Caerphilly-based SoundStorm describe themselves as “five lads who love to put great melodies across solid rhythms with great lyrics”. Their statement seems to hold true after visiting their MySpace page where you’re welcomed by the punchy intro of their track ‘Year of the Gun 2007‘.

Their next gig will be at The Whammy Bar, Ystrad Mynach on the 6th of October followed by another on the 28th of October at Monchinos in Cardiff.

Keep an eye on these guys and let’s see which part of the world they make their biggest impact - a deal has already been signed in the US! (May see you relaxing around Venice Beach in the near future guys, I’ll join you for a drink!)

The Whammy Bar
Ystrad Mynach
6th October
Doors open at 7pm
£2 before 8pm, £4 after.
(Four bands playing, gig flyer available here)

Link: SoundStorm on MySpace

Part of national tour promoting new album, Sibrydion will be playing at Tafarn y Goodrich in Caerffili on the 26th of October. Their MySpace page lists 15 upcoming gigs across Wales so if you can’t catch them in Caerffili then the chances are that they’ll be playing at a venue near you during October and November.

Tafarn y Goodrich, Caerffili
26th October
8:00pm
£4

Info/tickets: 01443 820913

Link: Sibrydion on MySpace

Advance notice of a gig in Tafarn y Goodrich, Caerffili:

Ryland Teifi
Tafarn y Goodrich, Caerffili
28th September
8:00pm
Tickets £4

Info/tickets: 01443 820913

“Ryland Teifi is one of the most exciting singer/songwriters of the moment. Heno, his Welsh language debut album released in 2005, received critical praise both here in the UK and across the States. Sung in his native Welsh tongue, Ryland’s music transcended international language barriers and made a real and profound impact on people.” - Source: www.RylandTeifi.com

Link: Ryland Teifi’s website
Link: Ryland on MySpace

“Accompanied by piano and bass, or occasionally playing guitar alone, she delivered a set of songs drawn from sources as diverse as Welsh hymnody and Bob Dylan as well as her own compositions.” - Source: Lleuwen Steffan on MySpace

Lleuwen appears to have been influenced by some of the greats, John Martyn, Ann Griffiths, Billie Holiday, Eddi Reader, Roisin Murphy, Carpenters, Shirley Horn, Dyffryn Ogwen, Nina Simone, to name a few. Check out her MySpace page to hear her.

This gig is on this Friday and at £4 a ticket, you shouldn’t be missing this one!

Lleuwen Steffan
At the Goodrich Hotel, Caerffili
Friday 31st August 2007
8:00pm
£4 (on the door)
Info: 01443 820 913

Link: Lleuwen Steffan
Link: Lleuwen Steffan on MySpace

[Edited 31st Aug.] This year sees the 35th North Wales International Music Festival. The annual event is held at St. Asaph Cathedral, St. Asaph, Clwyd, and 2007’s festival ends on the 29th of September.

This year’s programme is looking pretty good with the Gala Concert kicking things off on Saturday 1st with an appearance from The Fron Male Voice Choir, “…the fastest selling classical artists of all time” since the launch of their Voices of the Valley album.

During the week there’s a lot going on including: the Beatrix Potter Children’s Concert presented by Ensemble Cymru; an organ recital by Ian Tracey; Johnathan Richards and his classical guitar; the King’s Singers; and an appearance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. This isn’t the complete list so visit the official website for more.

Some of the day events are free but others have ticket prices ranging from £6 through to £22.50.

Link: North Wales International Music Festival
Link: NWIMF on MySpace

Conductor Gareth Jones leads the Sinfonia in their Gala Concert at St. David’s Hall on the 9th of September with Llyr Williams at the piano.

The programme consists of Schumann’s Piano Concerto and Bruckner’s Symphony No 7.

Ticket prices range from £10 through to £30.

“Sinfonia Cymru combines diversity and excellence to create a unique platform for young players at the beginning of their musical careers and to take chamber music of an exceptional quality to the people of Wales.” - Source: Sinfonia Cymru website

Dates: 9th September, St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Link: Sinfonia Cymru

The jazz Saxophonist Courtney Pine is playing in St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on Saturday 8th of September. You can book online for the concert with ticket prices being £16.50 and £18.00.

If you’re in the area on the day, it’ll be well worth the money. Courtney will be playing tracks from his back catalogue and also new tunes from his latest album Resistance, which is on sale now.

This British born jazz musician is someone not to miss. Although schooled in the clarinet, Courtney Pine is best known for playing the sax but also plays the flute and keyboards. When not recording or on tour, Pine has a show on BBC Radio 2 called ‘Jazz Crusade‘.

Dates: 8th September, St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Link: Courtney Pine

Talking about promotion of music in Wales, the BBC has a great page for Welsh music. It’s pretty extensive and there’s a good listing of artists in their A to Z Profiles List.

It includes the big names such as the Stereophonics, the Male Voice Choirs and some of the small bands just making it big - well, if they’re listed on the BBC then they must be going places! If you’re not listed then you can complete the application form.

It’s all well worth a visit.

Well, it looks like we’ve fixed the technical issues with the Music pages here at ForumWales. Things appear to be working now but if you know otherwise or have spotted a problem, please let us know!

Thanks and apologies for the downtime.

“Music Theatre Wales is the UK’s leading touring contemporary opera company. We work in Wales, across the UK and internationally. We are dedicated to performing ground-breaking and stimulating contemporary chamber opera.” - source: MTW Website

MTW will be commencing their Autumn Tour in November 2007 playing five venues in the UK: Cardiff, London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Durham - full tour date information is available here.

Arlene Rolph takes the title role in their production of Julie, alongside Emma Gane as Christine and Andrew Rupp as Jean.

And it’s always nice to see our taxes being put to good use as ‘Julie’ is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Arts Council Of Wales through the Arts Outside Cardiff production fund.

Event: Julie
Dates: 2nd November - 8th December. (2nd December at the New Theatre, Cardiff)
Link: Music Theatre Wales