On Belle & Sebastian

A few weeks ago we saw the Scottish band, B&S in NYC’s Nokia theatre--a setting which needs comment. Located in Times Square, the Nokia is a psychedelically sheik uber-urban theatre. Beneath the theatre's Heineken green neon trim, New York’s book loving, Che Guevara T-shirt wearing, thirty-something Woody Allen types held court. That the show was pure genius seemed to fit, since everyone there looked like a misunderstood genius. What better place to see my new favorite band?! But aside from the sideline antics, B&S’s hypnotic sound, led by their shy frontman Stuart Murdoch, was the real draw.

No less appealing is the story of the band’s humble beginning. It starts with the lead vocalist, Stuart Murdoch, who, while in his mid-twenties, was forced to move in with his parents while battling a two year stint with chronic fatigue syndrome. During this wilderness experience, Murdoch began to write music and eventually formed the band. In time Murdoch moved out of his parent’s house into a “work for rent” in a church annex building where he lived until last year. What’s fascinating is that long after B&S accumulated indie fame, Murdoch continued living in his small apartment at the church--singing in the choir too I might add!

You can listen to the band by visiting NPR’s “All Songs Considered.” Murdoch's interview is particularly interesting. Enjoy:
http://www.npr.org/programs/asc/archives/bellenpclap/