Peasant's King

Wales may have been ignored by the many music polls that pepper the start of the year tipping who will make it big in 2013, but there’s many incredible bands to uncover on your doorstep, says Dave Owens. He suggests 40 bands you should make it your business to discover this year…

The Echo And The Always

While Sleepy Panda Club may have been a little too narcoleptic and cuddly for comfort, the newly-renamed The Echo And The Always have lost none of the giddy melodic hues and sweeping melodrama of their former incarnation. Their debut offering For The Ground recalls the shimmering folk pop of First Aid Kit but retains the sense of the otherworldly that was the trademark of SPC.

Have a listen: www.soundcloud.com/theechoandthealways

Luke Williams

The former creative driving force behind the much-loved Welsh bands The Donde Stars and The New Objects, Luke has been busy penning solo material that we can only describe as devilishly hypnotic as the snake out of Jungle Book. While his bands produced stately rock ‘n’ roll with a big-hearted emotional pedigree, Williams’ solo material creates an altogether more intimate setting. The singer’s serene voice, almost choral in its purity, reawakens the ghosts of ’70s folk masters such as Nick Drake and John Martyn.

Have a listen: www.soundcloud.com/luke-a-williams

The Witches Drum

Heavier than a bucket of elephants and trippier than a magic bus, this lot make a certifiably enjoyable racket. That’s if you get off on riffs that dart around with the same sort of menace as sharks in the sky. Laced with the mind-expanding psychedelics of Gong or The Grateful Dead and the propulsive DNA of The MC5 and The Stooges, stoner garage rock has never sounded so good.

Have a listen: www.thewitchesdrum.bandcamp.com/

Bedford Falls

Causing a joyful, raucous ruckus that recalls the pulsating alt-rock of ’90s powerhouses such as Husker Du and Buffalo Tom, Bedford Falls’ recent hook-laden album Elegant Balloons was a collective adrenaline shot to the heart. Singer Tom Willecome’s grizzled, deep-as-a-mineshaft vocals resonated throughout a collection of barnstorming songs that were both thrilling and enthralling.

Have a listen: www.bedfordfalls.bandcamp.com/

Winter Villains


Beautifully evocative chamber pop with a symphonic heart from this six-piece – which includes members of The School, Little Arrow and Evening Chorus. Winter Villains are an outfit with the innate ability to transmit an over-awing sense of wonderment. They recently transfixed us with their windswept single Moon – an alluring teaser for their debut album February, which is out shortly.

Peasant’s King


Together less than a year, this band from Pontypridd have made giant strides, securing a coveted Radio 1 playlist spot with epic single Antidotes. The young outfit, who are all in their late teens, have been compared to the likes of the Kings Of Leon and Mumford & Sons thanks to their uplifting anthems.

Fjords


Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/music-in-wales/2013/01/04/the-south-wales-sounds-of-2013-40-bands-to-listen-to-91466-32542448/#ixzz2IB2sBqvT - www.walesonline.co.uk & Wales On Sunday Newspaper

Peasants who could be kings - THEY’RE the new Welsh band tipped for great things who have just been playlisted by Radio 1, and with any luck will also be going up against the X Factor for Christmas number one.

Peasant’s King have gained a coveted Radio 1 playlist spot with their song – Antidotes, which means the track will be played seven times next week to the national radio station’s listening millions by DJs such as Fearne Cotton, Huw Stephens and Scott Mills.

The young outfit, all in their late teens, have been compared to the likes of the Kings Of Leon and Mumford & Sons thanks to their uplifting and anthemic songs.

Formed in Pontypridd earlier this year, the band are made up of singer Dan Lafrombé, bass player Lewys Mann and guitarist Josh Bowles – all Music and Sound Technology students at University of Glamorgan in Cardiff; guitarist Rhodri Parry who is studying at Bridgend College, and drummer Harry Lee – a climbing instructor.





Peasant’s King are also one of the outfits taking part in the Band Crusade Campaign – a viral online fan project put together to challenge the X Factor’s stranglehold on the Christmas number one slot.

From an initial shortlist of 100 acts, the band are now through to the final 20.

The concept is that through Facebook likes, Twitter and Google + shares music fans can vote for the release of a track via digital download which would vie for the Christmas top spot.

Peasant’s King have so far released one digital-only EP, Kingdom, which can be purchased online via www.peasantsking.bandcamp.com

They are playing at The Factory, Porth, on December 8, and are busy working on songs for their debut album.

- www.walesonline.co.uk & Wales On Sunday Newspaper