Sinister: Don't ever say I never did anything nice for you

[Rinaldo Thatchez]

In the words of Cheap Trick, "'Ello kiddies,"

Say, I wonder how the gigs are selling? The move to larger venues certainly 
seems to indicate some pretty tidy sellouts just as the initial booking of 
smaller theatres seems to indicate a bit of trepidation. I remember during 
the UK tour a lot of enthusiastic jumping up and down style posts, screaming 
"I GOT A TICKET!! I GOT A TICKET!" Decidedly less of those this time round. 
Cultural differences I suppose. Either that or the fact that us Western 
Americans don't know exactly what we're in for and would otherwise be much 
more excited. Though we are known for being "laidback" (man), so who knows. 
My point is (yes, as unlikely as it appears, I do have one) that it seems 
that everyone on this list willing and able to get to a gig has already 
secured him/herself a ticket. Ouí? Nôn?

Well, if by chance you have been left out in the cold, and there are indeed 
no more tickets available through conventional means, there is still hope. 
If you're a decent songwriter that is. Read on and get scribblin':

**********

Write a song (you can write songs, can't you?), win a pair of tickets to see 
Belle and Sebastian next week. Easy.

We’ve got a pair for each of the following shows: 9/6 Los Angeles, 9/8 San 
Francisco, 9/11 Portland, 9/13 Vancouver, 9/14 Seattle, 9/15 Olympia and 
we’d like to see you there.

Here are the rules:

1. Your song must include a line from a Belle and Sebastian song. The line 
may or may not be the basis for your song.

2. Your song must include a line or lines about the city or cities in which 
you hope to see the band. (Only one pair of tickets per winner, but if you 
want to enter for Seattle and Vancouver because you’re willing to drive to 
whichever you win, you can.)

3. Your song doesn’t necessarily have to be in the style of Belle & 
Sebastian.

Write it, record it and send it in. We’ll accept mp3s, CD-Rs and cassettes. 
If you’re entering an mp3 and have web space where you can post it, please 
do and send in the link instead.

If you don’t have access to fancy recording machinery, we’ll also accept a 
submission of just lyrics, although you’ll have to be extra clever to make 
up for the lack of music...

The best song in each market will win the tickets.

If you’re entering via email, please send your submission to 
matthew at matadorrecords.com with “Belle Ticket Contest” as the subject 
heading.

Via regular mail (please make sure to include your email address):

Belle & Sebastian Contest
c/o Matt Ransford
Matador Records
625 Broadway 12th FL
New York, NY 10012

You’ve got one week—the LA show is next Thursday, and we’ve got to pick the 
winners by next Wednesday. Good luck!

*****************
So, there ya go if you're interested.

Is it just me, or does the idea of running a contest like the Gong Show seem 
a little unfair? Whatever happened to random drawing or obscure trivia so 
only a *real* fan can win? Or make people earn it through something that 
requires more guts than talent. For instance, here's my contest*:

To win a pair of tickets to see Belle and Sebastian you and a friend must go 
to a very public place (such as a mall) naked save for terry underwear for 
girls and arab straps for boys (same sex pairs eligible, just pretend), with 
one name each painted the length of your body (Belle or Sebastian). Begin 
photographing each other with random strangers. The team in each market to 
get the most photographs before being arrested will win the tickets. Mail 
your undeveloped film directly from jail, to be eligible it must arrive with 
a county corrections postmark, and $15 check or money order for each roll. 
Entries containing pictures with police officers will receive special 
consideration. Money collected from unsuccessful entrants will not be 
refunded but may go towards bail for the winners. Photographs will also not 
be returned and are the sole property of the contest sponsors in perpetuity, 
all rights reserved.

Now that's a contest!

-Rinaldo

*fictional, do not do this

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