Blogs
A multi-dimensional sound that traipses across hitherto unexplored regions of sound - Clash
HMS Morris’ knowledge and creativity within the electronic-psych genre is expansive and satisfying - Jill Goyeau, Get In Her Ears
Hot on the heels of the well-received Babanod, released in early February, HMS Morris are now pleased to present Poetry. It’s the second in a series of singles due for release in 2020, and will be available from April 1st on Bubblewrap Records.
The song reflects the sliding scale of madness that results from unreciprocated obsessive love. Beginning with some light-hearted hypothetical quasi-stalking, singer Heledd Watkins then moves through self-criticism, recrimination, and finally a full-on banshee-wail of desperation. Structurally the music is indebted to Ravel’s Bolero, a repeating ostinato rising steadily from very quiet to very loud – although in Poetry, HMS cover twice the volume in half the time, in acknowledgement of the limited attention span of the snapchat generation.
Poetry will be available digitally from all the usual platforms.
AUNTY MAGS PART 8
Aunty Mags re-appears for her last trip down memory lane, for now, with her reminiscences of family life in Carmarthen.
Ramblings and tales of Priory Street and Carmarthen in general. It’s the last installment for now but she is screaming at me to come up to film more. She has so much more to tell and it would be a crime not to archive her memories..
This film shows the inspiration of Harri Webb’s life and poetry on the people of Merthyr. Those who knew him,read his verse and admired his politics. Children from three schools wrote poems in workshops inspired by his work for a competition. Locals at a monthly Open Mic at the Imperial Hotel read his poetry, sing songs and read their own poems based on Webb’s verse. Featuring ‘Colli Iaith’ music track with the vocals of Erin Lancaster and produced by Gwyncy Jones . Harri Webb lives on through all of them...
Mae'r ffilm hon yn dangos ysbrydoliaeth bywyd a farddoniaeth Harri Webb ar bobl Merthyr : y rhai oedd yn ei adnabod, yn darllen ei bennill ac yn edmygu ei wleidyddiaeth. Ysgrifennodd plant o dair ysgol gerddi a ysbrydolwyd gan ei waith ar gyfer cystadleuaeth. Pobl leol mewn Meic Agored misol yn darllen ei gerddi, yn canu chaneuon ac yn perfformio cerddi a ysbrydolwyd ganddo. Yn cynnwys y dôn thema 'Colli Iaith' chanu gan Erin Lancaster a'i chynhyrchu gan Gwyncy Jones. Mae Harri Webb yn byw trwy bob un ohonyn nhw...
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Looking Up England's Arsehole - Harri Webb Many of Harri's titles are still available though some have become collectors items and this fact is sadly reflected in the prices. Harri Webb on Amazon For first time readers, looking to acquaint themselves with Harri's patriotic and boozy ballads, we recommend the excellent Y Lolfa reprint of his collection - Looking Up England's Arsehole |
Harri Webb on Wikipedia:- Harri Webb
LOST HOLLOW – OH HEART
Tommy Harden of Lost Hollow shares, "Our 12 year old son, Rowan, found a heart shaped rock on the beach while we were filming. We put it in the anchor hole of the ship because it was too heavy to lug around. As we were wrapping up filming, I looked at the rock and the hole and showed it to our videographer Seimon. I said, 'Look! O Heart' as the anchor hole was literally the "O" and the rock the heart. He got his camera back out and said in his thick Welsh accent, "Now that's art!" It's the opening shot of a truly sensational video.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 28, 2020) -- The 2018 Indie Music Channel’s Americana Artist of the Year and Emerging Band of the Year, Lost Hollow, featuring vocalists Tommy and Lorrie Harden, announces the premiere of its breathtaking new video for “Oh Heart” off its latest album, Looking for Happy . The video can be seen HERE and the album is available on iTunes/Apple Music, Amazon, and Spotify.
The stunning video for “Oh Heart” was shot by photographer/videographer Seimon Pugh-Jones, a Welsh historian, at the childhood home of poet and writer Dylan Thomas, in Swansea, Wales, and at nearby Ferryside Beach. The sweeping landscapes and dramatic skies provide an amazing backdrop, both physically and metaphorically, for this mesmerizing love song, written by Tommy Harden, Lorrie Harden, Kellys Collins, and Jeff Smith.
With achingly beautiful harmonies accompanied by acoustic guitar, the first line of the second verse sums up the song’s powerful message from the protagonist to her broken heart:
“What I could do if tears would turn to glue; I’d fix you up and we could love like new,” anchored by the final line of the chorus, “If you just keep beating, I’ll keep breathing.”
Lorrie said, "For us it was like being in heaven, one of those days where you don't want it to end. Everywhere you rested your eyes, it was just sheer beauty. We're so grateful to our Welsh friends who put so much into this video."
Recorded in Tommy's Dungeon in Nashville, Looking for Happy is a 12-track ode to the pursuit of happiness as told from the perspective of the Hardens. The powerful songwriting duo explores themes ranging from the ups and downs of companionship to the sorrow of heartbreak and the dizzy excitement of living in the moment. Lost Hollow's succinct, candid songwriting is delivered beautifully, with soulful harmonies and masterful instrumental arrangements.
The first single from Looking for Happy , “Shine On,” and its accompanying video HERE have deeply affected thousands by telling the gripping story of Sancy Shaw, an adored wife and mother of four, tragically taken too soon by a drunk driver.
Lost Hollow has been described as an emotional powerhouse with two amazing voices weaving intricate and compelling songs. As songwriters, the Hardens had two cuts on Reba McEntire’s double platinum–selling album Duets . They were inducted into the IMC Hall of Fame in 2019. For more information, visit losthollowband.com
Ffred Ffransis, a prominent Welsh language campaigner has been featured in the news recently courtesy of bone headed BBC TV presenter Dan Walker. This character, in the course of reporting on Ffred's current dangerous predicament, thought it most important to mock the spelling of his name (see this news report ). Ffred and his wife Meinir are currently, ".... stuck in Peru and have no way of coming home. They are in the city of Cusco which is at 11,200 feet above sea level. Ffred suffers from Left Ventricular Systolic Disorder which affects the heart, and has to take medication and have regular blood tests. The disease also makes it difficult for him to breathe and with Cusco's altitude, it’s having a big impact on him, and his health is deteriorating. Both are also in their 70s and therefore in the high-risk category for the Covid-19."
Under the circumstances we have no hesitation in:
1 Asking the Senedd to devote emergency funds to the repatriation of Ffred and Meinir. A couple of plane tickets wont break the bank!
2 Calling on Dan Walker to resign! ( UPDATE: It should be noted in mitigation that Dan Walker has apologised for his absurd remarks and has taken a lead in alerting the world to Ffred's situation via his Twitter feed:- https://twitter.com/mrdanwalker/status/1240974016174788610 )
3 Asking our readers to spread the following message as widely and as quickly as possible.
Llythyr Ffred a Meinir - Peru
Annwyl
Ysgrifennaf atoch ynglŷn ag achos Meinir a Ffred Ffransis sy’n sownd ym Mheriw, a heb unrhyw ffordd o ddychwelyd adref. Mae Meinir a Ffred yn ninas Cusco sydd 11,200 troedfedd uwch lefel y môr. Mae Ffred yn dioddef o Left Ventricular Systolic Disorder sy’n effeithio ar y galon, ac mae’n gorfod cymryd meddyginiaeth a chael profion gwaed yn rheolaidd. Mae’r afiechyd hefyd yn ei gwneud hi’n anodd iddo anadlu oherwydd bod Cusco yn uchel yn yr Andes, yr aer yn dennau, ac mae’n cael effaith fawr arno a’i iechyd yn dirywio. Mae’r ddau hefyd yn eu 70au ac felly yn y categori risg uchel i’r Covid-19. Pryderwn yn fawr beth fyddai’n digwydd pe byddent yn dal y firws allan ym Mheriw.
Ar Fawrth 15 fe wnaeth Periw gau'r holl ffiniau gyda dim ond 24awr o rybudd, doedd hyn ddim yn ddigon o amser i drefnu ffordd allan gan fod pob hedfaniad yn llawn. Golygai hyn fod miloedd o bobl wedi’u gadael yno heb ffordd allan.
Mae llywodraethau Israel, UDA, Ffrainc, Yr Almaen, Gwlad Pwyl a Sbaen wedi trefnu hedfaniadau i ddod â’u dinasyddion yn ôl adref. Lle mae’r cymorth gan y DU? Mae’r llysgenhadaeth ym Mheriw wedi bod yn aneffeithiol hefyd, pan gyhoeddwyd bod y ffiniau yn cau fe wnaeth y swyddfa gau ac felly doedd dim modd mynd yno am gymorth nac arweiniad.
Mae’r sefyllfa yn Cusco yn dirywio’n sydyn; mae’r fyddin ar y strydoedd yn atal pobl rhag gadael eu gwestai, mae curfew rhwng 1pm-8am, does dim llawer o fwyd ar ôl yn yr archfarchnadoedd ac mae tensiwn yn cynyddu rhwng y twristiaid a’r bobl sy’n byw yno. Mae wir yn mynd yn waeth bob dydd.
Rydym yn erfyn ar y llywodraeth i drefnu hedfaniad adref i Meinir a Ffred a’r 400 arall sydd ym Mheriw, mae angen i hyn ddigwydd cyn bod hi’n rhy hwyr.
Dear
I write to you regarding the case of Meinir and Ffred Ffransis who are stuck in Peru and have no way of coming home. Meinir and Ffred are in the city of Cusco which is at 11,200 feet above sea level. Ffred suffers from Left Ventricular Systolic Disorder which affects the heart, and has to take medication and have regular blood tests. The disease also makes it difficult for him to breathe and with Cusco's altitude, it’s having a big impact on him, and his health is deteriorating. Both are also in their 70s and therefore in the high-risk category for the Covid-19. We are very concerned about what would happen if they caught the virus out in Peru.
On March 15 Peru closed all borders with only 24 hours’ notice, this was not enough time to arrange an exit as all flights were full. This left thousands of people stranded.
The governments of Israel, the USA, France, Germany, Poland and Spain have all organised flights to return their citizens. Where is the Uk’s response? The embassy in Peru has also proved ineffective, when they announced that the borders were closing, the office also shut its doors and it was therefore impossible to go there for guidance and advice.
The situation in Cusco is deteriorating rapidly; the army on the streets are preventing people from leaving their hotels, there is a curfew between 1pm-8am, there is not much food left in the supermarkets and tension is increasing between the tourists and the people who live there. It really is getting worse every day.
We urge the government to organise a flight home for Meinir and Ffred , this needs to happen before it’s too late.
Cysylltiadau pwysig / Important contacts:
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs:
Dominic Raab MP
fcocorrespondence@fco.gov.uk
dominic.raab@esherwalton.com
Secretary of State for Wales:
Simon Hart MP
simon.hart.mp@parliament.uk
correspondence@ukgovwales.gov.uk
Prif Weinidog Cymru:
Mark Drakeford AC
PS.FirstMinister@gov.wales
correspondence.fm@gov.wales
A Message From St David's Day Ambassador to the World - Gwenno Dafydd: St David's Day Banners 2020
By Ceri Shaw, 2020-03-13
ENGLISH
BUY THE ST DAVID'S DAY SONG HERE
CYMRAEG
Herons explore new flood fields
red kites patrol the hearse road
up Suffering Hill
old and young
the two tongues
kin and friend
at the end
crows cosy up in creaking conifers
to watch the never ending pantomime
the rise and the fall
of the curtain of life
the labour of lowering
the strain of the load
released
the denizens of the soil
will accompany you
on your journey from person
to depersonalisation
our endless recycling
our cheated Valhalla
of heroes without faces
of valour without bloodshed
later when routine resumes
a surprised mouse looks up
from among kindling
in a black plastic bin
before escaping me
you
our families
the others
Ani Glass releases debut album 'MIRORES' this week! "A triumph from one of the leading figures in the Welsh language music boom"
By Ceri Shaw, 2020-03-05
Ani Glass Releases Debut Album MIRORES on 6th March 2020 via Recordiau Neb
In 2020, Ani Glass 's debut album MIRORES finally sees the light of day. The follow up to her debut EP FFRWYDRAD TAWEL (2017, Recordiau Neb) is the culmination of over four years developing her own sound and visionary artistry. With its tapestry of electronic sounds, elliptical melodies and samples threaded into a song cycle, MIRORES is based around the idea of movement and progress - one which takes us on a journey around her hometown of Cardiff. You can hear Ani’s recorded sounds of the urban landscape throughout; the movement of traffic and people and the magical yet infrequent sounds of nature coming together to create the score of a city’s symphony.
The title is taken from Ani’s bardic name - created when she joined the Cornish Gorsedh in 2013. The Gorsedh itself is a celebration of the Celtic spirit of Cornwall and Bardship is awarded to people who contribute to its cultural and linguistic heritage. MIRORES delves into the wider impacts of urbanisation and development and touches on ideas around culture and identity - themes that came to the fore whilst she studied for a Masters in Urban and Regional Development at Cardiff University in 2018 and continues to explore through her Doctorate. The songs are a reflection of the language and landscape of Cardiff but also represent a reaction to the values of capitalism and development which often prioritise the wants and needs of society’s most fortunate.
MIRORES also represents Ani’s first foray into production. Having been inspired by her experience of working with Martin Rushent during her time as member of indie pop group The Pipettes , Glass has spent the past few years teaching herself the art of recording and production.
‘Before starting this project, I had little to no experience of making or producing electronic music - even the simple task of connecting the machines seemed pretty arduous at first’ remembers Glass, who has struck a singular and independent path as an artist. ‘From the offset I felt empowered by the freedom and democracy of producing and performing electronic music - it opened doors to a world of possibilities and allowed me to develop my own soundscape as a solo artist.’
Glass' sound is inspired by many leading electronic and avant-garde artists and producers of the 1980s including Martin Rushent, Giorgio Moroder, Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre and Arthur Russell whilst the album’s wider themes are inspired in part by the works of abstract painter Agnes Martin and the author and activist Jane Jacobs. Despite some of the album’s heavier themes, Ani maintains a strong pop sensibility throughout, most certainly cemented during her time as member of R&B pop group Genie Queen – managed by OMD ’s Andy McCluskey. As well as the album’s title track, the album contains ten peerless tracks including the haunting and atmospheric ‘Cariad’ (Love) featuring renowned Welsh artist Ivor Davies and 2018 single 'Peirianwaith Perffaith' (Perfect Machinery) that possesses a knowing pop universality - the soundtrack to life in the city’s engine room.
The ‘Mirores’ single is available to stream HERE
The MIRORES album will be available digitally and on a limited-edition CD.
Following a year of touring and playing at festivals across the UK and beyond including Sound City, Future Yard, Greenman, Sŵn, Focus Wales and POP Montreal (as part of the FOCUS Wales delegation with the support of PRSF and WAI) as well as supporting acts such as Audiobooks and Stealing Sheep , Ani will be returning to her hometown of Cardiff and to towns across Wales for a series of very special performances.
Ani Glass MIRORES 2020 tour dates:
6th March - Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
7th March - Pontio, Bangor
13th March - In-store at Spillers, Cardiff
14th March - Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham
21st March - In-store at Tangled Parrot, Carmarthen
Follow Ani Glass:
BBC Horizons Artist TJ Roberts to release new single 'True Secret To A Happy Life' On Libertino 28/02
By Ceri Shaw, 2020-03-01
TJ Roberts are a rock band on the rise. Emerging from the ever expanding and exciting South Wales music scene, Tom, Heather, Gavin and Jasper embark on a sonic voyage pushing rock-infused indiecana to its limits. Consummate entertainers live, the band have a kaleidoscope of influences evoking the earworm melodies of Big Star, mid-west charm of Twin Peaks and Wilco and the beautiful droll of the late-great David Berman (Silver Jews, Purple Mountains) TJ Roberts are set to release a string of singles and a sophomore album during 2020, as members of the Libertino Records family.
‘True Secret to a Happy Life’ is the first release from this new collection of songs and is at once a backlash against and an admittance of defeat to rising social pressure and expectation. Written in a transition period, both for the band and the country at large, its lyrics are an exercise in mindful rebellion and self-care. It is an acknowledgement that we all fall short sometimes and misread help for hate. Recorded at the end of 2020, this is a song undoubtedly of its time and place.
Mae TJ Roberts yn fand roc sydd ar gynnydd. Daw Tom, Heather, Gavin a Jasper o'r sîn gerddorol yn Ne Cymru ac maent yn gwthio eu cerddoriaeth indicanna i'r eithaf. Mae'r perfformwyr gwych wedi'u dylanwadu yn drwm gan felodïau bachog Big Star, swyn gorllewinol Americanaidd Twin Peaks, Wilco a drôl y diweddar David Berman (Silver Jews, Purple Mountains). Bydd TJ Roberts yn rhyddhau casgliad o senglau ynghyd ag albym ar ddiwedd 2020 fel aelodau o deulu Recordiau Libertino.
'True Secret to a Happy Life' yw'r sengl gyntaf o'i gasgliad sy'n esbonio'r pwysau cymdeithasol cynyddol sydd ar bobl. Wedi'i ysgrifennu mewn cyfnod o newid i'r band ac i'r wlad yn gyffredinol, mae geiriau'r sengl hon yn gweld y band yn rebelio'n feddylgar ac yn rhoi cyfle am gyfnod o hunan-garu. Mae'r gân yn gydnabyddiaeth ein bod fel pobl yn gallu methu ac yn gallu camddarllen cymorth a chefnogaeth fel casineb. Wedi'i recordio ar ddiwedd 2020, mae hon yn gân heb os o'i gyfnod a'i leoliad.
TJ ROBERTS ONLINE LINKS:
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.
READ ABOUT ROUGH TRADE LONDON SHOWCASE FOR BBC HORIZONS
https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/
LIVE DATES
Monday 2nd March - Rough Trade East, London
TIA MCGRAFF AND TOMMY PARHAM IN CONVERSATION WITH BB SKONE
Tia McGraff, Americana artist of the year 2019 (IMEA Awards)
Hailing from south of Toronto, Ontario Canada, Tia McGraff is an internationally-renowned, award-winning Americana singer-songwriter and gifted author with Scottish and Transylvanian roots. Tia’s performances, her angelic voice and well-crafted song writing have been described as ‘soul-stirring, thought provoking and providing promises of hope’ in a world full of chaos, broken dreams and uncertainty.
With seven international CD releases, various film/tv placements, and numerous nominations and awards including Americana CD of the Year first round nomination for 2018/2016 Grammy Awards , 2019 multi-nominee for Kingdom Image Awards , and Posi Award finalist, as well multiple Best Of lists, Tia and Tommy have earned a respect in the music industry and a global fan base. The duo have a gift for ‘getting to the heart of the matter’ and writing relatable songs about life, love and this crazy world we live in.
The 2018 release of “Stubborn In My Blood” continues to place well on RMR, Euro, Indie and Folk radio charts globally, earned Best Of 2018 ranking and has been featured on tastemaker and notable radio and TV shows such as Bob Harris Country on BBC Radio 2, CMT Canada and Blue Plate Special.
“Tia McGraff and Tommy Parham continue proving they are one of the best creative duos working today with the release of Stubborn in My Blood and the album’s eleven songs will be invaluable additions to their live act. It’s a deep feeling and thoughtful album full of the heart and tears defining our lives.”
Tia and Tommy, have many friends in Wales and have toured the UK many times.
She has played at the Sessiwn Fawr and headlined at Llangollen Eisteddfod with Joan Baez and Jose Carreres.
Listen to their music and in conversation with Pembrokeshire’s own B.B. Skone. Mother Bear captured their performance in an Americana Festival at the now defunct Tin Shed in Laugharne.
The angelic voice mixed with exquisite song writing gives Tia a powerful presence on stage. https://www.tiamcgraff.com/home
