Kids In Glass Houses Spillers Special
The Cardiff based band attracted attention from more than just kids last night as they arrived for their intimate acoustic session inside the legendary Spillers Records, with people young and old queuing outside the shop in Morgan Arcade awaiting the bands arrival. When the time came and the band were set up, we were set loose in the throng of people to spill inside (suitably) and try to get a good view,
Welcoming us as we came in, it was instantly clear the kind of band they are, joking with the audience and making every effort to be cheerful despite guitarist Joel Fisher suffering illness and lead singer and frontman Aled Phillips being affected by tonsillitis, and getting off to a great start after a volley of jokes between the audience and band about the release of the new 7 inch vinyl, need I say anymore?
Starting their acoustic set with a favourite from the new album Dirt, Sunshine lent itself very well to an acoustic sound. Another example of their genuine down-to-earth attitudes and good humour, Andrew Shay clearly a regular joker in the band made every effort to put Aled off track in his vocals, the laid back feel to the performance was an enjoyable change.
I have to stress though that by far my favourite song of the evening was Saturday from their album Smart Casual which is a beautifully sounding song especially with the added charm such a small shop can give an acoustic version, it truly felt up close and personal.
After several more songs including The Best Is Yet To Come and Matters At All the band thanked everyone for their time and put up for sale a collection of limited edition vinyl signed by the whole band.
Very kindly all the boys stayed behind and had pictures taken with the fans, signed unholy amounts of shirts/CDs/random objects and even gave the time to give theSprout an interview with amazing patience. First of all we spoke to Andrew Shay (bassist):
How does it feel to be back in Wales playing in Spillers records, the home of Welsh music for over a hundred years?
Andrew: “It’s great to be in Spillers, it’s a place that’s close to our hearts and is a really long standing Welsh tradition to play here”
How do you feel things are going at the moment and how do you feel about the support the Welsh people have shown towards the November gig?
“Things are going really well for us at the moment, I can’t believe that the November gigs have sold out here like they have, we’re really chuffed”
What do you think of the third album Dirt compared to Smart Casual?
“I love it, Dirt blows away Smart Casual, it’s way better in my opinion”
Next we spoke Guitarist Iain Mahanty about advice he would give young people.
What advice would you give young musicians and bands to help them get to where you have today?
Iain: “Well I would say practice”
Plain and simple
“Yeah, I mean you can’t just expect it to happen you’ve got to make it, if nothings on just put on gigs for your friends and work hard and you’ll get there”
After the swarm of anxious girls had dispersed around Lead singer Aled, we asked him a few questions.
How do you feel Dirt compares with Smart Casual?
Aled: “Well I think that Dirt is definitely a lot more mature, it’s come a long way from the original albums we had because it’s a lot less niche and we feel it’s just a really good album”
What advice would you give to young musicians hoping to make it out there in the way that you did?
“Well I’d say you’ve got to make your own way, practice and work hard at it and most importantly you’ve got to realise that it’s more important to have fun than get signed.”
Has there been talk of a new album any time soon?
“Very strong rumours yeah (laughs), I think we’re gonna do the November tours and then settle down before Christmas and get working on it and hopefully it’ll be out around March time”
So it’s a given then?
“Yeah, yeah, it’s definitely happening”
So good news for fans, an announced upcoming album with not long to wait! Largely impressed with the way the band embraced the interviews we went for a few final words with Ashley, who ran the event in Spillers.
How does it feel to have Kids In Glass Houses play in Spillers?
Ashley: “Kids In Glass Houses playing in store is really special because they’re all customers and have shopped here for as long as I’ve worked here, so about 15 years.”
What are your views on SWN festival as far as Spillers is concerned?
“Swn has involved people who may not have normally come to Spillers, which is great.”
So with lots of good content and a genuine feeling of respect for the band after such an enjoyable event and such openness and involvement with the individuals in the crowd, we left Spillers very glad we attended.
All in all I would highly recommend Kids In Glass Houses to anyone looking for new musical interests and that any and all support they receive is thoroughly deserved for the musical talent and warm attitudes to the fans. So give them a listen if you haven’t already and wait for March with bated breath.
Want more of the same? I know I do.
1 Comment – Post a comment
Tom_Bevan
Commented 67 months ago - 26th October 2010 - 23:00pm
Well in :) U make a mighty fine reporter