From "The List" 10-24 Sep 1998 (Issue 342) with Kelly McDonald on the Cover And very nice she looks too....
b&s get a cover mention too.... (ooh, publicity!) and I'm typing this in by hand, so excuse the typos, their probably mine I'll do the Concert review later (not that they haven't been done to death, it's just refreshing to see an "outside" view - as much as there can be one with b&s - it's either "They're GREAT!" or "who?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------ Page 14 Belle and Sebastian The American music Bible _Spin_ named them as one of the twenty most important bands working today. Their last EP made the Top Forty. Their concerts sell out in hours. Yet it's only now, on the release of their third album, that they have released this photograph of themselves. Just who are BELLE AND SEBASTIAN? Words: Fiona Shepherd BASHFUL STREET KIDS Some bands will do anything to grab the media's attention. Take Stuart Murdoch of rampant self-publicists Belle and Sebastian. Only a few weeks ago he was standing outside _The List's_ Glasgow office throwing bits of paper bearing the traditional greeting "hello" through the window, as part of his efforts to make us listen to his new CD, _The Boy With The Arab Strap_, which he delivered personally on being admitted to out writers' garret. This story - true apart from the 'rampant self-publicists' bit - is only one of many delicious ironies about Glaswegian troubadours Belle and Sebastian. The singer, who is prepared to deliver all his groups albums by hand to this publication and presumably other interested local parties, hasn't conducted an interview in eons, a potentially frustrating state of affairs for the ardent breed of fan his group attracts. The rest of this affable bunch are hardly hermits, frequenting many fine West End hostelries on a regular basis, yet they won't readily pose for group photos. This tendency to play their cards close to their chest has led to accusations of preciousness from a snubbed press; but has this, or the infrequency of their live appearances, stunted their appeal? It seems not. What their wilfully unco-operative approach to promotion has done is throw all the attention onto their lilting, wistful, graceful, pastoral, huggable songs - three albums and various EPs (the most recent of which made the Top 40) which have carved an idiosyncratic niche for a group whose music may echo the past, but has no peer in the present. Stuart Murdoch's baby took a variety of forms before becoming Belle and Sebastian. He first honed his fey 60's-inspired soundtrack pop in a 'group' and one-off club night called La Pastie De La Bourgeoise. Later he recorded a demo under the equally pretentious name Lisa Helps The Blind and accompanied it with a note saying: 'You may lambast me for not being "rock" enough. But I've always preferred baby animals and cake to rock. La Pastie was such a flop that I had to write a song of the same name to redeem the evocation.' The song - an 'Alone Again Or' for the 90s, if you will, pop-pickers - finally surfaced on Belle and Sebastian's '3...6...9 Seconds Of Light' EP. Belle and Sebastian, as they now appear, started to take shape under the moniker Rhode Island, but it wasn't until they named themselves after Cecile Aubrey's children's book about the friendship between a boy and his dog - later a TV series - that the current line-up was assembled in it's entirety. I first saw, or rather heard, them perform at a party in Garnethill. They played in the bedroom, and I listened through the door because the room was full. Even in the early days, it was difficult to gain entry to their gigs. In 1996, the debut album _Tigermilk_ was released to general delight and felicity on Stow College's Electric Honey label, and a recor company bidding war would have ensued if the group hadn't already signed to their current home, Jeepster Records, from where they have waged a mischievous campaign against music industry norms. At first, interviews would only be conducted - if at all - when all members of the band (six at the time) could be present. Posed band photographs were definitely out, so their press shots consisted of various tableaux featuring friends and cuddly toys, including a Last Supper homage. This has proved a great wheeze, and one which did elusive groups like The Residents no harm. Gigs have been relatively sparing, compared to the prevailing 'gig yourself into an early grave' philosophy of some bands, and in unusual venus where possible. All of which seems just about right for a sublime, talented and perpetually in-demand group propelled by a man who prefers animals and cake to rock. And one who, for all his aversion to the fame game, fulfils the showbiz adage od always leaving 'em wanting more. _The Boy With The Arab Strap_ is out now on Jeepster Records. See page 42 for concert review. +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister@majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo@majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+