James Yorkston, The Fulford Arms, York, October 8

Starting out as an integral part of the Fence Collective, Fife folk singer-songwriter James Yorkston caught the ear of John Peel with his debut single Moving Up Country. He has since released eight studio albums, his latest being The Cellardyke Recording And Wassailing Society. Produced by Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor, it features KT Tunstall, The Pictish Trail, Rob Smoughton, Fimber Bravo and his long-term collaborators, double bass player Jon Thorne and violinist Emma Smith.

CHARLES HUTCHINSON asks James about an album that connects the intimacy of his home-town life with the camaraderie of good friends.

Who or what is the Cellardyke Recording And Wassailing Society, James?

"It was just a fun name I came up with for the album. It references many things; the word 'wassailing' has a few different origins and meanings, but for me I was taking it to be welcoming the new season, the future, plus drinking to friendships old and new.

"I also enjoyed the cider connotation – wassailing is commonly associated with singing to apple trees to help the cider crop – as Doogie, my old bass player, was a big fan of the cider and there's a few songs about his passing on the record. Finally, myself, King Creosote & Pictish Trail played together for a while as The 3 Craws and I enjoyed that time and that reference – CRAWS being the acronym of the title. Oh, and Cellardyke is where I live."

Why did you choose Alexis Taylor to produce this album?

"There was a few different reasons. Firstly, I didn't have time to produce the album at home myself – my family life is too chaotic – so I knew that we'd have to record the songs from scratch in a studio somewhere. Once I'd made that decision, it made sense to bring someone in to help out and again it made sense to ask someone who's not especially known for doing acoustic music – just to see what they could bring to the table.

"Alexis has a great track record. He was an obvious choice also, as I've known him for years. He used to work at Domino Records, before he went on to international fame, stardom, respect, community standing and recognition."

As you chalk up ever more albums, is that accumulated experience a help or a burden?

"It's a help, definitely. The experience of being in the studio is obviously very handy on a practical level – knowing what instruments sound good together, etc – but life experience is more of a help, a release; knowing that whatever happens in the studio – good or bad – isn't going to change the world and that there are far more important things happening away from my own head-space. That realisation gives one the confidence to try different things and not be scared of making mistakes."

Collaboration plays a big part in this record. Do you look for the collaborators to bring out different aspects?

"I suppose I ask people in to do things that I can't do. So, I asked KT Tunstall as she has that beautiful bluesy voice; Pictish Trail for his harmonies, ideas and general vibe. A lot of the musicians I play with are people I admire, enjoy their company and their skill, so Emma Smith, of the Elysian Quartet, has played violin with me for years now. I just love her playing. It's like making a soup: one chooses the ingredients one enjoys then hopes for the best."

The tour line-up is only you and Jon Thorne, from Lamb and Kathryn Williams’s touring band. Why go for a duo?

"I chose Jon for his ability to improvise. I don't work to set-lists; I have eight albums worth of material to choose from plus countless covers and traditional songs – Jon isn't scared by that. He sees it as a bit of a challenge, not knowing what comes next. Also Jon can drive. That's important. And he's older than me, somehow, which means I look younger on stage."

What are your plans for the rest of 2014?

"I have a handful of projects that are in differing stages of completion, so I guess I'll look at them and see what's what. A few of them are depending on other people's input, so they may drag. I have no firm idea what'll be out next, which is a good feeling. I guess Christmas will be coming up too, so I'll have to be preparing for that, making sure the we'ans get the gifts they're after."

And finally, James, do you have any special memories of your past shows in York?

"Once I played a show in Fibbers with my band The Athletes and after the event we went drinking in a nightclub – a 3am type place. Being older than the usual clientele, we stood out a little bit, but did our best to fit in. Doogie our bass player won a crate of K-Cider in some kind of dance-off, due to the break-dancing skills he'd learnt in his youth. The next day I remember as a hellish hangover dwam."

James Yorkston plays The Fulford Arms, York, on Wednesday, with double bass player Jon Thorne, supported by Adam Ross, of Randolph’s Leap, Boss Caine and Ashley James. Doors open at 8pm. Please note, this show has moved from Fibbers.