Wales

The Now – ‘The Truth Always Comes Out In The End’

Oct 4, 2022 — Leave a comment

Four piece rock band The Now from South Wales released their debut EP ‘The Truth Always Comes Out In the End’ earlier this year. A very strong EP with infectious guitars, fantastic vocal melodies and a straight to the point rock sound, they really arent trying to be anyone else. A very versatile, all round EP which shows off their talents and huge potential.

The band have been playing together since 2018 releasing numerous singles. The EP includes the singles Shoot Them Down, This Town, Rewind, Rockstar and the brilliant single and opening track Holy.

Its easy to see why they’re picking up new fans all across the circuit. Definitely ones to watch out for!
The band have been recording their debut album in Real World Studios. Im really excited about this and what’s to come!

They have accounced they will be supporting legends ‘Reef’ at De Valence Pavillion on October 14th. Tickets on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Scott Marsden
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1987tilpresent – Around the Mind – EP

Oct 4, 2022 — Leave a comment

Wrexham football fanatic and lifelong supporter Neal Smith released his Around the Mind EP earlier this year.

A selection of beautiful, chilled out acoustic folk songs. A 6 track EP including the single Rosanna which was released back in 2020 and my favourite 1987tilpresent song which opens up the EP Over Polite.

I first heard Neals music back in 2017 when he released his debut album Letters to the Past which is another record you really should check out. Keep an eye out for Neals gigs as he’s a regular on the acoustic circuit.

Scott Marsden
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Heddlu’s brand new single ‘Auto-Da-Fé’ Now

Jul 21, 2022 — Leave a comment

Heddlu is the new musical project by Rhodri Daniel. The Ceredigion native was a founding member of renowned Welsh band Estrons who had a major impact on the industry having gained rave reviews from the likes of NME, Vice, DIY and Clash to BBC Radio, Radio X, Ultimate Guitar, The Guardian and Independent.

After finishing the band in 2019, Rhodri became aware that his hearing was severely damaged. Years of touring the live circuit had taken their toll, Rhodri ultimately being diagnosed with hearing loss, tinnitus and severe sensitivity to noise. The effects were so acute, Rhodri was unable to be in the same room as other people, leave the house or play music for almost a year.

A chance encounter with a retired record producer, who’s old forgotten studio on the slopes of the Cambrian Mountains was filled with antique synthesisers, inspired Rhodri to consider music once more. Advised to get outdoors to aid recovery, he embarked on a three-month hike spanning 900 miles of the entire Welsh coastline, where he conceived the new project and was inspired to write the music in his head, to be recorded upon his return. Serendipity led Rhodri back to music, and Heddlu was born. Meaning ‘Police’ in Welsh, from the words ‘peace-force’, Heddlu’s music has been true to its’ name, offering a force of peace to the songwriter.

“Auto-Da-Fé”, Heddlu’s 3rd single, (meaning ‘Act of faith’ in the Spanish language), is named after the trial that heretics and apostates faced during the Spanish inquisition, before being condemned. Sung from the dual perspectives of a judgemental inquisitor, and the artist himself, the song conveys a sorrowful and tumultuous scene, echoing how we continually put ourselves on trial for the things that we have done.

“Auto-Da-Fé” is out now on ‘Zawn Records’.

Emily Marden – Editor
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Columbia Debut Album ‘Embrace the Chaos’ Out Now

Jul 15, 2022 — Leave a comment

2022 has started with a bang for rapidly emerging indie rock band Columbia. They opened the year by sharing the stage headlining with English rockers The Shakes at The Moon Club in their home city of Cardiff, where they were enthusiastically received by the crowd.

This was quickly followed up by a headline gig at The Dragonffli in Pontypool ahead of the exclusive debut album launch event, again held at The Moon for their highly-anticipated debut album, ‘Embrace The Chaos’, their first London gig for Camden Live at Fiddler’s Elbow was on May 8th, and another London date on 26th June at The Dublin Castle, rounding off their Summer with a headline slot at The Moon on July 22nd and also played at SWNDFEST in Swansea on June 19th, with more big events and live dates to be announced for September and November 2022.

The Debut Album, Embrace The Chaos’ has been more than ten years in the making, so to say that Columbia are ecstatic about its long-awaited debut is something of an understatement. The band have continued to write, record, and perform through the challenges faced by the music industry in recent times, to produce a collection of songs of which they can be justifiably proud. (they are also prolific – having already started preliminary work on album 2, lead guitarist Ben Rowlands has lent his fine songwriting skills to some brilliant new tracks, the first of these is a dark The Cure-esque, menacing sounding song with echoes of Joy Division, called ‘Disorder’, a new unreleased track which was recently revealed as a new addition to Columbia’s live set.

Standout singles ‘Keys To The Kingdom’ and ‘Glory People’ have helped to push them into the realm of talented unsigned guitar bands who have that rare ability to combine great songwriting and powerful lyrics with a sound that takes its origins from the best of the likes of Oasis and other powerhouse 90’s bands, whilst sounding refreshingly new and exciting. ‘Embrace The Chaos’ is an album that will ‘restore your faith in rock ‘n’ roll’ says Craig. The Welsh four-piece sound more than stadium-ready on this album, and possess an energy unleashed in their recordings which leaves you feeling excited for their future as a live act.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Quirky Cardiff based collective ‘Quilty Pleasures’ announce self titled debut double album release date and share ‘Chaise Long’ single which was released digitally on the 8th of July.

Jul 14, 2022 — Leave a comment

‘Quilty Pleasures’ the album will be released on Friday 26th August.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Pixy Jones Announces Debut Album ‘Bits n Bobs’

Jul 14, 2022 — Leave a comment

El Goodo guitarist and songwriter ‘Pixy Jones’ has announced that his debut album entitled ‘Bits n Bobs’ is due for release on 16th of September via Strangetown Records. Branching away from the familiar El Goodo platform, Welsh psych scene stalwart Pixy Jones has himself compiled a truly remarkable collection of tracks that fluctuate from 60’s harmony-rich psych pop, to Alt-Country with ringing tremelo guitar.

The swaggering ‘I’m Not There’ is the first single to be taken from ‘Bits n Bobs’ accompanied by a magical version of Beatles track ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’ as it’s B SIde, which is available to stream now.

Pixy had this to say about the release:

The album was originally intended as a solo project under the pseudonym of “Wallace Russell”. I recorded it alongside the recording of Zombie (El Goodo) whenever I could get in the studio. There are some really old songs that have always been overlooked for ‘El Goodo’ albums for one reason or another, a few new ones which I wrote specifically for this, and a couple that would have probably ended up on the intended double album version of Zombie if we’d kept going with the double album idea. I’ve since ditched the ‘Wallace Russell’ name and gone back to ‘Pixy Jones’ as I figured there’s no need to have a pseudonym if nobody knows who you are in the first place. Even though I dropped the name I’ve kept the walrus mask for now as it is more photogenic than my actual face.

I had no recording budget so I had to fund it by quitting smoking and saving the money up to pay for studio time. It took, I think, two and a half years to record, which is by far the quickest I’ve ever recorded an album. Would have been quicker too if it wasn’t for Covid!

Originally I wanted it to just be a quickly recorded slap dash and get it out sort of thing but I had a year and a half during Covid to think about it a bit more and ended up taking more care to get it done properly. It was just me there so I played most of it myself apart from Stephen Black (Sweet Baboo) who played brass and woodwind on one song and Rhodri Brooks (AhGeeBe) plays some pedal steel on a couple.

Elliott and Canny from ‘El Goodo’ played drums and bass on Wind Street during the Zombie recording sessions.

The album was recorded and mixed in Aerial Studios with Tim Lewis, (Thighpaulsandra), a couple of songs were finished in the house during the lockdowns.

It’ll be released on Strangetown Records.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Afal – Adam Walton Album Review

Jun 26, 2022 — Leave a comment


Adam Walton will take you on a journey of memories you may have of sitting in the sun by the river and switching off, a refreshing take on the ever increasing ‘home-studio’ sound.

‘Afal’ is a mixture of personal songs played soulfully on acoustic guitars, the hypnotising, almost whisper-like voice of Walton, interspersed with 30 second experimental instrumental interludes that act like palate cleansers that have you ready for the artist to take you in another direction and the listener getting lost in the sounds.

‘Afal’ was partly recorded at the artists home studio which fills the songs with a sense of humanity and the individualistic sounds created left me satisfied and wanting more.

I thoroughly enjoy Adam Walton’s music and ‘Afal’ is no exception, it is has been my choice of album whilst sitting in the garden watching the birds flying above on a warm day. Perfect. 

Listen out for ‘Mary Sees U.F.O.S’

Neal Smith
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WoodooMan Announces New Album ‘Y Nos’ out 24th June Via Dewin Records

Jun 22, 2022 — Leave a comment

‘Excellent!’ – Huw Stephens, BBC

‘Expansive And Fasinating!’ – Adam Walton, BBC Introducing

“Uplifting And Haunting” – Music Blog Wales

“Haunting and epic!” – God Is In The TV

‘Y Nos’ is the phenomenal and atmospheric new album by ‘Woodooman’, Cardiff resident and Multi-Instrumentalist and Artist, Iwan Ap Huw Morgan.

“The album draws on the artist’s love of solitude. It is a celebration of the beauty of the night and its mystery as he urges us to free our minds and open our hearts to the unknown.”

‘Y Nos’ is a collection of tracks encapsulated the from ‘fire to ice’ landscape of Morgan’s newest creative offerings, delving into a darker psychedelic world of experimental, underground, stoner-punk.

Intense, atmospheric and tribal in instances; ‘Y Nos’ is an uplifting and haunting experience that is filled with elements of Woodooman’s mystical roots. ‘Morgan’s’ visceral vocals really are striking and stunning, dedicated Influences like the late great Mark Lanegan and Nick Cave really emerge to the surface.

‘Y Nos’ will be released on the 24th June via Recordiau Dewin Records

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Holy Coves Unveil Video for ‘Desert Storm’ Single – Directed by Ukrainian Filmmaker Taras Merenkov

Jun 20, 2022 — Leave a comment

North Wales Psychedelic rock band ‘Holy Coves’ have recently unveiled brand new video for their ‘Desert Storm’ single which was released on Friday 29th of April via prolific North Wales Label ‘Yr Wyddfa Records’.

Dropping swiftly into the slip-stream and following on from the successful ‘The Hurt Within’ which was released last month, ‘Desert Storm’ sets the psych mood with droney riffs, hazy vocals on an epic musical landscape.

Led by Welsh Singer-Songwriter Scott Marsden, ‘Holy Coves’ find themselves crossing an unseen threshold on a fantastical new journey where new psych-hazed material spells an exciting new era for the collective.

Through long time friend and Producer David Wrench, ‘Holy Coves’ were put in touch with Texan Producer Erik Wofford (The Black Angels / Explosions In The Sky) and have built quite a magical working relationship, one where Wofford found himself on Mixing and Mastering duties for the material and certainly contributes to their new sound.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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CHROMA DOUBLE-A SINGLE: ‘WEITHIAU / CARU CYFFURIAU’ OUT 24TH JUNE ON LIBERTINO

Jun 19, 2022 — Leave a comment

‘Weithiau’ (Sometimes) is an emotionally powerful song that is one half of Chroma’s Double-A single ‘Weithiau / Caru Cyffuriau’. This is the group’s first release after joining the Libertino label. The songs were recorded live to capture the versatile and energetic sound of the Valleys trio by producer Kris Jenkins (Cate Le Bon, SFA, Gruff Rhys).

“‘Weithiau’ is about ending a relationship with someone that you love deeply. The process of coming to terms with the fact that the relationship doesn’t work, and putting your self first in that situation.” – Katie Hall, Chroma In perfect musical contrast to the sometimes melancholy ‘Weithiau’, ‘Caru Cyffuriau’ is a non-stop ‘in your face’ punk song about being a teenager in the South Wales Valleys.

“Caru Cyfffuriau is a song about being a naughty teenager in the valleys experimenting with drugs and sex because there’s not much else to do. I think there needs to be more stuff going on so young people don’t feel so isolated. We wanted to write a welsh language punk song that reflects young people’s lived experience today.” – Katie Hall, Chroma

Weithiau is the BBC Radio Cymru’s Track of the Week this week.

LISTEN // STREAM // DOWNLOAD

https://haulix.promo/pj2

@Chromabanduk

Emily Marsden – Editor
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