Show #2580: Saturday 10th February 2024 - Skindred / Chroma / Rona Mac
Show #2580: Saturday 10th February 2024 - Skindred / Chroma / Rona Mac
Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales, 10th Feb 2024: Skindred - MOBO / Behind The Track - Chroma / The Long Song - Rona Mac / Merch Stall Reviews...
Listen again via BBC Sounds here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001w56s
PLEASE NOTE: This isn’t an official BBC / BBC Wales post. All words / opinions expressed here are my own.
This week’s show begins with a celebration of Skindred. Last week they received the award for Best Alternative Act at the MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin). This is a mighty addition to their list of considerable achievements (particularly) in the last twelve months (UK no.2 album; TV appearances almost everywhere; sold out tour dates all over UK / Europe / the States… including a forthcoming date at Wembley Arena you won’t get into for love or money).
They’re a working class band from Pill operating in a genre - hard rock - that is too often ignored / derided by critics and supposed tastemakers, setting a searing example for anyone who’s been held back / belittled / ignored due to racism or classism.
Their tornado of a frontman - Benji Webbe - is the first black Welshman to win a MOBO. And when Benji busts open the doors, he’ll most definitely be holding them open for others to follow. A huge achievement, especially given musical success now seems to be the preserve of the privileged few on major labels, or labels affiliated to the majors.
I am so so happy for Benji and for the band, and for their label, Earache Records.
Radio has the shapeshifting ability to change with the ages. Nowadays - perhaps - it isn’t enough to serve up music to a discerning audience. As much effort as I put in to sourcing the finest new Welsh sounds for you every week, and don’t just rely on what is delivered straight to my door, all warm and tasty, it’s incumbent on those of us who make music radio to find new ways to tell the stories behind the songs.
Streaming services use algorithms and AI to satiate the musically curious with their playlists. I’d argue that it’s the human passion behind some music radio (i.e. the music radio that isn’t just a front for AI and algorithms) that still makes it the best way to learn about new music. But I would say that, wouldn’t I?
So a good presenter is there to highlight some of the magic in a recording, and to share relevant details as accurately as possible, but sometimes it’s better to hear it straight from the creative maw.
Hence a new regular feature for the programme.
‘Behind The Track…’ wants to reveal a little bit more about one of the songs that has been particularly popular with the show’s audience… as measured by that most reliable of metrics, me gauging how big a reaction a tune generates on social media when I play it on the show. Who needs science?
Nothing has caused the fabric of (my) social media to vibrate with excitement as much as Chroma’s new single for Alcopop Records, ‘Girls Talk’. So that’s the focus of our attention with this week’s Behind The Track… Katie gives us insights to the song that are complimentary to our enjoyment of it, rather than dissecting its guts and ruining the magic.
I have an idea that we could apply Behind The Track to ‘classic’ Welsh recordings as well as things that are hot, spicy and new… but the thought of trying to put a pin in Meic Stevens long enough to ask him about ‘Rowena’ is daunting… or buttonholing Cerys Matthews while she’s between (amazing) radio shows and book writing and singing songs, to ask her - in forensic detail - about the identity of the ‘Lost Cat’… there are few enough hours in the day as things stand, so we’ll just see how things develop…
The Long Song this week - an ongoing tribute to broadcasting legend Janice Long - comes courtesy of Pembrokeshire’s weaver of heartfelt wonders, Rona Mac. Rona’s songs are deceptively gentle-sounding, but her exquisite playing, production and vocals often swaddle Marianas trench emotions, dark matter observations that reach for resolution and empathy, often through natural forces. She’s an artist’s artist who isn’t remotely inaccessible to the rest of us.
The Long Song this week, then, is Rona Mac’s ‘Links Like Fists’. She tells the story behind the title, so I shan’t spoil it for you. Add it to your playlists. After you’ve listened to the show, naturally.
Elsewhere in our grotto of sonic wonders, This Is The Kit’s love letter to the producer of their most recent album, Gruff Rhys, in the form of a kaleidoscopic cover of Gruff’s ‘Sensations in the Dark’. The flurry of recorders that rises from the arrangement is like a flock of disturbed butterflies rising from a bush on a July evening… it’s ace to the power of ace. We celebrate some fine new releases sung in Welsh, to sort-of-coincide with Friday-just-gone’s Dydd Miwsig Cymru… although, in truth, I’d have been playing these songs, anyway.
There are clipped, fuzzbox shredding sounds of erratic genius courtesy of Dactyl Terra and Thee Alcoholics, contrasted by the super neon electronic dancepop of Alimish: polarities that are eminent evidence of music’s chameleonic power.
Gareth Potter - musical polymath, DJ and writer - is with us towards the end of the show, to tell us all about a fascinating musical project he has overseen that is equal parts the poetry of Waldo Williams; the wondrous music of the Balearic Islands; Rhys Ifan’s profound baritone, and two musical luminaries from north Wales, NuNorthern Soul head honcho ‘Phat’ Phil Cooper and JIM.
And much much else besides.
I hope you enjoy this week’s show. Two more things! I’m determined to feature you on the show with your Merch Stall Reviews. It’s one way to shout about live music in your favourite venues across Wales, and there are more details immediately below.
Back when Huw Stephens started his evening shows on BBC Radio Wales, I thought we needed to do something to celebrate great live music and the venues who host it.
So I invited listeners to contribute their own reviews of gigs they'd seen in the previous week.
It worked really nicely but the idea died on the vine because I'm not sure there were all that many gig-goers listening at that time of the evening on a Monday. However I still like the idea, and I also like the idea of hearing your voices on air...
I'm going to try them again but on the Saturday night show, if you're up for it?
Have you seen a gig in the last week?
Do you fancy recording a short, unscripted review on your smartphone and sending it in?
• 1 minute-ish (i.e. aim for 1 minute... 2 minutes absolute max)
• Say hi. Introduce yourself
• Say who you’ve seen and where you saw them
• Tell us what you thought about the gig — good and bad
• Finish by telling us what your favourite song / track was, and - if a good studio recording is available, we’ll play it.
• Say ‘bye / hwyl’
Submissions as .mp3 / .m4a / .wav files emailed to adam.walton@bbc.co.uk please, ASAP (by 5pm on Fridays).
Bands reviewing themselves will be frowned on from the great height of our very high horse.
No fees or anything like that, sorry, but a ton of glory!
Please send excellent new music via the BBC Introducing Uploader or as a download link to my BBC email address (you’ll work it out, promise).
Thanks for your eyes, your ears, and all the synapsey bits in between.
Diolch yn fawr iawn.
THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST
Skindred - 'If I Could'
Newport
http://skindred.net
Eadyth - 'Amser'
Merthyr Tydfil
http://facebook.com/eadythofficial
Mellt - 'Ceisio'
Aberystwyth
http://facebook.com/melltcerdd
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - 'National Rust'
Cardiff
http://facebook.com/buzzardbuzzardbuzzard/
Gruff Rhys - 'They Sold My Home To Build A Skyscraper'
Bethesda / Cardiff
http://gruffrhys.com
This Is The Kit - 'Sensations In The Dark'
winchester/ paris / bristol / Welsh producer
http://thisisthekit.co.uk
Pys Melyn - 'Bolmynydd'
Gwynedd
Charlie J - 'Hold Your Tongue'
North Cornelly
http://linktr.ee/officialcharliej
Silent Forum - 'Yes Man'
Cardiff
http://facebook.com/SilentForum
Grey Mare - 'Kevin'
Llandudno / Newport
http://instagram.com/greymareband_
Amanda Whiting - 'Intertwined ft. Peach'
Cardiff
https://amandawhiting.bandcamp.com
T.Matthias & Alimish - 'Fall Again ft. Alimish'
Blackwood
http://linktr.ee/alimish
Little Victories - 'Geneva'
Cardiff / Helsby
http://facebook.com/LittleVictoriesLife/
Pyrogaric - 'Invisible'
Newport
http://linktr.ee/pyrogaric
Rainyday Rainbow - 'Baby In The Basement'
Swansea
Obey Cobra - 'Intermission (Salón Fuzz remix)'
South Wales
Angharad - 'Hormone Called Love'
Swansea
Dactyl Terra - 'Cheeseburger'
Cardiff
http://dactylterra.com
Thee Alcoholics - 'Feedback'
Caerphilly
http://thee-alcoholics.bandcamp.com
THE LONG SONG #030
Rona Mac - 'Links Like Fists'
Pembrokeshire
http://facebook.com/RonaMacMusic
Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog - 'Trosol'
Llyn Peninsula
http://crhb.bandcamp.com
Ailsa Mair - 'FOOL'
Dyfi Valley
JIM - 'Ballad of San Marino (Mang Dynasty Remix)'
Colwyn Bay
Shell - 'Separate'
Dinas Powys
Shimmer - 'Future Corpses'
Swansea
http://linktr.ee/shimmeruk
Injijo - 'deep_meaningful_conversation'
Newport
http://facebook.com/injijo2
Umbra - 'Destination Groove'
Cardiff
BEHIND THE TRACK...
Chroma - 'Girls Talk'
Pontypridd
http://chroma.band
Eurekas - 'Ivy'
Cwmbran / Newport
http://facebook.com/eurekasband
Ffatri Jam - 'Dal Dy Afael'
Caernarfon / Ynys Môn
http://facebook.com/ffatrijamband
Cerys Hafana - 'Child Owlet'
Machynlleth
GARETH POTTER SELECTS...
Joan Bibiloni featuring Rhys Ifans - 'Badia Onírica [Welsh Version]'
Ibiza / Ceredigion / Mochdre / Ruthin
De'lour - 'Crown'
Port Talbot / Tredegar
http://facebook.com/Delourband
Alex John-Duarte - 'Round 2'
Mathry, Pembrokeshire
http://facebook.com/alexjdmusic
Lowri Evans And Lee Mason - 'Un reid ar ol ar y rodeo'
Pembrokeshire
http://lowrievans.co.uk
SHOW STATS
194 diff songs/ 220 Total. 170 Artists in 6 shows since 1st, Jan '24 (~Songs per:37, Unique artists per:28) Welsh:98% Cymraeg:12% (feat. lyrics in Welsh); Source: Uploader:45%, Direct:14%, Bought:15%, Plugger:21%, Commission:4%
Comprehensive Session / Interview List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w-rIPj0l0QhUcbEm08PUPLUWh-416mwlteG_8wpNWtQ/edit?usp=sharing
Subscribe to my Substack: https://adamwalton.substack.com
Adam Walton