Interviews: Breichiau Hir

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band Breichiau Hir from the UK. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or come out just like that?

The name comes from a song from Ffa Coffi Pawb (Everybody’s Coffee Beans, but phonetically sounds like Fuck Everyone) (Gruff Rhys’ (Super Furry Animals) early project). It means Long Arms in Welsh. We saw it on the back of a CD compilation and thought it sounded cool. We didn’t have the CD itself, so we only heard the song after choosing the name.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

There’s a rich history of heavy bands from South Wales, from all different angles. From the Manics to Mclusky, The Joy Formidable to Funeral For A Friend, so I think we were surrounded by the sound and the music reflects that I think. There weren’t many heavy bands singing in Welsh at the time, and I think we probably leaned into that when we realized.      

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

We formed in school - most of us have known each other since we were children!      

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Steff - Low

Rhys E - Protomartyr

Nat - Radiohead

John - Mogwai

Llyr - Junior Senior

Rhys M - Refused     

 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I can’t remember what made us start, but we enjoyed the process so much that we haven’t stopped. It’s very collaborative with us,      

6. Where was your last gig?

We just played a gig at Elysium in Swansea, a wonderful DIY music venue that doubles up as an art gallery.      

7. Where would you like to act?

There I read about The Caverns in Tennessee. It’s all in a large underground cave system. I can’t get it out of my head!      

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We supported We Were Promised Jetpacks a few years ago which is one of our collective favorite acts, so that was a big one. I think Mogwai would be the band’s dream come true.      

9. Whom not?

We got upstaged and outperformed by Coron Moron and Penne Orene at a festival this weekend, bands that are still in primary school. We don’t want that to happen again! We’ll have to practice a bit more to play with them again.      

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I think we all have at some point. The worst is before a gig in front of my family. My tip would be to try to turn it into excitement.      

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

For our second album, Y Dwylo Uwchben, I think the inspiration came from all over for different things. Protomartyr, Nothing, Slowdive, Rheinallt H Rowlands, Adam Gnade, mewithoutYou. I’m sure the other members will disagree with me as soon as they read this. When we started in our teens, I think a band called Ashokan (later A La Fiste) who played post-hardcore in Welsh inspired us.       

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Welsh lessons.      

13. What do you think of your fans?

They’re great of course. Supporting a DIY band like ours goes a long long way, and we always appreciate it.      

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s great, supporting acts from across the world from different cultures - it’s what the internet should be all about! We especially love the logo.      

15. Anything to add?

Thanks for taking the time to feature us in your blog!