Tagged: john mouse
Helen Love/John MOuse collaboration - The Doors to The Double Diamond Club are open!
By , 2025-01-18
The Double Diamond Club are officially open for business, releasing their self-titled debut single via Alcopop! Records back on New Years Day got 2025 off with a bang with the video previewing on Louder than War and receiving play on BBC Ulster and BBC Wales.
The original Double Diamond Club were a renowned vocal duo that dominated the South Wales club scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Hailed (or maybe that should be mythologised?) as the greatest club singing duo in Caerphilly and surrounding areas, they captivated audiences across the valleys and beyond, playing to sell-out crowds at working men’s and social clubs. Their unique blend of tight harmonies and high-energy performances made them household names in the local club circuit, earning them a loyal fanbase and a reputation for putting on electrifying shows.
After a decade of success and excess, the duo’s remarkable run came to a dramatic end. Personal and artistic differences led to their split, marking the close of a golden era in Welsh club entertainment. Thanks to an unlikely collaboration the legend of ‘the club’ has been revived by Welsh ‘Indie Pop royalty’, Helen Love , and the unofficial ‘voice of the Rhondda Valleys,’ John MOuse . Although according to an anonymous insider their relationship is as rocky as the original duo’s!
Somehow, they have managed to produce a selection of recordings that pay homage and are testament to the remarkable talent that defined that golden era. Fittingly the Video features many great Welsh icons from the 80’s including ITV’s Arfon Haines Davies, the ‘godfathers of modern Welsh comedy’ Ryan Davies and Ronnie Williams, star of stage and screen Margaret Williams along with actress Myfanwy Talog, tenor Trebor Edwards and former Mrs Roger Moore and singer Dorothy Squires.
John MOuse celebrates almost a year since The Goat was released by offering the final single, Buy to Let Industry Expert, up on all streaming sites with an accompanying T Shirt, designed by Welsh International Artist Bedwyr Williams .
A fitting collaboration on the artwork for the single and T Shirt as the lyrical content for the track was inspired by Bedwyr’s Instagram posts at the time, which went onto be part of the MILQUETOAST touring exhibitions.
John MOuse will also finally get to promote the 2020 album live this Autumn at: Clwb Ifor Bach , Cardiff, Oct 28th - Full band and solo sets
And then solo sets supporting Piroshka at
Chalk , Brighton, Nov 2nd
Brudenell Social Club , Leeds, Nov 3rd
Deaf Institute , Manchester, Nov 5th
Brudenell Social Club , Leeds, Nov 3rd
Garage , London, Nov 6th
John MOuse will release new single “When Wales Play Away” on Friday 4th June. This is John’s unofficial release for the Wales Football team at the delayed Euro2020 tournament.
Returning to the theme of Football, When Wales Play Away is inspired by the Wales travelling fans, known as The Red Wall/Y Wal Goch, which he experienced for the first time while playing to a sold out show in Budapest during the qualifying campaign for this tournament.
The tracks nostalgic guitar driven sound is a return to previous John MOuse albums and football themed songs, such as “I Was a Goalkeeper” and the connection with Wales “Whole in my Heart (An Area the Size of Wales)” and a departure from the last longplayer, “The Goat”, an Electronic Krautrock affair, which John has promised to return to for next years follow up album.
“I hope that this song really connects with the Welsh fans, and we get to sing it together soon at a live show, or in the terraces.” - John MOuse
The track is available on streaming platforms and available to buy on the John MOuse Bandcamp page.
https://johnmouse.bandcamp.com/
John MOuse releases his new album ‘The Goat’ via digital platforms on the 31st of July followed by a physical vinyl release on the 28th of August through Keep Me In Your Heart Records. It is preceded by the lead single ‘Le Pigeon’ at the end of this month.
When lockdown commenced John MOuse seized the opportunity to create a new album. The concept behind The Goat, was to write, record and release a song on a weekly basis. Each song, accompanied by its own artwork was then uploaded to Bandcamp.
Social distancing meant that the music for the album was created Lincolnshire by long term collaborator Phil Pearce and then sent to John in Cardiff who worked on the lyrics and vocal melody for each track. The result is a typically idiosyncratic and heart on its sleeve, electronic pop album, heavy on spoken word content and catchy chorus hooks, these songs possess musical hints of everyone from Adian Moffat, Momus to early Pulp .
The lyrical subject matter is varied ranging from fleeing from a pigeon on urgent first single ‘Le Pigeon’ (loosely based on Suskins novella The Pigeon) with its vivid stream of consciousness and chirruping synths. To fragments of bittersweet memories, witty imagery, despair not salved by defunct technology and Anne Summers parties.
Ten tracks were completed and are now set for official digital and physical release on Keep Me In your heart records.
“The Goat” is John’s fifth full-length album and his first since last year’s limited digital release of The Fen Sessions and 2018’s warmly received ‘Replica Figures’ which was described as "In turns touching, hilarious and heart-breaking" by Buzz Magazine and as "powerful stuff. Rentokil wouldn’t have a clue how to deal with any of this." Louder Than War. While 2014’s ‘The Death of John MOuse’ was praised by The Line of Best Fit and its brilliant lead single ‘I was a Goalkeeper’ featured Gareth from Los Campesinos, prompted Steve Lamacq to pronounce it ‘my new favourite football song’.
John MOuse, real name John Davies has been described as ‘A Welsh Beck,’ under his previous incarnation JT Mouse he worked with Sweet Baboo (aka Steven Black) while in 2010 he scored a cult hit with a song about a gay romance with another duet, this time with TV presenter Steve Jones lifted from the acclaimed album ‘Humber Dogger Forties’. John MOuse has received airplay support from Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Mary Anne Hobbes, Steve Lamacq, Stuart Maconie, Gideon Coe and Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music and Adam Walton & Bethan Elfyn on BBC Radio Wales.
“The blend of unpredictability, wit and sharp reminiscence contained within is the real joy of this latest offering by this highly original artist a Welsh indie pop hero…reminiscent of a South Wales David Gedge” Louder Than War
“An extraordinary piece of poetry” Mary Anne Hobbs on ‘Robbie Savage’.
“There is only one John MOuse, a Welsh Superstar and an impassioned performer.” Tom Robinson
John: Hey, its what I thought was a breakup song, but it turns out that the main character is speaking from the grave, but it is still probably a break up song.
A meriCymru: Will there be a new album forthcoming soon?
John: Hopefully, yes. Though as much as I love the form I have been told that it isn't the best vehicle to promote an artist work anymore.
AmeriCymru: We learn from a recent press release that your 'most recent album “The Fen Sessions” was written and released over a weekend and then deleted on the Monday.' Why? Are there any plans to resurrect it?
John: It was a conceptual idea that I had. I wanted to see how many people pay attention to my social media, as that was the main vehicle of promotion prior to and during the sessions. I also like to challenge the creative process and force myself into producing material. I think consumers of music expect the music always to be available and to be free, so I was questioning this concept. One thing I didn't expect to come from the sessions was that many of the people who downloaded the songs actually ended up paying for them. I think this was because they had invested in the process, some of them followed it throughout the weekend, and maybe limiting the release availability gave the album some monetary value.
AmeriCymru: After your 2014 album 'The Death of.....', John Mouse went away for a while. Why was this and why did he return?
John: I had had enough about not reaching a larger audience. I sort of gave up. Now, I'm liberated by this fact and so do what I want knowing that no-one really cares.
AmeriCymru: The track 'Happy I am Not' from 'The Death of John Mouse' seems to sum up the album and is a personal favourite of mine. Care to tell us a little more about the song?
John: That is an oldie! Right, so I mashed up Heaven Knows I'm miserable now, by the Smiths, Lets move to the country, by Smog and Considering a move to Memphis by The Colourblind James Experience. Just have a listen to those three songs and you'll understand Unhappy a little more.
AmeriCymru: Another intriguing track from 'Death of....' is 'Ilka Moor'. Punk versions of old standards are not unheard of, 'The Dickies', 'Banana Splits' and 'Eve of Destruction' spring to mind, but why 'Ilka Moor'?
John: I had this old folk song book and the lyrics for Ilka Moor really stood out. It's so bizzare, eating your mate, turns out it's about sexual disease though.
AmeriCymru: What is your creative process? Do your lyrics simply come to you fully formed or do you work for days/weeks carefully polishing them to perfection?
John: I do a lot of pre-editing, inhaling, before I write the words. I don't really change them much, sometimes move some sentences around so that they rhyme or that the words rhythmically fit.
AmeriCymru: How would you caharacterize your writing and recording process in general? How closely do you collaborate with the other musicians on arrangements etc?
John: It just depends. Sometimes I write by myself and tell people I work with what I'd like to achieve on the instruments I can't play. Sometimes I just let them write the song, for example this new one is written entirely by Phil.
AmeriCymru: What music are you currently listening to? Are there any artists you would claim as an inspiration?
John: New music that I am listening to include Fontains DC, John Maus (I know), Yak, Beak, King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizzard, but I'll always go back to albums by Bill Callahan and anything Arab Strap related.
AmeriCymru: Any final message for the members and readers of AmeriCymru?
John: Thanks for reading, and please do spread the word.
John MOuse returns with a breakup song in the guitar driven indie pop vein of 2014’s “I was a Goalkeeper”. Coming off the back of the experimental art Project “The Fen Sessions” where John MOuse wrote, produced, released and then deleted an album over a weekend, “There’s a hole in my heart (an area the size of Wales) is a punchy indie dance floor classic and is backed up with a remix of Gladiator / Contender by Bristol’s Greg Stoddard exclusively via the Bandcamp site. John MOuse will be promoting the single at Devaudin Festival , Chepstow on May 18th and Sugarfest Bristol May 26th.
John MOuse is a left of centre artist from Cardiff. John’s most recent album “The Fen Sessions” was written and released over a weekend and then deleted on the Monday. Collaborations with Sweet Baboo, Prince Edward Island, Los Campesinos and TV’s Steve Jones have littered his 5 studio albums all of which have receive critical praise and garnered airplay and support from Steve Lamacq, Tom Robinson, Huw Stephens, Gideon Coe and Stuart Maconie.John MOuse was born out of John’s previous band JT Mouse, which featured members of Zabrinksi, The Spencer McGarry Season and Steven Black AKA Sweet Baboo. John’s debut album released in 2006, on Crocfinger records was a collection of home tape recordings. It’s “A Universal” showed glimpses of the intriguing lyrical content that John MOuse future albums will become synonymous with.
2010 saw the release of the first and long-term songwriting partnership with Phil Pearce. Pearce, songwriter for Scottish fronted Prince Edward Island and Faye Davies creative partnership helped form “Humber Dogger Forties” which can be classed as the first proper John MOuse album. The album featured TV’s Steve Jones duet-ting with his step brother on “The Last Great Rhondda Romance”, a tale of two young boys falling in love in the South Wales Valleys.
“The Death of John MOuse” was mooted as the last John MOuse album. The deterioration of the song writing relationship reinforcing the title of what was to be MOuse’s most successful album to date. Lead single “I Was a Goalkeeper” a tale of old friends reuniting, another duet, this time featuring Gareth Paisey of Los Campesinos, was released prior to the 2014 World Cup and garnered unprecedented coverage for any previous John MOuse release.
A new era of John MOuse was born out of the album, and John hooked up with a new live band from his Rhondda home. Featuring members of MEA (a local Metal band) a revolving number of bass players and Paul Scunge Sheppard of 90’s Indie outfit Hopper, John went on to tour the UK. His live show, now with a new harder edge, but still full to the brim of performance, saw the band supporting the likes of Future of the Left, Half Man Half Biscuit, Malcolm Middleton and The Wave Pictures and at Festivals including two memorable sets at Green Man festival.
Eclectic, eccentric, genre hopping, have been both the strength and weakness to John MOuse career. A comparison of artist list the size of the doomsday book including bands such as Pulp, Roddy Frame, The Wedding Present, Art Brut, the list goes on and on. The saving grace and constant though is MOuse’s lyrics. The words are immersed in cultural artefact and personalities. Comic, bittersweet and nostalgia are recurring themes in all of John MOuse’s albums.
In 2018 John MOuse released “Replica Figures” the second album on Keep Me in Your Heart Records, and saw him return to work with JT Mouse member Stephen Black aka Sweet Baboo. The album was again Chameleonic in style and was somewhat a return to his lo-fi roots.
In early 2019. John MOuse attempted his most ambitious release to date. Writing, recording, producing, mixing, mastering and releasing an album over a weekend. Each track had a two-hour window and was uploaded for free download, until 9am on the Monday morning when “The Fen Sessions” would be deleted forever. Working again with long term songwriting partner Phil Pearce, Faye Davies and Jon Hodges, “The Fen Sessions” is a concept album never to be heard again.
28 musicians, both live and in the studio, have worked with John Mouse, reflecting the forever changing sounds and styles, and progressive nature of each John MOuse live show and release.
John MOuse reunites with Sweet Baboo for his fifth album 'Replica Figures' released 19th February 2018
By , 2017-12-21
After a successful fan funding campaign, John MOuse releases his fifth album ‘Replica Figures' out through Keep Me In Your Heart Records on the 19th of February 2018. For ‘Replica Figures’ John returns to work with original band member Sweet Baboo. It's been 15 years since the two worked under John's previous moniker JT Mouse and the result is a touching album with glimpses of John's black humour, which has been a signature throughout his career.
"We had talked about working together but other commitments had taken president. This is the type of album I have been wanting to release for some time.” Says John of his decision to work with Steve Baboo “ Steve understood straight away what I was trying to achieve and we worked really quickly on just letting the songs breath and be themselves. Nothing was over thought or overworked."
‘Replica Figures’ features Steve Black (Sweet Baboo) on piano and bass, former guitarist of early 90's indie band Hopper (who were signed to Tony Wilson), Paul Sheppard, and John's daughter Maggie Lola on backing vocals. The album circulates around the concept of memories, different memories, how they are created, the lack of memory, enforced and false memories...
"We wanted the album to have restrictions in place, a limited palette of instruments and sounds, and most importantly a vocal performance to capture emotion and the moment.” Says John about recording the album “We are so used to listening to perfect vocals and I wanted to create a snapshot, much like a memory."
‘Replica Figures’ is John’s first album since 2014’s greatly received long player ‘The Death of John MOuse’ that was praised by The Line of Best Fit and Louder than War websites and its brilliant lead single ‘I was a Goalkeeper’ which featured Gareth from Los Campesinos . John MOuse, real name John Davies, has been described as ‘A Welsh Beck,’ and ‘A Less Funny Half Man Half Biscuit'. Under his previous incarnation JT Mouse he worked with Sweet Baboo (aka Steven Black) while in 2010 he scored a cult hit with a song about a gay romance with another duet, this time with TV presenter Steve Jones lifted from the acclaimed album ‘Humber Dogger Forties’. Airplay support for John MOuse includes Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio, Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music and Adam Walton & Bethan Elfyn on BBC Radio Wales.
“The blend of unpredictability, wit and sharp reminiscence contained within is the real joy of this latest offering by this highly original artist a Welsh indie pop hero…reminiscent of a South Wales David Gedge” Louder Than War
“A Welsh Weezer… arty and not afraid of whopping melodies” The Line Of Best Fit
“An extraordinary piece of poetry.” Mary Anne Hobbs on ‘Robbie Savage’.
“There is only one John MOuse, a Welsh Superstar and an impassioned performer.” Tom Robinson
www.facebook.com/JohnMOuseMusi
www.twitter.com/johnmousemusic
The crowdfunded album which is officially released Feb 19th is a collaboration with Sweet Baboo, who produced and played on the album. It's the first time in 15 years that John has worked with Steven Black since they were in the band JT Mouse.
The album also features Paul Sheppard, former guitarist of 90's indie band Hopper who were signed to Tony Wilson's Factory Too records, and who's debut album was produced by Bernard Butler.
The Video is filmed entirely by John's daughter Maggie Lola Davies who also features on backing vocals on the album.
<a href="https://youtu.be/3T2O3hqq50k" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q&source=gmail&ust=1512583210535000&usg=AFQjCNGOqITJPrB2vd7kk-Gt_oaLnrBbRQ" rel="noopener">
John MOuse is promoting the single and album at
Crofters Rights, Bristol Dec 11th
Morgans, Rhondda Valleys Jan 1st
The Moon, Cardiff Jan 12th
Price Albert, Stroud Feb 10th
Le Pub, Newport Feb 17th
Listen to "Tough day for the Trains"
...
John MOuse releases “Tough day for the trains” His first new material since the release of “The Death of John MOuse” back in 2015, which received plays and plaudits from BBC Radio 6, Radio Wales, and XFM. In “Trains”, John sympathises and tackles the big questions again, this time, the rail service. “Trains” also features some guest vocals from John’s children Maggie and Gruffydd.
John MOuse Selected Press & Praise
...
“The blend of unpredictability, wit and sharp reminiscence contained within is the real joy of this latest offering by this highly original artist… a Welsh indie pop hero… reminiscent of a South Wales David Gedge” Louder Than War
“A Welsh Weezer… arty and not afraid of whopping melodies” The Line Of Best Fit
“Possibly our favourite new football record” Steve Lamacq on ‘I Was A Goalkeeper’
“An extraordinary piece of poetry” Mary Anne Hobbs on ‘Robbie Savage’.
“There is only one John MOuse” Tom Robinson
www.facebook.com/
www.twitter.com/johnmousemusic
....
A Message From John Mouse
Hey there.
My friends and I have re-worked the Jonny Mathis Classic, 'When a Child is Born' but in true MOuse tradition we have given it a harsh twist.
The song is available as a free download via https://soundcloud.com/johnmouse/when-a-child-is-born
and the video to accompany it is made by the awesome Baltimore based This is 65! Films.
This song is a thank you to everyone who supported us, John MOuse, this year. We've had great support starting with the successful Kickstarter campaign which allowed us to release our album 'The Death of John MOuse' and single 'I Was a Goalkeeper' to critical acclaim and which received lots of Radio play via BBC Radio 6, 1, 2, and Wales.
Thank you.
John MOuse
John MOuse releases 'Robbie Savage' a download only single for sale at one pound on the 17th of December 2012.
'Robbie Savage' is the first release from Valleys born anti-pop hero John MOuse and the follow up to the success of his 2010 album "Humber Dogger Forties". An excellent individual pop album that featured witty lyrical tales of gay incestual love duets, postpartum sex (or lack of it), a flashing 10 year old sister, crimes of passion and entrapment, all flowing from the foolish dreams of a young boy, who wants his parents to stay married until he is 18. John MOuse has been described as the following. "The Welsh Beck, "Kurt Wagner with sexual issues" and "a cross between a more aggressive Art Brut, and a less funny Half Man Half Biscuit."
Released just in time for the festive period 'Robbie Savage' will shortly be accompanied by a video depicting a touching family scene at the Davies household. Dont be mistaken, Robbie Savage isnt about the flowing locked Welsh footballer. No sir, its a gentle ode to broken families. The song claimed its title when the lyric Macho Man Randy Savage is frozen in mid air was misheard. Robbie Savage is a gentle track, with minimal instrumentation, repetitive melody and honest lyrics.
John MOuse is currently working on recording his fourth album I was a goalkeeper which is scheduled for release mid 2013.
credits
released 17 December 2012
Lyrics and Music, John Davies. Music and production, P. Pearce.
With World Cup Mania at a fever pitch its time to shove that irritating samba roughly into touch, take the spirit of New Order and infuse some epic melodrama , as Welsh Indie-pop outfit John MOuse return with their new single, I Was A Goalkeeper. With guitar hooks off a Goals Of The Season Montage and a tune reminiscent of The Banana Splits, this sparky duet between John and Gareth David (lead singer from Los Campesinos) is an anthem to childhood and bonding power of soccer.
I Was A Goalkeeper is the title track from John MOuses forthcoming 4th album, available as a download on 26th May via Crocfingers. Goalkeeper marks Johns first new material since 2010s acclaimed Humber Dogger Forties. John MOuse was one of the first acts to be announced to play GreenMan 2014 Festival alongside BEIRUT, Neutral Milk Hotel and First Aid Kit. I Was A Goalkeeper is a three minute pop song about growing up, lost relationships and a recurring theme in John MOuses output, being short. Imagine if The Smiths had sung Three Lions, or Oasis had done, World In Motion, welcome to your new favourite terrace anthem! I Was A Goalkeeper!
John MOuse has variously described as A Welsh Beck, Kurt Wagner with issues or A Less Funny Half Man Half Biscuit. Under his previous incarnation JT Mouse he worked with Sweet Baboo (aka Steven Black) and recorded sessions for BBC 6 Music, while in 2010 he scored as cult hit with a song about a gay romance, with a duet with daytime BBC daytime presenter Steve Jones. Airplay support for John MOuse includes Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Chris Hawkins & Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music, Adam Walton & Bethan Elfyn on BBC Radio Wales.
For information and sessions contact Darren Broome 07896 500220
www.facebook.com/johnmousmusic
www.twitter.com/johnmousemusic
www.bandcamp.com/johnmousemusic
A Message From John MOuse
Hey
I (We) (John MOuse) is (are) making available the songs from the last ever Death of John MOuse show. The songs were recorded back in May this year. The songs will be released every Sunday .
The first song, The Teacher, is available now via Bandcamp
https://johnmouse.bandcamp.com/track/the-teacher-live" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://johnmouse.bandcamp.com/track/the-teacher-live&source=gmail&ust=1478629894169000&usg=AFQjCNFP9EQeczwfDzLQrdkBNmIyIjIM3w"> https://johnmouse.bandcamp.
The releases try to capture the live John MOuse experience and includes different versions of the album tracks and also a couple of previously unreleased songs.
Thanks for your support over the years
I was a goalkeeper - John MOuse / Gareth Los Campesinos!
Category: People & Blogs
Duration: 00:03:13
‘ The death of John Mouse’ is John MOuse ’s fourth album and first long player since 2010’s acclaimed ‘Humber Dogger Forties ,’ and it finally sees the light of day this summer, a remarkable feat of endurance and persistence: four years in the making and funded by an ingenious Kickstarter campaign. ‘ The death of John Mouse’ is John MOuse’s finest work to date, crafting his unique quirk-pop songs into a grander whole, thus the instrumentals are more muscular, the hooks catchier, the vocals more emphatically delivered. While each song is rooted in John’s brutally personal lyrics that are laced with his witty South Walian slant on life.
The album is preceded by the excellent single “I Was A Goalkeeper” #IWAGK available to download July 7th via itunes is a s parky indie-pop duet between John and Gareth David, lead singer from LOS CAMPESINOS. It’s an anthem to child-parents and childhoods past, urging Steve Lamacq to recently admit ‘Possibly our favourite new football reco rd’. It also features previous single Robbie Savage, a song that Mary Anne Hobbs recently described as ‘an extraordinary piece of poetry’ on BBC 6 Music. J ohn MOuse will perform at GreenMan 2014 Festival alongside BEIRUT , Neutral Milk Hotel and First Aid Kit .
John MOuse, real name John Davies has been described as ‘A Welsh Beck,’ and ‘A Less Funny Half Man Half Biscuit’. Under his previous incarnation JT Mouse he worked with Sweet Baboo (aka Steven Black) while in 2010 he scored as cult hit with a song about a gay romance with another duet, this time with TV presenter Steve Jones . Airplay support for John MOuse includes Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio, Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music and Adam Walton & Bethan Elfyn on BBC Radio Wales.
facebook.com/johnmousemusic twitter.com/johnmousemusic bandcamp.com/johnmousemusic
