After a run of cracking noise pop singles, West Walian band Los Blancos released their debut album Sbwriel Gwyn at the end of September via Libertino Records. These 12 tracks, captured in vivid colour by producer Kris Jenkins aka Sir Doufus Styles (SFA, Gruff Rhys, Cate La Bon, H Hawkline), are honest, unflinching still frames of young adulthood.
There’s a cathartic rush to what Los Blancos do, lending bucketfuls of wit, urgency, and heart to their brand of raw, artful noise rock that nods towards Husker Du and early Jesus and Mary Chain, on tracks like adrenalin scorched opener ‘Dilyn Iesu Grist’. While standout ‘Cadw Fi Lan’ with its wistful vocals and see-sawing rhythm reference the Velvets and the Wedding Present lurching into an anthemic sing along territory.
They recently shared the laid back and jangley title track, which, shot in a dilapidated caravan on a local farm, offers a loose and unapologetic ode to being from rural Wales. As Gwyn Rosser the singer explains: ‘Sbwriel Gwyn’ is a “term that we use as friends when one of us has done a stupid act, which happens often!!”
We caught up with the band, to get to know them a bit better.
Hi, how are you today?
Very Very good thanks for asking!
How did you meet?
We’ve all knew each other from school, we met each other on a regular basis in the Tangled Parrot in Carmarthen and started to bond over music.
What was the first song you ever wrote?
Mae’n anodd deffro un…
What was it like?
Crap, its on Spotify, don’t listen to it
How do your songs start out?
Its different every time, it can be a lyric or a riff ar a chord progression that someone will bring to practise. Everyone will jam around it and were all pretty open creatively so anyone can make suggestions and the best idea wins
What was the first thing you released?
Mae’n anodd deffro un, please stop bringing this up
What’s the music scene like back home?
Libertino has done an amazing job highlighting the talent in Carmarthen. There’s always been a scene in Carmarthen, but never someone to push or plug the bands there.
How would you describe your music in five words?
Chaotic Tenacious Vulnerable Heartfelt.
Which artists do you admire?
The common denominator would be Pavement, Ty Segall, Twin Peaks and Brian Jonestown Massacare
What would be your dream collaboration?
Umm anything to do with Stephen Malkmus, Chuck Berry, Tom Waits or Twin Peaks
How did you end up getting signed to Libertino records(Ynys, Adwaith et al.)? We love that label!
We’ve known Gruff from nights in the Parrot, he came to our first gig, and it’s shot on from there.
The label has been instrumental in the Welsh scene in recent years, there’s a real diverse, eclectic mix of bands in the lIbertino roster.
Can you tell us about your new release?
Sbwriel Gwyn is welsh for “white trash”, which is what we often refer to each other affectionately. It encompasses all sorts of our experiences in recent years from heartache, rural isolation, friendship, alcohol and a love song to a dog. Couldn’t have done it without Gruff from Libertino and Krissy Jenkins our producer.
What’s the best band you have played with so far?
Charlotte Church’s Pop Dungeon and Boy Azooga
Are you playing any shows/festivals this autumn?
We’ll be playing a tour around Wales, from Cardiff, Cardigan, Wrexham and Caernarfon. We’ve also got a few more gigs in and around Wales as well.
Los Blancos play the mixer at the Welsh Music Prize in Cardiff tomorrow.
