Contributed by
Laura Miller
Broadcaster, Writer, Student

Untitled (A Belle & Sebastian Mix Tape)

Creator: Russell Withers
Date: February 2005

Belle & Sebastian are a band that make listeners feel absolute joy and absolute sadness. So too does this mix tape. It was given to me by a then very close friend on the occasion of buying my first car. It represented happy summer holiday times and my first stab at independence. As time went on, though we still thought each other was rad, the friendship became less important to both of us and listening to the tape made me nostalgic. Then, it represented even more sadness when it was in the tape deck during my first car crash.

For a long time I couldn't listen to this tape or any Belle & Sebastian, to me it sounded like a faded friendship, a traumatic car crash and poverty from paying for car repairs. But nowadays, listening to this tape reminds me of a friendship that, although brief, was incredibly important to both of us at the time. It is the soundtrack to us helping each other navigate our way through our final teenage years.

Tracklisting

(all tracks by Belle & Sebastian)

Side A

I'm waking up to us
I could be dreaming
Le Pastie De La Bourgeoisie
Pocketbook Angel
Poupee de cire, poupee de son
Get me away from here I'm dying
The boy with the arab strap
Like Dylan in the movies

Side B

Dog on wheels
Ease your feet in the sea
A summer wasting
Don't leave the light on baby
Chickfactor
I don't love anyone
Family tree
The model