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Cardiff

James Jones – Christmas Passed (Feat. Olawale)

Posted on 1 January 2021

When you can count supporters as diverse as Eamonn Holmes and the great Dave Swarbrick, something’s clearly going well for you; James Jones had his first gig at the age of 11 as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of London at Cardiff International Arena. Since then he’s gone on to support Swarbrick, his childhood inspiration, and performed at the BBC Proms In The Park.

‘Christmas Passed’ is Jones’ new single, from his album of classical and jazz-inspired pop songs due for release on the 29th December; featuring the wonderful vocals of Olawale Ojo (the winner of Project Fame West Africa) over Jones’ beautiful fingerstyle mildly jazzy classical guitar accompaniment. It’s an exquisite piece of work, the melody line of the guitar perfectly complimenting Ojo’s sublime voice, never intrusive but shadowing and balancing in a stunning counterpoint.

Hear ‘Christmas Passed’ on Spotify.

Review by Alex Holmes

The outsiders create their own genre: Cardiff’s Exsil roam through the night with growling abandon on ‘Jumping At Shadows’

Posted on 18 December 2020

South Wales Industrial act Exsil are back with a mysterious marvel of a track via their new electronic-fused song ‘Jumping At Shadows‘.

Taken off the brand new thirteen track album ‘Disavowed‘ that dropped on the 10th December 2020- and released through Urban Planning Records– this is a sound that is in its own lane and swerves when and where it wants.

The speaker-busting bass heavy electronic breaks smash through the years slumber and makes your tired heart’s blood flow heat up again. The cold winter is coming and there is no Jon Snow but no fear; the Welsh dragons blow such fire from their creation and you won’t need to turn on the heaters for this one.

I mistakenly had my laptops volume of full voltage at the start of this track and almost fell off my chair. After a quick laugh, I then started again- albeit a bit softer than before- but then organically found myself gradually turning this up and getting my stomp on.

”A soundtrack for empty bus shelters at 3am, wet tarmac, clicking exchanges, abandoned buildings and dirty alleyways.”- Exsil

This really says it all and this is that sticky floor sliding music in the empty areas that goes to waste usually. The bass is so thudding and you can feel the 80’s and 90’s influences as this is when dance music was at it’s best. This reminds me of being in that sweaty club when I was 18 with zero worries in the world, being with mates, shouting at each other and hearing half the words; good times that are entrenched into your mind forever.

The analog synths break the flailing windows of the neighbor next door, this is the Trainspotting type music that inspires you us all to get that couch-sitting body off the slouch, instead closing your eyes and ripping through with those dusted off dance moves you have been waiting to explore again.

‘Jumping At Shadows‘ from South Wales genre-creators Exsil is a stomping song that needs to be heard at full volume and with mates that appreciate quality music. This will bend your mind and make that heart beat so fast you might need CPR.

Hear this Welsh band via Soundcloud and also support on Bandcamp.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Cardiff’s Sarah Brown changes direction on breathless ‘Liability’

Posted on 28 August 2020

Pop-Soul singer-songwriter from Cardiff in Wales, Sarah Brown, is back with another self-aware track with lots of powerful vocals called ‘Liability‘.

You feel like you always do what you believe but some people try and bring you down. You are in the mood of going on your own journey and you feel its your time. Small-minded people try and knock you down but you are just going to dust off any doubt and do you think. I love this mentality and it feels like Sarah has the right vibe right now to succeed.

The Cardiff-based singer has such a sultry voice as she breathlessly shines here and hits some supremely high notes that impresses the speakers. ‘Liability‘ is a bouncy song that is her way of showing what she is made of. The future is so bright for the artist that can do so many different styles that shows her emergence on the UK music scene.

Stream this wonderful song here on Spotify.

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Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Cardiff’s Blueyute takes us on a vivid road trip with ”Song 4”

Posted on 10 June 2020

A creative storyteller who takes you on a mellow journey that includes a love interest, is always welcome in this dark and unsure world. Blueyute is a young UK emcee/singer with a smooth flow and a bunch of trippy beats to keep our ears looped in the whole ride.

Blueyute’s ”Song 4” is all about just going on that journey with that special person in your life, keeping an eye out for each other while daydreaming about going to all those places you have always wanted to go and visit.

Music Student Blueyute has created a vivid trip of simple expectations to striking results with ‘‘Song 4’‘. His music is ambient chill, just enough to keep you alert but always relaxing enough to lay back on a beanbag, dreaming of travelling somewhere far away. The Welsh youngster from Cardiff is maturing before our eyes and it won’t be long until he strikes that match and the fumes are full of a success that he couldn’t imagine.

Stream this track right here on SoundCloud.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Cardiff’s Year Of The Dog blast through in style with ”The Professional”

Posted on 9 June 2020

The Brass-filled 6 Piece band, Year Of The Dog from Cardiff in Wales have just smashed 2020 right in the face with their energetic lead single called ”The Professional”. The new track is taken from their recently released album called ”Bad Taste”.

A welcome addition to any upbeat music playlist or Birthday party, this breathtakingly entertaining Welsh act are certainly one of the most original groups you will come across all year. With appearances on BBC Introducing & Sex Education (Netflix) in the bag, the vibrant UK act are headed all the way to top of the mountain.

This song is very sexy and all about keeping it professional when the time is right as staying classy is the game here. The Welsh act have engulfed us with all the right ingredients here to snack on all evening long.

”The Professional” is a jazzy laced Brit influenced movie theme tune built for 2020 but made in the 70’s for our own delicious entertainment. With a Right Said Fred influence mixed with a shot of James Bond’s martini, Year Of The Dog have awakened our every desire with this bouncy brass infused song of pleasure for essential late night sweaty dancing.

Stream this song on Spotify.

Review by Llewelyn Screen

Charlie Says – Vena Cava: Riot Grrrl May Have Got a New Ring Leader

Posted on 12 July 2018

Charlie Says latest single Vena Cava is a Riot Grrrl’s absolute dream. I have never in my life come across a female vocalist with the vocal strength to match Skin from Skunk Anansie. Whilst that may seem like very high praise, that is exactly what Alcie Bela deserves after creating such a blinding track with a little help from her powerhouse of instrumentalists. Their Indie Alt Rock approach to sound comes alive curtesy of the popping, grinding, and frankly filthy guitar riffs, stomach-twistingly tight drum rolls and the ever-pounding rhythm of the bass. On top of that, the lyrics to Vena Cava are as empowering as they come, and the solo’s, my God the guitar solos may just leave you needing to pick your jaw up from the floor.

The Cardiff based collective released their latest title single from their EP Vena Cava which was released on June 6th on SoundCloud now. Any fans of Lunachicks, Vulpynes, Hands Off Gretel and Dreamwife will absolutely be in heaven with this track.

Keep up to date with Charlie Says latest releases and tour dates by giving them a follow on Facebook

Review by Amelia Vandergast

After Success In The iTunes Rock Album Charts ZEALS Release ‘READY TO FLY’ EP

Posted on 8 September 2017

Zeals is a 3-piece based in Somerset, England. Their recent EP exudes passion and directness, going for a bright, lush and relatable sound.

The songs featured on their new EP, titled “Ready To Fly”, could be compared to the work of artists as diverse as The Fray, The 1975 with even a hint of Bruno Mars.

Their sound is cheerful and uplifting, yet chock full of beautiful grooves and engaging melodies. This release actually marks the band’s sophomore EP – their second studio work, featuring 5 new songs that offer a very balanced set list, somewhere in between sincere love songs with a mellow tone and unapologetic party songs with bright and wide-open vibes.

Opening track “Feel it” falls right in between these two different approaches, going for a really melodic vibe that still has some poetic lyrics with a romantic flare. The second song on the EP, “Do You Really Care”, is probably my favorite track on this release. I really love the contrast between the sampled beats and the cool guitar sounds, and the brooding, reverberated atmospheres of the song really open up later into the arrangement, making me think of influential acts such as U2 or One Republic, among others.

“Paddles” kicks in with a rocking, incendiary riffs that mark the band’s most vicious effort in this set-list – standing as proof that these guys can rock out if they so choose! This song is dead-on rock and roll with a modern edge, echoing the work of artists such as The Foo Fighters or Muse, but with a catchier approach.

The following song, “Dark Waters” brings the vibes to a more mellow pace, offering a very emotional ballad that stands out as one of the most introspective moments on the entire album. The sparse arrangement really hits the spot.

Last but not least, closing number and title track “Ready To Fly” is a stunning and catchy arena-rock anthem, where the band seemed to be able to take every element they have explored on the various sounds on this EP and put it all into one beautiful song.

This band managed to wrap up a consistently great release, with tons of beautiful melodies, memorable lyrics and amazing grooves – where different genres and ideas collide seamlessly into one another, making for something truly special – this little gem of an EP was recorded over the last few months at Longwave Studios in Cardiff with producer Romesh Dodangoda.

https://www.facebook.com/zealsofficial/

FESTIVAL NO.6 ANNOUNCES WELSH LINE-UP

Posted on 23 June 2017

Festival No. 6 – the exhilarating finale of the UK’s summer festival season – is proud to announce a distinguished and diverse line-up from across the Welsh music spectrum for this year’s festival, with many more acts still to be revealed.

Returning to Festival No.6 for its fourth year, Horizons, BBC Wales and Arts Council Wales’ music project, opens the Lost in the Woods stage on Friday; hosting acts nominated by BBC Wales’ specialst music radio DJs and producers. Acts including Llangollen-based Campfire Social, Wrexham’s indie-pop sensation Kidsmoke, Cardiff’s art-rock theatrics of Palomino Party, Caernarfon’s psychedelic favourites Castles, post-rock girl group Adwaith, electro-pop maverick Griff Lynch, folk rock duo Zervas & Pepper, anthemic rock from Climbing Trees, blues-tinged indie rockers Candelas and Sweet Baboo – who recently released his first out of a three part trilogy studio album, ‘Wild Imagination’.

Building on the success of last year, Welsh music specialists Huw Stephens and John Rostron from Sŵn Festival based in Cardiff have curated a bespoke mix of Welsh artists and collaborators. Saturday’s highlights include electronic pop musician and producer Ani Glass, Argrph, Chroma, DJ Elan Evans, rising Welsh artist Greta Isaac, Lastig Band, sets by Swn DJ’s, Toby Hay and Twinfield.

Nyth Gwydir will be hosting a collective blend of Welsh and international artists for Sunday including guitar-slinging singer-songwriter and winner of Y Selar’s Best Album of 2014 Yws Gwynedd, Yr Eira, Carcharorion, Welsh folk-rockers Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion, Alys Williams, alternative folk trio Plu and a number of sets by Nyth DJ’s.

Festival No.6 is also proud to host CED Music who has curated an audio feast each day with some of the most talented, unsigned artists across the Welsh musical spectrum. Highlights include songwriter AP Cooper, four-piece rock band Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles, Bonnie Pilgrim, Calfari, Climbing Trees, Corteous Thief, Deckchair Protest, Hannah Willwood, Magi Tudur and Paur Green. The stage will also play host to singer-songwriter Sera, Welsh poet Sophie McKeand, Synnwyr Cyffredin, The Bortowski Swing, The Secret, Velvet, Xtacsi and Wil Williams & The Continentals who’s set will offer a lively mixture of original material and fantastic covers.

The Welsh programme joins an already impressive music bill featuring headliners The Flaming Lips, Bloc Party and Mogwai. With more incredible acts, DJs, happenings, activities and installations still to be announced the special sixth edition of Festival No.6 will be truly unmissable.

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Festival No.6 is a bespoke banquet of music, arts, culture and gastronomy, taking place over the weekend of the 7-10 September in the magical village of Portmeirion, Wales, home of the cult TV series The Prisoner. With more live artists, DJ’s, renowned chefs, speakers and surprises yet to be revealed the sixth Festival No.6 will undoubtedly be the most impressive to date.

Acts will perform across the entire site, by the whimsical Italianate architecture of the village, the historic town hall, piazza, Bristol Colonnade, beside the picturesque estuary, in the atmospheric woods and the promenade along the River Dwyryd.

Constructed between 1925 and 1975 by maverick architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is a wonderfully bizarre and elaborate interpretation of a Mediterranean villa, nestled in the stunning mountains and forests of North Wales overlooking the expansive estuarial waters of the Irish Sea.

For the full line-up to date and more information visit:

www.festivalnumber6.com

www.facebook.com/festivalnumber6

A&R Factory Present: Firewoodisland

Posted on 28 April 2016

When asked to describe their music Firewoodisland struggle to find a specific genre they feel fits. It is their own atmospheric, melancholic but redemptive take on modern pop and they have their own name for it – Mountain Pop.

What started its life as a solo project for Norwegian student Stian Vedøy – while he was studying for his Masters in Music Production in Cardiff – became a coming together of fellow like-minded musicians. A regional win in Norway’s Bandwagon Battle of the Bands in 2013 saw the project become a full band and their debut EP ‘ILD’ followed.

Their second EP, ‘Dome’ – out now – is the next instalment of the 5 piece’s own brand of pop music. The 5 tracks are a collection of stories from different realms of the imagination, all tied together with cerebral lyrics, tight harmonies, soaring melodies and a Norwegian effortlessness.

Of lead track Dome, the band say:

“‘Dome’ was written at a time of constant change, during the lead-up to a big moment. Everyone’s experienced the feeling of “everything is getting on top of me, and I can’t get out of this”. This song is inspiration to get up and hold onto the goals and achieve great things in your life. It’s also about bursting through those bubbles of negative thoughts that sometimes end up holding us back from fulfilling and achieving amazing things.”

The now Bristol-based Firewoodisland are Stian Vedøy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Abi Eleri (vocals, percussion, samples), Steve Allen (drums), Rowan Blake Talbot (bass) and Dylan Jones (trumpet, keyboards, guitar).