This Eryri-based psych project was formed by brothers Cynyr (vocals and guitar) and Dion Hamer (drums). With their Back To The Beginning album – their first as Worldcub and second overall – following an appearance at Wrexham’s FOCUS Wales this month, Emma Way gets to know more.
Listening to Back To The Beginning, I loved the different funk influences. Have you always been inspired by groove?
Dion: It stems from listening to the tropicália movement and bands like Django Django. Then there’s Paul Simon and Bob Marley & The Wailers as influences, along with grunge and similar styles. You know, with the tribal perspective of that kind of music, we always aim for a balance where you can both dance and rock out, along with quieter numbers. That was true of our first album [Fforesteering] under our previous name, Castles, and I believe it holds true with this album.
There seems to be a psychedelic revival in Wales. Why do you think that is?
Dion: There’s always been a mysterious aspect to Welsh music, with the language, the mountains, and Merlin the wizard. It seems to suit Welsh bands, and there’s a long lineage of psychedelic bands from Wales. I suppose everything happens in cycles.
Have you had any personal experiences where you’ve been mesmerised by a live band?
Dion: The Pixies! I think I even shed a tear the last time I saw them. I’ve caught their show twice, and each time I was overwhelmed.
Cynyr: White Denim – we saw them in Texas and then again in Liverpool a year later. They were always impressive live.
Dion: Yeah, we caught White Denim when we were in a band called We//Are//Animal and played at SXSW. We were sitting in this conference room with school chairs, in the front row – the place was empty but we were blown away.
What led you to make Back To The Beginning a concept album?
Cynyr: For some reason that happens naturally in my songwriting – I always write in concepts. There’s always a bunch of tracks that merge together. I was hearing this concept inspired by the surroundings of Eryri, referencing nature and the environment.
Dion: Some songs on Back To The Beginning were in the loop when we were making Fforesteering, but we saved two or three of them for another project down the line.
It’s interesting that you mention your surroundings. What’s the music scene like where you’re based?
Dion: We tend to play Wrexham more often than locally. It’s been up and down here. It has been hard landing venues, but there are a few promoters now in Caernarfon especially – gigs happening on a monthly basis, household names coming through. We’ve been playing locally for 10 years; I think it’s pretty healthy now, compared to how it has been.
Has music always been a part of your family life?
Dion: Not at all – it’s just the two of us who picked up instruments. We live in a rural area, but were fortunate to meet other musicians like Owain Ginsberg, who we played in We//Are//Animal with.
How do you plan to incorporate the new album’s electronic element into your live show?
Dion: We’ve been using a mix of blocks and percussion, and there’s a rainstick in a couple of tracks. Where I can’t play drums and the rainsticks, there’s a trigger pad. It’s been great to include these elements.
Is it important for it to be live?
Dion: Absolutely. I’d rather have the sound live than rely on a backing track. We’ve experimented with backing tracks in other bands, like when we supported The Joy Formidable to a crowd of 1000 people. The backing track started playing, and I had to shut it off because Aerosmith was blasting through the venue.
Worldcub play FOCUS Wales, Wrexham on Thurs 9 May.
Tickets: £75 weekend/£40 day. Info: focuswales.com
Back To The Beginning is released on Fri 17 May.
Info: worldcubworld.com
words EMMA WAY
