The Fron in New York - Welsh Choir Survives Earthquake and Hurricane Irene to Give 9/11 Memorial Concert

Click above to visit the Fron Choir's New York visit photo album.

AmeriCymru spoke to David Thomas Jones , the Press and Publicity officer of the Fron Choir following their recent successful and dramatically eventful visit to New York.

AmeriCymru: The Fron just visited New York City, where did you perform and how were those shows?

David: The Fron and our soloist Irish soprano Margaret Keys officially had three engagements - two concerts and a performance at The British Garden at Hanover Square, in the heart of Lower Manhattan. The gardens were created as a memorial to the 67 British subjects who lost their lives in the tragic World Trade Centre attacks of September 11, 2001. The first concert was at St. Bartholomew’s Church 325 Park Avenue (at 51st Street) and the second at St. Patrick’s Cathedral 5th Avenue between 50th/51st Streets. Two Welsh TV stations accompanied us, and filmed both concerts. They wanted us to do some impromptu singing in the city so we sang on the steps of St Bart’s and later in Times Square. Times Square was quite amazing as the crowds stopped and listened and cheered loudly and applauded. When we sung the Star Spangled Banner Americans came forward and sang with us and some had tears running down their cheeks. We also sang on the Staten Island Ferry and received a super reception.

AmeriCymru: What did you perform in NY and does your list of songs to perform in NY vary from what you might perform at home? Is there a difference in how audiences in the two places react to the songs you choose?

David: No, we did not change our repertoire and the reaction of the audiences was brilliant. St Patrick wanted us to sing secular music or similar music. We had to submit our programme for approval. So we sang in the main Welsh and English hymns, a piece of Russian church music, Welsh Lullabies, Franz Schubert’s Sanctus, Panis Angelicus and You’ll Never Walk Alone. St Bart’s were more relaxed about our programme so we added the Rose, Gospel Train, Bring him Home, Speed Your Journey and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. We ended singing Amen (a negro spiritual) and the Welsh National Anthem as encores in both venues.

AmeriCymru: What do you think is the place of music in modern Welsh culture today?

David: I may not be the best person to answer this as I would say very important but then I have been a member of the Fron Choir for 26yrs and music is a very important part of my life. I’m a teacher and to be able to sing for four hours a week is a great stress buster. All you can think about is the music - it sort of revitalises you.

As for the place of music in Welsh culture, I would think that every town if not village has some sort of choir - be it male, female, mixed or children’s choir. The Rugby World Cup has just started and an official Rugby CD has been launched. Wales have five tracks on it and we are honoured to be singing two of them, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (the Welsh Anthem), and Men of Harlech. Bryn Terfel sings two and Katherine Jenkins the fifth.

Our CDs are still popular; we have sold well over one million. Our fifth CD will be released next month; it’s called Ultimate Collection and will be available from Amazon and available as a download from ITunes. However I must say that the majority of sales so I’m told do not come from Wales but from across the border in England. In fact our CDs are on sale in over 34 countries so we’re spreading Welsh culture world wide. Not bad for an amateur choir from North Wales whose members sing for the love of it! We would love to release our CDs in US but Decca US tell us that choirs have no appeal in the USA.

AmeriCymru: How do you think this kind of classic Welsh choral music is doing in the face of changes and trends in modern life?

David: There is talk about choirs struggling for members and that choirs are getting older and no young voices are coming in. We still have four members of the Fron singing today that were in the choir when it first formed 65 years ago, and at the other end of the spectrum, half a dozen between the ages of 15 and 21. I don’t think that many of today’s youngsters are likely to give that sort of commitment, but my advice is to make all ages welcome. With youngsters, one shouldn’t worry if their membership is initially short. The important thing is that they have broken the ice and are likely to return. We have a few good regular members who have returned after a break of 10 or 15 years.

I know today there are many more distractions with TV, films on demand, new technology, interactive games, social networks etc but there is nothing like being part a group who produce a brilliant sound and when the sound is appreciated by an audience it can’t be beaten. There is also a close comradeship and friendship between choristers and they support each other in difficulties. Choirs need to get that message across and they and every member has to work hard at recruitment.

AmeriCymru: How does the Fron balance sacred and secular, folk and classical and modern styles, Welsh and English and other languages?

David: A good song is a good song whatever style it is. We don’t separate songs into styles and we don’t really think about languages we just set out to entertain our audiences. The Fron was formed to compete at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, which is three or four miles away from Froncysyllte. Through the Eisteddfod we have made friends with choirs from all around the world and have exchanged music. Since I first joined the choir 26 years ago I have sung songs in around 18 different languages. One of the early choirs that visited Llangollen was the Modena choir from Italy. It was hosted by local families and the parents of Dennis Williams, one of our founder members still singing with the choir, put up the choir’s MD and one of the choristers, his son, was a 17 year old tenor by the name of Luciano Pavarotti.

AmeriCymru: How do your audiences receive the different types of music you perform-- is your audience graying and dwindling like classical and jazz audiences in the US or is there a younger generation embracing the music?

David: Since we released our first commercial CD under the Universal label five years ago, we have noticed our audiences getting younger. The audiences also want to hear the tracks that are on our CDs and that is something that took some getting used to as we thought an audience would want to hear new and different songs every time they heard us.

We have had a faithful following in pockets around the UK since the choir was first formed. One such pocket is the Potteries, the area of Staffordshire that was known world wide for its bone china and Wedgwood. There we have had a Christmas concert at its New Vic Theatre every December for the past 30 years and they have always been sold out; the theatre holds over 600. It’s a different concert for us as it’s a theatre in the round. We form up in two rows around the piano - the third row being the audience. We face choristers, which is again quite different for us and you notice that some pull some strange and funny faces when they sing.

Booking us around December is getting to be difficult as we now have additional regular concerts in Chester, Manchester, and Birmingham. These concerts are often booked two years in advance.

AmeriCymru: While you were in New York, there were a couple of surprise environmental events and your stay was unexpectedly extended, what happened there?

David: Yes. These events will certainly mean we have to rewrite our history. The first was at St Bart’s whilst we were closing the concert we felt the steps tremble. We thought that there must be a subway under the Church and it was not until we started to have Tweets from Britain asking about the earthquake that it dawned on us what had happened. The locals then confirmed to us that it was an earthquake.

On the Wednesday TV news reports started mentioning hurricane Irene. There were 6 different models but only two predicted it coming towards us. Then as the week progressed more and more models predicted New York being hit. Then New York’s Mayor Bloomberg announced that the subways would start shutting down from 12 on Friday and buses would stop on Saturday. Bridges in to the city were to be closed and evacuation centres were set up with capacity to house 800,000 people. Shops and Restaurants closed from noon on the Saturday and all flights in to New York were to be suspended for three days. We stocked up with supplies as our hotel did not have a dining area as guests eat in surrounding restaurants.

The choir were due to fly out on the Sunday but could not so we had to book another night - maybe three. The hotel however was fully booked and they did not know who was likely to arrive. We had to pack our bags Sunday morning and wait in anticipation. Luckily most of the choir could stay at the Wolcott due to cancellations but 26 had to move 2 blocks down to the Gershwin Hotel. We were only allowed to book one night at a time so we were OK for the Sunday. American Airlines then offered to get us home in two flights one on the 5th and another on the 6th of September. This was going to cause massive problems to choristers as many had work, some had hospital appointments one was even due to have an operation on the Thursday and another – a policeman was due to give evidence in court on the Tuesday. Choristers were also concerned about running out of various medications. Our tour operator decided to get us home however and whenever possible.

We eventually flew from JFK, Newark and LaGuardia airports in all sizes of groups on the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The groups took various routes home with some flying to London then Manchester some had detours to Chicago and Dallas with one group taking 23hours to get to Manchester.

As for Irene its self we had seen what it had done to the Eastern Coast so we were quite apprehensive. I must say that New Yorkers take things in their stride and were quite calm and unconcerned about its arrival. Eventually when it came it caused flooding in Lower Manhattan especially the Battery area, but luckily mid Manhattan escaped very lightly when it was downgraded to a tropical storm. One comedian on Twitter posted “Hurricane Irene has been downgraded to a British Summer”.

As the storm hit the hotel with torrential rain on the Saturday the choir were gathered in the foyer with other guests and a blitz atmosphere prevailed. The choir started singing a song and a group of young ladies from Russia responded with their own song and so we passed the time.

Later it was reported that the Gershwin had a grand piano and a large foyer and as everything had been cancelled in New York we decided to give a concert. On the Sunday night we gave a third unplanned concert to around 50 stranded international visitors to the city.

AmeriCymru: You've got several shows coming up throughout September and October, where can people go to watch the choir perform?

David: We were delighted that we all made it home by the 3rd of September as we sang in a wedding in Llangollen. We have two more concerts in September - on the 24th in Yeadon Town Hall, Leeds, and the 29th in St Oswalds Church, Oswestry.

In October we have two concerts; the first on the 15th at De Montford Hall, Leicester whilst the second is part of a mini tour of 3 concerts with Irish soprano Margaret Keys who came with us to the US. On the 22nd we are at the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton - tickets available from http://ow.ly/6qN9p

The two remaining concerts of the tour are in November. Theatre Hafren, Newtown on the 5th with tickets available from http://ow.ly/6qN5h and the third concert is on the 19th at the William Aston Hall, Wrexham with tickets available from http://ow.ly/6qNf3

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Fron is pronounced Vron.
There is no V in the Welsh language so f = v and ff = f

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Visit the Fron's Web Page

We're No Heroes new EP 'Quiet Colours' gains attention of BBC Wales, Tom Robinson & Topshop!

We're No Heroes

South Wales math-pop three piece We're No Heroes released their new EP 'Quiet Colours' on June 15th 2011, in association with At Your Own Risk Events. Their well received EP launch at Gwdihw bar in Cardiff attracted a packed out crowd, as they performed alongside other hotly tipped local acts Oui Messy & Vvolves. Since the EP's release they've racked up column inches in local newspaper The Western Mail, their music writer David Owens calling WNH's sound “a particular funky take on angular 80's indie and zeitgeist-snaring math rock'' while also praising them for their enthusiasm, productivity and hugely energetic live shows. They've gained airplay on Bethan Elfyn's BBC Radio Wales show and were also picked by her as a act to listen out for on Tom Robinson's BBC 6 Music show. The EP track 'Empty Beat' has just been playlisted by Topman Radio in stores accross the country! They also popped into the GTFM studios for a discuss their new EP release. Meanwhile, respected online blog titles like Room Thirteen, The Whiteboard Project have written positive words and a feature in Gold Flake Paint detailed WNH's own heroes!

We're No Heroes- Empty Beat by Soundandvisionpr

Perfecting songs written over a six-month period through live performances and rigorous jam sessions, WNH’s hit Ripefruit Recordings studio in Cardiff with respected producer Jordan Andrews. The band set about condensing and refining their sound still further, whittling their initial eight demo tracks down to the four strongest songs in the set, piecing them together the finished results sounded more fluid, hanging together as a record, and the best thing the fledgling group have released thus far. 'Quiet Colours’ EP features four tracks 'Atlantic Hearts', 'Empty Beat', 'Tigers' and 'Latitude' and was released digitally worldwide on the 15th of June, whilst simultaneously getting a limited physical release in the UK.

We're No Heroes note that 'each of their songs has its own personality and story, coming together to create one whole.' Some have pointed out that the title of their new EP 'Quiet Colours' is a reflection of the personality of each band member, their meek and geeky image offstage contrasted by their addictively tuneful, powerhouse live sound.

The band formed transatlantically in the summer of 2009 when a practice in a downtown Chicago studio led the Welsh lads to lay down the basic concepts of what would be their sound. It may have been the influence of the big city or big dreams but each member became ever more excited and focused upon creating something fun and original. The outcome, disco flecked math pop with insatiable four to the floor rhythms, precise guitar riffs and addictive vocal refrains that weave their way into your head and wont let go for days! On their return to the UK the band have progressed rapidly, moving to Cardiff and establishing themselves in the local scene, releasing their debut EP 'Crossing Over' in February 2010, attracting over 2000 online downloads.

Website - http://www.werenoheroes.com/

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/werenoheroes
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Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – Senior appointment for North Wales’ largest music festival

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is seeking to appoint a new music director. The vacancy follows the announcement earlier this year by the current chief executive, Mervyn Cousins that he would be leaving after next month’s festival.

The senior post, will oversee the artistic and musical side of the annual Eisteddfod, currently in its 65^thyear.

Phil Davies, Chairman of the International Eisteddfod, says: “We owe a great debt to Mervyn for all he has done for the Eisteddfod during his eight years.  We hope to attract a successor who will carry the Eisteddfod forward while maintaining the high artistic standards that have been established over the last 65 years.”

A number of well-known musical figures have held the post of music director in past years, including Arwel Hughes and Roy Bohana. 

The first music director was WS Gwynn Williams, one of the founders of the Eisteddfod, shortly after the end of World War II.

It aimed then, and continues to bring people together from different nationalities as an antidote to the ravages of war and has been a strong influence for peace and goodwill ever since.

The world famous Eisteddfod stage has held performances by Pavarotti, Shirley Bassey, Katherine Jenkins and Bryn Terfel. This year, Lulu, Russell Watson, Ruthie Henshall and McFly will each perform during the festival.

Applicants interested in the position of music director, which carries an honorarium, are invited to experience the unique international festival taking place in Llangollen from 4 – 10 July.

Further information about the post can be found at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk.    

 

PRESS CONTACT

Mr Producer – Gareth Rhys Evans

gareth@mrproducer.co.uk

02920 916667

An Interview With Welsh Singer Songwriter Lleuwen Steffan

 Lleuwan Steffan

Welsh Singer Songwriter
Lleuwen Steffan

AmeriCymru: Hi Lleuwen and many thanks for agreeing to talk to AmeriCymru. Your new album 'Tan' was  released on April 4th. Care to tell us a little more about it?

Lleuwen: Of course! Tan is basically what I've been working on this past year with Breton genius musician and producer, Vincent Guerin. I first came to Brittany to perform at the Lorient Interceltic Festival 2008 and once I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere and language because I think, in a way, I felt great empathy with the Breton people. Then in 2009 I was fortunate to win the Creative Wales Award by Arts Council Wales. I had agreed with the arts council that I'd write songs, record an album and then come back to Wales to perform this new material. I feel blessed to have received that award, and "Tan" would not have happened without it. We'll be performing at festivals in Brittany and Wales in the summer and it's great to have my new music out there at last.

AmeriCymru: You are currently living between Wales and Brittany. How strong is the Breton influence on the album and upon your life and music generally at the moment?

Lleuwen: It's pretty nuts spending so much time on a boat or plane but, to be honest, I don't really like to be settled in one place so I suppose this life suits me well. I live far from the city here in Brittany and this is a huge influence on my work. I would say that this new disc has an anti-urban sound to it almost. The production is rough and gritty and it was important for me to have it that way. It sounds quite wild too - lots of made-up weird open guitar tunings which I have grown to adore. I also play drums and zither on it and various pots and pans from the kitchen. I wanted sounds that the listener doesn't recognise as "instruments" . . . that way nothing comes between the listener and the music itself. I wanted to get to the core of it.

AmeriCymru: I read somewhere that you were learning Breton. How is that going? How does it differ from Welsh?

Lleuwen: Breton is a delicious language, close to nature and so interestingly similar to my own mother tounge . It s been one of the greatest adventures of my life to explore and learn this language and I continue to do so. I began leaning the language in the pubs of course and just by generally hanging out. When I first go t here I spent some time camping out in the garden of "Tavern Ty Elise" in Plouie. This pub has since burned down but will be reopening shortly and I can't wait. I need it's inspiration. It s a legendary bar, run by Merthyr Tudfil boy, Byn Walters. Anyway, I learned a lot of Breton there, just by listening, just by being. I then decided to study more seriously by doing a six month course with an association called Roudour. It was here I began to write a few Breton songs too . . .as well as my Welsh ones. Please check out Roudour's site if you can : www.roudour.com. Their courses are the best. A real mind-opener.

AmeriCymru: Can you tell our members a bit about your career, how you developed as a vocalist?

Lleuwen: My father is singer/songwriter Steve Eaves and so I don't remember a time where music, musicians and instruments were not around me. I suppose it's fair to say that I had a blesssed childhood in that way. I never really gave much thought to singing or making music. . . it just happend. It's just something I do. One of the uncomplicated things in life! I went on to study music and theatre and, through my studies, I got to go to Central College Iowa for six months. I loved it and met so many interesting people who were crazy about jazz (like myself!) I returned to Wales inspired to do do Welsh language jazz . . .something new to the scene. I joined jazz trio Acoustique and we released "Cyfnos" (which, translated means "Dusk") on Sain Records. I have since released three solo albums, all being different but at the same time, I still have the same goal, and that is to make NEW music. That is what I have, what I am and what I will always search for in life.

AmeriCymru: Can you explain something of the background and inspiration for the 'Duw a Wyr' album for our readers?

 'Pen Calfaria' from the 'Duw a Wyr' album 2010

Lleuwen: It was 2004, a century after Evan Roberts's Welsh religious revival and I became interested in the hymns that were sung at the time. I met pianist Huw Warren that same year and we realized that we shared the same interest in these revivalist hymns and began to dig deeper into the project. I spent months and months researching into the hymns that were sung in the Bethesda area and was amazed by some the jewels I found - long lost tunes and mind-blowing poetry! My mother passed away the previous year and, looking back, I see that, through my research, I was also searching for answers. My mother introduced me to the Welsh hymns and I heard them from her radio set as I fell asleep every sunday night throughout my childhood. I find it difficult to listen back to "Duw a Wyr" because I hear my grief in the music. And although I cant' isten to it, I am proud of the record because I still receive letters today, from people who have been touched by the music.

AmeriCymru: Your album, 'Penmon,' was inspired by your home on Ynys Mon/Anglesey. can you tell us a little about the album?

Lleuwen: "Penmon" was my first adventure with the acoustic guitar! My first record as a songwriter and guitarist as well as singing. There was a sense of freedom in this and I continue along that road.

AmeriCymru: Where can people hear/buy your music online? Any live appearances in the near future?

Lleuwen: to buy the music, put my name into the search on www.sainwales.com and for live appearances, check out www.myspace.com/lleuwen

AmeriCymru: Any plans to visit the States?

Lleuwen: I hope. I wish.

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the members and readers of Americymru?

Lleuwen: thanks for listening. spread the love.

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

Timo Standing Buffalo - On Stage At The West Coast Eisteddfod

Timo Standing Buffalo

This is the latest in an occasional series highlighting performers and contestants at the  September 2011 'West Coast Eisteddfod- Welsh Festival of Arts' at the Barnsdall Art Park , Los Angeles . In this post we are proud to feature the musical talents of Timo Standing Buffalo. For more info about the event go here. To reserve your ticket for Saturday 24th click the button below :-

( Approximately 250 tickets currently available. Buy early to avoid disappointment. )

"Timo “Standing Buffalo” Cano is a man with many talents…Writer, Singer, Player of several instruments, friend, and one with spirit.

Timo began his walk with the music many years ago, but didn’t release his first solo album until 2007, titled Feathers and Blades. This, his first offering was a fantastic mix of both Native American, and smooth Jazz, as Timo walked us through the beginnings of the tapestry he’s been given the opportunity to weave. Through song, vocal storytelling, and through his music, Timo begins to tell us of his long journey to become the person that he is today, and his hopes for the future.

His next album, A Place Called Home has been well received by everyone who’s had the chance to hear the music from this CD. A departure from his 1st album which was more Native American in tone and scope, Timo serves up a truly fascinating Smooth Jazz CD, with songs like “A Place Called Home”, My Heart’s Been Spoken To, and many more."  Read More

'Homeless Project For YouTube' Featuring Timo Standing Buffalo (click to play the video )

Paul Child to Lead Welsh National Anthem at Welsh American Event in L.A.

Paul Child is the man who leads the singing of the national anthem at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff before Six Nations rugby matches. He is known as the "official voice of Welsh rugby" , Paul will be appearing at the West Coast's premier Welsh American event in LA this year. He will be leading the singing of the Welsh national anthem and appearing at the Friday night opening concert. This will be his first appearance in L.A. and by the happiest of coincidences it coincides with his birthday ( Fri Sept 23rd ).....read more HERE

 

 

Jack Bevil - Digon o Grwth To Appear at the West Coast Eisteddfod

We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that Jack Bevil will be appearing and performing at this years West Coast Eisteddfod in September. Watch this space for further details.

In the meantime here is Part I of our three part interview with Jack originally posted in 2009 Master of The Crwth - Digon o Grwth Part (1)

And here is a selection of tracks originally uploaded to the site to coincide with the interview. Enjoy!

Find more music like this on Americymru

An Interview With Christopher Lewis - Welsh Harpsichord Maestro

'Christopher D. Lewis is The Welsh Contemporary Harpsichordist, and is currently based in San Francisco, California. Born in Rhiwbina, Wales and moved to North America to study music at McGill University, Montreal Quebec in 2005 under the guidance of harpsichordists Luc Beausejour & Hank Knox....' more here

AmeriCymru: Hi Christopher....many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. I suppose many people will be curious to know what initially attracted you to the harpsichord?

Chris: I remember, so vividly, at maybe 5 or 6 going for my first piano exam at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and sitting in a room filed with pianos. But I was drawn to a funny looking "piano" in the corner of the room, and I recall so vividly the vibrant plucking sound when I pushed some keys. My Mother informed me it was a harpsichord, and the sound always stuck in my head! But I battled on with piano lessons over the years, never really cared for them.

I didn't like the music and I didn't love the sound the piano made. So when the opportunity arose I took lessons when I was 16 with the Early Music teacher at the WCMD after being reminded of the sound when listening to Bach's Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 on the radio one day. (Classic FM I believe!)

AmeriCymru: Can you tell us how you came to be studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music?

Chris: Aged 18 I moved to Canada, and lived there for 5 gloriously happy years. I studied at first at McGill University specializing in modern music on the harpsichord. After 4 very French years in Montreal I lived for a year in Toronto, not my happiest time, but all that changed when I was accepted into the Masters harpsichord program at the Conservatory here in San Francisco. Finally, some sunshine in my life, and no more snow! I'm currently halfway through my first year here and loving the city, the weather and the music scene here in the Bay Area.

AmeriCymru: Care to tell us a little about your repertoire? What are your favorite performance pieces?

Chris: I've always said very clearly that with very few exceptions, almost any music type will work on the harpsichord. From serious baroque/classical works, to pop and rock - it all works. Of course in the 60's and 70's the harpsichord had such a great career in pop music, just take a listen to some of the Beatles (Piggies, All You Need is Love, Because etc), The Rolling Stones to the Beach Boys. They all used harpsichord fantastically! Alas I don't get to play much pop music (Maybe a Jimi Hendrix or two!) at the Conservatory, I tend to play the more serious classical contemporary pieces, but I'm always drawn to the more audience pleasing pieces. If people are going to hear modern harpsichord, I want to make it fun! I always find a tango piece brings the house down......

A Selection of Performances From Christopher D. Lewis's Youtube Channel

AmeriCymru: Do you compose for the instrument as well? Any future plans in that direction?

Chris: No, Would that I could! I'm pretty useless in that department, but what I am very good at is commissioning pieces for harpsichord. I'd much rather get some wonderful composer to write something deeply idiomatic for harpsichord and for me to play it well, than for me to write something shoddy. Its all about keeping the instrument alive with good music!

AmeriCymru: Where can people go to hear/purchase your music online?

Chris: My website, www.christopherlewis.net features all of this information. It also has a pretty fantastic (If I say so myself!) collection of youtube videos, documenting the most successful and my favourite uses of harpsichord in pop music, I think its worth checking out, you would never think that Joplin's "The Entertainer" or something more shocking like "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" would sound so good on the harpsichord! I always welcome new subscribers gladly at www.youtube.com/chriswales19 and one final shoutout for my facebook page which is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-D-Lewis-Contemporary-Harpsichord/123597011032776?v=info

AmeriCymru: What's next for Christopher D. Lewis? Any public appearances/performances lined up?

Chris: This coming year seems like a good year for me, I'll be active in the Bay Area, and currently working on the Philip Glass harpsichord concerto in the Fall, but I'm very excited to be giving a solo modern harpsichord performance on April 16th at Osher Salon in San Francisco. I'd love to see any fellow Welshies at that who are in the area!

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Chris: Delighted to be a part of AmeriCymru, its wonderful to be able to represent Wales on foreign soil, and great connecting with fellow Welsh ex-pats out there. Hope to meet many of you at the Eisteddfod in L.A this coming Autumn, and who knows perhaps you might have a chance to hear me play some popular Welsh tunes on my beloved harpsichord at that event! It goes without saying of course, that I owe all my successes with the instrument to my Welsh blood, to be born Welsh truly is to be born blessed. Pob Iwch. CDL

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

An Interview With Meilir Tomos, Welsh Singer Songwriter - Bourbon, Gravel and Cat Litter Trays

AmeriCymru: Hi Meilir, many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. Lets start with what's new. You have a release due on Feb 21st entitled - 'Cellar Songs' . I know that a great many of our readers will be eager to hear more about this .

Meilir: Cellar Songs is my latest release and my second Ep that will eventually be part of a three Ep collection. It is a record of six songs, recorded over 4 days with producer Charlie Francis. Some of the songs were close to making it on to my first release Bydd Wych but were not quite ready in time. I think this has ended up being the way it should have been, I am still very proud of Bydd Wych as a piece of musical work but I think I have made some progressions as a writer & performer with Cellar Songs. It sounds like a Meilir record if you will, but it is also different from Bydd Wych, after all there is no point making the same record again. I think the new Ep Cellar Songs is a unique record in today's music environment because I am not trying to follow any musical trend. I am just making music because it's what I love to do. Creating songs with meaning and feeling.

AmeriCymru: Can you explain the significance of the title?

Meilir: I have a small cellar or basement studio at my home were I write most of my music, all of the songs that make up Cellar Songs were composed in this room so this is how the title came to be.

AmeriCymru: I am referring to your profile ( link ) on AmeriCymru here. Why owls and why Tequila and Bourbon?

Meilir: I have been fond of owls since I can remember, as well as birds in general and all things nature, this resulted in small owl ornaments becoming a regular gift, i now have hundreds of them. The booze goes like this, when I was 16 my family moved to a small pub in North Wales, and as I was at a curious age it was obvious that the first time my parents left me home alone I was going to experiment with the vast amount of alcohol to hand. I stated with the obvious... at the pumps with the lager and bitter and was amazed at the horrid taste, this is not a poor reflection on the pub I just did not like the taste, I also doubt many do. With Bourbon there was a different story I love it and this is my drink of choice, if anyone ever wants to buy me a drink this would be a good place to start. I was introduced to Tequila at Glastonbury Festival by a good friend who plays in a band called Mother of Six, this drink is one of my weaknesses. Having said all this on occasion I can be persuaded to flirt with other drinks.

AmeriCymru: Your song 'Bydd Wych' is a firm favorite with many AmeriCymru members. Care to tell us more about it? How it came to be written?

Meilir: Bydd Wych (Be Great or Be as Good as you can) is a song that came into existence over a long time and in different ways. I first became aware of the saying Bydd Wych after a long conversation with a good friend of mine who is the singer with Mother of Six. It was him who told me of the saying & how it was maybe used before old battles by the Welsh as a last rally of the troops before engaging in battle. At the time I was writing my debut Ep and thought that it would make a good title for the Ep. Over time I wanted the opening song to be a song called Bydd Wych, I had a song that was a folk song played on the guitar with the lyrics that make up the chorus as the song is today but the song was not right, it needed to have more of an impact and be more unique. I found a thumb piano at Glastonbury festival, and when I returned home there was one pattern that I kept playing on the thumb piano and the song was written quite quickly from then on around this pattern.

AmeriCymru: I have to ask...how did you hit upon the idea of using a cat litter tray filled with gravel for percussion on this track?

Meilir: I am always looking for ways to make thinks interesting for myself & the audience. I am very interested in creating sounds from sources that might not be as conventional as people expect. The gravel idea is something I had in my mind for a long time before I managed to experiment with it. I eventually realized that I could get my hands on some gravel from an ex place of employment, lets just say that it was in abundance under my feet during cigarette breaks, I would amuse myself by making rhythmic patterns on the gravel whilst wishing I didn't have to go back to work. I filled a bag full of gravel one day and took it home, to my surprise the results were amazing the sounds that you can make work very well. But I must admit there have been more failed experiments that successes but I love the idea of using such organic earthy elements to the music.

AmeriCymru: Can you tell us a little more about 'Less Wrong'? What inspired it?

Meilir: Less Wrong comes in two parts, to be honest with you I always wondered how songs that were in two parts came to be before I wrote a two part song myself. The song was split into two parts when I had two songs developing from the same original idea. I don't like to elaborate to much on the meaning of songs that I write as they are mostly very personal & I do attempt to be a little obscure with some lyrics. I suppose that the inspiration for Less Wrong comes from different perspectives of hope & faith in part 1 & how this can go wrong in part 2.

I would not want to say more than that really or I think I would be giving far to much away. I like it when a listener can create their own narrative and imagery to a piece of music, I don't like it when everything is to obvious.

AmeriCymru: Where can our readers go to get your music online?

Meilir: To stay updated on whats going on here is facebook.com/meilir.tomos & myspace.com/meilirmusic. I sometimes post musical ideas & treats at soundcloud.com/meilirmusic You can purchase Bydd Wych at iTunes as physical copies are sold out and listen to it on Spotify. Cellar Songs will be available from spillersrecords.com & you can have it sent to america from here!!!

AmeriCymru: What's next for Meilir Tomos?

Meilir: I will be performing lots of live shows... I am planning a small tour of chapels and churches to promote the release of Cellar Songs information on this will be released soon and I will be performing at a few select festivals over the summer. I am writing material for the third Ep that I hope will be ready for release by November of this year. I have recently had my music used for a film Masterpiece by young Welsh filmmaker Andrew C. Tanner, I would love to get involved in more films. scoring music is something I am going to look into doing more. So it's more of the same but hopefully to a wider audience, It's not an easy climate for independent creative musicians but I love what I do and would not change it for anything.

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the members and readers of AmeriCymru?

Meilir: Order your copy of Cellar Songs from spillersrecords.com from Monday 21st February... there it is the hard sell, thank you in advance if you do get a copy. With any luck I might get the chance to come and play over in America some time soon see you then...

Bydd Wych

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

An Interview with Welsh Poet Mike Jenkins

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United States Premiere of Karl Jenkins’ Newest Masterpiece Gloria Launches DCINY’s 2011 Concert Season

Win Two Tickets for the show HERE If you are an AmeriCymru member email us to claim your discount code for 20% reduction on ticket purchase price.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – October 12, 2010 – Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) opens its 2011 Concert Season on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with acclaimed Welsh composer Karl Jenkins’ Gloria (US Premiere) and Stabat Mater. Conducted by Maestro Jonathan Griffith, DCINY Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, the performance will take place at New York City’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall, on January 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm with Dr. Jenkins in attendance.


The performance of Gloria will mark the work’s United States Premiere. In composing Gloria, Jenkins used the Latin text of the Gloria, derived from the song of the angels announcing the birth of Jesus. Interested in exploring how other religions conceive of the divine, Jenkins also selected excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita, the Diamond Sutra, the Tao Te Ching, and the Qur’an. This spirit of inclusion makes it an ideal commemoration for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Rounding out the program is Jenkins’ Stabat Mater. The text is a powerful hymn dating from the 13th century that meditates on the suffering of Mary during Christ’s crucifixion. Says Jenkins, “I tend to look outside the purely Western European tradition for inspiration and freshness so, apart from setting the religious text, I have also included words by ancient writers from what is now the Middle East.” Stabat Mater also includes instruments and solo vocals characteristic of Middle Eastern music.

Stabat Mater will feature mezzo-soprano Charlotte Daw Paulsen, whose recent appearance in Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle was called "dramatic in the best sense and utterly gripping" by the New York Times. Ms. Paulsen's Western classical singing will be juxtaposed with the Middle Eastern-based vocals of Belinda Sykes, who will also demonstrate her virtuosity on the mey, a Middle Eastern reed instrument. Both works will also feature Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a stellar group of vocalists from across the US, South Africa, and England.

Welshman Karl Jenkins is one of the most prolific, popular, and performed composers in the world today, with a powerful style that continually transcends musical boundaries. He was appointed as Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 “for services to music.”

Maestro Dr. Jonathan Griffith’s conducting credits include the Manhattan Philharmonic, the New England Symphonic Ensemble, and the European Symphony Orchestra. His 45-plus Carnegie Hall appearances since 1989 have spanned major works of the classical repertoire.

Founded by Iris Derke (General Director) and Jonathan Griffith (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor) Distinguished Concerts International is driven by passion, innovative vision, a total belief in its artists, and unwavering commitment to bringing forth unforgettable audience experiences. With over 20 combined years of experience, DCINY is a creative producing entity with unmatched integrity that is a talent incubator, a star-maker, and a presenter of broadly accessible, world-class musical entertainment. For more information about Distinguished Concerts International in New York and upcoming DCINY musical events around the world, please visit: www.dciny.org, or call toll free: 1-877-MYDCINY.

Tickets may be purchased by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting www.carnegiehall.org. For more information on group sales or other special offers, please contact us at 212-707-8566, Ext. 307 or BoxOffice@DCINY.org. Press inquiries and interviews may be arranged by contacting Johanna Kodlick, 212-707-8566, Ext. 305 or Johanna@DCINY.org.

Karl Jenkins Discusses 'Stabat Mater'

'Moor Music' by Mike Jenkins

In this innovative new book of poetry, Mike Jenkins continues his life-long obsession with the history and fate of Wales, embodied, in this instance by both the glories of the landscape and the depredations suffered in years of decline.

A view from the window of his writing room across the moors inspires reflections on the dereliction and renewal of the old industrial valleys, in poems like ‘Bonfire on the Waun’ and ‘Came the Ram’.

Mike’s career in teaching left him with a sense of optimism about young people, and with an eagerness to embrace changing times, evident in the lively ‘Einstein at the Comp.’ These poems, like his prize-winning short stories, are full of colourful characters, dialogue, and incident. A love of music and a sensitive awareness of the natural world in an urban context, in poems like, ‘Insomniac Jazz’ and ‘December Roses’ also enliven this new book.

Mike Jenkins lives in Merthyr and is a full-time writer and Creative Writing tutor, having spent over 30 years teaching in secondary education. The author of seven previous poetry collections for Seren, he has also published novels and short stories. He has won the John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry and Wales Book of the Year, and is former editor of Poetry Wales and founder and co-editor of Red Poets magazine. As well as a blog, he writes regularly for Cardiff City fanzine Watch the Bluebirds Fly and reviews music for the political magazine Celyn.

Buy 'Moor Music' here

For any Mike Jenkins forthcoming readings/events please visit Seren website at www.serenbooks.com/events

An Interview With the Welsh-Argentine Guitar Duo

The Welsh Argentine Guitar Duo are Luis Orias Diz and Adam Khan. Argentina and Wales have strong links and the duo is exploring the musical heritage of both countries as well as performing works from their respective folk traditions and pieces by living composers from Wales and Argentina. Americymru spoke to the duo about their history, influences and their forthcoming Album and tour of Wales details here:- Voyage To Patagonia   Americymru: We read in your bio that you met while taking master classes with Cuban composer guitarist Leo Brouwer? Care to tell us a little about that experience? Adam/Luis: Having the chance to play for and take lessons with Leo Brouwer was a very important experience, He is one of the most important people in the guitar community and his compositions have become a part of the standard repertoire and will remain so for centuries. It was very interesting playing his own compositions for him and discovering why he wrote them and his conception of how they should be played. Americymru: It has been said of you that:- 'The duo sounds like one guitarist playing with immense concentration'. At what point did you discover how amazingly well you work together? when did you decide to form the Duo? Adam/Luis: After we met in Portugal in the mid nineties we often talked about working together but the distance between Wales and Argentina made it unlikely that we would be able to do something serious, luckily in 2006 we got offered the chance to record Brouwer's complete repertoire for guitar duo with Argentine record label "Guitar Masters". After this experience we decided to try and put together a project and use the cultural connections between our two countries as a catalyst to encourage composers to write new works and to research the music of Welsh Patagonia. Americymru: You have recorded two studio albums 'Interludio' and more recently 'Voyage to Patagonia'. Can you tell us a little about them? Adam/Luis: 'Interludio' was recorded in Buenos Aires in 2006 for PAI records and it was a pretty crazy time, We had not seen each other for more than 9 years and had no idea how we would sound together or how we would get on as people, I flew out to Argentina we did a couple of gigs and everything seemed to slip into place, we recorded the album in about 3 days and I flew home!....and that was supposed to be the end of it, it was only supposed to be a one off collaboration. When I heard the recording some 6 months later I thought that we should try and continue working together, but we needed a focus as there are many Guitar duo's around the world, so we needed to offer something different. I started to look into the Welsh connections between the 2 countries and this is what led us to work only on music from Wales and Argentina and to look for Argentine composers of Welsh descent. 'Voyage to Patagonia' is the culmination of this, it is packed with welsh and Argentine folk music as well as pieces written especially for the project by Stephen Goss, Howard Rees and Dafydd Bullock, It was recorded in Buenos Aires during 2009 and early 2010 and we spent much more time in the studio really working on our sound and the musical ideas we wanted to put across. Americymru: Where can people go to hear/purchase your work? Adam/Luis: Both of our cd's are available for download at iTunes and you can buy physical copies of the cd's from various internet retailers, just search 'Welsh Argentine guitar duo' and you will find plenty of choices Americymru: You have worked in the past with Welsh Guitarist and composer Stephen Goss. Can you tell us a little about that collaboration? Adam/Luis: Stephen Goss is a very important Composer and Guitarist who originally comes from Swansea, He is currently professor of composition at Surrey university. I have known Stephen since 2003 when I was Guitarist in residence at the Dundee international guitar festival. When we decided on the direction we wanted to take the duo Stephen was one of the first people I contacted and he was keen to get involved by arranging some welsh and Patagonian folksongs for us. His music is well worth investigating. Americymru: What kind of music do you perform live? What is your typical concert repertoire? Adam/Luis: We basically play Welsh and Argentine folk based music and some more serious classical pieces by contemporay Welsh and Argentine composer's such as Howard Rees and Fernando Millet. We will be playing 'Voyage to Patagonia' in it's entirity during our summer concerts in the uk. Americymru: You will be touring Wales this year. Care to tell us a little about your plans? Adam/Luis: We have lots of concerts in wales during July and are really looking forward to sharing our music with the people, details of our tour dates can be found at www.welshargentineguitarduo.com Americymru: This will not be your first visit to play in Wales. Care to tell us about your previous tours and engagements? Adam/Luis: Well I was born in Neath and grew up in the area so I have been playing concerts on my own in wales for years, hundreds of them!. As a duo we toured Wales in 2008 and had a great time, Luis even has a slight Neath twang to his british accent! Americymru: You celebrate the connection between Wales and Argentina in your music, indeed the very name of the band does that. Can you tell us a little about how this historical connection affects your own lives and where our readers can go to discover more about it? Adam/Luis: Again there is a lot of information about it on our website but I would urge any welsh people to make the trip to Patagonia, you will be amazed at How strong the welsh culture and language is alive there, we played several concerts in Patagonia and the Welsh Chaple in Gaiman was a surreal and wondeful experience, it was like being in wales but in the middle of the desert. Americymru: Any last message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru? Adam/Luis: Thanks for reading we really hope you might chack out our Cd and make friends with us on americymru. We are hoping to come over and do some dates in the USA so if anyone can help us please get in touch! Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

UP, UP AND AWAY...LLANGOLLEN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES REFURBISHED PAVILION WITH A SPECTACULAR BALLOON RELEASE

Free Festival Tickets Up For Grabs Find more photos like this on Americymru To celebrate the refurbishment of the Llangollen International Pavilion, Llangollen Eisteddfod were proud to invite everyone to a spectacular and colourful balloon release on Thursday 10th of June at 2pm in the presence of celebrated, multi-million selling and original electric string quartet (and stars of one of the festival’s evening concerts this year) Bond! Five thousand balloons took to the skies, with 100 special gold balloons. Those lucky enough to find one of the special gold Llangollen Eisteddfod balloons will have the chance of winning tickets to the Festival or the evening concerts - including the Concert featuring Bond on Thursday, July 8th. All you have to do is go online to www.llangollen2010.co.uk to see if your gold balloon number is one of the winners! It is anticipated that several winning balloons will travel overseas to countries in Europe and beyond and will serve to further enhance Llangollen’s International message. Dozens of people turned up to watch the balloon release, those included were dozens of Dinas Bran School pupils. “This is a brilliant idea” says Cardiff-born BOND violinist, Eos Chater, “and we are really excited to be involved with it. Imagine the thrill of finding one of these winning balloons and receiving free tickets to the Festival or one of the spectacular concerts. If you’re really lucky, it might even be ours!” “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has always been associated with colour”, says the Festival’s Chief Executive Mervyn Cousins, “and now, here we are, turning the skies over Llangollen into a wonderful mosaic! It will be a great day out for the whole family and, of course, there is also the chance of winning a rare ticket to one of our justly famous evening concerts. But we’re also eager to draw attention to the improved facilities at Llangollen this year. The Festival is bigger and better than ever and now, thanks to the renovations made possible by our friends at Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, so is the Pavilion itself”. “The Llangollen Eisteddfod is something we can all be proud of in Wales”, says Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, “and we at Denbighshire County Council are happy to have contributed to the overall £1.6million redevelopment, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, to create a world class pavilion which is no less than this great event deserves. This will hopefully be seen as a significant investment in what is an important cultural phenomenon. Llangollen is a national and international treasure”. The £1.6 million investment by Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government will secure the provision of an Over-Pavilion New Canvas together with the renovation and renewal of the steel structures underneath. In addition to improvements in lighting, access and seating within the building there has also been a major overhaul of the entrance with new designs from local artists and wonderful images of the beautiful local scenery. “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a hugely significant event” says Alun Ffred Jones, Heritage Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, “not only for us in Wales but to the thousands upon thousands of people who flock here each year to compete and to sample it’s unique and multi-cultural atmosphere. The Welsh Assembly Government recognizes the huge importance of this event as a symbol of peace and harmony in a troubled world and as a crucial ambassador for our nation and is therefore delighted to invest to safeguard its growth in the twenty first century”. “I am convinced that the public and the performers will both appreciate these massive improvements to the Llangollen Pavilion”, says Mervyn Cousins, “particularly in terms of the acoustics in the Main Hall and in the areas of catering. These will have long-term benefits for the pavilion too of course because it is an all-year-round venue and the hope is that these new improvements will make the pavilion a much more attractive proposition for business conferences and meetings”. “We have been working closely with the Eisteddfod to create a new business plan allied to the refurbished pavilion” says Iwan Prys-Jones, Corporate Director of Denbighshire County Council, “the improvements to the pavilion are fantastic and we hope it will bring new investment to the area and attract a wider business base.” Members of the public were invited to celebrate the new pavilion on Thursday, June 10th at the spectacular balloon release and, with a little bit of luck, they might also have the chance of winning free tickets to the Festival or some of this year’s evening concerts - including the one featuring Bond on Thursday, July 8th. “We are so looking forward to playing in Wales, particularly at Llangollen”, says BOND cellist, Gay-Yee Westerhoff, “and it will be great fun to help out at the balloon event. Enjoy the colour and the spectacle - and, of course, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for everyone!” Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s Opening Gala Concert featuring Katherine Jenkins on Monday 5th July opens the full facility. For more information on all this year’s evening concerts- and the daytime events - log on to www.llangollen2010.co.uk