The MMP - February 2012 Issue by The MMP

MMP the

The definitive guide to music in Cardiff

FEB-12

HIGH CONTRAST Exclusive Interview

With Penarthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international DJ wildchild

THE ASH & THE OAK Incredible indie-folkpop ramblers

TOTEM TERRORS

No longer Joy of Sex, Totem Terrors bring the noise

DIVERSE RECORDS

Matt Jarrett of the Diverse empire politely interrogated

presents/yn cyflwyno

SUNDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2012

check out more shows on facebook at orchard entertainment

SUNDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2012

SOLUS / CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

CF10 / CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

TUESDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2012

MONDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2012

CLWB IFOR BACH / CARDIFF

MUNI ARTS CENTRE / PONTYPRIDD

LIGHTS WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2012

SUNDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2012

WEDNESDAY 29TH FEBRUARY 2012

CLWB IFOR BACH / CARDIFF CF10 / CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

CLWB IFOR BACH / CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH / CARDIFF PROTEST THE HERO FRIDAY 2ND MARCH 2012

THURSDAY 8TH MARCH 2012

HIGH CONTRAST_06 THE ASH & THE OAK_08

PUBLISHER

Aimee-Jade Hayes MMP Creative Ltd

EDITORS

Simon M. Read, Rowan Liggett

ONLINE EDITOR

Morgan Applegarth

LISTINGS EDITOR

Matthew Pasternakiewicz

LIVE REVIEW EDITOR

Max Hicks

WRITERS

Jennifer Allan, Morgan Applegarth, Joel Dear, Francesca Dimech, Nick Fisk, Emma Gould, Max Hicks, Jamie Neasom, Joe O’Connell, Matthew Pasternakiewicz, Martin Pollard, Sion Trefor

Girl & Boy Studio www.girlandboystudio.co.uk

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER:

Paul Roberts

CONTACT

Demos/CDs to: The MMP, 183a Kings Road, Cardiff, CF11 9DF General: info@themmp.tv Advertising: ads@themmp.tv Listings: listings@themmp.tv www.themmp.tv twitter.com/themmp

COVER ILLUSTRATION BY:

Steven Godfrey

www.circaeightyeight.co.uk

TOTEM TERRORS_10

FEBRUARY 2012 CONTENTS 04 MUSIC NEWS News and round up of all the musical happenings in and around Cardiff 06 EXPOSURE Meet this month’s featured artists! 12 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW Interview with music industry linchpins. 14 LISTINGS All the goings on from Cardiff’s music venues this month 26 REVIEWS The month’s new albums, singles and demos. 28 MMP EXTRA Get yourselves to themmp. tv for even more reviews, competitions and news! 28 DOWNLOADS Join our Download Society and enjoy free downloads! 28 COMPETITION Win free stuff! 30 SPOTLIGHT Monthly column highlighting issues affecting music in Wales.

ear Cardiff,

Hello and thank you for picking up your guide to all things musical in our nation’s capital. Peek inside and you’ll notice a total lack of fashion articles, motoring supplements and reviews of holiday homes on bankrupt shores. There’s not even a thinly disguised advert in the form of a top ten list of electrical items aiming to complete you as a modern human being. Instead what we have for you dear readers is a heart on sleeve, teary eyed salute to new music of every form and style plus hundreds of live gigs to choose from. And what busy little bees our local musicians have been. The amount of albums, singles and demos bring produced is enough to make you think the world was about to explode. Which it couldn’t possibly do, right? Anyway if having read the MMP you feel anything other than total amazement then maybe it is time we considered adding a gardening pull out section. Perhaps one with an introduction from Gruff Rhys, singing the praises of quality top soil and a decent hoe. Actually that sounds like a pretty good idea… Happy weeding, folks! The MMP xxx THE MMP

04 | NEWS FEBRUARY 2012

MUSIC NEWS

NEW CLUB NIGHT FRENZY

WMF LOOKING FOR NEW BOARD MEMBER The importance of the Welsh Music Foundation to our musical landscape can hardly be overestimated. As mentioned elsewhere on these pages, their efforts in securing cultural liaisons and events for the country, or exporting the Welsh elsewhere deserves a rousing pat on the back. But imagine actually being one of the few shaping our course through the thicket of musical indifference. Well, here’s your chance. WMF are looking for someone new to join their board. And if you work for an enterprise or are a sole trader working in music and based in Wales you can put yourself forward for nomination. All Welsh music enterprises and sole traders are then entitled to vote for who they want to represent them. There is, though, only one vacancy. Sure, it sounds like competition may be tough but, still, imagine harnessing all of that power. Being a member of the board allows one to raise issues that shape the work of WMF, as well as be involved in strategic consultations and proposals. We say, let’s all go for it! Deadlines for application March 5th and more details can be found on their website, www.welshmusicfoundation.com

With a New Year inevitably comes new ideas from our city’s venues and promoters of novel ways to entertain you lovely musical peeps. A particular trend we’ve noticed is the launch of numerous club nights featuring live acts as the prelude to hard drinking ‘til the earlies. Take, for instance, the fresh-sounding Jealous Lovers at Gwdihw which launches on February 2nd with We’re No Heroes before a whole night of ‘choons’ from the likes of Justice, M83, Foals, The Hives, Metronomy, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Prince and more. If that’s not enough, the Punks In The Beerlight crew are set to commence a double-pronged attack on the city with nights at The Full Moon and Undertone involving equal measures of dance-your-balls off va-va-voom, discerning taste and intriguing promises of unlikely local live sounds, more news of which as it comes in. Clwb, of course, are on step too by integrating upper echelon live music into the regular Listen Up club night. First one is lined up for March 14th with Post War Years playing at no extra cost to the bargain price of £3 entry. And then Jen Long and Barely Regal have just launched Simply Rad in Undertone too, with the next one on February 24th featuring Holland with a live set. Sounds like a whole bag full of awesomeness all round.

WHAT WE’VE BEEN LISTENING TO... {AIMEE}

{ROWAN}

{SIMON}

SOULS OF MISCHIEF FROM 93 TILL INFINITY

DAVID BOWIE - TIME

BILL CALLAHAN - ONE FINE MORNING

A selection prompted by the legendary Oakland crew coming to Cardiff in March big up Starving Artists for securing it - this blissed out, sun-stained, laidback hip-hop rocket has its sights set purely on chillin’.

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

The 1970s sure sound like a fun place to freak out. If peering into an abyss of decadence and almost inconceivable levels of pleasure and self-loathing is your thing, then look no further than this Ziggy-era gem.

Listening to Callahan’s last two albums have been like watching the maturing of an awkward, gifted schoolkid into a mighty, mighty God of songwriting. This, taken from 2011’s Apocalypse, is a gorgeously languorous march through the ailing mind.

MMP TV BURGEONING WITH GOODIES For the uninitiated, it would be remiss of us if we didn’t point you in the direction of our fine library of musical video recordings on our beloved MMP TV. The fine folks at On-Par Productions have been devoting a tideless wave of energy towards filming the city’s, nay the world’s, stars. Last year’s SWN Festival was an utter triumph with exclusive videos of Ugly Duckling, Gideon Conn, Daughter, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Houdini Dax, Ivan Moult and a heap more too Since then, we’ve had further entries from Colorama, Little Arrow and We’re No Heroes. Bloody flippin’ hell. Keep checking for more as they’re uploaded - online at themmp.tv/mmptv

FOCUS WALES RELEASES FIRST ACTS WELSH SXSW CONTINGENT READY TO ROCK The annual SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas has become a home from home for the Welsh over the years. Thanks to the Welsh Music Foundation helping to negotiate several paths in, since 2007 we’ve seen the likes of The Joy Formidable, Cate Le Bon, The Last Republic, Jonathan Powell, Toy Horses, Bright Light Bright Light, We//Are//Animal, Future Of The Left, Nedry and so many more make the journey. SXSW 2012 once more shows similar levels of disproportionate representation for the Welsh. This year, though this list will undoubtedly grow, we already have Skindred, Cuba Cuba, Bensh and Son Of Jack all confirmed. Good luck to those representing us out there. Fly the flag in our honour! The music leg of SXSW runs from March 13-18 2012. For more details on the festival and to see how the Welsh contingent shapes up over coming weeks go to sxsw.com

With the success of last year’s inaugural event under their belts, the Focus Wales team are set to bring us episode two of the three-day conference and music festival up in Wrexham. The dates are set for April 19-21 and the first announcement of acts shows it to be spilling over with quality Welsh and international talent Acts confirmed thus far include We//Are//Animal, Jodie Marie, The Gentle Good, Y Niwl, Sen Segur, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, The Roseville Band, Gallops and Moja. This list, as with SXSW, is set to expand as the event draws closer. But already it’s looking like a total snip with early bird tickets costing a meagre £12 For more details, log onto

{MATT}

{JOE}

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & THE MAGIC BAND - ABBA ZABA

THREE TRAPPED TIGERS - ‘DREBIN’

No-one paints a picture like the Captain, Babbette baboon in her Indian dream, tiger moon, yellow bird fly high, tobacco sky, two shadows at noon. Dirty Californian surrealist blues off Safe as Milk.

From Route One Or Die – one of my favourite albums of last year – ‘Drebin’ is an absorbing piece of math rock, utilising huge drums, hardcore guitars and 8-bit style synths.

06 | EXPOSURE INTERVIEW

HIGH CONTRAST Aperture resident and Hospital Records mainstay Lincoln Barrett; aka drum ‘n’ bass maestro High Contrast, is perhaps the most influential Cardiffian on the electronic circuit. Winner of 2010’s Drum ‘n’ Bass Award for Best Liquid DJ and runner up in 2011 when Hospitality cleaned up, Barrett’s career has been on an upward trajectory since the turn of the millennium. On top of recent The First Note Is Silent single with titans Tiesto and Underworld on board, follow-up track The Agony And The Ecstasy is dropping on February 13th, along with an album of the same name launching in Cardiff’s Great Hall on March 3rd. Busy bloody times.

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

MMP: PRYNHAWN DA HIGH CONTRAST, HOW ARE YOU? HC: Well, I’m feeling somewhat relieved that the album is finished. As the name suggests, there’s been a degree of agony along with the ecstacy in giving birth to it. MMP: HOW DID THE APPROACH DIFFER FOR THE NEW LP COMPARED TO, SAY, TOUGH GUYS DON’T DANCE? HC: I kind of started from scratch in terms of the studio. Changed location, got all new equipment, new monitors. But then I also had in mind a rough rule of not using any samples, whereas previously they’ve been very sample heavy. I wanted to experiment with not using them in the way I have done and I knew that would, in itself, change the writing process and the sonic texture of the album. But it still has my essence in it. I think it’s still got that melancholic yet euphoric sound.

MMP: YOU’VE SAID BEFORE THIS WAS A MORE PERSONAL RECORD THAN PREVIOUS – IN WHAT WAY, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK INFORMED THIS? HC: I think because I wrote the lyrics on a few of the tunes and, again, not using samples as the dominant melody, but writing it myself - that makes it more personal. And I feel that the album works more cohesively, as a selfcontained piece from beginning to end. Much more so than the last ones. MMP: THE LP’S LITTERED WITH COLLABORATIONS, INCLUDING TIESTO AND UNDERWORLD ON THE FIRST NOTE IS SILENT. WHAT LED TO THAT PARTICULAR HOOK-UP? HC: I’ve worked with Underworld on their last album and we came from the same place intellectually and artistically. It was just a natural fit for us. And with Tiesto, I did a remix for him, so he returned the favour. I was really taken with the track I remixed and I wanted him to bring that to this record. Plus, the idea of working with the likes of Tiesto and Underworld who have, at least in the past, come from the world of trance, the opposite of drum ‘n’ bass, really appeals to me. I enjoy that kind of challenge and being contrary.

Words by: Matt Pasternakiewicz Photography: Andrew J Attah

MMP: WHAT ARE THE IDEA FOR THE VISUALS BEHIND THE FIRST NOTE IS SILENT’S VIDEO? HC: The track title is referring to how every piece of music, ultimately, is interrupting the silence that precedes it. I thought it would be a good idea to make a video that expresses that kind of unifying, almost Zen-like concept. Also, with Karl’s lyrics being semiabstract and stream-of-consciousness, that also seemed to fit in with a video made up of lots of linked but disparate elements. MMP: AND WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE FOLLOW-UP, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY? HC: Yeah, that’s coming out in February. I’m just finishing the music video at the moment - it’s kind of a sequel to the last one. Because it’s agony and ecstasy, I’ve made it a splitscreen video with one side agony and the other ecstasy in a load of different incarnations. MMP: HOW HAS YOUR LOVE FOR MOVING PICTURES INFLUENCED YOUR WORK AS A PRODUCER? HC: Very much so. I’ve been making short films since I was about 11 and studied film at university. So, I think it’s always informed my music and my intent is to blend the two even more. Kubrick is my all time favourite. But I’ve got very broad taste. I love Hitchcock and Spielberg. And then at the deeper end of the spectrum Terence Malick and Andrei Tarkovsky. MMP: TELL US ABOUT THE PLANS TO TAKE THE LP OUT ON THE ROAD... HC: There’s a tour with lots of UK and European shows, and then there’s a three week American tour covering Miami, SXSW in Austin and some big events across there and Canada. And I’m also looking at some more special shows where I’m planning to mix visuals alongside the music. Plus, the album launch in Cardiff on March 3rd will be extra special.

MMP: HAVING TOURED THE WORLD AS A SUPERSTAR DJ, WHERE HAVE YOU FOUND THE MOST APPRECIATIVE CROWDS? HC: I’m really thankful that the shows are great pretty much everywhere. The UK crowds are totally up for it and very appreciative. In Eastern Europe, places like Czech Republic and Poland, people are super into my sound and Hospital generally. And then, further afield, places like Tokyo go crazy for it too. MMP: HAVE YOU SEEN ANY CHANGES IN THE AUDIENCE OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS? HC: Yeah, there is a change definitely. It’s been a broadening of the crowd. In the early days there were people who were just into drum ‘n’ bass and would be trainspotting the tunes, whereas now there’s been an explosion of dance music and loads of different styles. So audiences now may well be into drum ‘n’ bass but they may well be into dubstep, or into house, or whatever. I think the crowds are a lot more open. MMP: WHERE DO YOU STAND IN THE DEBATE OVER VINYL AND DIGITAL DJ’ING? WHAT ARE YOUR PREFERENCES? HC: There’s pros and cons with whatever format you use. As much as a love vinyl as an object, you’ve really got to go with what you’re happy with. I think we need to move on from being so caught up on the medium, and focus on the experience of the crowd. I used to use vinyl but, for me, it basically became untenable because of so many technical problems at venues these days. Because so few people use vinyl, they’re often not set up properly or don’t have needles or aren’t set up properly. And younger people in the audience aren’t really prepared to accept it’s the vinyl that’s skipping or the equipment, they think it’s you. So I started using CDs and now I’m looking at options for laptop DJing with an eye on incorporating visual elements at the same time.

hospitalrecords.com myspace.com/highcontrastuk

MMP: FINALLY, AT MMP WE GET A LOT OF BUDDING PRODUCERS SENDING THEIR TRACKS IN FOR REVIEW, WHAT ONE PIECE OF PRODUCTION ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PRODUCERS HOPING TO TAKE THEIR TRACKS TO THE NEXT LEVEL? HC: The most important element is making sure your monitors are of a high standard, and that the room you’re in is set up correctly, acoustically. You can play tracks by other people on there and see how they sound, and check that there’s not too much bassy boom. You need to get to the point where you know the sound of the room, so you can get that extra clarity and definition to your mixing. If you’ve got an unrealistic depiction of what you’re making as you’re making it, that will mess up the track. High Contrast launches The Agony & The Escstasy in Cardiff on March 3rd with an in-store appearance at Catapult, before taking on The Great Hall in the Student’s Union later in the evening.

Words by: Simon M. Read

08| EXPOSURE | EXPOSUREFEATURE FEATURE 08

THE ASH & THE OAK Forming initially in 2006 as a musical offshoot from the husband and wife relationship between Simon and Rachael Leighfield, before more recently expanding to a three, then a five-piece, The Ash & The Oak’s debut eponymous LP left many lips dripping with critical drool including the likes of BBC Radio Wales, Radio 1 and Radio 6 all requesting sessions or airplay. Indeed, Cerys Matthews herself is reported to be an eager fan. Three years in the making, follow-up Searching For The Soft Rays emerged in November 2011 prompting us all to re-ignite our passion for the indie-folk-pop firebrands.

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

Tracks such as Everyone Says, free download this month War Wounds, and Quadrology suggested that the time taken to incorporate a diverse compositional palette of piano, autoharp, melodica, bass, percussion, guitar and, on occasion, kazoo, was well spent. Stylistically, the ambience is of X/O and Figure 8 Elliott Smith; lovelorn but inspired, melodic but unconventionally so. On occasion, there are misty echoes of sun-drenched Mercury Rev circa 1998 as well as more distant masters of harmony Love and The Beach Boys. It rarely, if ever, dips below beautiful in the spectrum of brilliance. The Ash & The Oak’s back catalogue, over the course of two albums, now burgeons with richness and textures that place them in line with all of the forebearers previously mentioned. The real test for them now is to capitalise with more persistent touring and the development of the serious fanbase this type of music has previously lured. That said, even though the band confess themselves to be shy, it’s hard not to be impressed by The Ash & The Oak’s list of live support slots: The Antlers, Papercuts, Richard James, Blitzen Trapper and more. Tackling the fans of these bruised songwriters is an assured step, the next level will be standing alone and headlining. With output this promising, let’s face it, it’s where they deserve to be. The Ash & The Oak are signed to Countrymile Records, more detail on their work can be found at their various websites:

facebook.com/theashandtheoak theashandtheoak.wordpress.com

The earnest figure cut by Phillip Nolan as he renounces his US citizenship under trial of treason, is symbolic not just for its wider countercultural position but also for the defiance in standing for an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights.

manwithoutcountry.com

Words by Matthew Pasternakiewicz

010 | EXPOSURE FEATURE

Words by: Joe O’Connell Photography: Simon Ayre

TOTEM TERRORS Drawing attention to your musical creations can be hard work. Sometimes it feels like every man, woman and child is making music, and you have to put a lot of effort into standing out from the clamour of sounds. As such the name of your project is rather important, and when your band is called Joy of Sex – which, while a great name, is not the most spam-friendly – getting noticed can become rather difficult, especially on the not exactly wholesome World Wide Web. Coming across the decades old self-help manual is probably the least of your worries when typing the ‘s’ word into your search engine. Now known as Totem Terrors, Max Hicks and Rosie Smith have left their contentious name behind them, with hopes of reaching new ears. That’s not to say that Joy of Sex struggled to get themselves heard: they self-released an EP in 2008, and had a split single (with kindred spirits Gindrinker) put out by I Blame The Parents Records, from which their song ‘Red Rocket’ reached number 12 in 2010’s official Peel Festive Fifty. As Totem Terrors, Max and Rosie should continue this success: it’s the same two people (with various drummers occasionally roped in for gigs) playing the same angular post-punk racket. Countering Rosie’s more melodic singing style, Max’s vocal delivery calls to mind anti-establishment icon Mark

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

E. Smith on recent free single Rocket Boy (available, along with several others, from their Bandcamp page), which is powered by fuzzy drum machine beats, clanking bass and shards of cold electric guitar. Where Rocket Boy has a dark and foreboding quality, Tom Robinson favourite 142083 (Trains) is playful and smile-inducing, along the lines of very early Pavement. Indeed many of Totem Terrors’ songs would fit in well on Westing (by Mustang and Sextant). This year looks to be another productive one for the duo. Alongside the contribution of a track to an Audio Anti-Hero charity compilation (in aid of the sudden infant death charity Babes in Arms), 28th February sees the release of a new single – Brilliance Of The Seas – as part of the Deathbomb Arc singles club. For a $10 subscription the LA-based label (run by Foot Village member Brian Miller) will email you at least two two-track singles each month by acts such as the lo-fi rock legend R Stevie Moore and Canadian noise-rockers AIDS Wolf. With such esteemed company, Totem Terrors should find themselves a new, less sex-obsessed audience.

Wales’s very own state-of-the-art mastering studio

Introducing Hafod’s hot new mastering engineer... Welcome aboard Gethin John!

Gethin’s special offer: £30 a track during February.

012 | INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Follow @diverserecords on Twitter or check www.diverserecords.com to keep up to date.

DIVERSE’S MATT JARRETT

The ‘Diverse’ empire began its life as Diverse Music in 1988 as an independent record store in Newport. It has since sprouted two more heads in the forms of Diverse Vinyl, their online record store, and the vinyl-only independent record label, Diverse Records. Rather than specialising in one genre of music, Diverse lives up to its name by producing a wide selection of albums, in many musical styles, never before released in the vinyl format. The MMP caught up with Diverse’s Matt Jarrett to relentlessly quiz him...

MMP: HOW IN THE NAME OF THE LATE PAT BUTCHER ARE YOU? MATT: Busy! Record Store Day on the horizon and plenty of releases scheduled for the label. MMP: THE LABEL APPEARS TO BE GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, WHAT STARTED THE WHOLE JOURNEY OFF FOR YOU? MATT: Yeah, we’re going well. John (who used to own the shop) sold us the label in 2008. At the time it was releasing 2 LPs a year and focusing on the hifi crowd. We’ve brought it a bit more up to date without losing any of the sound quality. We put out 8 records last year, it already looks like being more than that this year!

MMP: WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO BUY MUSIC ON VINYL RATHER THAN ELECTRONICALLY OR OTHER FORMATS? MATT: Firstly, it sounds better, if you dispute that, you’re mad. Secondly, there will always be collectors. More and more LPs are coming with download codes now so you don’t have to burn your CD to your computer to listen to the album on your ipod while on the train, you can buy a record, look cool and have a format that sounds great in the house and a convenient format for everyday life. Thirdly, you can get a really good turntable for £200 these days. Come and ask us, we’ll sell you one.

MMP: SALES OF VINYL SAW A HUGE SURGE LAST YEAR - ARE YOU RICH BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS NOW? MATT: Sadly not. I don’t even have a speedboat. We’re so glad that vinyl has made a bit of a comeback but we haven’t benefitted hugely as we’ve always specialized in vinyl. It’s the shops that stopped selling it that now realise there’s money to be made. Unfortunately, the shops that stuck by it have probably suffered due to there being a lesser share of the vinyl pie.

MMP: HOW ARE YOU NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL AGE AS A STORE AND A LABEL? MATT: Ummm, difficult one. As a shop, we rely heavily on our sister mail order company, Diverse Vinyl, to stay alive. That’s the secret, diversify. As a label, we can’t always include a download of the album due to licensing issues but we try to include something extra where possible, whether it be a download of a live album or in the case of Richmond Fontaine’s Post To Wire, a bonus 7” of 2 unreleased songs.

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

MMP: HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THE MUSIC SCENE IN NEWPORT THESE DAYS? MATT: Hopefully it’s now hit rock bottom and will rise from the ashes. The closure of TJs was a big blow as, quite simply, bands need venues to play in. Le Pub is still there and is great for 100 capacity gigs but Newport is losing out on bigger gigs. On the bright side, local bands like Science Bastard, Dirty Goods, The Lash and 2 Rude are filling places when they play. MMP: WHAT RECORD HAVE YOU HAD ON THE SHELF LONGEST AND WHY HASN’T IT SOLD? MATT: Great question! It’s probably something we all really liked and overordered assuming the public shared our taste! This seems to happen with Soulsavers LPs but we eventually sell them through a combination of enthusiasm and willpower! There is a CD we have by a band called Anal that everyone refuses to throw away despite us having no idea where the cover is. It’s been here since 1995. MMP: WHAT RELEASE PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR? MATT: Set in stone, Danny & The Champions Of The World, Richmond Fontaine (both of which should be out by end of Feb), The Webb Sisters and Cowboy Junkies. We’ll see what else the god of licensing throws our way. There’s a few irons in the fire. FMD

THE METHOD & ART GALLERY CLOTHING & SEE MONKEY DO MONKEY PRESENT

SINGLE (7” VINYL) LAUNCH PARTY

[DJs]

Lewis Little Barrie

ALEX BANKS ART GALLERY

FREE ENTRY !!

FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY | GWDIHW CAFE BAR

GUILDFORD CRESCENT, CARDIFF . DOORS: 9PM TIL LATE . FREE ENTRY THEMETHOD.EU | ARTGALLERYCLOTHING.CO.UK | SEEMONKEYDOMONKEY.COM

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

EVENT LISTINGS LIVE EVENTS

Wed 1st February Opera: Figaro Unleashed! @ RWCMD, 1:30pm, £6, £5 concessions * Breathtaking arias from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro

GIGS OF THE MONTH

FROMAGE EN FEU @ GWDIHW

3 FEB

Peches Mignon spoil us once more with these jacked up gypsies who are causing a stir everywhere they god damn go. A tightly stuffed dairy parcel containing klezmer, Balkan brass, beats, jerks and whimsy. If you’re asking, we’re dancing. You’re asking? We’re dancing.

Tony Morley Duo @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Tony Morley duo serenade all at the Live Lounge this afternoon, get yourselves down for some great tunes! Rob Cross Duo @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * As if it weren’t difficult enough to focus with just Rob on stage, now there’s a lovely someone joining him every Wednesday. Thin Lizzy @ St David’s Hall, 7:00pm, £27.50 * The boys are back in town, call it classic, call it old, Thin Lizzy are rock historians wet dream. Argent @ The Glee Club, 7:30pm, £18 * Reformed ‘Hold your head up’ retro rockers back after 24 years. Olly Murs @ Motorpoint Arena, 7:30pm, £34.00 * X-factor runner-up turned presenter is back on his biggest tour to date. Open Mic w/ Singing Huw @ NosDa, 7:30pm, * Bring your instruments, brandish your vocal chords for all to worship at this lovely open mic. Oxfam fundraiser; Brigyn / Little Arrow / Ellie Makes Music @ 10 Feet Tall, 7:30pm, £5 * Folk, 20th century classical tradition and tape loops, mashed together for the greater good. Cal Newman @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, FREE * Cardiff’s favourite smokey voiced blues man, entertains with his versions of blues, ragtime and slide guitar classics. Elephant And Soldier @ Cardiff Arts Institute, 8:00pm, * Elephant & Soldier is Sam Goudie supported by a developing collection of musicians and friends. Influences come in the form of greats such

Bon Iver, Ray LaMontagne, Fionn Regan, The National, Damien Rice, Conor Oberst, Iron & Wine Oxjam Fundraiser - Live Acts & DJ’s @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * All acts to be arranged, but you can bet your bottom dollar it will be ace. Tom Lewis @ O’Neills (Trinity St), 8:00pm, * Acoustic night Tom Lucas’ Open Mic @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * Rest your weary head young soldier, it’s time, it’s time… time to dust that old axe off and terrorize the unassuming wednesday night crowd. Open Mic Night @ The North Star, 8:30pm, * Tom Lucas / Anthony Lee alternate in hosting this lovely event. The JimJam Band Open Mic @ The Traders Tavern, 8:30pm, * Weekly live music session hosted by the JimJam band – Open Mic for bands and Solo Artists Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week Face Value @ Live Lounge, 1:23pm, FREE * Covers and hard-rock from wonderful entertainers and showmen. Thu 2nd February Sion Russell Jones @ Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE * Wait! Stop! Ever exceptional, musicians musician is strumming lightly over your lunch hour. Tony Morley @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Come enjoy the great Tony’s Thursday set at the Live Lounge! La Dispute @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £8.50 * legendary high octane posthardcore from Michigan. La Dispute / Former Thieves & Special Guests @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, * A couple of cracking acts for your listening pleasure Live Music at The Taff @ The Taf, SU, 7:00pm, * Free live music every Thursday! No Sweat @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, * The best in acoustic / folk / americana every Thursday at The Full Moon No Sweat; Nic Thomas @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, FREE * An acoustic wonderland of precocious talent, help Thomas celebrate the launch of his Sha La La E.P. The Devil Wears Prada & Special Guests @ The Great Hall 2, 7:00pm, * American metalcore band from dayton, Ohio, hera in Cardiff for your listening pleasure The JimJam Open Sessions @ The Claude, 7:00pm, * A great night of tunes!

Olly Murs @ Motorpoint Arena, 7:30pm, £34.00 * All singing, all dancing ‘Please don’t let me go’ star’s last night in the CIA. Brigitte Beraha Trio @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £6, £5 concessions * Supurb Jazz vocalist makes her way to Cardiff via Milan and Monaco.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

THE LAMBRETTAS @ THE GLOBE

3 FEB

Classic Mod revivalist band coming to rock your socks off at The Globe. Bring your skinny jeans and fanciest haircuts for a retro-style bop to these fab fellas coming ‘atcha direct from the actual seventies. Freshly reformed and on you frickin’ doorstep. Feedback - Open Mic @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, * Live recording, new players / singers always welcome Leighton Jones @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * A true gentleman, acoustic, song-master general. Always a pleasure and never a chore, the one, the only… We’re No Heroes @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, FREE * After being playlisted in Topshop, this is your chance to catch Cardiff’s post-punk pin-ups before they explode. Towns @ 10 Feet Tall, 9:30pm, £3 * Fuzzy, baggy, 90′s indie from WesternSuper-Mare. For lovers of Ten Foot Dolls. Fri 3rd February Live Music presented by Gigantic @ The Full Moon, 5:00pm, * Joinus after work for some fantastic live music in a chilled outatmosphere. DJ’s til late Jazz Time @ RWCMD, 5:30pm, * Every Friday start your weekend listening to the brightest jazz talent in the country. Smokin’ Aces @ Peppermint, 6:00pm, FREE * Traditional card playing covers, from female fronted fire-starters. Buffalo and Barely Regal present; Run, Walk! / No Coast @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £4 * Insane hardcore from a bass and drum wielding duo. Not to be missed.

Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £4 * Pendulum influenced drum and bass infused synth-pop from local Cardiffians. The Lambrettas @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £8 * Beat boys of the Jet age grace the Globe with Mod revivalist swagger. Open Mic and Acousti-Oke @ The Flora, 8:00pm, FREE * Dust of those those star spangled spectacles and rock the right away. Show In The City - Cabaret @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, FREE * Have fun every Friday Night with the WOW Showgirls Miss Kitty, Marcia, Donna Marie, Fanny Dazzle & Bella Endez. Sicknote Steve Band @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * The canton space project bring us a wallaby racket, from bluesy, rootsy steve. The Tony Breen Band & Guests @ Bubba’s Place, 8:00pm, * Country/ Blues/Jazz with The Tony Breen Band Chris Kelly @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Light entertainment from the master of acoustica. Fromage en Feu @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3 * Quintessential, fiery six piece Gypsy band from Bristol, with Balkan floor fillers. Hideaway Trio @ Cafe Jazz, 9:00pm, £4 * Three piece Blues / Rock from deepest South Wales. Seratones @ The Vulcan Lounge, 9:00pm, FREE * As sweet as chocolate and entertaining as punch, live music at The Vulcan Sat 4th February Levitation Festival; Broken Nose / Rogora Khart + more @ The Moon, 6:00pm, £7 * Feel-good, energetic, skapunk, designed to bounce those floorboards. Live music and DJ’s @ The Flora, 7:00pm, FREE * The best of the 80′s, 90′s and today. Live at the Flora. Inconsiderate Parking / Jamie Bevan a’r Gweddillion / Alun Battrick @ Rockin Chair, 7:30pm, FREE * A night of alternative folk, in welcoming surroundings. The Happenin @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £5 * late 80′s Rawk in it’s purest form, balls out, heads down. The Johann Strauss Gala @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £15 - £29.50 * Waltz back in time to the glittering ballrooms of 19th Century Vienna with an enchanting mix of music, song and dance.

CrossWire launch; The Red Age and Ocean Red @ The Moon, 7:00pm, FREE * The launch of a new indie night, is brought to you by the colour red.

UK Guns ‘N’ Roses @ The Gate, 7:30pm, £15 * Welcome to the jungle, sweet child of mine. Bring your umbrella for the cold November rain… Just like the real thing… only punctual.

Echo Lounge @ Clwb

Leighton Jones @ The

Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Acoustic song-star and siren on the rocks, lulls us all to drunkenness. Live Music Friday’s @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * Prepare to be entertained by the cream of Cardiff, in a warm and central environment. Hip route Jim and General Jumbo @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE * Slippery slide guitar from the gutter with support from folk rock staples. Sesh @ Nos Da @ NosDa, 8:30pm, * Live music every saturday at Nos Da, the acts will vary but the promise of a good night remains! Chris Somerill @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Constantly enthustiasic singer-songwriting from the main man of melody. Juju Nations Presents; Baajo @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3 * Ghanaian master drummers and funky groovers, the vastly popular Juju nations presents… is not to be missed. Special Collective @ Pen and Wig, 9:30pm, FREE * Pen and Wig live Saturday’s continue with the soothing yet mysterious Special Collective. Sun 5th February Tony Morley @ Live Lounge, 12:00pm, * The lovely Tony Morley serenades all during this Sunday lunch session. Thoby Davies @ The North Star, 2:00pm, FREE * Shapeshifting chameleon-esq folk, loop pedals and clever arrangements from a Cardiff institution. Open Mic Afternoon w/ John Godwin @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * John’s great vocals and floods of charm should entice the best to the open mic at the Lounge this afternoon. Marie @ Live Lounge, 6:30pm, * The beautiful, charming Marie is set to wow all at the Live Lounge today! Alesana @ CF10, SU, 7:00pm, £13 * Grab a friend, grab your dagger, and get your asses out to see Epitaph’s new torchbearers. Alesana / We Came As Romans / Iwrestledabearonce / Glamour Of The Kill @ CF10, SU, 7:00pm, * A night of American rock for your pleasure Reel Big Fish / Orange / The JB Conspiricy @ Solus, 7:00pm, * A trio of fabulous acts to entertain you S & M @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:00pm, * Live music every Sunday Open Mic featuring Nia Roberts @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, FREE * Bring your weapon and unleash hell upon the faithful. Paul Kelly / Emily Barker @ 10 Feet Tall, 7:30pm, * Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player Straight No Chaser @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £19.50 * Reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape. Sunday Sicknote & Acoustic Open Mic @ Buffalo Bar,

7:30pm, FREE * Buffalo Acoustic Open Mic Night (new performers welcome, sign up from 7.30pm) & Sunday Sicknote DJ’s playing indie, alt classics, rock, pop & folk Swn presents; Paul Kelly / Emily Barker / Joshua Caole. @ 10 Feet Tall, 7:30pm, £12 * One of the finest singer-songwriters to have ever lived according to Rolling Stone. The Smiths Indeed @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £12 * The Uk’s premier Smiths tribute are back! Last time round they sold the Globe out. Upset the Rhythm Tour; Gentle Friendly / Way Through / Peepholes @ Undertone, 7:30pm, £6, £5 adv * Innovative, hypnotic, synth-pop from hard-working Londonites. Colum Regan @ Live Lounge, 8:00pm, * The great Colum Regan dazzles all at the Lounge tonight with his diverse repertoir and exciting delivery. The Neat / Shooting the Moon / Dancers @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £6, £5 adv * Straight from the fiery furnaces of hull, up-beat post-punk with all the attitude of a B52. The Tony Breen Band & Guests @ Bubba’s Place, 8:00pm, * Country/ Blues/Jazz with The Tony Breen Band Mon 6th February Smoking Aces Duo @ Live Lounge, 12:00pm, * This lovely pair will get your toes a-tappin’ during this lunchtime set at the Lounge. Lunchtime Concert - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama @ St David’s Hall, 1:00pm, FREE * David Doidge showcases Shostakovich’s sparkling keyboard writing in this Piano Concerto written for the composer’s son Honey Fungus @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * This fantastic duo will dazzle all with their tight-as-Steptoe harmonies and wonderful.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

HYRO DA HERO @ CLWB IFOR BACH,

7 FEB

Massive show from Houston-based, LA-based hip-hop enigma Hyro Da Hero. Expect rock ‘n’ roll antics, classy spitting and some mega-fine hip-shakin beats. Local wildchilds Astroid Boys take the flanks too which basically means it’ll be a flippin’ riot.

016 LIVE MUSIC MAP 01 Clwb Ifor Bach

LIVE MUSIC MAP

02 Gate Theatre 04 10 Feet Tall | Undertone 05 Buffalo 06 The Coal Exchange 07 O’Neills (Little) 08 Kama Lounge

27 39

09 The Globe 10 O’ Neills (Big) 11 Shot in the Dark

13 Students Union 14 Tommy’s Bar 15 The Promised Land 16 Koko Gorilaz

13 21

17 Gwidihw

19 Owain Glyndwr 20 The Bunk House

BUTE PARK

21 Cardiff Arts Institute

22 The Vulcan Lounge

18 24

18 Dempsey’s

24 Nos Da

19 07

25 The North Star

26 Cafe Jazz 27 The Pot

26 28 10

36 33

23 St David’s Hall

28 Rococo 30 Funky Buddha 31 Bar 147 32 The Live Lounge 33 Mocka | Peppermint 34 Pen and Wig 35 The Claude 36 Cardiff Central Library

Don’t see your venue listed? Contact Us info@themmp.tv

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

37 Motorpoint Arena 38 The Old Library 39 The Yard 40 GH2

Open Mic @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:30pm, * Open mic for all to enjoy at O’Neill’s. Attention Thieves @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £4 * With over 2000 ‘likes’ on facebook, what’s not to enjoy from MTV generation pop-punkers. Contagious; Open Mic @ Pen and Wig, 8:30pm, FREE * Dust off that ol’ axe and polish those forgotten favorites, no-one can stop you. The Welsh Traditional Sessions @ The Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, FREE * Hear, sing and play traditional Welsh tunes in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Weekly Welsh Traditional Session @ The Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, * Come and hear, sing and play Welsh tunes in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Honey Fungus Band @ Live Lounge, 10:00pm, * By day, merely Honey Fungus, but come nightfall they mutate into the devastatingly amazing Honey Fungus Band. Tue 7th February Sion Russell Jones @ Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE * His track was on the Eastenders, yours was c-listed for Crossroads. Catrin Finch Masterclass @ RWCMD, 2:30pm, £6, £5 concessions * Catrin coaches young harpists Bach, Scarlatti, Mathias and Houdy. Rob Cross @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Rob Cross is so good, you come dangerously close to adopting him every Tuesday at his great Live Lounge sessions.

Open Mic @ The Old Library, 8:00pm, * With the amount of talent wishing to perform we suggest that you get your name down soon! Ron King’s Band @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4 * Goodtime jazz and swing in a friendly cafe atmosphere. Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week Face Value @ Live Lounge, 10:00pm, * We all wish we could sleep with at least one Face Value member per day. For now, make do with this L.L residency. Wed 8th February Anthony Lee Wickham’s Open Mic @ The North Star, 8:30am, FREE * A crowd gathered, silence fell, you took the stage. TRIUMPH!! come along and sing a song, all welcome. Piano: The virtuoso pianist from Chopin to Debussy @ RWCMD, 1:15pm, £6, £5 concessions * The greatest young pianists in Wales perform a sequence of 19th and 20th century compositions. Tony Morley Duo @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Tony Morley duo serenade all at the Live Lounge this afternoon, get yourselves down for some great tunes! Rob Cross Duo @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * As if it weren’t difficult enough to focus with just Rob on stage, now there’s a lovely someone joining him every Wednesday. Terra Naomi @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £9 / £7 adv * Youtube songbird captivates our capital on a rare UK tour.

Hyro Da Hero / Astroid Boys @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £8.50 * Hip-hop like you have never heard it, with support from local zoologists.

Open Mic w/ Singing Huw @ NosDa, 7:30pm, * Bring your instruments, brandish your vocal chords for all to worship at this lovely open mic.

Smokin Aces @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:00pm, * Smokin Aces do their thing every Tuesday!

Atrium Presents... @ Cardiff Arts Institute, 8:00pm, * Local students given the opportunity to showcase their talents in this acoustic mash-up. With a wide selection of music to match any mood!

The Treatment @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £7 * Rescheduled rockers turn amps up to eleven and ruffle the feathers of normality. City of London Sinfonia @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £10.50 - £33.50 * Scott of The Antarctic Centenary Concert. Here the original film music is heard alongside Vaughan Williams’s Symphony No 7 Antarctica. Hyro Da Hero / Astroid Boys / Marmozets @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, * Quality sounds – don’t miss this Open Mic w/Rob Cross @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:30pm, FREE * A friendly evening of open mic unpredictabilty, get a drink in ya and get on stage.

Ifor Bach Presents; Al Lewis / Gildas / Greta Isaac / Kevin @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £4 * Welsh music prize nominee Al Lewis, presents sullen folk from 2011′s ‘In the wake’. Jazz Attic @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, FREE * the chance for all budding musicians to ‘sit in’ with the talented house trio. All instruments and singers are welcome. Swn presents; Thomas Truax / Inconsiderate Parking / Alan Coles @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £6 * The circus is in town with

Truax; crackpot inventor of macabre, quirky, musical instruments. Tom Lewis @ O’Neills (Trinity St), 8:00pm, * Acoustic night Open Mic Night @ The North Star, 8:30pm, * Tom Lucas / Anthony Lee alternate in hosting this lovely event. The JimJam Band Open Mic @ The Traders Tavern, 8:30pm, * Weekly live music session hosted by the JimJam band – Open Mic for bands and Solo Artists Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week Live Wire @ Live Lounge, 10:00pm, * The excellent Livewire tear it up at the Live Lounge tonight. Thu 9th February Sion Russell Jones @ Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE * Wait! Stop! Ever exceptional, musicians musician is strumming lightly over your lunch hour. Tony Morley @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Come enjoy the great Tony’s Thursday set at the Live Lounge! Live Music at The Taff @ The Taf, SU, 7:00pm, * Free live music every Thursday! No Sweat @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, * The best in acoustic / folk / americana every Thursday at The Full Moon Tair @ The Norwegian Church, 7:00pm, £7.50 * Three fine traditional Celtic singers illuminate Cardiff Bay.

by Gigantic @ The Full Moon, 5:00pm, FREE * Join Gigantic after work for fantastic live music in a chilled out atmosphere. Jazz Time @ RWCMD, 5:30pm, * Every Friday start your weekend listening to the brightest jazz talent in the country. Tom Lucas @ Peppermint, 6:00pm, FREE * Twilight delight in the form of a confident and entertaining singer-songwriter. Ram’s Pocket Radio @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £5, £4 adv * … at least that’s what Peter Macauley said he was looking for. Extremely talented, soaring, piano based indie. BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Sibelian Landscapes @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £10 - £26 * Sibelieus’ most elemental works performed, horror and harrowing landscapes woven into a tapestry of the macabre . John Holt @ The Great Hall, 7:30pm, £29 * Sometimes there just are no words.. Reggae legend braves the high tide and sticks one in the pocket. Collisions: Empirical @ RWCMD, 8:00pm, £12, £10 concessions * Unique Jazz from Britain’s coolest young four-piece. Empirical @ RWCMD, 8:00pm, * Empirical should really need no introduction, the project of four young, British Jazz musicians, who aim to expand on the traditions of Jazz, their unique music manages to be both timeless and totally now, inside and out.

The JimJam Open Sessions @ The Claude, 7:00pm, * A great night of tunes!

Open Mic and Acousti-Oke @ The Flora, 8:00pm, FREE * Dust of those those star spangled spectacles and rock the right away.

Feedback - Open Mic @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, * Live recording, new players / singers always welcome

Robbie Price @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Versatile folk-star projects his sought after lungs and enviable beard.

Leighton Jones @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * A true gentleman, acoustic, song-master general. Always a pleasure and never a chore, the one, the only…

Salvation with Adam Jenkins & The Fflip-Fflops @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * Lively entertainment at The Yard, only Adam Jenkins offers salvation.

Partikel Trio @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £6, £5 concessions * African and Latin American music combined with the sound of contemporary New York jazz.

Show In The City - Cabaret @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, FREE * Have fun every Friday Night with the WOW Showgirls Miss Kitty, Marcia, Donna Marie, Fanny Dazzle & Bella Endez.

On the rocks present; The Kabeedies @ 10 Feet Tall, 9:00pm, £3 * Eclectic twee, afro-pop, geared for the candy cane rain season. Fri 10th February Live Music presented by Gigantic @ The Full Moon, 5:00pm, * Joinus after work for some fantastic live music in a chilled outatmosphere. DJ’s til late Live music presented

The Tony Breen Band & Guests @ Bubba’s Place, 8:00pm, * Country/ Blues/Jazz with The Tony Breen Band Bespoke Acoustic Duo @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Custom-made couple armed only with guitars and mouths. The Fugitives @ Cafe Jazz, 9:00pm, £4 * One of

Cardiff’s finest R&B bands this five piece will definitely have you up and dancing, good time guaranteed. The Method; 7” Single Launch @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, FREE * Perennial live favorites celebrate single launch in collaboration with Art Gallery clothing. Sat 11th February Live music and DJ’s @ The Flora, 7:00pm, FREE * The best of the 80′s, 90′s and today. Live at the Flora. Supergene / Nirhoda @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £4 * Irresistible electronic infused power-pop, prepare to jangle. Kerrang! Tour Sponsored By Relentless Energy Drink; New Found Glory / Sum 41 / Letlive/ While She Sleeps @ The Great Hall, 7:30pm, SOLD OUT * The bitterness is still palpable from the class of 94′, having never ‘made-out’ with the prom queen. Red Priest @ RWCMD, 7:30pm, £12, £10 concessions * Spring in Venice present extraordinary, theatrical, baroque, chamber music. Live Music Friday’s @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * Prepare to be entertained by the cream of Cardiff, in a warm and central environment. Plant Duw @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 8:00pm, £5 * Welsh language motown with an irresistible punk influence. Salvation Duo @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Stripped down salvation, for convenience with only half the damnation. Starving Artists; Dead Residents / The Word Virus Essay @ The Moon, 8:00pm, £Tbc * Local hip-hop troupe with support from live trip-hop, liquid D’n’B stalwarts. Ruby Party @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE * From the sidewalks of Cardiff, pure, unadulterated Welsh Rock. Sesh @ Nos Da @ NosDa, 8:30pm, * Live music every saturday at Nos Da, the acts will vary but the promise of a good night remains! Mise En Bouche Presents; Kinny @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3 * Deep, soul-ridden funk personality pouring out into the airwaves. Under the Driftwood Tree @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Versatile beach-folk, relaxed tones and twists from these windswept wonders. Random Elbow Pain @ Pen and Wig, 9:30pm, FREE * Sublime ska-punk from groovy, bad mannered, vagrants. Sun 12th February Tony Morley @ Live Lounge, 12:00pm, *

The lovely Tony Morley serenades all during this Sunday lunch session. Open Mic Afternoon w/ John Godwin @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * John’s great vocals and floods of charm should entice the best to the open mic at the Lounge this afternoon. Hillbilly Moon Explosion @ Bogiez, 6:00pm, £10 * A special rockabilly Sunday. Boy, im’a gonna get me some of that, YEEEHAA!!! Marie @ Live Lounge, 6:30pm, * The beautiful, charming Marie is set to wow all at the Live Lounge today! Live And Unsigned Auditions @ The Coal Exchange, 7:00pm, £tbc * Local bands battle it out for the chance to play London’s O2 arena. S & M @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:00pm, * Live music every Sunday Sunday Sicknote & Acoustic Open Mic @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, FREE * Buffalo Acoustic Open Mic Night (new performers welcome, sign up from 7.30pm) & Sunday Sicknote DJ’s playing indie, alt classics, rock, pop & folk Anthony Lee Wickham’s Open Mic @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Dig out Cardiff’s grassroots talent, open mic hosted by the wonderful Anthony Wickham. Colum Regan @ Live Lounge, 8:00pm, * The great Colum Regan dazzles all at the Lounge tonight with his diverse repertoir and exciting delivery. The Tony Breen Band & Guests @ Bubba’s Place, 8:00pm, * Country/ Blues/Jazz with The Tony Breen Band Jazmine Power @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Voice like a summer’s breeze, injecting sunshine into our little lives whilst pearly frost settles outside. Mon 13th February Smoking Aces Duo @ Live Lounge, 12:00pm, * This lovely pair will get your toes a-tappin’ during this lunchtime set at the Lounge. Honey Fungus @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * This fantastic duo will dazzle all with their tight-as-Steptoe harmonies and wonderful charm. Errors @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, * Don’t make the mistake of missing these guys. Errors @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £9 * Scottish, progressive, electro, postrockers guarantee a very lively night.

018 | LISTINGS LIVE EVENTS Errors / Remember Remember @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, * Errors are a four piece “post-electro” band from Glasgow. Open Mic @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:30pm, * Open mic for all to enjoy at O’Neill’s. A New Old-Fahioned Jazz Band @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £3, £2.50 concessions * Classic Jazz and Swing, light-hearted songs, and original writing, in the style of 1930′s New York. Music Geek Monthly @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, * your chance to see ace music related films. So In Love With Uke @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, FREE * Cardiff Ukulele Cabaret present songs of love and lore for Valentines. Zuzu @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £4 * Mysterious, guitar based guru’s take on the capital. Contagious; Open Mic @ Pen and Wig, 8:30pm, FREE * Dust off that ol’ axe and polish those forgotten favorites, no-one can stop you. The Welsh Traditional Sessions @ The Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, FREE * Hear, sing and play traditional Welsh tunes in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Weekly Welsh Traditional Session @ The Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, * Come and hear, sing and play Welsh tunes in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Honey Fungus Band @ Live Lounge, 10:00pm, * By day, merely Honey Fungus, but come nightfall they mutate into the devastatingly amazing Honey Fungus Band. Tue 14th February Sion Russell Jones @ Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE * His track was on the Eastenders, yours was c-listed for Crossroads. Rob Cross @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Rob Cross is so good, you come dangerously close to adopting him every Tuesday at his great Live Lounge sessions. Smokin Aces @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:00pm, FREE * Smokin Aces do their thing every Tuesday! Attack! Attack! @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, * Attack! Attack! are a Welsh rock band from Caerphilly and Aberdare Attack! Attack! @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £8 * Alternative, up-tempo pop punk for those who like a harder edge. @ , 12:00am, * Open Mic @ The Old Library, 8:00pm, * With the amount of talent wishing to perform we suggest that you get your name down soon! Play Pen @ Undertone, 8:00pm, * A fundraising

event in aid of Barnardo’s with bands, DJ’s burlesque and cancan! The Wessex New Orleans Band @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4 * Old school jazz and swing, rooftops of blue and finger clicking goodness. Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week Wed 15th February Brass Band: Vienna nights @ RWCMD, 1:15pm, £6, £5 concessions * Philip Wilby compositions, performed by RWCMD Brass Band. Tony Morley Duo @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Tony Morley duo serenade all at the Live Lounge this afternoon, get yourselves down for some great tunes! Lights @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, * A Canadian Synthpop musician, here in Cardiff especially for you. Lights @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £10 * Young and talented electro sweetheart plays skittish, glitchy, dreamscapes. Rob Cross Duo @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * As if it weren’t difficult enough to focus with just Rob on stage, now there’s a lovely someone joining him every Wednesday. Open Mic w/ Singing Huw @ NosDa, 7:30pm, * Bring your instruments, brandish your vocal chords for all to worship at this lovely open mic. Jazz Attic @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, FREE * the chance for all budding musicians to ‘sit in’ with the talented house trio. All instruments and singers are welcome. Simon Munnery @ Chapter Arts Centre, 8:00pm, £10/£8/£6 * An overly ambitious one-man punk musical about the R101 airship of the 1930′s The Illuminati Funk / My Pet Monster / A-Priori @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £tbc * Grindcore for the TV generation, loud noises and frivolity from the US. Tom Lewis @ O’Neills (Trinity St), 8:00pm, * Acoustic night Tom Lucas’ Open Mic @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * Rest your weary head young soldier, it’s time, it’s time… time to dust that old axe off and terrorize the unassuming wednesday night crowd. Zoo Pop Presents.... @ Cardiff Arts Institute, 8:00pm, * Local talent with an acoustic twist from this well loved promotions team. Open Mic Night @ The North Star, 8:30pm, * Tom Lucas / Anthony Lee alternate in hosting this lovely event.

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

The JimJam Band Open Mic @ The Traders Tavern, 8:30pm, * Weekly live music session hosted by the JimJam band – Open Mic for bands and Solo Artists Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week Thu 16th February Sion Russell Jones @ Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE * Wait! Stop! Ever exceptional, musicians musician is strumming lightly over your lunch hour. Tony Morley @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Come enjoy the great Tony’s Thursday set at the Live Lounge!

GIGS OF THE MONTH

TRADICIONAL CUBANO TRIO @ RWCMD

16 FEB

Dancable Cuban style virtuosity threatens to pull you up out of your seats to get your salsa on at lunchtime. Endorsed by Cuban legends Buena Vista Social Club, this flute, bass and percussive trio is a must see, so get yourselves there. Go on! Move!. Live Music at The Taff @ The Taf, SU, 7:00pm, * Free live music every Thursday! No Sweat @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, * The best in acoustic / folk / americana every Thursday at The Full Moon

GIGS OF THE MONTH

NO SWEAT’S 2ND BIRTHDAY @ THE FULL MOON

16 FEB

Come and chill out in Cardiff’s own Full Moon bar with the laid back beats and diverse music selection of No Sweat. Free entry, with some better known names as well as the newest up-and-coming bands on the block, this marks two years in the life of what is becoming a Cardiff acoustic institution. No Sweat; Rusty Shackle / Brother Cubs @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, FREE * Join No Sweat for their 2nd Birthday celebrations, accompanied with beautiful folksy melodies. The JimJam Open Sessions @ The Claude, 7:00pm, * A great night of tunes! Centre - Line @ Cafe Jazz,

8:00pm, £6, £5 concessions * A London based quartet with a unique sound and a repertoire of original music. Dave, Dave & The Slave / Dutchess & The Devil / Tour de Josh / Angela Morgan / Das Dreambabies @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £3 * The history of music (in it’s entirety) loud noises, mucky blues, europop disco and twee.

Show In The City - Cabaret @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, FREE * Have fun every Friday Night with the WOW Showgirls Miss Kitty, Marcia, Donna Marie, Fanny Dazzle & Bella Endez. Sicknote Steve @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Murky delta Blues with an enviable voice, bring a washboard, string and bucket.

Feedback - Open Mic @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, * Live recording, new players / singers always welcome

The Tony Breen Band & Guests @ Bubba’s Place, 8:00pm, * Country/ Blues/Jazz with The Tony Breen Band

Leighton Jones @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * A true gentleman, acoustic, song-master general. Always a pleasure and never a chore, the one, the only…

Batacuda Basics @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3 * Get down for a tropical boogie in this Rio carnival special.

Preston Reed @ Chapter Arts Centre, 8:00pm, £12/£10/£8 * Inventor of an inimitable two-handed percussive playing style. One of the greatest guitarists in the world. On the rocks present; Hysterical Injury @ 10 Feet Tall, 9:00pm, £3 * A lightning bolt of noise from brother sister, drums and bass, bloody valentine cacophony. Fri 17th February Tradicional Cubano Trio @ RWCMD, 1:15pm, £7, £5 concessions * Recapture the authentic spirit of pre-war Cuban music over lunch. Live Music presented by Gigantic @ The Full Moon, 5:00pm, * Joinus after work for some fantastic live music in a chilled outatmosphere. DJ’s til late Live music presented by Gigantic @ The Full Moon, 5:00pm, FREE * Join Gigantic after work for some fantastic live music in a chilled out atmosphere. Jazz Time @ RWCMD, 5:30pm, * Every Friday start your weekend listening to the brightest jazz talent in the country. Landslides @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £4 * Valley’s rock from Blackwood is back after an extensive writing hiatus. Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £10.50 £33.50 * Brahms’s Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, performed by the world famous Russian state philharmonic. The February Evening @ Rumney Folk Club, 7:30pm, £3.50, musicians £1.50 * Friendly and slightly off-kilter open-mic night, join the menagerie for a sing-a-long. Omega 66 @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * The funkiest cats in town bring the nool and get down. Open Mic and Acousti-Oke @ The Flora, 8:00pm, FREE * Dust of those those star spangled spectacles and rock the right away.

Chris Kelly @ Peppermint, 9:00pm, FREE * Solitary tones and tales of love from acoustic man of mystery. KYMO @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Virtuoso guitarist, twiddles and twangs, while you sit open mouthed clapping like a seal. Roger Slade Bullfrogs @ Cafe Jazz, 9:00pm, £4 * This Rorry Gallagher style band is new band to the club .

GIGS OF THE MONTH

HALF-DAYER @ UNDERTONE

18 FEB

An entire half-day of ear-shredding metallic mayhem featuring such fiery names as Necrocest, Oblivionized, Merciless Precision, Hakin, Chaos Trigger, A Plague Of Deception, as well as our favourites Onanistic Anti Peristalsis and And The Machine Screamed. Mosh away soldiers. Kirsty McGee @ The Norwegian Church, 1:26pm, £8, £6 adv * Honest, delicate, and literate songwriting from a national treasure. Sat 18th February Live music and DJ’s @ The Flora, 7:00pm, FREE * The best of the 80′s, 90′s and today. Live at the Flora. Swn presents; Gauntlet Hair @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, £6 * Recent tour support for Dodo’s embark on their first cross-country headline, lo-fi, jangly, American, indie. 3 AMP @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Get over the stresses of the week, with a nice pint and some upbeat clatter. Live Music Friday’s @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * Prepare to be entertained by the cream of Cardiff, in a warm and central environment. Llwybr Llaethog @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 8:00pm, £8

* Experimental welsh language dub, rap and left wing politics make for an unmissable spectacle. Miss Maud’s Folly / Beijing Bandits @ The Moon, 8:00pm, £4 * Rustic, romantic, romani-folk from two endearing Esmarelda’s and one hell of a beautiful pianist. Greta Isaac and Huwie Price @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE * Angelic folk ballads and expertly woven folk tales from two suitcase and guitar, shining lights. Sesh @ Nos Da @ NosDa, 8:30pm, * Live music every saturday at Nos Da, the acts will vary but the promise of a good night remains! Ruby Samba @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Powerful, dramatic songs from perennial Cardiff favorite. Ruby Samba and friends @ Pen and Wig, 9:30pm, FREE * Vivacious and deadly, acoustic wonderment with silken lungs from Samba and her innocuous friends. Sun 19th February Tony Morley @ Live Lounge, 12:00pm, * The lovely Tony Morley serenades all during this Sunday lunch session. Leslie Howard @ RWCMD, 3:00pm, £12, £10 concessions * Legendary pianist renowned for exquisite Liszt recitals, performs landmarks of the romantic repertoire. Captain Accident & The Disasters - All Dayer @ The Moon, 4:00pm, £Tbc * Following his victorious Toots & The Maytals support, the captain curates… Open Mic Afternoon w/ John Godwin @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * John’s great vocals and floods of charm should entice the best to the open mic at the Lounge this afternoon. Marie @ Live Lounge, 6:30pm, * The beautiful, charming Marie is set to wow all at the Live Lounge tod NME Awards Tour 2012; Two Door Cinema Club / Metronomy / Tribes / Azealia Banks @ The Great Hall, 7:00pm, SOLD OUT * Bouncy, buffoon, ze pinnacle of indie’s young upstarts stop by for a Jam. S & M @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:00pm, * Live music every Sunday Sunday Sicknote & Acoustic Open Mic @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, FREE * Buffalo Acoustic Open Mic Night (new performers welcome, sign up from 7.30pm) & Sunday Sicknote DJ’s play ing indie, alt classics, rock, pop & folk

FEBRUARY listings

Wed Fri Sat Sun Mon Wed Fri Sat Sun Mon Wed Fri Sat Sun Mon Wed Fri Sat Sun Mon Wed

1st 3rd 4th 5th 6th 8th 10th 11th 12th 13th 15th 17th 18th 19th 20th 22nd 24th 25th 26th 30th 29th

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Tom Lucas’ Open Mic 8:30pm Chris Kelly 9pm Chris Somerill 9pm Thoby Davis 2-4pm Gruff’s Quiz 8:30pm Anthony Lee Wickham's Open Mic Bespoke Acoustic Duo Under The Driftwood Tree Jazmine Power Gruff's Quiz 8:30pm Tom Lukas' Open Mic KYMO Ruby Samba Thoby Davis Gruff's Quiz Anthony Lee Wickham's Open Mic Denuo Leighton Jones Thoby Davis Gruff's Quiz Tom Lucas’ Open Mic

Fri Sat Sun Tue Fri Sat Sun Tue Fri Sat Sun Tue Fri Sat Sun Tue

3rd 4th 5th 7th 10th 11th 12th 14th 17th 18th 19th 21st 24th 25th 26th 28th

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Seratones 9pm Leighton Jones 9pm Anthony Lee Wickham's Open Mic 8pm Quiz Kelly’s Quiz Night 8:30pm Robbie Price Salvation Duo Tom Lukas' Open Mic Quiz Kelly’s Quiz Night Sicknote Steve 3 AMP Anthony Lee Wickham's Open Mic Quiz Kelly’s Quiz Night KYMO Ruby Samba Tom Lukas' Open Mic Quiz Kelly’s Quiz Night

artwork by Farshid Shafiei

020 | LISTINGS LIVE EVENTS Colum Regan @ Live Lounge, 8:00pm, * The great Colum Regan dazzles all at the Lounge tonight with his diverse repertoir and exciting delivery. Kicked In The Face, presents; Crocus @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £tbc * Upbeat, energetic, emo-core from Cornwall. Red Shark Soundsystem / End of the Line @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £3 * Simply one of the best live D’n’B acts in Wales, check this out. The Rosie Taylor Project @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £4 * Lovely glittering, folk with a post-rock edge, if Dirty Three were a folk band from Leeds….. The Tony Breen Band & Guests @ Bubba’s Place, 8:00pm, * Country/ Blues/Jazz with The Tony Breen Band Tom Lukas’ Open Mic @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * As the old saying goes, put up or shut up. Prove yourself at Lukas’ Sunday roast. Boooooom! 2.0 Microfestival Featuring; Mr Phormula / Robyn Gruffydd / Vauhaus @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £10, Children free * Micro-festival for the families with a nature and technology theme. All profits go to www.musicin-hospitals.org.uk Glen Manby Quartet @ Chapter Arts Centre, 9:00pm, FREE * An evening of melodic acoustic Jazz in the Cafe bar. Thoby Davis @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * The man of a thousand tunes. One guitar and a whole lot of loops. Mon20th February Smoking Aces Duo @ Live Lounge, 12:00pm, * This lovely pair will get your toes a-tappin’ during this lunchtime set at the Lounge. Honey Fungus @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * This fantastic duo will dazzle all with their tight-asSteptoe harmonies and wonderful charm. Benjamin Francis Leftwich @ The Globe, 7:30pm, * English singersongwriter from York Benjamin Francis Leftwich @ The Globe, 7:30pm, SOLD OUT * Nomadic singer songwriter of the highest calibre, the man has three names – so he must be serious. Open Mic @ O’Neills (St

Mary’s St), 7:30pm, * Open mic for all to enjoy at O’Neill’s.

Traditional ragtime with the charismatic Norman Thatcher.

Contagious; Open Mic @ Pen and Wig, 8:30pm, FREE * Dust off that ol’ axe and polish those forgotten favorites, noone can stop you.

Open Mic @ The Old Library, 8:00pm, * With the amount of talent wishing to perform we suggest that you get your name down soon!

The Welsh Traditional Sessions @ The Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, FREE * Hear, sing and play traditional Welsh tunes in an informal and friendly atmosphere.

Roots Unearthed - Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle @ St David’s Hall, 8:00pm, £13, £12adv * Original folk innovators slide around on the belly of time.

Weekly Welsh Traditional Session @ The Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, * Come and hear, sing and play Welsh tunes in an informal, friendly atmosphere.

Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week

Honey Fungus Band @

GIGS OF THE MONTH

WONDERBRASS FEAT. JASON YARDE @ THE GLOBE

21 FEB

A jamboree of horns, flutes, drums and keys to take you by storm at Cardiff’s own Wonderbrass’ Mardi Gras premiere of SkipDash-Flow, part of PRS’ 20x12 New Music Cultural Olympiad later in the year. Dancing, ludicrous loudness and a great sense of joy from this enormous band. Featuring jazz composer par excellence himself, Jason Yarde.

Live Lounge, 10:00pm, * By day, merely Honey Fungus, but come nightfall they mutate into the devastatingly amazing Honey Fungus Band. Tue 21st February Sion Russell Jones @ Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE * His track was on the Eastenders, yours was c-listed for Crossroads. Rob Cross @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Rob Cross is so good, you come dangerously close to adopting him every Tuesday at his great Live Lounge sessions. Smokin Aces @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:00pm, FREE * Smokin Aces do their thing every Tuesday! @ , 12:00am, * Caroline Harris @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £4 * Salty sea air blows a gale as a siren sings through the fog, tempting and potentially fatal folk. Norman Thatcher’s Ragtime Band @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4 *

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

Wonderbrass Mardi Gras - Featuring Jason Yarde @ The Globe, 9:30pm, £7 * 36 strong, 64 legged, Jazz Juggernaut’s annual mardi gras celebration. Face Value @ Live Lounge, 10:00pm, * We all wish we could sleep with at least one Face Value member per day. For now, make do with this L.L residency. Susan Bullock Masterclass @ RWCMD, 1:27pm, £6, £5 concessions * Vocal masterclass from an internationally renowned soprano. Wed 22nd February Anthony Lee Wickham’s Open Mic @ The North Star, 8:30am, FREE * A crowd gathered, silence fell, you took the stage. TRIUMPH!! come along and sing a song, all welcome. Chamber Music: Modernism vs Mannerism! @ RWCMD, 1:15pm, £6, £5 concessions * Young Conductors direct Britten’s modernist Sinfonietta and Stravinsky’s neo-classical Octet. Afternoon Concert with Thomas Dausgaard @ Wales Millennium Centre, 2:00pm, £11, £8adv * The gentle symphonic folk poetry and sharp fleeting raptures of Strauss, Mahler and Sibelius just after noon. Tony Morley Duo @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Tony Morley duo serenade all at the Live Lounge this afternoon, get yourselves down for some great tunes! Unruly Women @ RWCMD, 6:30pm, FREE * The new bad girls of opera present songs of sleaze, lust and heartbreak. Rob Cross Duo @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * As if it weren’t difficult enough to focus with just Rob on stage, now there’s a lovely someone joining him

every Wednesday. Open Mic w/ Singing Huw @ NosDa, 7:30pm, * Bring your instruments, brandish your vocal chords for all to worship at this lovely open mic. The International Artists Series @ RWCMD, 7:30pm, £12, £10 concessions * Soprano Susan Bullock and pianist Malcom Martineau traverse romantic Russia via Venetian grandeur. Donald Sweeney Quintet @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £5, £4 Concessions * Special guest Vibraphonist, Christian Krehbiel, joins the Latin and Bebop parade. One Happy Island / Denuo @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £4 * Ukulele lead, intelligent, whimsical, fuzz-folk, for fans of Neutral Milk Hotel. Tom Lewis @ O’Neills (Trinity St), 8:00pm, * Acoustic night Fat City; The Invention Of The Wheel @ Gwdihw, 8:30pm, £3 * Craft competition and live music celebration from soul swinging regulars. Open Mic Night @ The North Star, 8:30pm, * Tom Lucas / Anthony Lee alternate in hosting this lovely event. The JimJam Band Open Mic @ The Traders Tavern, 8:30pm, * Weekly live music session hosted by the JimJam band – Open Mic for bands and Solo Artists Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week Live Wire @ Live Lounge, 10:00pm, * The excellent Livewire tear it up at the Live Lounge tonight. Thu 23rd February Sion Russell Jones @ Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE * Wait! Stop! Ever exceptional, musicians musician is strumming lightly over your lunch hour. Tony Morley @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Come enjoy the great Tony’s Thursday set at the Live Lounge! Live Music at The Taff @ The Taf, SU, 7:00pm, * Free live music every Thursday! No Sweat @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, * The best in acoustic / folk / americana every Thursday at The Full Moon No Sweat; Humans Not Insects @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, FREE *

Quite right, what have the Insects ever done for us? The Aqueduct! Well apart from the aqueduct…. The JimJam Open Sessions @ The Claude, 7:00pm, * A great night of tunes! Feedback - Open Mic @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, * Live recording, new players / singers always welcome Gareth Roberts Quintet @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £6, £5 concessions * For lovers of the music of Charles Mingus and Blue Note jazz of the 60’s. Harvest Presents; Haight Ashbury @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £3 * Fleetwood Mac meets Jesus and Mary Chain, in a 60′s bluesy psychedelic murk. Leighton Jones @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * A true gentleman, acoustic, song-master general. Always a pleasure and never a chore, the one, the only… The Wanted @ Motorpoint Arena, 1:28pm, £22.25 - 31.50 * Family friendly Irish boy-band, follow from the success of last years ’behind bars’ tour. Fri 24th February Artists of the Welsh National Opera: The Brass Ensemble. @ RWCMD, 1:15pm, £7, £5 concessions * WNO and RWCMD collaborate on haunting atmospheres and raw, brassy, power. Live Music presented by Gigantic @ The Full Moon, 5:00pm, * Joinus after work for some fantastic live music in a chilled outatmosphere. DJ’s til late Live music presented by Gigantic @ The Full Moon, 5:00pm, FREE * Join Gigantic after work for some more of his creamy marshmallows. Jazz Time @ RWCMD, 5:30pm, * Every Friday start your weekend listening to the brightest jazz talent in the country. Branch of Driftwood @ Peppermint, 6:00pm, FREE * A lonesome showing from Under the Driftwood Tree, a chance to hear some stripped down classics. Rooftop Runners @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £4 * Experimental electronica from Berlin, with an edge of Talk Talk to them. Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra - Favourite Classics @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £5 - £18 * CPO’s season continues a

programme of favourite classics opening with one of Rossini’s most sparkling overtures, The Thieving Magpie. Freeman Street @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * Blaring noise, coming from the top of queen street. It’s Friday’s at The Yard. KYMO @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Sometime acoustic, sometime electric, impressive guitar licks and riffs. Open Mic and AcoustiOke @ The Flora, 8:00pm, FREE * Dust of those those star spangled spectacles and rock the right away. Show In The City Cabaret @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, FREE * Have fun every Friday Night with the WOW Showgirls Miss Kitty, Marcia, Donna Marie, Fanny Dazzle & Bella Endez. The Tony Breen Band & Guests @ Bubba’s Place, 8:00pm, * Country/ Blues/Jazz with The Tony Breen Band Denuo @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Mountainous folk from one of the Capital’s finest singer-songwriters. Panic Station @ Cafe Jazz, 9:00pm, £4 * This three piece Blues band plays a mixture of standards and own songs, fabulous slide guitar and don’t miss rockin’ down the A48. Peches Mignons Presents; Reeps One / Milk Biscuits / Skunkadelic @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3 * Unbelievable beatbox talent spits his way to the top of a funk filled bill. Phil Beer @ The Norwegian Church, 1:28pm, £10 * Cult multi-instrumentalist and Rolling Stones fraternizer performs in a rare one-off. Sat 25th February Brodsky Quartet 40th Birthday Tour: The Wheel of Fortune @ RWCMD, 6:00pm, £12, £10 concessions * 40th anniversary of the Brodsky Quartet, performing a random repertoire interspersed with Q&A sessions. Live music and DJ’s @ The Flora, 7:00pm, FREE * The best of the 80′s, 90′s and today. Live at the Flora. The Afternoons / Howl Griff @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £tbc * Cult favorites, Manic’s apprentices and energetic powerpop from the school of Teenage Fanclub.

The Broken Vinyl Club / The Keys / Houdini Dax @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £5 * Uncompromising guitar-driven British beat from three of Cardiff’s brightest musical beacons. Live Music Friday’s @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * Prepare to be entertained by the cream of Cardiff, in a warm and central environment. Masters In France @ Cardiff Arts Institute, 8:00pm, * Brilliant North Wales band marking their first visit to Cardiff since a sellout at SWN Festival 2011 Ruby Samba @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Samba, the sultry provocateur with a voice that could tame a Lion. Shrag / Tunabunny / Effort / My Pet Monster @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £5 * Melodic, boy-girl vocals and early 90′s riffs, Pixies without the drama. Sesh @ Nos Da @ NosDa, 8:30pm, * Live

GIGS OF THE MONTH

BETH JEANS HOUGHTON AND THE HOOVES OF DESTINY @ BUFFALO

27 FEB

Kooky, stylish Northerner Beth Jeans Houghton brings her unconventionally folky sound to Buffalo this month. Pretty vocals and unique instrumentals mixed with a glamorous ‘Gwenesque’ look all point towards an alternative star-in-waiting.

music every saturday at Nos Da, the acts will vary but the promise of a good night remains! Tylwyth Teg and Maddie Jones @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE * Upbeat folk with jazzy seductive belle support. King Louis’ Collective @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3 * Chompin’ groovebox, funk and soul from bubbling local seven-piece. Leighton Jones @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Classy, world weary, folk from a storyteller extraordinaire. Kookamunga @ Pen and Wig, 9:30pm, FREE * A nine legged, fiery, green, funk monster, writhing to the sound of it’s own hypnotic beat

Sun 26th February Tony Morley @ Live Lounge, 12:00pm, * The lovely Tony Morley serenades all during this Sunday lunch session. Open Mic Afternoon w/ John Godwin @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * John’s great vocals and floods of charm should entice the best to the open mic at the Lounge this afternoon. Marie @ Live Lounge, 6:30pm, * The beautiful, charming Marie is set to wow all at the Live Lounge today!

GIGS OF THE MONTH

ALLO’ DARLIN @ BUFFALO

28 FEB

Dreamy, kitsch, twee indie. Guaranteed to make you smile and get your toes tapping and your lips flapping along with pretty melodies, retro pop references and a general sense of fun. A jolly nice gig out.

Norma Jean / The Chariot / Dead And Divine / Admiral Arms @ CF10, SU, 7:00pm, £12 * Aggressive metalcore from highly influential warped tour regulars. S & M @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:00pm, * Live music every Sunday Iron Butterfly @ The Glee Club, 7:30pm, £18 * Psychedelic In-AGadda-Da-Vida rockers take a trip to the bay. King Charles / We are the Evergreen @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £8 * Eccentric fun-loving pop, expect an absurd Beach Boys meets Eurotrash glitter parade. Sunday Sicknote & Acoustic Open Mic @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, FREE * Buffalo Acoustic Open Mic Night (new performers welcome, sign up from 7.30pm) & Sunday Sicknote DJ’s playing indie, alt classics, rock, pop & folk Arthur Rigby & The Baskervylles / Green Dolphin Street @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £4 * Quintessentially British melodramatic pop from a barking mad 8-piece. Axis of / The Death of Her Money @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £4 * Balls out progressive Hardcore. For fan’s of Refused and Jets vs Sharks. Colum Regan @ Live Lounge, 8:00pm, *

The great Colum Regan dazzles all at the Lounge tonight with his diverse repertoir and exciting delivery. The Tony Breen Band & Guests @ Bubba’s Place, 8:00pm, * Country/ Blues/Jazz with The Tony Breen Band Tom Lukas’ Open Mic @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * As the old saying goes, put up or shut up. Prove yourself at Lukas’ Sunday roast. Thoby Davis @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE * Loopy local with more cannons to his arsenal than the Spanish Armada. Mon 27th February Smoking Aces Duo @ Live Lounge, 12:00pm, * This lovely pair will get your toes a-tappin’ during this lunchtime set at the Lounge. Honey Fungus @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * This fantastic duo will dazzle all with their tight-asSteptoe harmonies and wonderful charm. Open Mic @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:30pm, * Open mic for all to enjoy at O’Neill’s. Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny / Goodnight Lenin @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £8, £7 adv * A little mad, a little charming, extremely catchy, nu-folk in the ilk of Noah and the Whale. Jelly Roll Jones @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, FREE * Old time Jug and hokum blues from the 20′s and 30′s brought to life. Lafaro / Jets to Zurich @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £5 * So-Cal meets GlamPunk, a night of sneery, drooling, sleazy riffery. The Jazz Revhw Presents; Carlo Fraccalvieri @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £3 * A unique interpretation of hard bop and funky jazz standards from acclaimed Italian Saxophonist. Contagious; Open Mic @ Pen and Wig, 8:30pm, FREE * Dust off that ol’ axe and polish those forgotten favorites, no-one can stop you. The Welsh Traditional Sessions @ The Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, FREE * Hear, sing and play traditional Welsh tunes in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Weekly Welsh Traditional Session @ The Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, * Come and hear, sing and play Welsh tunes in an informal, friendly atmosphere.

Honey Fungus Band @ Live Lounge, 10:00pm, * By day, merely Honey Fungus, but come nightfall they mutate into the devastatingly amazing Honey Fungus Band. Sion Russell Jones @ Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE * His track was on the Eastenders, yours was c-listed for Crossroads. Tue 28th February Rob Cross @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Rob Cross is so good, you come dangerously close to adopting him every Tuesday at his great Live Lounge sessions. Smokin Aces @ O’Neills (St Mary’s St), 7:00pm, FREE * Smokin Aces do their thing every Tuesday! Colin Blunstone @ The Glee Club, 7:30pm, £15 * Zombies frontman and voice of a generation goes solo. Jonathan Richman @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, * American signer, songwriter and guitarist. Jonathan Richman @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £15 * Modern Ovens frontman performing his individual, influential brand of anti-folk.@ , 12:00am, * RWCMD Chamber Orchestra @ RWCMD, 7:30pm, £7, £5 concessions * An evening of Chamber music inspired by the Venice-Simplon, Orient Express route. Funeral Suits @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, FREE * Epic, guitar-scapes with majestic vocals, Franz Ferdinand are fans, and it’s easy to see why. Open Mic @ The Old Library, 8:00pm, * With the amount of talent wishing to perform we suggest that you get your name down soon! Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week Wed 29th February Chamber Winds: Brahms & Haydn Variations @ RWCMD, 1:15pm, £6, £5 concessions * World premiere of an ambitious new arrangement by Derek Smith. Tony Morley Duo @ Live Lounge, 4:30pm, * Tony Morley duo serenade all at the Live Lounge this afternoon, get yourselves down for some great tunes! Allo Darlin’ + Support / The School DJ’s @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £8, £7 adv * Infectious like American candy, female-

fronted tales of a sweet, sweet, love. Gabrielle Aplin @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, * Aplin first became recognised on Youtube over 3 years ago when she covered a song by the American rock band Paramore, called My Heart Gabrielle Aplin @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £6 * Eighteen year-old internet sensation sounds suspect, but there is nothing sinister in this young belle’s lute-full tone. Rob Cross Duo @ Live Lounge, 7:00pm, * As if it weren’t difficult enough to focus with just Rob on stage, now there’s a lovely someone joining him every Wednesday. Open Mic w/ Singing Huw @ NosDa, 7:30pm, * Bring your instruments, brandish your vocal chords for all to worship at this lovely open mic. Denuo @ Cardiff Arts Institute, 8:00pm, * Influences such as Jeff Buckley, Death Cab for Cutie and Radiohead, really show in this bands performances, and after recently supporting the Manics in Blackwood the quality is of equal standard Jealous Lovers / Mr Tom @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £3 * A late night of infectious pop and quirky indie club music. Quentin Collins / Brandon Allen Quartet @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £5, £4 Concessions * On a national tour to promote their debut album ‘What’s it gonna be?’, Expect a diverse set of hard bop and emotive Jazz. Tom Lewis @ O’Neills (Trinity St), 8:00pm, * Acoustic night Tom Lucas’ Open Mic @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * Rest your weary head young soldier, it’s time, it’s time… time to dust that old axe off and terrorize the unassuming wednesday night crowd. Open Mic Night @ The North Star, 8:30pm, * Tom Lucas / Anthony Lee alternate in hosting this lovely event. The JimJam Band Open Mic @ The Traders Tavern, 8:30pm, * Weekly live music session hosted by the JimJam band – Open Mic for bands and Solo Artists Jazz At Dempseys @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, * Jazz evening with varying artists each week

022 | LISTINGS CLUBNIGHTS

CLUB NIGHTS Wednesdays Addictive Wednesdays @ Oceana, 8:00am, * Cardiff’s biggest student night!. Ten bars, three club rooms and one super club every Wednesday night. Private Karaoke @ Tiger Tiger, 6:00pm, * Start off the night in style with some private karaoke at Tiger Tiger! Reflex Regulars @ Reflex, 7:00pm, * Nonstop 80s classic floorfillers at Reflex tonight! Blender @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, * Fashionable midweek hangout with great tunes and good company. Sugar Drop @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Alternative beats for your midweek dancefloor! The Wonder Years @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, FREE * Great night in store for all including ‘torso of the week’ at one of Cardiff’s favourite gay clubs. Zouklambada @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Weekly dance class. Boom Boom Boutique @ 10 Feet Tall, 9:00pm, * Bassbooming night littered with cocktails. Cocktail Heaven @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Cocktailcrazy midweek spot! Cookies ‘n’ Cream @ So-Lo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 9:00pm, * Great student night featuring colossal discounts with NUS. Get there early, it’s going to get messy. Shotgun Rules @ Revolution, 9:00pm, * Weekly student night with the sole aim of getting you wasted. So Freaky Wednesdays @ 411, 9:00pm, * Playing the best in commercial R&B, club classics, chart, funk and sexy house, you’d be mad to miss it! Sub Social @ Lava Lounge, 9:00pm, * Weekly uni society social. Prophecy - Future Jungle @ 48 Below, 9:30pm, * Old school jungle rhythms meet new school production techniques. Expect production competitions, residency battles and free giveaways every week Listen Up! @ Clwb

Ifor Bach, 10:00pm, * Listen Up! is Cardiff’s longest running indie night. Head down to Clwb to bop and vogue the night away. POW! Pulse on Wednesday @ Pulse, 10:00pm, * POW! Pulse On Wednesday! The only place to be every Wednesday night with the best drinks offers and entertainment! Put on Your Party Pants @ Flares, 10:00pm, * Midweek madness! Put on your dancing shoes and your ridiculous trousers and get to Flares! Specials Wednesday 8th February Buffalo Boutique & Cardiff Tea Club @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, FREE * Brick-a-Brak, coffee and tea cakes to a funk and soul backdrop. Wednesday 22nd February Cardiff Tea Club @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, FREE * TEA CLUB DJs playing reggae, dub, hip-hop, funk & more! Specialist tea & cake offers all night.

CLUBNIGHTS OF THE MONTH

BRS GRAFFITI EXHIBITION W/ DUB IN THE PUB DJ’S @ BOILER HOUSE

3 FEB

Fancy getting leathered on an aural cloud floating masterfully over dubby wonderland? How about watching the walls get painted a whole impressive array of shades whilst you’re sobriety takes a little spa-break? Yup. We’re there.

Thursdays Private Karaoke @ Tiger Tiger, 6:00pm, * Start off the night in style with some private karaoke at Tiger Tiger! Karaoke Night @ Varsity (Roath), 7:00pm, * 1000′s of songs to choose from plus 2-4-1 VK Midweek Mayhem @ Bar Icon, 7:00pm, *

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

drinks promotions and music! Reflex Regulars @ Reflex, 7:00pm, * Nonstop 80s classic floorfillers at Reflex tonight! Armageddon @ The Old Library, 8:00pm, * Cardiff’s latest and greatest live rock and metal band night. On The Rocks @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Rock’n’roll, alternative mash-ups, guitar anthems, and party riffs till 4am! The Phatman & Her @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, FREE * Amazing shot giveaways and party games at WOW tonight! Cocktail Night @ Bar Icon, 9:00pm, * Bar Icon provides reasonably-priced, great tasting cocktails for all the thirsty dancers tonight. Hammer’d @ Bogiez, 9:00pm, * Weekly contemporary rock and metal night. From Metal to Metalcore, Emo to Screamo, Rock to Math-Rock, Pop-punk to Power-Metal, Dance to the undanceable Mocka Lounge Thursday @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Chilled house and R&B gallore! Signature @ Buffalo Bar, 9:00pm, * Experimental, electronica, new music, leftfield, dubstep, hip-hop, future house, glitch. DJs, live acts, fashion shows, graphics, live art, experimental cocktails. The Great Western @ The Great Western, 9:00pm, * Every Thursday – Saturday, enjoy your favourite pop hits all night long! Propaganda @ GLAM, 10:00pm, £4 * Two incredible rooms of music every Thursday, one room of Pop and another of Indie. The Only Way is Thursday @ Oceana, 10:00pm, * Thursday night in Oceana brings you all the best commercial chart and R’n’B in Icehouse. Specials: Thursday 2nd February CYNT presents; Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (Live) @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:00pm, £10 * Live show from

progressive electro outfit, daze in dream with soulful vocals and subtle pulse. Spar warz: Swambo vs Lala @ Undertone, 10:00pm, £3 Freestyle battles of wits and licks. Thursday 9th February CYNT Presents; High Rankin @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:00pm, £5 * Well-to-do drum and bass, from a deep, deep, pioneer and Professor Green remixer.

CLUBNIGHTS OF THE MONTH

BEDLAM @ THE GREAT HALL

4 FEB

Mammoth night ahead for all the ravers. Bedlam has been going for 10 years. And given it’s renown for dance-til-you-drop relentlessness, one would expect this to be a humdinger of a party. Featuring Andy C, Trolley Snatcha, P Money, Sigma, Rockwell and many, many more.

Fridays Blah Blah Blah @ The Moon, 12:00am, £3 * Alternative floor fillers every Friday, bonza! Five Dollar Shake @ The Full Moon, 12:00am, FREE * Everything from bebop, funk, and soul to hiphop, reggae, ska and electro swing! Private Karaoke @ Tiger Tiger, 6:00pm, * Start off the night in style with some private karaoke at Tiger Tiger! Club X @ Club X, 7:00pm, * Pop, funky house and electro – fantastic night ahead! Fridays @ Varsity (Greyfriars Road), 7:00pm, * Party till 1am with DJ John Fisher! Enjoys shots from just £1 and 2 cocktails for £7.50! Funky Banana @ Varsity (Roath), 7:00pm, * Great music from resident DJ and get an inflatable banana on promotional cocktail deals. Funky Fridays @ SoLo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 7:00pm, £3, £5(after 9) * Dj Snipes plus Guest DJ’s on Rotation. Reflex Regulars @ Reflex, 7:00pm, *

Nonstop 80s classic floorfillers at Reflex tonight!

CLUBNIGHTS OF THE MONTH

C-Y-N-T FEAT HIGH RANKIN @ CLWB

9 FEB

The original Dubstep Dandy takes his infectious, creamy beats to the C-Y-N-T crowds. One of dance’s unlikely looking heroes, but then, when has a darn fine moustache been a barrier to incendiary party-starting?

Axe the DJ @ NosDa, 8:00pm, * A new weekly event where the Bartenders Choose the ‘Choons. Anything from Funk Fusion/ Quentin Tarantino Music to German Techno Metal!

CLUBNIGHTS OF THE MONTH

DIRTY KNEES GLOW PARTY @ THE MOON

25 FEB

Old-skool underground rave in The Moon Club curated by the infamous Dirty Knees posse. On the decks this time around you’ll find the ‘Tartan Techno Tyrant’, DJ Scott Brown as well as Easygroove each trying to prompt more luminosity from the crowd.

Bumper @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, * Dance your drunken night away at Buffalo Bar. Fever Friday @ Lava Lounge, 8:00pm, * Great drinks and awesome tunes at Lava. Fridays @ Salt Bar, 8:00pm, * Funky house mayhem at Salt Bar. Hustle @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Motown and disco in 10 Feet tonight! Milgi @ Milgi’s, 8:00pm, * World / dance music from an array of DJs. Show In The City Cabaret @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, FREE * Have fun every Friday Night with the WOW Showgirls Miss Kitty, Marcia, Donna Marie, Fanny Dazzle & Bella

Endez. The Great Eastern DJ’s @ Cardiff Arts Institute, 8:00pm, * On the outskirts of indie float the Great Eastern DJs. The Resurrection @ The Old Library, 8:00pm, * Playing a non stop supersonic mix of Indie-BritpopAlternative tunes. Walkabout Friday @ Walkabout, 8:00pm, * 4-hour long happy hour and disco classics. What more do you want? Xerox @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 8:00pm, * Fridays downstairs provides the best hipster music for all you gorgeous, fashionable types! Ace of Spades Fridays @ 411, 9:00pm, * All the R&B, hip-hop and dubstep you’ll ever need. Dress well, dance well, be well. Classic Fridays @ SoLo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 9:00pm, * Friday night at So-Lo brings a mix of classic tracks throughout the years! Flares Fridays @ Flares, 9:00pm, * Kickstart the weekend at Flares! Mocka Lounge Fridays @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Get ready for the weekend with some great tunes and lovely drinks at Mocka! The Great Western @ The Great Western, 9:00pm, * Every Thursday – Saturday, enjoy your favourite pop hits all night long! Therapy @ Glam @ GLAM, 9:00pm, * Providing your weekly dosage of unforgiving beats, heavy basslines and filthy floorfillers Tombstone @ Bogiez, 9:00pm, * 100% Classic Rock & Metal Fridays @ Club X, 10:00pm, * Great prices on drinks and guaranteed a good time at one of Cardiff’s most popular gay clubs! Fridays @ Soda Bar @ Soda Bar, 10:00pm, * One of Cardiff’s classiest joints offers drinks for £2 all night. Free entry. What the Sam heck are you waiting for?! Fridays at Oceana @ Oceana, 10:00pm, * Commercial chart + R&B in Icehouse, disco classics in New York Disco.

Thursday 26th January 2012 Indigo Live Event in association with SWN presents

BABYBIRD

w/THE TRICKS & HOUDINI DAX The Globe, Cardiff £10 adv / 7:30pm / 18+ show

Friday 27th January 2012

HOWLER

Monday 20th February 2012

BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH

w/REN HARVIEU & FOSSIL COLLECTIVE The Globe, Cardiff £12 adv / 7:30pm / 18+ show

w/MAN KIND & KUTOSIS Buffalo Bar, Cardiff £8 adv / 7.30pm / please arrive early - curfew 10.00pm / 18+

Sunday 5th February 2012

PAUL KELLY w/EMILY BARKER & JOSHUA CAOLE Ten Feet Tall, Cardiff

£12 adv / 7.30pm / This is an 18+ show

Wednesday 8th February 2012

THOMAS TRUAX w/INCONSIDERATE PARKING & ALAN COLES Ten Feet Tall, Cardiff £6 adv / 8:00pm / This is an 18+ show

Monday 13th February 2012

ERRORS

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff £9 adv / 7.30pm

Saturday 18th February 2012

7.30pm / 18+ show

Friday 16th March 2012

WILD BEASTS

The Coal Exchange, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Saturday 17th March 2012

TRUCKERS OF HUSK

GALLOPS & KUTOSIS hosted by DJ GOLDIEROCKS this show will be recorded for broadcast on www.selector-radio.com The Globe, Cardiff

DOG IS DEAD Cardiff Arts Institute

*FREE ENTRY* / 8:00pm / 18+ show

Wednesday 18th April 2012 FLUX=RAD and SWN presents

DRY THE RIVER Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

7.30pm / £6 adv

Tuesday 6th March 2012 SWN & The Rusty Trombone of God Presents...

NATURAL SNOW BUILDINGS

£8.00 adv / 7.30pm

Thursday 29 March 2012

BILL WELLS AND AIDAN MOFFAT

w/MARS TO SAY & SNEAKY EARNEST

The Globe, Cardiff

Buffalo Bar, Cardiff

Friday 20th April 2012

7.30pm £10 adv

Thursday 8th March 2012 SWN and Chapter presents

A HAWK AND A HACKSAW

SHADOWS OF FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS RESCORE

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff £12/£10/£8 / 6:00pm performance will start at 6:15pm please arrive prompt / There will be no support

wegottickets.com seetickets.com ticketlineuk. com cardiffboxoffice.com Gigantic.com

The Globe, Cardiff

£13.50 adv / 7:30pm / 18+ show

£6 adv / 7.30pm / please arrive early - curfew 10.00pm / 18+

tickets for all our shows available from swnpresents.com

w/THE METHOD

The Selector and Swn presents...

GAUNTLET HAIR Buffalo Bar, Cardiff

THE MILK

Saturday 3rd March

£6 adv / 7.30pm / 18+ show

w/REMEMBER REMEMBER Plus TOM ROGERSON (THREE TRAPPED TIGERS)

Monday 12th March 2012

bristol ticket shop Spillers Records Derrick Records follow us on twitter

@swnfestival and sign up to our mailing list swnpresents.com

Kilimanjaro Live presents

EXAMPLE w/WRETCH 32

Cardiff Motorpoint arena From £23.50 adv + STBF / 6:30pm

Sunday 20th May 2012

THE HORRORS Solus, Cardiff University £14 adv / 7.30pm

024 | LISTINGS CLUBNIGHTS Therapy @ GLAM, 10:00pm, FREE * Your weekly dosage of unforgiving beats, heavy baselines and filthy floor-fillers. Weekend Warm Up @ Bar Icon, 10:00pm, * Get ready for the weekend with great drinks prices and kitch classics on the jukebox. Specials Friday 3rd February BRS Graffiti Exhibition With Dub In The Pub DJ’s @ The Boiler House, 7:00pm, FREE * Art and music merge together for a Dub and graffiti special in Cardiff’s beacon of hope. Hackman / PTN / Well Rounded / Deadplate / Ratcatcher / Lo Fi / Nicky Otter / The Kingdom / Onemandub @ Undertone, 10:00pm, £5 * Awesome line-up of electronic rave monoliths courtesy of Obey Saturdays Vanity - It’s All About You! @ GLAM, 12:00am, * GLAM’s famous Vanity nights holds two levels of fantastic R&B, hip-hop, dance, everything you need to enjoy the night! Private Karaoke @ Tiger Tiger, 6:00pm, * Start off the night in style with some private karaoke at Tiger Tiger! Reflex Regulars @ Reflex, 7:00pm, * Nonstop 80s classic floorfillers at Reflex tonight! Saturdays @ Varsity (Greyfriars Road), 7:00pm, * Party till 2am with DJ Extreme! Bombs for just £2.99 and shots from £1! Sin @ WOW Bar, 7:00pm, FREE tbc afterwards * Bella Endez is your host with all the chart and party hits. Sweet Chocolate @ SoLo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 7:00pm, FREE * Old Skool R’n’B alongside Berlin classics, would you believe it? Resident DJ @ Cafe Jazz, 7:30pm, * Resident DJ and great music from the 1950’s up to the present expertly presented with a great atmosphere! Me and You Club @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Feelgood mix of indie to guide you through the weekend.

Milgi @ Milgi’s, 8:00pm, * Every Friday + Saturday – world and dance tracks for your enjoyment! Saturdays @ Lava Lounge, 8:00pm, * Commercial hits galore at Lava Lounge tonight. Saturdays @ Salt Bar, 8:00pm, * Cheesy pop and chart hits. Not your cup of tea? Don’t go then you grumpy (*^$(&)! Sin @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, * Join probably the best-named drag queen in the business – Bella Endez, for some naughty frolics this evening! Twisted by Design @ Dempseys, 8:00pm, * One of Cardiff’s longest running alternative nights every Saturday. Walkabout Saturday @ Walkabout, 8:00pm, * Enjoy the weekend in style at Walkabout every Saturday. Beatbox Ballroom @ Buffalo Bar, 9:00pm, * Weekly dose of soul and hip-hop. Bogiez Flagship and Namesake Night @ Bogiez, 9:00pm, * Ruling the roost as Cardiff’s ultimate Rock, Metal & Alternative club night for bloody ages Buzz / Berlins Returns! @ So-Lo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 9:00pm, * All the great old school R&B and hip-hop from the 80s and 90s! Five Dollar Shake @ The Full Moon, 9:00pm, * Everything from bebop, funk and soul to hip hop, dancehall and electro swing! Koko Gorilaz @ Koko Gorilaz, 9:00pm, * Weekly mashup at Koko! Mocka Lounge Saturdays @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Go crazy for the weekend at Mocka every Saturday! Revolution Saturdays @ Revolution, 9:00pm, * Two floors of music ranging from Electro to House to kick off your Saturday night. Saturdays @ Soda Bar, 9:00pm, * Saturdays at Soda Bar promise to be something spectacular! So Funked Saturdays @ 411, 9:00pm, * So Funked Saturdays at the 411 brings you all the smooth grooves and urban floorfillers you’ll ever need. The Great Western @

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

The Great Western, 9:00pm, * Every Thursday – Saturday, enjoy your favourite pop hits all night long! Big Night Out @ Oceana, 10:00pm, * Commercial chart and R&B in Icehouse, or classic disco hits in New York Disco – take your pick! Dirty Pop / Vinyl Vendettas / Mr Potter @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:00pm, £5 * One of Cardiff’s most revered and longest-running club nights, with resident DJs on rotation every week. Flares Saturday @ Flares, 10:00pm, * Enjoy retro hits and kitsch classics at Flares tonight. Saturdays @ The Old Library @ The Old Library, 10:00pm, * Open till 6am, featuring great tunes and cheap drinks. The Big Nite Out! @ Bar Icon, 10:00pm, * That naughty bunch at Bar Icon are doing even more to ensure hangovers all round! Specials Saturday 4th February Bedlam @ The Great Hall, 10:00pm, £16.50 * Andy C, Metrik, Trolley Snatcha…. the biggest and messiest annual D’n’B feast is back with vengeance. Saturday 11th February Play Pen @ Undertone, 8:00pm, * A fundraising event in aid of Barnardo’s with bands, DJ’s burlesque and cancan! Sundays Private Karaoke @ Tiger Tiger, 6:00pm, * Start off the night in style with some private karaoke at Tiger Tiger! Reflex Regulars @ Reflex, 7:00pm, * Nonstop 80s classic floorfillers at Reflex tonight! Sunday Karaoke @ Varsity (Greyfriars Road), 7:00pm, * Karaoke from 7pm – enjoy 2 cocktails for £7.50, Pitchers of larger for £9 and bottle of wine for just £5.99! Therapy! @ Varsity (Roath), 7:00pm, * Therapy! The ultimate party night! Mocka Lounge Sundays @ Mocka Lounge, 8:00pm, * Wind down a chaotic week with a visit to Mocka.

Sunday Social @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Chill out after a mad weekend at 10 Feet Tall. The Cuckoo Club Sunday Service @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, * With more gorgeous drag queens than you could shake your stick at… ahem… It’s Sundays at WOW! Industry Sundays @ Lava Lounge, 9:00pm, * Resident DJ’S Rhys Lewis and DJ Geroge play the finest tunes all night with guest spots from both locally and internationally renowned DJ’s. Soda Sundays @ Soda Bar, 9:00pm, * Soda Sundays are the perfect way to wave goodbye to the weekend. S.I.N.FUL Sundays @ 411, 10:00pm, * This night is about decadence, indulgence and pure pleasure….. and rebellion! Sunday Nite Chillax @ Bar Icon, 11:00pm, * Whilst we don’t approve of their spelling of ‘nite’, we can deal with chillaxing aaaaall daaaaaay looooong. Mondays Private Karaoke @ Tiger Tiger, 6:00pm, * Start off the night in style with some private karaoke at Tiger Tiger! Madhatter Mondays @ Varsity (Greyfriars Road), 7:00pm, * The cheapest student night in the city. Enjoy drinks from just £1! Trojan Boss Sound @ Rockin Chair, 7:00pm, * jamaican Ska, reggae, Funk Buffalo Live @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, * Live bands, DJs & more 8pm – 3am Hangover Cure @ Mocka Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Sort your head out with this chilled out night. Late Night Live @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Two floors of entertainment, chart hits and latest favourites at the bar, live music upstairs (door charge). Mindie @ Peppermint, 8:00pm, * Fancy a bit of Indie / Brit Pop? Head on over for the best tunes…. Mondays @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, * Retro music and entertainment throughout the night with DJ Kai! Salsa Classes @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, * Get your hips gyrating

at these weekly salsa classes. Mega Mondays @ Revolution, 9:00pm, * A mix of live music and Latin beats played throughout the night. You’re The DJ! @ Bar Icon, 9:00pm, * You choose how you want to groove the night away at ‘Cardiff’s swishest gay bar’. Fuzzy Logic @ Oceana, 10:00pm, * It’s not right but it’s ok! That’s Fuzzy Logic; the UK’s biggest student night! Great prices, great tunes! Jagerfest Presents the Capital’s Favourite Monday Night @ GLAM, 10:00pm, FREE * Jagerfest is back ready for 2012 with full Jagerfest decor, incredible drinks deals and killer tunes over two floors every Monday! Tuesdays Private Karaoke @ Tiger Tiger, 6:00pm, * Start off the night in style with some private karaoke at Tiger Tiger! Reflex Regulars @ Reflex, 7:00pm, * Nonstop 80s classic floorfillers at Reflex tonight! Therapy @ Bar Icon, 7:00pm, * Jukebox music all night, but you have control of what you wana hear! 10 Feet Live @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * New music and party tunes in the bar till 4am! Flares Tuesdays @ Flares, 8:00pm, * If you’re bored on Tuesdays, be sure to stay away from Flares… Only joking! Get down there and strut your stuff! London DJ Che @ Rockin Chair, 8:00pm, * Dubstep, Drum & Bass, Funky House Open Mic Night & Karaoke @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, * Your chance to get on stage and show the world what you’ve got! Salsa Classes @ Live Lounge, 8:00pm, * Come and learn some salsa at the Live Lounge, very popular class with a great atmosphere. Mode @ Revolution, 9:00pm, * Mode is bottled up debauchery. House, electro & R&B tunes Relax and Unwind @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Loosen up

at Mocka during your working week! Two Damm Glam Tuesdays @ GLAM, 10:00pm, * Expect Chart anthems and Dancefloor fillers! Hammer Time @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, * Classic 90′s tunes Just Dance @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, * Weekly eclectic mashup for all to dance!

P o i s o n I v y . . . . . D a a a a n c e . . . . . B e a t

Mod legends â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lambrettasâ&#x20AC;? play Cardiff for the first time since 1980!

B o y s I n T h e J e t A g e . . . . . C o r t i n a s . . . . . P a g e 3

A n o t h e r D a y A n o t h e r G i r l . . . . . L o n d o n C a l l i n g . . . . . F a c e T o

Friday 3rd Feb 2012

The Globe

125 Albany Road, Cardiff, Wales CF24 3NS

07590 471 888 Doors open 7:30pm Tickets and info from www.globecardiffmusic.com Visit www.thelambrettas.co.uk for the latest information www.facebook.com/thelambrettas

F a c e . . . L i v i n g F o r T o d a y

REVIEWS ALBUMS ASSOCIATED MINDS

Hidden Thoughts 2006-2010 From the best hip-hop label in the UK, Associated Minds present us with Hidden Thoughts 2006 – 2010. The album is a bit of a Ronseal affair; rarities, roughs, and unreleased tracks from the AM roster. As with most compilations, Hidden Thoughts does not suffer from lack of variety, though thankfully avoids the pitfall of disparity. Beatbox Fozzy ft Willo Wispa’s Tuna Fish swaggers with inimitable swing, whilst Ruffstylz’s Lungsmoke moves with his peerless blend of speed and diction. Tracks from Metabeats, Ralph Rip Shit, P.L.O, Mudmowth and Blaktrix are all worthy of praise, Take Charge for the soulful and Fight for the agro. Available for free on Bandcamp; Hidden Thoughts is the best introduction for you to the considerable talents of the AM cast. MP associatedminds.com

VAGUELY ARTISTIC

We Are Vaguely Artistic EP Produced by Hijinx Theatre Company, renowned for working with adults with learning disabilities, Vaguely Artistic’s debut EP opens with cymbal hits and distorted guitar before the boastful, Shaun Ryder-esque vocals dominate in a duet with sweet-lunged Leah Carroll. It is beautifully and completely strange. The bluesy Two Bronze And A Gold is mainly dependent on Carroll’s soulful vocal, and suffers for this, primarily because the male voices here are a little more interesting. Musically, a diverse range of styles are deployed and carried off well, but the inclusion of an 11 minute epic which merges a paean to tea and toast with The Rollin’ Stones’ Sympathy For The Devil may have been a misguided quality control decision, funny as it is. SMR www.hijinx.org.uk

T.O.T.S.O

Slippin’ Out Since ‘83 EP Hailing from just down the road in Swansea, this lot have plenty to be pleased about; their very British sounding rock is charming and easy on the ear with warm chunky riffs and great vocals. The tunes on this EP feel somehow familiar but not in a way that’s easy to pin down; they are still pretty raw around the edges, but that open, scuzzy quality is part of what makes their sound so enjoyable and tracks like Somethin’ Kinda Mexican and Pogo’s Gotta Go Go with its huge stadium sound are melodic but full of guitar fuzz making them great to rock out to. This EP is a solid showcase for the band, demonstrating plenty of potential. EG soundcloud.com/totso

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

HAIL! THE PLANES

BRO RMX Hail! The Planes here offer a collection of remixes for previous double A-side Brother. Five in fact. Five remixes of the same track. This reviewer is very fond of HTP but, nevertheless, this task initially seemed a little daunting. Thankfully those remixing have been sensitive to the embedded qualities of the song. The likes of Alex Comana, Zwolf and R. Seiliog all offer entirely divergent takes but largely maintain Brother’s capacious nature, particularly the latter’s ambient, dreamy soundscape. It’s all actually far more interesting than it has any right to be. Regardless, come Charlie Francis’ remix, upbeat and variant though it is, it’s hard to shift the inevitable feeling that you’ve been listening to the same song for a rather long time. SMR hailtheplanes.bandcamp.com

STEFF ADAMS

Tunings EP “Take me to my sweet bed,” coos Steff Adams over gentle, Elliott Smith-esque guitars. “Just let me rest my eyes.” This is ‘Hectic Day’, the wonderfully sleepy first song on an EP that is, by and large, the aural equivalent of warm milk before bedtime. Adams has put pianos, glockenspiels, and his immensely soothing voice to good use here, although it’s not all lullabies. Bongo-kissed ‘Bus Stop’ is short, silly and upbeat, while closing track ‘Over You’ (“look at me now/I guess you heard I broke down”) is a haunted breakup song. On the whole though, it’s a very relaxing listen; never espec -ially invigorating, but a good one for sitting back, closing your eyes, and taking a deep breath. JDE steffadams.net

HENRY’S FUNERAL SHOE

Donkey Jacket It’s interesting to trace your own trajectory, be it through physical space or the cloud chamber of culture. The end point of my aural arc is unimportant, but it should be noted that for a while I was particle and wave with the low slung, dirty chrome of ZZ Top, and I recognised the sympathetic vibrations of hoary old bar bands in the garage rock revival of the early millennium. So here, to my antique happiness, we have a fire -bellied two-piece with bourbon souls, blue of note and chunky of tone, smoked in borrowed hickory and basted in bastard bayou water. My nostalgia is tweaked by their nostalgia, two phantoms trading drunk stories until sunrise in the darkest little hole-in-the-wall you never did see. JN henrysfuneralshoe.com

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

See You All In Hell EP Funeral For A Friend have, without doubt, returned to their roots on this new record; there are flashes of the softer more recent material but they are few and far between with a definite shift back towards heavier guitars and vocal screams the order of the day. This will be just what the old school fans ordered but whether it’s too late to bring them back on board remains to be seen. Really this is what FFAF do best; soaring melodic moments layered between wholesome riffs and heady screams, and they really do sound like a band re-energised, making this record a pleasure to listen to. After years of just OK, it feels like they might be back on form. EG ffaf.co.uk

ROBOT SAFARI

Brighter Days/Darker Days EP Coming on like the Lemonheads fronted by Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba, this debut EP from Cardiff trio Robot Safari has a nostalgically jangly vibe. Clean guitars and Green Day basslines rub shoulders with surfer harmonies and straightahead drums to create a bright and unmistakeably 90s-influenced sound. Opener Can’t We Just Get Along mixes all of the above with ‘everything will be OK’ platitudes in anthemic style, but the real standout is Leaving Purgatory: reminiscent of fellow melodic punks Saves The Day and Scottish legends Teenage Fanclub, it’s upbeat, full of lovely guitar licks and catchy as hell. Though far from reinventing the wheel, this short and sweet set should bring a smile to the face of even the hardest of cynics. JOC myspace.com/robotsafari

KINGDOM OF BRUNEL

Industrious Revelations Kingdom Of Brunel aren’t a heavy metal band as such, but they do have a good ear for a heavy metal riff. There’s a moment in Unloaded, one of the more sensibly-titled tracks on this EP, where they actually sound a little bit like Iron Maiden. Elsewhere, opening cut ‘Mindset’ marries heavily distorted guitars to muscular, Bloc Party drumming, while Bins (I Love You But You Sleep In) is built around a hypnotic, delay-laden lick. The lyrics are clichéd (“Dispose of your free will!”, “Pull the veil from my eyes!”, etc.) and the production is a bit raw for music like this, but the duelling vocalists, fast fretwork and sheer power on display here make for a fun and occasionally soaring listen. JDE kingdomofbrunel.co.uk

REVIEWS SINGLES WE ARE THE AFTERGLOW

SEN SEGUR

98 On My Mind Single Kicking off with a prowling bluesy riff and a rich vocal performance, 98 On My Mind takes a number of interesting turns in its four and a half minutes. We Are The Afterglow’s live show has a name for being stomping and their control over the pace of the track suggests why, when they break loose, they are something to behold. There are issues with the mix being overly muddy and losing some of the song’s character in heavily-laden guitar effects. But that aside this is an engaging chunk of rock and roll, and an indicator that their grassroots support is well merited. SMR wearetheafterglow1.bandcamp.com

Sarah / Nofa Scosia Slightly reminiscent of the likes of Air with a dab of Kraftwerk, Sarah, from Sen Segur’s new double A side single, epitomises the 80s electronic pop revival in contemporary indie music. Soft North Walean vowels and repetitive hooks make for a love-or-hate sound; either boring one to tears or sucking one in to be left clamouring for more. Nofa Scosia, track two, utilises close and almost dissonant harmonies that give this more acoustic track a vague, dreamy feel that could either float you along or drag you under. An ambiguous single that could go either way, depending on the moment it’s listened to. JA soundcloud.com/sensegur

MY PET MONSTER

Bahhumbug A startlingly early 90s sounds hits the listener as they embark upon My Pet Monster’s new single Bahhumbug. Distorted, but skillfully produced self-proclaimed ‘noise pop’, with a clear and catchy guitar riff that forwards the track on like a compelling narrative. Classic 90s guitar sounds complete the grunge-pop style and aims to have veterans of the era, as well as first time buyers, rocking out in ripped jeans. Blurry sounding vocal harmonies do become forgettable and bland as the track progresses, but an interesting, if not wholly original take on a fun and fashionably retro genre. JA mypetmonster.bandcamp.com

REVIEWS DEMOS FOX LANE

MR SCANNO

Demo This two track demo provided by Fox Lane shows a young band finding their way on a wave of promise. Guitar lines equally reminiscent of The Cure, Arctic Monkeys, Interpol and Bloc Party, strongly charismatic vocals pitched somewhere between Brian Molko and Ian Curtis, and pristine percussion are all carefully entwined herein. Horns is particularly great, a showcase of angular indie motifs. Only Walking is an interesting echo of its partner track, suggesting that the band’s awareness of texture is already highly developed. With an imminent EP beckoning, we look forward to see what other ideas these young scamps can bring to the plate. SMR soundcloud.com/fox-lane

Demo Self-confessed Britpop devotees, this demo suggests that this mound has been mined thoroughly by Mr Scanno, charting by association the sixties, seventies and nineties rock variants. Sunshine is a good example, echoing with sublime clarity the joyous simplicity of Oasis. And simplicity is the rule of thumb here. That’s not so much a criticism as a commendation. Transferred to the live pub environment, one can imagine punters going wild and spilling Strongbow all over the shop, particularly to the likes of It’s You. On record, it is not without its charms either but comes across as a little stifled. Still, worth a listen if it’s your cup of tea. SMR reverbnation.com/mrscanno

CODEONE

Demo CodeOne’s Linkin Park-esque rock sound is far from innovative or original, however the guitar riffs do become quite foot-tappingly catchy the more you listen. Simplicity could be the name of the game for this Cardiff trio as the components of each track work well together to build up to a cliched, but not altogether unenjoyable sound that promises to fill the mosh pit at under 18s alternative nights. Less screamy than their riffs may suggest, certainly, but with a hint of gaspy Muse about their sound that is bound to appeal to the teenager in us all. JA reverbnation.com/codeonewales

SPILLERS PICK OF THE MONTH

ISLET

Illuminated People Just how do Islet’s incendiary live shows translate onto their debut long-player? Bloody well, actually. As with 2010’s two mini-albums, Illuminated People offers a frenetic slideshow of musical ideas. 8-minute opener Libra Man is like an underground opera, charting at least six different soundscapes in what seems like no time. This Fortune is an irresistible, distortion-laden, jazz-dance wrecking ball, with blinding vocals from Emma Daman. Entwined Beauty is somehow both glacial and futuristic, like a cyborg ice-skating. We Bow is beautifully downbeat, almost Jeffrey Lewis-esque, and shows how rounded and articulate they have become together. And there’s a dynamicism at play too, they attack from every angle, wave after wave. It’s jawbreaking stuff and on A Bear On His Own, damn catchy too. SMR isletislet.com

= Bad

= Average

= Good

= Great

= Amazing

AVAILABLE TO BUY IN SPILLERS

028 | EXTRA

MMP EXTRA Online

Some of the more paranoid members of the MMP staff suspect the Internet is spying on us. They mutter vague concerns of it becoming self aware and deliberately leading us into oblivion like a cross between the Pied Piper of Hamlin and Terminator’s Skynet. Although a seemingly unlikely scenario we’ve prepared an online sanctuary for you at www.themmp. tv. You will enjoy additional features, competitions and up to the minute music that we couldn’t cram in the magazine. Plus it’s completely free of omnipresent super computers hell bent on your destruction... READ ...

Our brave reporters have more words in their crazy little minds then there are fish in the sea. The ones we don’t haul into the mag we put on display here. That’s words, not the fish...

CHAT

Are you going quietly insane with unexpressed fury at the current state of the local music industry? Unleash your inner journalist and share your wit, or indeed anger, while also helping us to be a better magazine .

www.themmp.tv

FREEBIES www.themmp.tv

DOWNLOAD SOCIETY

UP FOR GRABS

You are more likely to be voted Sofa User of the Year than win the national lottery. Thankfully in MMP land you’re far, far more statistically likely to win a prize because there’s only 300,000 thousand of us. Plus not everyone can read, let alone appreciate good music...

log on to themmp.tv to start the campaign for victory...

WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN?

Starved of sunlight and money you may doubt anything affordable or interesting is taking place out there. Think again! A huge variety of shows are on display in our extensive listings section. Peruse away!

WIN

That’s right, win! Be a winner, it suits you, you glorious thing!

FREEBIES

It’s like a mini riot where you can grab things without fearing the CCTV infrastructure...

Enthusiasm for the World Wide Web is inexplicably at an all time high. Indeed despite being populated almost exclusively with fanatics, sex fiends and Justin Bieber fan sites the rise of the digital underworld continues completely unabated. It’s not all bad though. We like to think that some of its more positive success is down to the MMP using it to share music with our readers for free. Another fine selection is available to you this month so get stuck in...

01 BEATBOX FOZZY FT. WILLO WISPA

02 THE ASH & THE OAK

03 TOTEM TERRORS

04 HAIL! THE PLANES

05 HENRY’S FUNERAL SHOE

06 THE RED AGE

07 WORD VIRUS ESSAY

08 YOUR PROTECTED

09 JAMES NEILL & THE AUTUMN WALTZ

10 I AM AUSTIN

Tuna Fish

The Joker

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

War Wounds

No Response

Sovereign Skull

Cordyceps

Brother (Zwolf Remix)

Charlotte

Dog Scratch Ear

L.A.F.S

NEED TO ADVERTISE? FREE

PRINT ADVERTISING

PRINTED MAGAZINE 10,000 COPIES! | 450+ STOCKISTS! PLUS: 6,000+ DIGITAL READS! FROM £100

WEB ADVERTISING

WEB BANNERS JUST £50 PER MONTH FREE WEB BANNER WITH EVERY FULL PAGE ADVERT * *OFFER ENDS 31/10/11

POSTER PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION

WEB BANNER WITH EVERY FULL PAGE AD

POSTER PRINTING: 100 X A4 £25 / 100 X A3 £35 FULL COLOUR, FAST TURN AROUND! POSTER DISTRIBUTION: 100 SITES = £60 FLYER / LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION: 450+ SITES.

www.themmp.tv For Info Contact e: ads@themmp.tv

PROMOTING NEW MUSIC IN CARDIFF

FOR AFFORDABLE AND EFFECTIVE BILLBOARD ADVERTISING AROUND TOWN

Contact Kenny on 0845 600 7605 or email: kenny@citycentrposters.co.uk

030 | SPOTLIGHT

Words by Rowan Liggett

THE END OF THE WORLD IS NIGH?

Who the hell did the Mayans think they were? We all know someone who thinks the world might end at some point this year. That person may even be you. George Lucas allegedly thinks so and he should know, he made Star Wars. Everyone has a theory.

Those not content with the most likely causes (nuclear war is so 20th century) chew over popular subjects like tectonic plates shifting, magnetic poles flipping and the ancient Mayans not having the foresight to create a never ending calendar. The bastards. Our charming fascination with global annihilation has led to an advertising campaign from a very famous brand of deodorant manufactures flogging a ‘ 2012 Final Edition’. What next? Bunkers 4 U? Fire- proof duvets to hide under? Are there really advertising executives out there excitedly shouting. ‘We’re going to make a killing out of this!’ It’s enough to make you want to strap yourself to the nearest available rocket and hope you can defy science by breathing in space, an activity infinitely preferable to listening to another paper thin theory about something that is definitely not going to happen. But there is another factor to consider and a far more tangible one at that. The 1950s saw the birth of rock’n’roll as a generation tried its best to banish memories of another world war. In the 60s the Cuban missile crisis freaked out the entire planet. In the end, though, it was pop music that exploded. History delivers the tunes. The question is what effect will the spectre of armageddon have on Wales’ fine collection of musicians? We’ve already received Islet’s five star beauty, Illuminated People, hopefully hinting at a glut of 2012 musical H-Bombs. There are new albums due from Richard James, Georgia Ruth and Cate Le Bon. Ditto from Houdini Dax, Wickes, The Method, The School, Huw M, Little Arrow and so many more. Coincidence? Think of the parties! Guaranteed to be onstage even as the tidal wave blacks out the sky would surely include Johnny Cage & The Voodoo Groove, Under The Driftwood Tree, Cakehole Presley and that guy who hangs around on Queen St trying to play his dog. On the whole, then, the good people of Cardiff can rest assured that, whatever happens, it’s all going to sound truly excellent. We all know that war, financial ruin and killer robots loom large on our horizon. What’s usually forgotten is that mankind has always teetered on the edge of doom. It’s our speciality. This awful state of affairs is actually maintaining the status quo and EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. Possibly. Sweet dreams…RJL

FEBRUARY 2012 | www.themmp.tv