As we count day the days to the end of the year, I’ve asked a few bands artists who’ve made an impression on the year to share their thoughts about 2011. This is part of the countdown to my Top Ten Albums of 2011 later this month. Sadly Welsh surf-rock maestros Y Niwl won’t be in that list because their eponymous album came out last December (and snuck into last year’s Top Ten).
But they’ve had a momentous year: opening for and then being the backing band for Gruff Rhys on his globe-trotting “Hotel Shampo” tour. And then being short-listed for the inaugural Welsh Music Prize (won by, that man again, Gruff Rhys...). 2011 saw the release of double A side single ‘Undegsaith/Undegchwech’ and following a delay caused by fire at a Prague pressing plant, the end of the year should also see a 180gram vinyl copy of last year’s album on sale.
What could top off that year? Well headling for the third year in a row the Cloud Sounds Xmas Bash this year at the Castle Hotel in Manchester’s Northern Quarter (advance tickets strongly recommended). Before that Y Niwl’s Alun Tan Lan casts a glance back at the last eleven months. Un, dau, tri...
What I will remember most about 2011 is...
Going to Oxford, Mississipi to the Fat Possum office and getting a Bishop Manning and the Manning Family CD: everyone should get one! And playing with Gruff!
What should be forgotten about 2011…
The red card.
The best gig we played was...
Pictish Trail's birthday party on the isle of Eigg; The Unfortunate Thing That's Between Us, Berlin; and Green Man Festival.
The best gig I saw was...
Deerhoof at Fujirock or Race Horses at the Fairy Falls.
A record from 2011 that will be still be played in 10 years time?
Bishop Manning and the Manning Family. I also heard Arthur Russell for the first time. And “Hotel Shampoo” will be played in 10 years time, it’s such an amazing album.
Overlooked in 2011?
Ted Cloud Sounds as the new voice of Radio One.
Brightest hope for 2012?
Race Horses. The new line up is brilliant, really looking forward to their new album. Plus Jen Jeniro and Alvy Singer.
And what can we look forward to in 2012 from Y Niwl?
New songs, new album if all goes to plan and new mugs.
Y Niwl - Undegchwech by FollyOfYouth
Y Niwl Undegsaith/Undegchwech [BUY]
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