Everybody likes an A to Z, so here’s one of Welsh bands and artists.
They’re mostly current but the occasional bit of poetic licence may have been used in timings and letters (X anyone?).
A – Al Lewis
Cardiff bilingual folk-pop singer songwriter, Al Lewis has the ability to charm live audiences with his whimsical and easy-listening folk ditties.
B – Blackout, The
Along the same vein as Funeral For a Friend but with more screams and simultaneously more heavy and poppy, post-hardcore punk band The Blackout have a dedicated fan base that helped pay for their third album ‘Hope’ through the PledgeMusic scheme.
C – Cuba Cuba
Channeling the sounds of Phoenix and Polarsets for their debut album, ‘Where Else Is Safe But the Road,’ pop-rock group Cuba Cuba specialise in soaring melodies and brightening moods when the sun can’t.
D – Darling Buds
Heading back in time a little, Darling Buds formed in 1986. Heading even further back, they attempted to channel the catchy and simple sound of bands like the Beatles and transform it into Indie hook-laden, melodic singles.
E – Evening Chorus
Haunting folk from this Cardiff quartet. A little sombre at times, Evening Chorus’ mature brand of intense and wrenching folk may draw from Mumford and Sons and Dry the River, but they manage to shake off any direct comparisons.
F – Future of the Left
Uncompromising and with a great sense of humour, Future Of The Left are Welsh noise rock at its oddest and finest. They are renowned for their incredible live shows, especially in Wales.
G – Gwilym Simcock
A composer and pianist who effortlessly blends the lines between jazz and classical, creating something new and exciting. With a pile of awards to his name and having been named one of the Evening Standard’s 1000 most influential people in London, he’s not doing badly for a boy from Bangor!
H – High Contrast
Love him or hate him, High Contrast is one of the UK’s most popular drum and bass DJs, moving through many genres including garage, liquid funk and house.
I – Islet
If you’re a fan of schizophrenic female vocals, Islet may be the band for you. Singer Emma Daman effortlessly switches from dreamy cooing to frenzied yelping backed by powerful and unrelenting guitars. Bizarre, eerie and a little experimental.
J – Joy Formidable
The epic, hazy and melody-driven Joy Formidable create dreamy and rocking Indie-pop anthems that don’t get old.
K – Kutosis
Cardiff trio Kutosis combine punchy vocals, bewildering lyrics and fuzzy bass into vibrant and primal post-punk.
L – Los Campesinos!
Twee pop but shaken up. Dark twee pop? Los Campesinos! have always hovered on the line between mainstream/unknown and seem to like it that way.
M – Man Without Country
Twinkling keys, plenty of reverb and shimmering synths, Cardiff duo Man Without Country do 80s electro post-rock reminiscent of M83.
N – Nicky Wire
The lanky bass player and lyricist from the Manic Street Preachers released a lo-fi indie solo album way back in 2006. (N was a tricky one)
O – Out of the Woods
Really, really lovely. Out of the Woods transport you somewhere, perhaps into the woods, with haunting harmonies and a relaxing feel that lulls you. One you want to have on repeat.
P – Paper Aeroplanes
If you search for Paper Aeroplanes on Youtube, the third video down is ‘How to make the best paper aeroplane in the world.’ So pop on the folkish-indie band who have drawn comparisons to Fleetwood Mac and learn how to be the envy of all your friends at the same time.
Q – Queen Beats Jack
A bit of gypsy folk to rouse your cockles, Queen Beats Jack are a four-piece boppy folk band from North Wales, complete with cello and Cajon drums.
R – Race Horses
Previously Radio Luxembourg, but changed and evolved into the exciting and speedy Race Horses. Sometimes they sing in Welsh, sometimes they sing in English. Who knows what they’ll do next, but they’ll probably continue to make their brand of psychedelic pop.
S – Sam Airey
A lovely husky voice and beautiful melodies lands Sam Airey in the current pile of really-good-and-not-bland-or-boring songwriters with James Vincent McMorrow, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Ben Howard.
T – Town
Britwave, Britpop, Britband Town (possibly the hardest band name to Google on the list) aren’t mods, but take inspiration from mods. Psuedo-mods.
U –
Suggestions on a postcard please.
V – Victorian English Gentlemens Club
Back on track with a Googleable name, Victorian English Gentlemens Club may not know correct grammar, but they do make catchy, experimental, Indie art rock. On their track ‘Impossible’, I think they know...
W – Winter Villains
They let you know in the title, but this isn’t a band for the summer months. Sparse and minimalist, but not cold, Winter Villains’ hearty vocals will cocoon you in a fluffy blanket and leave you by the fire.
X – Exempt
Ambient chillwave from a Cardiff DJ.
Y – Y Niwl
Grab your board and head down to the beach, Y Niwl are taking you surfing and for a quick kick-about. Track ‘Undegpedwar’ is the theme for Football Focus and the band are instrumental surf rockers. Sporty.
Z – Zebedy
A Welsh Biffy Clyro? Perhaps not, but Zebedy are making rock music for those of you who enjoy popping down to your local pub on a Friday night to see a local band thrash the hell out of a guitar or three.
Words by Rachael Hogg