There’s a tinge of Idris Davies “Bells of Rhymney” captured in Belle and Sebastian’s latest single “Young and Stupid.” “Young and Stupid” was taken from Belle and Sebastian’s new album A Bit Of Previous, out May 6th on Matador. I caught a bit of the tune and now it’s inescapable. Maybe it’s me, maybe I’m just jonesing for the version by The Byrds. However, you know what happens when you go down that rabbit hole. That specific hole could lead to an all-nighter leading to Dylan and the Dead albums. Maybe that’s a bit severe, so I’ll digress.
Actor Jon Hamm (Mad Men, Baby Driver) said: “In 2015 at Bonnaroo, Belle and Sebastian invited Zach Galifianakis and me up to the stage during their set to toss gummy bears in each other’s mouths. Then Stuart got into the fun and demanded a catch as well. It was dramatic, stupid, and done with style and grace. I know I can speak for Zach when I say ‘I want to thank them for their inclusion of us into their show.’ I know the audience was simply confused, but we were absolutely delighted. Please enjoy this new album with a gummy bear of your choice, and think fondly of all of us.”
Belle and Sebastian released fundraiser piece “If They’re Shooting at You” in support of those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The video is a visual collaboration with photographers covering the conflict on the ground, with all artist income from the song going to the Red Cross. Watch the video HERE.
The Glasgow 7-piece have also announced a spring-summer US tour. Full dates can be found below, alongside rescheduled UK and European tour dates for 2022 and 2023.
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.
The last few years have seen Belle and Sebastian in a host of eclectic and inspired undertakings: The Boaty Weekender – their own 3000 capacity star-studded four-day music festival on a Mediterranean cruise liner; a soundtrack for the directorial debut of The Inbetweeners’ Simon Bird; a trilogy of EPs; a live album showcasing their present-day iteration as savvy main stage entertainers; and in 2020 a collaborative lockdown project with fans called “Protecting The Hive.” The common denominator, which can be traced back to their earliest days, is a restless DIY spirit and an unmediated bond with their fans and surrounding musical community.
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. Pre-order the album HERE.
A Bit Of Previous Track List
1. Young And Stupid
2. If They’re Shooting At You
3. Talk To Me Talk To Me
4. Reclaim The Night
5. Do It For Your Country
6. Prophets On Hold
7. Unnecessary Drama
8. Come On Home
9. A World Without You
10. Deathbed Of My Dreams
11. Sea Of Sorrow
12. Working Boy In New York City
2022 Tour Dates:
May-24: Rabbit Rabbit, Asheville *
May-25: TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park, Indianapolis *
May-26: The Riviera Theatre, Chicago *
May-27: Palace Theatre, Minneapolis *
May-28: The Admiral, Omaha *
May-31: Paramount Theatre, Seattle +
Jun-1: Roseland Theater, Portland +
Jun-3: Greek Theatre, Berkeley %
Jun-4: Greek Theatre, LA %
Jun-5: Pappy and Harriet’s, Pioneertown +
Jun-7: The Van Buren, Phoenix +
Jun-8: The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Company +
Jun-10: The Criterion, Oklahoma City +
Jun-11: Stubb’s Waller Creek, Austin #
Jun-13: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville #
Jun-14: Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh ^
Jun-15: Wolf Trap, Vienna ^
Jun-16: SummerStage, Central Park, NY #
Jun-17: Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia #
Jun-18: Roadrunner, Boston #
Jul-1: Spain, Barcelona, Vida Festival
Jul-2: Spain, Madrid, Noches del Botanico,
Jul-15 Bristol, UK Lloyds Amphitheatre, Bristol Harbourside
Jul-16 Stirling, UK Cardross Estate, Doune The Rabbit Hole
Nov-13 Cardiff, UK Great Hall – Student’s Union
Nov-14 London, UK The Roundhouse
Nov-15 London, UK The Roundhouse
Nov -17 Sheffield, UK O2 Academy Sheffield
Nov-18 Liverpool, UK Olympia
Nov -19 Hull, UK Asylum, Hull University Union
Nov-21 Aberdeen, UK Beach Ballroom
Nov-23 Edinburgh, UK Usher Hall
Nov-24 Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK O2 City Hall, Newcastle
Nov-25 Manchester, UK Manchester Academy
Nov-27 Cambridge, UK Corn Exchange
Nov-28 Birmingham, UK O2 Academy Birmingham
Nov-29 Southampton, UK O2 Guildhall Southampton
Nov-30 Brighton, UK Brighton Dome
* with Divino Niño
+ with Thee Sacred Souls
% with Tennis and Thee Sacred Souls
# with Los Bitchos
+ with Japanese Breakfast and Los Bitchos
2023 Tour Dates:
Jan-10 France, Paris, Casino de Paris
Jan-11 Holland, Utrecht, Tivoli Grote Zaal
Jan-13 – Luxemborg City, Luxemborg, den Atelier
Jan-14 Germany, Hamburg, Laeiszhalle
Jan-16 Sweden, Gothenburg Tradgarn
Jan-17 Sweden, Stockholm Filadelfia
Jan-18 Norway, Oslo Sentrum Scene
Jan-19 Denmark, Copenhagen Vega
Jan-21 Germany, Berlin Tempodrom
Jan-22 Germany, Munich Muffathalle
Jan-23 Switzerland, Zurich X-tra Limmathaus
Jan-25 France, Clermont-Ferrand, Co-op de Mai
Jan-26 Italy, Milan Fabrique
