No Sweat is our weekly acoustic night here at CAI. It really is quite delightful. And free! Come join us…

THEM LOVELY BOYS

“A brand spanking new band hailing from throughout Wales and quickly coming through the ranks of Cardiff’s musical showcases. Their myspace page will give you a clue but it’s live that you’ll fall for this band of talented troubadors. Posessing energy and enthusiasm in spades they span sea-shanty charm to warped bluegrass and all the odd bits inbetween. Uniquely uplifting and unmistakeably from the land of dragon we eagerly await official release” – MINATURE MUSIC PRESS

+ HUWIE PRICE (free download at http://huwieprice.com/)

+ JANGLING JACK MOLASSES (come stomp’a'boot people!)

+ OLLY KNOX (www.ollyknox.com)

= lush!

Free entry – live music from 8:30pm – No Sweat

A Green Man Warm up show for The Gentle Good aka Gareth Bonello, a Welsh folk singer and songwriter whose honest and tender vocals are well matched to an intricate guitar style that owes much to the great guitarists of the 60s folk revival. Support from the utterly gorgeous The Black Atlantic and Rue Royale…

THE GENTLE GOOD

The Gentle Good, aka Gareth Bonello, is a Welsh folk singer and songwriter. A dedicated multi-instrumentalist his recordings are layered with subtle string arrangements as well as banjos, mandolins and glockenspiels.

This will be a Green Man Warm up show for Gareth, with support from the utterly gorgeous The Black Atlantic and Rue Royale…

THE BLACK ATLANTIC

The Black Atlantic is the Groningen, The Netherlands based folk-pop band formed around singer and songwriter Geert van der Velde. Their music is an ambient mix of acoustic instruments; repetitive piano, softstrummed guitars and gental percussion, relying heavily on multi-layered vocal harmonies. Repetition of deep and introspective lyrics sung through quiet harmonies make for a meditative listening experience. Think Bon Iver, Sigur Rós or Fleet Foxes… lovely.

Download their latest album, Reverence for Fallen Trees, for free… or pay whatever you like! HERE

RUE ROYALE

After clocking up over 400 shows in the last three years, Rue Royale will continue to build their grass-roots following as they tour ‘Guide To An Escape’, playing many of their biggest venues yet across Europe in 2011.

It’s all about the journey, not the destination. The adventure is theirs, and yours, for the taking.

Listen to Guide To An Escape in full here…

Guide to an Escape by Rue Royale (2011) by Rue Royale

Wednesday 17th August // 8pm // £4 adv – tickets on sale here

ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY! No Sweat regular, CAI staff member and stupidly talented Molly Zacharias launches her long-awaited debut album, Vespers Pt. 1 and Pt. 2.

Influenced by love, petitions, drifting, friends & family, marbles and trees… Molly is an enchanting performer. She’s been a regular performer at No Sweat and we had a ‘Proud Auntie moment’ when she asked us if she could host her album launch party here. We said HELLS YES.

Molly has hand-picked a few of her favourite acts to support her this evening, including Alex Sedgmond, Lloyd Stratford, Jangling Jack Molasses, Lawrence Toms, plus a selection of Molly’s open mic friends!

Take a sneaky peak listen to a few tracks from the album here. It’ll be on sale on the night for £5

Vespers EP by molly zacharias

Wednesday 3rd August // 8:30 – 11pm // FREE

No Sweat is our weekly acoustic night at Cardiff Arts Institute. We showcase up-and-coming and established local talent, all in a nice relaxed atmosphere – perfect for mid-week recuperation! This week we present RACHEL’S LAST DANCE, FRANCESCA’S WORD SALAD and BRIAN HUMPHREYS.

RACHEL’S LAST DANCE

Rachel’s Last Dance play their first No sweat show. The independent folk-rockers originate from Brighton, with debut EP ‘Cider Thief’ out now…

“There are echoes of The Levellers & Damien Rice in the mix, but in truth it’s just a really accomplished set of well-crafted songs we can imagine doing rather well for them” – The Brighton Source

www.myspace.com/rac​helslastdance

FRANCESCA’S WORD SALAD

A solitary show-woman, Francesca shuffles up macabre ballads with whist-ful laments ready to deal out a show encompassing a musical human hat stand, artfully exhibiting the latest techniques from the world of amateur bonnet making.

Are you wanting to hear a gloomful ballad?
of desperate souls, all weak and pallid?
Do you seek a tale of an ill-natured blaggard
Hark! Take heed of Francesca’s Word Salad

www.myspace.com/francescaswordsalad

BRIAN HUMPHREYS

Welsh singer/songwriter Brian Humphreys writes thoughtful, Americana-tinged songs that conjour up images of Steinbeck’s 1930’s America, Kerouac‘s long, soul-searching road trips and the melancholic wistfulness of Nick Drake.

His soulful vocal, fingerstyle guitar and sweet harmonica have earned comparisons with Johnny Cash, Steve Earle and John Fogerty.

www.myspace.com/brianhumphreysmusic

Wednesday 20th July: Brian Humphreys – Just Like Jack Kerouac 4.42 by cardiffartsinstitute

Wednesday 20th July // 9-11pm // FREE

Join the No Sweat Facebook Group here

No Sweat is our weekly acoustic night at Cardiff Arts Institute, perfect for post-CAI-weekend recuperation and pre-weekend preparation!

We showcase up-and-coming and established local talent, with a few touring acts thrown in for good measure. This week, Brighton-based FOXPOCKETS kick off their 4-date  ’Foxpockets Go Mad in WALES!’ tour…

FOXPOCKETS

Foxpockets are a quirky folk band from Brighton that is part medieval procession, part ethereal enchantment. They perform modern-day fables against a bewitching backdrop of harp, accordion, banjo, glockenspiel, spoons, penny whistle and field recordings.

A limited edition EP entitled “The Coracle & The Albatross” is available on Reverb Worship. Take a listen here: http://soundcloud.com/foxp​ockets

CHEVIOT HILL (stripped down set)

Cheviot Hill are a six piece Soul/Folk/Country band from Cardiff. With influences including Johnny Cash, Mumford & Sons, Bob Dylan and Ray Lamontagne, Cheviot Hill create original music for a wide ranging audience.

“Consistent, and charm enthused” Miniature Music Press

Their latest EP ‘See You On The Other Side’ will be on sale at CAI

EUGENE CAPPER

Eugene has his fingers in many a musical Cardiff pie, including the gorgeous Evening Chorus, but tonight at CAI we’re in for a special solo set. Can’t wait!

Take a listen to all 3 acts here…

CAI Homepage by cardiffartsinstitute

Wednesday 13th July // FREE ENTRY // Live music from 8.30pm

Join the No Sweat Facebook club here. We promise to spam you on a weekly basis.

“Outstanding.  Like the Dirty Three meeting Low with a hint of Sweet Billy Pilgrim. If they were American, the buzz would be huge already.” – UNCUT review of Fuzzy Lights’ 2010 album Twin Feathers – 4/5

FUZZY LIGHTS

Formed in 2004 as an improvising duo, Fuzzy Lights are now a five piece band. Combining folk purity with psychedelic guitar noise, their reverb-soaked music found a dedicated following with the late-2008 release of their debut album ‘A Distant Voice’.

‘Helm’, written and recorded in 4 days in a barn in the heart of the Lake District.They returned last August with their highly-anticipated second album ‘Twin Feathers’ –which received 4 out of 5 reviews in Mojo (‘Underground Album of the Month’), Uncut and Artrocker and featured across 6Music shows (Guy Garvey, Gideon Coe, Tom Robinson & Tom Ravenscroft).

No Sweat is our weekly acoustic night at Cardiff Arts Institute…but this week we’re getting a little bit plugged in. We showcase up-and-coming and established local talent, all in a lovely relaxed atmosphere and all for FREE!

THE RED AGE

The Red Age are an up and coming local band whose influences include The Strokes, Vampire Weekend, and The Shins. Sounds like another landfill indie band, right? Well, we think they’ve got a little something something about them! Take a listen for yourself here.

SAMUEL H INVISIBLE

They’re back! Again! With a slightly different line-up, but still oozing with dreaminess. The songs that SHI play are as diverse and imaginative as the musicians playing them (SHI is fronted by Under The Driftwood Tree’s Jeff), creating a moon-soaked dreamrock sound unlike any other, drifting from psychedlic laments of apocalyptic futures to distorted anthems to glittering pop.

We suggest you go and like them on Facebook. They’re proposing that we dance in the light beneath the big fat moon…

KAI LENA

A forest pixie in essence, whirlygigging around with vocal melodies and soaring piano and experimentation. Mesmerizing and enchanting her audiences wherever she goes with her melodic tales and messages, she gets under your skin and alerts you to a passion of the human race and quests for truth of this life. Her iccle appearance is deceptive of the voice that comes out and the unique piano freedom of tempo that takes you on a magical journey of delights.

Kai also runs a monthly folk night at Kama Lounge, Newport called The Folk Collective. Go check it and spread the love, you lovely folk!

ADAM JENKINS

Adam played the No Sweat night as part of The Globe’s Twenty4Eleven Festival back in January. This guy is absolutely breathtaking – he was the first act on but commanded a double encore! Playing a mix of original songs and his own versions of classics – watch Adam’s cover of Karma Police here and arrive early to catch this beaut!

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Wednesday 1st June
Live music from 8pm
FREE ENTRY

:: WEDNESDAY NIGHT BAR OFFER ::

CURRY & A DRINK for £5.75 – served from 6pm – 9pm

No Sweat is our weekly acoustic night at Cardiff Arts Institute, perfect for post-CAI-weekend recuperation and pre-weekend preparation! We showcase up-and-coming and established local talent, all in a lovely relaxed atmosphere and all for FREE!

RACHEL’S LAST DANCE

‘Rachel’s Last Dance’ is an acoustic outfit fronted by Alex Kirkup, accompanied by Paul Jonestown, Cat B. & friends.

E.P. entitled ‘Cider Thief’ available now – just message them at www.myspace.com/rachelslastdance and they’ll send you one for FREE!

KATY & HELENA

Katy & Helena are both RWCMD students and play regularly at Cardiff’s Live Lounge. A close-harmony female duo, they encompass a large range of genres. Material currently consists of old classics such as the Beatles and Johnny Cash, to modern performers such as Adele and Mumford and Sons.

Go like their Facebook page. NOW!

MATT WRIGHT

Matt is a Cardiff Uni student who has recently started writing and recording his own acoustic music under the name C Team Substitute. Already making an impression on the Cardiff open mic scene, we’re pleased to welcome Matt to No Sweat at Cardiff Arts Institute. No sitting on the bench tonight, Matt!

www.myspace.com/cteamsubstitute

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Wednesday 25th May
Live music from 9pm
FREE ENTRY

:: WEDNESDAY NIGHT BAR OFFER ::

CURRY & A DRINK for £5.75 – served from 6pm – 9pm

No Sweat is our weekly free acoustic night here at CAI – perfct for mid-week recovery and recuperation! Each week we showcase local acts, all in a lovely relaxed atmosphere. This week, loyal non-sweaters, we bring you (I say we, our mate SCRIBER’s hand-picked this lovely bunch)…

BAREFOOT DANCE OF THE SEA – EP Launch!

Celebrating their 2nd release in a month, Bubblewrap Records signs hit No Sweat again to melt hearts, swoon passing sailors and celebrate the fantastic ‘Til Voices Wake Us (take a listen on bandcamp). After a split 7″ single with local folk goliaths Evening Chorus, these three gals are back like your favourite warm jumper and a good welcome home, standing shoulders above as one of Cardiff’s finest folk acts. For fans of Laura Marling, The Unthanks, Mountain Man, Vashti Bunyan, Johnny Flynn.

They specialize in serenely muscular two-and three-part harmonising, old-timey gospel, country crooning and torch balladry….. Accompanied by minimal, bordering on skeletal, instrumentation, a shaker or plucked bass viola…. as they unhurriedly switch instruments, a mood of comfortable melancholia descends upon the audience and it’s really quite enchanting….. VENUE

All fragile and beautiful as a porcelain kitten in a pillow fight out of bounds. Lovely noises, lovely harmonies….. SUBBA CULTCHA

http://www.myspace.com/barefootdanceofthesea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lbTFEF83fE
@barefootbecky

SCRIBER

After a recent sweaty support slot for James Vincent McMorrow at The Globe, SCRIBER returns to unsweat with his “David Lynch”-esque musicary, also celebrating his fifth take over of the regular Cardiff Arts slot.

http://soundcloud.com/scriber
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SCRIBER/111786172197636?ref=ts
http://jcpire.tumblr.com/
@joshuaadamprice

TUEUR DE LUNE

With a voice as gentle and piercing as Laura Marling or Diane Cluck, Rhian Kerouac finally plays to the CAI stage we’ve been waiting for.

http://soundcloud.com/tueur-de-lune
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tueur-de-Lune/140999232605126

Drawing!

(Talking of which, how much do you love our new No Sweat musical bears, courtesy of the stupidly talented Al Marshall?)

On the night pens and paper will be scattered for you to draw and draw and draw and draw and draw because, WE LOVE ART (again, by “we”, I am stealing words, thoughts and ideas from the wonderful SCRIBER!).

We want drawings of ANYTHING. The gig, the acts, the beers, the food, the floot, the elephant in the room (but we don’t talk about him). ANYTHING.

p.s. We’re starting a wee bit earlier this week at 8pm :: FREE ENTRY!

*** WEDNESDAY BAR OFFER :: CURRY & A DRINK for £5.75 – served from 6pm – 9pm ***

No Sweat is our weekly free acoustic night here at CAI – perfct for mid-week recovery and recuperation!

Each week we showcase local acts, all in a lovely relaxed atmosphere. This week, loyal non-sweaters, we bring you:

LOU NOBLE & THE SAUCE

Jazz infused sultry, saucy swing. Lou Noble & The Sauce return to No Sweat for their second appearance because we love them so! Lou is a great local talent, performing as a solo artist, collaborating with other groups and of course performing with her 5-piece band, The Sauce. A great festival act, but also great for some summer mid-week good vibes at Cardiff Arts Institute!

www.myspace.com/lounoblethesauce

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THE RUM PUPPETS

Local lovely Ioan Davies has only gone and got himself a band! And they are called The Rum Puppets. And we are super excited to see this new set-up. Bring on the rum!

Check out some of Ioan’s solo material at www.myspace.com/joanyboy

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If you’re a local acoustic folk/blues/chilled/jazzy act and play beautiful music to fit a chilled Wednesday evening then get in touch with our Gem. She’ll take a listen and try and fit you in for a No Sweat appearance — gem(dot)c(dot)white(at)gmail(dot)com

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FREE ENTRY :: LIVE MUSIC FROM 9pm

Exclusive Wednesday Offer: Curry & A Drink for £5.75 served 6-9pm

Join the No Sweat club on Facebook and take a look at some of our past acts on YouTube