'Let's Do It' special edition and live shows in June

Hello everyone, We hope you're all enjoying the gorgeous April weather.

We're excited to bring you news of Bob's new book and a special signed edition with accompanying CD that'll be available to pre-order next week exclusively via our shop.

We also have news of four Saint Etienne shows in June and reveal the full details of those below.

'Let's Do It' is Bob's long awaited follow up to 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeah' and has been described by Caitlin Moran as "an absolute landmark, a door to Narnia: the history of pop music before rock'n'roll. I can't recommend 'Let's Do It' enough."

Neil Tennant says it is "an encyclopaedic introduction to the fascinating and often forgotten creators of Anglo-American hit music in the first half of the twentieth century."

It's had rave reviews from the Times, Daily Telegraph, Record Collector, Uncut and Mojo, who have given it 5 stars and called it "magisterial".



Pop music didn't begin with the Beatles in 1963, or with Elvis in 1956, or even with the first seven-inch singles in 1949. There was a pre-history that went back to the first recorded music, right back to the turn of the century . . . Who were the earliest record stars, and were they truly 'pop stars'? Who were the likes of George Gershwin writing songs for? Why did swing, the hit sound for a decade or more, become almost invisible after the Second World War?

A prequel to 'Yeah Yeah Yeah', 'Let's Do It' is the first book to tell the definitive story of the birth of pop, from the invention of the 78 rpm record at the end of the nineteenth century to the beginnings of rock and the modern pop age. Bringing the eclectic, evolving world of early pop to life - from ragtime, blues and jazz to Broadway, country, crooning and beyond - 'Let's Do It' is essential reading for all music lovers.

From 5pm (BST) on Wednesday 4th May we will be offering signed copies of 'Let's Do It' with a specially compiled (and unique to the Saint Etienne merchandise shop) 26 track CD entitled 'Let's Do It: Deep Magic From the Dawn of Pop' that gathers together Bob's favourite recordings from the era and forms the perfect soundtrack to the book.

Housed in a gatefold card wallet, designed by Saint Etienne's favourite artwork maestro Paul Kelly, the CD and signed book set is limited to just 500 copies so please visit our shop (click here) next Wednesday at 5pm (BST) to avoid disappointment.

Next Wednesday also sees Bob set off for a series of talks around the UK about 'Let's Do It' hosted by Jonny Trunk or Peter Paphides - with musical accompaniment from Debsey and Gus Bousfied on four dates - that take in Saltaire on May 4th, London on May 5th, Stratford on May 7th, Manchester on May 9th, Glasgow on May 10th, Liverpool on May 13th and finally Bath on May 19th. For full details of these please check the Saint Etienne website here or the events section on our Facebook page here.



In other news we're really pleased to be hitting the road again in June. We'll be visiting 4 parts of the UK who missed out on all the action during our sold out run last November.

June
Wed 8 - Manchester - Ritz
Thu 9 - Edinburgh - Royal High School
Fri 10 - Sunderland - Fire Station
Sat 11 - Kite Festival - Oxfordshire

At Kite we'll be neatly sandwiched between Mavis Staples, Self Esteem and Grace Jones so it promises to be a fun day out. Expect newer songs from 'I've Been Trying To Tell You' alongside hits and some of our favourite misses and don't forget to bring your dancing shoes.

Tickets for all four shows can be bought here but please be quick as these are selling fast.

We're not forgetting our overseas fans but heavy witholding tax and new visa rules (yawn) have certainly made things tougher for us playing overseas since the UK's departure from the EU. That said we hope to escape and play in a city near you during 2023.

Sending love, peace and happiness to everyone wherever you are!!

Sarah, Bob and Pete

xxx