Journeys In Sound - Simon Raymonde

JOURNEYS IN SOUND - SIMON RAYMONDE OF COCTEAU TWINS AND BELLA UNION LABEL BOSS (320kbs-m4a/137mb/60mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 9th October 2024

Simon Raymonde, Cocteau Twins bass guitarist and keyboard player, shares the pivotal moments that have made him the artist his is today and the songs that have sound-tracked the ups and downs of his life with 6 Music's Nemone.

Simon, the son of the late arranger and composer Ivor Raymonde, was a member of Scottish band Cocteau Twins from 1983 to 1997 with Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser. In 1997, he set up independent record label Bella Union with Robin Guthrie. Since 2000, he has run the label on his own and continues to discover, produce and remix many bands, including Clearlake's Cedars, James Yorkston's Moving Up Country, the first two albums by John Grant's first band the Czars, and three albums by the Duke Spirit, including the hit album Cuts Across the Land.

Fleet Foxes' 2008 self-titled debut became Bella Union's first platinum-selling album in the UK. The label has subsequently released music by Father John Misty, Beach House, Mercury Rev, M. Ward, John Grant, The Low Anthem, Laura Veirs, The Flaming Lips, Lanterns on the Lake, Marissa Nadler and Jambinai, to name only a few. Simon also runs management company Bella Union Artist Management with his wife, Abbey.

Simon's memoir 'In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor Raymonde and Me' was released last month. In this hard-hitting programme, he talks to Nemone about his relationship with Dad Ivor, his childhood friends and the abuse he suffered at boarding school. He talks about the inner-workings of The Cocteau Twins and what led to the dissolution of the band. He also shares his song-writing process and why he set up Bella Union.

Featuring music from Dusty Springfield, The Sex Pistols, The Blue Nile, Scott Walker, Brian Eno and the extensive Cocteau Twins back catalogue. He also shares his 'Self Care' track.

If you’ve been affected by some of the issues raised in this programme you’ll find details of support at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Cocteau Twins - Iceblink Luck [4AD]
Cocteau Twins - Oomingmak
Dusty Springfield - I Only Want To Be With You [Mercury]
The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations [Capitol]
Cocteau Twins - Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops [4AD]
Sex Pistols - Pretty Vacant [Virgin]
The Blue Nile - Stay [Virgin]
Paul Buchanan - Mid Air [Decca (UMO)]
The Slits - Typical Girls [Island]
The Human League - Being Boiled [Virgin]
David Bowie - Fantastic Voyage [Parlophone UK]
Patti Smith - Gloria [Arista]
The Drowning Craze - Storage Case [Beggars Banquet]
Cocteau Twins - Millimillenary [4AD]
Cocteau Twins - Ivo [4AD]
Cocteau Twins - Heaven Or Las Vegas [4AD]
John Grant - Pale Green Ghosts [Bella Union]
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal [Bella Union]
Scott Walker - Boy Child [UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)]
Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime [EMI]
Alan Price Set - Simon Smith & His Amazing Dancing Bear [Old Gold]