This week I had the honour of catching up with singer, songwriter, author and broadcaster Cerys Matthews to discuss her solo career, Catatonia, Radio 6 and “The Good Life Experience”.
GS: With the recent success of Welsh Language Music Day reaching over 3 million people, firstly I'd like to ask if there are any up and coming artists you think have the potential to become the next big thing from Wales?
CM: I don’t like to discern between old or new, and right now, I can’t get enough of Llio Rhydderch, who’s been around a while, but isn’t widely known enough in my mind…she is a triple harp player, such an intuitive player, it’s like listening to Miles Davis or someone of that musicality.
GS: When writing new material yourself, do you have a go-to instrument when you begin the creative process?
CM: I have a Martin triple 0 acoustic guitar that's been my workhorse both for writing and touring for many years. Neil Young gifted it to me when we signed to his Vapor Records label in the 90s. It responds well, it doesn’t make a fuss, it’s small and so easy to handle, and it’s beautifully warm sounding.
GS: Do you have a favourite guitar?, One you can’t leave home without?
CM: I have a vintage 'The Gibson’ which they think is from 1931 (The Gibson is what's printed in handwriting style on the head stock), so light you can hardly believe it. But so old, and so fragile, that it stays at home with me where I can look after it.
GS: Do you play any other instruments besides guitar?
CM: I’m like a jack of all and master of none; I started collecting recorders when I was 5, then went on to flute, then finally settled with oboe. I make noises with harmonicas, and play the piano, but it’s guitar I return to again and again.
GS: Have you had any music tuition or are you a self taught musician?
CM: I started my obsession when a recorder was put in my hand at school when I was 5. It snowballed from there, collecting all sorts of recorders, treble, bass tenor, fife and sopranino, then taught myself guitar, started trying to write songs, and then started having a few piano lessons. I didn’t study music in secondary school, but went off to Spain at 18 to learn more about Flamenco and by then had also started collecting records from musicians I loved. Mississippi John Hurt, Snooks Eaglin, Dylan etc as well as song books from around the globe to learn traditional songs from all over.
GS: Did you always want to be a musician or did you ever have any other career aspirations?
CM: I always wanted to be a musician, didn’t always think it might happen.
GS: It’s been a few years since you last recorded and released an album, are you planning on releasing any new material during 2017?
CM: I’ll release an album at some point in the future, it’s percolating at the moment. Until then, I so enjoy sharing my love of music on my Sunday show I programme each week for BBC 6 Music and the BBC World Service show I host. It's a total joy for me to choose an entire 3 hour show each week. It feels quite creative so it keeps me totally happy musically speaking, and a world away from the pressures and time sacrifices of touring.
GS: The bulk of your solo material has been released via Rainbow City Recordings, could you tell us a little more about the label?
CM: It’s become ‘Marvels of the Universe’ by now, but I set it up so that I could record and release music when I wanted to. It worked out wonderfully, I wish I'd done it years ago, and encourage other artists to do so. I also release other peoples music now too e.g. Ghazalaw - a Welsh Indian project weaving Ghazals and old Welsh verse .
GS: How involved in the production side of things are you when working on a new record? Do you get involved in the mixing and mastering process?
CM: I’m totally involved from start to finish, and have done so since the beginning, including Catatonia time too. I love the process, coming up with the structure for the songs, arrangements, hook lines, and instrumentation, as well of course as writing the chord pattern, main melodies and lyrics and finally the sound of the mix and master, order of songs and presentation.
GS: With all the current reunion tours featuring bands from the 90’s, do you see Catatonia ever reforming for a tour or possible new album in the future?
CM: No.
GS: What have been the highlights for you during your musical career to date?
CM: Meeting fellow musicians, music fans and record label folk: Mulatu Astatke, Herb Alpert, Allen Toussaint, Jac Holzman, Jack Bruce, James Burton... singing with Larry Adler, Tom Jones and David Honeyboy Edwards... also add singing with a brass band in New Orleans.
GS: You have collaborated with many artists in the past including Sir Tom Jones and Space, Do you have an artist you would love to collaborate with in the future?
CM: Christy Moore.
GS: You have many talents from singing, guitarist, author, broadcaster, to festival organiser. Is there a particular role you enjoy the most?
CM: Programming radio, and playing this great music, all era all genres, all languages, to a like-minded curious and intelligent, if hungover ;) audience live each Sunday (10am-1pm) has got to rate as one of the best jobs in the world.
GS: How do you balance your time between your professional career and your family life?
CM: The same as most working women, I get it done, and am glad that I have the right to choose.
GS: Since 2014, yourself, Steve Abbott, Charlie Gladstone and Caroline Gladstone have been involved in creating the ever growing popular outdoor festival ‘The Good Life Experience’. How did it all start?
CM: We wanted a festival where the punter wasn’t just a way of milking money. Away from corporate pressures, we wanted to create a place where people could come and get new ideas, feel inspired, try their hand at new things, skills, craft beer, pit cooking, abseiling down trees, coracle racing, whatever floated their boats really. It’s all hand picked stuff across a range of interests: books, food, great outdoors, exploring, science, wild swimming, music of course, cider making, honey whiskey, all sorts of crafts and free vintage fair rides. We wanted to make it a deal as we saw festivals were so expensive, and not always perfectly programmed nor particularly interesting in experiences you can try, skills learnt and memories made.
GS: What is your vision for the festival in the future?
CM: More fires, more music, more beer, more books, more philosophy, more pot cooking, more tree climbing, more debate, more coracle races and more hoe downs…
GS: Cerys, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to Guitar School today. It’s been an honour and it has been really interesting to hear how you shape and mould your songs. We wish you all the very best for the rest of 2017 and for the future!
This year’s 'Good Life Experience' festival will be held on September 15th, 16th and 17th 2017 in Hawarden Flintshire, just 8 minutes drive from Chester. For your tickets, please click here.
