Record Shopping: Museum of Bellas Artes

Photos: Paul Bridgewater
We know Stockholm trio Museum of Bellas Artes like Philly trio The Sapphires thanks to a sparky cover of "Who Do You Love" but who else gets their synths racing? We joined them on their short UK tour to talk Kieran Hebdan's disappointing live show, New Order's ode to Joy Division and swapping mixtapes with people living overseas.



Joanna: It was really hard to choose. There are too many records in here! I'm not the kind of person who looks up new music. I mean, I have the things I listen to and not much else. I guess I was a bit lost. Everything is totally new to me but (laughs) I've chosen 3.

Four Tet - Everything Ecstatic

Joanna: I have to talk about Four Tet. I love his music on record so so much but I saw him live once and, despite being so excited before, ended up totally disappointed...

Neu: Really?

Joanna: I expected the music I'd heard on the record but he played it really straight. It was nice but there wasn't the same atmosphere. Saying that I think it's amazing. I love Smile Around Your Face. It's the biggest song for me.

Neu: What is it that makes it for you?

Joanna: I always get into a certain mood when I listen to it. It's dance music but something else too. It's very moving.

Erykah Badu - Worldwide Underground

Joanna: I'm into soul and hip hop and wanted to show that. I love her music even if it might not show in the music that we make.

Neu: I can hear the influence...

Joanna: Well, I'm the one that listens to that! Maybe it's me bringing it in subconsciously. We always joke about how I'm the only one that really likes it.

Bandjo - Bandjo

Joanna: Well, they release on the same label as us so it felt right to talk about it! We know them too and one of the guy plays with us live too. It's a friendship thing but the record is brilliant too, so psychedelic. Plus I wanted to show that I like a diverse range of music. Even if it isn't very new...



Leo: My name is Leo and I produce in the band. I guess... (laughs)

Joanna: Yes, you do...

Leo: Shhh. So. I chose...

ESG - Dance To The Beat

Leo: It's a great record, yeah? The songs all link together and I love that in an album. It's only drum, bass, guitars for the most part. I heard it 2 years ago and there's something about it that I really like. It's so simple and so easy but articulate.

New Order - Movement

Leo: Released right after Ian died... I like Joy Division much more than New Order but this record has so much of Joy Division in it. It's kind of sad because obviously, Ian is there with them They lost a friend but made an extremely breathtaking goodbye. It's a wonderful pop record.



Alice: I think I regret one of my choices...

Dolly Mixture - Collection

Alice: I discovered this one when I was about 16. I had one song on a mixtape from a person I didn't know.

Neu: How did you get that?

Alice: I was on an online community and we swapped tapes. It was nice and not very 'internet' at all. That's how I started to listen to a lot of 80s indie and pop. I haven't listened to it for ages, so I think I'm going to buy this one. So of course I also like...

Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas

Alice: But I only recently discovered this quite recently. I don't know why. All my friends have listened to it for ages.

Neu: Oh, it doesn't matter when you discover an album...

Alice: Exactly. What I most like about this is Liz Fraser's vocals. Every song on this album is really great.

Neu: Do you think less bands write whole albums now. The kind you want to listen to all the way through?

All: Yes! Tsssh. We're going to write a real album. 12 great songs...

Museum of Bellas Artes release an EP with Force-Majeure today. They'll then return to writing that great pop album...

Museum Of Bellas Artes - " Watch The Glow" from Jamie Harley on Vimeo.