Welsh singing star Betsy will be putting in an appearance at Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach on May 11, in support of her new single Waiting.
Betsy is currently putting the finishing touches to her debut album, which will dig deeper into her unlikely musical background. Born on a goose farm in rural Wales, Betsy found her voice from campfire sing-alongs and the local eisteddfod (where she boldly covered Rage Against The Machine) to the powerhouse vocalists within her parents’ vintage record collection. Andy Howells recently put questions to the singer.
So whereabouts in Wales are you from?
I’m from Pembrokeshire. The mountains are tall and the sea is very bloody cold.
What lead you to becoming a musician?
I’ve always wanted to do music ever since I can remember. My uncle and dad were in a local band together and my youngest memory is of being sat around a camp fire in the field, mesmerised by my dad and uncle strumming their guitars and singing. This made a major impression on me as a child. I remember how magical music seemed and how obsessed I was.
Is it true you covered Rage Against The Machine at the local Eisteddfod and how did it go down?
Oh that was mental. I was in a band with three lads from my year in school and we would do covers, and one of them was ‘Killing In The Name’. Too funny! I mean can you imagine how hilarious that must have looked. I got really into the head banging as well.
So what inspired your new single Waiting?
A lot of my writing comes out of bad situations but Waiting is about someone I met who made me feel like there was hope.
You know that feeling when you first meet someone and you fall head over heels and you think, where have you been all my life? You feel rejuvenated and obsessed when you thought maybe you would never feel that way again.
You’ve got some live shows, what can we expect from those?
Well I know for sure that my hometown show at the Newport Memorial Hall is going to be a wild one. My mum is raving up for it already. I have the most amazing all-girl band filled with incredibly talented women; strings, keys, drums. It’s going to be quite energetic and no doubt I’ll have a few fun outfits too.
What else are you working on presently?
Right now I’m finishing my album. We had an 18 piece string orchestra play on it which was immense. I’m so excited to share it with everyone.
What are you listening to at the moment and what’s a must-have on your personal playlist?
I have a WEDNESDAY WINE TIME playlist on Spotify, you have to check out! I’ve made it for that midweek point when you need a glass of wine. I always add new and old faves there. I love Tommy Cash. He’s an amazing rapper with sensational videos!
Where can we keep in touch with what you are doing online?
These are my links, come join me! x