Morag Neil

I have been working in the arts for over 25 years (20 of them freelance) as producer, publicist and administrator, working with various venues, companies, individual artists and events, including 5 years as Marketing Manager for Edinburgh Mela and 2 years as Project Development Manager with The Audience Business, Scotland’s first audience development agency.

Over that time I have worked with many very talented and inspirational people, from a wide variety of backgrounds. The aim of Scary Biscuits Promotions is to use these connections to provide a wraparound promotional/marketing package and encourage collaborative ways of working.

Scary Biscuits is for musicians, artists, writers, directors and performers who don’t fit exactly into established categories but who have inspiration, talent, and original ideas.  I am interested in long and short term projects, for marketing, promotion or simply to offer advice.

The last few years have been tough for everyone working in the creative industries, including FOH staff, techies, poster companies, the venues, PA companies as well as roadies and musicians and artists themselves. They are all part of the wonderful ecosystem that underpins the arts and artists, bringing people together, to be creative or to just have fun. It’s been inspirational to see my clients start to get back out on the road and in the studio, doing what they do best.

Current clients include the award winning “Man from Leith” Dean Owens, Alabama’s “queen of Southern gothic” Hannah Aldridge, Senegalese singer songwriter Samba Sene (originally from Dakar, now based in Scotland), Kirsten Adamson (daughter of much missed rock icon Stuart Adamson) and The Countess of Fife, led by the legendary Rezillos’ frontwoman Fay Fife (exploring new directions in insurgent alt country). And the multmedia theatrical spectacular Revelations of Rab McVie, which combines live music (post punk goth rockers The Filthy Tongues), live painting (Maria Rud) and a tour de force performance from actor Tam Dean Burn, showcasing for 2 nights at Edinburgh Fringe 2023.

Previous clients include singer Camille O’Sullivan, writer/director/actor Donal O’Kelly, singer/songwriter Adam Holmes, the mighty Tide LinesBlue Rose Code, Chile’s inspirational musicians Quilapayun, the epic Struileag production Children of the Smoke (created by Jim Sutherland) and The Famous Spiegeltent – programming their Before the Fringe music lineup and promoting their summer music programme in 2016. And waaay back when, I started with Edinburgh’s mini-powerhouse Theatre Workshop, followed by the fantastically innovative Scottish theatre company Communicado. I also helped set up Blues 2000 (the very first festival at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange), featuring Otis Rush, Odetta, Lazy Lester and many more.

Other Irish connections include the very talented Katie O’Kelly, UK Premieres of Irish plays Remember to Breathe and Eggsistentialism, and the innovative Fishamble – the New Play Company (Dublin) – Donal O’Kelly’s Little Thing, Big Thing and Maz & Bricks.

International dance companies include the frankly stunning Lok Chhanda from India, and Charo Cala Flamenco Company from Seville.

A random selection of some of my favourite photos of clients and events past and present. Click to view them full size: