IN ONE EAR: Simon Raymonde In Conversation

As one-third of seminal band Cocteau Twins, Simon Raymonde helped create some of the most beautiful and memorable albums of the ’80s and ’90s. This is the first autobiography from one of the Cocteau Twins, a band which continues to bewitch new generations of fans (as testified by over 3 million monthly Spotify listeners) and around whom many myths have been woven which are now dispelled for the first time. For the past twenty-seven years, Simon has discovered, developed and worked with renowned artists like Fleet Foxes, Flaming Lips, Beach House, Ezra Furman, Laura Veirs, Mercury Rev, Father John Misty and John Grant on his Bella Union label, which has helped define the independent music scene.

In One Ear charts Simon Raymonde’s extraordinary life and times in music: from his relationship with his father, Ivor Raymonde (the legendary producer and songwriter), his first steps as a recording artist (standing in the rain outside Broadcasting House to hand a tape to John Peel), the glorious and sometimes turbulent times with Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil and the three decades he has spent running Bella Union, one of the UK’s top independent record labels.

In 2001 Bella Union was on the up (at least artistically if not financially) when Simon found himself totally deaf in one ear – 'I keep waking up wondering if that desire to listen to the next demo in my Inbox will have deserted me overnight. So far it hasn’t. As long as my one good ear still works, I’ll keep listening.’ As new generations continue to discover and fall under the spell of the profoundly influential sound of the Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil, this is the story of a man whose love of music has defined his life and continues to bring joy to fellow musicians and music lovers around the world.

We have two ticket options available: * Event Only and *Event with Discounted Book Combo deal - books will be available for collection at the Festival.

Our event will be followed by a dedicated signing event with Simon. RRP books will also be available for purchase on the day.

Simon Raymonde is a British producer, musician and record company CEO. From 1983 to 1997 he was one-third of seminal band Cocteau Twins and associated offshoot This Mortal Coil. In 1997 he co-founded Bella Union with Robin Guthrie. With Simon at the helm, the label has gone on to win the prestigious Music Week Best Independent Label Award (as voted by the UK’s independent record retailers) in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Simon is the son of arranger Ivor Raymonde, who worked with some of the greats from the ’60s and ’70s, including Bowie, Dusty Springfield, Roy Orbison, the Stylistics and the Walker Brothers. Simon’s first band the Drowning Craze, who released three singles, recorded a session for John Peel and then broke up. Simon joined Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser in the Cocteau Twins in 1983 while he was working at the Beggars Banquet record shop downstairs from the 4AD office. As well as being a co-writer and co-producer for Cocteau Twins, Simon wrote seven songs for This Mortal Coil. He lives in Brighton where he also co-owns and runs the Bella Union Vinyl Shop with his wife Abbey.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

INNSIDE Manchester, 1 First Street, Manchester, United Kingdom