Welsh Wednesday #81

#81: Cariad by Twmffat

Welsh reggae for Reggae Week? Surely not! Well OK, not reggae in its purest form, but certainly reggae influenced - just listen to that bass. I have to confess to knowing very little about Twmffat. Most of what's out there appears to be in Welsh. I have, however, managed to piece together the following:

Frontman Ceri Cunnington used to front Anweledig, a ska-funk outfit from Blaenau Ffestiniog who were once voted Best Band at the National Eisteddfod and supported the likes of Catatonia, Super Furry Animals and Stereophonics.

Twmffat is Welsh for 'funnel'. Twmffat the band play reggae and ska influenced songs mixed with folk music and a punk rock attitude. They formed in 2009 and to date have released a full length album 'Dydi Fama'n Madda i Neb' and, most recently, 2014's 'Tangnefedd' EP.

Not bad work for a non-Welsh speaker, I think you'll agree. I can also tell you that 'Tangnefedd' means 'peace', but don't ask me what that album title means. Today's track, however, is taken from said LP and it's an absolute stormer. Cariad (trans: Love) appears to be the band's preferred set closer at their live shows. I'm not surprised. I'm telling you now - you may not understand a bleedin' word of it, but guaranteed you'll be singing it all day!