CaStLeS - Foresteering
Info: Continuing our cultural music exchange (or Celtic Blog Exchange as Aled puts it, which sounds so much better!) between Ireland and Wales, here's a cracking single, 'Foresteering', via Snowdonia psych-rock act CaStLeS I really enjoyed from our partner site, Music Blog Wales. Review courtesy of Music Blog Wales;
North Walian trio CaStLeS craft music that swirls between the sounds of Os Mutantes, Ennio Morricone and the mountains of Snowdonia: theirs is a unique sonic brew delightful voodoo grooves laced with psych riffs and hypnotic reverb soaked melodies.
CaStLeS debut self produced album Fforesteering was recorded on a Zoom 16-track digital recorder inside a static caravan at guitarist and vocalist Cynyr’s home in Ceunant, high up in the hills of Snowdonia. Splicing together elements of surf guitar music, kraut-rock grooves, and hypnotic psych-tinged Cymru vocal harmonies, CaStLeS craft a unique sound and they might just be your favourite new Welsh guitar band.
Fforesteering is a continuation of the themes of 'PartDepart’ EP which was released at the tail end of 2015, inspired and possessed by by the North Walian landscape and the location of the caravan within which it was recorded, many songs brought to life simply by being out and about in the country. The band say of the recordings: “nature is a place of comfort and reflection, to retreat to and hide from it all at times, as a subject, it can be used as an analogy to human society and our own personal nature.”
Formed in Snowdonia, Wales back in 2008 by brothers Dion and Cynyr Hamer, after various musical manifestations as a duo, they were joined by Derwyddon Dr Gonzo bassist Calvin Thomas. Early demo releases received radio plays on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Wales & Cymru as well as a TV appearance on S4C.
CaStLeS took a brief hiatus in 2011 whilst Cynyr and Dion were touring Europe and America with Welsh rock band We Are Animal. During this time CaStLeS were writing new material. In early 2015 the band released two Welsh language singles a week apart. Argau and Ar Agor were positively received and resulted in the band being asked to record a radio session for BBC Radio Cymru’s C2 show and a live performance on S4C TV’s Ochr 1.
These releases along with their debut EP 'PartDepart’ as well as a live reputation earned by travelling up and down the country. Earned CaStLeS their debut performance on the BBC Introducing stage in August 2016 at Reading & Leeds Festival.
Links:
https://www.castlesofficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/Cestyll
https://castlesband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.twitter.com/Cestyll
