Bella Union

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

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 and Simon Raymonde, 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 and Raymonde took the reins at Bella Union, the label has signed more artists; Laura Veirs, Lift to Experience, Explosions In The Sky etc.

In 2006, the label had a memorable year with Midlake, The Dears, Howling Bells, and Fionn Regan finding success with their releases.

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 half a million sales to date.

The label has subsequently released music by Beach House, Department of Eagles, Lone Wolf, Our Broken Garden, Fleet Foxes, The Acorn, Abe Vigoda, J. Tillman, Peter Broderick, The Kissaway Trail, Pearly Gate Music, John Grant, Lawrence Arabia, The Low Anthem, Hannah Cohen, Laura Veirs and Mountain Man.

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 and 2014.

They have since signed artists including Flaming Lips, PINS, MONEY, Marissa Nadler and Horse Thief.

The label are distributed by the wholly independent distributors [PIAS] worldwide.

In 2014, signee JOHN GRANT was nominated for a BRIT Award.

Artists

See also

• List of record labels

References

External links

• Official site