‘Once I Had an Acceptance Speech’ by Anthony Anaxagorou, Cerys Matthews and Hidden Orchestra is OUT NOW listen and download here

https://cerysmatthews.lnk.to/WCFTSSo?fbclid=IwAR2dh61owxJfOfwVkOJ0j_s3hvJ5G6RPGc6vfdPi6D2DI9nn007XNSDzqe4

Recorded between Abbey Road studios and remotely during lockdown, this song spans life in motion through Anthony’s words with music pulsing forward with strident rhythms and cityscapes recorded by musicians and field recordists around the world during lockdown.
‘Once I Had An Acceptance Speech’ is the latest single from ‘We Come From the Sun’ due for release on 15th January, pre-order now from Rough Trade to join Cerys for an exclusive q&a with Lemn Sissay, Anthony Anaxagorou, MA.MOYO and Hidden Orchestra.

To celebrate the release of ‘We Come From the Sun’, join Cerys Matthews, Lemn Sissay, MA.MOYO, Anthony Anaxagorou and Hidden Orchestra for a Zoom Q&A – 15th January, 7pm GMT hosted by Rough Trade.

This launch event chaired by BAFTA nominated, award-winning writer Lemn Sissay is an exclusive chance to unpick the stories behind this unique blend of voices from 10 leading UK artists: MA.MOYO, Raymond Antrobus, Lemn Sissay, Liz Berry, Anthony Anaxagorou, Kayo Chingonyi, Adam Horovitz, Cia Mangat, Imtiaz Dharker and Kim Moore. 

Discover how Cerys Matthews and Hidden Orchestra collaborated with musicians and sound artists from all over the world to create this album in unprecedented times from recording at Abbey Road Studios to remotely during lockdown. 

Pre-order the album from Rough Trade for tickets – Details here:https://dice.fm/event/6pyo3-cerys-matthews-live-qa-15th-jan-stream-via-london-london-tickets?pid=664cedfb&_branch_match_id=849673436402153964

There’s something magical about Christmas, and the stories told about it… We’ve had – Dylan Thomas’ ‘A Child’s Christmas’ , Clement Clarke Moore’s ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and now, we have Liz Berry’s ‘Christmas Eve’.

Set in her native Black Country, with snow whirling around the high rises, there’s a plaster-cast Mary for the nativity scene, and Christmas toys and bikes being wrapped for the big day…

A tale for a modern world told in Black Country lilt recorded at Abbey Road studios, with winter music by Cerys Matthews and Hidden Orchestra. Artwork by Paul Chessell. 

https://cerysmatthews.lnk.to/WCFTSSo

I was asked to read this excerpt from a letter written by a widow who believed the body of the unknown warrior was that of her missing and deceased husband. It was part of the remembrance service at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11th November 2020.

Here is a link to highlights of the service (my reading is at 15 minutes 20)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000pbfg/unknown-warrior-100-2-highlights

The author of the letter  is anonymous- but more of it is included in this book: