International Velvet: How Wales Conquered the ’90s Charts
by Neil Collins
25 July 2024, Calon, £16.99 hardback, ISBN 978-1915279309
If the story of Wales in the 1990s was a movie plot, it would all seem so far-fetched. Thankfully, it was all true…
The 1970s and ‘80s were a bleak time for much of Wales: the closure of steel works and coal mines led to mass unemployment while the country’s culture and language was disregarded by politicians and the music industry alike. Some bands even travelled across the Severn Bridge to make sure their records arrived at the London offices sporting an English postmark.
The 1990s changed everything. Wales was already known for Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Male Voice Choirs. But suddenly bands such as Catatonia, Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, Super Furry Animals 60ft Dolls and Gorki’s Zygotic Mynci exploded into the charts and showed the UK population the breadth of what this small but inherently musical nation could offer. Meanwhile, S4C – the Welsh-language television channel – became increasingly prominent and a new National Assembly for Wales was on the horizon…
Featuring fresh analysis and new interviews, International Velvet charts the UK in a decade in which ‘Cool Cymru’ won over the masses and shows how it inspired the still-vibrant Welsh music scene into the 21st century and beyond.
Siop Cwlwm, Oswestry’s unique Welsh bookshop, are delighted to announce that Neil Collins will visit Oswestry. He will be discussing his fascinating and authoritative book with special guests (to be announced). The talk will be followed by an audience Q&A and a book signing. This event will be on Monday 21st October at 7.30pm, at the Wynnstay Hotel, Church Street, Oswestry. Tickets are available by contacting post@siopcwlwm.co.uk or 01691 680401. Tickets are free, but numbers are limited, so don’t delay!
Neil Collins.
