Belle And Sebastian Share New Single If They're Shooting At You
Friday, 11 March 2022
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Hollie Fernando
Belle and Sebastian have released a new single, If They’re Shooting At You.
Released in support of those affected by the war in Ukraine, the poignant choir-backed song arrives as a powerful ode to defiance and survival. It comes paired with a video in collaboration with photographers covering the ongoing conflict.
All artist income from the track will be donated to the Red Cross, with donations made via Bandcamp until March 18 matched by the UK government as part of the joint appeal with the Disasters Emergency Committee. Frontman Stuart Murdoch said:
"When the situation in Ukraine first started to happen it became clear that the lives of the people there, and probably ‘ours’ too, were never going to be the same. The band had just started rolling out tracks for our new album, and it all felt a bit silly to be honest.
"We had one track called If They’re Shooting At You, it’s a song about being lost, broken and under threat of violence. The key line is 'if they’re shooting at you kid you must be doing something right.'
"We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and hope that their pain and suffering can be brought to a halt as soon as possible.
"We got in touch with various photographers and creatives in Ukraine and they generously said that we could put their pictures to music. In creating this we aspire to show a hopeful, defiant side, as well as bringing an awareness to the plight of the people there.
"We think any way in which we can get behind Ukraine - politically, culturally, practically, spiritually - it must all add up in the end. Together we have to do what it takes to help Ukraine beat this tyranny.
"Please consider giving to the Disasters Emergency Committee, The Red Cross, or any other humanitarian charity involved in the crisis.
"If you choose to donate to the Red Cross, please visit here redcross.org.uk/ukraine. They are part of the joint appeal with the DEC until March 18th, and money donated before then will be matched by the UK government."
If They're Shooting At You was co-produced by Belle and Sebastian, Shawn Everett, and Brian McNeill, and will feature on the band's upcoming album, 'A Bit Of Previous', due out on May 6 via Matador. It follows the previously shared single Unnecessary Drama.
The group will embark on a run of US dates this spring and summer, with a rescheduled UK and Ireland tour in the diary for the autumn. They also have rearranged European gigs lined up in 2023. Tickets are on sale now.
Belle and Sebastian Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Sun July 17 2022 - MOTHERWELL Concert Hall
Sun November 13 2022 - CARDIFF Great Hall - Cardiff Uni
Mon November 14 2022 - LONDON Roundhouse
Tue November 15 2022 - LONDON Roundhouse
Thu November 17 2022 - SHEFFIELD O2 Academy Sheffield
Fri November 18 2022 - LIVERPOOL Eventim Olympia
Sat November 19 2022 - HULL Asylum - Hull University Union
Mon November 21 2022 - ABERDEEN Beach Ballroom
Wed November 23 2022 - EDINBURGH Usher Hall
Thu November 24 2022 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 City Hall
Fri November 25 2022 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy
Sun November 27 2022 - CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange
Mon November 28 2022 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Tue November 29 2022 - SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall Southampton
Wed November 30 2022 - BRIGHTON Brighton Dome
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