2020 saw two releases from Minas - ‘Drinker’ released in July was a precursor to the upcoming debut album ‘All My Love Has Failed Me’ (releasing later this year) whilst the EP ‘Nudge’ captured the energy (or lack thereof) brought about by lockdown.

‘Burner’ , the next release ahead of the debut album, again stands alone. The track exudes a cool yet angsty vocal that simmers over the top of a steady rhythm and intensely humming bass. Not afraid to spit indignantly at authority Minas questions “How could you call that man there a president?” and as the beat fades away slowly in the second verse he simply states “Fuck the government” before the chorus drops back in again.

Minas is the mononym for James Minas, Greek/Welsh artist and producer based between Cardiff & St David’s in South Wales. When not creating his own music he works as a producer for artists like Welsh Music Prize nominated rapper Luke RV and internationally touring folk artist Dan Bettridge.

Lyrics

Two steps back put your shit down

Two men fled when they hit town

Wise crackers, you’d need half an army to kick out these wise crackers

Two steps back put your shit down

Who let the snakes decide who’s an immigrant

Wise crackers, you’d need half an army to kick out these wise crackers

It’s breaking news

Louder, it’ll work in time

It’s breaking news

Round up, we’re out of time

Two steps back put your shit down

How could you call that man there a president?

Half cut, broke and a let down

But I still show the ropes to my fellow man

GB’s a mess no union

Call it a kingdom I’d say a shithole

5 foot snakes in a green room

They don’t talk like us 'cause they’ve never been down here

Fuck the government

Breaking news

Louder, it’ll work in time

It’s breaking news

Round up, we’re out of time

Reviews for the ‘Nudge’ EP

‘...his music captures an array of sound, intertwining both rap and electronic. Each tune takes us on a voyage through his state of mind, from frustrations to anger and the inevitable self-reflection afterwards.’ - God Is In The TV Zine

On ‘As It Goes’: ‘a subtle tone throughout this track, with a simple guitar melody that creates the groundwork for the vocal delivery to flourish with emotional content. With a flatline vibe it allows the listener to take in every word on this track - showing off the full creative lyrical form from Minas’ - When The Horn Blows

Reviews for ‘Drinker’

‘Drinker is ruthlessly grounded in the realities of the day to day. It’s this authenticity that cuts through.’ - Right Chord Music

‘a fantastic hip-hop inspired electronic track, it has a gorgeously chilled dreamlike melody to it, which catches your interest from the opening beats’ - Alive and Gigging

‘a captivatingly electric track with synthy, feel-good rhythms and modern vocals … thought provoking lyrics that explore the fight with his thoughts ... an unexpected, passionate piece‘ - Rockstate

Wales’ Tom Auton has announced his brand new single blues-rock single Victim of the Groove will be released on Friday 26 February on all major streaming/download platforms. You can pre-save/listen to the track HERE

Victim of the Groove is a delicious slice of rock that’s infused with disco, to create an unstoppable deep groovy blues sound. The track is about the thoughts that rage inside you when you have a mental block. As Tom eloquently puts it “As a chef, you’d feel incredibly useless if you couldn’t cook anything. The same applies to songwriters when they can’t write songs.”

The track is short, sharp and incredibly catchy with a low-slung monster bass riff in the chorus, which is comprised of 9 different layers. Victim of the Groove is self-produced by Tom at Long wave Studios and mastered by Robin Schmitd (Liam Gallagher, The 1975, Nothing But Thieves).

“Victim of The Groove ironically explores the hatred I have towards myself, when I can’t write a new song. I explore this hatred... by writing a new song. Throughout the verses I frivolously wallow in a pool of self-pity, tearing myself down at every line. Then get to the pre chorus, I explain that self-doubt is part and parcel of being a musician.” says Tom.Victim of the Groove is an ode to self-success, battling with your mental health as you think you can’t reach your own previous successes. It’s one of Tom’s most personal tracks, as he further explains: “I invite people into the world of being an independent artist, cycling between two main emotions; thinking your god’s gift, when you write a good song and feeling worthless, when you can’t. I sum up the song with the title - “I’m a Victim of The Groove”.

The addiction to the groove started in 2016 when Tom received a dreadful mix of a previous single. The control freak within him spiraled out of control and started aggressively buying microphones, mixing plug ins and a laptop. Fast forward 4 years to the present day and Tom is living the true rock and roll dream; producing his own Rock and Blues records at the age of 21 from his own studio ‘The Syncopation Station’ (his parent’s living room). Tom’s produces and co-writes with a number of artists including Dan Owen, John Adams, Amber Leigh Irish and The Voice’s Chanel Yates & Jake O’Neil.

He’s received critical success on his previous records with Mother Mary being added to one of the most prestigious playlists on Spotify All New Rock, BBC Introducing’s Adam Walton calling him “An Incredible Talent” and David Owens, South Wales Echo claiming “Everything Tom touches turns to Gold” Victim of the Groove will be released on Friday 26 February on all major streaming/ download platforms. You can pre-save/listen to the track HERE

viA fAntAsticA  is J.T. and Gaia de Voxx on a DIY synth pop journey. J.T. is Justin Toland, erstwhile purveyor of loops and found sound on Recordiau Peski and self-released cassettes under the name Location Baked. Gaia de Voxx is his droid vocalist.

2 any 1 is the debut album by viA fAntAsticA. It’s about songs, tunes, accessibility, reaching out. Influences range from mass market and under-the-radar 80s synth pop ( Yazoo, Human League, Fad Gadget ) to contemporary Puerto Rican electronic indie ( Los Wálters, Buscabulla ).

2 any 1  began as an imaginary soundtrack to a 21st century kitchen sink drama set in the faded seaside resort of Porthcawl. That was the inspiration for the Italo disco stylings of  ‘Meet me at Sidoli’s',  the electronic surf rock of  ‘Never surf again’ , lover’s lament  ‘Not waving but crying’ , and the incidental noir of  ‘Fog and mirrors’ . When Covid scuppered those plans, the album began to take a different shape: less conceptual, more personal, more free-ranging.

So there are songs and tunes about Cardiff communities and community action, including  ‘Row Town’ (Roath), ‘Rebuild the Poets’,  and  ‘Agents of Change’ , which nods to Toland’s found sound roots, with its field recording from a Save Guildford Crescent demo.

There are tracks based around loops and inspirations, including  ‘Must be built’,  which searches for the essence of the Hacienda nightclub,  ‘Swim-up bar blues’, ‘Cowley’,  and lead single  ‘Onstage, right now…’.

And above all, there are things that just sound good and sound right, like  ‘Gwawr' , like  ‘Stomp stomp’ . So we’re releasing them, releasing this album – 2any1 – in '21. Are you listening?

"chuntering machine-driven backing somewhere between early 80s minimal synth and mid-80s electro...expansive array of semi-ambient keyboards and proto-techno rhythms."  Buzz Magazine

Socials: 

Bandcamp -  https://viafantastica. bandcamp.com/

Twitter: @via_fantastica  

Youtube   soundcloud.com/viafantastica  

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc49ETvVD-xfEtutqljabxg/featured 

Facebook:  https://www. facebook.com/viafantastica

Reclaiming for a new generation the poetry of Dylan, the stark beauty and unhinged Rock and Roll of mid-70s John Cale, and Badfinger's melancholic timeless songcraft, this is Bandicoot. Their sound flows like post-industrial blues through Swansea's rain-soaked concrete streets.

Bandicoot have earned a ferocious reputation, thanks to their raucous, overflowing live shows that spin euphorically from post-punk and krautrock to glam stomp and art-pop sensuality at the drop of a note.

‘Dark Too Long’ is Bandicoot‘s debut single on Libertino, a song they describe as a “ frenzied cry of desperation from the depths of excess and loneliness, influenced by the driving rhythms of NEU! and Can.”

"Bandicoot are wired instinctively to the cathartic screams of John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band, the lustful danger of The Velvet Underground, and CAN's cinematic propulsion. They are the art-house provocateurs of Warhol's Factory brought to life on Swansea's rainy streets " - Libertino

Mae  Bandicoot  yn adfer cerddi Dylan Thomas, harddwch roc a rôl y 70au gan John Cale, a chrefft gerddorol melancolig Badfinger. Mae eu sŵn yn llifo fel blŵs ol-ddiwydianol drwy strydoedd concrit gwlyb Abertawe.

Mae gan Bandicoot enw da am eu perfformiadau byw sy'n chwyrlio o sŵn ôl-bync i krautrock i stomp glam a chelf pop synhwyrus o ddechrau i ddiwedd eu set.

'Dark Too Long ' yw'r sengl gyntaf i Bandicoot ryddhau drwy Libertino, cân sy'n cael ei ddisgrifio fel  "cri o anobaith o ddyfnderoedd unigrwydd a gormodedd, wedi'i ddylanwadu gan rythmau NEU! a Can"


Links:

https://www.facebook.com/whoarebandicoot/
https://twitter.com/whoarebandicoot
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3S3gHwGPL54Hn3UXDWvAFE
https://www.instagram.com/whoarebandicoot/
https://bandicoot-band.bandcamp.com

Horizons, the music project from BBC Wales and Arts Council of Wales have announced a tour of Welsh Venues for Independent Venue Week 2021. The Horizons team will be broadcasting sessions from five treasured venues in Wales, from the 25th to the 29th of January.

From the mountain top venue of Neuadd Ogwen in Bethesda to the west coast’s Queen’s Hall in Narberth, from the modern Galeri in Caernarfon, to inner city hubs of Sin City in Swansea and Le Pub in Newport, across five days this tour will take in the breadth of some of Wales's most beloved independent venues, celebrating their crucial role in fostering the next generation of grassroots talent.

Artists performing sessions include emerging Welsh artists of all different genres, those along for the trip include hip hop artist  Mace the Great,  r&b singer  Faith , rock band  Those Damn Crows , urban brother & sister  Leila McKenzie  and  K(e)nz , country singer  Jodie Marie,  alternative self produced songwriter  Rona Mac , low fi enigma  Ennio The Little Brother , a solo performance from Gwilym frontman  Ifan Pritchard , rock duo  Alffa , new female duo  Body Water , and electro pop artist  Malan .

These special sessions are set for broadcast at midday every day with special broadcasts of the sessions across BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru with sessions and mini documentaries about the venues available to view on social media.  

Bethan Elfyn, Project Manager with Horizons for BBC Wales said “ We’ve been watching helplessly as Covid-19 has kept venues and theatres from opening, keeping communities that need each other apart, keeping us from watching, supporting and growing talent in Wales, and keeping us from the benefits of wellbeing and personal growth that music brings to life."

“Independent Venue Week is a chance to celebrate everything about our map of venues around Wales, the maverick producers and promoters behind the venues, and the talent that would normally fill the empty buildings with life. The tour is a celebration of what we have, what we miss, and a nod to the future when we can get back to the community that we’ve missed.”

“ It’s not just a pub, it’s not just a music venue,”  said Sam Dabb, manager of Le Public Space in Newport, and Wales’ representative for Music Venues Trust  “ It’s important to the area, it’s where people meet, and have somewhere to be. It’s important that there’s somewhere for musicians to have a place to start out, but also just somewhere to play music, not for those who want to become huge and tour the world, just somewhere to play music!”

Rona Mac, from Pembrokeshire, said, “ I think independent venues are so important. I played at Queen’s Hall, Narberth years and years ago, when I was starting out. I’ve seen great gigs here like Ben Howard, and Lucy Rose, and at her gig I got up on stage with her to sing and had a little dance!! You wouldn’t get that at a bigger venue. It's also the opportunity to play for artists without labels - and spaces like Queens Hall are just amazing, very special!”

“ I was relying on 2020 to tour my debut album, which wasn’t possible - but there’s been other good things, and thanks to Horizons for setting this up, i’ve loved playing in a different space, with different people today!”

Jodie Marie  agreed with her “ I’ve played here since the age of six in this very hall at Queen’s Hall, and if it wasn’t for these places I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today, performing, recording, and releasing albums!”

Horizons will also have guests performing home sessions, talking about their formative experiences watching or performing shows in treasured Music Venues across Wales, including rock bands  Holding Absence, Funeral For A Friend,  and  Junior .

Horizons are also on the lookout for your stories: what are your favourite Welsh venues? What are your  favourite experiences at music venues? These stories will be shared across Horizons social media throughout Independent Venue Week.

Sessions will be broadcast across the week on  bbc.co.uk/horizons  – at midday every evening a special programme with sessions and mini documentaries about the venues.

The tour has been supported by Creative Wales and BBC Introducing.Gerwyn Evans of Creative Wales said.

‘ At Creative Wales we all love our independent venues and music. We have continued to support our music sector through the past months and are now delighted to support this tour. It is great to see music once again filling our venues with sound even though no crowds can come through the doors yet. Every venue has a great story to tell and we look forward to the successful return of live music as we come out of the pandemic. ‘

Gorwelion: Taith Wythnos Clybiau Cerddorol Annibynnol Cymru: 25 - 29 Ionawr

Mae Gorwelion, cynllun cerddoriaeth BBC Cymru a Chyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn cyhoeddi taith o amgylch Clybiau Cerddorol Cymru ar gyfer Wythnos Clybiau Annibynnol (Independent Venue Week). Bydd tîm Gorwelion yn darlledu sesiynau o bump lleoliad eiconic i’r sin yng Nghymru, rhwng 25 - 29 Ionawr.

O Neuadd Ogwen yng nghysgod mynyddoed Bethesda i’r Queens Hall, Arberth ar arfordir y gorllewin, o'r Galeri fodern yng Nghaernarfon, i ganolbwyntiau canol dinas Sin City yn Abertawe a Le Pub yng Nghasnewydd, ar draws pum niwrnod bydd y daith hon yn cynnwys rhai o leoliadau annibynnol anwylaf Cymru, gan ddathlu eu rôl hanfodol wrth feithrin y genhedlaeth nesaf o dalent.

Ymhlith yr artistiaid sy'n perfformio sesiynau mae artistiaid Cymreig sy'n dod i'r amlwg o bob genre gwahanol. Mae'r rhai ar y daith yn cynnwys yr artist hip hop Mace the Great, y gantores r&b Faith, y band roc Those Damn Crows, y brawd a'r chwaer wrban ifanc o Abertawe, Leila McKenzie a K (e) nz, cantores canu gwlad Jodie Marie, cyfansoddwr amgen Rona Mac, enigma]  Ennio The Little Brother.Bydd hefyd perfformiadau unigol gan Ifan Pritchard, deuawd roc Alffa, deuawd benywaidd newydd Body Water, ac artist electro pop Malan.

Disgwylir i'r sesiynau arbennig hyn gael eu darlledu ganol dydd bob dydd, gyda darllediadau arbennig o'r sesiynau ar draws BBC Radio Wales a BBC Radio Cymru a 6Music gyda Tom Robinson. A sesiynau a rhaglenni dogfen bach am y lleoliadau ar gael i'w gweld ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol.

Dywedodd Bethan Elfyn, Rheolwr Prosiect Gorwelion “Rydyn ni wedi bod yn gwylio’n ddiymadferth tra fod Covid-19 wedi cadw lleoliadau a theatrau ar gau, gan gadw cymunedau sydd angen ei gilydd ar wahân, gan ein cadw rhag gwylio, cefnogi a thyfu talent yng Nghymru, a'n cadw rhag budd iechyd, lles a thwf personol y mae cerddoriaeth yn dod inni gyd.

“Mae ‘Wythnos Clybiau Annibynnol’ yn gyfle i ddathlu popeth am ein map o leoliadau o amgylch Cymru, y cynhyrchwyr a’r hyrwyddwyr y tu ôl i’r lleoliadau, a’r dalent a fyddai fel rheol yn llenwi’r adeiladau gwag â bywyd. Mae'r daith yn ddathliad o'r hyn sydd gennym, yr hyn yr ydym yn ei golli, ac yn nôd i'r dyfodol pan allwn ddod yn ôl i'r gymuned yr ydym wedi'i cholli. "

“Nid tafarn yn unig mohono, nid lleoliad cerdd yn unig mohono,” meddai Sam Dabb, rheolwr Le Public Space yng Nghasnewydd, a chynrychiolydd Cymru ar gyfer Music Venues Trust “Mae'n bwysig i'r ardal, dyma lle mae pobl yn cwrdd, ac yn cael rhywle i fod. Mae'n bwysig bod yna rywle i gerddorion gael lle i ddechrau, ond hefyd rhywle i chwarae cerddoriaeth, nid mond i'r rhai sydd eisiau bod yn boblogaidd, yn enfawr a theithio'r byd, yn syml rhywle i chwarae a clywed cerddoriaeth!”

Dywedodd Rona Mac, o Sir Benfro, “Rwy’n credu bod lleoliadau annibynnol mor bwysig. Chwaraeais yn Queen’s Hall, Arberth flynyddoedd a blynyddoedd yn ôl, pan oeddwn yn cychwyn. Rwyf wedi gweld gigs gwych yma fel Ben Howard, a Lucy Rose, ac yn ei gig codais ar y llwyfan gyda hi i ganu a downsio! Ni fyddech yn cael hynny mewn lleoliad mwy. Mae hefyd yn gyfle i chwarae - ac mae lleoedd fel Queens Hall yn anhygoel, yn arbennig iawn! ”

“Roeddwn yn dibynnu llynedd ar fynd ar daith hyrwyddo ‘da’r albwm cyntaf, ac doedd hyn ddim yn bosib - ond bu pethau da eraill, a diolch i Gorwelion am sefydlu hyn, roeddwn wrth fy modd yn chwarae mewn gofod gwahanol, gyda gwahanol bobl heddiw!”

Cytunodd Jodie Marie â hi “Rydw i wedi chwarae yma ers yn chwech oed yn yr union neuadd hon yn Queen’s Hall, ac oni bai am y lleoedd hyn ni fyddwn yn gwneud yr hyn rwy'n ei wneud heddiw, gan berfformio, recordio, a rhyddhau albym!”

Bydd gan Gorwelion westeion hefyd yn perfformio sesiynau cartref, yn siarad am eu profiadau yn gwylio neu'n perfformio sioeau mewn theatrau, clybiau a lleoliadau cerddorol ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys bandiau roc Holding Absence, Funeral For A Friend, a Junior.

Mae Gorwelion hefyd yn chwilio am eich straeon: beth yw eich hoff leoliadau cerddorol Cymreig? Beth yw eich hoff brofiadau mewn lleoliadau cerdd? Bydd y straeon hyn yn cael eu rhannu ar draws cyfryngau cymdeithasol trwy gydol ‘Wythnos Clybiau Annibynnol’.

Bydd sesiynau'n cael eu darlledu trwy gydol yr wythnos ar bbc.co.uk/horizons - am hanner dydd bob dydd rhaglen arbennig gyda sesiynau a rhaglenni dogfen byr am y lleoliadau. Fe fydd y sessiynnau hefyd yn cael eu darlledu ar BBC Radio Cymru a BBC Radio Wales, ac ar BBC 6Music efo Tom Robinson [SG4]  .

Cefnogwyd y daith gan Creative Wales a BBC Introducing.

Meddai Gerwyn Evans o Creative Wales,

“Yn Creative Wales rydyn ni i gyd yn caru ein lleoliadau a’n cerddoriaeth annibynnol. Rydym wedi parhau i gefnogi ein sector cerddoriaeth trwy'r misoedd diwethaf ac rydym bellach yn falch iawn o gefnogi'r daith hon. Mae'n wych gweld cerddoriaeth unwaith eto'n llenwi ein lleoliadau â sain er na all unrhyw dyrfaoedd ddod trwy'r drysau eto. Mae gan bob lleoliad stori wych i'w hadrodd ac edrychwn ymlaen at ddychwelyd cerddoriaeth fyw yn llwyddiannus wrth inni ddod allan o'r pandemig.”

Bryn Yemm in India

AmeriCymru: Hi Bryn and many thanks for agreeing to this interview. When did you first start singing  and when did you realise that this was to be your future?

Bryn: As an adopted little boy in Abergavenny Wales the family who took me in were a  Salvation Army family and I spent all my formative years being raised in the Sunday School, Sunday morning and afternoon. So the bands and songsters  awoke in me  a chance to sing. I tried also to learn the cornet, but due to lack of practice I soon lost interest. I was very young and wanted to be down at the river or up the many beautiful mountains  which surrounded my home town of Abergavenny. A t that time singing for a living  was a million miles away..

AmeriCymru: You were born in Brynmawr but currently reside in Abergavenny. How did you come to live in Abergavenny and what musical background did you enjoy there?

Bryn: I was born in Brynmawr , S.Wales  and as I mentioned I was adopted  by Ivor and Marie Yemm who lived in Abergavenny, which was about ten miles away and that's where I ended up. We have maintained our home in Wales until the present but due to some minimal success had homes in Cyprus, earlier years, and the in Florida USA. My musical background was influenced by the Salvation Army Bands.

AmeriCymru:  When did you release your first album and how many have you recorded over the years?

Bryn: By determination and Faith (Mark9 vs 23)  I had my first single (Black is the night)  on Columbia records in the late 60s and my springboard to turning professional  came about by me writing a song to celebrate the Queens Jubilee in 1977. Since then I have recorded many albums, around 15 plus singles and other popular tracks for special events.

AmeriCymru: You met The Beatles in 1963. Care to tell us a little more about this experience?

Bryn: Meeting and hanging out with the Fab Four.(The Beatles)    I built up a solid name for myself in S.Wales and the Beatles came to appear at our local Theatre.The local mayor invited me to the event  and I spent most of the day in the dressing room with all four. Plus met and chatted with the bands Manager Brian Epstein who invited me to to visit him in London. As I had no money I didn't take up the offer.

AmeriCymru: In the course of your long career is there any one song or album that you are particularly proud of, or that stands out for you in some way? 

Bryn: Over the course of my career , after the success of the Jubilee party I was asked by FW Woolworths  UK  if I had an album, so I jumped in without delay to present one. With special help from my lifetime friend Kingsley Ward Of Rockfield studios ,Wales  we produced "Hello Bryn Yemm"  to this day it's one of my favorites, maybe because it was the first album, but over 15 years more followed ,along with  TWO lovely DVD's...MY Tribute from Wales the Land of Song and to my utter delight.. "FOOTSTEPS filmed in ISRAEL....and the other favorite "I'll Fly Away"  an album that features my wife Ann, daughter Tracy and a dear friend ( deceased)  Christina Marlow...one of the UKs top singers ...the girls did all the backing singing and the songs are wonderful. I love it and it holds many great memories.

AmeriCymru: You visited the States in 2003. Care to tell us a little more about that visit? Any plans to return?

Bryn: MY first visit to the USA was an invitation by top Welsh businessman  John James. John and his Father George owned four Casinos in the UK. John invited us to sing at his Daughters wedding in Fort Lauderdale. Of course we loved the experience , and it fuelled our enthusiasm to spend more time in the States. As things progressed  IN 2003  the company in Israel I worked for decided to bring a Cruiseship  from Haifa to Cape Canaveral , being the Entertainment Director for them I was invited  to join the venture and be  Cruise Director and Entertainments manager. After a year we bought a home in Cape Canaveral and loved it. We have now been in the states for twenty years , but never gave up our home there  in Wales were our heart is.

AmeriCymru: What are you working on at the moment? Any new recordings in the works?

Bryn: Thanks to the pandemic, I found myself stranded in Wales, when all work closed down for all of us in America and the U.K. It's been a hard time, but as always I found plenty to do like writing a new book which will be my second and also trying hard to get a new U tube channel together with my friends at Ameri-Cymru  in Portland Oregon. I am planning a new album when we gather the funds to do it maybe in Charleston Carolina, with my friend  Michael Howard's Big Band....hope so.

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Bryn: I am very Grateful to Ameri-Cymru  for their help and encouragement especially lovely Gaabriel at their studio. The Ddraig Goch..(the Welsh Dragon ) depicts three things NO four!  The earth, The Sea, The Sky and the speech of the Cymru.. IT leads the Welsh people in an unending  war for the perpetuation  of our language......Join us in lifting up Wales  and inform the world of the great heritage of our country  here and across America...DIolch yn Fawr...God bless Wales...and God Bless America.

Bryn Yemm with Mother Theresa

On the 4 ^th  of December HMS Morris will be releasing an EP called ‘Pastille’ - 5 songs recorded and released in 2020. The collection represents a fairly coherent period, when circumstances required a particular mode of composing, producing and being. This EP sums up all the band’s 2020 feels.

‘Pastille’ features an extended version of ‘Partypooper’ and an exclusive track ‘Marshmallow’ and will be available on a Ltd Edition 12” Pastel Blue Vinyl limited to 100 copies – you snooze you lose.

Here’s the story behind Pastille EP, which will be released on December 4th on Bubblewrap Records:

Pastille is a collection of 5 songs we’ve written (or at least finished off) during 2020, and as such is a chronicle of our experience of one of the most significant years in living memory. There’s been plenty of time to think seriously about our life choices, as well as much pondering of superficial silliness. We’ve reacted to political turmoil first with a call to arms, and then with lots and lots of samba-charged escapism.

Even the method of Pastille’s release is a reflection of 2020. This year signifies the end of the old-school music industry, which has been on life support ever since CD sales stopped pumping at the turn of the century. Ever more dependent on touring income, the industry faces a bleak future as the ban on live music events lingers on.

One bright point has been the growing profile and importance of Bandcamp. The platform has long been the most direct way of turning fans’ money into musicians’ lunches, and this year they’ve stepped up their support even further by waiving their fees on the first Friday of every month. It’s in recognition of Bandcamp’s role in the emerging 21st century music industry – and in recognition that we need to eat! – that we are releasing Pastille exclusively as a vinyl package on that platform.

We realize that asking fans to pay directly for our music might seem cheeky, presumptuous, or be annoying for people who already pay a subscription for a streaming service, so we’ve worked hard to make Pastille as special as possible, a package that’s infinitely better than just streaming the tunes.

So thanks in advance for your support, and take care everyone x (Heledd/Sam)

Tracklist: HMS Morris 'Pastille'

01. Partypooper (5:23)
02. Poetry (4:28)
03. Babanod (3:53)
04. Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol (4:05)
05. Marshmallow (3:26)

Pastille EP features an epic extended version of Partypooper, an exclusive track, Marshmallow, and re-mastered versions of Poetry, Babanod and Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol. It comes on a limited edition 12” pastel blue vinyl (download code included), and will be available to pre-order from November 6th on HMS Morris’ bandcamp page:

hmsmorrisband.bandcamp.com/

or direct from Bubblewrap Records:

bubblewrapcollective.co.uk/shop-bubblewrap/

The standard package will include a disk, download code and enamel pin-badge, while the deluxe package also includes a t-shirt. All artwork and merch has been created in collaboration with Ceredigion artist Mari Elin Jones, who generally showcases her creations here:  www.instagram.com/mari.melyn/

It will be available to pre-order alongside some new merchandise on November 6 ^th  from the following websites -  https://hmsmorrisband. bandcamp.com/  &  https://bubblewrapcollective. co.uk/shop-bubblewrap/

All 2020 merch and artwork has been a collaboration between HMS Morris and the artist Mari Elin. We thank her for all her imagination and we thank you for all your support during a turbulent time for artists and makers.

Standard Package – Vinyl, Enamel badge and digital download code, £20.00
Deluxe Package – Vinyl, Enamel badge, T-Shirt and digital download code, £35.00

Gadewch i ni roi terfyn i’r flwyddyn ddomllyd yma gydag ychydig o newyddion da!

Ar Rhagfyr y 4ydd fydd HMS Morris yn rhyddhau eu EP ‘Pastille’ – 5 cân welodd golau dydd yn 2020. Mae’r casgliad yn cynrychioli cyfnod cyson a ddigyfnewid pan oedd amgylchaidau yn gofyn am ffordd go benodol o gyfansoddi, cynhyrchu a bod. Mae’r EP yma yn crynhoi holl deilmladau 2020 y band.

Mae ‘Pastille’ yn cynnwys fersiwn estynedig o ‘Partypooper’ a trac ecsgliwsif o’r enw ‘Marshmallow.’
Fydd yr EP ar gael ar finyl 12’’ glas golau – 100 copi yn unig – peidwich bod yn gysglyd.

Fe fydd ar gael i’w rag-archebu ar y 6ed o Dachwedd yngyd â chrysau-t a bathodynnau o’r gwefannau canlynol -  https://hmsmorrisband. bandcamp.com/  &  https://bubblewrapcollective. co.uk/shop-bubblewrap/

Mae holl waith celf 2020 y band wedi bod yn gyd-weithrediad a’r artist Mari Elin! Diolch iddi am ei holl dychymyg a diolch i chi i gyd am eich cyfnogaeth yn ystod cyfnod go gythryblys i artistiaid a gweithwyr creadigol.

Pecyn Sylfaenol – Vinyl, Bathodyn enamel a côd lawrlwytho, £20.00
Pecyn Ffansi – Vinyl, Bathodyn enamel, crys t a côd lawrlwytho, £35.00

Youth Transatlantic partnership consolidated - despite Covid-19

A ground-breaking partnership to remind young people on both sides of the Atlantic of the lethal perils of racism will press ahead this winter despite the major challenges of lockdown.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru (youth organisation in Wales, UK  (www.urdd.cymru/en ) and the students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have come together to create a virtual gospel choir to celebrate their new partnership and both Choirs will sing together in Welsh for the very first time!

Wales, known as the land of song, has an unequivocal strong and longstanding history with music and that shared passion was an obvious link when Siân Lewis, Chief Executive at Urdd Gobaith Cymru met with Patrick Evans, Chair of the UAB College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music, on a visit arranged by the Welsh Government to Alabama last autumn.  

Welsh ties with the African American community in Birmingham, Alabama were formed in the immediate aftermath of the vicious bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church by the Klu Klux Klan more than half a century ago when the people of Wales donated a stained-glass window to the church in solidarity. A formal visit by Sian Lewis, CEO of the Welsh youth Movement, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, and Welsh Minister for Education Kirsty Williams to the University of Alabama last year strengthened these ties. 

Tour arrangements for the UAB Gospel Choir to visit Wales and the Urdd National Eisteddfod for 2020 were being finalised when Covid-19 swept across the world and plans were put on hold. Keen not to let the challenges scupper the opportunity to bring the young people together, a virtual choir was formed.  

The are 34 members in the virtual choir and Urdd members between the ages of 18 – 25 years old will form the voices of Wales. Mared Williams, a former Urdd Member and star of “Les Miserables” in the West End in London and UAB Gospel Choir Director Reginald James Jackson take the lead as soloists while Music Director Richard Vaughan brings the voices together.  

Meanwhile it will be a new experience for members of UAB Gospel Choir too as not only will they be singing virtually with their partners across the Atlantic, but they will also sing in Welsh for the very first time – a translation of ‘Every Praise’ by Hezekiah Walker – “Canwn Glod”     

Siân Lewis, Urdd CEO said,
   
“Music, and gospel music, has long been known to provide comfort and hope during troubling and testing times. This year has seen its fair share of challenges thrown our way, not only as individual nations but collectively as world citizens.  

“We are delighted that despite the pandemic, we have been able to develop our partnership and give our members the opportunity to learn more about gospel singing from our inspirational friends at UAB. Together, we have recorded a truly uplifting performance – a true beacon of hope as we look forward with positivity.” 

Patrick Evans, UAB Chair of the Department of Music, added 
 
“The coming together of these young voices marks the beginning of a positive relationship between our students and the young people of Wales. Singing in Welsh for the first time was a challenge for the choir members, however they embraced the challenge and we are looking forward to visiting Wales when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we hope that our virtual collaboration will spread a little joy during these hard times.” 

Kirsty Williams, Minster for Education at the Welsh Government said:

“I am delighted that we continue to strengthen links between Wales and Alabama. This initiative between the Urdd and the University of Alabama at Birmingham ensures that a new generation will take our relationship forward. By uniting students through the power of song, our transatlantic friendship will continue to flourish, despite the distance between us.”

As the Urdd approaches its centenary in 2022 it has ambitious plans to ensure Wales makes a positive impact, to ensure that more people know about Wales, offer international experiences for young people and celebrate the cultural richness of Wales as well as share good practise with international contacts in the success of increasing confidence use and enjoyment of a minority language. Since its establishment in 1922, the Urdd has nurtured over 4 million young men and women to be proud of their country, open to the world and living embodiments of our language and culture, along with the universal values which we cherish in Wales. 
 
The video is published to coincide with Thanksgiving in the USA and will be available on the Urdd Youtube Channel here from 0800 GMT 26 November 2020.  

What is the Urdd?

Urdd Gobaith Cymru ( www.urdd.cymru) is a National Voluntary Youth Organisation  in Wales, UK with over 55,000 members between the ages of 8 – 25 years. The Urdd provides opportunities through the medium of Welsh for children and young people in Wales to enable them to make positive contributions to their communities. 

The Urdd has nurtured generations of young men and women to be proud of their country, open to the world and living embodiments of our language and culture, along with the universal values which we cherish in Wales. Over 4 million children and young people have been members of the Urdd since its beginning back in 1922. The significance of the institution in Wales cannot be over-emphasised. Its contribution to generations in Wales, to the lives and confidence, and mental health of our young people over the years has been immense. 

Atgyfnerthu partneriaeth ieuenctid Drawsatlantig – er gwaethaf Covid-19

Bydd partneriaeth arloesol i atgoffa pobl ifanc o ddwy ochr Môr yr Iwerydd o beryglon dinistriol hiliaeth yn bwrw ymlaen y gaeaf hwn er gwaethaf heriau sylweddol y cyfnod clo. 

Mae Urdd Gobaith Cymru a’r myfyrwyr ym Mhrifysgol Alabama ym Mirmingham ((University of Alanama – Birmingham - UAB) wedi dod at ei gilydd i ffurfio côr rhithiol i ddathlu eu partneriaeth newydd a bydd y ddau gôr yn canu gyda’i gilydd yn y Gymraeg am y tro cyntaf erioed!

Mae gan Gymru, gwlad y gân, hanes hir a chref gyda cherddoriaeth ac felly roedd yn gyswllt amlwg pan gyfarfu Siân Lewis, Prif Weithredwr Urdd Gobaith Cymru, â Patrick Evans, Cadeirydd Adran Gerddoriaeth Coleg Celfyddydau a Gwyddorau UAB, ar ymweliad a drefnwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru i Alabama y llynedd. 

Ffurfiwyd perthynas rhwng y Cymry a’r gymuned Affro Americanaidd ym Mirmingham, Alabama dros hanner canrif yn ôl yn dilyn ymosodiad terfysgol gan y Klu Klux Klan ar Eglwys y Bedyddwyr, 16th Street. Fel arwydd o gefnogaeth ac undod rhoddwyd ffenestr lliw i’r eglwys gan bobl Cymru. Bu i ymweliad swyddogol Siân Lewis, Prif Weithredwr yr Urdd, a Gweinidog Addysg Cymru, Kirsty Williams â Phrifysgol Alabama y llynedd gryfhau’r berthynas hon.  

Roedd trefniadau taith Côr Gospel UAB i ymweld â Chymru ac Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd Sir Ddinbych 2020 yn cael eu cwblhau pan fu’n rhaid gohirio’r cyfan wrth i Covid-19 ledaenu ar draws y byd. Yn awyddus i beidio â gadael i’r sefyllfa atal y cyfle i ddod â’r bobl ifanc at ei gilydd, ffurfiwyd côr rhithiol ar cyd rhwng Côr Gospel UAB ac aelodau o nifer o aelwydydd yr Urdd ar draws Cymru. 

Bydd 34 o leisiau yn dod at ei gilydd i greu’r côr rhithiol yn gynrychiolwyr o Gôr Gospel yr UAB a thua hanner ohonynt yn aelodau o rai o gorau aelwydydd yr Urdd o Hafodwenog, Penllys, JMJ, Pantycelyn a’r Waun Ddyfal. Cyn aelod o’r Urdd a seren “Les Miserables” yn y West End, Mared Williams a Chyfarwyddwr Côr Gospel UAB Reginald James Jackson fydd yn canu rhan yr unawdwyr tra bod y Cyfarwyddwr Cerdd Richard Vaughan yn gyfrifol am ddod â’r lleisiau at ei gilydd. 

Bydd yn brofiad newydd i aelodau Côr Gospel UAB hefyd, nid yn unig y profiad o uno i greu rhith gôr ond dyma fydd y tro cyntaf iddynt ganu yn y Gymraeg – addasiad o ‘Every Praise’ gan Hezekiah Walker, ‘Canwn Glod’. 

Meddai Siân Lewis,
   
“Mae gan gerddoriaeth, a cherddoriaeth gospel yn enwedig, y gallu arbennig i gynnig cysur a gobaith mewn cyfnodau anodd a chythryblus. Mae eleni wedi bod yn flwyddyn heriol a dweud y lleiaf, nid yn unig i genhedloedd unigol ond i ni gyd fel dinasyddion y byd. 

“Rydym mor falch ein bod wedi llwyddo i ddatblygu ein partneriaeth a rhoi’r cyfle i’n haelodau ddysgu mwy am ganu gospel oddi wrth ein ffrindiau ysbrydoledig yn UAB, er gwaetha’r pandemig. Gyda’n gilydd, rydym wedi creu perfformiad sydd wirioneddol yn codi calon – gwir esiampl o obaith wrth i ni edrych ymlaen yn bositif i’r dyfodol.” 

Ychwanegodd Patrick Evans, Cadeirydd Adran Gerdd UAB, 

“Wrth ddod â’r lleisiau ifanc yma ynghyd rydym yn nodi cychwyn ar berthynas gadarn rhwng ein myfyrwyr a phobl ifanc Cymru. Roedd canu yn y Gymraeg am y tro cyntaf yn her i aelodau’r côr ond fe wnaethon nhw groesawu’r sialens ac rydym yn edrych ymlaen at ymweld â Chymru pan fydd hi’n ddiogel i ni wneud. Yn y cyfamser, gobeithio bydd ein rhith gôr yn creu tipyn o lawenydd yn ystod y cyfnod anodd hwn.”

Meddai Kirsty Williams:

“Rydw i wrth fy modd ein bod yn parhau i gryfhau cysylltiadau rhwng Cymru ac Alabama. Mae’r fenter hon rhwng yr Urdd a Phrifysgol Alabama ym Mirmingham yn sicrhau fod cenhedlaeth newydd yn bwrw ymlaen â’r berthynas. Wrth uno myfyrwyr drwy rym cerddoriaeth, bydd ein cyfeillgarwch trawsatlantig yn parhau i ffynnu, er gwaethaf y pellter rhyngom.”

Wrth i’r Urdd agosáu at ei ganmlwyddiant yn 2022 mae gan y mudiad strategaeth ryngwladol uchelgeisiol i sicrhau fod mwy o bobl yn gwybod am Gymru, yn cynnig profiadau rhyngwladol i bobl ifanc yr Urdd ac yn dathlu cyfoeth diwylliannol Cymru yn ogystal â rhannu arfer da gan gynyddu hyder a mwynhad yn yr iaith Gymraeg. Ers ei sefydlu yn 1922 mae'r Urdd wedi meithrin 4 miliwn o ddynion a menywod ifanc i fod yn falch o'u gwlad, yn agored i'r byd ac yn ymgorfforiadau byw o'u hiaith a'u diwylliant, ynghyd â'r gwerthoedd cyffredinol yr ydym yn eu gwerthfawrogi yng Nghymru.

Mae’r fideo yn cael ei rannu ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol i gydfynd â dathliadau diwrnod Diolchgarwch (Thanksgiving) yn yr UDA. 

Bydd y fideo ar gael yma i chi lawr lwytho am 15:00 dydd Mercher 25ain o Dachwedd mewn pryd i’w gyhoeddi i’r cyhoedd am 08:00 dydd Iau 26 Tachwedd. Mae modd gwrando ar ddarn bychan o’r gan o flaen llaw yma (dim i’w rannu/ gyhoeddi). 

Am ragor o wybodaeth neu i drefnu cyfweliadau, cysylltwch â Sioned Wyn, Swyddog Marchnata a Chyfathrebu yr Urdd sionedwyn@urdd.org neu Shannon Thomason, UAB Office of Public Relations, thomason@uab.edu