of your creative comfort zone?

It was all outside our comfort zones! That was the deepest joy of the whole experience.

Stepping away from music for a moment, you both seem like people who enjoy finding unusual things. Do you have a favorite place for discoveries, whether it’s a flea market, an antique shop, or even someone’s attic?

Both Yvonne and I do other things but all related to artists expression. She is an accomplished visual artist and I am not! I produce records, run workshops and love mentoring people to aid them in their musical ambitions.

Your album will probably make listeners think about their own “lost” stories—old letters, photographs, or notes. How do you personally preserve your memories? Or do you keep everything in your music?

We all have boxes of treasured items that will be inexplicable to those that find them when we are gone…

10. Finally, after all the hard work and inspiration that went into this album, how are you both planning to celebrate its release? Anything fun or special lined up?

We are touring bookshops and book fairs throughout the year. And THAT will be fun.

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