We celebrate & promote the music of Wales and its musicians from the 1960’s up to the present day
Can’t wait for this latest issue of the TIWN magazine. Order you copy - link in original post.
Out on 13/09/24
Issue 8
TIWN
Featuring Will Young, Shed Seven’s Rick Witter, Karl Morgan from Who's Molly?, CHROMA, SA Radio Live’s Shaun Tilley, Act Happy , Huw James and more…….
All for just £1.50
Order your copy : https://tiwnmedia.co.uk/store/p/pre-order-tiwn-magazine-issue-8
Deke Leonard
Man
We’ve just been sent this fantastic track by Chris Stevens - it’s of his dad’s (Mike) band, The Shevelles who were from Cardiff but worked out of London.
A cover of a Donnie Elbert song by a predominantly Welsh (Cardiff) group that were based in London and prominent on the Mod scene in the mid 60's.
Catch Mike chatting with the boys from The Now this Saturday at 7pm on Oystermouth Radio - great tales and fantastic music from their debut album, Too Hot To Handle !
TIWN Media / O'Neill PR
It’s your last chance to hear Mike chatting with The Now this Saturday on Oystermouth Radio about their brilliant debut album, Too Hot To Handle.
(Repeated at 3am Sunday)
O'Neill PR / Welsh Connections
The Now are chatting with Mike over on Oystermouth Radio this Wednesday from 4pm !!
The Now are Mike’s special guests on the Welsh Connections show this Wednesday from 4pm !
Whoop !!! The SA Radio Live FREE app is now available to download - get yourself ready for Swansea’s only true local station !
1966 and it’s Swansea band Outer Limits in Beaterama !
Man
More great news from TIWN Media !!
We’re back! Yes, after a much needed (semi) break we are firing on all cylinders again. The bottles have been recycled, the hot tub has been emptied and the M&Ms have been binned! We say ‘semi’ break because there was still the magazine to edit and proof read, EPKs to mail out and the
Episode 32 of the Welsh Connections Playlist show is now available on Mixcloud and features tracks by Vinna Bee, Mered Morris, Blackwood Rediffusion, FreeFall., Undersound, Wilder Sky and many more !
Patrick Jones - Autonomy (Intro) Tommy Wilson– The Call Evrah Rose- It Was Never Written The Niamh Project– Sorry I Made It Rain ShayOne- Jekyll Into Hide Patrick Jones- Daystar Vinna Bee The Apiary- Much More Than Hope Mered Morris- Dal Yma Multifaceted Monster- Rains It Pours Blackwood Rediffu...
Mike is back on Oystermouth Radio from 7pm this Saturday chatting with US film-maker and musician Brick Briscoe !
Tenacity PR
Your last chance to listen to US post-punk musician and film-maker Brick Briscoe on the Welsh Connections show this Saturday from 7pm (repeated at 3am). Great music and chat.
Just three of the brilliant live music events this Saturday !!
Abbanights at the Newbridge Memo
Joseph & Gareth Lewis at The Second 45
Roger Henderson at Uplands Market
TIWN Media
Live music across South Wales from TIWN this Saturday !
Uplands Market, Swansea - Roger Henderson at 11.30
The Second 45, Llanelli - Joseph & Gareth Lewis at 3pm
Newbridge Memo - Abbanights at 7.30pm
And don’t forget that you can pre-order the next issue of the TIWN magazine right now for just £1.50 plus P&P
https://tiwnmedia.co.uk/store/p/pre-order-tiwn-magazine-issue-8
The next issue of this awesome magazine is out soon - ordered your copy yet ?
https://tiwnmedia.co.uk/store/p/pre-order-tiwn-magazine-issue-8
https://tiwnmedia.co.uk/store/p/pre-order-tiwn-magazine-issue-8
Ordered yours yet ?
Will Young Shed Seven Who's Molly? CHROMA SA Radio Live Act Happy Green Rooms and more !
5 track album
Album review by Ashley Wilkes.
Artist : Tommy Histon.
Title : Kimono For Kip.
Theodore Thomas Marshall Histon was born in Virginia, USA, in February of 1932. Plagued by psychological problems, and exacerbated by a claimed alien abduction in 1956, Histon spent four and half years in a mental health facility from 1957 to 1962. He further declared that aliens pursued him because they sought to tap into his ability to see the future.
Listening to his music, one can’t help but wonder if, in fact, he actually could.
On March 19th of 1964, at the invitation of Chemisette Records, Histon boarded a plane in New York, and flew to England to record ‘Kimono For Kip’.
For 55 years, his final album was believed lost, after Histon seemingly destroyed the recording
before fleeing the studio. That was until an acetate of the album was discovered hidden in a record collection in 2019.
On May 2nd, 1964, Histon went to the headland near Cemlyn Bay in Anglesey, north Wales.
The following morning, his empty guitar case and a motorcycle crash-helmet were discovered
on the beach. Both were wrapped in foil.
32 year-old Tommy Histon was never heard from again.
Now anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with the works of Andy Bracken could be forgiven for taking it at face value - mainly because it’s plausible and, even more so, because Andy is one of our finest storytellers who weaves such intricate and enjoyable tales any reader is drawn into his world. You need to read ‘Worldly Goods’ and you need to read ‘Folklorist - The Tommy Histon Story’ to fully appreciate what has been created here.
But taking the music away from the story one finds that a shockingly cohesive and enjoyable album has been created which beautifully encapsulates the mood and feelings of that mysterious period where Rock’n’Roll and psychedelia merged - think the Pretty Things, Barclay James Harvest, Cream, Love and Jimi Hendrix.
As much as I know this is based on the book I almost wish it had been created in a parallel universe where real music like this was still being made. Perhaps it still is. Who knows ? A very enjoyable, very sophisticated and very well put together album. Right, I’m off to get me tinfoil !! (Read the books !!!!)
To order your copy :
Contact Andy Bracken, Bracken Records
[email protected]
Due to broadband issues last week, the show with Brick Briscoe and Mike will be broadcast this Wednesday at 4pm on Oystermouth Radio
As we’re still having broadband issue following the unfortunate fire at the pier the Welsh Connections show with Brick Briscoe will be repeated next week.
Some great names from the past in this feature from Beatarama !
Sad to learn that Scott Travers has left the building. A lovely guy who was passionate about music and so encouraging about everything we did at Welsh Connections - our thoughts are with his family and friends right now.
Man - Deke Leonard, Martin Ace, Clive John, Terry Williams, Micky Jones.
Thanks to everyone that’s listened so far to Mike’s interview with Billy J. Kramer. The show is currently No.10 in Mixcloud’s global charts - you can listen here ⤵️
Merseybeat legend, Billy J Kramer talks with Mike about his latest album, Are You With Me, as well as the early days of his career - with tales of The Beatles, George Martin at Abbey Road and Brian Epstein.
Single review by Ashley Wilkes.
Artist : Mahouts
Title : Some Nights (2024)
An imaginative and loud reworking of the 2020 track from the Mahouts album ‘It Might Be Hot Outside, But The Dirt Is Cold’, which still manages to retain the menacing low-fi feel of the original track - albeit augmented by some serious riffing and drumming. I’d almost forgotten how strong the original album was in terms of delivery and songwriting and this new take cranks up the volume and takes the song down a very different path. Not an improvement but a complimentary brother to the original. There’s an EP coming soon and from what I’ve heard so far it looks like the boys have not been idle in the last year since the ‘Live Here Now’ EP. It’s good. Very good.
Mahouts are Dorian Holmes, Paul Underdown & Gene Davies.
Art by Dominic Castree!
You can now listen to Mike’s recent interview with Merseybeat legend Billy J. Kramer over on our mixcloud page - just click on the link ⤵️
Merseybeat legend, Billy J Kramer talks with Mike about his latest album, Are You With Me, as well as the early days of his career - with tales of The Beatles, George Martin at Abbey Road and Brian Epstein.
Update on Oystermouth Radio :
As we’re still having broadband issue following the unfortunate fire at the pier the Welsh Connections show with Brick Briscoe will be repeated next week.
Single review by Ashley Wilkes.
Artist: Steve Andrews.
Title : We Can Sing Together (2024)
Steve Andrews, aka The Bard of Ely, is a singer-songwriter, author and environmentalist from Wales, now based in Portugal. He’s famous for his green beard, which suits his image because he has been fascinated by nature since he was a boy and is taking action to save the seas, as well as taking part in many more environmental campaigns and projects. He sings: “We’ve got to save the birds, we've got to save the bees, we’ve got to save the forests, we’ve got to save the seas.”
His latest release was written in collaboration with Stephen Friedland (aka Brute Force) from the USA and is a timely reminder of the fragility of the human race but also what we can achieve by pulling together. There is only one race after all - the human race and we should all be singing together. This is a great place to start.
Watch the video here :
https://youtu.be/GKUWQbUTPYc?si=bmSvz-NccgQvx4ag
🚨 NEW SHOW 🚨
There’s a great new show over on the Sleeve Notes website (link in comments) with Billy J. Kramer talking with Mike about his fantastic new album plus working with The Beatles, George Martin & Brian Epstein.
Album review by Ashley Wilkes.
Artist : The Korgis
Title : Un-United Nations (2024)
A brand new album released in 2 halves. UN-United nations centres itself on locations in the world with songs not necessarily connected but, then again, neither are the nations of the world.
So say the band themselves about their latest opus ! This twenty-two track double album is a huge undertaking but it’s delivered in such style with the occasional nod to The Beatles, Klaatu, New Musik, Tears For Fears, ELO and Beagle Hat that you can’t help but fall in love with it. The songwriting, as you’d expect, is world class from messrs Warren, Baker, Steele & friends and the playing is just sublime. This incarnation of the band also features drummers drummer Paul Smith and multi-instrumentalist Danielle Nicholls giving the band are more relaxed feel - the whole collection is the sound of friends having fun. It really is a total joy to listen to from start to finish and it’s rare these days to find an album that delivers on every level ! Well done guys - a highly recommended listen.
Single review by Ashley Wilkes.
Artist : Mal Pope
Title : The Kiss
Sitting just outside the Heritage Chart’s Top 40 (you can vote by clicking on the link at the end) is ‘The Kiss’ - the latest single from Swansea’s Mal Pope. It’s an upbeat ear-worm that you’ll be singing along to all week just showcasing the amazing songwriting talent of this guy. I mean, he’s been doing it long enough but still manages to inject a freshness and contemporary feel that would put many other chart stars to shame ! Taken from his album, ‘Dream Out Loud’, it’s a sure fire winner and if you want to see the man himself perform it live he’s at Swansea Arena on October 3rd.
uk.surveymonkey.com/r/522BLGP
Join Mike on Oystermouth Radio from 4pm this Wednesday when he’ll be chatting with Brick Briscoe about his music and movies !
US Post-punk legend, broadcaster and movie-maker Brick Briscoe is Mike’s guest on the Welsh Connections show this Wednesday from 4pm !!
Tune in for great music and chat 🎶
TIWN magazine - great place to advertise and shout out about your business/event or new releases
http://www.tiwnmedia.co.uk/, https://sleevenotes.uk/
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🚨 NEW SHOW 🚨 Coming this Monday on our Mixcloud page - Mike catches up with Suzi Quatro 🎶 #podcast #interview #newalbum2023 Follow us here : https://www.mixcloud.com/michael-kennedy5/
https://www.mixcloud.com/michael-kennedy5/ Be great if you could follow our podcast account on Mixcloud. 🙏
Have you heard our latest interview with Phil Little & Dave Stewart yet ? ⤵️ https://www.mixcloud.com/michael-kennedy5/dave-stewart-with-phil-little-on-the-welsh-connections-show-100723/
New show dropping tomorrow morning - the one where Mike catches up with Rachel Taylor-Beales & Jude Brothers 🎶 https://www.mixcloud.com/michael-kennedy5/
🚨 NEW SHOW 🚨 There’ll be a brand new interview shop up on mixcloud tomorrow when Mike chats with HIMALAYAS about their new album - From Hell To Here. #newmusic2023 #newalbum2023 #interview
🚨 New Show Tomorrow 🚨 Don’t forget to check out the latest Welsh Connections show this Monday, on Mixcloud, when I get to chat with legendary drummer Sam Kelly about his career to date and his upcoming gig in The Muse at Brecon for The Mid Wales Rhythm and Blues club on June 16th with Sam Kelly's Station House 🎶 https://www.mixcloud.com/michael-kennedy5/
James Oliver Band. live at The Colliers Arms Skewen - Stella these guys would go down a storm at EJs dance and grill bar !!
TIWN in The Muse at Brecon with Rob Lear ❤️
Holy Coves Live At The Second 45 What a fantastic and intimate set from Holy Coves at The Second 45 today ! ‘Druids & Bards’ out now on vinyl & CD ! #newalbum2023 #keepmusiclive #supportlocal
Coming soon - A brand new interview show with Violet Malice...........
Take a listen to Mike’s first interview for 2023 where he caught up with the hugely talented Tapestri - Lowri & Sera chat about how they met up in France and decided to take over the world ! Sounds fair to us ❤️ Listen to the show here ⤵️ https://www.mixcloud.com/michael-kennedy5/tapestri-on-the-welsh-connections-show-090223/
Our favourite record shop - fantastic prices and great stock ! Pop in to have a look. Highly recommended ! The Second 45 in Llanelli
If you missed our global No.1 Mixcloud show with Catherine Elms talking about her new album check this out ❤️ Listen to the interview in full ⤵️ https://www.mixcloud.com/michael-kennedy5/catherine-elms-on-the-welsh-connections-show-131222/
This Saturday at 7.15pm Showboat TV via Amazon Fire TV / Roku & their website. The new music show for Wales. www.showboat.tv
Rob Lear & Terry Payne live at HQ Urban Kitchen for TIWN Media’s Storyteller Evening ! Amazing night of tales and music ❤️
We’ve just added The Rivers to the Welsh Connections Legends Playlist. Check it out alongside more great tracks from Kaysha Louvain, Steve Balsamo, Andy Collins, Secret Postal Society, SARAH BROWN and many more….. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZKQsOu5VKlffQBbdLkY0n?si=2bzpcLfmTnKl4HrXXOKltA
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Welsh Connections creates, and supports the creation of, cross-cultural and multicultural artforms. Welsh Connections’ aspiration is to recognise, embrace and proactively support artistic work by all the communities of Swansea, South Wales and beyond, uniting communities through their mutual interest in sharing their cultural, personal and creative stories in ways that are appropriate, natural and intuitive to them. Welsh Connections sees the diversity of its communities as a primary strength of the local and wider area. Through outreach activities we facilitate conversations between social and cultural groups and provide routes to fulfilment of their individual and shared creative aspirations and visions.
Mike, Dave, Mel, Andy, Steve & Jeremy.
