Welsh language folk band 9Bach have announced a number of live dates including a return to London to play a one-off show at Cecil Sharp House after their recent successful appearance at Womex in Copenhagen.
9Bach combine a fusion of folk, dub and psychedelia to create their unique sound that is topped by lead singer Lisa Jen Brown’s beautiful vocals. Their uniqueness has stood them apart and caught the ears and hearts of many. They played the main stage at Green Man festival and supported Gruff Rhys on his sold-out European tour, as well as playing festivals including Latitude, Celtic Connections, End of the Road and Woods Festival.
They now have a number of dates including a special appearance at Cecil Sharp House, London:
The show is particularly special for 9Bach’s Camden-born guitarist Martin Hoyland.
Martin says “It’s a very strange, but exciting feeling coming back to London, and especially Camden, with a Welsh language folk band. Up until 4 years ago I’d lived in Camden all my life, and never imagined moving away, especially not to a house literally on a mountain!
“I first toured Europe when I was 14, with a band called “Echo” I’d formed at Acland Burghley School. We represented a London Band alongside the London Youth Steel Band and the London Youth Philharmonic, and I’ve been a musician ever since.” Martin has toured with many bands including the Beta Band and Pusherman.
“I’ve always been in rock or indie bands, and when I was a youngster we always used to play and hang out at Dingwalls, Camden Palace, Electric Ballroom, The Bull and Gate, and the Forum. Until recently I’d never delved into folk music, or even heard of Cecil Sharp House!”
That all changed when Martin met his wife Lisa, who for years had wanted to form a band completely reinterpreting the Welsh language folk songs she had fallen in love with as a child.
Lisa explained “We have some amazing folk songs in Wales; very dark and sad stories that you can’t help be moved by, but too many people perform them a bit too up tempo and jolly for my liking. I like to lose myself in the songs, and become the characters that the songs are about, and feel the pain of the sadness, and go on that journey. I think as Martin is not a traditional ‘folkie’ it has led to an interesting and very fresh sound.”
Martin adds “When I first met Lisa, and she first sang me these songs, although I couldn’t understand Welsh, they moved me so much, I had to get my guitar out, and start playing along. This project started out purely for fun, so the success we have had so far has been amazing.
“It’s been a strange, but very enjoyable journey from Camden Rocker, to Welsh Folk artist returning to play the famous Cecil Sharp House, and we’re all really looking forward to the show!”
Performing the same evening will be The Mountain Firework Company, whose latest album Samurai has been described as “full of gorgeous, melancholy songs of love and loss” and ” back-porch feel-good music that begs to be sung along with”.
EFDSS Gig: Tickets are £10. To book tickets or for more information about the concert, see www.efdss.org or call 020 7485 2206.
Other Dates:
24th Novemeber at Neuadd Powis, Bangor University
14th December at Start the Bus, Bristol
Buy CD: 9bach