fflach

NEWS: Cardigan’s legendary Fflach Records becomes Fflach Cymunedol

After 40 years Cardigan based record label Fflach is reorganizing, and emerging anew in the form of Fflach Cymunedol (community). The new company continues the original DIY ethos of the original label’s founders Richard and Wyn Jones, and will break new ground by radicalizing the way a label and studio can be run, with the community at its centre.

Fflach Records was started by brothers Richard and Wyn in 1981, both members of the new wave/punk group Ail Symudiad. Initially Fflach worked with rock, pop and ska groups, but in the mid-eighties an 8-track studio was added, and as a result more artists recorded, before they ventured into the fields of choral, folk and country music. Sub-label flach:tradd, a label for traditional Welsh music was then formed, and in 2000, indie/dance label Rasp, recording among others, Swci Boscawen, Texas Radio Band and Vanta.

In 2021 both men died within months of each other. But light follows dark, and the formation of Fflach Cymunedol sees a continuing of that original punk spirit. The aim of Fflach Cymunedol is to continue the ethos and work of Recordiau Fflach as a Welsh and creative hub in Cardigan, so that local musicians of all kinds can continue to record and release music.

The first step of the campaign is to sell shares. It aim is to raise £50,000 from members. Friends of the label, music fans in Wales, and anyone interested in being part of creating and running a label, are encouraged to become a shareholder. You can become a co-owner of the new company for as little as £50.
Richard’s widow Ann says, ‘There is no better way to keep the company going and continue the ethos of Richard and Wyn than to try something new like this! It’s an opportunity for all of Fflach’s friends, who were so close to both of their hearts, to be part of the story. It formalizes what Fflach was really doing, which was working on behalf of the community.’

The shares are on sale until the 17 February. Between now and then, Fflach Cymunedol will organize gigs to showcase some of the bands and artists on the label, and raise money. The first of which featured Los Blancos, Osgled, and one of the new bands on Fflach Cymunedol, Dewin, in The Cellar Cardigan last week. You can collect a membership pack from Awen Teifi in Cardigan, or read it on the website

You can fill in the membership form digitally and follow @fflachcymunedol on social media.

God is in the TV is an online music and culture fanzine founded in Cardiff by the editor Bill Cummings in 2003. GIITTV Bill has developed the site with the aid of a team of sub-editors and writers from across Britain, covering a wide range of music from unsigned and independent artists to major releases.