Ones To Watch: Music
Complied by Various
ADWAITH
One of several, mostly pretty young, Carmarthenshire bands who’ve released singles on the Libertino label, for this observer’s money Adwaith – ‘reaction’ in Welsh – are the most interesting of them. A trio of Gwenllian Anthony, Heledd Owen and Hollie Singer, the two Adwaith songs released back in August were winsome-but-caustic post-C86 indiepop (the anti-objectification Femme) and shuffling, lightly dubbed-out quasi-postpunk (Lipstick Coch). NG
Info: facebook.com/adwaithband
BOY AZOOGA
Not that signing to Heavenly Records (or anyone else) is an ironclad guarantor of Boy Azooga’s success, but it means that someone’s trying to make it happen. This Boy, real name Davey Newington, also plays drums in Charlotte Church’s Pop Dungeon. Face Behind Her Cigarette, dreamy psych-pop with self-confessed William Onyeabor-homaging keyboards, was released digitally in autumn, as well as by the Bubblewrap label on a split 12” with fellow new Cardiffians Buzzard; Heavenly have scheduled a single and album for January and March respectively. NG
Info: facebook.com/boyazooga
BUFFALO SUMMER
Formed from four members based in Neath and Swansea, Buffalo Summer have toured all over Europe and the UK with appearances at Download, Wacken and many more. Their combination of classic songwriting and anthemic grooves captured the eye of Barrett Martin, drummer for Screaming Trees. This led to him producing their second album and he also manned the controls for their forthcoming third album. It’s due out in spring 2018 and features a guest appearance from Peter Buck of REM. GM
Info: facebook.com/buffalosummer
IVAN MOULT
The 28-year-old Cornishman has it in spades: distinctive singer, excellent musician, thoughtful, skilful songwriter and a thirst for musical knowledge. A guitarist (also bass/piano) who counts John Martyn as an influence, he’s reminiscent of Nick Drake, Damien Rice and Paul Simon. The single Easily Gone, out now, looks back at a past relationship, as does his second album Longest Shadow (due Fri 2 Mar) with unflinching honesty, revealing, the doubts and fears of commitment and all that goes with it. RLR
Info: facebook.com/ivanmoultmusic
MADE OF TEETH
Featuring members of Spider Kitten and Taint, Made Of Teeth burst onto the scene this year, with their debut album and a handful of raucous gigs, showcasing the band’s powerful take on hardcore/noise rock. 2018 will see the next chapter in MOT’s audio/visual output when they enter Mountain Music Studios to record 10 brand new tracks for a new album, promising further extremes of speed and heaviness. The first batch of shows for 2018 will be announced shortly. Make sure you don’t miss them. CA
Info: facebook.com/madeofteeth
SARAH BROWN
Cardiff-born Sarah Brown’s 2017 debut single Nobody’s Home has earned her regular radio and TV coverage; prior to that, her ukulele cover of Blackstreet’s No Diggity scooped over 200,000 hits on Facebook. “It all snowballed and within a year I’d quit my job and was gigging full time,” she recalls. So what does 2018 look like in Sarah Brown’s world then? “More music. I have the second single in February and then more music and videos along the way.” CA