Iceberg lettuce, eggs, cucumber, two tins of baked beans and a pack of crisps – this is the shopping that I almost dropped when I found out that my band was asked to support (probably) one of the most important bands in my life. And So I Watch You From Afar.

This band and I go back to 2010, when I first moved to Cardiff from the depths of West Wales when I was trying to re-energise myself musically. I found myself playing in bands that I didn’t want to be in, flogging a horse that didn’t want to die. Uninspired, I threw myself into a new life and a new music scene, looking for something to ease me out of my dilemma.

A good friend of mine introduced me to the band after a few beers one dark, miserable winter night. I first heard the debut self titled album. I listened to the album on my walk back to my cold, dirty rented flat in the heart of Studentsvile Cathays. Not wanting to go inside I walked the block and listened to every note, drum fill and melody. This was what I’d been waiting for. A band that really excited me. Something I could finally draw inspiration from.

I’ve tried to see them perform every opportunity I’ve had since then. I first saw them supporting The Joy Formidable a HMV Forum, London 14/10/11. It’s rare to see support bands rival the headliners, but at this show, it was certainly the case. It was amazing to hear people around me who hadn’t heard of the band be surprised by how incredible they were live.

I was lucky enough to catch them play their entire new album The Endless Shimmering this year at Arctangent 2018. To see how much this band has developed and flourished into something that, at this point, seems unsurpassable musically is phenomenal to see. I’m so excited to see what’s next for them and I’m looking forward to being there as a fan with them.

And So I Watch You From Afar opened me up to a whole new genre of music, an overwhelming amount of new bands in the post-rock and math-rock scene that I’d never heard of before, music that introduced me into a community of like minded people and musicians, and eventually made me rethink what music I wanted to play, write and perform.

False Hope For The Savage would not exist if it wasn’t for this band. They are responsible for me having the courage to try a new genre of music, to take me out of my comfort zone and write music that I never thought I could.

If you’ve not heard of And So I Watch You From Afar before, check out their third album All Hail Bright Futures as a solid introduction to the band. It has elements of their older stuff as well the more recent vibe. (Also, If you haven’t heard us before, we have 2 EP (I,II) available on Spotify. Check us out.)

It’s an absolute honour being on such an amazing line up on the 13th of Nov. Make sure you come down early to check us out as well as the phenomenal Poly-Math.

See you down the front.

Edd

False Hope For The Savage