Label Love: Bella Union

Hello, and welcome to the first of a collection of week long features that will take a look at the people bringing us the music that we champion here at The Line of Best Fit – in other words, the good stuff. Over the coming months, we’ll be celebrating some of our favourite independent labels and the incredible music that they’ve brought to us over the past few years, and what better label to begin with than long time friends of the site, and the all round cracking bunch of people that go by the name of Bella Union?

Bella Union was set up by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins in 1997, with Simon taking full control of the reins in 2000. Since its conception, the label has released the likes of Fleet Foxes, Beach House, Laura Viers, Midlake, The Walkmen, The Low Anthem and most recently, I Break Horses, Lanterns on the Lake and Jonathan Wilson. The label has garnered a reputation for offering its artists creative space, and thus giving them the freedom to produce honest, beautiful music. Here, The Line of Best Fit takes a look at some of the bigger names of the Bella Union family, to remind of ourselves of the wonderful sounds the label has been bringing to us over the past (almost 15!) years.

Make sure to check back this week as we take a closer look at the label’s newer signings, as well as bringing you exclusive interviews, exclusive sessions and exclusive content as we celebrate all things Bella Union.

Dirty Three

The brilliant Dirty Three, (originating from Australia but now to be found living all over the place) were one of the earliest signings to Bella Union and continue to release on the label. Fronted by the artistic powerhouse that is Warren Ellis, the band have an outstanding reputation as not only a great recorded act, but also a live force to behold, and that’s without even mentioning Warren’s outstanding beard!

Whilst on the subject of bearded, outspoken musicians, now would be a perfect moment to mention that Bella Union released the records of Lift To Experience, the band of Josh T Pearson. A big fan of Warren Ellis and Dirty Three, Josh interviewed Warren for The Line of Best Fit a little while back, the very interesting results of which can be read here.

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John Grant

Some names have become synonymous with Bella Union, and John Grant is certainly an artist that could be put into that category. The Czars, Grant’s former band were another early signing to the label, joining in 2000 for the release of Before… But Longer. Subsequent albums were also released through Bella Union, until the group decided to go their seperate ways in 2005. Although Grant continued to perform under the moniker of The Czars for a few years, the name was soon put to rest and in 2010, Grant returned with the incredible Queen of Denmark. Keep an eye out on the site this week for an exclusive interview with the man himself. In the meantime, remind yourself of John Grant’s stunning voice and sense of humour by checking out his video for ‘Chicken Bones’.

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Midlake

Over to Denton, Texas now where Midlake hail from. The band have a special relationship with Bella Union, having released all three of their records through the label, so that’s 2004′s Bamnan and Slivercork, 2006′s Trails of Van Occupanther and 2010′s The Courage of Others. Check out a great interview with Midlake speaking to Mr Bella Union, Simon Raymonde, here.

At recent performances in London and Dorset’s End of the Road festival, the band showcased new tracks from their next album and from what we’ve heard so far, it’s safe to say it’s going to be stunner.

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Fionn Regan

Fionn Regan of County Wicklow, Ireland released The End of History through Bella Union in 2006, with the album then going on to receive a presitigous Mercury Music Prize nomination. The End of History was produced by Fionn himself, with Simon Raymonde stepping in to help with the mixing – a great example of the approach that Bella Union employ when it comes to helping their artists to achieve their best.

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Beach House

Last year’s Teen Dream instantly gained itself cult status thanks to its lush, lush melodies and sumptuous vocals. One of the most revered duos of the past few years, Beach House have found a home in Bella Union, who have released all three of the duos albums in the UK.

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Fleet Foxes

If 2011 has belonged to any of the artists on Bella Union’s roster, it’s Fleet Foxes. Since releasing Helplessness Blues through the label back in May of this year, the group have risen from strength to strength, constantly building on the very well established success of 2008′s Fleet Foxes. A superb live band and a thoroughly nice bunch of chaps, Fleet Foxes is a group that typifies what it is that Bella Union are so good at nurturing – wholesome, outstanding music from great people.

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Explosions In The Sky

Back to Texas now for a look at another of the Bella Union heavyweights to release an album in 2011, Explosions In The Sky, with Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. Their sixth album, Take Care… cemented the group’s reputation as one of the most powerful post-rock forces out there, and the series of live shows and festival dates that the band played over the summer in support of the release has further proved this.

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Keep an eye out for exclusive interviews and sessions over the coming week, as The Line of Best Fit celebrates all things Bella Union.