Behind the song

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Local Music

Behind The Song: On Hearing a Name Long Unspoken by Michael Munnik

How a hidden gem of a song shaped Michael Munnik’s creative path—from Canada to Cymru Michael Munnik’s Collaboration with Leonard Cohen In an alternate timeline, Michael Munnik might never have become a journalist or university lecturer. Instead, a single song—his musical setting of Leonard Cohen’s On Hearing a Name Long Unspoken—could have changed everything. Munnik’s connection to Cohen began in childhood and deepened in his teens. He received a poetry collection as a gift, he chose Cohen’s Stranger Music—a pivotal […]

today11 May 2025 23

Blog

Behind The Song – Where Have All The Good Russians Gone? by Aled Hughes

Aled shares his concern for the good people of Russia and indeed the world in this tongue in cheek song... I wrote the song after being shocked by Putin ordering the invasion of Ukraine. I couldn't sleep for a couple of weeks after the invasion and I couldn't understand why. I realised it must of been from the constant exercises we used to do when I served in the RAF in the event of Russia invading the West.As the war […]

today12 March 2025 15

Blog

Behind The Song: Spirit of Freedom by Ian Mac

Guitars & Waves: Ian McAtee has The Spirit of Freedom Newport native Ian McAtee always knew that retirement wouldn’t mean slowing down—it would be his chance to truly embrace life. Packing up his guitars, he set off on an adventure.He joined an online community called Talent is Timeless, designed for musicians over 50, where he discovered new insights about making music, collaborated on projects, and formed lasting friendships. His journey soon took him across Europe.When Dani and I first met […]

today6 March 2025 63 10

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Story Behind The Song – Famous in Lesbos by John Morris

Who doesn't know the fear of losing holiday luggage? My partner and l took a flight from Bristol to a Greek island but upon landing were horrified to find out luggage was missing.Everyone on the trip got to know of it and for three days they would all approach us and enquire about it.l said to Ros,"you are famous in Lesbos," hence the song.The luggage arrived from Bristol three days later.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITc0Uvvmros

today28 February 2025 41

Photo of Eurekas

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First thoughts – The Eurekas; “Falling From Your Grace”

It's fiesty! The Eurekas are back, and they are angry. Their fourth single, "Falling From Your Grace," shows the band has something to say, and they do it in style. With their sights aimed squarely at the political establishment, this track delivers a powerful punch. From their debut single, "Made You Look," the band has always made their intentions clear. Their latest offering is a follow-up to "While The World Was Ending (I Was In A Rock N Roll Band)," […]

today31 May 2024 161

Blog

Behind The Song: Hetty & Jimi by Tom Crow

What's the connection between superstar guitarist, Jimi Hendrix & Welsh school teacher, Hetty Taylor? Tom Crow, a local folk songwriter visited Newport City Radio recently and told Dani and Kym the story that inspired a song called Hetty & Jimi.  Hetty Taylor was a school teacher at a small school in the mining town of Aberfan. Jimi Hendrix was possibly the most famous guitarist in the world. October 21, 1966, marked a day that Aberfan, perhaps the world will never […]

today16 April 2024 69

Blog

Behind The Song: O’Malley by Act Happy

Who Was Grace O'Malley? Rhiannon and Jax of Act Happy are great story tellers, often creating delightlfully catchy tunes about real life characters from history. Here, Rhiannon tells us us about how they came to write a song about a legendary female pirate. Jax first had the idea to write a song about Grace. We ordered pizza and opened a bottle of wine and started playing around with some chords - in the key of ‘C’ as a fun little […]

today6 April 2024 82

Painting of Newport music history

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Behind The Song: Tracy by Jump The Underground

  Who is Tracy? I was curious to know who Tracy is in this song by Jump The Underground. I asked the lyricist, Antony Smith and this is what he told me.Tracy is a song about a young naive student who went to art school, His background and knowledge of art was purely based on his love for graffiti and he was active in the graffiti scene in Southampton, prior to going to art school. In art school, he was dumbfounded. […]

today14 March 2024 57

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