Entertainment

Arts Q&A: Ian Sansom on Nick Cave, Just William and My Yiddishe Momme

Jenny Lee puts performers and artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week, Bangor-based author Ian Sansom

Ian Sansom's new book The Sussex Murder is out now
Ian Sansom's new book The Sussex Murder is out now Ian Sansom's new book The Sussex Murder is out now

1. When did you think about a career in writing and what were your first steps into it? I've never really thought of writing as a career: for me, it's more of a necessary habitual activity, like ironing or sorting the recycling. It was Flann O'Brien, I believe, who said that writing was a form of vocational malfunction – I'd say I have been vocationally malfunctioning for almost as long as I can remember, at least since I left school.

2. Best gigs you’ve been to? Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: that was a long time ago and they were magnificently shambolic. Al Green: again, a long time ago and I remember he wore a white suit and gave out red roses to the women in the audience. I thought that was very classy. And more recently, Go Go Penguin at the Roundhouse in London. Jazz for people who don't like jazz.

3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band? I'd have Itzhak Perlman with the Klezmatics to get things started, then Brad Mehldau for a solo set, with a guest appearance from the Tuvan throat singer Sainkho Namtchylak, Angelique Kidjo doing a live version of her recent reinterpretation of Talking Heads' Remain in Light, finishing with Sleaford Mods DJing. If anyone is interested in helping me organise this fantasy wedding do let me know. We'd also need catering.

4. The record you’d take to a desert island? In 1928 Sophie Tucker recorded a version of My Yiddishe Momme – English on one side, Yiddish on the other. My grandmother used to sing it when I was young. It's pure schmaltz, but a little bit of schmaltz goes a very long way.

5. And the book? I'd take the 20-volume second edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.

6. Top three films? Groundhog Day, Stalker and Caro Diario.

7. Worst film you’ve seen? I've seen so many bad films I can't even begin to remember them.

8. Favourite authors? Richmal Crompton – the Just William books. I wish I'd written the Just William books. Clarice Lispector: she was a Brazilian novelist and short story writer; she's wonderful. And George Eliot. George Eliot was my first love. And you never get over your first love.

9. Sport you most enjoy and top team? I often think that the only thing my education has ever given me is a sense of shame in taking so much pleasure in boxing. I love boxing. And MMA.

10. Ideal holiday destination? My ideal holiday destination would be northern Italy. My actual holiday destination is usually our back garden – and for all its wonders and beauties Co Down, alas, is no Liguria.

11. Pet hate? Rabbits. We had rabbits as pets when the children were little. I don't know why. We sort of inherited them. You don't get a lot of love out of a rabbit.

12. What’s your favourite:

Dinner? Anything anyone else made me.

Dessert? I'd just go straight to cheese.

Drink? Black tea with a slice of lemon.

13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other? My best friend? Gosh. I like to think we're all friends. Aren't we?

14. Is there a God? I don't know. You'd be better asking a rabbi or a priest. It's outside my area of expertise.

:: Join Ian Sansom in conversation with David Torrans as they too get caught up in the chaos and the mystery of the fifth instalment of his County Guides: The Sussex Murder at The Crescent on Friday June 14, as part of The Belfast Book Festival. For full programme and tickets visit Belfastbookfestival.com