Are you tired, Stevie?
Yeah, a wee bit.

Where does the name Belle & Sebastian come from?
I think it came from a television programme, which was a French television programme. A boy and a dog… I can’t remember. It was before my time.

Does the title ‘The Boy With The Arab Strap’ refer to the band?
Yes, there’s a song in the l.p. and it’s about the group Arab Strap.

Why?
I don’t write the songs. I mean, why not?

Why doesn’t Stuart like the press?
As far as I know he does like the press. He just chooses not to do interviews, but he doesn’t have anything against the press. He doesn’t have a fear or a hatred. Some people are comfortable doing things, some people are not.

Are you comfortable?
Yeah, I don’t mind.

I spoke to Ally and Eddie from Texas and they said that their favourite group is Belle & Sebastian?
Texas said that?? Yeah, Ally said that.

Oh, that’s really nice…
Texas will probably know us because they’re from Glasgow…

But you’re starting to get famous worldwide…
Well, the new lp is doing well and went to number twelve in the chart. I think we are gradually selling more records. I think we have a small cult following in some countries… It’s constantly growing in America. I think it’s just naturally progressing.

Do you care about the charts anyway?
Well… I guess so. I saw the l.p. in the charts and I was happy, so I think that means that I care. Of course we want to sell records, because we want to do it professionally.

Do you consider Belle & Sebastian a pop band?
I guess so.

What do you mean by ‘pop’ anyway?
Just a kind of general term of - you know - good tunes, just in that sense. But that’s just my opinion.

Most of the characters in your songs are rather young. What is your attitude to youth and to the old age? Take Anthony of ‘If you’re feeling sinister’…
It’s kind of hard for me to comment on the songs. I would imagine that it’s just something that strikes you or gets your imagination going or something like that.

What do you think Belle & Sebastian would have been ten years ago, when there was a proper Scottish scene?
I think there was a scene, but it’s impossible to answer. Those groups are a lot different from what we’re doing. I don’t think they had an influence on us.

And which bands had an influence on you?
Well, I mean when we talk about music. There’s about eight people in the band and all can have various influences. I think the only band we can all agree on is the Velvet Underground. Some members of the group like Orange Juice… They propably had more influence on us than - say - Deacon Blue… Y

es, but it’s just a matter of being from Glasgow rather than being influenced by the music.
Well, we’re not actually all from Glasgow. Sarah’s from England, she’s from Blackburn, she plays the fiddle. There’s a couple of members who are from the East Coast of Scotland. But we’re all based in Glasgow.

But you’re from Glasgow, aren’t you?
Yeah, I’m from Glasgow.

You really sound like.
Oh, thank you...It’s funny when you got asked about being Scottish, like it has to have an influence by all means.

It’s because most bands have an answer for that, and they say that Glasgow is a very soulful city.
I don’t really believe that. I think it’s a good place. I like living here a lot, but if we came from anywhere we would probably sound the same.

Glasgow’s pop music is supposed to be very interesting and people are willing to pay more attention if they know you’re from Glasgow.
Of course. You can’t always imagine what people think of you, but of course Glasgow has a tradition of music. There have always been groups that have come from the area. If people think so that’s fine. Maybe it’s because I’ve never lived anywhere else. When you are involved in something, you don’t think of the implications.

Do you hear from any other bands from the Glasgow area?
Yeah, I have friends that are in groups like the Veetwain (?), who have released a couple of good really records. Mostly kind of local bands who are on the verge of breaking through, Veetwain or Astrid.

The Bathers?
I know Chris. I’ve met him a few times. He’s really nice.

What’s in your current playlist?
Frank Sinatra, an album called "Only the lonely".

What else?
The Delgados…

Well, you definitely have many things in common with Ally from Texas, because he mentioned the same names… But maybe you don’t like Texas that much…
I like a couple of things… I really like that song: "When I get that feeling" (sings).

You’ve always been compared to Nick Drake… What’s your attitude to this?
My attitude is that I don’t have a problem with people thinking that, if that’s their opinion. In reality, he’s someone we don’t really feel to sound like.

Well, you don’t necessarily have to sound like someone.
Maybe the singing or something is vaguely like Nick Drake or because the style is more gentle or reflective. It’s kind of lyrical, I suppose, but he’s not someone we talk about… I think a few of us like Nick Drake but I wouldn’t say off hand he’s had a huge influence on the band.

Why is there so much difference between the e.p.’s and the l.p.’s in terms of quality of the sound?
It’s just because we spent more time on the albums. I think the new record is the best sounding. The e.p.’s were mixed fairly quickly. We generally record our songs together at once.

Why is there Kafka’s "The Trial" on the cover of "If You’re Feeling Sinister"? Because the girl on the cover was reading it at the time. No other reason at all. There’s no hidden meaning.