By Mike Ritchie There is a wonderful, sweaty, brash, unforgettable buzz about Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom that has made it a favourite with gig-going fans and top acts from all over the world. Writing about the famous east end establishment was a memorable project for Alison Irvine, who found the commission for her Barrowland Ballads book both exhilarating and rewarding. But as she dug into the fascinating history and famously unique atmosphere of the venue, and the people who make it come alive, Ms Irvine was also forced to find space in her head and diary for the second novel she was writing at the same time, titled Cat Step, which was published at the end of last year.