Belle and Sebastian today release their 9th studio album, A Bit Of Previous. Marking the occasion comes new video and single ‘Talk To Me To Me’. The video was written and directed by 15-year-old south London siblings Freya and Rosalie Salkeld. The video goes live tonight at 8 PM NZST – set reminder below and see full list of credits.
ICYMI: RNZ’s Kim Hill chatted with Stuart Murdoch last Saturday about the album and Stuart’s personal journey to get there.. its a fantastic listen – HERE!
Frontman Stuart Murdoch:
“We had a small budget to make the video and we were going to make it ourselves, but we ran out of time. So we put out an open call to filmmakers who would be interested in making something for the existing budget, requesting an image encapsulating their idea and a 100-word pitch. The directors’ mother got in touch saying her daughters are fans of the group and keen filmmakers, and they sent in a treatment that we loved.They co-wrote and co-directed it, and got a bunch of their friends involved, and made a fresh and funny take on the song”
Directors Freya and Rosalie:
“When we found out we were going to make Belle and Sebastian’s new music video we were beyond excited. Our idea had come from photos we’d taken of our friends for art projects. Casting mates we’d recently seen in a school drama production was really fun -filming them was even better! The process as a whole was an amazing challenge and we’re so grateful for the opportunity!”
A Bit Of Previous was recorded in Belle and Sebastian’s hometown of Glasgow when plans to fly to Los Angeles in spring of 2020 were scrapped due to the pandemic. Says Murdoch in the liner notes: “We did it together, us and the city.This record was the first ‘full’ LP recording for B&S in Glasgow since Fold Your Hands Child, 1999.We clocked in every morning, we played our songs, we wrote together, we tried new things, we took the proverbial lump of clay, and we threw it every day.”
The result is one the most diverse, hands-on and thrilling entries in the bands catalogue, self-produced and recorded (with contributions from Brian McNeill, Matt Wiggins, Kevin Burleigh and Shawn Everett).It’s a band nearing their third collective decade with grace, irreverence, musical bravado and lyrical exactitude and emerging as an endless source of energy and reinvention.
A Bit Of Previous is available in four different artwork covers across LP, CD and digital. The indie version of the LP includes a bonus 7″ with standalone track A Bit Of Previous.
A Bit Of Previous Track List
- Young And Stupid
- If They’re Shooting At You
- Talk To Me Talk To Me
- Reclaim The Night
- Do It For Your Country
- Prophets On Hold
- Unnecessary Drama
- Come On Home
- A World Without You
- Deathbed Of My Dreams
- Sea Of Sorrow
- Working Boy In New York City
Belle and Sebastian
