15th June 2024

Titus writes:

 

Belle & Sebastian are an alternative indie band from Glasgow, and were formed as long ago as 1996. Up until the present day, they have released 12 studio albums, and 5 of the original members are still with the band. If one can imagine such a sound, they are a kind of cross between The Smiths and Nick Drake.  I’ve followed their career since its conception, and like many of the bands I like, they have only enjoyed limited commercial success.

 

The formation of the band was masterminded by Stuart Murdoch & Stuart David, who recruited local musicians Stevie Jackson, Isobel Campbell, Chris Geddes & Richard Colburn. Over the years, David & Campbell have left, and nowadays, we have Sarah Martin, Bobby Kildea and Dave McGowan completing the line up. After the release and acclaim of their first two LP’s, the band grew in popularity, but Murdoch, who has suffered greatly with chronic fatigue syndrome, insisted that they kept a low profile. Two years after formation, the group released their third album, ‘The Boy with the Arab Strap’ which reached No. 12 in the UK charts. The title caused some tension between Belle & Sebastian and fellow Scottish band Arab Strap.

 

I’m unsure as to how many of you watched the 1999 Brit Awards, but the band upstaged the likes of Steps and 5ive, by being awarded Best Newcomer for their ‘The Boy with the Arab Strap’ LP. Not content with just this, they made a single called ‘Legal Man’, which by reaching No. 15, gave them their maiden appearance on TOTP.  Film makers and TV producers, mindful of the band’s growing popularity, included their music in film scores and as part of some TV dramas. A single from a subsequent LP – ‘I’m a cuckoo’ reached their highest chart position (No. 14) in 2003.  In 2006 Belle & Sebastian played an historic gig with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.  The gig sold out all 18,000 seats, prompting Stevie Jackson to proclaim “ This is the biggest thrill of my entire life”.

 

The group made 5 Peel Sessions between 2001 & 2004, including one famous one, when all 7 members crowded into ‘Peel Acres’ for a live session, broadcast simultaneously on Radio One. In 2008 all BBC sessions were released on CD & vinyl. After a lengthy hiatus, mainly due to Murdoch’s illness, Belle & Sebastian performed  their first UK gig in four years, in July 2010. The band became involved in the ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ alternative festival, and in 2014 having returned to the studio, received an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music Award’ from the NME.   Arguably, most budding musical artists regard Glastonbury as the place they would love to perform at, and B & S performed there on 28 June 2015.  The band released their twelfth LP, ‘Late Developers’ in 2023, and are hosting a 2 day event ‘The Glasgow Weekender’ in their home town on 2-3 August this year.

 

Much of their work can be found online, and they really are fine musicians, I can assure you. I’m asking lex to play ‘Seeing Other People’ from (IMO) their second and best album ‘If you’re feeling Sinister’.