Bonello's Blog

View near Llanuwchllyn

Gig Stuff

I’m in the middle of recording album no.3 so I’m taking a back seat from gigging to allow time to finish the record. Nevertheless I do have some dates in the diary, so have a look and see if you’d like to add them to yours. Most are local to Cardiff as I’m not really looking to travel at the moment. I expect there’ll be more dates added from April onwards too.

Chwefror/February:

9fed/9th - Clwb Rheilffordd, Bangor

14fed/14th - The Full Moon, Caerdydd/Cardiff

15fed/15th - St John’s Church, Canton, Cardiff/Caerdydd

Mawrth/March:

15fed/15th - The Norwegian Church, Cardiff/Caerdydd - Charity Gig!

Ebrill/April:

7fed/7th - Laugharne Weekend - Talacharn/Laugharne

Mai/May:

24fed/24th - The Parrot - Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen

Album stuff

In other news I’ve spent the last two days at a remote cottage near Bala recording with Llion Robertson and my brother Alun. It was great to get away from the city and we’ve put a big dent in the album so I’m hoping it’ll be out in late spring/early summer.

Myself, Llion & Alun outside the cottage/studio near Llanuwchllyn

Eos/BBC

I’ve been quite quiet about the dispute between a union of Welsh language musicians and the BBC, because quite frankly it’s a very complicated issue and I’ll probably get the facts wrong. I am one of the musicians that has signed up with Eos and suffice to say I am concerned that Eos and the BBC haven’t reached an agreement. I’m also frustrated by the bombardment of confusing and often misleading statistics from both sides. Finally, I hate the way that the situation has set musicians against each other and the BBC, and I hope that a resolution that is acceptable to everyone can be reached soon.

Nadolig Llawen! Llun nadoligaidd gan Ai Weiwei

Happy Christmas! Festive picture by Ai Weiwei

Source:

This is the opening track for a new album I’ve been writing based on the life of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. It featured on a covermount CD of Welsh music that came free with Songlines Magazine’s November/December 2012 issue. 

Written and recorded in Chengdu, Sichuan province, it features traditional musicians from the Chengdu Associated Theatre of performing Arts on Guzheng, Erhu and Xiao. The song is based on some of Li Bai’s early poems written when he was still a teenager. 

The young poet travels into the Tai Tien mountains in search of sage counsel from a Taoist master. Once there however, he wanders through the Pine forest without finding the wise old man. In the end the young poet concludes that the old man has delivered the lesson simply by leaving him to wander in the splendour of nature alone.

Guitar & Vocals - Gareth Bonello

Erhu - Huang Wheizi

Guzheng - Jiang Qian

Xiao - Sun Xian Chu

Recorded by Ling Ya Ping, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China & Llion Robertson, Cardiff, Wales.

My work in China was funded by The British Council, PRSF and supported by Wales Arts International

I’m pretty busy in October & November; recording the 3rd album and moving house as well as playing a load of gigs. I thought it’d be a good idea to put up some links to show what I’m up to. Just in case anyone’s interested in popping along to something:

October the 6th - North Wales International Poetry Festival , Bangor

October the 8th - Free gig in the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

October the 18th-November 2nd - Theatre Tour of Wales (See the poster), Wales

November 3rd - Dylan Thomas Festival, Swansea

November 12th - Supporting Laetitia Sadier with Pen Pastwn - Cardiff

A few other things in the pipeline as well, so I’ll try to keep this blog up to date.ish.

loveisamerrygomine:

my love letter to Cardiff. x

Big Love Festival, Chengdu - 24/06/12

Bant i Beijing nawr/Off to Beijing now - Ffarwel Chengdu!

I’m currently back in Chengdu to play at Big Love Music Festival before moving on to Beijing to play a concert in the Forbidden City. Being back reminded me that I’ve got loads of video and audio I need to share so I’ll start with this clip of Miss Jiang Qian playing the Guzheng accompanied by Mr Huang Weizhi on the Erhu, filmed whilst I was here last October. Enjoy!

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!