Hello Sinister In the 1970s, NASA launched a probe called Pioneer 10 to fly past Jupiter and Saturn, and send back photographs. By 1974, the probe had passed its target planets, and its mission was complete. But even in obsolescence, its mechanics continued obediently sending data back to Earth even as it ploughed on into deep space, even as its listeners acquired new distractions. Occasionally, in the 30 years during which it continued poking NASA bods with loyal updates, Pioneer 10 would bleep with something interesting, and the astro-men and astro-women in Houston would prick up their ears - perhaps observation of a hitherto undiscovered astronomical phenomenon; maybe something to excite the faithful. I sometimes think of you, Sinister, like Pioneer 10, amiably purring away in the face of near-total disregard, satisfied after a wonderful heyday, carrying on regardless. And if that's a suitable comparison, then maybe this is one of those prick-up-your-ears posts: last night I watched a fantastic hour-long documentary about the early years of Belle & Sebastian, taking in the group's formation until the completion of If You're Feeling Sinister. Featuring interviews with every member of the band at the time (sorry, Bobby), as well as with Tony Doogan and the two guys at Jeepster Records, it's a kindly made, rigorous and thoughtful programme that, for me at least, articulated exactly the reasons I fell in love with the band in the first place. It was no nostalgia piece, either - plenty of interesting insights and trivia elevated it above that. Anyway, as if you couldn't tell, I recommend it. Internet users can view the documentary here http://youtu.be/4de-RHHLCBA and I really do implore you do, if only to marvel at what's become of Isobel's accent. Over time, Pioneer 10's signals grew increasingly feint, mangled by galactic interference as they travelled further to reach Earth until, in 2006, any sign of the probe disappeared forever. Projections suspect it is now 15 billion miles from Earth. I do hope you, dear Sinister, don't become so estranged. Bulk love, Asm.x +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister@missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo@missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-+ Snipp snapp snut, sa var sagan slut! +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+