Their very first collection of demos (October 2002) - all recorded at
home on a four-track - is still one of the most incredible collections
of music that I've ever been lucky enough to receive. And such is
Nathan's fecundity that as well as the band's two fully-realised,
studio-based albums Uncanny Tales From the Everyday Undergrowth (2005
- My Kung Fu Records) and Take Time to Wonder In A Whirling World
(2007 - My Kung Fu Records) I have, ever since, received a steady
stream of curiously psychedelic, folkish demos that gently blew my mind.
Many of those home recordings featured on this year's Scarecrow Smile collection (again, My Kung Fu). An album that would make a damn fine Christmas present for anyone with a brain that has a pair of ears attached to it. I have three songs from Nathan that manage to sound both like and unlike his previous work. There is a Kraftwerk influence on one of them. It's brilliant!
Elsewhere, Deian Ap Rhisiart, aka MC Saizmundo, comes in to explain the genesis of the sprawling Doc Feistr concept album (Recordiau AnkstMUSIK). This is a remarkable 34 track beast that features collaborations with 50 of Welsh music's most talented purveyors. http://docfeistr.com
Huw Pooh gives his glasses a polish and looks back into the near past at Cate Le Bon's roots. No, he's not being all judgemental about her hair (which is marvellous and deserves a three hour show in its own right). Nope, Huw tells us about Alcatraz, the band with which Cate first came to prominence. There are pinched harmonics and someone sounds like they're in thrall to their whammy bar. It's fascinating.
I talk to Welsh Music Foundation's Lisa Matthews about the issues raised by a new story I read about elsewhere on these blogs that has definite repercussions for Welsh musicians who sing in Welsh and who are supported by Radio Cymru and S4C.
Bethan Elfyn shares her favourite live recording with us and Soundhog reveals all about James Last!
Gig info / music submissions / mince pies / tell your lies / bright eyes and dancing flies to: themysterytour@gmail.com please.
Thank you/diolch yn fawr!
Many of those home recordings featured on this year's Scarecrow Smile collection (again, My Kung Fu). An album that would make a damn fine Christmas present for anyone with a brain that has a pair of ears attached to it. I have three songs from Nathan that manage to sound both like and unlike his previous work. There is a Kraftwerk influence on one of them. It's brilliant!
Elsewhere, Deian Ap Rhisiart, aka MC Saizmundo, comes in to explain the genesis of the sprawling Doc Feistr concept album (Recordiau AnkstMUSIK). This is a remarkable 34 track beast that features collaborations with 50 of Welsh music's most talented purveyors. http://docfeistr.com
Huw Pooh gives his glasses a polish and looks back into the near past at Cate Le Bon's roots. No, he's not being all judgemental about her hair (which is marvellous and deserves a three hour show in its own right). Nope, Huw tells us about Alcatraz, the band with which Cate first came to prominence. There are pinched harmonics and someone sounds like they're in thrall to their whammy bar. It's fascinating.
I talk to Welsh Music Foundation's Lisa Matthews about the issues raised by a new story I read about elsewhere on these blogs that has definite repercussions for Welsh musicians who sing in Welsh and who are supported by Radio Cymru and S4C.
Bethan Elfyn shares her favourite live recording with us and Soundhog reveals all about James Last!
Gig info / music submissions / mince pies / tell your lies / bright eyes and dancing flies to: themysterytour@gmail.com please.
Thank you/diolch yn fawr!
