CWRW is a place with a lot of gwrw to choose from. I went up from Cardiff to see my friend’s band play there and was warmly surprised by how much this venue/pub/record shop/recording studio does for artistic voices. I had a lovely time and recommend it to anyone looking for local community.
On the weekend, I took the train to Carmarthen with friends whose band had a gig in the town. We had planned a charming day out in the town and were all excited to get to CWRW. When we arrived, it was eclectic and cozy inside. The walls were covered with posters and a patchwork of painted coloured squares. In each square, artists who perform write their name in, this was something we liked as it gave us the: ‘oh they played here!’ feeling when we saw the name of a familiar band.
We started by going up to Tangled Parrot records on the second floor of CWRW. The shop was well stocked with LPs, EPs and singles to thumb through. It has a great sound system so you can listen to music, relax and browse at your pace. I appreciate the shop and pub being attached, it gives people who love records a chance to browse and then get a pint together afterwards.
Heading downstairs we went to the bar. They had a wide selection of locally brewed drinks. This was a nice change from the humdrum selection of beers you find in most pubs. I picked out a lovely non-alcoholic Red Hog cider, brewed in Llandeilo. We sat down into the comfy atmosphere of the pub and had a good time chatting and socialising with people we met. Later, the tables were all dismantled and space was made for the gig – organised by their brilliant promoting company: SLUSH CIC who helped put my friends’ band on.
I asked CWRW about their business and community ethos. They describe themselves as an ‘inclusive creative hub dedicated to grassroots music and other forms of artistic expression’ and they are ‘dedicated to creating a local community.’
I asked them what they have done recently for art and community, they replied ‘Recently, it has established a dedicated community recording and rehearsal studio. This means we are now a venue, recording space and a record shop. Altogether, these elements create a complete circle of the creative process, fostering collaboration and artistic expression.’
My friends’ band is called Bramwell, they have a lot of experience with live venues like this so I decided to ask them some questions too. Murphy (the band’s guitarist) said ‘I have so much respect for places like this. Putting us on is a financial risk for them but they still do it. It’s really hard for venues to compete in the industry they are in so I feel really privileged to be platformed like this.’
I then asked Tom (the band’s singer and song-writer) some more questions.
How would you describe your music and what is it like playing live?
We like making immediate and melodic guitar pop. When we play live, we like to make it rock and roll. Our favourite groups throughout history have these two components down to a tee.
What are your thoughts on Tangled Parrot Records and Slush?
Tangled Parrot has a great collection. We bought some badges that were on the wall, including one with just Charlie Watts’ face. Andrew who runs Slush is very helpful and genuinely cares about the groups he puts on. Luckily, we’ve struck up a kinship and we’ll be doing more with them.
How important are communal spaces like CWRW to you and your band?
CWRW is a very nice space with very nice people who run it. Venues like that are vital in letting local bands develop their sound and their crew. We’re from Devon and had that with The Cavern in Exeter – we really needed it.
What is the future for independent music and venues like CWRW?
Hopefully they’ll exist forever and outlive the arenas. With devoted locals, they tend to.
I hope so too. Bramwell played their set then we all sat together and enjoyed the rest of night. In one of the squares now, the word BRAMWELL is written. That made me happy. I realised CWRW is made up of the artists that perform there – both on the walls and in their philosophy. I have been to many venues and few show the same amount of commitment to the creative cycle as CWRW.
I mean it in full, CWRW is a place you should check out. Supporting them means you support an entire community and community is something we do not have enough of in current times – CWRW is the place where this all starts.
CWRW: Website / Facebook / Instagram
Bramwell: Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp
Article by Laurie Green
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