Belle and Sebastian is a Scottish indie pop band formed in 1996 in Glasgow. The band's music is marked by its delicate melodies, literate lyrics, and intricate, folk-influenced arrangements, which can largely be credited to the creative direction of lead vocalist and primary songwriter Stuart Murdoch. They are notable for their influential albums "If You're Feeling Sinister" (1996) and "The Boy with the Arab Strap" (1998), which played a significant role in the late '90s indie pop scene. Belle and Sebastian have carved out a distinctive niche in the music world with their introspective and often whimsical sound.