A project with its genesis over ten years ago, Welsh powerhouse Cardinal Black was sidelined before it even really began. But now, after a decade under the sun, the band have finally emerged with their sophisticated, rootsy alt-rock sound.
“Tell Me How It Feels” showcases what to expect from the quartet. The song has a classic R&B feel with modern rock’n’roll intensity. I’d love to see these folks on a bill with Kristopher James, both on the vanguard of neo-soul. Plus, the guitar solo can’t be beat — guitarist Chris Buck even has a signature Yamaha model coming out soon.
The song addresses inequality, voicing calls for understanding whilst acknowledging the economic and social divides in society. Something which is particularly noticeable in one of the UK’s most deprived areas, the South Wales Valleys, where the band members all grew up and call home.
Frontman Tom Hollister sat down with us to talk about his favorite songs and what he misses about touring — plus being saddled with bad penmanship for the rest of your life.
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
It’s a tossup between John Martyn’s “Sweet Little Mystery” and Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You.” But if push came to shove, the delicacy in Joni’s voice gets me every time. I’m a sucker for songs about regret and between “Grace” and “Danger and Blue,” there’s some of the most hauntingly-vulnerable music ever written. It almost makes you want to go through a messy divorce! Every cloud…
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
There’s a lot of venues I’d love to play but so many of my favourite gigs were recorded at Red Rocks in Colorado; there really seems to be a magic about the place.
What have you missed about touring?
Not being able to tour for the last year or so has really brought home how many aspects of touring I didn’t even realised that I enjoyed. I didn’t know I got such a kick out of route planning and van playlists until they’re not needed! It’s the little things…
Do you try to make the most of being in a city, or do you prefer to just rest up?
Absolutely! We’re all culture vultures so on the odd occasion that we do get longer in a city than the soundcheck and the show, it’s great to see as much of it as possible. So much of touring is watching on as interesting places flash by the van window, it’s great to see beyond the venue walls when time permits.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
We’ve had some interesting gifts over the years but the one that springs to mind is the tattoo of our guitarist’s signature that a fan had done. If you’ve seen his writing, it’s bad enough to be stuck with it on the back of a bank card, never mind indelibly marked on your forearm!