0:00:22 > 0:00:25- Welcome to a brand-new series - of Ochr 1.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- Here's what's coming up - over the next few weeks.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10- We start with a band who are - promoting their new EP, Huno.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11- Here are Ysgol Sul.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- We're in Monnow Valley, - Monmouthshire...- - www.monnowvalleystudio.com
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- ..near the site for this year's - National Eisteddfod.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51- It's one of Britain's - most famous recording studios.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- Its walls have heard bands like - Oasis, Pulp, Black Sabbath...
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- ..Super Furry Animals...
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- ..and the Pigeon Detectives.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- Monnow Valley - was a rehearsal facility...
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- ..for the famous Rockfield Studios, - owned by Charles and Kingsley Ward.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- When the brothers fell out - in the 1980s...
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- ..Charles took over Monnow Valley...
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- ..and turned it into - an independent recording studio.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Me and Bo are the in-house team - here. We live above the studio.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- We spend most of our days - tracking bands.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- A lot of people bring in - a whole album's worth of drums...
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- ..to make use - of our pretty-well-known drum room.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- It's hard to get a bad drum sound - out of it.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- Since coming here, we've worked - with a range of artists.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- Everything from metal to folk - to dance and pop.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- Recently, we've had in a Welsh group - called Future of the Left.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- We did their latest record - which was good fun.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- Ochr 1 have decided to bring - some Welsh artists together...
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- ..to record a cover - of a well-known Welsh song.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- They'll have a choice - of three songs...
0:06:06 > 0:06:10- ..but won't know what the choice is - until the day itself.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Here's the first recording studio.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- The lads here - are busy setting up the drums.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20- Alright?
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- They don't understand Welsh.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- This is the main part of the studio.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- This is where - a lot of our artists...
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- ..will come up with ideas - for our cover.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Jamming a little. Rehearsing.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- There's a piano here.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- The room has obviously been created - for recording.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- It's a flat and crisp sound.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- And this O - is obviously especially for Ochr 1.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- There's a ghost here. Is that true?
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- There's a ghost here. Is that true?- - You've heard of him - the Colonel.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- It's the Colonel's wife, actually.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- The Colonel used to reside here.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- Long before the days of this studio.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- Apparently, - he murdered his wife in Room 3.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- Liam Gallagher was haunted - by a ghost while he was here.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- It might've been down to the rest - of the band. Some fishing wire.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- The jury's out on that one.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- This is the control room.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- It's where people come to escape the - thing they're meant to be doing...
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- ..to pretend - they're doing something important.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- In reality, this is where - a lot of the magic happens.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- This is where the artists - will come while they're recording.
0:07:48 > 0:07:54- I'm sure many bowls of Corn Flakes - and cocaine have been consumed here.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55- But in our case...
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- ..it'll be the artists - mulling over which cover to choose.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09- I heard that Monnow Valley is going - forward with plans for a new desk.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- It was in the Hit Factory originally - I believe.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- It's had Michael Jackson - through it.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- Rick Rubin produced Red Hot - Chili Peppers albums through it...- - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Rubin
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- ..as well as Adele - and various other things.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- Not a bad addition.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- Just to add to the history - and the long name list...
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- ..that's used our equipment - and our gear.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- Some background - about Monnow Valley...
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- ..and what we'll be doing - over the next few weeks.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45- Join us after the break...
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- ..where we'll review some of the - recently released music in Wales...
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- ..and a video from Ani Glass.- - https://twitter.com/anisaunders?lang=en-gb
0:08:52 > 0:08:52- .
0:08:58 > 0:08:58- Subtitles
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:09:05 > 0:09:06- Welcome back.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11- Coming up, a review of some of - the last few months' releases...
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- ..as well as another song - from Ysgol Sul.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- First, here's one of the best - pop artists in Cardiff, Ani Glass.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- That video can be seen - on Ochr 1's YouTube very soon.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- I went to The Parrot in Carmarthen - recently...
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- ..reviewing new Welsh music - with three fans of the scene.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- We're here - for the new series of Ochr 1.
0:13:40 > 0:13:46- We're going to review - some recent and upcoming releases.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- I'll start - with Y Ffug's long-awaited album.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- Miriam, what were your impressions?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- It was quite a feat - to follow the EP.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- I love the album.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- It's my cup of tea.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- I'm surprised they've moved away - from the political...
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- ..and gone more angsty.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- One of the most profound things - at the start of the album...
0:14:13 > 0:14:14- ..is Love is Stupid.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- It's quite true - to what they do live.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- I was worried that they'd lose that - by going to a new studio...
0:14:22 > 0:14:23- ..with new people.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28- It's more energetic than anything - they've done up to now.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Though there are - some synthy elements...
0:14:32 > 0:14:33- ..that are a bit more...
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- I don't want to say - the Super Furries...
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Cian and Daf - of the Super Furries...
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- ..were involved - in producing the album.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47- It reminded me of the sound - of someone like Blur...
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- ..before they went a bit more poppy.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Are there any tracks - which stand out?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- Byth Yn Stopio.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- It's heavy punk - and then turns into something...
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- ..that's a lot more thoughtful - and psychedelic.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- We should give it - a mark out of ten.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- That's what Pethe does. - We're trying to be like them.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- Out of ten, Gruff?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- I'd give it seven.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16- Miriam?
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- Eight.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- Eight as well.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- A good start.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- Let's move on - to Y Bandana's new album.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- Here it is in all its glory.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35- The cover is perhaps - the first topic for discussion.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36- Miriam?
0:15:36 > 0:15:37- Miriam?- - I love it.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- I think it sums up Y Bandana...
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- ..the playful element in their music - and their live performances.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45- It suits them.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- It suits them.- - On to the music.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- Gruff, what are your impressions?
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- Track six stood out for me.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56- It's called Dwr Tan Can.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- I enjoyed every song. - It's a good album.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- Nico, you've listened to it.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- Do you think it's a step forward - for Y Bandana?
0:16:08 > 0:16:09- It's the same sound.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- You could swap most of the tracks - with the last album...
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- ..and you wouldn't know which album - you were listening to.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23- There are a few about girls and - about going on the pull and so on.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- As a girl, how do you feel?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- Is it quite light?
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- Yes, quite light.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- I didn't have a problem with it.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34- It'd be the same for everyone.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- Compared to Y Ffug, - there's a huge chasm.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- Y Ffug have a few songs, like Nos - Sadwrn on the EP, about going out.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- But they discuss it - in a much deeper way than Y Bandana.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- They take themselves out of - the situation and talk about it...
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- ..rather than talking about going - on the piss and ogling girls' legs.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- I think that both spectrums - are needed.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01- For the scene.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- Yes, the scene - and Welsh music listeners.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- We need variety.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- We'll end the chat about - Y Bandana with a mark out of ten.
0:17:10 > 0:17:11- Seven.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12- Seven.- - Eight.
0:17:13 > 0:17:13- Six.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14- Six.- - OK.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- We move on to Un Ffordd - by Mr Phormula.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- What's good about this EP - and what Ed does as Mr Phormula...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- ..is not just his rapping talent - but his music too.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- I don't think - he gets the respect he deserves...
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- ..for the production side.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- From the first song...
0:17:34 > 0:17:39- ..you can hear - that he uses a lot of samples.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- It's a talent - and a way of working...
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- ..that's very different - to Y Bandana, for example.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- Before I listened to it...
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- ..I was one of those - who thinks hip-hop is not for them.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- However, he's won me round.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- It is clever, - with the samples and the remixes.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- You can hear Saunders Lewis - in one song.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- It's almost his first solo record...
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- ..that sounds like - his Genod Droog stuff.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- The production sounds more crisp - than anything else he's done.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- He's stripped it back.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- He's taken the depth and the rumble - out and left it more pure.
0:18:18 > 0:18:24- Do you feel that Welsh-language - hip-hop as a genre is suffering?
0:18:25 > 0:18:27- It's very easy to fall flat - without it.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- Are we too middle class - to do hip-hop?
0:18:30 > 0:18:31- Maybe.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36- The lyrics - are quite political and patriotic.
0:18:36 > 0:18:42- When you rap, you can't talk about - love or going to the seaside.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- So, a mark out of ten - for Un Ffordd by Mr Phormula.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47- Gruff?
0:18:47 > 0:18:48- Nine.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50- Eight again.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51- Eight again.- - Seven.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53- Thank you for your time.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- Watch it when it's on - - it'll be cut to three minutes!
0:19:04 > 0:19:05- That's it for this week.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- To watch a chat - between me and Ysgol Sul...
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- ..there's a link - on Facebook and Twitter.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- We end with them singing - Er Mor Brin Yw Nawr.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:57 > 0:23:57- .