A Caerphilly rock band are heading to the final of a national music competition with the aim of clinching the £100,000 prize on offer.
Five-piece Blackwaters are hoping to hit the right notes at the national final of the Surface Festival this Saturday, being held at London’s 2,500 capacity IndigO2. The competition showcases unsigned bands from across the UK and Europe.
The band will be battling it out with others from across the country for a chance to win equipment, recording time in a studio, a tour and a festival slot in Switzerland. The overall package is worth £100,000 and would act as a springboard to success for Blackwaters.
Guitarist Craig Evans, who hails from Llanbradach, said: “Winning would mean us having everything we need to give it a go as a professional band. It’s not an X-Factor type of competition, where suddenly you’re famous with a recording contract. This gives hard-working musicians a go at being a professional band.”
The band began early 2009, with Craig, Jeff John and Mikey Watkins meeting through a musicians’ website.
Dan Davies joined the trio mid 2009 after a couple of false starts with two different singers and Paul Walsh joined as their frontman in October 2010.
The five members bring different influences from classic bands such as Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, T-Rex and AC/DC right through to Guns ‘n’ Roses, Blink-182, Alter Bridge and The Foo Fighters.
Craig said: “We entered the competition with the view that if we get one or two more shows under our belts then it’s more experience, if we reach the latter stages that would be unbelievable.
“We battled through three rounds in venues around Cardiff, beating 36 other bands along the way and making it to the Coal Exchange in the last 16 bands from Wales, the biggest show we had played to date.
“An electric atmosphere got the best out of us and we played a high energy show. We’d never felt so nervous. The results came and the room exploded in cheers as our name was read out. We would be 1 of the 21 remaining acts from all over Europe.
“We will be one of two bands representing Wales, which is a great honour for us, especially considering the quality of the bands Wales is producing at the moment.
“The show takes place on Saturday October 1 and we will hit the stage at 8.30pm for 20 minutes – which could change us from five guys working normal full-time jobs to becoming professional musicians and dreams becoming reality.”
Craig added: “We’ll be putting on a coach there and back on the day and it will be well worth coming, because every person that supports us at the event could literally be the deciding factor in us winning the competition.
“The other way to support the band is by text vote. Text Wales 6021 to 64343, that’s Wales(space)6021 to 64343. Texts cost £1.
“These votes will make up the final score on the night. So the more texts we receive the better chance we have of winning.”
Details of coach travel and where to buy tickets are at www.facebook.com/blackwatersmusic or email info@blackwatersmusic.com
Fantastic news, the lads have come a long way in a short space of time. Lets all hope the whole of Caerffili and Wales get behind Blackwater for this Saturdays performance. All the best and look forward to a local gig soon…