AC Scott’s journey to releasing her debut single “Sometimes” is a whole new beginning. Known to many as Alison Craig, Sony Award–winning broadcaster, novelist, screenwriter, and familiar voice across the airwaves, she spent years talking about music rather than making it. But a life-altering diagnosis, deep personal reflection, and a return to the piano she first played at five years old changed everything.
Now surrounded by her late father’s instruments, songs pour out of her in the quiet of the night and on long drives across continents. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and refusing to let time dictate dreams. We sat down with AC Scott to talk about her remarkable new chapter, the power of starting again, and why, sometimes, chaos is the perfect place to create.
Thanks so much for speaking to us! You’ve lived so many creative lives, broadcaster, novelist, screenwriter, now songwriter. What was it about music that called you back after all these years?
Thanks for asking me ! It was always about the music from day 1, I started playing the piano age 5, first job was in a record shop, VJ, radio DJ for my whole working life til my lungs collapsed and I thought my life was over. Music has always been a huge part of my life, I realised how visceral a connection it is when my Dad died and I couldn’t play the piano for 2 years. The introspection that my illness elicited has set me on this path. Ironically taking me from the most desperate place to the happiest I have ever been.
“Sometimes” feels intensely personal. Was it hard to decide to share something that raw with the world?
It was the first song I wrote and letting someone hear it was terrifying. I had no idea if it was even a song, it was such a personal confession of desperation and sadness. It is truthful and warts and all it’s the only way I know how to be.
You’ve spoken about writing at your father’s desk, surrounded by his instruments. What does that space mean to you now?
It looks like I have been burgled, it’s a mess and I love it. I can be unselfconsciously me. A broken Bohran, a couple of banjos, his fiddle, so many memories it is the most comforting place to hide away and write, my safe place as long as I keep the door shut as I don’t want anyone seeing the chaos.
Your story embodies an idea of “never too late.” Do you feel like society undervalues creative rebirth later in life?
I think the possibilities are endless. The cliché of being less of a person as you age is being turned on it’s head. The joy of age is experience, having a lot to say, not giving a toss,
You’ve said that songs just “pour out” of you now. Do you think your past experiences prepared you for this moment?
It is therapy pure and simple. Reflecting on a life well lived, with the extremes of good and bad that comes with, is an endless well of material.
What kind of environment helps you create, silence, chaos, night-time, coffee?
Driving! Every time I am in the car something pops into my head. I love driving and as I cant fly I drive all over the place – last year I drove from East coast to west coast USA and back again over 10k miles in 5 weeks with my iphone clamped to my hand as ideas ping into my head. Also sitting brain in neutral staring out the window sitting at the piano just letting go seeing where it takes me.
What’s been the most surprising or joyful moment of this new musical chapter so far?
The whole thing – just deciding to ride this train til I get booted off. Having my songs and voice endorsed by serious music industry legends, sailing from UK to the US, recording in LA with Andrew Rollins at his studio…I could go on and on…really every step has been a huge surprise and I have never been happier.
Are there particular songs or moments on your upcoming album that you’re especially proud of or excited for people to hear?
Never too late – is the second single which is my story. I hope it will inspire others to follow their hearts, ignore the doubters and the dreaded imposter syndrome and to just go for it! If it can happen to me it can happen to anyone. And Highlands – a song which I sobbed whilst writing. It’s about my parents, my Mums alzheimers, putting into words those feelings was so hard but I am so proud of that.
You draw inspiration from your Scottish roots. Do you think where we come from always finds its way into our art?
Consciously or subconsciously yes. It’s in our DNA. One of these days I am going to get a bagpipe into a song – AC/DC did it. Paul McCartney did it. I think I heard you cringe there. Ha!
Who or what inspires you right now, in life, not just in music?
My producer Andrew Rollins, amazing producer/Emmy award winning songwriter who is undergoing his 17th operation in a year. He remains strong, positive and a tower of strength to me despite his difficulties. Puts everything into perspective it really does.