Gigs, news & Celtic Connections

GIGS
CYMRU (Machynlleth) - Nos Fercher/Wednesday, 7y.h. - Dathliad Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen ym Mhopty Clai //St Dwynwen’s Day celebration in the Clay Bakery. £10, inc. soup and a drink. Contact Natty at Popty Clai - Clay Bakery to book.


LONDON (Hackney) - Tuesday, 31st, 7.30pm - Paper Dress Vintage, Worldwide Welshman, Lovell, River Wild (album launch) - £8

NEWS
I was in Our Lady Studio in Borth recently, and I recorded two tracks with Ailsa on cello and Nic on double bass! One old one, re-done, and one new collaboration with Ailsa, the Fairytale Cellist. They’ll be out in Feburary and March.

I’m planning to record my first full studio album in the near future. But first, I need to apply for funding! Wish me luck.

In other news, Lo-fi Jones have some exciting news which we’ll reveal next month.

My first time at Celtic Connections
I’m currently on my way back to Machynlleth from Glasgow. I went to Celtic Connections! It was brilliant. On Friday night we danced to the magnificent Moroccan/French gnawa-psychadelic-rock band, Bab l’Bluz.

Then on Saturday, I caught the last four songs of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Big Folk Band showcase, directed Jenn Butterworth. Phenomenal and life affirming! Next year I’ll book in advanced and see the full show.

Saturday afternoon, Danny Kyle open stage…I’ll have to try and get on there next year!

Saturday evening: The Canny Band!! Heard their Celtic Connections performance last year on the radio and was blown away, so it was really exciting to see them live. LOVED IT!! After them was the Irish band, Notify, who I hadn’t heard of before. They were excellent. I liked how they used plenty of interesting time-signatures. They were joined by two exceptional young Irish speaking musicians from Galway (?), who were very charming, and sang some beautiful songs in Irish.

Then I went to meet an Edinbrugh pal of mine who was in the sold-out Trecherous Orchestra gig. Luckily, I managed to get in for the last few numbers. Had a lovely reunion with him and another friend I’d met on Ethno who I hadn’t seen for AGES! One of their mates is a person I used to play in a klezmer band in London with. It was great to see him again, too! Some of their other friends are good friends with one of my coursemates. So many connections there. Small world!

We all headed to the Glee Club for the festival party night. I saw my new favourite folk band, the Canny Band again! Next up was Orkey legends, Saltfish Forty, with a full band (loved it)! Then the Canny Band were back with an newly created band called Trimp (?) which included an up-and-coming Irish fluting champion and some ace fiddle players. I hope they play more gigs with that combo, they were top-notch.
We were dancing to trad music til 3am.

Sunday: fancy breakfast in the West End of Glasgow, then to a trad session in the Drum & Monkey! Saw lovely friends. Ate delicious Eritrean/Etheopian food in Mosob Bar & Restaurant. Its quitea hidden place, but your Glasgow pal, Kat, recommended it to us. If you ever go to Glasgow, I can confirm that this restaurant is excellent! The staff are lovely too.

Finished up playing a few songs in a very friendly pub in the South Side.

Hwyl am y tro,
Liam