Singer's thank-you to Welshpool

 

Dai says he is paying back the town for helping him reach the final of a nationwide talent contest when he performed live at the famous O2 in London late last year (right).

 

He missed out at the final hurdle, but the text votes drummed up through an extensive local campaign led by mywelshpool, ensured he performed in front of industry professionals and catapulted his name into the national limelight.

 

“This is my way of saying thank-you for all the incredible local support,” said Dai. “I just felt it was important to give something back after the people of the area so generously got behind me and helped to make a dream come true by giving me the chance to play at the O2. But going round giving people pound coins (each text was a pound) was impractical so I decided to release the EP for free.”

 

Dai has already started playing the tracks at his live gigs this summer and has recruited three talented local musicians to form his backing band to become Dai Robs and the Love.

 

“The band is made up of bassist Chris Clarke from Cruckton, Drummer Andy Watson from Hendomen and guitarist Jack Taylor from Leighton. Andy regularly tours Europe and the USA with Americana bands as a session player and Chris is in the signed metal band Xerath who are embarking on a two-week tour of China in October. Jack is the front man of local band The Misty Blue Trio.

 

“The four tracks on the EP were recorded at Old Chapel studios in Newtown under the guidance of engineer and producer Will Barnes.

 

“The EP is my attempt to make my songs come to life with a full band. It’s the first four tracks in this style and a full album will be for sale at the end of the year.”

 

For your chance to receive Dai’s thank-you gift, download from www.soundcloud.com/dai-robs completely free.

 

Dai joked: “If everyone recommends it to somebody else then in theory the whole world should eventually hear it! I'd like to test that theory.”