Belle and Sebastian

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This article is about the band. For other uses, see Belle and Sebastian (disambiguation).

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**Belle and Sebastian** are a Scottish band formed in Glasgow in January 1996. Led by Stuart Murdoch, the band has released 9 albums to date. Much of their work had been released on Jeepster Records, but they are now signed to Rough Trade Records in the United Kingdom and Matador Records in the United States. Though often praised by critics, Belle and Sebastian have enjoyed only limited commercial success.

## History

### Formation and early years (1996–1998)

Belle and Sebastian were formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1996 by Stuart Murdoch and Stuart David. Together, with Stow College music professor Alan Rankine, they recorded some demos, which were picked up by the college's Music Business course that produces and releases one single each year on the college's label, Electric Honey. As the band had a number of songs already and the label was extremely impressed with the demos, Belle and Sebastian were allowed to record a full-length album, which was titled *Tigermilk*. Murdoch once described the band as a "product of botched capitalism". The band took their name from the television adaptation of the French novel *Belle et Sébastien*.

*Tigermilk* was recorded in three days and originally only one thousand copies were pressed in vinyl. These original copies now sell for up to £400. The warm reception the album received inspired Murdoch and David to turn the band into a full-time project, recruiting Stevie Jackson (guitar and vocals), Isobel Campbell (cello/vocals), Chris Geddes (keys) and Richard Colburn (drums) to fill out the group.

After the success of the debut album, Belle and Sebastian were signed to Jeepster Records in August 1996 and *If You're Feeling Sinister*, their second album, was released on 18 November. The album was named by *Spin* as one of the 100 greatest albums between 1985 and 2005, and is widely considered the band's masterpiece. Just before the recording of *Sinister*, Sarah Martin (violin/vocals) joined the band. Following this a series of EPs were released in 1997. The first of these was *Dog on Wheels*, which contained four demo tracks recorded before the real formation of the band. In fact, the only long-term band members to play on the songs were Murdoch, David, and Mick Cooke, who played trumpet on the EP but would not officially join the band until a few years later. It charted at No. 59 in the UK singles chart.

The *Lazy Line Painter Jane* EP followed in July. The track was recorded in the church where Murdoch lived and features vocals from Monica Queen. The EP narrowly missed out on the UK top 40, peaking at No. 41. The last of the 1997 EPs was October's *3.. 6.. 9 Seconds of Light*. The EP was made Single of the Week in both the *NME* and *Melody Maker* and reached No. 32 in the charts, thus becoming the band's first top 40 single.

### Critical acclaim (1998–2000)

The band released their third LP, *The Boy with the Arab Strap* in 1998, and it reached No. 12 in the UK charts. *Arab Strap* garnered positive reviews from *Rolling Stone* and the *Village Voice,* among others; however, the album has its detractors, including *Pitchfork*, who gave the album a particularly poor review, calling it a "parody" of their earlier work (Pitchfork has since removed the review from their website). During the recording of the album, long-time studio trumpet-player Mick Cooke was asked to join the band as a full member. The *This Is Just a Modern Rock Song* EP followed later that year.

In 1999 the band was awarded with Best Newcomer (for their third album) at the BRIT Awards, upsetting better-known acts such as Steps and 5ive. That same year, the band hosted their own festival, the Bowlie Weekender. *Tigermilk* was also given a full release by Jeepster before the band started work on their next LP. The result was *Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant*, which became the band's first top 10 album in the UK. A stand-alone single, "Legal Man", reached No. 15 and gave them their first appearance on Top of the Pops.

 File:Belle and Sebastian performing.jpg
As the band's popularity and recognition was growing worldwide, their music began appearing in films and on television. The 2000 film *High Fidelity* mentions the band and features a clip from the song "Seymour Stein" from *The Boy with the Arab Strap*. Also, the title track from *Arab Strap* was played over the end credits of the UK television series *Teachers,* and the lyric "Colour my life with the chaos of trouble" from the song was quoted by one of the characters in the 2009 film *(500) Days of Summer*.

### Line-up and label changes (2000–2005)

Stuart David soon left the band to concentrate on his side project, Looper, and his book writing, which included his *The Idle Thoughts of a Daydreamer*. He was replaced by Bobby Kildea of V-Twin. The "Jonathan David" single, sung by Stevie Jackson, was released in June 2001 and was followed by "I'm Waking Up to Us" in November. "I'm Waking Up to Us" saw the band use an outside producer (Mike Hurst) for the first time. Most of 2002 was spent touring and recording a soundtrack album, *Storytelling* (for *Storytelling* by Todd Solondz). Campbell left the band in the spring of 2002, in the middle of the band's North American tour to pursue a solo career, first as **The Gentle Waves**, and later under her own name. She later collaborated with singer Mark Lanegan on three albums.

The band left Jeepster in 2002, signing a four-album deal with Rough Trade Records. Their first album for Rough Trade, *Dear Catastrophe Waitress*, was released in 2003, and was produced by Trevor Horn. The album showed a markedly more "produced" sound compared to their first four LPs, as the band was making a concerted effort to produce more "radio-friendly" music. The album was warmly received and is credited with restoring the band's "indie cred". The album also marked the return of Murdoch as the group's primary songwriter, following the poorly received *Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant* and *Storytelling*, both of which were more collaborative than the band's early work. A documentary DVD, *Fans Only*, was released by Jeepster in October 2003, featuring promotional videos, live clips and unreleased footage. A single from the album, "Step into My Office, Baby" followed in November 2003; it would be their first single taken from an album.

The Thin Lizzy-inspired "I'm a Cuckoo" was the second single from the album. It achieved their highest chart position yet, reaching No. 14 in the UK. The *Books* EP followed, a double A-side single led by "Wrapped Up in Books" from *Dear Catastrophe Waitress* and the new "Your Cover's Blown". This EP became the band's third top 20 UK release, and the band was nominated for both the Mercury Music Prize and an Ivor Novello Award. In January 2005, B&S was voted Scotland's greatest band in a poll by The List, beating Simple Minds, Idlewild, Travis, Franz Ferdinand, and The Proclaimers, among others.

### Return to success (2005–2010)

In April 2005, members of the band visited Israel and the Palestinian territories with the UK charity War on Want; the group subsequently recorded a song inspired by the trip titled "The Eighth Station of the Cross Kebab House", which would first appear on the digital-download version of the charity album Help!: A Day in the Life and would later have a physical release as a B-side on 2006's "Funny Little Frog" single. *Push Barman to Open Old Wounds*, a compilation of the Jeepster singles and EPs, was released in May 2005 while the band were recording their seventh album in California. The result of the sessions was *The Life Pursuit*, produced by Tony Hoffer. The album, originally intended to be a double album, became the band's highest-charting album upon its release in February 2006, peaking at No. 8 in the UK and No. 65 on the US *Billboard* 200. "Funny Little Frog", which preceded it, also proved to be their highest-charting single, debuting at No. 13.

On 6 July 2006, the band played a historic[*citation needed*] show with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. The opening act at the 18,000 seat sell-out concert was The Shins. The members of the band see this as a landmark event, with Stevie Jackson saying, "This is the biggest thrill of my entire life". In October 2006, members of the band helped put together a CD collection of new songs for children titled *Colours Are Brighter*, with the involvement of major bands such as Franz Ferdinand and The Flaming Lips.

On 18 November 2008 the band released *The BBC Sessions*, which features songs from the period of 1996–2001 (including the last recordings featuring Isobel Campbell before she left the band), along with a second disc featuring a recording of a live performance in Belfast from Christmas 2001.

### Recent years (2010–present)

On 17 July 2010, the band performed their first UK gig in almost four years to a crowd of around 30,000 at Latitude Festival in Henham Park, Southwold. They performed two new songs, "I Didn't See It Coming" and "I'm Not Living in the Real World".

 File:Belle and Sebastian 03 - Columbiahalle in Berlin 2011.jpg
Their eighth studio album, released in the UK and internationally on 25 September 2010, was titled *Belle and Sebastian Write About Love*. The first single from the album, as well as the record's title track "Write About Love", was released in the US on 7 September 2010. *Write About Love* entered the UK albums chart in its first week of release, peaking at No. 8 as of 19 October 2010. Norah Jones is featured on the track "Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John".

In December 2010 Belle and Sebastian curated the sequel to the *Bowlie Weekender* in the form of *Bowlie 2* presented by All Tomorrow's Parties.

In 2013, Pitchfork TV released an hour-long documentary in February, directed by RJ Bentler which focused on the band's 1996 album If You're Feeling Sinister, as well as the formation and early releases of the band. The documentary featured interviews with every member that was present on the album, as well as several archival photos and videos from the band's early days. The band compiled a second compilation album *The Third Eye Centre* which included the b-sides and rarities released after *Push Barman to Open Old Wounds*, from the albums *Dear Catastrophe Waitress*, *The Life Pursuit*, and *Write About Love*. In an interview at the end of 2013, Mick Cooke confirmed he had left the band on good terms.

The band received an 'Outstanding Contribution To Music Award' at the NME Awards 2014.

In 2014, the band returned to the studio, recording in Atlanta, Georgia for their ninth studio album, along with announcing tour dates for various festivals and concerts across the world during 2014. Their ninth album *Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance* was released on 19 January 2015.
The Belle and Sebastian song 'There's Too Much Love' forms much of the soundtrack for the Brazilian film 'The Way He Looks', about a blind, gay teenage boy and his friends, released in 2014.

Belle and Sebastian performed at the world-famous Glastonbury Festival on Sunday 28 June 2015, on 'The Other Stage' and at Barrowland, Glasgow in March 2017 which was televised in the U.K. as part of the 'BBC 6 MUSIC Presents Festival'.

## Collaborations and side projects

The Reindeer Section were a Scottish indie rock supergroup formed in 2001 by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, which released albums and gigged in 2001 and 2002. It featured Richard Colburn, Mick Cooke and Bobby Kildea from Belle and Sebastian.

The Vaselines are an alternative rock band from Glasgow formed in Glasgow in 1986. Between 2008 and 2014 their lineup featured Stevie Jackson and Bobby Kildea from Belle and Sebastian and they performed at Bowlie Weekender 2 curated by Belle and Sebastian in December 2010.

Tired Pony is a country / Americana supergroup formed by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol in 2010. It features Richard Colburn from Belle and Sebastian.

God Help the Girl is a musical project by Stuart Murdoch, featuring a group of female vocalists, including Catherine Ireton, with Belle and Sebastian as the accompanying band.

## Members

Current
* Stuart Murdoch – vocals, electric and acoustic guitar and keyboards (1996–present)
* Stevie Jackson – vocals, electric and acoustic guitar (1996–present)
* Chris Geddes – keyboards (1996–present)
* Richard Colburn – drums and percussion (1996–present)
* Sarah Martin – keyboards, electric and acoustic guitar, violin, flute and vocals (1996–present)
* Bobby Kildea – guitar and bass (2000–present)
* Dave McGowan - bass, guitar, and keyboards (2011–present)

Past
* Stuart David – bass, guitar and vocals (1996–2000)
* Isobel Campbell – vocals and cello (1996–2002)
* Mick Cooke – trumpet, guitar and bass (1998–2013)

## Discography

Main article: Belle and Sebastian discography
Studio albums
* *Tigermilk* (1996)
* *If You're Feeling Sinister* (1996)
* *The Boy with the Arab Strap* (1998)
* *Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant* (2000)
* *Storytelling* (2002)
* *Dear Catastrophe Waitress* (2003)
* *The Life Pursuit* (2006)
* *Belle and Sebastian Write About Love* (2010)
* *Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance* (2015)

Compilation albums
* *Push Barman to Open Old Wounds* (2005)
* *The Third Eye Centre* (2013)
* *The Jeepster Singles Collection* (2016)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Belle and Sebastian – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
2. ↑ Klett, Steven (21 January 2015). "Rock Review Roundup: Sleater Kinney, the Decemberists, Belle and Sebastian". News Cult. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
3. ↑ "Belle and Sebastian, The New Pornographers In Concert". *NPR*. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
4. ↑ "Belle and Sebastian: Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance". *PopMatters*. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Taylor, Steve (2004), *The A to X of Alternative Music*, Continuum International Publishing Group, pp. 30–31, ISBN 0-8264-8217-1
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Strong, Martin Charles (2004), *The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded By More Than 1200 Artists*, Canongate U.S., p. 122, ISBN 1-84195-615-5
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cloonan, Martin (2007), *Popular Music and the State in the UK: Culture, Trade Or Industry?*, Ashgate Publishing, p. 120, ISBN 0-7546-5373-0
8. ↑ Gardiner, Michael (2005), *Modern Scottish Culture*, Edinburgh University Press, p. 203, ISBN 0-7486-2027-3
9. ↑ Wilson, Dave (2005), *Rock Formations: Categorical Answers to How Band Names Were Formed*, Cidermill Books, p. 105, ISBN 0-9748483-5-2
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Pareles, John (2001), *The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll*, Fireside Publishing, p. 66, ISBN 0-7432-0120-5
11. ↑ Shiel, George, "Tigermilk", *Eclectic Honey*, archived from the original (Scholar search) on 16 June 2007, retrieved 4 November 2007
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 "Belle and Sebastian 2nd Melbourne show!", *PBS 106.7FM*, archived from the original on 16 September 2007, retrieved 4 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
13. ↑ "100 Greatest Albums, 1985–2005", *Spin*, 20 June 2005, archived from the original on 4 August 2009, retrieved 11 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Sanneh, Kelefa (2 February 2006), "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; A Quiet Band Worth Fighting Loudly About Makes Some More Noise", *New York Times*, archived from the original on 11 December 2007, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
15. ↑ Hornby, Nick (14 November 1997), "Lazy Line Painter Jane", *Salon*, archived from the original on 10 December 2007, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lim, Dennis (15 September 1998), "Winter of Their Youth", *The Village Voice*, retrieved 5 November 2007
17. ↑ Laurence, A. (May 2005), "Arab Strap interview", *Free Williamsburg*, archived from the original on 27 September 2007, retrieved 6 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
18. ↑ Best, Sophie (23 July 2004), "Ring the Belle", *The Age*, Australia, archived from the original on 10 December 2007, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
19. ↑ Ratliff, Ben (25 August 1998), *The Boy With the Arab Strap review*, Rolling Stone, archived from the original on 27 October 2007, retrieved 11 November 2007 Italic or bold markup not allowed in: `|publisher=` (help)
20. ↑ Owings, Henry (2006), *The Overrated Book*, Last Gasp, ISBN 0-86719-657-2
21. ↑ Josephes, Jason (1 October 1998), "The Boy With the Arab Strap review", *Pitchfork*, archived from the original (– Scholar search) on 21 December 2007, retrieved 11 November 2007
22. ↑ "MODERN LOVERS ROCK HARD", *NME*, UK, 26 October 1998, archived from the original on 30 November 2007, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
23. ↑ *Robbie rules over Brits*, BBC, 17 February 1999, retrieved 4 November 2007
24. ↑ Urban, Andy (18 June 2002), "Side Project Becomes Full-Length Let Down", *Dusted Magazine*, retrieved 4 November 2007
25. ↑ Zacharek, Stephanie (31 March 2000), "High Fidelity", *Salon*, archived from the original on 12 June 2010, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
26. ↑ Virtue, Graeme (21 December 2003), "Jingle Book Belles", *Sunday Herald*, retrieved 4 November 2007[*permanent dead link*]
27. ↑ Heim, Joe (9 May 2000), "Sharps & Flats: Looper", *Salon*, archived from the original on 1 February 2011, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
28. ↑ Sturges, Fiona (30 November 2001), "Pop: Scots of the arch antics", *The Independent*, UK, archived from the original on 10 December 2007, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|dead-url=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
29. ↑ Nichols, Peter M. (2004), *The New York Times Guide to the Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made*, St. Martin's Press, p. 955, ISBN 0-312-32611-4
30. ↑ Hansen, Liane (19 March 2006), "Isobel Campbell: After Belle Comes 'Ballad'", *National Public Radio*, archived from the original on 13 December 2007, retrieved 4 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas, *Belle and Sebastian: Full Biography*, MTV, archived from the original on 12 October 2007, retrieved 4 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 McGregor, Andrew (21 June 2001), *Belle and Sebastian, Dear Catastrophe Waitress*, BBC, retrieved 4 November 2007
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 McCracken, Edd (5 October 2003), "Secret seven win through", *Sunday Herald*, retrieved 4 November 2007[*permanent dead link*]
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Grant, Kieran (6 November 2003), "Belle and Sebastian Q&A", *Eye Weekly*, archived from the original on 22 May 2011, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
35. ↑ Raihala, Ross (21 March 2006), "Belle and Sebastian pouring out their souls – again", *Seattle Times*, archived from the original on 10 December 2007, retrieved 6 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
36. ↑ Devenish, Colin (27 October 2003), "Belle & Sebastian Back in Town", *Rolling Stone*, archived from the original on 10 December 2007, retrieved 5 November 2007
37. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (2006), *The Essential Rock Discography*, Open City Books, p. 80, ISBN 1-84195-860-3
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Petridis, Alexis (3 February 2006), "Belle and Sebastian, The Life Pursuit", *The Guardian*, London, retrieved 5 November 2007
39. ↑ Beaujon, Andrew (8 February 2006), "The Happiness Of 'Pursuit'", *Washington Post*, retrieved 5 November 2007
40. ↑ McBay, Nadine (19 January 2006), "Belle & Sebastian: We managed to do things without pandering to the London machine", *Drowned In Sound*, retrieved 4 November 2007
41. ↑ Harris, Chris (15 February 2006), *Jack Johnson Scores First Billboard No. 1 With 'Curious' Tunes*, MTV, archived from the original on 13 December 2007, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
42. ↑ "Belle & Sebastian get the 'Blues' on new single", *NME*, UK, 3 March 2006, archived from the original on 30 November 2007, retrieved 5 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
43. ↑ Rosen, Steven (6 June 2006), "Belle & Sebastian with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra", *Harp Magazine*, archived from the original on 13 December 2007, retrieved 4 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
44. ↑ Mancina, Kristin, "Belle & Sebastian and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Featuring the Shins", *L.A. Splash Magazine*, archived from the original on 10 December 2007, retrieved 4 November 2007 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
45. ↑ Wener, Ben (7 July 2006), "Belle and Sebastian: Delightful in every way", *Orange County Register*, retrieved 4 November 2007
46. ↑ Llewellyn, Katie (18 July 2006), "Belle & Sebastian-Curated Kids' Comp Details Revealed", *Pitchfork*, archived from the original (– Scholar search) on 14 December 2007, retrieved 4 November 2007
47. ↑ Thompson, Paul (18 September 2008), *Belle and Sebastian Collect BBC Sessions on New Comp*, Pitchfork, retrieved 5 November 2008
48. ↑ "Line-up – Latitude Festival 2011". Latitudefestival.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
49. ↑ "Belle and Sebastian Concert Setlist at Latitude Festival, Southwold on July 17, 2010". setlist.fm. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
50. ↑ "News". Belle and Sebastian. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2011. Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)
51. ↑ "Archive Chart". Theofficialcharts.com. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
52. ↑ Yentch, Katrina (19 August 2010), *Norah Jones to sing on new Belle and Sebastian album*, Under the Radar, archived from the original on 22 August 2010, retrieved 4 September 2010 Unknown parameter `|deadurl=` ignored (`|url-status=` suggested) (help)/
53. ↑ Pitchfork (18 February 2013). "Pitchfork.tv Presents a Documentary Film on Belle and Sebastian's If You're Feeling Sinister". Pitchfork. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
54. ↑ "Interview: Mick Cooke (formerly) of Belle & Sebastian". *The Current*. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
55. ↑ "Belle & Sebastian win Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas". *NME.com*. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
56. ↑ "Belle And Sebastian confirm new album recording sessions". *NME.com*. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
57. ↑ "Live Dates". *Belle and Sebastian official website*. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
58. ↑ The Glasgow veterans flit between acoustic indie and disco bangers on their camp and scatterbrained ninth album, nme.com, by Dan Stubbs , 14 January 2015

## External links

* Official website
* Audio interview with Stuart Murdoch on the Sodajerker On Songwriting podcast

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