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Toosii Drops Heartfelt New Single “Even Then” From His Soul-Baring Album ‘Jaded’

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Platinum-selling recording artist Toosii delivers a deeply personal and emotionally charged new single titled “Even Then” via South Coast Music Group/Capitol Records. Known for his vulnerability and melodic storytelling, Toosii once again showcases his ability to turn pain into power, crafting an anthem of resilience, growth, and bittersweet goodbyes.

Toosii has teased the track on social media for weeks before its release, which had fans anticipating the song with a fever pitch. He recently brought his captivating performance to the heart of Music City, tearing down the stage at the River on the Rooftop free concert event in Nashville. The intimate setting allowed Toosii to perform several of his beloved songs, including the chart-topping “Favorite Song,” “Even Then,” and two unreleased tracks, much to the delight of fans.

Toosii’s last album, Jaded, arrived in October 2024 and included his Billboard Hot 100 top-five hit record “Favorite Song.” Toosii’s sold-out 2023 headline tour affirmed his status as one of music’s most in-demand live acts, and he closed out the year playing arenas across the U.S. as one of the opening acts on Rod Wave’s Nostalgia Tour.

The Beaches To Rock One Lucky Town In 2025 SiriusXM Music Town Finale

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 Today, SiriusXM Canada announced the eight finalist towns in its highly anticipated nationwide 2025 SiriusXM Music Town search, with one community set to win a live show by JUNO Award-winning band The Beaches. Voting and rallying are now open until October 24, 2025, giving Canadians a say in which town will host a once-in-a-lifetime live concert!

More than 470 Canadian communities were nominated from coast to coast and more than 1,000 heartfelt stories were submitted and reviewed. From the inspiring nominations, SiriusXM selected eight finalist towns, all of which are now one step closer to the title of 2025 SiriusXM Music Town.

“We’ve received hundreds of moving nominations from across the country and what consistently rang through was a deep pride in people’s hometowns and a strong connection to Canadian music,” said Rob Keen, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing & CCD, SiriusXM Canada. “SiriusXM Music Town is more than just a concert; it’s about putting local identity and culture on the map, and putting local fans front and centre.”

“We’re moved by the number of communities and the amazing stories that have been shared from across the country. Canadians’ love for homegrown music is truly unmatched,” said Jordan Miller, lead singer of The Beaches. “We’re so excited to see each of the eight finalist towns come together to show off their pride, and we cannot wait to play live for that one lucky community.”

This year’s 8 SiriusXM Music Town Finalists:

  • Amherstburg, ON
    At the mouth of the Detroit River lies Amherstburg, Ontario, a small but mighty town with rich history rooted in the War of 1812. Amherstburg is home to Musicland, a beloved local music school, studio and store serving the community for over 35 years.
  • Antigonish, NS
    Antigonish, also known as the “Highland Heart of Nova Scotia”, is home to the oldest continuous Highland Games outside of Scotland. The town boasts St. Francis Xavier University, which brings thousands of students to the community each year.
  • Bathurst, NB
    Framed by a beach, a nature reserve and a river, Bathurst is a seaside sanctuary with a vibrant downtown full of delicious eateries, authentic boutiques and historic charm.
  • Cranbrook, BC
    Located in the East Kootenay region, Cranbrook is known for being British Columbia’s sunniest city, enjoying more than 300 days of sunshine each year.
  • Lacombe, AB
    Located in central Alberta, Lacombe is home to a vibrant community filled with hometown pride. Its historic downtown features beautiful Edwardian Classical Revival architecture like the iconic Flatiron Building.
  • Moose Jaw, SK
    Often referred to as “Canada’s Most Notorious City”, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan has a rich history, including roots in the Prohibition era through the underground Tunnels of Moose Jaw.
  • Shawinigan, QC
    Situated on the St. Maurice River in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Shawinigan is surrounded by nature and boasts the stunning Shawinigan Falls.
  • Vernon, BC
    Nestled in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Vernon is a natural haven surrounded by mountains, forests and three lakes, offering year-round outdoor activities from snowboarding to hiking and mountain biking.

Time for Canadians to Rally & Vote

Starting today, Canadians have ten days to rally together and cast daily votes for their top town at siriusxm.ca/musictown. Residents, neighbours and friends can earn rally points toward their town by posting on social media tagging @SiriusXMCanada. Every vote, post, share, like, and comment brings The Beaches one step closer to one lucky Canadian community! The voting and rallying phase will close on October 24, 2025.

On October 29, 2025, SiriusXM Canada will announce the 2025 SiriusXM Music Town based on nomination stories, total votes and rally points earned during this phase.

SiriusXM Music Town is a national program that celebrates the stories that define our communities and the pride that unites us, reminding us of the powerful ways music connects people by bringing a top Canadian act to a town not typically on the concert circuit.

To cast your daily votes and see program details, visit siriusxm.ca/musictown

Edge Of Paradise Reimagine “Requiem For A Dream” From Their Cinematic Album ‘Prophecy’

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International cinematic rock band EDGE OF PARADISE have released their powerful reimagining of the iconic Requiem for a Dream theme. Known for fusing soaring vocals, heavy riffs, and immersive soundscapes, the band takes the haunting score into new depths, transforming it into a massive, larger-than-life experience that bridges the worlds of film and metal. 

Following the success of their latest album Prophecy (Napalm), the band continues to expand their multimedia universe, accompanying this powerful composition with a striking visual counterpart, a music video that immerses viewers in EDGE OF PARADISE’s signature fusion of sound, story, and atmosphere.

“This theme has always resonated deep within and inspired me to see how a simple melody can open entire worlds” says vocalist Margarita Monet. “With our version we wanted to amplify that emotion, the darkness, the light, and everything in between, and we’re excited to experience it with you through our dimension, on the stages and beyond.”

The artwork created by Margarita was unveiled at the NoHo CineFest in Hollywood, where she received the Outstanding Artist Award for her visual work and storytelling. Her graphic novel’s narrative extends EDGE OF PARADISE’s cinematic universe, seamlessly connecting the band’s music, imagery, and philosophy through art. Additionally, the band’s song “The Unknown” will be featured in the upcoming feature film The Complete Course of Howard French, directed by Gustavo Sampaio,  expanding their presence across both the music and film landscapes.

Margarita adds: “What also makes this so special to me is how everything I love intertwines — making the art, the music, the visuals. From painting the cover and crafting the crown to shaping the story through dance and direction, every moment reflects a piece of my soul.”

This release follows a remarkable year for the band, supporting PROPHECY with North America and European tours. 

EDGE OF PARADISE will also embark on a string of dates alongside LOVE BITES to bring their show to audiences worldwide:
Nov 4 – New York City, NY – The Gramercy Theatre
Nov 5 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
Nov 7 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester
Nov 8 – West Dundee, IL – Rookies Rochaus
Nov 10 – Lawrence, KS – The Granada Theater
Nov 11 – Dallas, TX – Trees Dallas
Nov 12 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
Nov 14 – San Luis Obispo, CA Freemont
Nov 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Vermont Hollywood

Down With Webster Bring Their 007 XMAS Prom Party To Fallsview Casino

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Fallsview Casino Resort is turning up the volume On December 19 as homegrown multi genre band Down With Webster rocks the house as part of their 007 XMAS prom tour at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino. Tickets go on sale on Friday, October 17 at 10:00am through ticketmaster.ca.

“Down With Webster is known for their phenomenal fan engagement and fun concert experiences. These performances reflect our commitment to delivering fantastic entertainment experiences for every guest. Bring on the entertainment!” says Cathy Price, Vice President of Marketing & Resort Operations, Niagara Casinos.

From their first performance at a junior high talent show, Down With Webster created their own style of genre-bending sounds and have blown away audiences ever since. Their songs have charted on Top 40 Radio, sold millions of singles, and amassed hundreds of millions of streams; while providing electrifying performances at the MMVA’s, Junos, and festivals across the country.  The band’s tireless pursuit of creating the greatest party on stage has won them a devoted fanbase coast to coast.  Following the 15th anniversary of their breakthrough album “Time To Win vol. 1” during the summer of 2024, the band continues to enjoy their recent reunion tour.  Hit songs include “Whoa Is Me”, “Rich Girl$”, “Time To Win”, “Your Man”, “Miracle Mile”, “Chills” and many more.

Show date & performance
Down With Webster: 007 XMAS Prom
Date: Friday, December 19, 2025Showtime: 8:00pmVenue: OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino

Dress Code Black Tie

Tickets for Down With Webster: 007 XMAS Prom go on sale Friday, October 17 at 10:00am.

Shintaro Sakamoto Brings Psychedelic Pop Magic Back To North America

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In advance of his upcoming North American tour, Japanese musical polymath and visual artist Shintaro Sakamoto returns with his first new music since 2022, the single “Dear Grandpa,” out today via Zelone Records. “Dear Grandpa” features lyrics that capture his unique worldview and an unmistakably original sound.

Sakamoto will head out for six live performances this autumn, kicking off October 28 in Los Angeles and wrapping November 6 in Mexico City, at the For Indie Rocks festival [all dates below]. With Shintaro on guitar & vocals, he is joined by AYA (bass & chorus), Yuta Suganuma (drums & chorus), and Tetsu Nishiuchi (saxophone & flute). West Coast dates include special guests Thee Heart Tones and Rogê. The New York dates features a DJ set by El Michels Affair, plus appearances by Nick Hakim and Habibi.

Last month, Sakamoto contributed vocals and lyrics to “Indifference”, a track from El Michels Affair’s new album 24Hr Sports, led by Grammy Award–winning producer Leon Michels, further drawing international attention to his work.

Shintaro Sakamoto began his career as the vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Yura Yura Teikoku in 1989. 

After disbanding in 2010, he launched his solo career in 2011 on his own label, Zelone Records, releasing four acclaimed full-length albums, including 2022’s Like A Fable, while garnering praise from NPR Music, Pitchfork, Vice, The FADER, SPIN, FLOOD, The Line Of Best Fit, Under the Radar, amongst others.

In 2024, Sakamoto toured the U.S., Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea, alongside his domestic tour in Japan.

He is also active in a wide range of creative pursuits, including writing songs and creating artwork for various artists. More new music is due in the coming weeks and months ahead.

Tour Date:
10/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre
10/29 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
11/01 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
11/02 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
11/04 – Brooklyn, NY @ Knockdown Center
11/06 – Mexico City, MX @ Foro Indie Rocks

Experience Modern Pool Cleaning with Aiper Robotics

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By Mitch Rice

An Australian home usually has a backyard pool as its main feature, which is where people can rest, enjoy themselves, and bond. Every owner of one can understand how difficult it is: one has a hard time keeping it clean. There always seems to be work between the leaves, the insects, and the dust.

It is where innovation transforms all that. Aiper Store Australia is spearheading a silent revolution in home maintenance through new generation robotic pool skimmer technology based on smart, effortless, and the features to fit perfectly in the modern lifestyle.

The Home Page of Smarter Living.

Consumers have become more appreciative of technology that helps them make their lives easier. Both automated lights and smart thermostats, as well as devices that can be controlled through an app, are aimed at making life easier and more enjoyable.

Similarly, Aiper Store Australia has automated pool care. Their robotic pool skimmer is an intelligence-based device that is meant to clean the surface of the pool without manual cleaning of the pool.

It is not a product; it is a change of lifestyle towards comfort and leisure.

The Aesthetic of Hands-Free Cleaning.

You can just imagine that every morning you wake up to a sparkling pool and do not have to even pick up a net or turn on a pump. That is what the Aiper technology promises.

The water skimmer is a robot that moves quietly through the surface of the water, powered by a rechargeable battery. It has sophisticated sensors to sense floating debris, to change its course so that it traverses the whole pool effectively. When it has finished its task, it will automatically be charged off; no one will have to watch over it.

This degree of autonomy would enable pool maintenance to be a background service, rather than a weekend job.

Everyday Comfort Style.

Other than performance, Aiper concentrates on the integration aspect of the technology in contemporary houses. The robotic pool skimmer is smooth and small enough to fit in the exterior beauty and not to interfere with it.

It is also very friendly to use. The ability to schedule cleanings or monitor battery life through the smartphone with the touch control and the ability to connect to the apps allows users to control their devices. Your pool is always guest-ready, whether you are having a barbecue or you are just chilling over the weekend.

That convenience is an added value to people who live a busy lifestyle.

Innovation Meets Relaxation.

The only difference that makes Aiper stand out is its knowledge of how technology can be used to improve the quality of life. Its robot pool cleaner is not merely an appliance; it represents a marker of smarter life.

All the features, such as smart sensors, automatic docking, etc., indicate a more in-depth touch on convenience and tranquility. Automating one of the most tedious tasks in the household helps Aiper to liberate homeowners to spend additional time enjoying their areas, either swimming, socializing, or just relaxing, a giant innovation that counts in the present-day world where time is the greatest luxury.

Reinventing the Modern Backyard.

The backyard is turning out to be more than just a plain outdoor place; it is becoming an extension of the house- a place of comfort, bonding, as well as self-expression. Homeowners are rethinking the possibilities of that space with the assistance of technology such as that of Aiper.

The backyard is a real haven to the house when there is a robotic pool skimmer in charge of the maintenance; it will always be clean, peaceful, nd prepared to be spent in. It is a minor change that alters how individuals live in their homes.

Conclusion

Maintaining them should not be known as the best moments in life. The robotic pool cleaner in the Aiper Store Australia will allow the home owners to stop the never-ending cycle of cleaning their pools and concentrate on what is really important in their lives-living.

By integrating intelligent design, sustainability, nd simplicity, the technology of Aiper transforms normal servicing into a simple pleasure. It is not merely a cleaner pool; it is a cleaner lifestyle.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

12 Album Covers That Are Mini Masterpieces

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Before streaming made cover art shrink to thumbnail size, album sleeves were 12-inch canvases of pure imagination. For many, these visuals were the reason they picked up the record in the first place—tiny art galleries disguised as music collections. Here are 12 album covers that remain unforgettable, iconic, and just plain cool.

‘Abbey Road’ – The Beatles
One crosswalk. Four legends. No words needed. It’s the most famous stroll in music history and maybe the only traffic photo to ever inspire global tourism.

‘Aladdin Sane’ – David Bowie
Lightning bolts, glam, and an otherworldly stare. Mick Rock’s photo turned Bowie into a living piece of pop art and defined the 1970s in a single image.

‘Dark Side of the Moon’ – Pink Floyd
A prism, a rainbow, and pure simplicity. Storm Thorgerson’s design made science class feel psychedelic and album art eternal.

‘Hotel California’ – Eagles
The Beverly Hills Hotel never looked so mysterious. Shot at dusk, the cover feels like a dream halfway between paradise and forever.

‘London Calling’ – The Clash
Paul Simonon smashing his bass captured the explosion of punk energy—raw, loud, and unfiltered. A perfect photo frozen mid-chaos.

‘Nevermind’ – Nirvana
One baby, one dollar bill, endless interpretations. It’s equal parts innocence and rebellion, wrapped in the sound of the 90s.

‘Parallel Lines’ – Blondie
Black and white stripes, Debbie Harry in the center, the definition of cool. It’s pop, punk, and perfection in one frame.

‘Purple Rain’ – Prince
The motorcycle, the purple mist, and the attitude. Prince turned the Minneapolis night into a neon fairytale of funk and feeling.

‘Rumours’ – Fleetwood Mac
Flowing skirts, bare feet, and mystic energy. A cover that captures the balance between chaos and harmony that fueled every note.

‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ – The Beatles
A crowd of icons surrounding four mustached men. It’s part costume party, part collage, all genius.

‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ – The Velvet Underground
Andy Warhol’s banana—simple, suggestive, unforgettable. Peel slowly and see, indeed.

‘Thriller’ – Michael Jackson
White suit, smooth pose, timeless cool. That single sleeve image said everything about the era of pop perfection.

Each of these covers told a story before the needle ever hit the vinyl. Proof that sometimes, you could judge an album by its cover.

From Panic to Prepared: Why Skill-Building Matters More Than Ever

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By Mitch Rice

In a world that moves faster than ever, unpredictability is the only constant. Between shifting industries, global change, and everyday responsibilities, one truth remains clear: those who prepare, prevail. Whether it’s through mastering communication, building technical skills, or completing First aid training in Edmonton Alberta, preparation turns uncertainty into opportunity. It’s not just about safety it’s about cultivating confidence, resilience, and readiness in every area of life.

The Psychology Behind Being Prepared

Panic thrives in the unknown. When you don’t know what to do, your body’s natural instinct is to freeze. That’s why preparation, no matter how small, matters so much. Learning, practicing, and repeating a skill rewires your brain’s response to stress. What was once overwhelming becomes manageable.

Training of any kind whether it’s in first aid, public speaking, or team leadership creates familiarity. Familiarity builds calm. And calm builds confidence. When you’ve faced simulated challenges in a safe learning space, you’re less likely to panic when life gets real. That’s the psychology of preparedness: transforming the mind from I can’t handle this to I know what to do.

The Overlooked Power of Practical Skills

We often celebrate abstract knowledge degrees, theories, and ideas but practical skills are the foundation of confidence. They’re what kick in when you don’t have time to think.

Think of someone who’s learned CPR or completed a first aid course. When a real emergency happens a choking child, a fainting coworker, or a sports injury they don’t stand frozen. They move. They remember. They act. That simple difference between doing nothing and doing something can mean everything.

Courses like First aid aren’t just about emergencies; they’re about fostering self-assurance. When you’ve learned something that might one day save a life, you start to see yourself differently not as a bystander, but as someone capable of impact.

Preparedness Creates Stronger Communities

Prepared individuals make prepared communities. When more people are trained, small actions multiply into big outcomes. A trained coworker stabilizing an injured teammate. A neighbor who knows how to help after an accident. A teacher who recognizes a medical emergency early.

Each act of readiness adds to a web of resilience that strengthens neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. And that’s what makes skill-building so powerful it doesn’t just benefit one person, it uplifts everyone around them.

Preparedness isn’t just personal, it’s communal. It’s a collective investment in safety and trust.

Training Builds Confidence That Extends Beyond Emergencies

What’s fascinating is how training in one area boosts confidence in others. Someone who completes a first aid course often reports being calmer under pressure in general during presentations, job interviews, or even difficult conversations. Why? Because learning to manage crisis responses builds emotional discipline.

You realize that you can control your reactions. You learn to breathe, assess, and act with intention. That mindset carries into everything business decisions, parenting, relationships, and leadership. In essence, preparation teaches adaptability, and adaptability is the skill of the future.

Breaking the Myth: I’ll Never Need It

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about preparedness training is that it’s only for those who work in health, safety, or emergency response. The truth? Emergencies don’t discriminate. They happen in boardrooms, classrooms, homes, and parks.

Getting trained doesn’t make you paranoid, it makes you proactive. You hope you never need to use your skills, but if you ever do, you’ll be grateful you have them. Think of it like insurance for confidence. You invest once, and it pays off for the rest of your life.

Why Businesses Should Care Too

Many organizations now recognize that preparedness is productivity. When employees are trained in first aid, conflict management, or crisis communication, workplaces become calmer and safer.

A company with trained team members doesn’t just handle emergencies better it cultivates a sense of responsibility and teamwork. People feel valued, capable, and connected. That’s not just good ethics, it’s good business.

Forward-thinking employers in Alberta are already partnering with training providers to integrate safety certification into employee development programs. Because the best investment a company can make isn’t just in technology it’s in people who are prepared to handle anything.

Final Thoughts: Preparedness Is a Life Skill

Preparedness isn’t about fear, it’s about freedom. It gives you the ability to move through life with calm assurance, knowing that whatever happens, you have tools to respond.

So whether it’s learning how to perform CPR, handle emergencies, or simply becoming more adaptable, remember this: every skill you build adds to your foundation of confidence.

Panic fades when preparation takes its place. And that’s not just about safety it’s about empowerment. Because readiness, at its core, is one of the most human things we can cultivate.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Irish Metalcore Band Following The Signs Unleash Explosive New Single ‘Stuck In Place’

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Irish nu-metalcore outfitFollowing The Signs return with their brand-new single “Stuck In Place”, the first official release from their forthcoming EP ‘Evolve’, to be released in 2026.

Formed in Cork, Ireland in 2018, the band have carved a reputation for blending crushing metalcore with the raw groove of nu-metal and progressive textures, as heard on their debut album Conflictions and subsequent singles Birthright and Stand Tall. Now, ‘Stuck In Place’ signals a new era for the band as they gear up for their most ambitious release to date.

Lyrically, ‘Stuck In Place’ is a fierce statement on the suffocating realities of modern life. Vocalist Alan Jevens explains: “When I wrote‘Stuck In Place’ I was thinking about the modern world, where we are now and what I believe is to come. The verses reflect the frustration of working endlessly just to survive in such an expensive time, while pointing to the corruption of governments and the consequences of unchecked greed. The chorus speaks of what lies ahead, nuclear war, environmental collapse, but also the need to rise against those in power. The song travels through despair, rebellion, and the dream of a better world, tying into the broader narrative of our upcoming EP, Evolve.”

Musically, the track captures everything Following The Signs are about, massive riffs, towering breakdowns, searing screams and atmospheric cleans, all channelled into a visceral soundscape that reflects the chaos and hope within the lyrics.

The band will be bringing their new material to the stage with a string of live dates, including:
October 17th – Fibber Magees, Dublin
October 24th – Dali, Cork
November 8th – Scream for Me Festival, Cavan
November 15th – Pharmacia, Limerick
November 21st – Warsaw, Poland
November 22nd – Kraków, Poland

With ‘Stuck In Place’Following The Signs prove they are not only one of Ireland’s most vital underground metal acts but a band with an urgent voice in today’s fractured world. Expect more details on the Evolve EP to be announced soon.

Griff Lynch Reconnects With Home On Debut Album ‘Blas Melysa’r Mis,’ Featuring James Dean Bradfield

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Today, Griff Lynch releases his debut solo album Blas Melysa’r Mis via Lwcus T, and announces a November/December UK tour, including a London show on 2nd December (full dates below).

Labelled a “Welsh language delight” by MOJO Magazine, home sits at the heart of Blas Melysa’r Mis. It’s a record that grapples, in part, with falling out of love with a place and the transitional process of moving onto the next, whilst also exploring the feeling of home in its deepest emotional sense.For Griff Lynch, his motherland of Wales’ heritage and vernacular have always been intrinsic to his music. With Yr Ods – the psych-pop outfit formed with a group of friends whilst at Aberystwyth University in the early 2010s – the Welsh language band’s focus was on both being immersed in the Welsh arts community and also ensuring this culture breaks through the glass ceiling and “gets heard on a bigger stage”. It’s a flag that the London-based artist continues to fly with his solo work, creating a balance that celebrates the native Celtic language and forms part of this rich creative heritage whilst also being accessible to non-Welsh speakers.

“I think it’s attitude more than anything,” Lynch says on creating this accessibility that invites wider audiences into his music. “Not to be too hippie about it, but it is the energy that you put behind it.” And this considered energy emanates across Blas Melysa’r Mis, with an emotive charisma and expressive melodic abundance tangible throughout. The bilingualism of the record also acts as a bridge; “it’s a technique that we used to do with Yr Ods, where you would have a bilingual song on the album or there was an English language chorus or verse, and all of a sudden it’s a hook to subconsciously draw people who don’t speak Welsh in”.

Notably, this approach appears on “Same Old Show”, which features James Dean Bradfield. The Manic Street Preachers’ vocalist and guitarist’s involvement on the record was a full circle moment for Lynch – who would go to Cob Records, his local record store in Bangor growing up, to get the latest Manics CD a few days before release. The collaboration was also a long-time coming; Lynch and Bradfield were first introduced through Emily Eavis and Nick Dewey when Yr Ods played Glastonbury, with a plan at the time for the band to get in the studio with the Manics frontman. Whilst that never quite materialised, the two of them kept bumping into each other in Cardiff over the years since and when Lynch messaged to see if Bradfield wanted to sing on a track, it finally all came together. Furthermore, the track marks the first time Bradfield sings in Welsh on a record; “I texted him a link to the song and to my surprise he answered me in Welsh, I didn’t even know at the time that he had learned Welsh,” Lynch details, “For someone like him, a Welsh icon, to learn the language means a great deal to Welsh speakers. It has a lasting, positive impact on our culture, one that James himself might not fully realise.”

Written over the past five years, Blas Melysa’r Mis travels through Lynch’s different headspaces during this time, tracing back to lockdown times and also going through breakups – both romantic and with the city of Cardiff where Lynch had lived for a decade. “The constant underlying thing in it is that movement of wanting to move away from one place and go to another”, Lynch says. Having lived in Cardiff for so long, he felt a desire to find a new perspective of his Welsh identity, something which having this distance between himself and the city has afforded him. In writing the tracks, Lynch also found himself going back to a lot of music he listened to in his late teens – Catatonia, 90s Brit-pop, early Radiohead and Welsh pop like Y Cyrff and Big Leaves. This breadth of influences and personal emotional contemplations poured into the record is reflected sonically, encompassing more pensive tracks like “Fe Lyncodd”, the playful jangle-pop of “Kombucha” and the psych-rock expansiveness of “Blas Melysa’r Mis” or “Y Pethau Heb eu Dweud”.

There’s also a luscious orchestral motif that lilts and soars throughout. Having recorded the tracks himself in his bedroom and small studios, it was important for Lynch to work with real strings and brass instruments to further elevate the album, “taking it from computer recording into the real world”. For these instrumental arrangements, he enlisted composer Owain Llwyd. Lynch also worked with other long-time collaborators from the Welsh arts scene, including Gwenno producer Rhys Edwards who lent his mixing expertise on some of the tracks.

“Even though I move about all the time, access to home is always really important,” Lynch says, with home in its truest, grounding sense for him being the mountains in North Wales where he grew up. And it’s this sentiment that permeates Blas Melysa’r Mis; a vibrantly evocative debut that sees Griff Lynch recalibrating this connection between identity and home whilst firmly laying down artistic roots of his own.

Tracklisting:

1. Gwlad Fy Nyhead
 2. Cyntaf i’r Felin
 3. Fe Lyncodd
 4. Dyna ni i’r Pant y Rhed y Dŵr
 5. Same Old Show (feat. James Dean Bradfield)
 6. Blas Melysa’r Mis
 7. Kombucha
 8. Look Out for Number One
 9. Ti Sy’n Troi (feat. Lleuwen)
10. Os Ti’n Teimlo
11. Y Pethau Heb eu Dweud

Live Dates:

19th November – Sheffield – Sidney & Matilda
21st November – Felinheli – Llofft
2nd December – London – The Forge at The Lower Third
5th December – Cardigan – Y Selar
6th December – Aberystwyth – Cwps

Tickets: https://linktr.ee/grifflynch