Wales – dubbed the ‘Land of Song’ – is historically renowned for its connection to music, and this link between nation and melody has continued into the 21st Century.

Homing iconic venues such as Clwb Ifor Bach and recently closed Gwdihw and Dempseys, Cardiff has been a catalyst for engagement in its local music scene for decades.

We’ve come to know great legends from Cardiff and its surrounding towns such as Cerys Matthews of Catatonia, The Super Furry Animals, and of course Tom Jones. But in recent years a new explosion of talent has come from this small welsh city. Bands such as Boy Azooga and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard have given the scene a vibrant lease of life and have proven yet again that Wales homes talent. However, where would these musicians be, past and present, without those who have supported since day one?

We caught up with Corinne Day – a 25 year old aspiring music journalist – for her take on community, music and love for the Cardiff music scene.

What drew you to the live music scene and indie venue scene of Cardiff?

I’m from Cardiff, I grew up here and as a teenager I always loved going to venues like Bar Fly and Clwb to watch live music with friends and my brothers.

I had a few friends that were in bands and I’m a big music fan, so to me it was always about music for as long as I can remember. As a teenager, I loved indie music and when I got old enough I started attending gigs in independent venues.

It seems to be a lot more intimate and a lot more of a community vibe in these small venues rather than being in the crowd at Motorpoint [Cardiff] which is a 5,000 capacity venue. Somewhere like Clwb Ifor Bach, which only holds around 200 people at one time, is allowing you to connect on a more personal level with the bands – and that to me is what drew me to those venues.

Would you say the community is beyond those who work in it?

I don’t think you have to be working in the Cardiff music scene to be apart of it, not at all. We share a connection and an emotion, that is all you need to be a part of the music scene here in Cardiff. Everyone involved loves music, live music, new music but you don’t even have to have that as your main interest. You might love golf and you’ve come out to see a gig in The Moon and from then you’ve become a live music fan and apart of the community.

What venues have made the most important impact on you?

Firstly Clwb Ifor Bach – who showcase and array of talent. From rap music to funk, from indie to heavy rock and so many other genres. So I think for that Clwb are amazing. Being Cardiff’s first Welsh language venue they showcase such an array of Welsh and English language music, but they go further than that – with international musicians like Omar Soleyman. This venue doesn’t discriminate and that’s so important for this scene.

Socially I would say Blue Honey, for me that’s the place where me and my friends go on a night out, its cheap, its local, its independent, its trustworthy, its free to get into, it’s a safe space for me and my friends. The nights they put on there are so varied, from karaoke on a Wednesday to Chess on a Monday. There’s something for everyone.

But also, The City Arms, I would say its the music scene’s ‘local’, it’s the only one on this street that’s a proper pub now that Dempseys is gone. It’s a pillar of the community. I can’t imagine this street without it, not only is it like a an old mans gaff – it’s a place where me and my friends come, and others our age! It’s cheap as hell, its homely, its almost like its at the end of your road, but its in the centre of the capital city and I love it. And not only that, but they put on live music as well with open mic nights.

Finally, what would you say people looking in at the scene, perhaps wanting to join?

I would say, come and join! I’ve made a lot of friends from the community and now I’m apart of Minty’s gig guide to Cardiff because of my connection to the scene. That is down to me just going to these venues and meeting likeminded, passionate, creative people who share the same level of love for the local scene that I do. Everywhere and everyone is so welcoming. Come along!