01Profile
A Carwyn Ellis Photo
Carwyn Ellis
Musician — Wales
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Carwyn Ellis. I come from Benllech, a seaside village in Wales.
Describe your style in three words?
Marvellous melodic melange.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The Beastie Boys, Brixton Academy 1998. I was watching one of the greatest musical acts in popular music at their peak. They knew it, and I knew it. A phenomenal experience. They performed three separate sets - one straight hip-hop with just the 3 MCs and 1 DJ, then a hardcore power trio set and to cap it off, a set with a full band including Money Mark on keys and Eric Bobo on percussion. Supreme.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
How about Dr John in the early seventies when the Meters were his band? That would be amazing - musically and because they'd be a great bunch to hang out with, and I could learn tons from them about New Orleans rhythm and soul music. And they'd be really fun to get loaded with! On the same note, how about Miles Davis and his band from around the same time? Amazing musicians from North and South America playing some far-out psychedelic funk. That would be sensational! And between us, we could play all day and all night.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
I'd say the Deadheads - I was one in my teens, and even went to see the Grateful Dead in London in 1990. By that point, they weren't particularly great as a band but their fans were amazing. Utterly dedicated. The vast majority of the crowds at the two nights I saw at Wembley Arena were Americans who'd travelled to see the band. And they were really nice folks - I was happy to be among them. The other subculture I immersed myself in was hip-hop a few years later into the '90s. The 'golden era' - the only period I've lived through when a great art form that meant something to me was hitting its peak. There were so many great records coming out at the time, and so many great artists coming to play in the UK: De La Soul, Gang Starr, the Pharcyde, Gravediggaz, Cypress Hill, A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy and loads of others. Such an exciting time.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Les Dawson - he'd be a good laugh.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Brixton Academy. I've seen so many brilliant shows there. The Beastie Boys, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Bob Dylan, Public Enemy, Jimmy Cliff - too many incredible nights to mention. With great sound, and with sightlines which mean people can actually see.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My best mate, David Fletcher. He gave me his unconditional support throughout our friendship and gave me somewhere to live when I needed a new start. He played bass with me when I started out as a singer and was there for me whenever I asked. And he was one of the finest, if not THE finest classical double bass player of his generation. He's been gone 10 years now, and I miss him very much.
Carwyn Ellis CV includes work with Colorama, Edwyn Collins and The Pretenders. It was Pretenders frontwoman, Chrissie Hynde who introduced Carwyn to legendary Brazilian producer and multi-instrumentalist, Kassin. Ellis travelled to Rio to work with Kassin in the studio, along with some of Rio's finest musicians, and the result is Carwyn Ellis' first solo album 'Joia!'.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Paperback Writer' - The Beatles
I don't really know the answer to this question, but it's probably going to be by The Beatles - they were my first musical obsession as a kid. And the first cassette I had by them was '20 Greatest Hits' - 'Paperback Writer' was the first track on side 2 and I do remember rewinding back to the start of the side to hear the tune over and over again. It was just magical - full of melodies, sounds and ideas. Like most of their material. Once you're hooked, they've got you.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Careful With That Axe Eugene' - Pink Floyd
I was a total hippy as a teenager! I found psychedelia at a young age and ran with it.
One record you would keep forever?
'Dandelion Gum' by Black Moth Super Rainbow. It's so inventive, trippy, technicolour and wonky that I doubt I'd ever tire of it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'You Can Get It If You Really Want' by Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff has written a lot of uplifting, inspirational songs. A number of them about dogged determination. "But you must try. Try and try. Try and try. And you'll succeed at last". Ultimately, that's all we can do. And Jimmy sings it sweetly - to inspire you, not to lecture or patronise you. He is a master.
A song you wished you had written?
'Stand By Me' - Ben E. King
It's one of the most successful singles of all time! At least it was when I saw the telly program listing the most successful tunes… It's a slice of perfection. It manages to be poignant and uplifting at the same time, and Ben E King doesn't get the recognition he deserves for being such a great songwriter - we all know how wonderful a singer he was. Just sublime.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Lame No Pantaloons' - Yura Yura Teikoku
This is my favourite rock 'n' roll song at the moment. It's got a great video too - daft and hilarious. Like the song. The singer of Yura Yura Teikoku is Shintaro Sakamoto and the solo records he's making now are some of the best around. He's been doing this a long time.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Automatic' - Pointer Sisters
I'm a child of the eighties so there's a lot of pop stuff from that time that I'm very fond of. Some of which has dated very well, like this song. It still sounds futuristic now. There was a certain sort of electro-soul in the mid-'80s which still sounds brilliant now - 'White Lines' by Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel, 'I Feel For You' by Chaka Khan, 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' by Tina Turner… there are tons from that time that I still really like.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Shimmy' - Toussaint McCall
This is disarmingly simple but hits you right between the eyes with its gutbucket funkiness. It never fails to get me moving. Toussaint McCall is most well known for his ballad, 'Nothing Takes The Place Of You' and this is the B-side. Totally out of keeping but a great flipside.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Born To Be With You' - Dion
I first heard this in a hotel room in Edinburgh coming down from a mushroom trip with some fine pals. It was simply beautiful, and I can remember the loveliness of that moment to this day. The whole album of the same name could serve the same purpose - it's all that lush.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
There's loads! Too many to mention, but here's a few - Dirty Art Club is a brilliant producer from the States that I'm listening to a lot at the moment. Combo Chimbita are a South American band based in the USA - I came across their debut album in Mexico City and loved it and have been following them since. I had the pleasure of playing on the Tracyanne And Danny album which came out last year, and I adore it. Two Feet I know nothing about but it looks very popular! There's so much stuff floating in the ether - you've just got to reach up and grab it.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Carwyn Ellis. I come from Benllech, a seaside village in Wales.
Describe your style in three words?
Marvellous melodic melange.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The Beastie Boys, Brixton Academy 1998. I was watching one of the greatest musical acts in popular music at their peak. They knew it, and I knew it. A phenomenal experience. They performed three separate sets - one straight hip-hop with just the 3 MCs and 1 DJ, then a hardcore power trio set and to cap it off, a set with a full band including Money Mark on keys and Eric Bobo on percussion. Supreme.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
How about Dr John in the early seventies when the Meters were his band? That would be amazing - musically and because they'd be a great bunch to hang out with, and I could learn tons from them about New Orleans rhythm and soul music. And they'd be really fun to get loaded with! On the same note, how about Miles Davis and his band from around the same time? Amazing musicians from North and South America playing some far-out psychedelic funk. That would be sensational! And between us, we could play all day and all night.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
I'd say the Deadheads - I was one in my teens, and even went to see the Grateful Dead in London in 1990. By that point, they weren't particularly great as a band but their fans were amazing. Utterly dedicated. The vast majority of the crowds at the two nights I saw at Wembley Arena were Americans who'd travelled to see the band. And they were really nice folks - I was happy to be among them. The other subculture I immersed myself in was hip-hop a few years later into the '90s. The 'golden era' - the only period I've lived through when a great art form that meant something to me was hitting its peak. There were so many great records coming out at the time, and so many great artists coming to play in the UK: De La Soul, Gang Starr, the Pharcyde, Gravediggaz, Cypress Hill, A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy and loads of others. Such an exciting time.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Les Dawson - he'd be a good laugh.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Brixton Academy. I've seen so many brilliant shows there. The Beastie Boys, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Bob Dylan, Public Enemy, Jimmy Cliff - too many incredible nights to mention. With great sound, and with sightlines which mean people can actually see.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My best mate, David Fletcher. He gave me his unconditional support throughout our friendship and gave me somewhere to live when I needed a new start. He played bass with me when I started out as a singer and was there for me whenever I asked. And he was one of the finest, if not THE finest classical double bass player of his generation. He's been gone 10 years now, and I miss him very much.
Carwyn Ellis CV includes work with Colorama, Edwyn Collins and The Pretenders. It was Pretenders frontwoman, Chrissie Hynde who introduced Carwyn to legendary Brazilian producer and multi-instrumentalist, Kassin. Ellis travelled to Rio to work with Kassin in the studio, along with some of Rio's finest musicians, and the result is Carwyn Ellis' first solo album 'Joia!'.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Paperback Writer' - The Beatles
I don't really know the answer to this question, but it's probably going to be by The Beatles - they were my first musical obsession as a kid. And the first cassette I had by them was '20 Greatest Hits' - 'Paperback Writer' was the first track on side 2 and I do remember rewinding back to the start of the side to hear the tune over and over again. It was just magical - full of melodies, sounds and ideas. Like most of their material. Once you're hooked, they've got you.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Careful With That Axe Eugene' - Pink Floyd
I was a total hippy as a teenager! I found psychedelia at a young age and ran with it.
One record you would keep forever?
'Dandelion Gum' by Black Moth Super Rainbow. It's so inventive, trippy, technicolour and wonky that I doubt I'd ever tire of it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'You Can Get It If You Really Want' by Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff has written a lot of uplifting, inspirational songs. A number of them about dogged determination. "But you must try. Try and try. Try and try. And you'll succeed at last". Ultimately, that's all we can do. And Jimmy sings it sweetly - to inspire you, not to lecture or patronise you. He is a master.
A song you wished you had written?
'Stand By Me' - Ben E. King
It's one of the most successful singles of all time! At least it was when I saw the telly program listing the most successful tunes… It's a slice of perfection. It manages to be poignant and uplifting at the same time, and Ben E King doesn't get the recognition he deserves for being such a great songwriter - we all know how wonderful a singer he was. Just sublime.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Lame No Pantaloons' - Yura Yura Teikoku
This is my favourite rock 'n' roll song at the moment. It's got a great video too - daft and hilarious. Like the song. The singer of Yura Yura Teikoku is Shintaro Sakamoto and the solo records he's making now are some of the best around. He's been doing this a long time.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Automatic' - Pointer Sisters
I'm a child of the eighties so there's a lot of pop stuff from that time that I'm very fond of. Some of which has dated very well, like this song. It still sounds futuristic now. There was a certain sort of electro-soul in the mid-'80s which still sounds brilliant now - 'White Lines' by Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel, 'I Feel For You' by Chaka Khan, 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' by Tina Turner… there are tons from that time that I still really like.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Shimmy' - Toussaint McCall
This is disarmingly simple but hits you right between the eyes with its gutbucket funkiness. It never fails to get me moving. Toussaint McCall is most well known for his ballad, 'Nothing Takes The Place Of You' and this is the B-side. Totally out of keeping but a great flipside.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Born To Be With You' - Dion
I first heard this in a hotel room in Edinburgh coming down from a mushroom trip with some fine pals. It was simply beautiful, and I can remember the loveliness of that moment to this day. The whole album of the same name could serve the same purpose - it's all that lush.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
There's loads! Too many to mention, but here's a few - Dirty Art Club is a brilliant producer from the States that I'm listening to a lot at the moment. Combo Chimbita are a South American band based in the USA - I came across their debut album in Mexico City and loved it and have been following them since. I had the pleasure of playing on the Tracyanne And Danny album which came out last year, and I adore it. Two Feet I know nothing about but it looks very popular! There's so much stuff floating in the ether - you've just got to reach up and grab it.