“Bella Union: ‘We only sign artists that we like as people.’”

• By Kenny Gates
• PIAS
• 01-Mar 2016

Simon Raymonde never really meant for Bella Union to become a music industry success story.

When he started the label back in 1997, it was nothing more than a vehicle for his artistic endeavours with Cocteau Twins.

Bruised by dismaying music business experiences, Raymonde and bandmate Robin Guthrie made a brave, autonomous move – starting a label with which to put out their own records.

Then, in a classic indie-label-starts-with-laughable-disaster moment, Cocteau Twins split up.

Raymonde knew if his fledgling record label wasn’t going to be dissolved before it had got going, he needed to become an A&R, and sign some bands.

Nineteen years later, we have his willingness to do so to thank for standout records from the likes of John Grant, Explosions In The Sky, Laura Veirs, Midlake, Beach House, Father John Misty, Ezra Furman, The Walkmen, The Flaming Lips, PINS, Money and Lanterns On The Lake.

Of course, you can also add to that list Fleet Foxes – whose self-titled 2008 debut and 2011 follow-up, Helplessness Blues,have reached a level of commercial success all-too-rarely enjoyed in the independent label sector.

When [PIAS]’s Kenny Gates catches up with Raymonde, the Bella founder’s attention has just started to turn towards the “loads of plans” he has for his label’s 20th anniversary in 2017.

It promises to be quite the party. Sign us up…

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