Belle & Sebastian Considers Opening Up A Taqueria

from the now-there's-an-idea dept

We're always interested in creative and new business model ideas involving using infinite goods to make scarce goods more valuable. So I have to admit I'm a bit intrigued by the (slightly tongue-in-cheek) claim by Stuart Murdoch of the popular band Belle & Sebastien that he's considering opening a Belle & Sebastien taqueria in Glasgow. In an interview with Planet Money, in which he's asked about any "backup career plans" he says:

I have some ideas that I might have to act upon. One of them is to open a taqueria in Glasgow. There's no decent Mexican food in Glasgow. And I've had this idea for a while, to open a Belle & Sebastian taqueria. You're laughing, but I'm about to get serious about this. Because this could be the thing that allows me to carry on doing music -- to serve a decent taco.

And while my first reaction was to laugh as well, the more I think about it, the more curious I am about the idea of a musician also opening up a restaurant or cafe like this. Of course, the usual complainers in our comments will say that if they're doing that then they're running a restaurant, not "being musicians." But, Murdoch seems to be suggesting that this is one way in which he can continue to be a musician. In fact, I would imagine that Belle & Sebastien fans would be willing to travel a long way, and spend a fair amount, to hang out at the Belle & Sebastien taqueria, and see the band hanging out/playing there as well.

Meanwhile, in terms of stuff the band is already doing, the band has created a neat contest to go along with their latest album release:

Album copies included a unique code to be entered at a website that asks the fan to write 300 words about love. From the submissions, the band will pick a winner, and Belle and Sebastian's lead singer-songwriter Stuart Murdock will come to the winner's town to hang out for an afternoon. Even more awesome is that Murdock will write a song about the winner which will be released on a special 7" record next year!

Filed Under: belle & sebastian, business models, music