What are you doing this Thursday? Got a measly fiver spare? Fancy being an activist from your own SU, simply by ‘avin a dance, and learning what a ‘Dabke’ entails? Cardiff STudent Action for Refugees (STAR) are holding a night of music, dancing and eating at Y Plas this Thursday, all in aid of the work they do here in Cardiff every week. On the … Continue reading Refugee Rhythms 2016 Preview
We caught up with Dan Bettridge following his epic set at Swn festival to chat about his influences and what the future holds for this rising star. WhatÔÇÖs it like being championed by the BBC? YouÔÇÖve been played by Jo Whiley and now Horizons are behind you. I donÔÇÖt really think about it to be honest, when it happens IÔÇÖm seriously gobsmacked and so so … Continue reading Interview: Dan Bettridge
From sleep talking and breastfeeding to new tracks and being on tour; we got to catch up in an interview with Mike, Evelyn, Saul and Ross from Clean Cut Kid on their tour with Fickle Friends at The Louisiana Bristol. HereÔÇÖs what they had to sayÔǪ ON THEIR NEW SINGLE ÔÇÿPICK ME UPÔÇÖ Mike: ItÔÇÖs seemed overwhelmingly positive. We have had almost 100,000 views on … Continue reading Clean Cut Kid: Review & Interview
With over 86,000 monthly listeners, the Moon Club in Cardiff seems too small a venue to hold Spring King. Formed in 2012 in Manchester, the last twelve months have seen the rise of Spring King to one of the most exciting bands at the moment. There is a buzz in the crowd as Tarek Musa & Co take the stage. With only mic stands separating … Continue reading Live: Spring King – Moon Club – 12/02/2015
ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre not going to make any sheep fucker jokes tonightÔÇØ; a comment by Jaret Reddick that sums up the whole of his band, Bowling For SoupÔÇÖs, puerile but light-hearted set at CardiffÔÇÖs Student Union. Three years since they last played in Cardiff, on their alleged Farewell Tour, itÔÇÖs time for the ÔÇÿHow About Another Round TourÔÇÖ. This time, itÔÇÖs ValentineÔÇÖs Day, so there are hearts … Continue reading Live: Bowling For Soup – Great Hall – 14/02/2015
So if you’ve been keeping feverishly up to date with Quench’s output in recent months, you’ll already know all about Young Monarch; and if you haven’t, this is your chance to get educated. In Quench 154, we said: “They’re┬áare a brand, spanking new band that have come together in Manchester over the past year thanks to each members respective attendance of the Royal Northern College … Continue reading News: Young Monarch Release New Track
Ahead of her Globe show tonight, QuenchÔÇÖs Mared Parry had a chat with the lovely, Gabrielle Aplin to talk about the ins and outs of the singer-songwriting star… Quench Music (QM): As someone who has found success through means other than television talent shows, do you feel obligated to offer a platform to other gigging artists who aren’t perhaps as well known? Gabrielle Aplin (GA): … Continue reading Interview: Gabrielle Aplin
Mark Sweeney chats to Gus Unger-Hamilton about all things Alt-J. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm gonna bed into you like a cat beds into a bean bag. Turn you inside out and lick you like a crisp packet.ÔÇØ Out of context, their lyrics sound strange, but with the release of ÔÇÿThis Is All YoursÔÇÖ Alt-J have cemented their status as one of the most unique groups in the UK. … Continue reading Interview: Alt J
We spoke to Jessica Staveley-Taylor ahead of The Staves gorgeous Y-Plas performance back in November. We learnt about working with Justin Vernon of Volcano Choir and Bon Iver and being more balls-y recently, which may explain why this interview contains nudity. Hi Jess! You three must have been singing together your whole lives, but when was the moment you realised you three could make a … Continue reading Interview: The Staves
Gwdihw, much like the little owl from which it takes its name, is one Cardiff venue that comes into its own in the late hours of the evening. In contrast to the 7,500-capacity Motorpoint Arena towering above it just over the road, itÔÇÖs a great low-key setting for DJs, singer-songwriters and tonight, ÔÇÿriot jazzÔÇÖ. Bass Twelve bring up a few questions: When did brass bands … Continue reading Live: Bass Twelve – Gwdihw – 15/01/16
Finally given a proper release more than a decade after completion, ÔÇÿHeart like a Hand GrenadeÔÇÖ follows Green Day into the studio as they record what would become their biggest album ÔÇÿAmerican IdiotÔÇÖ, propelling them to full-blown stadium status. Filmmaker and friend of the band John Roecker is given full access to the recording of the album from day one, as the three punks piece … Continue reading Review: Green Day – ‘Heart Like A Hand Grenade’
Dillon Eastoe headed to Bristol’s o2 Academy to catch Lower Than Atlantis… For a band like Lower than Atlantis to now be packing out venues like the Bristol o2 Academy is one of the success stories of the year, considering they began 2014 being dropped by their label. Size aside, itÔÇÖs a shame that the o2 sucks, the shoddy layout cramming too many people into … Continue reading Live: Lower Than Atlantis
We sent Jack Boyce to have a chat with JAWS and review their show at Clwb Ifor Bach.┬á Second album syndrome is quite a real anxiety for many up-and-coming bands. The initial explosion of raw emotion on the first release is hard to follow up, ideas that sounded amazing on first impression are now being overthought about and thereÔÇÖs added pressure not to bomb on … Continue reading JAWS – Feature
JAWS; one of the initial bands that fronted the promising, yet never fully realised, ÔÇÿB-TownÔÇÖ music scene early in the decade, alongside Swim Deep and Peace, travel to Cardiff at the tail end of their 21-date UK tour. Taking residence in Womanby StreetÔÇÖs Clwb Ifor Bach, or the affectionately nicknamed ÔÇÿWelsh ClubÔÇÖ, alongside support from Nai Harvest, expect to be faced with hazey, atmospheric indie … Continue reading Preview: JAWS – Clwb Ifor Bach – 14/12/15
ItÔÇÖs a few weeks before Def Leppard play the venue, and Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is hosting a very different generation of Sheffield metal band. Bring Me the Horizon, with more of an appetite for breakdowns, but a similar love of pop hooks to Def Leppard, have managed to start selling out arenas in rockÔÇÖs least likely success story this side of Biffy Clyro. A metal … Continue reading Live: Bring Me The Horizon – 27/11/15 – Motorpoint
For all you English folk whoÔÇÖve crossed the bridge for university, you have a lot to learn about Welsh music. And weÔÇÖre not just talking about Catatonia here. ┬áA very good place to start your diverse musical journey is the Welsh Music Prize. The award is given out every autumn to the best Welsh album that year, which means itÔÇÖs been made in Wales or … Continue reading Welsh Music Prize 2015
Based off of scientist-turned-writer Owain OwainÔÇÖs 1976 novel of the same name, Y Dydd Olaf is centred around the concept of a near-future war of robots turning humans into other robots, with the protagonist fighting against these mechanical forces by writing in a diary to keep hold of his own thoughts.┬á Following in the steps of The Flaming LipsÔÇÖ Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (an … Continue reading Album: Gwenno – ‘Y Dydd Olaf’
Rivan Shukla speaks to Bloom Twins ahead of their support slot with Duran Duran at the Motorpoint on Monday 20th November. Quench Music (QM). WeÔÇÖre looking forward to seeing you support Duran Duran at CardiffÔÇÖs Motorpoint Arena┬áon Monday. Will this be your first time in Cardiff? Do you have any expectations? Bloom Twins (BT): Yes, It will be our first time. We are so excited. … Continue reading Bloom Twins Preview
Coming off the back of a well-received debut album and a growing reputation as a spellbinding live act, Lonely The Brave arrive at the Globe on the final victory lap of ÔÇÿThe DayÔÇÖs WarÔÇÖ before they finish up their sophomore release in the New Year. Openers Black Peaks slightly startle the Friday night crowd with their abrasive hardcore, held down by Liam KearleyÔÇÖs machine-gun drumming … Continue reading Live: Lonely The Brave – The Globe – 20/11/15
The University of Cardiff does not boast a particularly long list of famous bands in its alumni, and even then Los Campesinos! are perhaps not one of them. Formed at Cardiff University way back in 2006, their first gig came at a club night in the SU. 9 years and 5 albums later the band find themselves still making music around their life commitments. While … Continue reading Live: Los Campesinos! – Exchange, Bristol – 18/11/15
