How many bands start when the members are just 11 and 12 years old and manage to last 15 years? Believe it or not, that's the Big Leaves story. Originally formed in the North Wales village of Waunfawr in 1988 as Biganifs, they put out some self-made cassettes and two 7" singles. When a Dutch concert promoter misheard the band's name and billed them as Big Leaves, the band decided to adopt the moniker on a permanent basis.
Most of their recordings are performed in Welsh, but there are some English tunes which helped raise their profile. Racing Birds from 1999 is one such example. Then-Radio One DJ Mark Radcliffe liked it so much, he played it twice in a row on his show!
After half a dozen EPs and two albums, Big Leaves split. Brothers Meilir and Osian Gwynedd went on to form the rather excellent Sibrydion, who I've just realised have not featured on Welsh Wednesday at all! Unforgivable. I shall correct that.
this is damned good!!
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