Welsh stars such as Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals, Stereophonics and Cerys Matthews have come together to contribute songs to an album to raise funds for Refugee Action.The Welsh music community has united for 30-track album to raise funds for refugees. To purchase Reach Out – Welsh Rock For Refugees visit welshrockforrefugees.bandcamp.com.
Uniting under the banner of Welsh Rock For Refugees – Reach Out is a 30-track, download-only album with all proceeds from the release being donated to the UK-based charity that helps refugees at home and abroad. The likes of Charlotte Church, Euros Childs, Grant Nicholas, Game Of Thrones’ star Iwan Rheon and The Alarm’s Mike Peters, The Joy Formidable, Gwenno and up and comers like Houdini Dax, Kizzy Crawford, R Seiliog and Gulp have also contributed tracks to the album – many of them new songs, unreleased or rarities.
The album has been put together by WalesOnline journalist and music writer David Owens, who said it was the harrowing pictures of drowned children washed up on a Turkish beach that prompted him to act.
“I was one of those who shed tears at the harrowing images,” he said. “As a father it broke my heart. I wanted to do something but like many of us felt utterly powerless.” It was then the idea for an album featuring some of Wales’ leading music names was born. “What has resulted has exceeded all expectations,” he said. “In the space of a week the Welsh music community has stood together as one. It’s been a labour of love and this album would never have come together if it wasn’t for those who went out of their way to ensure this collection of songs became a reality in less than seven days.”
He added: “I can only thank all the artists who agreed to donate tracks. There are unreleased remixes from Gruff Rhys and Manic Street Preachers, new songs from The Joy Formidable and Charlotte Church, as well as rarities from Mike Peters, Euros Childs, Gwenno and Sterephonics – as well as many more gems from some of the finest musicians from Wales. I’ve been truly astounded and humbled by the response. I hope people will support the album and we can help provide comfort and security for those who have none.”
The album features Welsh musician Amy Wadge’s original version of Thinking Out Loud – the global hit she co-wrote with superstar Ed Sheeran.
Manic Street Preachers’ Nicky Wire said: “It’s a real honour to be able to give this previously unreleased piece of music to such a worthy cause and for it to sit alongside so many brilliant Welsh artists.”
Refugee Action CEO Stephen Hale said: “This is an incredible initiative at an incredible time. Thank you so much to David and all the artists who have stepped up to support refugees and donated a track. These funds will enable us to support and speak out for refugees and asylum seekers here in the UK, helping them to rebuild their lives after fleeing from war and persecution.”
The full Reach Out tracklist:
1. Frisbee – Super Furry Animals
2. New Loafers – 60ft Dolls
3. Roll On Up – Houdini Dax
4. You Taught Me – The Joy Formidable (new recording)
5. Thinking Out Loud – Amy Wadge (unreleased original of Ed Sheeren megahit)
6. 5c Cotton 40c Beef – Cian Ciaran
7. Graves – Climbing Trees (new recording)
8. Devastation – Pale Blue Dots
9. The Surgeon – Euros Childs
10. Sbia ar y Seren – Georgia Ruth (new Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci cover)
11. Lines & Angles – Ellie Makes Music
12. Vast – Gulp
13. Chwyldro (R.Seiliog remix) – Gwenno
14. You’re My Star – Stereophonics (rare live recording)
15. Miller (Live at The Gate) – Zervas & Pepper (rare live recording)
16. Caer O Feddyliau – Kizzy Crawford
17. Refugees In The West World – Mike Peters
18. Box – Charlotte Church (new recording)
19. Hippos – Cerys Matthews
20. Lost Tribes (Tomas Barford Remix) – Gruff Rhys (previously unreleased)
21. Alcohol Kiss – Trampolene
22. Goldrush (Acoustic) – Paper Aeroplanes (previously unreleased)
23. Guillotine (featuring Lillian Todd) – Sion Russell Jones
24. Rhodd – Iwan Rheon and Aled Rheon
25. Safe In Place – Grant Nicholas
26. Liberty Rd – The Earth
27. No Borders – Zefur Wolves
28. Redesign – Jayce Lewis and Gary Numan
29. Molly (Acoustic) – The People The Poet (previously unreleased)
30. William’s Last Words (Underworld mix r37br11) – Manic Street Preachers (previously unreleased)
For more on the work of Refugee Action: refugee-action.org.uk
