THE ALTERNATIVE WALES SOUNDTRACK #23
candelas
All-time favourite album:
'...Like Clockwork' - Queens of The Stoneage. This is probably the most played album when we're in the van playing gigs. The sound they get on their records is just another level, then you see them play live and it sounds exactly the same! They're just a super group with the best drummer on the planet playing for them.
Favourite Welsh language album:
'Pwy Sy'n Galw' - Big Leaves. This album is the reason we play music and why we started playing in bands. Such a tight four piece with guitar and vocal melodies to last for another hundred years. It's also hard to find a better rock vocalist on a Welsh record than Rhodri Sion.
Favourite record by a Welsh band/artist:
'1, 2, Kung Fu!' - Boy Azooga. Obviously your Super Furries, Manics and Catatonia come to mind when thinking about this category. But today, Boy Azooga has just knocked everyone out of the park with this album. Such an exciting, hard working band and even better that they're from the capital city!
Favourite new Welsh band/artist:
Not really new but 'Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18' have released 2 records, the first out in 2019. It's amazing to hear Welsh lyrics on Brazilian style music and I think it really works. If you get a chance to see them live, go for a boogey!
3 dream festival headliners:
I'd get the party started with Elvis, imagine him walking on stage and straight into 'Suspicious Minds'. Next up, Queen. Freddie Mercury. Enough said. Then party all night long with Chic for at least two hours. (By the way Steely Dan are playing in the after party on the top floor of Clwb Ifor, don't tell anyone)
An underrated band/artist:
Dafydd Dafis - he was a Welsh language artist and sadly passed away in 2017 at the age of 58. He had an amazing voice and could play the saxophone like no other. He definitely hasn't had the recognition he deserves and I believe we should have a national Dafydd Dafis day. My birthday is on the 9th of September... from now on it'll be Dafydd Dafis Day and everyone wakes up and listens to 'Ty Coz' on repeat.
A song that reminds you of a particular memory:
Being around 15 on the school bus and discovering 'Lover, You Should've Come Over' by Jeff Buckley. I felt emotions I had never felt before, the parameters of my world just shifted, I had just found the best artists in the world and no one else knew about him...JEFF BUCKLEY IS HUGE OSIAN AND IT'S CALLED PUBERTY MATE.
Go to album when you’re down:
'Blue' - Joni Mitchell. I lost my father suddenly in 2014 and it still hits me to this day. So my therapy when I'm driving is listening to this album, then quickly stick the song 'Both Sides Now' on full volume, cry my eyes out, job done, feel a million dollars.
Go to record to get you worked up:
'Puzzle' - Biffy Clyro. Just stick it on and listen to the intro. You'll be fired up and ready to face anything.
A lyric that resonates with you:
'I'd trade all of my tomorrows for a single yesterday' - Kris Kristofferson (but sung by Janis Joplin). It was my fathers favourite lyric and it's so f****n true.
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