1 December 2025
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with Cardiff based artist Fflwcs to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m from Carmarthenshire in West Wales originally, but I’ve lived in Cardiff longer than I lived there. My parents always played 60s music in the car so I was brought up on that. When I used to go and stay with my Grandmother, she’d let me and my sister play her records. My favourite song when I was little was Get Up And Boogie – from one of those Top Of The Pops LPs! I grew up in the 80s and that’s when I first heard dance music. I’l always be an indie kid, but I do love the beats; whether disco or edm.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
When I was a kid I love love LOVED The Move, one of my Dad’s favourite bands – and I still love them to this day. As a young teenager I discovered indie music. I was a die hard Suede fan, I’m even in one of their music videos (the American version of The Drowners, if anyone’s interested). My current influences are way too vast to mention them all, so here’s an abridged version: Bonobo, Fluke, The Hidden Cameras, Aphex Twin, Björk, Enigma, Hedwig and The Angry Inch, The Loves, Brian Eno, John Cale (I went to the same school as him!), Michael Nyman, and Cerys Matthews.
How would you describe your sound?
Lo-fi electro, 90s-flavoured breakbeats, silly house, vaporwave and assorted ambient nonsense.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My last album is called A Man Of Fragments. These are all tracks I made from 2000-2013. This is how I learned to make dance music.
I’ve had a good laugh listening back to them, but they’re not bad! I have a burned CD somewhere of a load of tracks I made back in the 90s. When I find it I’ll upload it – I just hope to dog they’re not as bad as I’m remembering them.
If you download the album off Bandcamp it includes the “video” for Tink (Is Knit Backwards). Yes, I did mean to use apostrophes. It’s not very good!
Adam Walton played Drowned Mermaid on his BBC Radio show in 2013. 11.11.11 was used in the film 11Eleven Project.
What’s your local music scene like?
I live in Cardiff so there’s always gigs to go to. I went to Clwb Ifor Bach a few days ago to see Betty Boo!
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
I’m releasing a queer Welsh album (no name yet) inspired by Ballroom, but specifically the Welsh Ballroom scene. Years ago when I watched Paris Is Burning, it woke something in me. You’ll never catch me vogueing! But I love the energy and music.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
I’m about to record a Christmassified version of (Oh Lord Won’t You Buy Me A) Mercedes Benz with an amazing Welsh-Italian singer Francesa Dimech, so that’s one off my list! Definitely Aleighcia Scott, her voice and attitude are everything! Cerys Matthews, of course. I’d love to say Björk, but I know that would never happen.
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
I’ve never actually played Fflwcs live, but I’ve been in and AM in a few other bands. I used to be in a Bluegrass band called The Pickle Belly Newts where there was one song I sang on (I’m a terrible singer)! I’m also in a cartoon/folk band called Every Home Should Have One. We once recorded an EP called Live From The Living Room – but it will never see the light of day!
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
I’m always up for a collab or remix. I did a remix for amazing electro artist MOGAN, and it was released on a remix EP. I often get my pals to record stuff that I use in my music.
You can find out more about Fflwcs via Apple Music, Bandcamp, Bluesky, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, TikTok or YouTube.
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