Introduce yourself…

 

My name is Daf Thomas. I’m from Merthyr Tydfil, Pentrebach to be exact, and I’m in a band called Al Moses. 

 

What is your hometown, Merthyr Tydfil, to you?

 

Merthyr is a really close-knit community, growing up there was great. I know a lot of people have bad things to say about Merthyr, but honestly, growing up and going to school there was a completely normal, suburban childhood. 

 

Could you tell us a bit about that experience?

 

Growing up in Merthyr I had a great childhood. Obviously there was a bit of drinking and bad behaviour, that happens in most towns. it’s not specifically tied to Merthyr. I know a lot of people say it is, and generally, Merthyr’s had a bad reputation. I found that growing up there, because of that reputation some people and teenagers play to it because that’s what they’ve been told their life is going to be. They see Merthyr as this dead end in the valleys. But it’s not like that anymore. Merthyr’s progressed so much from literally 10 years ago, and it just keeps progressing. 

 

How has Merthyr influenced or shaped AL MOSES, if it has?

 

Merthyr has this really rich rock and roll feeling to it, there aren’t really many places like that in the UK anymore. I know indie-rock music is kind of dying away but Merthyr’s still got this rich - kind of 90s, indie-rock scene that I’ve always loved. My parents have always loved, my parents' friends from Merthyr have always loved. I also find it cool when Jack came from Cardiff, one time we were walking up Merthyr high street and I’d noticed it growing up in school and so on, but Jack said ‘people in Merthyr are really really trendy, right?’ People walking around in Barbour jackets and Fred Perry. Literally two years later it was the main fashion style in London. Merthyr was before its time in that sense. It's cool to see that. 

 

Do you think everyone else assumes it’s behind the times thanks to the media, but in reality it’s way ahead?

 

Exactly that. I don’t think you can put a label on what Merthyr is. It’s constantly progressing. 

 

Do you think that growing up in a stigmatised place has affected you, or the way you think about yourself?

 

I’m in uni at the moment studying acting with people from all over the world. People from Australia, New York, North Wales, everyone from everywhere in Britain pretty much. Most people have heard of Merthyr, not because of the actors or the musicians that have come from here, they’ve heard of it from TV programmes like The Valleys and Skint that have, as you said, created this stigma that it’s an awful place. And I know there are certain areas, as there are in every town, where there is that kind of thing going on, but it’s a minority nowadays. It doesn’t cover everyone if you know what I mean. I have so many friends from Merthyr who are doing so well and they don’t show them on the radio, in the newspapers, or tv programmes and so on. They only show the bad side of Merthyr.  With Merthyr Rising Festival and stuff like that, you can see the new artists, and not even just artists, just people in general that are coming from Merthyr doing really good things for the community. 

 

Why do you think the media keep peddling that worn-out stereotype?

 

It’s something really interesting isn’t it, the ideas that are behind some of the programmes. People are always really interested in other people’s misfortunes, it’s why people write dramas and watch films. People who aren’t from Merthyr and Wales, they like to look down on things. Even things like Skint, they’re showing these characters that really aren’t that predominant in the society. There are so many people that aren’t like that, they’re characters and certain individuals that every town in Britain probably has.

 

What do you know about your hometown’s musical history, and does it resonate with you?

 

Growing up you’d hear bands like The Alarm, and more recently Pretty Vicious. These types of acts were really important to me because I would see these people being successful. And it showed, especially more recently with Pretty Vicious that you didn’t have to be from London or Manchester. You didn’t have to be from those big music places to actually be successful. 

 

Do you think the band would be the same if you’d grown up elsewhere?

 

Being from Merthyr has completely shaped who I am as a person, how I talk to people, and what I do.  I think it’s grounded me in a sense, it’s got a very honest feel to it. It’s passionate isn’t it, but it’s still honest and realistic. People from Merthyr see things in a different way, they’re very down to earth. 

 

They’re proud of their roots, and not ashamed of acknowledging them when they’re popular or famous, I’d say…

 

I think that’s the case with Welsh people in general. I met Rhys Ifans the other day, which was a bit of a mad one, but he was so passionate about the Welsh language and just Welsh people in general. Merthyr’s got this really close community, and everyone’s really proud of people who come from there. I remember when Pretty Vicious were on their rise, they had this meteoric rise because everyone in Merthyr was sharing their stuff. People love that kind of success story, small-town boys making it big. It’s something to be proud of.

 

AL MOSES have just been announced at your hometown’s annual music festival, Merthyr Rising.  What do you think having an event that highlights Merthyr’s political and musical history inspires in the town?

 

For a start it brings everyone together, it shows the local artists from Merthyr that need a platform. It shows what Merthyr’s about as well. Merthyr Rising. It says it in its name. Merthyr is continuing to build. Merthyr’s a working-class town, that’s what it is, a lot of towns with that sort of history have a really rich community and a lot of art that comes from it. A lot of passion comes from it. And I think Merthyr Rising and events like that are integral to the local music and art. 

 

I see even with things now like American politics, history repeats itself. When you progress you have to reflect on what’s gone wrong in the past, especially with Dic Penderyn and the whole uprising. Which is what Merthyr Rising’s all about. It’s reflecting on what’s happened in the past and bringing it to life again. 

 

Does a gig in Merthyr feel different to your other shows?

 

Last time we played Merthyr Rising, we were in the tent and everyone was sat around on hay bales, it was such a nice atmosphere. So supportive, knowing that we’re from Merthyr. A lot of bands feed off the energy of the audience, I know we do. If there are people who are proud then we’re proud and loving it. It’s great being home, and seeing all these familiar faces that are finally seeing the music that I’m doing. 

 

Any parting words of wisdom?

 

I love Merthyr, and even though it’s got this bad reputation, I’m really proud of where I come from. A lot of the time it’s hard to succeed when people have low expectations of you. I’m really proud of Merthyr at the moment, it’s coming into its own again.

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By Hannah Nicholson-Tottle