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ISLET
Pic: Ian Davies
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff Sat 7 Mar “This album belongs very definitely to this place,” says Islet’s Emma Daman Thomas. The group’s new album Eyelet was recorded entirely within the home she shares with husband and bandmate Mark and their two children, huddled among the moody slopes of the Black Mountains. “The photos on the sleeve are of hills I see every day – I only slightly exaggerated their innate Postman Pat nature.” Islet have been as Welsh a staple as those mountains within the local scene for several years, last playing Clwb Ifor Bach last May during the Psych & Noise Fest and returning again this March – this time launching their first release in four years. Floaty, chirpy, sometimes groovy psych-pop may not be what you associate with the Beacons – even less so than with lyrics that dart between the right to abort, hedging planting, the newborn in the house, and decrying white supremacy. The connection made, however, is quite profound, as inspired by the Raymond Williams novel People Of The Black Mountains. “In these times of fragmentation, division and suspicion I find it comforting to think of how many human eyes of all kinds have looked out across the same hills. It’s a welcome reminder of the insignificance of the tiny blip of time that is currently ours,” Emma explains. The striking backdrop and the significance of all who have dwelt within it are only part of the appeal, however: “Commuting time is short when you’re recording in your own house. We can make as much noise as we like, the volume of farm machinery makes our rocking out puny by comparison.” Final member of the trio Alex Williams stayed as houseguest for the months of writing. “The recording was a fairly intense period of time, but I like the house being full of people coming and going, babysitting, recording, cooking,” says Emma on the subject of downtime. “Writing is the downtime! Sort of. Having the time constraints of small children certainly sharpens the mind, there’s little time to procrastinate so you do have to get on with it.” JASON MACHLAB Tickets: £13. Info: 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net
AMADOU DIAGNE & CORY SEZNEC
Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire Wed 25 Mar The Senegalese Amadou Diagne [pictured] is a singer-songwriter, percussionist, guitarist and griot – from the latter tradition, this intending to distribute stories through the medium of music. Songs of his like Senegal and Africa Stop War help reflect his political intentions, encouraging a focus on the conflicts within Africa. A former percussionist for the Senegalese National Band; Diagne has made waves in the music scene of Dakar, Senegal’s culturally bustling capital. Diagne’s music incorporates much of its style from Senegal, mixing acoustic guitar and soft drumming in order to create a rhythmic beat. After winning a Battle Of The Bands contest hosted by the World Music Network, he got some recognition in the UK, too, and is now signed with Waulk Records. Cory Seznec, a French-American guitarist and banjo player, developed his interest in African musical styles in the course of researching fingerstyle playing techniques; his style altered to become more polyrhythmic as he moved away from typical musical approaches, and became yet more cosmopolitan after moving to Ethiopia for a few years. Tickets: £12. Info: burnettshill.co.uk (LJM) BUZZ 40
LLOYD COLE
Tramshed, Cardiff Sat 4 Apr With a tour title of From Rattlesnakes To Guesswork, Lloyd Cole walks the fine line of an artist of restless creativity whose biggest release was 26 years ago. Rattlesnakes’ bookends, Perfect Skin and Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken, are musts in any Cole setlist. The last time I saw Cole was in Clwb Ifor Bach, over 20 years ago. Back then his fans were frighteningly precious over their 80s idol and strict silence was maintained throughout the performance. I wonder if the Tramshed crowd will be as quiet through the electronic wanderings of latest release Guesswork. After a return to rockier form with 2013’s crowdfunded and well received Standards, Cole’s first collection of new material since is a little harder to engage with. Guesswork has some lovely moments. Remains slides lazily around the speakers while When I Came Down From The Mountain sounds like someone turned the tempo up on a Leonard Cohen backing track, in a good way. So it will be interesting to hear how Cole approaches this material live and how he’ll make the concept of a careerspanning setlist work with such varied material. But don’t forget, keep it quiet at the back... Tickets: £26. Info: 029 2023 5555 / www.tramshed.com (JPD)
THE TRIALS OF CATO
The Gate, Cardiff, Sat 21 Mar; Abersytwyth Arts Centre, Wed 1 Apr The Trials Of Cato’s name has overtones of ancient Rome, although the band took it from their former dig-sharing landlord who didn’t care for their music. They formed in Beirut while working as English teachers in 2015 and earned high marks in Lebanon. The trio of William Addison (Irish bouzouki, accordion, percussion, vocals), Robin Jones (mandolin, tenor banjo, vocals) and Tomos Williams (guitars, backing vocals) came back home to Britain and toured. A 2017 self-titled EP was followed a year later by debut album Hide And Hair, which won Best Album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Jones and Williams both hail from Wrexham, Addison from Leeds, and while they honour traditional folk music, they don’t follow that genre to the letter – they update, modernise and can rock out. Gloria, an original tune about a 16-year-old miner who follows his heart with a surprise metamorphosis, is a story that is current while also something people have been doing for ages. The Trials of Cato get an A plus – excellent. Tickets: £13.50. Info: 029 2048 3344 / www.thegate.org.uk (Cardiff); 01970 623232 / aberystwythartscentre.co.uk (RLR)
XHOSA COLE
Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff Fri 13 Mar Every Friday evening, the Royal Welsh College showcases two of Wales’ most exciting jazz bands, which has proven to be both a great opportunity for young musicians to perform, and for members of the public to catch a glimpse of what the future of the genre may sound like. The latter is exactly what this AmserJazzTime special with Xhosa Cole promises to deliver. The winner of the BBC Young Jazz Musician competition in 2018, whose saxophone performance was acclaimed at the time as “heartfelt, sincere and communicative,” Cole’s success has been heralded as a product of Birmingham’s numerous community arts programs, including its Music Service, from which he received free tuition and instruments. Hailing from Handsworth, his name is rightfully now the latest in the city’s long lineage of saxophonists. Cole’s enthusiasm for the arts was jumpstarted through dance, but described falling in love with the saxophone in his early teens. With endorsements from industry names such as Mike Williams, Cole and the other student performers seem set to deliver a delightful evening for jazz fans and the unitiated alike this month. Admission: free. Info: 029 2039 1391 / www.rwcmd.ac.uk (AP)