| Bella Union | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1997; 28 years ago (1997) |
| Founder | Simon Raymonde Robin Guthrie |
| Distributor(s) | PIAS |
| Genre | Indie rock,alternative rock,folk,experimental,psychedelic |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Location | Brighton, England |
| Official website | bellaunion |
Bella Union is a Britishindependent record label founded in 1997 bySimon Raymonde andRobin Guthrie ofCocteau Twins. It is now run solely by Raymonde.
After releasing records with4AD for a large part of their career,Cocteau Twins decided to start up the Bella Union record label in 1997, through which they could release their own work as well as any collaborative efforts. The band had a difficult relationship with 4AD founderIvo Watts-Russell and also regretted signing withUniversal Music Group'sMercury Records.[1]
The band split up not long after, but instead of letting the newly formed label go under,Robin Guthrie,Simon Raymonde and their former manager Fiona Glyn-Jones decided to take charge of it. One of the earliest bands to sign on was the Australian trioDirty Three, who continue to release under Bella Union. Other early signees includeFrançoiz Breut andThe Czars, who were the first American band signed to the label.[2]
Since 2000, when Guthrie moved to France to concentrate on his own music, Raymonde took the reins at Bella Union.[3]
In 2007, the 10th anniversary celebrations saw Bella Union host a two-night showcase at London'sRoyal Festival Hall featuring their artists such asBeach House andMidlake, along with guest appearances fromPaul Weller and members ofEditors.[4] That year,Fionn Regan's debut album was nominated for theMercury Prize.[5]
The label underwent financial troubles in 2007 and Raymonde considered shutting it down. While in Oslo, Raymonde received a link toFleet Foxes'Myspace page, who at the time had only released a demo version of "White Winter Hymnal". He immediately expressed interest and had to fight offSub Pop in order to secure a European distribution contract with the band, which was ultimately agreed to. Fleet Foxes' 2008self-titled debut became Bella Union's first platinum-selling album in the UK.[6]
The label has subsequently released music byFather John Misty,Beach House,Department of Eagles,Karl Blau,Explosions in the Sky,Fleet Foxes,The Acorn,Mercury Rev,Peter Broderick,PINS,M. Ward,Philip Selway,John Grant,Lawrence Arabia,The Low Anthem,Hannah Cohen,Laura Veirs,The Flaming Lips,Lanterns on the Lake,Inventions,John Tavener,Marissa Nadler,Arc Iris,Clarence Clarity, andJambinai.
The label won the Independent Record Company Of The Year award at theMusic Week Awards, as voted by the UK independent retailers, in 2010, 2012, 2014[citation needed] and 2016.[7]
In 2012, for the 15th anniversary the label took over the curation of one day atEnd of the Road Festival.
In 2014, signeeJohn Grant was nominated for aBrit Award. In 2015, Raymonde signed the Yorkshire-born singer Holly Macve, releasing the single "Corner of my Mind".[8][9] In 2016, artistFather John Misty was also nominated for a BRIT Award. In 2016, following his sold out show atRoyal Albert Hall, artistJohn Grant received a Silver disc for the albumPale Green Ghosts. In 2020Lanterns on the Lake were shortlisted for theMercury Prize[10] with their forth LPSpook the Herd.
The label's releases are distributed by the distributorsPIAS worldwide.
| International | |
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| Other | |
