Simon Raymonde announces memoir, “In One Ear”
- By CocteauTwins.com
- Cocteau Twins News
- 24-May 2024
Simon Raymonde’s anticipated memoir, In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor and Me will be published in September 2024.
Simon, who joined Cocteau Twins in late 1983 and became an indispensable part of their storied sound, will be the first band member to publish a memoir reflecting on those years in the band, as well as his relationship with his late great father, Ivor Raymonde, and life in general. In One Ear, published by Nine Eight Books, will appear in bookstores and online in September.
Writing on social media, Simon announced:
“So I wrote a book. You know, like a big grown up kinda thing to do. It covers all the good and bad bits, falling over, getting up, shorts, big boy pants, Ivor, and a big ole love letter to Cocteau Twins too. But I can’t tell you everything here that would be silly. You’ll have to read it yourself in Sept when those very nice people at @nineeightbooks will release/unleash it into the world.
Early praise for the book comes from far and wide, including award-winning Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who says, “A beautiful insightful and honest look into the life of legend and musical polymath Simon Raymonde.” The legendary Sir Elton John wrote, “This is a wonderful book of pop music history. A man obsessed with the beauty of creative artists and wanting to create his own legacy and to enable other musicians to have a voice by releasing their magic. We need more of people like him in a world full of mass-produced mediocrity.”
The publisher writes, “The page-turning memoir of Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde, charting his life and legacy in music. As one-third of seminal band Cocteau Twins, Simon Raymonde helped to create some of the most beautiful and memorable albums of the ’80s and ’90s—music that continues to cast a spell over millions. This is the story of the band, in his words.
“Beginning with Simon’s remarkable childhood and exploring his relationship with his father, Ivor Raymonde (the legendary producer, musician and arranger for acts such as the Walker Brothers and songwriter for artists including Dusty Springfield), the book will journey through the musician’s rise to prominence and his time with Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil.
“It will also chart the successful career he has forged running his own label, Bella Union, for the past twenty-seven years, discovering and developing globally renowned artists like Beach House, Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty and John Grant.
“And the narrative will lead us back to the present day, reflecting on Simon’s most recent experiences in the music industry—all while going deaf in one ear.
“A must-read for music fans, this is the incredible tale of Simon’s life and legacy.”
In One Ear will be available in a standard issue hardcover format as well as digital. A signed and numbered special-edition hardcover, designed by Chris Bigg of 4AD, and limited to 1,000 copies, is also available for pre-order. Orders can be made online or from your local bookseller. ▣
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