Bargain Huntin' with C Duncan
We took a trip through Glasgow's West End to learn how we can all emulate C Duncan's thrifty style. The musician was once slated to put his skills to the test on Tim Wonnacott's 'actual' Bargain Hunt, but a last-minute schedule clash prevented him from donning that iconic blue fleece. To compensate, we challenged the Mercury Nominated Artist™ (sorry) to scout us as many bargains as possible for 30 British pounds.
Reader, he suceeded. We're giving away all of Chris's purchases in a prize draw, along with a CD copy of his new album The Midnight Sun – enter the competition here – but for now, let's see how he got on...
[C Duncan and his glass paperweight]
£5: Opeth – Blackwater Park
A surprising first choice in Fopp from the softly spoken, classically trained composer. Duncan is defensive but enthusiastic about his choice, saying that “actually” Opeth are brilliant.
£8.99: Shirley Jackson, We Have Always Lived In The Castle
After Fopp, Duncan marches us to scan the shelves in Waterstones. He explains that he read this gothic classic recently, and then immediately apologises for his accidentally sinister theme.
£1.50 - reduced from £2: Debussy & Ravel, performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra
After trying and failing to encourage Duncan to demonstrate his best haggling techniques, he scoops a 50p reduction in Play It Again's treasure troves. A master at work.
£5: Double Indemnity on DVD
Duncan heads back to Fopp with purpose, determined to round out this cultural package with an appropriately stylish film noir. He appears very concerned that this giveaway should be tasteful, while The Skinny attempts to distract him with cheesy rock’n’roll documentaries.
£6.99: Distinguished glass paperweight
We spend a long time looking for paperweights. When Chris musingly selects this particular object from the shelves of the British Heart Foundation, we ask if it's worth the steep price tag? “I think so, yes.” he replies. “It's a shame it doesn't have any blown glass detailing, though.” We realise we're in the hands of an ornamental expert.
Grand total: £28.98. That's how it's done.
The Midnight Sun is out on 7 Oct via Fat Cat; read our interview with C Duncan here.