New Year Podcast
A bit of Latin a bit of this and a bit of that.
Christmas Meltdown. Sun Dec 13th 8pm
THE 2009 MELTDOWN XMAS YURTFEST!!!
Sun December 13th 8.00pm
BAREFOOT DANCE OF THE SEA (formerly Bec and Beth) + STACEY BLYTHE & FRIENDS + KADESHA + RIVER GHOSTS + BLUE LOTUS DANCE + DEBBIE MANLEY (Compere) + CHAIR MASSAGE
An evening of dazzling acoustica involving cellos, harps, accordions, guitars and some of the finest women singers on the South Wales scene (Hot Puppies Bec and Beth, rising 17 yr old star Kadesha, multi-lingual folk diva Stacey Blythe) plus a touch of rootsy electrica from the River Ghosts, mesmerising arabic dance, a manic mancunian compere and the chance for a massage fit for the stars (Ting Tings, Bat for Lashes, Jack Penate etc). All wrapped up in a special Christmas Pudding shaped container otherwise known as a Yurt!
Milgis Lounge Bar, 213 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3JD (In the YURT!!)
Cost: whatever you would like to donate in Meltdown’s magic hat.
Contact venue: 02920 473150
Websites:
www.myspace.com/mr.meltdown (don’t forget the dot)
www.milgilounge.com
BAREFOOT DANCE OF THE SEA (formerly Bec and Beth)
A special Christmas set of songs from acclaimed Bec and Beth Hot Puppies spin-off with added Sophie. As featured on Bethan and Huw’s Radio 1 show, and Steve Lamacq’s Radio 2 show.
“They specialize in serenely muscular two-and three-part harmonising, old-timey gospel, country crooning and torch balladry. Bec proves an effortlessly accomplished singer with a huge range. Beth sits at the piano and sings softly. It’s really quite enchanting”. Venue Magazine
“all fragile and beautiful as a porcelain kitten in a pillow fight … Lovely noises, lovely harmonies”. Subba Cultcha
“delicate, heart-tingling songs” Wears the Trousers magazine
“As sparkling as a dewy morning” Metro
www.myspace.com/barefootdanceofthesea
STACEY BLYTHE & FRIENDS
A one-woman meltdown, Stacey Blythe plays harp/whistles/keyboard/ accordion etc in internationally acclaimed Welsh folk band Ffynnon and when playing solo is a superb and multi-lingual singer with influences straddling jazz, classical and folk. A born collaborator she’ll be bringing equally accomplished musicians with her and, most likely, jamming with other acts in true Meltdown style!
“a fine voice and a multi-instrumentalist who brings influences from the many genres of music in which she has worked”. Living Tradition
“Blythe’s versatility shines at every note” Radio 2 Folk Reviews.
“sad, haunting with harp used seldom more powerfully by Stacey Blythe” Celtic Beat
“a versatile multi-instrumentalist … downright magical.” - Hot Press (Ireland)
www.myspace.com/ffynnon
KADESHA
17 year old Kadesha Drija has already played more gigs than many artists twice her age. She is currently working with Songwriter & Producer Len Arran, (3 platinum albums with Skin and Skunk Anansie in the late 90’s) and making waves after her superb song ‘So Into You’ was picked up by Adam Walton of BBC Radio Wales.
“This 17 year old is a prodigious talent” Adam Walton Radio Wales
Kadesha, you’re a woman in a mans world, a lover in a world of hate, a singer in a world that’s out of tune” Benjamin Zephaniah
Strong, powerful and full of emotion – a name to watch in the future” Plugged In Magazine
“wonderfully sublime songs that belie her years”. www.parksounds.co.uk (Canary Wharf)
www.myspace.com/kadeshadrija
RIVER GHOSTS
Rootsy psychedelic songcraft from Howling Howard (imagine Chewbacca playing the harmonica), Soda Men guitar wizard Mike Slee, and songwriters/Meltdown co-founders Ade Roper and Paul Clarke.
BLUE LOTUS DANCE
In the café area we’ve a dazzling Arabic dance set to open the night from Hannah Corr’s amazing ensemble. Her specialities are the classical, baladi and folk styles of Egypt as well as dancing with the veil, stick and zills. Don’t miss this sensuous riot of rhythm, movement and colour.
DEBBIE MANLEY (Compere)
Though her greatest achievement was in helping steer Meltdown through the nineties, manic mancunian Debbie has, among much else, been Showbusiness Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards in 2006, managed Mark E Smith for an (inevitably) short period, and has recently abseiled down Old Trafford to raise money for a Cancer charity.
CHAIR MASSAGE fit for the STARS
As part of the backstage ‘On the Spot’ massage team at the John Peel Stage in Glastonbury (check out http://massageonthespot.co.uk) Paul and Tim have garnered ecstatic appreciations from rising stars such as James Allen from Glasvegas ‘Thanks millions, needed that!’; Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend ‘Very nice!; and oodles of others (see below). Paul and Tim will be offering chair massage for donations between 7.30 and 8.30pm. And if you’re a musician remember that Paul’s magic hands have massaged FOUR artists who went on to be nominated for a Mercury Award. No guarantees though!
Natasha Khan aka Bat for Lashes said ‘what you’re doing is brilliant! such a special treat before and after performing. Thank you – amazing!’
Katie White of the Ting Tings commented ‘Just had something similar in San Diego, you are far better’;
Jack Penate proclaimed ‘I now feel Godly’
Sam Duckworth of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly ‘Before the biggest show of my life I was nothing short of totally stressed.Not anymore! Thank you!’
Timothy Furse of the Horrors could only manage ‘My word!’.
Tim and Paul are both MTI qualified and fully insured.
The YURT
In deepest winter time the nomads in the steppes of Eastern Asia gather themselves in the communal Yurt - a portable, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure - to sing songs, celebrate community and warm themselves through the chilly nights … and SO DO WE! Tucked behind the wonderful Milgis Cafe Bar in City Rd is a particularly gorgeous Yurt increasingly renowned for particularly magical gigs.
So gather your loose change, buttons etc for the Hat-Passing-Ritual, and come melt in a yurt with us. As we do.
MILGIS MEALS
Make a night out of it and sample Milgis delicious menu before the gig! Check out the culinary gorgeousness on www.milgilounge.com
Meltdown recommends
Random Roathtastic tips for seasonal shopping:
Halcyon Daze (with oodles of new stock arriving daily) – Wellfield Rd, Roath. Check out www.halcyon-daze.com
Milkwood Gallery – set up by Helen and Gail, who helped create the amazing Made in Roath festival. Books, Gifts, Clothes, Vintagewear, Crafts etc. 41 Lochaber street, Roath CF243LS (Angus St. off Albany Road)
www.milkwoodgallery.com
MELTDOWN IS CURRENTLY 2nd SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH IN MILGIS YURT. CHECK OUT www.myspace.com/mr.meltdown FOR UPDATES.
Merry Whatever You Celebrate from Meltdown!
WHAT IS MELTDOWN?
For 22 years Cardiff’s legendary Meltdown Club has been creating space for musicians and performers to experiment, collaborate and entertain. Founded in 1986 Meltdown has been responsible for over 1000 gigs (including roadshows to London and Scotland), a compilation album (3 stars in ‘Q’!), and early gigs by now legendary performers including Catatonia’s first ever gig, Sian Evans of Kosheen, jazz guitarist Dylan Fowler, comedian Rob Brydon, Massive Attack collaborator Nicolette, Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club, Wales Folk Diva Julie Murphy, No Fit State Circus and a clutch of Super Furries. Recent acts to use Meltdown as a space to innovate, experiment and entertain include the Threatmantics, Spencer McGarry, Cate le Bon, Stepping Out Theatre Company, Optimus Prime, Lily Green, Mr & Mrs Clark, Stacey Blythe, Beatbox Fozzy, Bec&Beth (Hot Puppies), Wonderbrass, Applefish and Plant Duw. And all this from a club that is organised by a bunch of unpaid enthusiasts, runs almost wholly on self-generated money, and melts down barriers between styles of music and performance with reckless abandon!!! Yay for us!!!!
December Podcast
A jolly mix of a bit of Eastern Europe going into some Reggae
New Sunday DJ at the Milgi!
The Péchés Mignons Sunday Session @ Milgi open with Toclifrench’s mix selection of eclectic music genres with a Soulful twist: Downtempo, Jazz, World, Electronica, Tri Hop, NuFunk, NuJazz, Reggae, Latin, Hip Hop…and anything in between. So come and chilled to the Péchés Mignons Sunday vibes.
Toclifrench has also a regular radio show every Thursday from 9pm till 11pm on newportcityradio.org. You can check out for track lists and podcasts at newportcityradio.org/index.php?page=toclifrench
Saturdays
Visiting Dj’s
Spanking electro lounge grooves, inspired music by crate digging DJs. Disco, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Acid House and dare we say it? Baleric Beats, all served up on the platters by resident Owain K and weekly guests.
Milgi - DJ Dates (July/August)
Sat 4th July - Kev (Soul Freedom)
Sat 11th July - DJ Ski
Sat 18th July - Nicodemus (Jacuzzi Junta)
Sat 25th July - Owain K (Tonic)
Sat 1st August - Daf (Batacuda Basics)
Sat 8th August - Candela DJs
Sat 15th August - Matt Gobbett (Loose Joints)
Sat 22nd August - Owain K (Tonic)
Sat 29th August - Hosko (Grubby Jazz)
Pics and Video of the Small Weekend
Music Homepage
With a huge range of musical tastes, Milgi serves up some of the most eclectic tunes in Town. Check out what’s on!
Fridays
FEVELA FRIDAYS
Daf - Brazilian / Afro Beat / Reggae / Soul
Neil - Brazilian / Afro Beat / Reggae / Soul
Si - Afro Beat / Reggae / Soul
Chris - Brazilian / Northern Soul / Shanka
Rich - Brazilian / Balkan Beats /
Leon - Broken / Latin /
Dave - Afrobeat / 70s funk brazilian
Shawandi - Afrobeat / Soul
Matt the Hat - Dub / Soul