Meet The Band: Plague Vendor

Plague Vendor will play Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on April 17 following the release of a new song Isua from their album Bloodsweat. Co-produced with Stuart Sikes and mixed by Alan Moulder, and it vastly expands on the sonic territory explored in their debut. 

During the recording process, Plague Vendor aimed to capture each track in as few takes as possible, avoiding many overdubs and embracing the same minimal production they bring to their live performances. Nearly all of the eleven songs on Bloodsweat were heavily road-tested, imagined, and re-imagined live before ever making it into the studio. The foursome spent the last two years playing endless live shows, filling everywhere from backyard parties to clubs to festivals.

Palpable tension comes from the sense that anything could happen, and certainly you feel that way when listening to Bloodsweat. But mostly Plague Vendor is interested in simplicity and the sort of expressive nakedness that can come from stripping everything away. Bloodsweat invokes its own name as it unfurls, edged with a sense of danger and vulnerability. Andy Howells recently put questions to Jay Rogers from the band.

How did you come together as a band?
Me, Luke, and Brandon got together at my lock-out studio my old band had after we broke up. Our intentions were to start a dark blues band but we decided we needed a bass so we recruited Mike because he was the best fit. So it goes..

How would you describe your music?
Dark rock n roll with a groovy twist.

Who are your musical inspirations?
We are all big fans of Liars and Underworld. Also, The Stooges and The Cramps hold a special place in our hearts.

Can you tell us about your current release?
With Bloodsweat we wanted to push the boundaries of our songwriting. Our goal was to make our songs tighter and longer with grooves that can get stuck in your head; we took inspirations from all over. A lot of the songs were written months or years apart so there are many differences between the songs but they also sound like they all came from the same session which we are all really proud of.

What’s been your live show highlight so far?
This last month at SXSW we played the Fluffer Pit party sometime around midnight. It was rad because we played on the ground surrounded by a bunch of people just waiting to party! It made for a really intense show. So much fun!

What can we expect from your forthcoming Cardiff Gig?
We're going to top the Fluffer Pit party at this show that's for sure. We are way too stoked to be playing back in the U.K. There will be no disappointments!

What can we expect from you in the future?
We are currently in the process of writing our third record. It's too early to say how it's going to turn out as a whole but we're definitely keeping those dark groovy songs in there and we love to road test them so keep your ears open.

• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on April 15, 2016.

Meet The Artist: Jeff Rosenstock

American singer/songwriter Jeff Rosenstock visits Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach on March 31 with London rockers Great Cynics. Jeff willbe playing songs from his latest release We Cool? which features his own twisted version of an indie-pop/punk while maintaining a penchant for keeping things weird and fun. Andy Howells recently put questions to the performer who delivered his answers in an equally fun style…

How did you get started in the music industry?
When I was about five years old I played a tornado in a community theatre production of the musical Wizard of Oz. My task as a child was to push a small platform on wheels around the stage, and it got out of my tiny hands and fell off the stage. Afterwards I was yelled at by the owner of the theatre for being a failure thus beginning my thrilling career in the music industry.

How would you describe your music?
Enthusiastic pop with a weird chord here and there but it's kinda always the same weird chord so it's not really weird anymore huh.

Who are your musical inspirations?
For me it would have to be the three B's: Bach, Beethoven, Baha Men.

Can you tell us about your most recent album?
No I'm so sorry, the label has forbidden me from discussing it (you know piracy Napster etc) but I will say this - we used over 2,000 microphones to record it.

What’s been your live show highlight so far?
It's gotta be Billy Joel live at Madison Square Garden. Wow! What a gig!

What can we expect from your forthcoming Cardiff Gig?
You pay some money, you walk in, you wait in line for the bar and then you get a drink... You browse the merch you think "maybe later" then you watch Jimmy and think "hmm... This is pretty good!" You go to the bathroom or water closet I don't know then you're back at merch and you spill a little beer on a record and hope Christine doesn't notice and then you think "that's the shirt" but Great Cynics have started so you watch them and you're like "wow this is good" so you watch them. Then another drink seems likely and then we start playing and you're watching and like "OK this is cool" then you yell for a bomb the music industry song and we don't play it and you'll be like "oh well but OK" then the show is over and you queue up for merch and then the person in front of you buys the last medium shirt of the design you wanted and you're a medium.

What can we expect from you in the future?
Flying cars.

• Jeff Rosenstock plays Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach on March 31. Visit seetickets.com for further details.
• A version of this Q&A appears in The South Wales Argus entertainment section The Guide on March 25, 2016.

Laughter Lines - Gein's Family Giftshop Trophy Tour Comes To Wales

Following total sell out seasons at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2014 and 2015) and acclaimed seasons at London’s iconic Soho Theatre, the award-winning Gein’s Family Giftshop will perform at Cardiff's Clwb Ifor Bach next week on their debut UK tour.

The group, made up of Kath Hughes, Edward Easton, James Meehan and Kiri Pritchard-Mclean,(the silent member in name only), has been gigging for just over three years.  They met whilst studying at The University of Salford, quickly bonding over a shared love of black comedies, serial killers and Walton Ford.  Andy Howells recently put questions to the team..

First things first, how did Gein’s Family Giftshop come together and where did you all get the name from?
We all met in the wilderness of higher education, the University of Salford to be precise.
Our name is a combination of our favourite things-

• Murderers (Ed Gein)
• Family (never know when you might need a kidney)
• And Giftshops (We love pencil toppers).

What makes you all laugh?
Kath's impression of her Music teacher singing in French, it's a travesty we've not managed to work it into a show. Maybe that can be a special for the tour?

Who are your comedy heroes and inspirations?
We all love The League of Gentlemen,  Jam, Spaced and that goat who yells like a man on YouTube.

Gein's Family Giftshop
Photo: Drew Forsyth

Gein’s Family Giftshop’s Trophy Tour will be your debut tour, so what can people expect from the shows?
Nudity. For real, you should know that before you arrive. It is fleeting though, like all the best nudity/feelings of nausea. The show is a combination of our two Edinburgh shows, the best bits of course. Normally people wait a career to do this stuff so don't be surprised if we implode after this tour.

You’re coming to Cardiff and you’ve previously had work featured on BBC Radio Wales can you tell us more about that and how was that received?
We loved working with Radio Wales. We met our producers, Rubber Chicken, at the fringe as Tom Price (joint head chicken*) was performing in the same room as us. They managed to wangle us three half hours on the radio and it was so fun. Radio Wales are very supportive and by that we mean they let us swear a bit.
It's been really nice because each half hour was totally different and unrelated and everyone seems to have their favourite.

People may have also recently seen your work on Dave TV’s Crackanory and your Christmas Comedy Short for Sky TV – were they fun to do?
They were both glorious adventures and steep learning curves, like climbing Mount Everest or writing for TV. Exactly like writing for TV.

What has been your funniest or most bizarre experience as a team so far?
When we all ordered the exact same thing from KFC, sort of a melding of minds moment, you know when you're so in tune with other people and then BAM! Four Wicked Zinger Tower Burger Meals with Pepsi Max. Heart stopping stuff.

Looking ahead for 2016 – what can we expect from you all beyond the tour?
Well, hopefully Radio Wales will let us swear on the radio again. Jim and Kiri are going up the fringe with their first stand up shows. Fingers crossed they go really badly and we can all go back to flogging this ailing horse again. If they go well Kath and Ed have vowed to avenge all those that have wronged them, or inter-railing around Europe, not decided which yet.

Where can people find out more about your work?
We have a website- GeinsFamilyGiftshop.co.uk We also have a Twitter and Facebook we post on all the time. You have to find those yourself though, that's sort of the first challenge.

• Gein's Family Giftshop will play Cardiff's Clwb Ifor Bach on March 15 visit seetickets.com or clwb.net for ticket details.
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appears in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on March 11, 2016.
• *This means he jointly owns the company. It is not a delicious dish from KFC, it should be though.

Meet The Band: Eliza And The Bear

‘It Gets Cold, in the night, I’m on my way, I’m on my way back home’ sings Eliza and the Bear front-man James Kellegher with a hopeful urgency on the band’s latest single. It Gets Cold.

Already a fan-favourite at the band’s jubilant live shows, It Gets Cold is a rousing demonstration of what they do best. The instantly recognisable guitar melody sets the scene before erupting into beautifully optimistic homecoming anthem.

It Gets Cold is taken from the bands forthcoming debut album, due for release on April 1 on Capitol Records. The album also includes the broody string-laden I’m On Your Side and the commanding force of Oxygen, plus fan favourites that have long been part of the band’s live set, among them Brother’s Boat, album opener Friends and Upon The North. Andy Howells recently put questions to James

How did you come together as a band?
We are all friends, all of our old bands used to play together at a local youth hall!

Where does the bands name come from?
When we first started out we had no intention of “Making it” so we just needed a name, Eliza and The Bear stood out to us when Paul found the book somewhere.

How would you describe your music?
We like to create music that is made to be enjoyed live, so its quite energetic and sing along heavy! We love a good sing along

Who are your musical inspirations?
We all differ, we come from different backgrounds and different styles of music. I believe that this makes our music what it is today, its the push and pull of punk and pop, metal and acoustic love songs.

Can you tell us about your forthcoming album?
We wanted to showcase what we can do on this album, this is our one chance to prove ourselves as more than a one trick pony. There are many tracks on the album that will surprise you. Its our lives work and we are incredibly proud of it.

Whats been your live show highlight so far?
Headlining Koko for me is the stand out point in our career, the night was perfect, I wish I could live it over again.

What can we expect from your forthcoming Cardiff Gig?
One big sweaty party with plenty of sing alongs!

What can we expect from you in the future?
Bigger shows, bigger music, bigger egos? Maybe not.

• Catch Eliza and The Bear  live at Cardiff's Clwb Ifor Bach on February 3. Check out more information about the band on their website elizaandthebear.com
• Andy Howells is a freelance entertainment writer. a version of this Q&A was published in The Guide entertainment section of The South Wales Argus on January 15, 2015

Meet The Band: Victoria

VICTORIA are Alex Thomas (guitar), Charlie Martin (keys), Chris Moore (drums), Harry Johnson (bass) and Joe Housley (vocals), five young guys who live in London and eat, sleep and breathe music - all masters of their craft - skilled players, songwriters and composers.

Refreshingly, the band make unashamed pop-rock - infectious, feel-good anthems - from their North London house share. Their latest offering, Summertime, was released recently and is an uplifting track that encapsulates the spirit of the often short-lived British summertime that rouses us briefly from hibernation year after year.

Their energetic live performances and the individual personalities of these five riotous boys is captured entirely on record. Summertime follows on from Into The Wild, Victoria‘s first single, released in February earlier this year. Andy Howells recently put questions to the band.

Who are you and how did you come together?
We're Victoria and we're made up of Charlie Martin (Piano), Joe Housley (Vocals), Harry Johnson (Bass), Chris Moore (Drums) and Alex Thomas (Guitar).

Where are you from?
Four of us are originally from Somerset but Joe is from Bridgend. However, we all live together in North London now which is loads of fun.

How would you describe your music style?
It's been referred to as 'anthemic rock pop', which we rather like.

What’s been your best live experience?
We played a sellout headline show in Hoxton in East London earlier this year - that was a pretty special moment for us as a band.

What are you working on at the moment?
We're currently working on our next single which we're really excited about it as it's by far our most ambitious track yet - keep an eye out for it later in the year.

Where can people hear your music?
Our first two singles, Into The Wild and Summertime can be found on our YouTube channel by searching for 'VictoriaBandUK'. They are also both available on all major digital stores (iTunes etc).

•  Victoria will be supporting Alexander with Peasants King at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on October 6, 2015
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on September 25, 2015

Meet The Band: Peasants King

The Rhondda Valleys lie in the heart of South Wales, and what was a former mining location has grown to become synonymous with soaring melodic rock music as Chicago has with the blues. These valleys are home to a hot bed of young talent where one band in particular, Peasant's King, have continued to fly the flag with their own breed of soulful rock with their stomping brand new single Give A Little Love.

The band will be playing Cardiff's Clwb Ifor Bach venue on October 6. Andy Howells recently spoke to Rhod from the band.

How did you come together as a band?
We all knew each other growing up, and some of us had been in other bands together before. It wasn't until a previous band with our bassis Lewys, singer Dan and Rhod (myself, guitarist) fell short of a couple of members that Peasant's King formed. Our drummer Harry and other guitarist Josh joined at that point and here we are today!

Where did you get your name from?
When choosing a name, we were looking for something that fits our heritage. The band name is something that represents us and that we’re stuck with for life, so we addressed it in the same way that someone would address getting a tattoo. We wanted something that represents where we are from and our culture so the name ‘Peasant’s King’ worked well, and it coincides with the history and landscape of Wales.

What’s been your best live experience?
A couple of summers ago we played Young People's Village at Builth Wells, it wasn't long before we were set to play Reading and Leeds festival. When we first got onstage, the tent was pretty empty, but we started playing and people just flooded in – which felt awesome! The atmosphere was electric and to this day it's probably the most excited crowd we've ever had. We absolutely loved that set.

Can You tell us about your new album?
It's something we've been working on for a long time now, probably about 2 years in all. It's a concept album that follows the life of a guy called David, which is based on the Grandfather of our singer Dan, who passed before he was born. It's been a great experience writing a story alongside the album and we can't wait to get it out for people to hear! It's been a long time coming.

Where can people see you live and what can they expect from your gig?
Our gigs are always listed on our Twitter and Facebook pages. Getting an audience involved and having energy on stage have always been hugely important factors to us when playing live. People can expect a lot of movement and a lot of fun! We like to make it an experience for everyone in the venue.

Where can people hear your music?
All our videos are on YouTube, just search for Peasant's King! Our two EPs are also on Spotify. We’ll also have David ready for you later this year!

What are you currently listening to on your iPod?
It's all Spotify on iPhone for us! We actually have a pre gig/on the road playlist that we put together for those long journeys on the road. It's a pretty eclectic mixture, but there's a lot of good old rock and roll for when the energy levels need a boost. AC/DC, Toto, Thin Lizzy etc.

• For more on Peasant's King visit peasantsking.com
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on October 2, 2015

Meet The Band: Sweet Billy Pilgrim

Sweet Billy Pilgrim are currently on a UK tour following the release of their fourth album - the critically acclaimed masterpiece Motorcade Amnesiacs.

The new album sees the band stepping away from their previous electronic / acoustic experimentalism into a thriving accessible record.  Not ones to respect musical boundaries, the band have thrown every ounce of their belief and passion into the creative process resulting in the genre spanning excellence of  Motorcade Amnesiacs.

Front man Tim Elsenburg’s unique musical worldview has resulted in yet another masterpiece; an album of adventurously inspired melodies, intertwining riffs and eclectic rhythms, heavenly harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics.

Andy Howells chats to Jana Carpenter of the band

You've been together ten years as a band, how do you think you've progressed in that time?
It’s been a process of opening up, in many ways. We’ve learned to communicate better, and the songs have opened up sonically and lyrically as a result. We love the first two records, but they were the sound of a band always looking inwards, and shows were difficult because we just wanted to get the notes and the sounds right. Then Jana joined, and through her background in acting and improvising, showed us how to tell stories; how to look outwards and invite people in. Yes, the notes and words are important, but now we share them, where - in the early days at least - we might have just performed them.

Can you tell us more about how your new album Motorcade Amnesiacs came about?
There was a time, following the release of Crown and Treaty, when we were in a kind of no-man’s land, and there was a strong temptation to give in to cynicism and call it quits. We soon realised, however, that we weren't going to stop writing songs, and in fact, that process had already begun, almost without us realising it. But the writing was fuelled by an altered intention: the songs were written to be played live. And once we acknowledged that, the joy of it carried us through the rest of the process.

What was the inspiration behind your new single Just Above Midtown?
It began as a challenge to write something fun. And as it unfolded, it kind of became about how it feels to do a thing you love with people you love.

Do you get inspired by other artists and are there any particular favourites you are enjoying at the moment?
Oh yes, although we try to avoid listening to anything vaguely similar during the writing process, for fear of subliminal imprinting! Tim mostly listened to hip hop and angry metal throughout. But more recently we have been enjoying the new albums by Everything Everything, Field Music and Thumpermonkey.

What can people expect from your forthcoming Cardiff show?
Hopefully, a beautiful noise interspersed with soppy sentimentalism and plenty of dicking about.

• Catch Sweet Billy Pilgrim at Clwb Ifor Bach on September 5. Visit sweetbillypilgrim.com for further news on the band.
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells, appeared in the South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on September 4, 2015