ESSENCE

COCTEAU TWINS FAQ

Who are Cocteau Twins?
Formed in 1982 in Grangemouth, Scotland, Cocteau Twins originally consisted of Elizabeth Davidson Fraser (Aug 29/63), Robin Andrew Guthrie (January 4/62) and bass player Will Heggie. Will later left the band and was replaced by Simon Philip Raymonde (April 3/62).

Where did the name "Cocteau Twins" come from?
That fun-loving Robin Guthrie has said misleading things about it in some interviews, but the actual truth is that it was the name of an early Simple Minds song. There is no Simple Minds song called "Cocteau Twins" however the name comes from the first Simple Minds album, Life In a Day, and goes by the title No Cure. To hear for yourself just click on this link

Did the band split up?
The band officially split up in February 1998 leaving their last album unfinished. In April 1998 Simon Raymonde clarified the situation somewhat by stating:

"We have no plans to make any more records together as [Cocteau Twins]...we have 3/4 of a record finished but it will not see the light of day for some time yet I fear. Robin & I have a small independent label where will continue to find eclectic and interesting bands to release as well as be a platform for our own music. Liz is planning on a pop career I think."

What is Bella Union?
Bella Union is the name of the record label created by Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde. They are based in Twickenham, England. More information can be obtained from their website:


Who are some of the artists on Bella Union?
Simon Raymonde
Francois Breut
Dirty Three
The Czars
Sing Sing
Nanaco
Sneakster
Russell Mills
The Wave Room

Do Robin and Liz have a child?
Yes they do, Robin and Liz have a daughter together named Lucy Belle Guthrie. Robin and his wife Florence have custody of the child.

Are Robin and Liz still a couple?
They are no longer together as a couple. Liz Fraser currently lives in Bristol with her boyfriend Damon Reece (of the band Spiritualized), they have a daughter together named Lily.

Is Robin married now?
Yes Robin is married, he and his wife Florence live in Twickenham with their daughter Violet Guthrie.

What about Simon Raymonde? Is he married?
Simon Raymonde, his wife Karen and their two young boys Stanley & William live in Twickenham.

Did Simon Raymonde release a solo ablum?
Simon released "Blame Someone Else" on Bella Union in 1997. More information can be obtained from his official website www.simonraymonde.com

I'd like to write to the band, what should I do?
Bella Union
P.O. Box 315
Twickenham
TW1 1TZ
U.K.

Can I email the band?
Yes you can, just follow this link

Where can I find Cocteau Twins lyrics?
Only Liz knows what she's been saying all these years. She has never published her lyrics with the exception of the odd sleeve note. Many people have taken a stab at interpretation, including myself. Check out these links for lyrical interpretations:
Lyrics Section
Lenny Dyadel's Lyrics
Mike Borum's Lyrics


Who is Harold Budd from "The Moon and the Melodies"?
Harold Budd is a composer and pianist (and colleague of Brian Eno) who works mainly in the genre of ambient music: sparse, meditative soundscapes that avoid the easy sentimentalism of "new age". If you enjoyed the quieter piano-based moments of The Moon..., particularly Memory Gongs, try Budd's album Lovely Thunder, which includes an alternate version of that song, entitled Flowered Knife Shadows. Also recommended are his earlier albums The Pearl and The Plateaux of Mirror, both collaborations with Brian Eno. His 1989 album The White Arcades was recorded in the Cocteau Twins' studio, September Sound.

When did the Cocteau Twins leave 4AD?
They left for Fontana in 1991. They said they were tired of being pigeonholed as "a 4AD band". They left Fontana after releasing two albums, "Four Calendar Cafe" and "Milk and Kisses" to produce their new album on their own label, Bella Union. But the band split up in February 1998.

Where can I get more information about 4AD?
Simply visit their official website!

I've seen v23 (or 23 Envelope) on some Cocteau Twins album covers, what does it mean?
v23 or 23 Envelope are a design firm who have worked on many Cocteau Twins album covers. For more information check out their website

Did Cocteau Twins really release christmas songs?
In 1993 Cocteau Twins released Snow which contained two Christmas songs. The single included a cover of "Frosty The Snowman" (written by Jack Rollings & Steve Nelson) and "Winter Wonderland" (written by by Felix Bernard & Dick Smith). Although this disc is currently out of print it has (for some reason) become one of the most sought after Cocteau Twins singles for the collector. This single is not their rarest item but it's a keen addition to any Cocteau collection.

Have the Cocteau Twins ever done music for commercials?
Cocteau Twins did a Fruitopia commercial, which was only shown in the UK. Fruitopia, for those not in the know, is a brand fruit juice sold by the Coca Cola company. The ads are unintentionally hilarious pastiches of trippy rave/psychedelic imagerie and save-the-planet slogans. Unfortunately there are no plans for the commercial to be shown elsewhere or for the music to be released separately. With luck it may show up on a b-side in a few years. Until then, you can listen to hydroallergenic on the LP Found Sound from Spooky which samples from this commercial. Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie have also done the music for a Volkswagon commercial! For more information on Cocteau Twins commercials follow this link

What about collaborations?
Band members have done their fair share of collaborations, for a complete list check out the Collaborations Page

Have Cocteau Twins songs ever appeared in films or on movie soundtracks?
Yes! Lost Highway, Stealing Beauty, Judge Dredd, The Winter Guest, The Doom Generation - to name a few. For more information visit the soundtracks section.

Have any Cocteau Twins songs ever hit the charts?
YES! See the listing with it's place in the chart below: