SUPER Furry Animals front man Gruff Rhys it taking to the road once more, including a stop at Llandudno's Venue Cymru.
Hot on the heels of his sold-out February tour, the celebrated performer will be tackling tracks from his latest solo album Hotel Shampoo, as well as songs from his previous albums.
"I've been touring with Hotel Shampoo, so I've been playing a lot of that album and songs from all my solo records," Gruff told The Entertainer. "Helping me out is a band called Y Niwl - they're instrumental. I've known them for many years and I was looking for something to open up the night, and I saw them live and thought they were perfect. I also asked them if they were happy to play some of my songs too."
Hotel Shampoo has already been critically praised for it's eclectic subject matter and infectious melodies.
"For the most part, the songs were written in the few months before studio recording," admitted Gruff. "They are quite reflective songs looking back at the past few years. For the most part they are quite personal. It covers things which are important to me - whether they are important to other people I don't know."
His modesty aside, the tracks have struck a chord with fans and newcomers to his solo work. But it is the difference between his string of SFA albums and his three solo releases which has made him a captivating performer not to be missed.
"When we record as a band, we are quite open on the records and like to try out new techniques if we can in the actual production. If anyone brings a song to the band we all help to shape and mould it . It's very collaborative.
"When I make solo records, it is often a chance to document at a kind of raw state. Hotel Shampoo took about three weeks to make. Super Furry Animals can take six months. It is songs at their most raw. It's more about exploring; trying out stuff."
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Gruff Rhys will be performing live at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Sunday, October 2 at 7:30pm. For more information or to book tickets contact the Box Office on 01492 872000 or visit the website at www.venuecymru.co.uk