Sinister: Matador Press Release

[Madame Cholet]

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
January 20, 1998


BELLE AND SEBASTIAN SIGN TO MATADOR/CAPITOL
Followup to critically-acclaimed If You're Feeling Sinister to be released
this spring.

Scottish band Belle and Sebastian , whose "If You're Feeling Sinister LP
was released last year by the Enclave label, have just signed a deal with
Matador/Capitol in the US (the upcoming album will be released by the
Jeepster label in the UK, and Virgin in Europe)

Despite a virtual moratoriumon interviews, no band photos, and sporadic
live shows, If You're Feeling Sinister was one of the most acclaimed albums
of 1997, showing up on innumerable best-of-year lists. Belle and Sebastian
have ammassed a devoted following as well. In the UK, their Radio one
Sessions were voted by listeners as among their favourites of the year,
along side bands like The Verve and Radiohead. Their recent singles have
been UK chart hits, despite being on a relatively small indie label. Here
in the US, their only live shows--two nights in a former temple in New York
City--sold out far in advance. There are numberous web sites and an
internet mailing list (ed: hey that's us!!) devoted to the band, and an
Official Belle and Sebastian Fan Club. (ed: hey! that's David and Katrina!)


Belle and Sebastian's music is a soulful take on folk-pop, with subtle
infusions of cello, trumpet, piano, and other traditional orchestral
elements, and wry, almost perverse lyrics. It brings to mind such classic
music as Nick Drake, Donovan, and Motown, as well as more recent heros like
The Smiths, the Go-Betweens, and felt though their unique soundrenders such
comparisons rather flimsy.

The as-yet-untitled follow-up to If You're Feeling Sinister will be
released this Spring, to be followed in the fall by a compilation of three
EPs previously unavailable in the US. The band will be returning to the US
in 1998 for select live dates.

Both Matador and Capitol were instrumental in the signing. Capitol CEO Gary
Gersh says "Belle and Sebastian are one of the most exciting bands to come
along in years." As a Matador/Capitol co-release, Belle and Sebastian will
be joining such Matador bands as Pavement, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and
Liz Phair in this fruitful relationship.
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