Bonello's Blog

Without question Laugharne Weekend is one of my favourite events of the year. Set in the beautiful estuary town of Talacharn/Laugharne in West Wales, the weekend features music, talks, poetry and prose from a swathe of intriguing literary and musical talent. Just look at this line up for a start; where else could you find a talk from Prof Steven Jones , poetry and prose from Simon Armitage and music from the likes of Cerys Matthews and surf rock big kahunas Y Niwl?

It’s not all about the talent though as even the most prodigious savant is outshined by the wondrous town itself. Inspiration for Dylan Thomas’s Llareggub in Under Milk Wood the town sits on the Tâf Estuary, which pours into Carmarthen Bay along Thomas’s “Heron priested shore.” There are several excellent places to eat and drink and even a castle slap bang in the middle of town.

I have to declare a vested interest in the festival as I am part of the In Chapters collective run by Richard James and John Williams that organises the whole thing with Richard Thomas. I’m playing two slots back to back later today, first with the in chapters all star revue  and then as part of Richard James’s new psych-folk-desert rock outfit Pen Pastwn.

Basically, I’m very excited about it all and I think you should pop down for a to visit this fantastic place and maybe pick a few events to go and see. Tickety info is here.

Fire art by Andy Fung

As you may or may not know I have a hand in running a night called in chapters at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff with John Williams, Richard James and the in chapters band. We invite writers, poets and musicians to write a single piece based on a theme and perform it live on stage with the backing of the in chapters house band (should they wish it).

The in chapters band is ace. It has Ed Mugford on the bass, Andy Fung on drums, Eugene Capper on Violin/Viola, Rhodri Viney on Pedal steel/saw/guitar and myself and Richard James on guitars/keys/banjos etc. Playing music with these fine gentlemen is one of my most favourite things to do.

As well as collaborating with the band it is always fascinating to work with the writers and musicians contributing to the night and I have to say that tonight’s event based on the theme ‘Fire’ has produced some inspiring work. There’s a facebook event page here too.  Both Rich and myself have contributed new songs and Rhodri wrote a beautiful accompaniment to some prose by Des Barry. Add to that the music of Miss Word Salad, the words of two proper award-winning poets, more prose from Holly Muller and John Williams and the all round meic stevensness of Meic Stevens and you’ve got a very special evening indeed

So, if you’re at a loose end in Cardiff tonight come to the in chapters night and you won’t be disappointed!

Edrych ‘mlaen i chware nos Iau yn Bunkhouse gyda Greta Isaac a Meic Stevens!

Looking forward to performing this Thursday at Bunkhouse with Greta Isaac and Meic Stevens!

A compilation of video clips featuring Cardiff music collective Pen Pastwn on a trip to Sudan in February 2012. Funded by the British Council, the band (consisting of Richard James, Andrew Fung, Eugene Capper, Edward Mugford and Gareth Bonello) traveled to Sudan for a week, performing two concerts and collaborating with Sudanese musicians. Includes footage of the band rehearsing with Baja singer Siddi Doshka in Port Sudan as well as a live collaboration with Hussam Abdulsalam in Khartoum. There is also footage of singing and dancing at the final evening of a Sufi festival in Omdurman near Khartoum.

For more information visit the In Chapters website http://www.inchapters.com/

georgiaruthmusic:

Da iawn Georgia, Llongyfarchiadau!

IN LUNA EP released TODAY through Gwymon Records (on limited 10” and digitally).

You can find it in Spillers, and a range of other independent shops in Wales. You can order it online here: 

http://gwymon.bandcamp.com/ 

When I imagined this day, over a year ago, I think the imagined me was wearing a better dress. And I think maybe I was surrounded by Edwardian gentleman smoking pipes, applauding me. But even a damp day enveloped in sea mist feels like a hard million watts of light at present. I am so very happy. And I hope you like the record!

Here’s a quick video I’ve put together from the recent Pen Pastwn trip to Sudan. The music accompanying the visuals is performed by musicians from the Sudanese Traditional Music Center in Khartoum.

The video features footage of the area around Port Sudan and Pen Pastwn rehearsing with Beja singer Siddi Doshka. There’s also footage of dancing at a Sufi festival as well as from our live collaboration in Khartoum with composer/violinist Hussam Abdulsalam. There’s going to be a lot more video and audio going up on here and on the in chapters website over the next few weeks so keep a lookout.

The trip to Sudan was organised by the British Council and I know that everyone in the band is extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to explore the music and culture of such a fascinating country.

Pen Pastwn will be travelling to Sudan today for two gigs and a series of workshops with Sudanese Performer Siddi Doshka. We are playing Port Sudan on the 3rd of Feb and the National Museum in Khartoum on the 5th. I’ll be posting as much as I can up here throughout the week, so keep an eye out. Can’t wait!

Pen Pastwn (Richard James, Andy Fung, Ed Mugford, Eugene Capper and myself) are off to Sudan next week to play some gigs and to collaborate with Sudanese musicians. Click the photo for more info…

I’m very much looking forward to playing at this gig on Thursday - Laura’s debut album is fantastic and has already received plenty of praise from the likes of Uncut and Q magazine as well as reluctant respect from Mark Riley (see below).

Doors at 7:30pm I’ll be first on, followed my in chapters comrade Richard James who recorded an EP with Laura late last year, and then it’s the wonderful lady herself. Can’t wait!

MARC RILEY ”Laura J Martin just upped the ante in the lady flautist stakes. When she first came into my studio with Jonny (Euros Childs and Norman Blake) I expected her contribution to be some attracti…ve pleasant brass flourishes. How wrong can one be? She looked like she was trying to wrestle the thing to the floor. She’s no flautist - she’s a FLUTE WRANGLER! Nothing short of brilliant. More Tull than Galway for sure… and she can sing like an angel and play the Mandolin too… that’s why I don’t like her. In fact I HATE her. I HATE LAURA J MARTIN… YOU HEAR ME!?”