Catatonia

Formed in Cardiff in the early ‘90s, <a href="spotify:artist:4Bgfzia8wyaGaTn42egzTv" data-name="Catatonia">Catatonia</a> broke onto the scene with their lyricism and shimmering guitar pop. The line-up featured <a href="spotify:artist:4jTShTMSgJPRtzrW8dzIPi" data-name="Cerys Matthews">Cerys Matthews</a>, Mark Roberts, Paul Jones, Owen Powell and Aled Richards. Debut <a href="spotify:track:0RzAcyoDQy3dgKTTvK2BvI" data-name="For Tinkerbell">For Tinkerbell</a> was NME Single of the Week in 1993 and &#34;Hooked&#34; followed in ’94, both via Crai, a subsidiary of Welsh language record label, Sain. <a href="spotify:track:00cZV8B1HJY2mkvOohwH2b" data-name="You&#39;ve Got a Lot to Answer For">You&#39;ve Got a Lot to Answer For</a> charted in 1996 ahead of LP <a href="spotify:album:4hcPh4wVibkzYUpsxSwGvJ" data-name="Way Beyond Blue">Way Beyond Blue</a> which debuted to critical acclaim and rising airplay.

Against a sea of largely English male fronted Brit-pop soundwaves, <a href="spotify:artist:4Bgfzia8wyaGaTn42egzTv" data-name="Catatonia">Catatonia</a> stood out. Their inventive songwriting, in both the English and the Welsh language, along with Cerys’ charismatic voice, provided an originality that set them apart.

1998 single <a href="spotify:album:2hHMGzPfg4trTYh6uHCdYz" data-name="Mulder And Scully">Mulder And Scully</a> hit No.3 in the UK charts and sophomore LP <a href="spotify:album:5oORHAxHQggskA01yI3l6a" data-name="International Velvet">International Velvet</a> went straight to No.1. More chart and radio hits followed including the Brit and Ivor Novello nominated <a href="spotify:track:1A7pz58VR2Lpc19c58QdSo" data-name="Road Rage">Road Rage</a> and in 1999 they performed at the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony. <a href="spotify:track:0yBtulrsV3HXyYt4bxNp7L" data-name="International Velvet">International Velvet</a>, with its lyrics, “Everyday when I wake up, I thank the Lord I&#39;m Welsh”, became an unofficial Welsh anthem.

Third LP <a href="spotify:album:02gjbDETa5DyWglx8Euzxy" data-name="Equally Cursed And Blessed">Equally Cursed And Blessed</a> went straight to No.1 in 1999 and <a href="spotify:artist:4Bgfzia8wyaGaTn42egzTv" data-name="Catatonia">Catatonia</a> signed to Neil Young’s label, Vapour Records with Joni Mitchell’s longtime manager, Elliot Roberts at the helm. At this time, all 3 albums simultaneously graced the UK top 40.

Final album <a href="spotify:album:57D9xxsV2EsFhJKL9bxp6D" data-name="Paper Scissors Stone">Paper Scissors Stone</a> was released in 2001, and the band parted ways.