BELLE AND SEBASTIAN

With a combination of fey vocals, killer hooks and avant-garde pop experimentalism, Scottish popsters Belle & Sebastian gave indie fans hope that someone had come to fill the gap left by the daffodil-wielding Morrissey. The band were formed in Glasgow in 1996 by main songwriter Stuart Murdoch and Isobel Campbell under the aegis of a government training scheme in music. Since their debut album, Tigermilk in 1997, the band have built on their cult status with minimum promotion and infrequent live gigs - the 'hype' reaching its zenith in 1999 when, with the help of an internet voting campaign, they pipped Steps to the title of of Brits Best Newcomers. Most recent album, The Life Pursuit, recorded with Beck's producer Tony Hoffer in LA, showcased a wider variety of styles than ever, suggesting a new beginning for indie pop's fey darlings...