This six-piece post-hardcore band date back to the late 00s but are releasing their debut album, Hir Oes I’r Cof, this month. Singing in Welsh but with a heavier sound than most of their more indie-leaning Sin Roc Gymraeg peers, they’ve nevertheless found an appreciative audience. Frontman Steffan Dafydd answered questions at work in between organising October’s Sŵn Festival.
The press writeup for this album says you’re the first group from that Funeral For A Friend-esque mould to sing in Welsh… but to me, Breichiau Hir largely sounds quite different to those bands.
I think there are elements to the sound that we share, like the melodic bits and the heavy bits. That scene was part of growing up for me, and probably why I wanted to start a band when I was 16. By now, that’s evolved into something else entirely for me and the other members.
“The Welsh emo scene was why I wanted to start a band when I was 16”
Steffan Dafydd, Breichiau Hir
There are certain types of Welsh music that are nearly always sung in English.
With the heavier stuff, I think part of the problem is the Welsh language scene. There’s a huge lack of Welsh language music festivals that aren’t family-friendly. You don’t want to be screaming down a mic to kids in face paint with parents buying posh pizzas from a van…
What are the reasons for taking so long to release your debut album?
We never had a collection of songs that would work together as an album. I don’t think we’ve put too much pressure on ourselves to record one – we’ve been busy without it and it’s not been right until now – but Hir Oes I’r Cof flowed out of us and all the songs were written with the other songs in mind.
Does it feel like it’s become especially easier or harder to do a band at this level since you began?
It’s more difficult to get everyone together as much as we’d like – the older we get, the busier our lives get. But we have a great network of people supporting us, such as Libertino Records and our producer Phil Smith.
You’re playing your album launch gig at Clwb Ifor Bach: is this a case of you booking your own band at work for once?
Haha! Yes, I was planted at Clwb years ago, and the plan is finally coming together.
Breichiau Hir’s Hir Oes I’r Cof is released by Libertino on Fri 19 Nov. Info and streaming: here
They also play Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on Sat 20 Nov. Info: here
words NOEL GARDNER
