By James McClements Some artists are brilliant in their ability to capture a scene, feeling or poignant moment in time. Azere, or Rowan Lees as he’s better known by his many friends in Cardiff does all three whilst still feeling distinctly authentic and British. His tracks are a timeless cocktail of ambient and acoustic laments with urban and hip-hop flavours drawn into the mix. His … Continue reading New Artist Corner: Azere
Matt Maltese is back. This time empowered with another 10 track record, and it’s not one to miss. Riding off the success from ‘Bad Contestant’ released last year, Matt Maltese’s pithy one liners and self deprecative style is definitely one to watch. Ahead of his show at Clwb ifor Bach this weekend, we caught up with the 22 year old songwriter to chat about his … Continue reading Matt Maltese | Interview
By Cynthia Vera Appearing in his first film, fresh faced Conor Leach is quietly fascinating at the film’s core. Sequin is confident yet heÔÇÖs hardly the chatterbox, but the actor is ever so expressive; capturing both the characterÔÇÖs sulking self-assurance and lingering anxiety. Newcomer Leach comes up in full force, oozing confidence, itÔÇÖs almost intoxicating. HereÔÇÖs what Conor Leach had to say about his experiences … Continue reading Interview: Conor Leach on ÔÇÿSequin in a Blue Room.’
By James McClements South London degenerates champions Fat White Family are an oh-so-overlooked, and so dismissed collection of misfits and underground artistes. Famous for their beef with artists like Sleaford Mods and Mac Demarco, their surreal and more often than not offensive behaviour is not the sole driver for their clout. Having released 3 strong studio albums to surprisingly-positive receptions, surviving the regular loss of … Continue reading “It sends you mental. It sends you mad” – Talking touring and survival with Fat White Family
By James McClements Up and coming Indie-New Wave rockers┬áThe Goa Express┬áare a lively Manc bunch who shamelessly reek of Northern spirit and a carefree outlook on life.┬á Their new track┬áThe Day┬áis a fantastically upbeat tune featuring psych-laden keys, raw guitars and tight drums reminiscent of a group like Parquet Courts or Shame.┬áFrontman James Douglas Clarke revealed that the trackÔÇÖs┬áabout┬áÔÇ£moving out to university and getting caught … Continue reading New Music Friday: We chat to The Goa Express
By┬áAngharad May On the 22nd February, the Catalan band, Oques Grasses came all the way from Barcelona during their international tour to showcase their latest album, Fans del sol, in Chapter Arts Centre here in Cardiff.┬á It was the perfect location for a band who knew how to connect with the Welsh public.┬á As students of Catalan, my friend Dani and I, along with our … Continue reading Interview: Oques Grasses Bring the Sun to Cardiff
By Alys Hewitt Since 2012, Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn, who together make up Sleaford Mods, have been painting bleak, brash, honest, and often humorous portraits of a Britain ravaged by austerity and division, against a backdrop of relentless and minimal beats. I recently had the chance to speak to vocalist Jason about their new album, Eton Alive, the writing process and the state of … Continue reading A conversation with Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods
By Eva Zhang The band logo is pretty cool (black TF in the yellow background), it reminds me of the racing car. Is this why you chose this logo? Stephen (Bass player): Yeah, thatÔÇÖs true. Yeah, like the logo, We wanted something thatÔÇÖs because you know If the logo is like quite simple, which is like The TF, and as our music is so diverse, … Continue reading Interview: The Faim
By Max Modell You recorded ÔÇ£A Bird in the HandÔÇØ at the legendary Church Studio, where Bob Dylan, Adele, Radiohead, Beyonc├®, and many others have recorded in the past. What was that like as a recording environment? It was next level. We recorded the album during the Mumford and Sons album recording sessions, when no one was looking. So it was a kind of a … Continue reading “Nothing is mundane in the eyes of a song. `That’s the beauty of it.” – An Interview with Beans on Toast
By Max Modell I got the chance to chat with teenage sensation Ruel, as he supported Mabel at CardiffÔÇÖs The Great Hall. With Elton John describing Ruel as having the “most amazing voice that I’ve ever heard from a male singer at 14 years of ageÔÇØ, he is a┬átalent we should all be taking seriously and a name we should be expecting to hear for … Continue reading Interview: Ruel
By Max Modell and Victoria Maria Can you tell me a bit about your new single ÔÇ£Midnight BlueÔÇØ? ÔÇ£Midnight BlueÔÇØ is the odd one out in the recent songs IÔÇÖve written. Usually when I write a song, I write it from start to finish in one sitting – but with this one it took about eight months from when I started the song to when … Continue reading Interview: Ben Holland
By Alex Payne If youÔÇÖd like to introduce yourself IÔÇÖm Conrad, IÔÇÖm one of the singers in the band, and I play trumpet and acoustic guitar, and I was in the band from the beginning, with Ruth and Rosie, about seven years ago. HowÔÇÖs the tour going? Really well, weÔÇÖre three shows in and the tickets have sold way more than I thought they were … Continue reading Interview: Holy Moly and the Crackers
By┬áZhang Mengyang (Eva) Not just known as a performer, rising pop star Emma Blackery is also known as a songwriter, youtube vlogger, and author. She released her debut album ÔÇ£VillainsÔÇØ on 31th August 2018. After announcing an extensive UK and European headline tour for October 2018, Emma graced the stage at Tramshed, Cardiff on 24th October, the same venue she performed at in May last … Continue reading Emma Blackery: Live Review and Interview at Tramshed
by Andrea Gaini Tom Walker is one of the most promising up-coming artists in Britain and in Europe, his scratched baritone voice and his high-intensity music has conquered the hearts of millions of people all around the world. Quench had the opportunity to sit down on the sofas of his dressing room recently before his gig at the Tramshed and have a chat about his … Continue reading An Interview with Tom Walker
by Dylan Graham Throughout November and December, Welsh reggae metal band Skindred are embarking on a mammoth UK tour, one of the dates being a ÔÇÿhomecomingÔÇÖ gig at CardiffÔÇÖs Tramshed on the 24th November. The tour is in support of the groups latest LP ÔÇÿBig TingsÔÇÖ, which was released in April. Recently I spoke to Arya Goggin, the SkindredÔÇÖs drummer, about their upcoming UK tour … Continue reading An interview with Skindred’s Arya Goggin
By Max Modell WestmanÔÇÖs music offers a thoughtful, meditative look at the world from a singular, slightly off-kilter perspective, placed on a backdrop of electronic, atmospheric pop. This often creates a contrast between the louder moments in the production and WestermanÔÇÖs quieter delivery and performance. It feels at moments as if Westerman has retreated fully inside the music and the sound is the only thing … Continue reading Westerman: Live Review and Interview at Clwb Ifor Bach
Georgia Mae Evans Do you have any rituals or practices you use the day leading up to a show?┬á I drive yeah, I park up, check in me hotel, I get in me outfit and I go on stage. Keeping it simple! Do you have any similarities between yourself and the main character you play, Dan?┬á I like being a team leader and heÔÇÖs a … Continue reading Ray Quinn | Interview
Interview by Courtney Moody So, if I can start by getting you guys to introduce yourselves and your position in the band? Mitch: Sure thing ÔÇô IÔÇÖm Mitch, I play guitar and I sing. Jack: IÔÇÖm Jack ÔÇô I play bass. Niall: IÔÇÖm Niall ÔÇô I play the synthesiser. Iain: IÔÇÖm Ian and I play the sax. Justin: IÔÇÖm Justin and I play the drums. … Continue reading “Our music develops from a positive attitude” – an interview with LYLO
Interview by Rowan Lees After publishing a short summary piece for my Issue 168 of Quench, I have since sat on this full interview recording for almost two months. The conversation changed my life. I left the venue in a daze, my phoneÔÇÖs battery voice-noted to its death, and walked for a solid half hour stunned by the unreality of it all. I eventually began … Continue reading ÔÇ£Being an artist is fuckedÔÇØ – a conversation with milo (the rapper)
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Laura Pergolizzi, LP for her fans, is one of the most unique and astonishing voices the panorama of American rock music has ever seen. Her break-through album Lost on You was a big success around the globe and particularly in Europe where it reached peaks of 100,000 copies sold in France. In an interview with Quench last Wednesday, we talked with Laura about her … Continue reading LP- Interview and Review
