CARDIFF LIVES
Q&A
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ormed in Cardiff in 1993, acclaimed Welsh psych-rock legends Super Furry Animals have built a huge fan base for their fusion of pop, punk, electronic experimentation and prog on key albums such as Fuzzy Logic and Radiator, which they toured to great acclaim at the end of last year. These days, lead guitarist Huw Bunford also runs (and DJs at) the Big Fish Little Fish family raves at Cardiff’s Tramshed – fun for kids and big kids alike... Where’s home, and what makes it special? Penarth. It feels like home, and you can see the weather rolling in. We assume you’re taking a well-earned rest after SFA’s recent Fuzzy Logic/Radiator tour, but what are you up to at the moment? Yes, that tour was great – our fans are the best! I’ve just finished doing the music score for an animation film directed by Daisy Jacobs, a followup to the score I wrote for her previous film (The Bigger Picture), which won her a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination. You run (and DJ at) Big Fish Little Fish family raves at Cardiff’s Tramshed with your wife, Tabitha – how did you get involved with that? When we were in London, we would take our kids to a BFLF family rave in Balham, as we were friends with the organisers – when we moved to Cardiff, they asked us to run BFLF in Wales. We run a massive family rave at Tramshed every two months – it’s brilliant to get babies and kids enjoying music and families dancing together. What makes BFLF special? You can just have a ball in a safe, familyorientated environment. There’s something for everyone – arts and crafts, a bar, soft-play, chillout areas, face painting, and more. If you had to choose three floor-fillers from your playlist, what would they be? At the moment, it’s anything by Todd Terje, The Way You Move by OutKast and Shoorah Shoorah by Betty Wright.
HUW ‘BUNF’ BUNFORD The Super Furry Animals guitarist on family raves, favourite floor-fillers and buying posh socks Most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you? Too many! I’m very clumsy – showing off, falling flat on my face, that kind of thing. If you could get up on your soapbox about a particular issue, what would it be? Saving independent venues from ‘behemoths’ – i.e. Womanby Street vs Wetherspoons.
Karaoke choice? She Bangs by Ricky Martin. Must-watch television programme? The Sky At Night.
When did you last cry? When Wales beat Belgium.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? Mr Able-To-Make-Perfect-Tea.
Dream dinner party guests? Orson Welles, Eleanor Roosevelt.
Best thing about Cardiff? The people keep it real.
If push came to shove, what would be your final meal of choice? I’m not on death row, but I do like a pie.
Favourite shops in Cardiff? I love the fish market.
Most famous person you follow on Twitter? I’m not on Twitter. I’m barely on Facebook.
If your nearest and dearest had to describe you, what would they say? Wot a hunk!
How do you relax? Paragliding.
Who would play you in a film about your life? That Trekkie guy? I can’t remember his name...
Proudest moment so far? During a Wales international football game, we were the pre-match entertainment. The team were doing their warm-up on the pitch, and a ball came over to our stage, so I jumped off and chipped it back to Aaron Ramsey – very proud of that.
Guiltiest pleasure? Buying posh socks. What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? Don’t skimp on sock quality. What’s on your bookshelf at the moment? Lots of books and vinyl, musical instruments and my wife’s dodgy taxidermy collection.
82 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Which piece of music always sends a shiver down your spine? The Jaws theme or Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.
Locally, where do you like to eat and drink? The Pilot in Penarth is a real local – great food, drink and staff. Our dog has been known to slip out the house and make his way there! Secret or favourite Cardiff spot? Lavernock Point. The ions in the air are something else. Finally, surprise us with a little-known fact about yourself… I’ve got super-long arms.
The next Big Fish Little Fish family rave is on 18 June at Tramshed. For more info, see bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk