Bilingual Welsh Alt-Rockers CHROMA Sign To Alcopop! Records
“Like a spaceship of aceness has flown over Wales and dropped them in the valleys” - Adam Walton, BBC Wales
"Summon the spirits of Beth Ditto and Kathleen Hanna" - PRS M for Music Magazine
“Ones to watch” - Under The Radar Magazine
Bilingual Welsh Alt-Rockers CHROMA Sign To Alcopop! Records
Announce Debut Album Coming 2023
Reveal Video For New Single ‘Don’t Mind Me’ Released 1st March 2023
Watch the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKCgFcumdk
Stream and share - https://bfan.link/don-t-mind-me
SXSW Appearances + Cardiff Fundraiser Show
Pontypridd, Wales bi-lingual alt-rock trio CHROMA are delighted to announce that they have signed to Alcopop! Records and will release their forthcoming debut album later this year.
Today, the band have revealed the video for lead single ‘Don’t Mind Me’, a groove-driven but searingly heavy tune that serves as vocalist Katie Hall’s battle cry against a mental health crisis.
Commenting on the track, Hall says: "’Don't Mind Me’ is about my personal struggles with my mental health. When we started CHROMA, writing lyrics quickly became one of my main outlets to process my feelings. The song is about recognising when you're in a spiral and trying to catch yourself. Also I wanted the lyric 'Don't mind me I'm just having a breakdown' to help people who are feeling isolated feel like they're not alone. When I'm going through a rough patch, I always turn to music to make me feel better. I want people who are going through something, whatever it is, to listen to the song and feel seen."
The news comes ahead of the band’s appearances at SXSW in Texas, including a slot on the FOCUS Wales showcase on 16th March at The Creek & The Cave, and the Alcopop! Records showcase at Sellers Underground on 17th March alongside labelmates CHERYM, Loose Articles, Dutch Criminal Record, Cheekface, and Prima Queen.
The band will also play a special SXSW fundraiser headline show at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on 4th March ahead of their trip to the US.
On signing the band, Alcopop! Records label boss Jack Clothier says: "Absolutely delighted to be working with the absolute tour de force that is CHROMA. As someone who spent a fair few years in South Wales, it's incredible to see the breadth and depth of talent that's coming out of that part of the world. Honestly."
"When we received this album from our former A&R hero Luna, I was all ready to say 'No...we just don't have the capacity to make this work'. Then I listened to it, and listened to it again...then I listened to it AGAIN, and I was hooked. What a record. This is the kind of album you can't physically turn down. First up it's Katie Hall's magnificent vocals that smash you right in the chops with their note perfect, punk edged tidal wave of ferocity, then the riffs, and the melody and the...Look. Stop reading my nonsense. Just listen to this!"
Following 18 long months of waiting to get back into the studio during the pandemic, CHROMA are immensely proud and excited to finally be sharing brand new material from their forthcoming album, recorded during lockdown with support from Festival Republic and PRSF.
Influenced by the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and The Gossip, CHROMA have already received a groundswell of early radio support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Kerrang! Radio, Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru and ongoing support from BBC Introducing.
Tracks on their formidable debut variously reflect on the band’s collective experience growing up in the South Wales Valleys, and explore the myriad lived experiences of young women. Exploring infighting within the feminist movement, the oppression of trans right in the UK, violence against women, and other weighty topics, they ultimately invite the listener to a place of safety and empowerment.
Boasting a healthy amount of live notches on their belt for a band yet to even release an album, they’ve previously appeared at Reading & Leeds Festival, BBC Radio 1’s Biggest Weekend, FOCUS Wales and Festival Number 6, along with European festival appearances in Barcelona and Brittany. Most recently supporting stablemates Tokky Horror, they've also played sold-out shows all over the UK with the likes of IDLES, Peace, The Joy Formidable, VANT and Tigercub.
They’ve been added to key editorial playlists across Spotify, given televised performances on BBC Wales and S4C, featured regularly on FA Wales media content and Visit Wales, and seen press support from the Metro, PRS M for Music Magazine, South Wales Argus and Y Selar. Pre-pandemic, the three piece secured a notable appearance at Maida Vale Studios in 2019, recording a live session for BBC Radio Wales which later got picked up by BBC R1 and played on air.
The trio will be revealing further details of the album and announcing more live dates over the coming months.
Live Dates:
04.03.23 - Cardiff - Clwb Ifor Bach - SXSW fundraiser (UK)
16.03.23 - Austin, TX - SXSW @ The Creek & The Cave - FOCUS Wales showcase (US)
17.03.23 - Austin, TX - SXSW @ Sellers Underground - Alcopop! Records showcase (US)
28.05.23 - Old Park Farm, Margam - In It Together Festival (UK)
