EMQ’s With LLYN Y CWN
EMQ’s With Llyn Y Cwn
Hi everyone. Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with North Wales, UK based Dark Ambient solo project, Llyn Y Cwn. Huge thanks to main man, Ben, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hi, I’m Ben and I’ve been making music on computers for the past 25 years. It all started when I got disillusioned with playing in cover bands and decided to buy a drum machine, EFX unit and a four track.
How did you come up with your band name?
Llyn Y Cwn is a lake high in the Snowdon mountain range, I was wandering around up the mountains of Snowdonia in the rain on my own, the lake seems so desolate and isolated, it seemed the perfect name.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m from Anglesey in North Wales, there is a varied scene with Metal sitting next to Electronic music, a small but eclectic scene.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
My latest release “Du Y Moroedd” (Welsh – the black of the seas) is an album of abyssal dark ambient – environmental soundscapes and atmospheres from above, below and beside the ocean; field recordings made onboard vessels at sea; sounds from submerged recording devices deep underwater; recordings from the coasts of North Wales to Greenland and the Arctic Ocean.
Who have been your greatest influences?
I love Steve Reich, Biosphere, Justin K. Braodrick and the soundtracks of David Lynch, but my greatest inspiration has got to be nature.
What first got you into music?
I’ve always been into music, I was listening to Iron Maiden aged 7, by 10 I’d graduated to Metallica and Slayer, eventually I found electronic music and found it to be just as heavy.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I’d love to do something with a sleep research facility
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I’m actually playing Unorthodox Paradox in June, it is a totally uncommercial festival happening on Anglesey in June, I played 5 years ago and there were more artists than punters at the gig, everyone was family by the end of the weekend – can’t wait!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
A pair of socks
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thanks for listening, and eat more broccoli, broccoli is good for you,
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
I wish there were more Motörhead albums, Lemmy for sure.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I like to feel the hairs on my legs move with the volume from a speaker, I hate the dry patches where the music doesn’t happen.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
We need to drop the idea that big labels promote the music they want to sell, it is happening, Bandcamp is changing everything.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Clark – “Turning Dragon”.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I love vinyl for its big artwork, but listen almost 100% to downloads.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I played at a huge lecture theatre at Bangor University, I had a cinema screen playing my visuals, it was mad.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would be continuing with my day job and writing music just the same as I am now.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
I don’t think I would invite anyone to a dinner party, I hate eating with people, I’d invite people to a drinking party.
What’s next for the band?
I’ve got a couple of potential “albums” started, I’m slow working though, I like to let things mature, like a good cheese.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Bandcamp all the way – https://llynycwn.bandcamp.com/
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Cake, biscuits are crunchy
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for your time, I hope this is interesting.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.