Belle and Sebastian today release their 9^th studio album, A Bit Of Previous. Marking the occasion comes new video and single ‘Talk To Me To Me’. The video was written and directed by 15-year-old south London siblings Freya and Rosalie Salkeld. The video and a full list of credits can be found HERE.

Frontman Stuart Murdoch:

“We had a small budget to make the video and were going to make it ourselves, but we ran out of time. So we put out an open call to filmmakers who would be interested in making something for the existing budget, requesting an image encapsulating their idea and a 100-word pitch. The directors’ mother got in touch saying her daughters are fans of the group and keen filmmakers, and they sent in a treatment that we loved. They co-wrote and co-directed it, and got a bunch of their friends involved, and made a fresh and funny take on the song”

Directors Freya and Rosalie:

“When we found out we were going to make Belle and Sebastian’s new music video we were beyond excited. Our idea had come from photos we’d taken of our friends for art projects. Casting mates we’d recently seen in a school drama production was really fun – filming them was even better! The process as a whole was an amazing challenge and we’re so grateful for the opportunity!”

A Bit Of Previous was previewed by single ‘Unnecessary Drama’ which is currently on the A-List on BBC 6 Music. Belle and Sebastian will perform the song on Channel 4’s “Sunday Brunch” on May 8^th and will appear on BBC Radio 4’s “Front Row” on May 9^th.

Watch an album trailer featuring comedian Alex Edelman HERE.

The band launch their North American tour on May 24^th. Their full UK tour commences in November, including two dates at London’s Roundhouse. I complete itinerary can be found below.

A Bit Of Previous was recorded in Belle and Sebastian’s hometown of Glasgow when plans to fly to Los Angeles in spring of 2020 were scrapped due to the pandemic. Says Murdoch in the liner notes: “We did it together, us and the city. This record was the first ‘full’ LP recording for B&S in Glasgow since Fold Your Hands Child, 1999. We clocked in every morning, we played our songs, we wrote together, we tried new things, we took the proverbial lump of clay, and we threw it every day.”

The result is one the most diverse, hands-on and thrilling entries in the bands catalogue, self-produced and recorded (with contributions from Brian McNeill, Matt Wiggins, Kevin Burleigh and Shawn Everett). It’s a band nearing their third collective decade with grace, irreverence, musical bravado and lyrical exactitude and emerging as an endless source of energy and reinvention.

A Bit Of Previous is available in four different artwork covers across LP, CD and digital. The indie version of the LP includes a bonus 7″ with standalone track A Bit Of Previous. Pre-order the album HERE.

A Bit Of Previous Track List

 

1. Young And Stupid
2. If They’re Shooting At You
3. Talk To Me Talk To Me
4. Reclaim The Night
5. Do It For Your Country
6. Prophets On Hold
7. Unnecessary Drama
8. Come On Home
9. A World Without You
10. Deathbed Of My Dreams
11. Sea Of Sorrow
12. Working Boy In New York City

2022 Tour Dates:

May-24: Rabbit Rabbit, Asheville *

May-25: TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park, Indianapolis *

May-26:  The Riviera Theatre, Chicago  *

May-27: Palace Theatre, Minneapolis  *

May-28: The Admiral, Omaha  *

May-31: Paramount Theatre, Seattle  +

Jun-1: Roseland Theater, Portland  +

Jun-3: Greek Theatre, Berkeley  %

Jun-4: Greek Theatre, LA  %

Jun-5: Pappy and Harriet’s, Pioneertown +

Jun-7: The Van Buren, Phoenix  +

Jun-8: The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Company  +

Jun-10: The Criterion, Oklahoma City  +

Jun-11:  Stubb’s Waller Creek, Austin #

Jun-13:  Ryman Auditorium, Nashville #

Jun-14:  Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh  ^

Jun-15: Wolf Trap, Vienna  ^

Jun-16: SummerStage, Central Park, NY  #

Jun-17: Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia  #

Jun-18: Roadrunner, Boston  #

Jul-1: Spain, Barcelona, Vida Festival

Jul-2: Spain, Madrid, Noches del Botanico,

Jul-15 Bristol, UK Lloyds Amphitheatre, Bristol Harbourside

Jul-16 Stirling, UK Cardross Estate, Doune The Rabbit Hole

Nov-13 Cardiff, UK Great Hall – Student’s Union

Nov-14 London, UK The Roundhouse

Nov-15 London, UK The Roundhouse

Nov -17 Sheffield, UK O2 Academy Sheffield

Nov-18 Liverpool, UK Olympia

Nov -19 Hull, UK Asylum, Hull University Union

Nov-21 Aberdeen, UK Beach Ballroom

Nov-23 Edinburgh, UK Usher Hall

Nov-24 Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK O2 City Hall, Newcastle

Nov-25 Manchester, UK Manchester Academy

Nov-27 Cambridge, UK Corn Exchange

Nov-28 Birmingham, UK O2 Academy Birmingham

Nov-29 Southampton, UK O2 Guildhall Southampton

Nov-30 Brighton, UK Brighton Dome

* with Divino Niño

+ with Thee Sacred Souls

% with Tennis and Thee Sacred Souls

# with Los Bitchos

+ with Japanese Breakfast and Los Bitchos

2023 Tour Dates:

Jan-10 France, Paris, Casino de Paris

Jan-11  Holland, Utrecht, Tivoli Grote Zaal

Jan-13 – Luxemborg City, Luxemborg, den Atelier

Jan-14 Germany, Hamburg, Laeiszhalle

Jan-16 Sweden, Gothenburg Tradgarn

Jan-17 Sweden, Stockholm Filadelfia

Jan-18 Norway, Oslo Sentrum Scene

Jan-19 Denmark, Copenhagen Vega

Jan-21 Germany, Berlin Tempodrom

Jan-22 Germany, Munich Muffathalle

Jan-23 Switzerland, Zurich X-tra Limmathaus

Jan-25  France, Clermont-Ferrand, Co-op de Mai

Jan-26  Italy, Milan Fabrique