Browsing Tag

Cardiff

Take Me Back: Cardiff’s The Vanities cure our souls sadness with ‘London’

Posted on 12 December 2021

Taken off their hungrily-awaited 11-track magnum opus that has had our previously-cold mindsets feeling dragon-like recently on ‘2001‘, the extraordinarily appealing The Vanities help us heal from all preceding sadness with one of most entertaining tracks so far this year on ‘London‘.

The Vanities is a Cardiff, Wales-based 90s grunge and 80s synth/electro-pop/rock-inspired duo who have a real purpose ingrained into their veins that you can hear rumbling assuredly in their creatively-stimulated sound.

”Combining a love of 90s grunge & 80s synth-pop, the band were a staple of the burgeoning South Wales music scene at the turn of the millennium, with highlights including a release on cult Cardiff-based label Boobytrap Records, selection for the late Tony Wilson’s influential In The City conference in Manchester, not to forget a bizarre collaboration with 80s icon Tony Hadley.” ~ The Vanities

After sparking our daydreams alive with the sunglasses-packed track that marked their rising above the ashes from hiatus on ‘HOLLYWOOD HILLS (INTERMISSION)‘, they further cement their name as one of the bands to listen to in 2021 with another glorious Gareth Bale-like 89th minute winner against England-type performance here. You can certainly see why BBC Radio Wales have wisely placed the band on their highly-prestigious Welsh A-List recently.

‘London‘ from fantastic Welsh indie synth-pop/rock act The Vanities plus a few extra friends who joined them on this one, is an imaginative and euphoric experience that is packed with pulsating piano, sexy sax, catchy whistling, travel thoughts, and lots of love for a city that has so much to see. The vocals here gush through your heart like a healing waterfall on a tired body, and this is just truly spectacular. The lovable Welsh duo has produced such pure joy yet again and for that, we truly thank them.

Hear this silky gem on their Bandcamp or Spotify and find out more about the likeable lads on FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Can’t Even Breathe: Cardiff’s Minas is quite spectacular on top new single ‘Foreign’

Posted on 26 November 2021

Taken off his latest album ‘All My Love Has Failed Me’, Minas drops the truth-filled 2nd single with his new offering all about feeling like an outsider in your own land called ‘Foreign‘.

Minas is a Cardiff, Wales-based indie alt-hip-hop/electronic artist who makes the type of music experience that is rather rare and has your whole intrigue-drenched soul appearing alive with full-powered energy from beginning to end.

”Minas vents his frustration at society and the priorities people around him have, whilst also hitting a personal note, with his Greek heritage putting him on the outside looking in.” ~ Minas

Minas has had to courageously claw his way into the minds of so many through sheer guts and resolute determination. He shows us more of the underdog mentality – with such a dazzling array of abrasive messages and busting beats – that has your pulse racing like Lewis Hamilton with enthusiasm over someone so sincere in this rather fake-seeming world.

‘Foreign‘ from the Welsh indie alt-hip-hop/electronic artist Minas, is a gritty and raw new single that certainly has the hairs on the top of your head heating up with such an explosion of sensationally-created sounds. He leads from the front and is understandably frustrated and honest, with how the world is going now as he finds more self-enlightenment each day. to stay strong no matter what.

Feel your bones enthralled by this breathtaking talent via his Soundcloud and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Wanna Be A Star: Reunited Welsh electro-rock band The Vanities know they should be in the ‘HOLLYWOOD HILLS (INTERMISSION)’

Posted on 20 November 2021
2001 by The Vanities

As they subtly surface from the cold and damp darkness when everyone thought that it was all over forever, The Vanities remind us of their intriguing brilliance and further back up the notion that Wales have the most compelling acts in Europe currently with ‘HOLLYWOOD HILLS (INTERMISSION)‘.

The Vanities is a stimulatingly exciting electro-rock duo from fiery Cardiff in Wales that first formed back in 2001 when the world was a hugely different place.

After tragically breaking up in 2006 just when they were starting to gain a massive cult following – and calling it an indefinite hiatus – the urge to be reunited was too strong and they thrillingly started working together again in 2016, to make that album that never happened.

”Combining a love of 90s grunge & 80s synth-pop, the band were a staple of the burgeoning South Wales music scene at the turn of the millennium, with highlights including a release on cult Cardiff-based label Boobytrap Records, selection for the late Tony Wilson’s influential In The City conference in Manchester, not to forget a bizarre collaboration with 80s icon Tony Hadley.” ~ The Vanities

‘HOLLYWOOD HILLS (INTERMISSION)‘ from the highly experienced Cardiff, Wales-based band The Vanities, is a reminder that dreams can really come true if you push hard enough and have the all-important self-belief. This is the type of track that has your awareness from start to finish, with impressive vocals and an ’80s influenced sound for the ages.

Making it is possible, and if you want it enough, you have to go and get it.

Hear this fine new single on Bandcamp and check out the FB music page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

It Looked Pretty Weird: Steve Andrews doesn’t mind being called the bugman on the excellent ‘Butterfly In My Beard’

Posted on 9 November 2021
Songs Of The Now And Then by Steve Andrews

Taken from his recent 10-track Northstone Studios in Bridgend recorded album ‘Songs Of The Now And Then‘, Steve Andrews shows us his inner kindness and tremendous skill-set that he has been born with on ‘Butterfly In My Beard‘.

Steve Andrews is a free-thinking green beard loving Cardiff, Wales-born, Lisbon, Portugal-based indie blues singer-songwriter, naturalist and acclaimed author.

”Andrews is an ecoacoustic and eclectic singer and songwriter who has played at Glastonbury Festival on several occasions and was there as an MC for the Avalon stage in 2002 and 2003. He also appeared twice at the Green Man Festival and has two tracks on the CD album on Double Snazzy.” ~ Steve Andrews

This is one of the most entertaining releases from an artist who it feels like you need to see at least once in your life, as you enjoy his highly likable stories which takes our mind into a better place from this toxic world. The energy is alive with that real fire – that has you moving closer to keep out those cold winds – which can strike you down at a moments notice.

‘Butterfly In My Beard‘ from the Lisbon, Portugal-based indie blues singer-songwriter Steve Andrews, is a terrifically sung track from a true underground legend of the music world. He performs with a real purpose and you feel so compelled to turn up this track, as being truly free is the whole point of life after all. Just the innocent butterfly, we need someone loyal to look after us, while we find our strength to fly wherever we need to go.

Hear this lovely new song on Steve’s Bandcamp and see his socials via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Strike A Light: Cardiff Rock band Pigeon Wigs drop brilliant debut track ‘Near the Knuckle’

Posted on 24 October 2021

After many pesky hold ups and wondering if this moment was ever going to happen, Pigeon Wigs show us that the wait was definitely worth it and bring the world a real knockout of a track with ‘Near the Knuckle‘.

Pigeon Wigs is a tremendously passionate and electrically-charged sounding six-piece indie Rock band who are from Cardiff, Wales.

With a song that sounds like it should be in the next Guy Richie movie – they make a rampaging blend of sonic airwaves that has your thirsty palate guzzling some real juicy gems – as you will be playing this rather loud to wake up those annoying neighbors.

”Formed from the writing partnership of Harry Franklin-Williams & Louis Jugessur, their music ranges from the bombastic and unrelenting to the sombre and fragile, indulging whatever genre best suits their aims while maintaining a through line that one can only describe as Pigeon Wigs.” ~ Pigeon Wigs

‘Near the Knuckle‘ from the easy-to-like long-haired Welsh six-piece indie Rock band Pigeon Wigs, is an outrageous effort that is filled with excellent guitar choruses to make you blush, lyrics that you will relate to, with eloquently expressed vocals that shall get you off your sticky seat. This is all about the aftermath of a breakup, as things spiral like a Tom Brady touchdown, and has you down in the dumps wishing you had just apologized.

Something is certainly brewing in the tea of Cardiff at the moment as the music there seems to be getting all the buzz. Long may it continue.

Hear this epic debut on Spotify and follow their moves on IG. For more fun, be sure to see their very cleverly made music video on YouTube.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Indie rock pioneer COLUMBIA breaks new psychedelic ground with ‘Keys to the Kingdom’.

Posted on 20 October 2021

Cardiff’s most promising act since Catatonia, COLUMBIA, put a psychedelic spin on vintage rock tones in their latest indie rock n roll release, Keys to the Kingdom.

As the kaleidoscopic guitars glide through the chords, the snarling basslines work with the anthemic drums to send the energy of the release into overdrive. Any fans of Frankie Teardrop Dead, The Kundalini Genie and Corvus & the Morning Star will want to save space on their radar for the rhythmically blessed raucous powerhouse. They may not have sold out stadiums yet, but their sound is already built for them. We’re stoked to see where their sound takes them next.

The lyric video to Keys to the Kingdom is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sulking By The Swings: Cardiff’s Year of the Dog are okay with being the bad guys on the excellent ‘Arch Enemy’

Posted on 21 August 2021

After memorably appearing on Netflix’s hit comedy-drama Sex Education as the Swing Band, Year of the Dog return with their wonderfully catchy new single from this compelling outfit on ‘Arch Enemy‘.

Year of the Dog is an entertaining Cardiff, Wales-based six-piece brass-house soul band. With a lip-licking taste for the delicious rhythms of funk, ska, reggae and swing, this is a finely tuned outfit who certainly know that sweet spot in our hungry music-loving stomachs.

”Recorded at the famous Monnow Valley Studios (Oasis, Stone Roses, Black Sabbath) the single is a nod to their childhood days of listening to chugging rock bands like The Dandy Warhols and The Black Keys, fused with their current unmistakable brass-blasting punch and professional suave.” ~ Year of the Dog

With a supremely enjoyable funky fresh sound and gritty vocals mixed with such cleverly-penned lyrics – the spectacular mountain visuals adds so much to the setting – and has your head bouncing joyously to a wonderful track, from a band who will have you dancing around with their catchy style.

”Despite lockdown sweeping away their 2020 summer tour, the band have managed to keep themselves busy, earning a feature on BBC News ‘How To Be A Band In Lockdown’, and two interviews on BBC primetime radio.” ~ Year of the Dog

You feel the foot-tapping experience here and the skill level witnessed is of a world class standard from a well-respected group, who will surely start touring worldwide from 2022.

‘Arch Enemy‘ from the Cardiff, Wales-based brass-house act Year of the Dog, is a thrilling song that takes you back to those school days when you had a crush with someone who didn’t feel the same way. You then proceeded to be mortal enemies rather than friends, as you both lived different lives when you things could of actually been so different.

Performed with a real edge and hunger, this is a rather memorable track which will have you turning the volume up to the maximum.

See this new music video on YouTube and see more on their IG music channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Debut To Remember: Cardiff band Nine Lives send our hearts into a spin with fast-paced gem ‘Cutthroat Friends’

Posted on 2 May 2021
https://soundcloud.com/user-196727800/cutthroat-friends/s-WHnKIvgmsud

With a stunning sound and mysteriously tinged vocals that has you mighty impressed, Nine Lives show us what they are made of with the sharp-as-a-knife debut single called ‘Cutthroat Friends‘.

Nine Lives is a noisy Cardiff, South Wales two-piece indie garage-rock band with a panache for lifting the lid off the room, as they swirl their sound to levels of massive enjoyment.

The intense guitar booms throughout the nervous room — as you close your eyes and let the rhythm soak your hungry soul — into believing that quality edgy music is still out there. They breathe that hot fire into your mind, as you are listening to a passionate band that have been perfecting their craft and are ready for anything.

Fans of Queens of the Stone Age will love this, as their raging energy blows in hot and never cools down, as you immerse yourself into their rugged message that you has you automatically turning the volume up to red.

‘Cutthroat Friends’ from top shelf South Wales indie garage-rock act Nine Lives, is the fuzzy riff jam you have been waiting for. They storm into our lives with this debut song that you will find impossible to forget easily.

Stream this new single on Soundcloud and find out more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Before The Lights Go On: Cardiff’s Columbia drop lyric video for lively new single ‘Meet Me at Dawn’

Posted on 2 April 2021

Bringing us their top shelf sound with a zestful story about those temptations in the early hours after a night out, Columbia are dynamic on their new single called ‘Meet Me at Dawn‘.

Cardiff, Wales-based Columbia bring us that terrific rock n roll sound, as they light up the skies with that stunning and effortless delivery that reminds you of good times, as they mesh a captivating experience for the soul to deliciously immerse into with a huge smile on your eager face.

As we enter the story of a world where the night has finished but you want to be with them when you go home, even if you are both not really into it. You sense that they are in another place and this crushes your soul, as something keeps you going back even if you know you probably shouldn’t peruse this.

They thunderously stroll in with loads of confidence on a vigorous single packed full of powerful solos and passionate vocals that is a breathtaking listen, full of world class appeal.

‘Meet Me at Dawn‘ from excellent Cardiff indie rock band Columbia, is a bluesy riff-lovers dream – as this is a song that shows you that the heart wants what it shouldn’t want sometimes – as you just don’t want to be alone in this unsocial world full of self-doubt and anxiousness.

See the tremendous lyric video on YouTube and see their IG for future gig news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The outsiders create their own genre: Cardiff’s Exsil roam through the night with growling abandon on ‘Jumping At Shadows’

Posted on 18 December 2020

South Wales Industrial act Exsil are back with a mysterious marvel of a track via their new electronic-fused song ‘Jumping At Shadows‘.

Taken off the brand new thirteen track album ‘Disavowed‘ that dropped on the 10th December 2020- and released through Urban Planning Records– this is a sound that is in its own lane and swerves when and where it wants.

The speaker-busting bass heavy electronic breaks smash through the years slumber and makes your tired heart’s blood flow heat up again. The cold winter is coming and there is no Jon Snow but no fear; the Welsh dragons blow such fire from their creation and you won’t need to turn on the heaters for this one.

I mistakenly had my laptops volume of full voltage at the start of this track and almost fell off my chair. After a quick laugh, I then started again- albeit a bit softer than before- but then organically found myself gradually turning this up and getting my stomp on.

”A soundtrack for empty bus shelters at 3am, wet tarmac, clicking exchanges, abandoned buildings and dirty alleyways.”- Exsil

This really says it all and this is that sticky floor sliding music in the empty areas that goes to waste usually. The bass is so thudding and you can feel the 80’s and 90’s influences as this is when dance music was at it’s best. This reminds me of being in that sweaty club when I was 18 with zero worries in the world, being with mates, shouting at each other and hearing half the words; good times that are entrenched into your mind forever.

The analog synths break the flailing windows of the neighbor next door, this is the Trainspotting type music that inspires you us all to get that couch-sitting body off the slouch, instead closing your eyes and ripping through with those dusted off dance moves you have been waiting to explore again.

‘Jumping At Shadows‘ from South Wales genre-creators Exsil is a stomping song that needs to be heard at full volume and with mates that appreciate quality music. This will bend your mind and make that heart beat so fast you might need CPR.

Hear this Welsh band via Soundcloud and also support on Bandcamp.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen