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Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins and Bella Union label boss: The musical ups and downs of my life

Simon Raymonde shares the pivotal moments that have made him the artist he is today and the songs that have sound-tracked the ups and downs of his life with 6 Music's Nemone.

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. In1997, 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鈥檝e been affected by some of the issues raised in this programme you鈥檒l find details of support at bbc.co.uk/actionline

1 hour

Music Played

  • Cocteau Twins

    Iceblink Luck

    • 4 A.D.
  • Cocteau Twins

    Oomingmak

  • Dusty Springfield

    I Only Want To Be With You

    • Stay Awhile / I Only Want To Be With You.
    • Mercury Records.
    • 1.
  • The Beach Boys

    Good Vibrations

    • Greatest Hits.
    • Capitol Records.
    • 19.
  • Cocteau Twins

    Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops

    • 4 A.D.
  • Sex Pistols

    Pretty Vacant

    • Virgin.
  • The Blue Nile

    Stay

    • Virgin Records.
  • Paul Buchanan

    Mid Air

    • About Time.
    • Decca (UMO).
    • 3.
  • The Slits

    Typical Girls

    • CUT.
    • Island.
  • The Human League

    Being Boiled

    • Virgin.
  • David Bowie

    Fantastic Voyage

    • iSelect.
    • Parlophone UK.
    • 9.
  • Patti Smith

    Gloria

    • ARISTA.
  • The Drowning Craze

    Storage Case

    • Singles '81 - '82.
    • Beggars Banquet.
    • 1.
  • Cocteau Twins

    Millimillenary

    • The Pink Opaque.
    • 4AD.
    • 2.
  • Cocteau Twins

    Ivo

    • Treasure.
    • 4AD.
    • 1.
  • Cocteau Twins

    Heaven Or Las Vegas

    • HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS.
    • 4 A.D..
  • John Grant

    Pale Green Ghosts

    • Bella Union.
  • Fleet Foxes

    White Winter Hymnal

    • FLEET FOXES.
    • Bella Union.
    • 1.
  • Scott Walker

    Boy Child

    • Scott 4.
    • UMC (Universal Music Catalogue).
    • 5.
  • Talking Heads

    Once In A Lifetime

    • EMI.
  • Alan Price Set

    Simon Smith & His Amazing Dancing Bear

    • Delilah - Jukebox 60's Hits.
    • Old Gold.

Broadcast

  • Wed 9 Oct 2024 23:00