Amplify: youth music in Wales

In this episode, Lewis Jones discusses the importance of retaining Welsh talent and supporting the next generation of artists, creatives and music industry professionals in Wales. The conversation explores why local opportunities, visibility and career pathways matter for building a stronger music sector in Wales.
 

We’re back! Anthem Gateway is taking over The Amplify Podcast with a brand-new series all about the real issues facing young people in the music industry across Wales. We’re bringing together passionate voices, big questions, and honest conversations that matter.
In Episode 1, we’re joined by Eden Marsh and guests to talk about something many young musicians struggle with: burnout and mental health. We dive into how to spot the signs, what these pressures really look like, and how you can navigate them while staying creative and healthy.

Anthem’s Amplify podcast has partnered with Amplifying Accessibility for this mini series to spotlight what accessibility looks like in the music today with a range of disabled and neurodivergent young musicians. Brushing on topics of community, feminism, LGBTQ lives and self acceptance as the conversation around access and inclusion in music is still demanding to be heard.
Episode 12 - Accessibility in Music: Amplifying Accessibility with Yiska (Mallavora)
RightKeysOnly joins Yiska (Mallavora) to discuss the future of accessibility in music. Yiska, vocalist of metal band Mallavora, fresh from their Download Festival debut, voices the bands passion to push for an accessible music industry; advocating for successful and sustainable careers in music as well as empowering disabled music fans through their music.
If Yiska couldn’t get any more metal, she stepped away from her 9 to 5 work to launch Noteworthy Access as an Accessibility Consultant providing expert, lived experience-led training and consultancy, specialising in the music industry and arts + culture sector. Check it out!
Link to full ep in bio
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Amplify - stories about youth music in Wales is produced by Anthem.
Thanks to guests
RightKeysOnly
https://www.instagram.com/rightkeysonly/ 
Amplifying Accessibility:  https://eepurl.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=1f4161113434b10a1cb865140&id=02baaf153c 
 
Yiska
Mallavora https://linktr.ee/mallavora 
Noteworthy Access https://www.noteworthyaccess.co.uk/ 
 
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Mae podlediad Amplify Anthem wedi partneru ag Amplifying Accessibility ar gyfer y gyfres fach hon i dynnu sylw at sut mae hygyrchedd yn edrych yn y gerddoriaeth heddiw gydag ystod o gerddorion ifanc anabl a niwro-ddargyfeiriol. Mae brwsio ar bynciau fel cymuned, ffeministiaeth, bywydau LGBTQ a hunan-dderbyniad fel y sgwrs am fynediad a chynhwysiant mewn cerddoriaeth yn dal yn feichus i gael ei chlywed.
Pennod 12 - Hygyrchedd mewn Cerddoriaeth: Ymhelaethu ar Hygyrchedd gyda Yiska (Mallavora)
Mae RightKeysOnly yn ymuno ag Yiska (Mallavora) i drafod dyfodol hygyrchedd mewn cerddoriaeth. Mae Yiska, lleisydd y band metel Mallavora, sy'n ffres o'u debut Festival Download, yn lleisio angerdd y bandiau i wthio am ddiwydiant cerddoriaeth hygyrch; eiriol dros yrfaoedd llwyddiannus a chynaliadwy mewn cerddoriaeth yn ogystal â grymuso dilynwyr cerddoriaeth anabl trwy eu cerddoriaeth.
Os na allai Yiska gael rhagor o fetel, camodd i ffwrdd o’i gwaith 9 tan 5 i lansio Nodedig Access fel Ymgynghorydd Hygyrchedd yn darparu hyfforddiant ac ymgynghoriaeth arbenigol, byw ar sail profiad, gan arbenigo yn y diwydiant cerddoriaeth a’r sector celfyddydau + diwylliant. Edrychwch arno!
Dolen i'r ep llawn yn y bio
 -
Cynhyrchir Amplify - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru gan Anthem.
Diolch i westeion
Rheolir y prosiect gan Tori Sillman & Rightkeysonly
Cynhyrchiad Stiwdio gan Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Amplify Intro Music gan Blankface https://linkfol.io/manlikeblankface
Cysyniad Gwreiddiol gan Ify Iwobi https://ifyiwobimusic.co.uk/
Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru Music Fund Wales, yn creu Cymru lle gall cerddoriaeth rymuso pob bywyd ifanc. Dysgwch fwy yn www.anthem.wales
 
 

Croeso i Amplify - Welcome to Amplify!
stories about youth music in Wales - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru.
 
Yn y gyfres fach hon, mae ein gwesteiwr gwadd yn archwilio manteision ac anfanteision gyrfa symud i Lundain dros aros yng Nghymru gydag ystod eang o weithwyr proffesiynol y diwydiant cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru.
Mae podlediad Amplify Anthem wedi partneru ag Amplifying Accessibility ar gyfer y gyfres fach hon i dynnu sylw at sut mae hygyrchedd yn edrych yn y gerddoriaeth heddiw gydag ystod o gerddorion ifanc anabl a niwro-ddargyfeiriol. Mae brwsio ar bynciau fel cymuned, ffeministiaeth, bywydau LGBTQ a hunan-dderbyniad fel y sgwrs am fynediad a chynhwysiant mewn cerddoriaeth yn dal yn feichus i gael ei chlywed.
Anthem’s Amplify podcast has partnered with Amplifying Accessibility for this mini series to spotlight what accessibility looks like in the music today with a range of disabled and neurodivergent young musicians. Brushing on topics of community, feminism, LGBTQ lives and self acceptance as the conversation around access and inclusion in music is still demanding to be heard.
Pennod 11 - Hygyrchedd mewn Cerddoriaeth: Ymhelaethu ar Hygyrchedd gyda Casper James
Episode 11 - Accessibility in Music: Amplifying Accessibility with Casper James
Mae RightKeysOnly yn sgwrsio â Casper James (Telgate, Transform) gan archwilio pynciau fel profi salwch meddwl fel cerddor, ei ymchwil i gynhwysiant Traws a pha mor hanfodol yw undod mewn cymuned i unigolion amrywiol, ymylol.
RightKeysOnly chats to Casper James (Telgate, Transform) exploring topics such as experiencing mental illness as a musician, his research into Trans inclusion and how vital solidarity within a community is for diverse, marginalized individuals. 
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Cynhyrchir Amplify - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru gan Anthem.
Amplify - stories about youth music in Wales is produced by Anthem.
Diolch i westeion
Thanks to guests
RightKeysOnly
https://www.instagram.com/rightkeysonly/
Amplifying Accessibility:  https://eepurl.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=1f4161113434b10a1cb865140&id=02baaf153c
 
Casper JamesTelgate https://linktr.ee/telgateuk 
Solo + The Corntown Orchestra: https://www.instagram.com/succmyllent/ 
Transform, Beacons Cymru: https://www.instagram.com/transformmusic/ 
 
Mentioned
Paisley Fields: https://linktr.ee/PaisleyFields 
Detonation Records: https://detonationcymru.com/ 
Musicians Union: https://musiciansunion.org.uk/health-safety-wellbeing/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-support  
Loneworlds: https://loneworlds.org/ 
Dyddiau Du: https://direct.me/dyddiaudu 
Equality Act 2010: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents 
Help Musicians Mental Health Helpline: https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/get-support/mental-health 
LGBT Law Clinic: https://www.lgbtqlawclinic.co.uk/
Penguin Pebbling: https://www.tycerdd.org/penguin-pebbling 
Tonic Rider: https://www.tonicmusic.co.uk/tonic-rider 
The Moon Cardiff: https://www.themooncardiff.com/ 
Cabaret WMC: https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/seasons/cabaret
Attitude is everything: https://attitudeiseverything.org.uk/ 
 
— 
Cynhyrchir Amplify - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru gan Anthem.
Diolch i westeion
Rheolir y prosiect gan Tori Sillman & Rightkeysonly
Cynhyrchiad Stiwdio gan Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Amplify Intro Music gan Blankface https://linkfol.io/manlikeblankface
Cysyniad Gwreiddiol gan Ify Iwobi https://ifyiwobimusic.co.uk/
Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru Music Fund Wales, yn creu Cymru lle gall cerddoriaeth rymuso pob bywyd ifanc. Dysgwch fwy yn www.anthem.wales
 
Project managed by Tori Sillman & Rightkeysonly
Studio Production by Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Amplify Intro Music by Blankface https://linkfol.io/manlikeblankface
Original Concept by Ify Iwobi https://ifyiwobimusic.co.uk/ 
 
Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru Music Fund Wales, creating a Wales in which music can empower every young life.  Find out more at www.anthem.wales

Croeso i Amplify - Welcome to Amplify!
stories about youth music in Wales - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru.
Yn y gyfres fach hon, mae ein gwesteiwr gwadd yn archwilio manteision ac anfanteision gyrfa symud i Lundain dros aros yng Nghymru gydag ystod eang o weithwyr proffesiynol y diwydiant cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru.
 
PENNOD 10 - Cymru vs Llundain
 
Cyfrol 2: Pobl greadigol mewn cerddoriaeth
 
Mae Connor Morgans yn sgwrsio â’r cyflwynydd radio a’r crëwr cynnwys Bablu Shikdar, y ffotograffydd cerddoriaeth a’r fideograffydd Mitchell Williams a’r hyrwyddwr cerddoriaeth Reem Ashraf Muhammed gan ymdrin â phynciau gyrfa fel twf, archwilio, cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth, cofleidio methiant a chynrychioli Cymru.
 
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In this mini series, our guest host explores career pro’s and con’s of moving to London over staying in Wales with a wide range of music industry professionals in Wales.
 
EPISODE 10 -  Wales vs London
 
Volume 2: Music Industry Creatives
 
Connor Morgans chats to radio presenter and content creator Bablu Shikdar, music photographer and videographer Mitchell Williams and music promoter Reem Ashraf Muhammed covering career topics such as growth, exploration, transport links, embracing failure and representing Wales.
 
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Amplify - stories about youth music in Wales is produced by Anthem.
 
Thanks to guests
 
Reem Ashraf Muhammed (she/her)In everything I do, from my work with Foxy Roxies to working at BBC Radio Wales and Studios, my heart beats to the rhythm of the Welsh music scene. With a background spanning music promotion, radio, and television production, I've had the privilege to contribute to diverse projects like Bargain Hunt, King's Coronation Concert, and X-RAY. My journey has also led me to the presenter's seat at Horizons, where I've had the pleasure of showcasing the incredible talents within our creative community. Through it all, my unwavering passion lies in crafting opportunities that empower fellow creatives to shine. The future is brimming with potential, and I'm excited to continue championing the Welsh music scene and fostering spaces for artistic growth.
https://www.instagram.com/reemashraf/
https://www.instagram.com/foxysessions/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0f774cq/new-voices-from-wales-series-6-3-foxy-music 
https://www.instagram.com/horizonscymru/ 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_wales_fm
 
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Mitchell Williams (he/him)Photographer & videographer travelling the UK servicing musical artists and brands.
 
https://www.instagram.com/mitchellsvisuals/
https://www.mitchellwilliams.co/
 
Bablu ShikdarHe/HimPresenter, content creator, writer. Radio Platfform’s Outreach and training officer Bablu Shikdar likes to embody all of his titles through his life motto “laugh, learn and inspire”  Having experiences in the media industry with companies like ITV, Promo-Cymru and Nowinaminute. Bablu is passionate about creative and digital industries, He’senthusiastic about creating content and work that inspires others and speaks to his generation. Which is why he created Radio Platfform Presents! A podcast show dedicated to platform welsh creatives and discuss some of the issues we face here in Wales. Being an active figure in his community is really important to him and something he always strives to reflect in his work through representation, storytelling andentertainment.
 
https://www.instagram.com/radioplatfform/
https://linktr.ee/Radio_Platfform
https://www.instagram.com/bablushikdar_/
https://www.instagram.com/feedthesprout/
 
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Guest Presenter - Connor Morgans  https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Project managed by Tori Sillman & Connor Morgans
Studio Production by Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Amplify Intro Music by Blankface https://linkfol.io/manlikeblankface
Original Concept by Ify Iwobi
Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru Music Fund Wales, creating a Wales in which music can empower every young life.  Find out more at www.anthem.wales

Croeso i Amplify - Welcome to Amplify!
stories about youth music in Wales - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru.
 
Yn y gyfres fach hon, mae ein gwesteiwr gwadd yn archwilio manteision ac anfanteision gyrfa symud i Lundain dros aros yng Nghymru gydag ystod eang o weithwyr proffesiynol y diwydiant cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru.
 
PENNOD 9 - Cymru vs Llundain
 
Cyfrol 2: Diwydiant Cerddoriaeth
 
Y gwesteiwr gwadd Connor Morgans yn sgwrsio â chynhyrchwyr Cymreig Honey B Mckenna, Minas a hyrwyddwr y diwydiant cerddoriaeth Rich Samuel yn archwilio thema Cymru v Llundain gyda sgyrsiau am gysur, prosesau creadigol + hefyd yn trafod cyllid a chyfleoedd i Gymry yng Nghymru a thu hwnt.
 
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In this mini series, our guest host explores career pro’s and con’s of moving to London over staying in Wales with a wide range of music industry professionals in Wales.
 
EPISODE 9 -  Wales vs London
 
Volume 2:  Music Industry
 
Guest host Connor Morgans chats to Welsh producers Honey B Mckenna, Minas and music industry promotor Rich Samuel exploring the Wales v London theme with talks about comfortability, creative processes + also discussing funding and opportunities for Welsh people in and outside of Wales.
 
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Amplify - stories about youth music in Wales is produced by Anthem.
 
Thanks to guests
 
Honey B McKenna (she/her) is a DJ, singer & producer from Abergavenny & 
currently based in Hereford. She is currently a regular at Jam Factory, and has been a resident at The Ivy Cardiff, Left Bank Village, and Bill’s Cardiff. She has played at HowTheLightGetsIn, London Ivy Collection venues, The Nicky Grist Stages, Chapel 1877, LUPA, Tiny Rebel Newport, Hubfest Cardiff, The Globe at Hay and many private events, with more to come in 2023; including Pride events around the borders and South Wales, Into The Woods, Hereford Indie Food Festival, special events at Jam Factory and more TBA! She loves disco, dance classics and house, and her original music has been featured on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Hereford and Worcester, Buzz Magazine and GodIsInTheTV, with a new EP out in summer 2023.
 
https://linktr.ee/honeybmckenna
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James Minas (he/him) Producer and artist originally from Athens, Greece and raised in Splott then the Welsh Valleys, now based back in Cardiff. Passionate about sharing stories and experiences of artists within Wales and beyond through music either as a producer or collaboration as an artist. 
 
https://linktr.ee/minassoundhttps://www.instagram.com/minassound/ 
 
–
 
Richard Samuel (he/him) Having worked in the music industry as a journalist since the age of 17, interviewing Scissor Sisters, Bullet for my Valentine, and more. I achieved both an undergraduate and masters degree in Business and Marketing. I co-founded the Forté Project, an industry wide recognised artist development scheme, for young musicians in Wales. I also worked for Orchard Live, Wales’ biggest live music promotions company handling the marketing on all their live music  Currently I am a freelancer in Pontypridd working for Beacons Cymru, developing young industry talent, a full member of the MMF, managing a Country artist called Eleri, co-run a small-grass roots PR and coaching firm called Mondaay Media and still put on live shows in music and in comedy.
 
https://forteproject.co.uk/https://www.beacons.cymru/
https://themmf.net/
https://www.instagram.com/mondaaymedia/
 
— 
 
Mentioned
Guest Presenter - Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Project managed by Tori Sillman & Connor Morgans
Studio Production by Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Amplify Intro Music by Blankface https://linkfol.io/manlikeblankface
Original Concept by Ify Iwobi
Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru Music Fund Wales, creating a Wales in which music can empower every young life.  Find out more at www.anthem.wales 
 
 

Croeso i Amplify - Welcome to Amplify!
stories about youth music in Wales - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru.
 
Yn y gyfres fach hon, mae ein gwesteiwr gwadd yn archwilio manteision ac anfanteision gyrfa symud i Lundain dros aros yng Nghymru gydag ystod eang o weithwyr proffesiynol y diwydiant cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru.
 
PENNOD 8 - Cymru vs Llundain
 
Cyfrol 1: Cerddorion
Bydd y gwesteiwr gwadd Connor Morgans yn sgwrsio â’r cerddorion Cymreig Izzy Rabey, Foxxglove + Caitlin Lavagna yn archwilio eu meddyliau a’u profiadau o symud i Lundain i gael gyrfa lwyddiannus mewn cerddoriaeth.
 
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In this mini series, our guest host explores career pro’s and con’s of moving to London over staying in Wales with a wide range of music industry professionals in Wales.
 
EPISODE 8 -  Wales vs London
 
Volume 1:  Musicians
Guest host Connor Morgans chats to Welsh musicians Izzy Rabey, Foxxglove + Caitlin Lavagna exploring their thoughts and experiences around moving to London to have a successful career in music. 
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Amplify - youth music in Wales is produced by Anthem.
 
Thanks to guests
 
Caitlin Lavanga - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/caitlinlavagna/night-bus
Foxxglove - https://linktr.ee/foxxgloveuk
Izzy Rabey -  https://www.izzyrabey.co.uk/
 
Guest Presenter - Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Project managed by Tori Sillman & Connor Morgans
Studio Production by Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Amplify Intro Music by Blankface https://linkfol.io/manlikeblankface
Original Concept by Ify Iwobi
Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru Music Fund Wales, creating a Wales in which music can empower every young life.  Find out more at www.anthem.wales

Croeso i Amplify - Welcome to Amplify!
stories about youth music in Wales - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru.
Y mis hwn mae gennym bennod arbennig yn canolbwyntio ar gerddorion o Gymru sy’n dod o deuluoedd gyda blaenoriaid Windrush.
PENNOD 7 - Lily Beau
Mae'r gwesteiwr gwadd Aleighcia Scott yn sgwrsio â Lily Beau am gerddoriaeth, teulu a'i thaith bersonol o ddarganfod o gwmpas Windrush. Mae hi'n perfformio cân o'r enw Dream.
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This month we have a special episode focusing on musicians from Wales who come from families with Windrush elders. 
EPISODE 7 - Lily Beau
Guest host Aleighcia Scott chats to Lily Beau about music, family and her personal journey of discovery around Windrush. She performs a song called Dream.
National Windrush Day https://racecouncilcymru.org.uk/national-windrush-day/
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Amplify - youth music in Wales is produced by Anthem.
 
Guest Presenter - Aleighcia Scott https://linktr.ee/AleighciaScott
Project managed by Tori Sillman & Rhian Hutchings
Recorded at Ty Cerdd Studios 
Studio Production by Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Amplify Intro Music by Blankface https://linkfol.io/manlikeblankface
Original Concept by Ify Iwobi
 
Thanks to Matt Collins.
 
This episode of Amplify was funded by Race Council Cymru to celebrate National Windrush Day 2022 and created in partnership with Ty Cerdd Studios.
https://racecouncilcymru.org.uk/
https://www.tycerdd.org/
Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru Music Fund Wales, creating a Wales in which music can empower every young life.  Find out more at www.anthem.wales

Croeso i Amplify - Welcome to Amplify!
stories about youth music in Wales - straeon am gerddoriaeth ieuenctid yng Nghymru.
Y mis hwn mae gennym bennod arbennig yn canolbwyntio ar gerddorion o Gymru sy’n dod o deuluoedd gyda blaenoriaid Windrush.
 
PENNOD 6 - Eädyth Crawford
 
Bydd y gwesteiwr gwadd Aleighcia Scott yn sgwrsio ag Eädyth am gerddoriaeth, teulu a dylanwad Windrush ar ei gerddoriaeth. Mae Eädyth yn sgwrsio â’i mam Tamsin Meriel sy’n adrodd hanes sut y gwnaeth tad Eädyth ailgysylltu â’i dad eto, ac yn archwilio ei phrofiad o ddod yn rhan o deulu Bajan a sut y bu iddi feithrin cysylltiad Bajan ar gyfer ei dwy ferch. Eädyth yn perfformio ei sengl newydd Heal Yourself.
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This month we have a special episode focusing on musicians from Wales who come from families with Windrush elders. 
 
EPISODE 6 - Eädyth Crawford
 
Guest host Aleighcia Scott chats to Eädyth about music, family and the influence of Windrush on his music.  chats to Eädyth her mum Tamsin Meriel tells the story of how Eädyth ’s father reconnected with his dad again, and explores her experience of becoming part of a Bajan family and how she nurtured the Bajan connection for her two daughters. Eädyth performs her new single Heal Yourself.
https://www.eadyth.com/
 
National Windrush Day https://racecouncilcymru.org.uk/national-windrush-day/
 
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Amplify - youth music in Wales is produced by Anthem.
 
Guest Presenter - Aleighcia Scott https://linktr.ee/AleighciaScott
Guitarist - Rhodri Foxhall
Project managed by Tori Sillman & Rhian Hutchings
Recorded at Ty Cerdd Studios 
Studio Production by Connor Morgans https://linktr.ee/ConnorMorgans
Amplify Intro Music by Blankface https://linkfol.io/manlikeblankface
Original Concept by Ify Iwobi
 
Thanks to Tamsin Meriel, Rhodri Foxhall and Matt Collins.
 
This episode of Amplify was funded by Race Council Cymru to celebrate National Windrush Day 2022 and created in partnership with Ty Cerdd Studios.
https://racecouncilcymru.org.uk/
https://www.tycerdd.org/
Anthem. Cronfa Gerdd Cymru Music Fund Wales, creating a Wales in which music can empower every young life.  Find out more at www.anthem.wales