It’s that time again, when our man on the ground Desh Kapur Editor/Photographer All Music Magazine UK spotlights a bands or artists he thinks are going to have a big 2024/25 bands and artists we think you should check out to stay ahead of the curve
So welcome to HALF HAPPY
Welsh indie newcomers Half Happyrelease sparkle. Shooting up through Cardiff’s flourishing music scene, the thrilling quartet’s dream-pop, indie-rock and postpunk eccentricities have already contributed to them winning theWelsh Music Prize 2023 (Triskell Award),with their vivid storytelling and raw observations melting into spellbinding lyricism.
Spawning leading singles‘Slow Down’,‘Well Done Honey’and‘Bloom’, the rising four-piece have earned plaudits from Huw Stephenson the BBC 6 Music airwaves, whilst substantial praise has accumulated throughout the press community (NME, So Young, The Line Of BestFit, Clash,La Blogotheque).
On the live front, the band are primed to head out on their debut UK headline tour this December, following on from a slew of previous slots with acts including English Teacher, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard and Pale Blue Eyes.
So All Music Magazine UK managed to fire some questions over to the band and they kindly answered them for us
Questions answered by Lead Singer, Rose
AMM – What first got you into music? or Who inspired you to make music?
HH – Both my sisters played classical instruments so I started playing Cello. Then the film School of Rock came out so naturally I wanted to turn that cello into bass…but I ended up playing guitar instead.
AMM – tell me about your music journey
HH – Like a lot of other new bands we love, we were born in Lockdown. I never really wrote music but mucked around on Logic with a song I wrote when I was 13. Zac found it and was like we need to start a band. Lots of the early singles came really quickly as we found it such an easy process to write with each other. We recorded the first singles almost two years before they were released as we needed to find the right band members. That’s when we asked our best mates Pete and Jon to join. We’ve all known each other for over 10 years so it was perfect really.
AMM – How would you describe the music that you typically create?
HH – It always feels kind of wistful I think. Often melancholic lyrics to happy melodies or the other way round. Or sad over gritty. Always walking that line.
AMM – What is your creative process like?
HH – It often starts with Zac writing an idea, maybe he fleshes out the verse or chorus already. Then I’ll either write some fresh lyrics, whatever feeling comes for it or I’ll match it to some lyrics I’ve already been working on. We get a demo down then send it to the guys for feedback and they’ll give their ideas. When we are near studio time that’s when we go in with guitar layers.
AMM – If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
HH – The Maria’s. I’ve been in love with all the videos from the Submarine tour, it just looks incredible and so thought out. How they create a world around their music is really inspiring.
AMM – What is one message you would give to your fans?
HH – Write down what you feel. Always.
AMM – What is the most useless talent you have?
HH – I can do that dummy/dead arm thing where you knock it and swings around all the way. Very useless but kind of cool at parties.
AMM – Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
HH – I actually love warming up in the shower cos of the steam. Billie Eilish’ latest album Hit Me Hard And Soft has been on in my bathroom a lot.
AMM – What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
HH – Working in a Bakery or painter/decorator I reckon.
AMM – Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
HH – We just ticked off Tramshed which is the biggest venue we’ve played in Cardiff. We love gigs in Clwb Ifor Bach. Also Victoria Dalston and Seabright Arms are our fave venues in London so far. Also we love Crwr in Carmarthen.
AMM – What is your favourite song to perform?
HH – This is tricky. Steal Me Away maybe. If we’re all really feeling it by the end of the middle 8 my face tingles when we drop into the last chorus and feels really lovely.
AMM – Which famous musicians do you admire?
HH – I love George Harrison. We’ve named our two cats George and Harrison.
AMM – What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
HH – Don’t think I can spill the mischief. I once submitted a uni piece about how unhappy I was with my module/lecturer – that didn’t go down well.
AMM – What is the best advice you’ve been given?
HH – Take your time and it’s okay to sit on recordings until it feels right. As Pete would say, don’t splooge too soon.
AMM – What’s next for you?
HH – We’re gearing up for our Headline Tour this December, then we’ll be back in the studio at some point in 2025 for something new.
Happy Happy’s‘Conversation Killer’ (EP)is out now and available on alldigital platforms.
‘Conversation Killer’ (EP) Tracklist
01-Sorry
02-Well Done Honey
03-Bloom
04-Up In Daisies
05-Slow Down
Half Happy is Rosalie Miller (vocals) , Zac Noneley (drums), Pete Smith (guitar), Jon Wilson (bass)
Live Dates
9th-12th Oct-Beyond The Music, Manchester
17th-19th Oct-Sŵn Festival, Cardiff
7th Dec-CWRW, Carmarthen
10th Dec-Two Palms, London
11th Dec-YES (Basement), Manchester
12th Dec-The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
13th Dec-The Louisiana, Bristol
14th Dec-Clwb ifor Bach, Cardiff
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
