From the Margins : A Look at Music, Comedy and the Rest from North Wales
News
PATROBAS : LLE AWN NI NESA'?
Two years on from their debut EP the evolving
contemporary folk of the Llŷn peninsula's Patrobas has been condensed into a set of ten uplifting and spirited songs for their first album. It does not disappoint - read the review. [25.06.17]
NEW VIDEO : CHRIS JONES & EVE GOODMAN : SI HEI LWLI
Eve Goodman is a very talented singer songwriter from Caernarfon who has recently released a new EP, Low Sun, on CEG Records; Chris Jones is a hugely accomplished folksinger from Cwm y Glo, who released a beautifully performedalbum, Dacw'r Tannau, in 2014. They recorded this impressive, lulling version of Si Hei Lwli together earlier this year. [25.06.17]
KATEY BROOKS LIVE REVIEW
There is something exalted in the music of singer songwriter Katey Brooks - and it was magnificently evident in her 3rd Space show - full review. [19.06.17]
OBLONG DEBUT ALBUM : BRILIANT ... GWD
Llanelli's Oblong have right the elements in place to be a great band, and this debut - with its melodic songs and wired, urban rock sound - is the album of the year so far: read the review. [16.06.17]
HMS MORRIS : MORBID MIND
The latest single from the off kilter world of HMS Morris explores the subject of morbid curiosity - it's an indisputable musical success, and the accompanying video (below) intensifies the subtly unsettling and infectious psychedelic art-pop of the song. Tempted by this four minutes and two seconds, you can find more of HMS Morris' recorded work here. The band play Chester Live on June 23rd. [15.06.17]
TUDUR OWEN : NEVER WORN OR TORN
Anglesey comedian Tudur Owen has a new Edinburgh Fringe show, 'Normal Wear & Tear', previewing next week in Colwyn Bay (The Station, Wednesday 21st - details here).
As a warm up his recent Venue Cymru show was an impressive and hilarious demonstration of comedic craft, there's a review here - with details of his Fringe show and how to get tickets for it too. [14.06.17]
THE GOAT ROPER COUNTRY CLUB : EVERYTHING BUT THE BLUES
A stomping, soulful triumph of an evening hosted by Rhuddlan's The Goat Roper Rodeo Band, as they and guest Ash Gray
served up irresistible acoustic country blues at Llandudno's 3rd Space. With future guests Michelle Stodart (The Magic Numbers) and Lee Southall (The Coral) this looks like a monthly date not to be missed. Full review here. [13.06.17]
NEW REVIEW : THE IMMEDIATE : MANBUOY
Whilst the world will be, for a moment or more, distracted by Theresa May's
struggles to hold together her own credibility and a minority government at the same time, this week will just as importantly see the release of Manbuoy by Mold's The Immediate - the album is "an unexpected power pop revelation" - and perhaps the exact musical antidote you might need to all the senseless confusion. Read more & listen to the album here. [11.06.17]
A CRITICAL CLASH OF OPINIONS
The difference between the opinion polls still showing a loud Tory lead and those which suggest it has collapsed to a shocked whisper is entirely how the different polling companies model whether younger people will vote.
It is that simple, the difference between despair and hope - a high under 30 turnout means the latter.
This applies to Wales as much as the rest of the UK; Billy Bragg always had the choice faced distilled into less than three minutes in this song - listen & repeat, then vote. [01.06.17]
RED OR DEAD LIVE REVIEW An account of fearsome agit folk/punk in Conwy that takes in Hogarth, The Cranberries and Meryl Streep - read it here. [31.05.17]
PATROBAS PROFILE An interview with Patrobas as they recorded their debut album - remarkable contemporary folk from the Llŷn Peninsula. Read the article here.
FtM 2017 WATCHLIST
Monico Blonde and Adwaith feature in the set of 13 pre-debut album bands we think will make exactly the right noise in 2017. See the full list.
In its 20th year - a perfect rambunctious eleven days of music, spoken word, arts & comedy in a semi-bucolic (which means you can see sheep and buy chips at almost the same time) setting. What more could you want.
The epitome of a Welsh folk festival - family friendly with contemporary and traditional forms mixed with the best from sister Celtic nations.
Dolgellau is transformed for a weekend - the bill to mark the event's 25th year already includes Lewis & Leigh, Calan, Climbing Trees and the artful power pop of Sŵnami
The slate set history of Bethesda presented in enrapturing musical and poetic form by 9Bach collaborating with Lleuwen Steffan, Siân James, Caleb Rhys, Côr y Penrhyn, Vertical Dance Kate Lawrence, John Ogwen and poet Martin Daws.
An astounding show, first given in 2016 as part of the opening programme of the Pontio.
After a brief hiatus From the Margins has been
jolted back to life with a renewed focus - which will become much clearer as new content is added over the next few months.
From now on all recorded music reviews will get a star rating out of seven - anything more than three is worth a listen, and if something scores a seven it should already be ordered or owned ... eternal shame on you if not.
PATROBAS : LLE AWN NI NESA'?
NEW VIDEO : CHRIS JONES & EVE GOODMAN : SI HEI LWLI
KATEY BROOKS LIVE REVIEW
OBLONG DEBUT ALBUM : BRILIANT ... GWD
HMS MORRIS : MORBID MIND
TUDUR OWEN : NEVER WORN OR TORN
THE GOAT ROPER COUNTRY CLUB : EVERYTHING BUT THE BLUES
NEW REVIEW : THE IMMEDIATE : MANBUOY 
A CRITICAL CLASH OF OPINIONS
RED OR DEAD LIVE REVIEW
BENDITH EP
LASTIGBAND EP
SERA : LIVE REVIEW
ALDEN, PATTERSON & DASHWOOD
MR HUW ALBUM
PATROBAS PROFILE
FtM 2017 WATCHLIST
