Blindness & Light Release Debut Self Titled Album

“If The Smiths were to have a child with Joy Division and Radiohead raised it, the chances are likely it would be Blindness & Light.” – The Other Side Reviews

Inspired by the 80s post-punk movement, Blindness & Light bring the spirit of the era into the modern day with cutting edge production and technical fidelity blended with the artist’s vulnerable and emotive musical style.

The 8-track album is preceded by its two lead singles – The Old Skylight and The Ballad of Them And Us. The Old Skylight – released May 3rd, 2023 – perfectly encapsulates the album’s melancholic soundscape with a moving sound created by the artist and his friends and family enlisted on the track. Blindness & Light’s daughter Elise S. Potter provides the bass, her friend plays the trumpet, and another family friend Helen Reynolds provides the rich backing vocals.

The Ballad of Them And Us – released February 27th, 2023 – brings on former The Christians member Henry Priestman (highest selling Island Record debut album) who plays additional harmonica alongside Colin’s. Henry plays melodica on this track too. He also remixed the single release to create the Ynys Môn mix which is on the album. The song bursts open with powerful harmonica that paves the way for the upbeat and high-energy single that still retains Blindness & Light’s signature style.

The debut album, and Blindness & Light’s musical journey as a whole, is an inspirational story in its own right. Following a devastating hit and run that left the artist for dead, Blindness & Light re-evaluated his life’s direction. Since then he has completed his PhD in environmental biotechnology and now stands on the precipice of his debut album release.

Blindness & Light is also working alongside Mike Juvenile (KEEF) on their side project Radio Psychosis. The band will be releasing their single Television later this year.

Blindness & Light is available across all digital platforms now, available on CD and limited run of 100 vinyl released alongside. Physical copies available on Bandcamp, Mudshark Records, 81 Renshaw St, Liverpool and The Vinyl Exchange, Manchester. Merch available on Amazon worldwide.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Tom Emlyn Shares Bonus Solo B-Sides from New Album and Upcoming UK Tour Dates

Ahead of a raft of upcoming dates, emerging Swansea singer songwriter Tom Emlyn has shared three stripped back bonus b-sides from his new album  ‘Return Journey Revisited: Scaredycat Vol 1’. Listen to solo acoustic versions of ‘Broken Mirror’, ‘It doesn’t Bother Me;’ and The Thing Most Feared In Secret below. . 

Scaredycat Vol. 1 Bsides | Tom Emlyn (bandcamp.com) 

UK Tour dates 

20th July – Nozstock
27th July – The Glad Cafe, Glasgow
28th July – Sketchy Beats Cafe, Edinburgh 
12th August – Brecon Jazz/Fringe festival 
19th August – Tiny Rebel Newport
6th October – Hippo’s Swansea
27th-29th October – Boia festival St Davids

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Foxsleep Release New Single ‘Fordone’

A brilliant crafter of jazz-tinged indie-folk and alt-rock, Cardiff’s FoxSleep (aka Jason Morgan) has released his new single “Fordone” via Recordiau Pob Lwc.

With live acoustic shows showcasing his intuitive songwriting and ear for the jazzier corners of a melody, FoxSleep’s recorded work demonstrates his aptitude for instrumentation and arrangement. Driven by a gnarled bassline evoking the Knight Rider theme and drums approaching hard rock, Fordone’s blend of acoustic clatter and fizzing electric guitars provides the foundation for vocal melodies that wind around moments of folk, alt-rock and jazz, while violins provide complementary drone, orchestral uplift and harmony.

The song’s take on the consequences of excess moves between candid and deliberately exaggerated: “It’s a song about the things I should do less of,” explains Jason, “bad habits often excused as harmless or normalised as socially acceptable – I can’t decide if I’m worrying over nothing, however, it keeps me awake sometimes.”

Continuing a semi-DIY approach with both self-recorded and remotely performed components, Fordone is the first of a trio of singles scheduled for 2023, mixed by Todd Campbell (of Stompbox Studios and Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons). The accompanying artwork by Newport’s George Goom reflects a running conceptual theme of being gradually taken apart.

Following 3 successful DIY EPs, FoxSleep’s 2022 single What It Always Comes Back To received multiple plays on BBC Wales Introducing and was described by Circuit

Sweet as an “anthemic piece of the highest quality… as intense as it is uplifting.”

FoxSleep has performed at well established venues and festivals such as Swansea’s Bunkhouse, Cardiff’s Hub Festival and Clwb Ifor Bach, and Newport’s Le Pub, recently supporting acts such as Ynys, HMS Morris, Apollo Ghosts and Taff Rapids.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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FFredi Blino Releases New Album ‘Tarmac Roads and Fences’

Welsh/Aussie indie songster Ffredi Blino is back with a new bunch of melodies and whimsical notions. Following on from his lo-fi lockdown debut The Dishwasher Tapes, the new album features more acoustic, melodic vibes, at times straying into country folk territory but keeping the quirky indie heart beating. It’s all underpinned by the beautiful drum work of Sophie Wozencraft of Manchester’s The Deep Blue.
Singles include ‘Fruitfly’ – a funky love jam for insects, recently featured by Cerys Matthews as her show opener on BBC 6 Music; ‘L’ami de Jacques Renard’ – a surreal French jazz groove with a mind-bending video to match from director Izzy Rabey; and ‘Ffyrdd Tarmac a Ffenses’, aired on BBC Radio Cymru and Radio Wales.

Unusually, the album features two completely different versions of the same song. Title track ‘Tarmac Roads and Fences’ is a moody & moving contemplation on technology and separation from nature. However, for a BBC Radio Cymru live session, Ffredi decided to reinterpret the song in Welsh, resulting in opener ‘Ffyrdd Tarmac a Ffenses’

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Celavi Releases New Single ‘Neb Arall’

Nu metal, goth band CELAVI from Bangor, North Wales consists of Gwion Rhys Griffiths and Sarah Wyn Griffiths. Flying the flag for Welsh Metal, CELAVI have over a million streams internationally and have been supported by Amazon Music, being added to their ‘Best New Bands’ and ‘Breakthrough Rock’ editorial playlists, while receiving support by BBC Introducing on BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing in Wales.

Neb Arall translated into English means Nobody Else, Neb Arall is an empowering, know your self worth song with a message to be your own main character, to be you. The song is full of heavy guitar riffs, complimented by Sarah’s soft vocals, this makes a great contrast! Add the fact that the band offer bilingual tracks (Welsh and English) and you have something completely unique and special.

Upcoming Gigs

9th July – Rock The Castle, Flint
29th July – HMV Cardiff
5th August – Cader Rocks, Machynlleth
19th August – Le Pub Newport
8th September – Green Rooms, Treforest

Emily Marsden – Editor
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musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Alffa Release New Single ‘Tough Love’

The powerful two piece blues rock band from Llanrug in Wales return with the release of their latest single ‘Tough Love’

Formed in 2015 the pair took the time during the pandemic to craft their talent and have returned with a massive sound ready to wake everyone up! The new track is loud, proud and in your face, it demands your attention.

Alffa are the most streamed Welsh language act ever with over 3 million streams.

The band consists of Dion Jones (Guitar) and Siôn Land (Drums). The single ‘Tough Love’ is produced and mixed by Gethin Pearson and mastered by Ste Kerry.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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The Stray Pursuit Release New Single ‘Let It Be Known’

The Stray Pursuit is a young Swansea-based alternative rock band. Taking their musical influence from bands such as Stereophonics, Kasabian, and The Enemy. 
Their eclectic individual music taste makes each song distinctively their own; with guitar-heavy riffs and powerful, catchy vocals. 

The four-piece consists of the lead singer, Aaron Morgan; lead guitarist, Dylan Evans; bassist, Fred Wilkinson; drummer, Ben Lewis, and they had their first gig in November 2018. 

They sold out the famous Swansea music venue Sin City in March 2019 with their debut single release show of “Out of This World”. Since then, they have released 3 more singles and have featured on This Feeling’s ‘Big in 2020’, playing gigs as far as The Dublin Castle, Camden.

The band started as Aaron & Fred both got on the wrong bus from college and ended up an hour away from home. After getting chatting the pair discovered they were in rival local bands.  But when Fred invited Aaron over for a jam, they soon realised they worked very well together. Aaron invited Dylan, who was in his previous band, and Dylan brought Nicky. Ben joined the band in April 2023, as the founding drummer Nicky Bevan, sadly lost his life (due to mental health problems) in December 2022. 

As a result of the pandemic, and Fred finishing university, the boys took a hiatus until June 2022. Since then, The Stray Pursuit have been in the practice room working relentlessly to perfect new tracks and tighten up their enthralling live performances.

The boys have been in the studio recording their first EP at Longwave Studios with Romesh Dodangoda in Cardiff. They plan to release their debut EP by December 2023. They are also in the process of booking a tour, so stay tuned for the coming months! 

The song is about someone struggling with insecurities and self-consciousness and trying to overcome them. Hence the lyric “My fear, all over my skin”. I wrote the song in the summer of 2021 on a 4 stringed acoustic guitar. – Quote from Dylan (Lead Guitarist). 

 In their own words:
Our energetic live performances and crowd interaction as well as heavy guitar riffs that speak to you like lyrics, are what we attribute to our consistent sell-out shows of local music venues. 
 
Our founding drummer passed away in December 2022, aged 20. We have always tried to write songs and lyrics from the heart, but now it has a real purpose. It has given a deeper and more poignant perspective to our song writing. 


 For fans of:

Kasabian, Catfish and The Bottlemen, The Enemy, Himalayas, Green Day.

Upcoming live dates:
 

30th June – The Bunkhouse, Swansea. Hometown headline show! (With Stickman and The Rogues)

September 1st – Via Fossa, Nottingham (with The Fiends)


Emily Marsden – Editor
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Josh Hicks Releases Debut Single ‘Self Seeking’

Hailing from Newport, 23 year-old Welsh singer-songwriter Josh Hicks has released his poignant debut single, ‘Self Seeking (The Highest Order of Selfishness)’, available to stream now.

With its rich piano refrains, modern, polished melodies and emotionally observant lyrics, ‘Self Seeking (The Highest Order of Selfishness)’ pays testament to Josh’s stunning falsetto vocals and innate ability to write life-affirming and relatable songs.

On the single, Josh, working with producer Shatterjack ( featured compositions in many tv and film including Netflix no.1 Anatomy Of A Scandal, Bridget Jones’ Baby etc), says: ‘It speaks to those who have ever felt ignored. It all started when I was younger from both friends and/or family, constantly feeling seen but not heard. This song is about rising from this and not putting the blame on yourself.’

Josh won Open Mic in 2021 against 15k other entries, with previous winners including Birdy and Lola Young, and has also worked with Emeli Sandé through the MS Society.

With a contemporary, classic pop sound that embodies soulful yet subtle jazz inclinations and inspired by lyrical greats such as Cole Porter and Amy Winehouse, Hicks injects personality into his writing drawn from personal experiences and an active interest in men’s mental health.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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The Royston Club Release Debut Album ‘Shaking Hips and Crashing Cars’

Wrexham band The Royston Club return with their fantastic and eagerly awaited debut album ‘Shaking Hips and Crashing Cars’. With their fresh, upbeat indie rock sound, this album will have you singing along with their highly infectious hook lines. For the fans they have released an exclusive deluxe pink vinyl and very limited bonus 7″ vinyl with three acoustic tracks.

These guys are definitely ones to watch in the years ahead. After only being on the circuit for two years the band have already completed two headline tours selling around 8,000 tickets. They are favourably Supported by BBC 6Music, Radio 1, Radio X, BBC Wales and among others.

The band consists of Tom Faithfull (Lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Ben Matthias (Lead guitar) Sam Jones (Drums), Dave Tute (Bass).

The Royston Club describe the record as “A raw, frenetic crowd of songs, through which you can hear the drunken nights spent screaming our favourite songs at the top of our lungs and the consequent hangovers, each bouncing gig and its dormant green room, the freedom of touring along with the panicked inner nag to get a real job. The brotherly love we have for one another and the burning appetite to make music that we cherish and enjoy.”

“A lot of the lyrical meanings and stories told on our album are very melancholic and bitter, yet the accompanying music is very upbeat and ‘danceable’. I really liked this juxtaposition and the idea of people dancing along to a song about depression so tried to encapsulate that in an album title. The album is a collection of stories and feelings from the past three years of our lives. The late teens and early twenties are frantically transformative for everyone, and these are some cherry-picked moments from our experience of those years.”

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Gŵyl Tawe 2023

Datganiad i’r wasg – Manylion llawn ar gyfer Gŵyl Tawe 2023 (*see below for English version)

Pleser Menter Iaith Abertawe yw cyhoeddi’r manylion llawn ar gyfer Gŵyl Tawe ar ddydd Sadwrn y 10fed o Fehefin yn Amgueddfa Genedlaethol y Glannau, Abertawe.

Yn ymuno gyda’r rhaglen cerddoriaeth fyw bydd Rogue Jones a Gillie. Hyn fydd perfformiad cyntaf Rogue Jones yn cefnogi eu ail albwm syfrdanol “Dos Bebés”, tra fod senglau diweddar Gillie ar Recordiau Libertino, “i ti” a “Llawn”, wedi gweld adolygiadau rhagorol a pherfformiadau fel rhan o Focus Wales.

Yn barod wedi eu cyhoeddi i chwarae ar draws llwyfan awyr agored Cymru Greadigol a llwyfan Coleg Gŵyr Abertawe yng nghanol yr amgueddfa mae Ani Glass, Hyll, Lloyd x Dom + Don, Los Blancos, MR, Sage Todz, She’s Got Spies, SYBS, a The Gentle Good, gydag Adwaith yn cau’r noson.

Yn dechrau’r digwyddiad yn y bore bydd sioe theatr ryngweithiol i deuluoedd gan Familia de la Noche. Ymunwch â Brogs y Bogs, archarwyr y llyffantod, a helpwch nhw i ffrwydro drwy’r ffosydd a difetha’r Cwac Tŷ Bach yn y sioe newydd hon! Dewch i neidio, dawnsio a chwerthin llond eich bol gyda’r amffibiaid anhygoel, fydd yn siŵr o ddiddanu’r teulu cyfan. Yn dilyn hyn bydd amrywiaeth o berfformiadau gan ysgolion lleol gan gynnwys corau, grwpiau dawns, ac offerynwyr.

Yng nghyntedd yr amgueddfa fe fydd arlwy o stondinau a gweithgareddau gan bartneriaid megis Coleg Gŵyr Abertawe, Siop Tŷ Tawe, Canolfan Celfyddydau’r Taliesin, yr Oriel Mission, a’r Mudiad Meithrin. Bydd gweithgareddau gwyddonol gan Technocamps, a bydd yr artist Rhys Padarn yn cynnig gweithdy yn galluogi mynychwyr i greu ychydig o waith yn ei arddull Orielodl eiconig. Bydd yna hefyd cyfleoedd i fwynhau sesiynau stori a chân gan Cymraeg i Blant, ac i dderbyn gwersi blasu gan Dysgu Cymraeg Ardal Bae Abertawe yn ystafelloedd dysgu’r amgueddfa.

Mae’r ŵyl yn hollol rad ac am ddim, a bydd yn rhedeg rhwng 10:00 a 20:00. Mae’r digwyddiad yn cael ei gynnal mewn partneriaeth ag Amgueddfa Cymru, a gyda chefnogaeth gan Gyngor Abertawe, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, Coleg Gŵyr Abertawe, a Llywodraeth Cymru trwy Cymru Greadigol.

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Menter Iaith Abertawe are pleased to announce the full details for this year’s Gŵyl Tawe on Saturday the 10th of June at Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum.

Joining the music line up in the afternoon will be Rogue Jones and Gillie. This will be Rogue Jones’ first live performance in support of their acclaimed second album “Dos Bebés”, while Gillie’s recent singles “i ti” and “Llawn” on Libertino Records have seen rave reviews and performances at Focus Wales.

Already announced to be performing across the festival’s Creative Wales open-air stage and the Gower College Swansea stage in the heart of the museum are Ani Glass, Hyll, Lloyd x Dom + Don, Los Blancos, MR, Sage Todz, She’s Got Spies, SYBS, and The Gentle Good, with a headline set from Adwaith closing the evening.

Starting the event in the morning will be an interactive theatre show for families from Familia de la Noche. Come join Frogs in Bogs, the superhero frog plumbers, to crack a clogging crime and defeat the evil Toilet Duck in this new, hilarious, all-jumping, all-dancing, blockbusting show for all the family! This will be followed by variety of performances from local schools including choirs, dance groups, and instrumentalists.

The foyer of the museum will see stalls and activities from partners such Gower College Swansea, Siop Tŷ Tawe, the Taliesin Arts Centre, the Mission Gallery, and the Mudiad Meithrin. Technocamps will offer STEM activities, and the artist Rhys Padarn will offer a workshop enabling attendees to create some of his iconic Orielodl artwork. There will also be opportunities to enjoy story and song sessions from Cymraeg i Blant, and to receive taster lessons from Learn Welsh Swansea Bay Region in the museum’s Learning Rooms.

The festival is completely free to attend and will run between 10:00 and 20:00. The event is delivered in partnership with Museum Wales, and with support from Swansea Council, the Arts Council of Wales, Gower College Swansea, and Welsh Government via Creative Wales.


Emily Marsden – Editor
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musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com