Bella Union

Bella Union is a British independent record label founded in 1997 by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins. It is now run solely by Raymonde.

For other uses, see Bella Union (disambiguation).

Bella Union
Founded1997 (1997)
FounderSimon Raymonde
Robin Guthrie
Distributor(s)PIAS
GenreIndie rock, alternative rock, folk, experimental, psychedelic
Country of originUnited Kingdom
LocationBrighton, England
Official websitewww.bellaunion.com

History

After releasing records with 4AD for a large part of their career, Cocteau Twins decided to start up the Bella Union record label in 1997, through which they could release their own work as well as any collaborative efforts. The band split up not long after, but instead of letting the newly formed label go under, Robin Guthrie, Simon Raymonde and their former manager Fiona Glyn-Jones decided to take charge of it. One of the earliest bands to sign on was the Australian trio Dirty Three, who continue to release under Bella Union. Other early signees include Françoiz Breut and The Czars.

Since 2000, when Guthrie moved to France to concentrate on his own music, Raymonde took the reins at Bella Union.

In 2007, the 10th anniversary celebrations saw Bella Union host two nights at the Royal Festival Hall, with special guests Paul Weller, Romeo and Tom from Editors. Fionn Regan was nominated for a Mercury Prize Best Album Of The Year.

In 2008 and 2009, with signees Fleet Foxes successfully remaining in the chart for 100 weeks consecutively and having the biggest selling independent album of the year, the label achieved their first Platinum selling disc. The label has sold over a million Fleet Foxes albums to date.

The label has subsequently released music by Father John Misty, Beach House, Department of Eagles, Karl Blau, Explosions in the Sky, Fleet Foxes, The Acorn, Mercury Rev, Peter Broderick, PINS, M. Ward, Philip Selway, John Grant, Lawrence Arabia, The Low Anthem, Hannah Cohen, Laura Veirs, The Flaming Lips, Lanterns on the Lake, Inventions, John Tavener, Marissa Nadler, Arc Iris, Clarence Clarity, and Jambinai.

The label won the Independent Record Company Of The Year award at the Music Week Awards, as voted by the UK independent retailers, in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016.[1]

In 2012, for the 15th anniversary the label took over the curation of one day at End of the Road Festival.

In 2014, signee John Grant was nominated for a BRIT Award. In 2015, Raymonde signed the Yorkshire-born singer Holly Macve, releasing the single "Corner of my Mind".[2][3] In 2016, artist Father John Misty was also nominated for a BRIT Award. In 2016, following his sold out show at Royal Albert Hall, artist John Grant received a Silver disc for the album Pale Green Ghosts.

The label's releases are distributed by the wholly independent distributors PIAS worldwide.

Artists
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See also
  • List of record labels

References
  1. "Previous winners". Music Week Awards 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  2. "Holly Macve speaks to Best Fit about her new single ahead of Latitude". Archived from the original on 16 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  3. "Welcome, Holly Macve - Bella Union". Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  4. "Chimes & Bells". Bella Union. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  5. "Poor Moon". Bella Union. 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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