33 - Cocteau Twins with Simon Raymonde (Twickenham)

Music Maps - The Rock n Roll Book Club Podcast

Bella Union label founder Simon Raymonde joins us this week to talk us through his time with the Cocteau Twins.

Simon joined the band in 1983 having met Robin Guthrie & Elizabeth Fraser a couple of years prior while working at Beggars Banquet record shop in South Kensington. The first album he is involved with is 1984's self produced Treasure - although Brian Eno & Daniel Landis were briefly discussed as possible producers.

Find out about Cocteau Twin's unique way of working in the studio - going in with nothing prepared or written in advance - as well as how they created their unique sound.

A collaboration with legendary Harold Budd follows along with various EPs but the band turn down the chance to record the soundtrack to David Lynch's Blue Velvet.

Around this time the band move into an industrial unit in North Acton & this newfound creative freedom leads to the Blue Bell Knoll album which comes out on 4AD in 1988. But not long after Cocteau Twins relocate to what becomes their September Sound studio in Richmond (rented from Pete Townshend).

Not long after the classic Heaven Or Las Vegas album is recorded, coming out in 1990 & achieving the timeless sound the band had been striving for.

Prince samples '50-50 Clown' from the album not long after & was reported to be a fan of the band but the band leave 4AD not long after the tour ends at the Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas.

Signing with Fontana shortly after & the Four-Calendar Cafe album follows in 1993 along with their final album Milk & Kisses in 1996 - the band tour extensively & play festivals at Roskilde & Lollapalooza but their final gig comes at the Phoenix Festival in the summer of 1996.

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