Lyn Mackay has been playing piano and entertaining people since she took over from the music teacher at her primary school in Swansea as the pianist for morning assemblies aged 10-because she was a better pianist than the music teacher! She has co-hosted a live radio show where she sang and played 'live' the requests that were phoned in by listeners. She has written 2 musicals - 'Swansea Girls' which sold out on it's 1st run at the Grand Theatre, Swansea and was brought back for a longer run 7 months later......and the latest ...... 'Swansea Women' which staged at the Grand Theatre, Swansea, September 2010 with tremendous success. AmeriCymru spoke to Lyn about her music and her future plans:-

AmeriCymru: Hi Lyn and many thanks for agreeing to talk to AmeriCymru. You are an accomplished musical performer and composer. Would you tell us something about your music background? Where did you study music?

Lyn: I started taking private classical piano lessons at the age of 7, after showing great interest in my auntie's old upright piano. I had a fantastic old teacher called Miss March and she took me through to Grade 8 in both music theory and practial. I went to a very music-focussed grammar school where I then learned choral singing and how to write harmonies etc. I became a professional singer after leaving school at 18 and travelled the world singing and playing piano, being MD and accompanist, writing and arranging. When I did my teaching degree years later, I decided not to do music as I felt I'd already done enough, so I instead opted to do a degree in Literature & Media Studies-both of which I also love.

AmeriCymru: Care to tell us a little about the musical "Swansea Girls"? What factors, experiences, etc. inspired you to create this show?

Lyn: I was working with the Welsh actress Menna Trussler who more or less told me to go and write something that we could do together...well I tried to think of something that we had in common...and I thought 'well, we're both Swansea girls....hey....GREAT name for a show!' and off I went like a rocket!! The entire show was written in less than a week-plus 13 new songs-I already had 12 frrom my back catalogue that I knew I wanted to use in the show. A lot of the script was auto-biographical and observational through my experiences of things I'd seen and done. I was thrilled to bits when it opened to a packed house in Swansea Grand Theatre. One of the proudest moments of my life was when the theatre manager called me to say 'we'd better out another performwnce on-we've sold out!'

AmeriCymru: What inspired the show 'Botox Boogie'?

Lyn: The SONG Botox Boogie came about after i got wolf-whistled at by some builders one day-it made me laugh...and I thought....'maybe youe DON'T have to be perfect to be attractive!' It gave me such a lift-and a laugh. Especially because, at the time, the press/tv was full of the size zero phenomenon and how anorexic models were being used by designers. Plus there was much discussion about botox and teeth veneers and hair extensions and boob jobs! So I wrote the song as a kind of protest-song.

AmeriCymru: Care to tell us a little more about your latest show 'Swansea Women'?

Lyn: In 'Swansea Girls', we meet 'Dolores' who's in her 80's. We find that she ran away from Swansea during WW2 but we don't discover why. In 'Swansea Women' we go back to WW2 and meet her, her family and neighbours as they struggle to deal with the horror of war. We also find out why she ran away.

AmeriCymru: Are there any types of music that you haven't explored that you would like to pursue?

Lyn: Hmmm....I don't think so really. Being classically-trained with 'cello as a second instrument I have a good knowledge and undertanding of that genre and as someone used to playing 6 hours a night, 6 nights a week in the big piano-bars I worked in, I was asked to play and sing every single style you care to think about-and some you probably HAVEN'T thought about lol! I have a very eclectic musical taste-for which I am very grateful. Good music is good music-whether it's pop, a Welsh hymn or jazz or Beethoven.As a composer though, I would love to write for tv or compose a film score.

AmeriCymru: You also run a musical academy in Swansea- 'The Lyn Mackay Academy Of Music & Performance LTD'. Can you to tell us a little about the Academy and your students?

Lyn: Yes, I started the Academy to offer specialist one-to-one vocal lessons to students, catered to THEIR needs. I cover all aspects of performance and also offer help with confidence and self-esteem issues. It has been quite successful and my students are now regularly winning university places and gaining success in competitions and auditions, about which I am very proud.

AmeriCymru: You have just released a new single 'Empty Arms & Empty Hearts'. Is there a new album in the works? Where can readers hear/buy the single?

Lyn: Yes, the album is called 'A FUNNY TIME OF LIFE' and is being launched in Swansea next tuesday. It should then be available for download within a month. It's a mix of 11 original songs from the 70's to the present and hopefully shows a good range of my writing, with something to appeal to everyone-from rock'n'roll to jazz, ballads and theatre, The single is a track from the album. I was commissioned to write it for SNUK-Surrogacy Network UK to help raise awareness of how desperately some people are to become parents-hence the title ' EMPTY ARMS & EMPTY HEARTS' . It is now avalable for download from itunes, amazon and other online mp3 download sites-just google it.

AmeriCymru: You have been vocal in your support for the campaign to save the Dylan Thomas Center in Swansea. Can you explain for our readers the importance of this resource?

Lyn: Oh dear-where to start? Well like I said, I have a love of words and I particularly like Dylan Thomas' work. The Dylan Thomas Centre is world-renowned as a centre of excellence and people come from all over to visit it, using the amazing knowledge of the staff there to follow the life he led in Swansea and see places mentioned in his works. Inside the centre WAS the lovely bookshop caf run by Jeff Towns. It is such a lovely place and such a resource for the people of the city and further afield. The revenue that this generates for the city annually, is in excess of 3 million pounds. We annot to afford to lose that, let alone a wonderful venue like the centre. I know that schools and colleges will really miss it as an educational resource as well. It is staggering to me that the council are even contemplating closing it. They have made some DREADFUL decisions in the past and are about to make another. They should be ashamed of themselves.

AmeriCymru: What's next for Lyn Mackay?

Lyn: Gosh...who knows? I have some very exciting projects coming up in the next few months. I also have to write the next musical in my quadrology-SWANSEA JACKS, which takes us from the late 50's into thearly 70's. I would like to do another album and am hoping to film the pilot for a tv show with Welsh entertainer and my good friend, Mike Doyle.

AmeriCymru: Looking forward to meeting up at the West Coast Eisteddfod Any final message for the members and readers of AmeriCymru?

Lyn: Well I have loved Americymru since I first joined it-seems like years ago now! I genuinely feel like I have already made some good friends through this network and am really hoping to meet some of you in person in LA this September! See you there!

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email & Margaret Lloyd Beckham

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Volent returns with a bumper three track single Broken Promises

The collection is set for release March 25th on Dockrad Records - Listen here: URL: https://soundcloud.com/volente

See below for videos links for each of the three tracks...

Festivals for All With a quirky sideways look, Volent offers up a nightmarish feast for the imagination. Electronics and the ethereal vocals combine to create a sound world that is at once contemporary and off-beat.

Buzz Magazine Volent is a lady of musical layers. On the title track of this EP, a liquid drumnbass line underpins soaring orchestral loops and a distinctive, floaty vocal that sets her apart from other outfits in the genre.

South Wales siren Volent is set to release a trio of tracks called Broken Promises, seeing her further develop her electronic credentials. Shes already received a host of critical acclaim and champions boundary blurring creativity and imaginative creativity.

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When she isnt spending her time being a full-time mum, Volent is an extremely talented artist, with many years of experience within the music industry. These tracks are a fusion of drum n bass, jungle, electronica, classical music and R n B, with the heavy element of dubstep thrown in for good measure.

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Broken Promises is a brutally honest bittersweet anthem with soaring operatic vocals, a fusion of classical music, electronic guitar, drum n bass beats and some dubstep thrown in the mix. Second track, So Many Times is an electro-ballad which showcases Volents stunning vocal range with a hint of Massive Attack-like elements. With her effortless amazing vocal range, So Many Times really showcases Volentes ability to create totally unique songs, while remaining true to her own style. A minimal but very powerful track!

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End of Times beats and vocals hit the listener like an arrow to a target! With industrial-like hooks, a heavy sub-bass, a bit of jungle and Volents mesmerising, beautiful, haunting vocals will take you to another level. End of Time is definitely one set for the dance floor! Compared by critics to the likes of Bjork, cult indie favourites The Sundays and Kate Bush, Broken Promises, once again all produced, written, arranged and performed by Volent herself, represents Volent at her best!

Volent will be playing a host of shows to promote Broken Promises including:
Fri 22nd March Warehouse 54, Newport
Fri 12th April Dublin Castle, London
Fri 26th April Buffalo Bar, Cardiff

Watch the Videos!

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Last week, South Wales electronic connoisseur, Volent, unveiled a video for each track on her brand new three song single, Broken Promises, which is bursting at the seams with elegant quirky, electro pop goodness.

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All three videos are shot beautifully, and offers a stunning visual to the emotionally charged tracks, Broken Promises, So Many Times and End of Time. All three were exclusively premiered last week on God is in the TV, Never Enough Notes and AltSounds.

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Watch the videos below and check out the exclusive features to learn more about each track!

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Volent Broken Promises
http://youtu.be/lxtGgr4CRiM

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Learn more about Broken Promises on God is in the TV, here:

http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2013/03/05/video-exclusive-volente-broken-promises/

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Volent So Many Times
http://youtu.be/gBjo2Z04Idg

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Learn more about So Many Times on Never Enough Notes here:

http://www.neverenoughnotes.co.uk/2013/03/nen-exclusive-volente-so-many-times/#.UTTxlTdBBhm

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Volent End of Time
http://youtu.be/kaQgTaeC7_M

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Learn more about End of Time on AltSounds here:

http://hangout.altsounds.com/features/156972-altsounds-exclusive-volente-time-official-video.html

Gigs and Festivals - "If you like Kate Bush, classical music, dubstep and beautifully written lyrics then Volente's new single "Broken Promises" is the must-have download of 2013. Boasting an exciting new sub-genre of electronic music, which intertwines drum 'n' bass beats with operatic vocals, this captivating singer-songwriter offers a chilling sound that will etch its way into your mind and seep into your subconscious long after you've finished listening"

Rogue Magazine - "A unique voice, both haunting and beguiling. One of the most interesting tracks I've heard for a while"

For more information, check out: www.volente.co.uk www.soundcloud.com/Volente www.twitter.com/Volentelloyd www.facebook.com/VolenteOfficialPage www.myspace.com/Volentelloyd www.dockrad.com

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Follow the whole nine yards here (a 95 part series) :- Half Marathon Blog

Why I am running:- West Coast Eisteddfod Bryn Seion Church

For details of how to sponsor see this post

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Didn't get a chance to run today. Pressures of employment amongst other things prevented me from training. I suppose I am lucky however, in so far as my current job involves being on my feet all day and walking around a lot. I guess that almost counts as training.

Certainly since I have started training again and curtailed a lot of my old bad habits, I no longer feel fatigued at the end of the day and I am quite happy to carry on working on the site and WCE arrangements till midnight most nights. I still have to get past the 15 minute barrier though. I haven't succeeded in running for longer than that yet.

I thought I might throw a few leg strengthening exercises into the mix. I am not sure how beneficial these are but there are some that can be practiced in spare moments at home and with minimal equipment ( see examples in the video below ). Cant do any harm but I suspect that only running will make you a better runner

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Just click 'Top News' above this post to follow the Twitter stream for Welsh Rugby. To return to the main feed click 'Everything'

Last Few Weeks of the Blodwen Summer Sale - With an EXTRA 10% OFF

The Summer Sales are in full swing and Blodwen has been busily rummaging through her stock of beautiful artisan wares at her General Stores in Cardigan Bay, to find some amazing bargains for you.

Amongst the rails of stuff, youll find :

Clothing a wide range of sample garments some now available at half price
Textiles sumptuous blankets , quilts , throws and cushions and some stunning vintage pieces again all reduced by 50%
Books , music , accessories and footwear are all heavily discounted for a Summer clear-out.

So come and take a look and get a beach bag full of treats products with provenance handmade with care in Cardigan Bay.

Click here to go straight to the sale section at blodwen.com .

Blodwen - Bringing thecraftman's way of life to your way of living