Spotlighting the rising stars at FOCUS Wales
Focus Wales is bringing homegrown music together with rising talent from across the world
Wales' biggest music showcase is now in its 15th year and riding on international acclaim as one of the most prestigious music industry events around. More than 300 artists will play at the festival - which runs from 8-10 May – and also includes industry discussion and debate, as well as film screenings.
We’ve dug deep into the line-up to spotlight three artists set to stun next month in Wrexham – Faroe Islands' songwriter Elinborg, Wales five-piece Red Telephone, and Teesside artist Jodie Nicholson.
Elinborg
Born and raised in the small town of Syðrugøta in the Faroe Islands, Elinborg Pálsdóttir makes dark, affecting pop laced with other-worldly moodiness.
On her origins
"Syðrugøta has a population of around 500 people. Surrounded by wild nature, high mountains, and the ocean, my upbringing in this beautiful landscape has been a significant source of inspiration for me as an artist. For me, Syðrugøta is truly special; it’s an inspiring place that offers a sense of safety and community that I cherish deeply.
"I started writing music at a young age, I was around 10 years old, when I wrote my first song. While it wasn't exactly a masterpiece, it quickly became a hit within my family, and I found myself performing it at every gathering, birthday, and party haha! We actually still sing it today whenever we’re gathered! When I turned 12, I had my first concert, and since then, I've been dedicated to my musical journey. Music has always played a significant role in my upbringing, and I’ve always felt a strong desire to be an artist and songwriter."
On her sound
"The music I create has a dark nordic electronic pop vibe to it and I draw inspiration from my deep connection to nature and the world around me. I write all my lyrics in Faroese, and I pour a lot of emotion and love into every track. Even if listeners don’t understand the language, I believe my music can still resonate deeply with them.
"I find it exciting that they can interpret my songs in their own unique way, crafting their own images and stories while experiencing the music."
Why should we come see her play at Focus Wales?
"I put a lot of energy into connecting with the audience and sharing my music in a way that feels personal and genuine. At Focus Wales, you can expect a blend of Nordic-inspired synths, catchy beats, and vocals that aim to create a meaningful experience for everyone in the crowd."
Who else is she excited about at FOCUS Wales?
"I would love to check out ‘Buddug’!"
Her post-show hangover cure
"I always need a coke zero, it works wonders for me and can fix just about anything!"
Elinborg plays FOCUS Wales on Saturday, 10 May at the Penny Black Room 2 (Ground floor)
Red Telephone
Fresh from dropping their second album Delay the New Day, Cardiff five-piece Red Telephone melodic blend of psych and dark-wave has drawn comparisons to indie trailblazers MGMT, St. Vincent, and fellow Welsh cult favourites Super Furry Animals.
On their origins
Kieran (guitar/keys): "I played a bit of music in primary school, specifically the cello and recorder. When I went to secondary school I had to hand the cello back to my primary school and stopped playing recorder as I figured it would give my already low street cred a hammering, so I didn’t really play any music for a lot of my childhood. It was only when me and Dec became close mates around 16/17 that we started writing songs, he bought a drum kit and I bought a guitar and we were writing as we were learning our instruments really, which led to some hilariously bad results but also some unusual gems that we probably wouldn’t have composed if we were more proficient at our instruments."
On the Cardiff scene
Declan (vocals/keys): "If you’d asked me before the age of 16 what the Cardiff music scene was, I probably would have told you it was the match day playlist at Ninian Park. When we started getting into music and realised we should try and play some gigs, the scene was pretty much an alien entity. I don’t think I knew there was this whole world in between practicing in our front room and playing the pyramid stage, there was a blissful ignorance to it. We’ve met some friends for life on the Cardiff music scene since then though - like our producer Steffan Pringle who we first discovered when we gatecrashed his party and found him playing Mario Kart on the Wii."
On their sound
Declan: "This may be controversial with the rest of the band, but I think the most accurate way I can describe our sound is pop dressed up as alternative rock for people who love most of The Beatles songs, except for their top five on Spotify, and want Brian Eno to collaborate with Jade."
Why should we come see them play at Focus Wales?
Declan: "Because you’re a faithful and it might be the last time you ever get to see the Golden Jesus jacket. Don’t stress, we’re not a Christian rock band (unless you’re into that, in which case, there’s a lovely church in Wrexham which is also a FOCUS Wales venue, I’d highly recommend checking out)."
Who else are they excited about at FOCUS Wales?
Kieran: "I’m looking forward to seeing Gulp’s live return, great band. Also Eye, teethin and Holysseus Fly. Special mention to my sister Martha O’Brien too, who is playing her first Focus Wales this year. Her debut EP Caution, Horses is stunning, definitely worth checking out."
Their post-show hangover cure
Declan: "Get up around 6am, go for a light 25km jog around whatever township we happen to find ourselves in (sometimes you forget where you are), then I deliver coffee to the rest of the band who are usually still sleeping at around 07:15. Then I take a cold shower and when the rest of the band has properly woken up I cook them a full Irish breakfast on the portable gas stove. I call this ‘beating back the bambi’. If all else fails, four pints of Staropramen in The Royal Oak will do it."
Red Telephone FOCUS Wales on Thursday 8 May at the Penny Black Room 1 (XS)
Jodie Nicholson
The sound of Teesside artist Jodie Nicholson wraps intimate vocals and retrospective lyricism around cinematic, prog-inspired indie folk/electro pop.
On her origins
"I’m from Darlington – a village called Hurworth-on-Tees… a lush little village by the river Tees, surrounded by fields and, now, lots of new builds. Darlington’s always had a bustling music scene with open mic nights, live music in pubs and events at The Forum and in the market square. The high street’s a little run-down now, but there are some really nice parks and the train station’s on the main line (can you tell I’m close to 30), so it’s mint for trips to Edinburgh, London and everywhere in-between.
"I live in Newcastle now and I love it; there are so many cool venues on your doorstep and it’s full of creative people (in and outside of music). The music scene here is much more diverse and it’s probably the most connected I’ve felt to being part of the industry, other musicians/artists, and organisations that support artists here. To me, it’s the perfect place for where I am right now in my career - it’s engaged enough that you can connect with the music scene here pretty much whenever you want, but there’s also loads of places, opportunities and spaces to disconnect from being an artist here too, which I (almost!) find more valuable.
"I guess I’m quite lucky that there was a piano in the house growing up. I’d hear a song on the radio and run to the piano to try and play it by ear (it would usually take a couple of trips!). I’ve always loved to sing - when I was a kid we had a karaoke machine and it was my fave thing to do if we had family or friends around. I took keyboard lessons in primary school, which I mostly used to learn songs I liked(!), and my dad taught me guitar when I was maybe 12/13, which then led to most of my early teens sitting at the computer with Ultimate Guitar Tabs open and learning guitar by trying to play other artist’s music.
"I started to write more seriously when I was around 17/18, after being in an indie band for a couple of years. Bob Fischer played us on BBC Tees Introducing and we all felt famous. I played covers in pubs and at open mic nights from the age of 15 - a super-shy teen who hid behind her hair - and it was mostly to one or two people in a pub on a Sunday. After a few years of doing that, I’d built up confidence to play some of my own songs and I guess I gradually added more and more to the point where I didn’t need covers in my setlist anymore. My dad took me to see Paul Liddell, an incredible artist and guitarist from Sunderland, and seeing him play live inspired me to start making demos at home and writing music that I wanted to perform in front of people someday, so, really, I have them to thank! From there, I recorded shoddy demos at home, started an open mic night in Darlington, put on my own gigs and started releasing music in 2019."
On her sound
"Each song feels like a bit of a journey, from intuitive production and instrumentation to experimental vocal arrangements. I’m a big fan of using my voice as an instrument, using stacks of tightly-knit harmonies, beds of oohs/aahs and effects on individual vocals to add shape and texture to the music. If you’re a fan of feeling all the feels and melancholic tunes that make you wanna dance from time-to-time, you’d probably like my music!"
Why should we come see her play at Focus Wales?
"1. It’s my first time in Wales, ever! 2. My songs are so sad that it’ll make every set you see feel even sweeter 3. I’m playing solo, so it’ll be a welcome breather from a big day/weekend of seeing loads of artists/bands back-to-back 4. I’m funny on stage sometimes!"
Who else is she excited about at FOCUS Wales?
"Olive Jones, Nova Twins, SPRINTS, Rona Mac. I saw Baby Said at Twisterella last year and they were epic, so I’d love to catch them. I’m also buzzing that Pom Poko are on the line-up, I’ve seen them at Liverpool Sound City and Twisterella over the years and they are one of my fave bands to catch live - a BIG recommendation from me!"
Her post-show hangover cure
"I’m probably the worst person to answer this question (mostly because I barely drink and/or party haha), but if I was hungover, I’d reach for Maccy’s fries, Rubicon Mango (sparking), a big bar of Dairy Milk and playing Stardew Valley in bed. Oh, and lots of water!"
Jodie Nicholson plays FOCUS Wales on Thursday 8 May at the Hope Street Church
FOCUS Wales runs from 8-10 May; find out more at focuswales.com
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