The First Time With... Series 22 - 1. Stuart Murdoch Of Belle And Sebastian

THE FIRST TIME WITH... SERIES 22 - 1. STUART MURDOCH OF BELLE AND SEBASTIAN (320kbs-m4a/127mb/56mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 27th September 2020

Stuart Murdoch, the frontman of indie pop collective Belle and Sebastian, talks to Matt about the first key musical moments in his life and career to date.

Belle and Sebastian were formed in Glasgow in 1994 by Stuart Murdoch and Stuart David, both of whom had enrolled at Stow College's Beatbox programme for unemployed musicians. Together, with music professor Alan Rankine (formerly of The Associates), they recorded some demos, which were picked up by the college's Music Business course that produces and releases one single each year on the college's label, Electric Honey. As the band had a number of songs already and the label was extremely impressed with the demos, Belle and Sebastian were allowed to record a full-length album 'Tigermilk', which was recorded mostly live over three days. The warm reception the album received inspired Murdoch and David to turn the band into a full-time project, recruiting Stevie Jackson (guitar and vocals), Isobel Campbell (cello/vocals), Chris Geddes (keys) and Richard Colburn (drums) to fill out the group. They signed with Jeepster in 1996 and recorded their second album 'If You're Feeling Sinister' to critical acclaim. By 1999 the band was awarded with Best Newcomer (for their third album) at the BRIT Awards, upsetting better-known acts such as Steps and 5ive.

In this episode, recorded back in 2013 and never before aired, Stuart talks about the song that haunted him after his first heartbreak, head-banging at his first gig at Ayr Pavillion, and his many influences including The Smiths and The Stone Roses. He also talks about the band's early days in Glasgow, cracking America, and working with production legend Trevor Horn. Stuart also talks to Matt about living with chronic fatigue syndrome and his Dad's honest appraisals of his songs.

Belle And Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo [Rough Trade]
Belle And Sebastian - Step Into My Office Baby [Rough Trade]
Lesley Gore - Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows [Mercury]
Tony Orlando & Dawn - Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree [Old Gold]
Pilot - January [Connoisseur Collection]
Pinky & Perky - Ape Man [Music For Pleasure]
Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water [Columbia]
Simon & Garfunkel - Cecilia [Columbia]
Blondie - Denis [EMI]
Dexys Midnight Runners & The Emerald Express - Come On Eileen [Columbia]
Budgie - Crash Course In Brain Surgery [MCA]
The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again [Rhino]
Orange Juice - Falling And Laughing [Setanta]
The Left Banke - Pretty Ballerina [Mercury]
Belle And Sebastian - The State I Am In [Jeepster Recordings]
Belle And Sebastian - Expectations [Jeepster Recordings]
The Stone Roses - Made Of Stone [Silvertone]
Belle And Sebastian - The Boy With The Arab Strap [Jeepster Recordings]
Public Enemy - Bring The Noise [Def Jam]
Belle And Sebastian - If She Wants Me [Rough Trade]
Felt - Primitive Painters [Cherry Red]
The Sundays - Can't Be Sure [Rough Trade]
The Left Banke - I've Got Something On My Mind [Smash]