Belle and Sebastian Spotlight Ukraine in ‘If They’re Shooting at You’

Belle and Sebastian have launched “If They’re Taking pictures At You,” a brand new music that pledges help for people affected by the continuing battle in Ukraine. The monitor’s companion video is comprised of photographs from the frontlines and options work by quite a lot of Ukraine-based photographers protecting the invasion, together with Vadim Ghirda, Andreea Alexandru, and Mikhail Palinchak.

“When the state of affairs in Ukraine first began to occur it grew to become clear that the lives of the folks there, and possibly ‘ours’ too, have been by no means going to be the identical,” frontman Stuart Murdoch defined in an announcement. “The band had simply began rolling out tracks for our new album, and all of it felt a bit foolish to be trustworthy. We had one monitor referred to as ‘If They’re Taking pictures At You,’ it’s a music about being misplaced, damaged and beneath risk of violence. The important thing line is ‘in the event that they’re taking pictures at you child you have to be doing one thing proper.’”

He continued, “We received in contact with varied photographers and creatives in Ukraine they usually generously stated that we may put their footage to music. In creating this we aspire to indicate a hopeful, defiant facet, in addition to bringing an consciousness to the plight of the folks there. We expect any method during which we will get behind Ukraine — politically, culturally, virtually, spiritually — it should all add up ultimately. Collectively we now have to do what it takes to assist Ukraine beat this tyranny.”

Belle And Sebastian have pledged all revenue from the music — together with streaming and digital gross sales, in addition to publishing royalties — to the Red Cross. Donations made by way of Bandcamp till March 18 will probably be matched by the U.Okay. authorities as a part of the joint enchantment with the Disasters Emergency Committee. An choice to donate immediately can also be accessible with the music on streaming platforms.

In an announcement, the band famous, “We stand in solidarity with the folks of Ukraine, we salute their bravery and hope this struggle might be dropped at a halt as quickly as doable. We’re all Ukrainian now.”

“If They’re Taking pictures at You” will seem on Belle and Sebastian’s tenth album, A Bit of Previous, out Might 6. The music was co-produced by the band and Shawn Everett. The indie stalwarts are set to hit the highway throughout the U.S. beginning in late Might. They’ll additionally head again to the UK within the fall, earlier than touring Europe early subsequent 12 months.