History
Many have had plenty to write about Cocteau Twins, either in short-form—music journalism that attempt to capture something approximating truth—or longer form books that take deeper dives into their 16-year career. This website attempted the first comprehensive band history in the mid-1990s. It has been online for 30 years now, and has been quoted occasionally in others’ work.
The opinions and points of view offered are well-informed by research, but are subject to correction. This collection of articles should not be considered an authorized biography, at any rate.
We owe a debt of gratitude to others beyond Cocteau Twins themselves—journalists, authors, industry professionals, musicians, fans, and friends—whose stories and interviews with the former band members, friends, and associates have helped shape this work.
New chapters will be added as they are ready.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The former members of Cocteau Twins have been on their own longer than the prolific sixteen years they were together as a band. They went from being scrappy teenage runaways from small-town Scotland to heavy rotation on the BBC’s coveted John Peel Show in mere months. Within…
Read more“We shall both die in your rosary”
“Punk” as a musical form, is typically defined by its amateurism and unrefined character—DIY, anti-establishment, typically aggressive and filled with tension. It was messy and utterly democratic, and proved an efficient medium for venting rage and counter-cultural discontent.…
Read moreSearching for Treasure
At the outset of 1984, the intense pace of Cocteau Twins’ career showed no signs of letting up. A landmark came in January, when Robin and Liz played their first shows in the United States—and their last as a duo—with performances in New York and Philadelphia, generating coverage…
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