Little Arrow - Music, Masks & Poems (repackaged) £8 + P&P.
New website for Charlie Francis. Producer, Engineer, Engineer, Musician.
Very soon, we'll be giving away a free download of the brand new Little Arrow single, 'Our Taste is Violence'. In the meantime, you can see the brand new video for it, made by On-Par Productions, here...
This summer... Bubblewrap will have its stamp on 2 festivals in Wales, with identities and websites created for them. Firstly, in Cardiff from 23rd- 29th June, Tafwyl, a Welsh language music festival will be taking place. Secondly, from 29th June - 1st July, Dinefwr Literature Festival will take place at Dinefwr Park and Castle. Below are the 2 identites created for them. Watch this space for brand, spanking new websites!
We've also been busy and created a new website for Charlie Francis. Producer, Engineer, Engineer, Musician. We're very proud of this one. Have a look at it here... charliefrancis.com
In the run up to Little Arrow's gig at Gwdihw here's another video taken from the Christmas session they did with Bethan Elfyn for Amazing Radio. enjoy...
Happy 2012! To kick off this year, here is a Little Arrow video filmed by On-Par Productions. The song, 'People of the Volcano' is available on their debut album which was out last year, and you can buy it from our Shop!
You can catch Little Arrow playing in Gwdihw, Cardiff on the 25th January. More info can be found here.
Here is Bubblewrap's top 10 of 2011. Compiled by Bubblewrap members, collaborators and Artists. You may notice that our own release, Little Arrow, is in 2nd place. After deliberation, i found it necessary to keep it in it's rightful position (It actually received an equal number of votes as Fleet Foxes), despite obvious conflicts of interest, because we wouldn't have released it if it wasn't amazing, and we hope you feel the same...
1. Fleet Foxes |
|
2. Little Arrow |
|
3. Wild Beasts |
|
4. Beirut |
|
5. Bon Iver |
|
6. Radiohead |
|
7. Josh T. Pearson |
|
8. Gruff Rhys |
|
9. Girls |
|
10. Little Dragon |
We also had albums that came close but didn't quite make the cut of our top 10. Nevertheless, the deserve an honourable mention (in no particulate order)…
Wilco - The Whole Love
The Keys - Bitten by Wolves
The Strokes - Angles
DJ Shadow - The Less You Know The better
Bjork - Biophilia
Feist - Metals
Hidden Orchestra - Night Walks
Other Lives - Tamer Animals
Bright Eyes - The People's Key
Treefight for Sunlight - Treefight for Sunlight
Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Battles - Gloss drop
Colorama - colouring book
Here is On-Par's video for Part 1 of Bethan Elfyn's "Oh Little Bands of Bethlehem" featuring an Interview with Rich from Bubblewrap Collective and live music from Bubblewrap's Little Arrow, and also from Evening Chorus and Joshua Caole. You can listen back to the whole show here and hear some more Christmas music from Alexanda Comana, Ceri Frost & Under the Driftwood Tree.
Merry Christmas everybody! As our gift to you here is a rather funky version of the classic Christmas song, "Silent Night", performed here by our very own Little Arrow...
And that is not all that's happening over the festive holidays. Catch Bubblewrap in the media twice:
1. On Monday 19th December we will be guests on Bethan Elfyn's Amazing Radio Christmas Special. Her "Little Bands of Bethlehem" special will feature music from Bubblewrap's Little Arrow and Evening Chorus, as well as a wealth of other Cardiff artists. You can listen to it here. And look out for On-Par Productions beautiful recording of the evening. Coming Soon!
2. December 29th on S4C's "Bandit", Bubblewrap's "Recordiau Lliwgar" and Sibrydion artwork will be featured, with an interview in a section about Welsh album cover design.
Christmas is getting closer now, and as tv, radio and newspaper ads fill your head up with seasonal offers and jingles, we thought we'd add to it (sorry!). It's that time of year again where you can't go wrong with a bit of indie/folk/pop christmas songs, and you need not look any further than our shop, where you can get '12 Days of Christmas' for only £6! Featuring a cavalcade of christmas classics from Sweet Baboo, Allo Darlin', The School and loads more.
After a great Swn festival this year, and a successful stage for Bubblewrap and Nyth, On-Par and The MMP have done some great videos with the bands we had on our stage. Here are a selection below, but you can watch loads more at themmp.tv/mmptv.
The lovely people at The MMP have also featured Little Arrow in their latest issue. Pick up your copy from various Cardiff locations today or read the article online here.
This month we're at Swn festival sharing a stage with the wonderful Nyth. Come down and join us on October 22nd from 2.30pm. They'll be live sets from Little Arrow, Barefoot Dance of the Sea, Ivan Moult, Evening Chorus, Sen Segur, Y Niwl, Violas and Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog. See more on the facebook page here, or read more about Swn 2011 by going to www.swnfest.com. Gwdihw will be full to the brim of the finest musicians under the sun and all of the fun and frolics of that Bubblewrap Nest! Fly on down.
To celebrate our day at Swn we have some free downloads for you. You can download "I Know That I'll Never be Born Again" by Ivan Moult, "If I Could Only Fly" by Barefoot Dance of the Sea and "Boat" by Little Arrow by going to our downloads page. Not only that, we have a limited edition best of Bubblewrap CD to give away at our show at Gwdihw. It's a beautiful screenprinted recycled card wallet, a real rarity!
We've also got some new stock in for Swn with Little Arrow's album being repackaged AND some brand new Little Arrow t-shirts! You can buy each separately in our shop or buy the 2 together for £15 (+ P&P).
Lastly, we've been working with On-Par and The MMP and created some idents, banners and Ads. here's one of the videos below. You can see more at themmp.tv/mmptv/
You can see these and more examples of our latest work over in our work section including a new website for Vintage clothes seller Eagle Eye Vintage.
This month we will be releasing free downloads in our lead up to SWN festival. First off, Little Arrow's 'Boat'. You can download it clicking the link below and tweeting about it. Help us spread the word! Not on twitter? you can download it from our downloads page!
Plus, we have an amazing video from the guys at On-Par Productions below, capturing a live acoustic performance and some great fishing shots, enjoy...
Here are a few live videos of Evening Chorus & Barefoot Dance of the Sea performing their split 7" singles. First up, Evening Chorus with 'Decisions'...
Secondly, here is Barefoot Dance of the Sea's '531 Miles from Aberdeen to Cardiff'. Both Songs were filmed live by On-Par Productions at The Pot Cafe, Cardiff.
This month has been busy with Bubblewrap supporting some brand new Welsh language labels and bands, and also a brand new website supporting Cathays Youth Centre's Under Construction Festival.
Firstly, the amazing Recordiau Lliwgar. We had the honour of designed their identity, template and first release, 'Y Record Goch'. The limited edition double 10" vinyl featuring Dau Cefn, Y Bwgan, Sen Segur and Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog is out next month and available from recordiaulliwgar.com. Check out some more of the artwork here.
Secondly, album artwork for Sibrydion's 'Uwchben y Drefn' album, released on their brand new label JigCal. 
Sibrydion's 13 track album is out next month with a launch gig on July 16th in Clwb Ifor Bach. We did the poster for that along with an awesome 60s magazine ispired albu booklet. Check it out here.
Thirdly, underconstruction.org.uk is a youth music project. Here's what they do:
"Under Construction is performed, organised, staffed and operated almost entirely by young people. Since September 2006, every year a group of members that make up the event steering committee have been meeting and scheming on everything from poster design to site planning, making license applications to booking toilets. They'll also have the chance to be stewards, stage managers, photographers and workshop leaders etc on the day of the festival. The project also incorporates youth music events throughout the year."
Bubblewrap Collective are proud to be supporting the up and coming musicians of Cardiff. Make your way down to Maindy Cycle Track on 20th August to check out their festival!
We've also been to West Wales to film the amazing Little Arrow in their natural habitat. Here's a taster of what's to come, filmed by the amazing On-Par Productions...
We've got some gigs coming up this month. Little Arrow will be perfoming an acoustic set at The Pot Cafe, Crwys Rd on 16th June with support from Francesca's Word Salad.
On the following Tuesday, 21st June, Little Arrow will be supporting the amazing Driver Drive Faster. Additional support will be from newly formed Winter Villains, a new venture by Bubblwrap's very own Josef Prydogzicz. Check them out on their band camp here.
Ivan Moult will be playing at Chapter with Ffred Jones for his album launch on Wednesday 1st June at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. There will also be support from Jon Fazal.
On May 16th, Barefoot Dance of the Sea's debut EP 'Til Voices Wake Us is released on Bubblewrap Reocrds, read more about it in our music section. They launch their EP in Cardiff's CAI on Wednesday 18th May. Buy the physical, silver foiled packaging version in out shop, or get it digitally thorugh itunes. You can also have a listen on our bandcamp page.
Little Arrow's debut album, 'Music, Masks & Poems' is out now and available to buy from the shop. You can also download it from itunes and any other popular download sites. Here's a video for 'People of the Volcano' by Swansea film student Ewen McGreggor...
Next week see's the launch of Bubblewrap's eighth release, Evening Chorus & Barefoot Dance of the Sea's Split single. The 7" vinyl is out on Monday 18th April and their sold out gig in The Pot follows on Wednesday the 20th.
In other Barefoot Dance of the Sea news, we are very pleased to announce another swift release from them in the form of a 6 song EP, 'Til Voices Wake Us. The beautiful collection of songs will be out on the 16th May, read a bit more about it our music section! in the meantime, you can catch them live on:
Apr 13, The Slaughtered Lamb - London, UK with Martin Carr
Apr 16, at the The Laugharne Weekend of literature and music
Apr 24, 10 Feet Tall Easter all-dayer, Cardiff
In other gig news we have a double Bubblewrap bill next Tuesday with our latest signing, the amazing Little Arrow, and the ever enchanting Ivan Moult. They will both (separately) be supporting My First Tooth and Onward Chariots at Buffalo Bar, Cardiff.
So that brings me on to Little Arrow...
Their debut album, Music, Masks & Poems is out on the 2nd May and it is a corker! It'll be up in our shop soon along with Barefoot's new EP. Why not read more about it in our music section.
April will see the 8th release from Bubblewrap Records with a Split 7" Vinyl between Evening Chorus & Barefoot Dance of the Sea, Available from 18th April. It will be available in limited edition gold foiled packaging andalso unlimited download. Catch a sneek peak of the artwork here...
The record will have a launch party on the 20th April in The Pot Cafe on Crwys Rd, Cardiff with support from New York's Rebecca Pronsky.The gig is almost sold out alredy but if you're lucky you can get a few tickets from wegottickets.co.uk, or from The Pote Cafe.
Massive thanks to On-Par Productions for this short doc/music video.
This film captures the world weary ache that flows through Ivan's songs, delivered with a trademark vocal tenderness that demonstrates an intriguing maturity and intelligence of a young man finding his own way in the world.
Bubblewrap Collective have been making the final touches to the On-Par Productions website. On-Par are a Cardiff based video production and promotional films company and we are also very proud to be in partnership with them providing services for each other.
While we help out with post-production, credits, titles and graphics, in return On-Par have been filming and editing some of Bubblewraps signed artists. Very soon they'll be an Ivan Moult video up on both sites, but in the meantime check they're website out at www.onparproductions.co.uk.
I recomend their documentary film on the Phoenix Cinema or the coverage from the Big Splash festival in Newport last year....
Bubblewrap's Rich Chitty won the MMP Cover competition this month with his Gruff Rhys cover. Here it is...
Lucky Delucci's Double A-Side 7" Vinyl is out now. Get it from the Bubblewrap Shop!
And here's some reviews...
Compared to some of their more psychedelic tinged offerings this double A side single from the Bubblewrap Records outfit is a much more downbeat affair than expected. It's awash with melancholic strings, aloof glockenspiel and a chorus line of apparently broken hearted angels. It's accomplished work that despite lacking a certain amount of clout makes up for it with its rich sonic tapestry of synths, piano and pitch perfect harmonies. Echoes of Lou Reed's Velvet Underground can be heard amongst the unmistakeable Delucci esqe approach to producing alternative pop. Perfect for gazing out at the cold, winter sky.
Likeable shuffle-pop with twinkly xylophones. If you've never worn a button badge as an adult you'll probably hate it, but I happen to have a jar dedicated to the collection of same, so found 'Winter On The Moon' inoffensive and almost postcard-pretty. Let's not forget, being nice isn't a crime. But let's also not forget that it is impossible for songs like this to give you the raging horn. So don't put it on if you want to snog that girl from Finance at the Christmas Party.
Chosen by
|
John Grant |
Of Montreal |
Sufjan Stevens |
Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs |
Spencer McGarry Season Episode 2 |
Chosen by
|
Amiina |
Silje Nes |
Efterklang |
Beach House |
The National |
Chosen by
|
Laura Marling |
Johnny Flynn |
Bombay Bicycle Club |
J Tillman |
Jonsi |
Chosen by
|
Bonobo |
The Last Dinosaur |
Broken Bells |
The XX |
Ivan Moult |
Chosen by
|
The School |
Allo Darlin' |
Sweet Baboo |
David Tattersall |
The Drums |
Chosen by
|
The Last Dinosaur |
The Bees |
Arcade Fire |
Gorillaz |
Broken Bells |
The last time I saw Ivan Moult, he had just played his fourth ever show with The School at the Wee Red Bar in Edinburgh. We'd been lamenting the proposed closure of BBC 6 Music, and the generally sorry state of the music industry. Five months and 4000 miles now separate me from the Wee Red Bar. Since then, 6Music has been granted a reprieve and Ivan has released his debut solo EP, Mine Canary, through Cardiff's Bubblewrap Collective.
Mine Canary is a far cry from The School. Though there may be a dash of the 60s swirling around in the mix, you'll find no Phil Spector or Brill Building sounds here. You can trace Ivan's musical DNA through the folk scene and even deeper, dipping into the Delta blues. The songs are quite stripped down, Ivan's smoky vocals accompanied almost exclusively by his own guitar playing, their colour enhanced by generous use of open chord voicings and rare, minimal piano fills.
For a disc like Mine Canary, choosing a standout track is an exercise in futility as any one of the last three tracks could be your favourite song on any given day. But, for purely melodic reasons and the sheer unforgettability of it, "Fetch me a bucket" has got to be the high point of the collection. Like any good folk song, it has the ring of something you've loved all your life with no distinct point of origin. I cannot tell you how long I've heard "So fetch me some water, and some bread and a bucket. / Leave me to sleep it off and send me to my bed. / And tell me in the morning how I ended up corrupted. / And then I'll realise that you go straight to my head." going round in my head, because, as far as I know, it's always been there. What I can be sure of is this: when it is gone, it will be all too soon.
For years, miners in the UK and US would take canaries deep into the mines with them. So long as the birds remained healthy, the miners knew they were free from the immediate danger of toxic gas. And like its namesake, if Ivan Moult's Mine Canary is any indicator, the world is still a safe place for music.
Miniature Music Press 4.1/5
Taking a break from playing guitar in Cardiff's most relentlessly pop band, The School, Ivan Moult's EP The Mine Canary is a thoughtful and arresting work. The production is simple with Moult accompanying himself on guitar and occasionally piano. The sparseness of sound allows his lyrics to take centre stage and just likecanary of the album's title he inhabit's a dark world, wishes for the light and stoically accepts what ;ife has to offer. He tackles the subject of relationshipswith an urbane melancholy and disarming honesty. He literally appreciates any crumbs of comfort he is offered in songs like Fetch Me a Bucket and his observations of the seemingly inconsequential show a poetic heart. It can't be much fun being a mine canary, there is too much responsibilty to keep those around you safe but Moult accepts the challenge and leaves us wanting more. A definite grower of an EP.
www.theminiaturemusicpress.com
New Sound Wales
This excellent first release from Cardiff's Ivan Moult is an impressive calling card and wouldn't have sounded out of place coming out of the Island Records early 1970s stable of singer song writers. The songs are subdued, reflective and have subtle embedded melodies that gradually reveal themselves. The more you listen, the more impact they have. 'I Might Get Cold' is the standout track and could do for his career what 'Run' did for Stephen Fretwell. Just when you thought things had gone a bit quiet for new talent along came Ivan Moult and my faith in new Welsh music is restored once more. Classy.
www.newsoundwales.co.uk
Ivan Moult @ 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff on Tuesday 6th July. 7.30pm with support from Elephant & Soldier and The Sleepiest Trekker.
Joy Collective
Award for loveliest, fluffiest, crumbliest, flakiest (That's enough – Ed) gig of the week goes to this EP launch event. Ivan Moult inspires yelping and general perspiration from female students through his guitar playing in Cardiff's pop gems The School; this here evening however will see his acoustic side bust out (gently). Stand by for fine, unshowy and quietly beautiful folk music. Support comes from Elephant And Soldier, whose bedroom-based scrapbooks will make for intriguing live scenes, and The Sleepiest Trekker, who for all I know cover Biohazard songs on human bone keyboards while gargling fake blood. Although bear in mind they are called The Sleepiest Trekker.
Also check out the 4/5 review in Buzz this month. You can read it online here.
The Mine Canary EP captures the world weary ache that flows through Ivan’s songs, delivered with a trademark vocal tenderness that demonstrates an intriguing maturity and intelligence of a young man finding his own way in the world. The 5 tracks showcase a mouth watering talent, at home in gentle textures and thought provoking lyrics.
buy it here...
New gig poster up. check it out here...
It is also available to buy from Spillers records, itunes and cdbaby.
Come and celebrate the launch at Buffalos in Cardiff on May 5th with great support from Hail! The Planes, Silence at Sea and Ivan Moult. See the facebook Page here.
You can listen to Lucky Delucci's BBC Radio 1 inroducing in Wales with Bethan Elfyn here.
AND...
Miniature Music Press said this:
December 1986 is the first of a string of singles building up to Delucci’s potentially magnificent full-on album later in the year. Producer Kris Jenkins (SFA, Cate Le Bon) is on board and collectively he and the band have conjured a formidable sound. At first, it’s reminiscent of a pastoral Modest Mouse with its jerky guitar line and percussion but as it progresses it steadily develops into a sweeping epic resplendent in string, voices and glockenspiel. Equally pleasing is B-side Old Sound Of The River which is like the soundtrack to a flower wizard’s riverside walk. It shuffles and brims with sunshine. Bring on the album!
City Life, Cardiff said this:
Part of a group in Cardiff who seem to mix and match members and ideas. The single release demonstrates a growinf confidence and maturity in its tale of lost innocence. Their sound is loose and relaxed and will appeal to fans of Gorkys and Sufjan Stevens.
We've had a few reviews in from the States and song of the day on Music That I Like.
See the reviews here:
www.knoxroad.com
lesenfantsterriblesmusic
Featuring 4 great covers performed in their distinctive lo-fi style. The final of the decology of EP's is released on March 10th 2010 - celebrating their 4 year anniversary and timely exit from the stage.
Posters for Cardiff & London shows as well as the uk tour.
You can read them by clicking these links... The Indie Handbook & Pull Yourself Together.
Keep your eyes peeled for a brand new release from Little My very soon...
Bubblewrap are very happy to announce that Little My's Ninth EP is coming out under Bubblewrap Records from next Monday! The 4 track EP is now available to buy from our shop. Preorder now!
Click the link to see what he has to say and to see his other top 10 including Cherryade 'A Very Merry Christmas Volume 5', and Slow Club's Christmas, Thanks for Nothing EP': http://drownedinsound.com/news/4138748-huw-stephens-names-his-festive-ten
Check out an interview with Lucky Delucci frontman Josef Prygodicz on www.newsoundwales.com
You may have missed the Christmas post but download 12 Days of Chistmas now from itunes!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/12-days-of-christmas/id344253219
The Indie Handbook: http://theindiehandbook.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/a-switched-on-christmas-spectacular/
Buzz Magazine page 56: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1j724/BuzzmagazineDec09/resources/index.htm
New Sound Wales:http://www.newsoundwales.co.uk/cd.htm
and Miniature Music Press gave it 3.5/5!
The Music Fix give us our 1st review! (7/10) Check it out here... http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/content/review/8054/various-artists.html
The twelve bands involved were hand-picked by Richard Chitty (The School, Lucky Delucci, Little My) and Harri Davidson (The School, Little My), and were given 31 days to write and record a Christmas song incorporating one of the Twelve Days of Christmas. From a partridge in a pear tree to drummers drumming, each band has brought their own artistic style to create a fruitful spectrum of genres ranging from indie pop to folk to tweepop. See the music section for more details...
A bear playing a saxophone and an inquisitive monkey. Just a few of the details on offer here. Click the image to see the whole thing...
