My Solo Albums

I’ve released music under many different guises – this is the story of my solo career.

In 2010 things were starting to get very stressful with the Green Man Festival, there were internal arguments. Danny, myself and our kids needed to relocate from Cardiff to Surrey, back to where we had both grown up. We moved in with my Dad so we could be near London, ready for any meetings we had to attend. My Mum had died a few years previously and my Dad had down sized, so this wasn’t Elm Cottage where I had grown up. With a bit of bashing around and the builders coming in, we managed to make space for us all. Thanks Dad, you saved our lives. We were back near all three of the children’s grandparents, plus they had uncles, aunts and cousins in the area. We were surrounded by love at a time when we really needed it. We lived with my Dad for four years, initially thinking it would be for one.

We got the kids sorted at their new school and started to adjust to life back in England, having lived in Wales for nearly ten years.

I decided to record a solo album. All the songs are written by myself and Danny – Bartlett / Hagan. I took myself up to Bark in Walthamstow, East London to record it, not needing to take a guitar as Brian O’Shaughnessy has a lovely old Gibson he lets me use. ‘Upheaval‘ is just me and an acoustic guitar – no over dubs, recorded live over an after noon.

‘Upheaval’ 2010 released on the Static Caravan label as a very limited edition c.d. which sold out in a week. My folk singer album and debut solo release.

‘….has that autumnal , easy feeling that early ’70’s songwriters Carole King and Carly Simon captured so well.’ **** Mojo

I set up a short tour and headed off – me, my guitar and some train tickets; Cardiff, London, Brighton, Brecon, Birmingham, Reading and back to London a few times.

Rehearsals were easy to organise – me in the overcrowded room we were booking the Green Man – the c.d. racks are spilling over behind me. It was hard work getting the songs ready to be recorded in one take. That certainly got me match fit to play them on stage.

Below – ‘Kenfig Hill’ from ‘Upheaval‘. Recorded at live King’s Place, London in 2010 with Mike Siddel‘s string quartet. I enjoyed this experience so much, I invited Mike to score a string section and play on four of the songs on my next album, ‘9 x 7’. Mike had previously worked with Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling and Josh T. Pearson so I was delighted when he agreed to work with me.

‘Upheaval‘ on Spotify and Bandcamp.

‘9 x 7’ September 2014.

I also produced this album, for me this is my ‘big budget’ album.

Recorded at Bark Studio and at home in 2013 and 2014 released in 2015 on Strikeback Records.

Nine songs by seven musicians. I played acoustic guitar, bass guitar and synths across the album. I ran out of money towards the end, so finished some of the tracks at home.

Richard Handyside played electric guitar, Howard Monk and Ali Byworth are on drums.

It went down well.

‘Her second solo album leans towards her folkier side – but fills out the sound with bewitching electronic percussion and lovely guitar leads.’ The Sunday Times / Essential New Releases.

‘The album we hoped Beth Gibbons might’ve made if she’d ever followed up her Rustin Man project – which is high praise indeed’ Uncut

‘Bartlett’s voice has the pitch and crystal clarity of The Sundays Harriet Wheeler’ Q

‘Bartlett ploughs a narrow furrow, but she does it with compelling conviction’ Mojo

‘Fans of Beth Orton and Nick Drake should investigate’ The Daily Express

Here’s one of the songs with the strings on ‘Highway Found‘ directed by Jason Glenister and starring his daughter Molly.

I wanted a band to play this album live, so got Richard Handyside, Mike Muggeridge and Gareth Palmer on board. Thanks guys!

‘9 x 7’ on Spotify and Bandcamp (where it is an e.p.)

‘The Cut Up’ September 2022.

The first album recorded (almost) entirely at home.

I was learning to use Logic as I went along. I had various cassettes – live Buzz Clubs, radio interviews, demos, which I cut up and then put to music. I really enjoyed myself. I had a few things recorded at Bark, but hadn’t yet used – the acoustic guitar on ‘Camden‘ for example. It’s an experimental album, where there are songs – the lyrics are still Danny‘s; although on ‘Greener’ and ‘Camden’ I am starting to sing my own words. Not songs yet, just whatever came in to my head as I held the SM58 and hit record. I hadn’t tried / learned to record ‘proper’ vocals or acoustic guitar yet, I was very happy with this album.

I also made a series of videos – here’s a short promo including some clips I edited, for ‘The Cut Up‘

It got a cool reaction.

‘It’s great! So inventive.’ Andy Bell (Oasis / Ride) Andy included ‘Greener’ from the album in his 20 best tracks of 2022 for Brooklyn Vegan.

‘It’s mad and inspired in equal doses. Very cool collection of sounds and memories all in one fascinating melting pot.’ Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins)

‘What an honour!’ Huw Stephens featured on ‘Hwyl’ (BBC 6 / Radio Wales)

‘..it’s really super with plenty of wonky melodies pushed to the fore.’ The Crack Magazine

‘The Cut Up’ on Spotify and Bandcamp.

‘Ghost Tapes 1 to 9‘ April 2024. The first time I did everything, including the lyrics.

Everything was recorded at home using Logic on my laptop, including for the first time, proper vocals and acoustic guitar.

I started off with the singles, ‘I Don’t Want To Hear Any More Music‘ a few months before and then ‘Drawing A Line‘ when the album came out. I made this video using clips I found on YouTube, including me on stage in Germany when I was 18 in 1984. See if you can spot it.

The album got a great reaction.

I am really pleased with how ‘Ghost Tapes…‘ has gone down – this is actually one of my proudest life achievements. To record it all, play all the instruments, write it all myself at home and get national radio plays and an 8/10 review in my favourite music magazine, the hugely respected ‘Uncut’ was an absolute delight for me!

Ghost Tapes 1 to 9’ on Spotify and Bandcamp.

I released a one off single on 11.10.2024 ‘Before The Police Car‘. Both the song and the video were recorded in my front room at home. This happened unexpectedly! It was written, recorded and released in under three weeks – including the video.