Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
“..Soaring and achingly beautiful...You HAVE to listen to them” - Western Mail
"Clwb Ifor Bach is rammed tonight, packed to bursting for Halflight’s EP launch. With an already sizeable fanbase hanging on every note, the pure tones of gifted vocalist Sarah Howells (at times eerily reminiscent of both PJ Harvey and Tori Amos) effortlessly propel Halflight way above their musical peers. An epic performance of lead single ‘Pick Me’ provides a genuine hair-raising moment and at this point one starts to wonder whether perhaps Halflight’s future lies not on these shores but in the US market. 2006 should be interesting." - The Fly Mag
****“Following on from their Subside EP, Cardiff based Halflight have made a major leap forward with this new mini album (Pick Me). Centred around singer and songwriter Sarah Howells, her sensitive voice is complemented perfectly by cello, guitars and drums to create a record of lyrical depth – best displayed on the title track and the stunning Mari." - Western Mail
“Cardiff band Halflight follow up their critically acclaimed debut EP, Subside with this beautiful collection of six emotionally tender songs. Although there’s little to differentiate between them in terms of style or pace, the band make good use of instrumentation, with Sarah Howells’ gorgeous silky vocals complemented by warming cellos and minimal accompaniment. All that’s needed now is a couple of faster numbers to add some variation to what is otherwise an accomplished musical work." - BIG ISSUE
"If you're fed up of fake female singer songwriters sound tracking a furniture advert, then come get the real deal." Subba-Cultcha.com
"Reminiscent of the fragile moments of Garbage, perhaps - the howl and pain of Shirley Manson replaced by equally entrancing Sarah Howells' delicate emotion." Thisisfakediy.com
"Halflight have created a sound all their own, and it is wonderful to listen to." NationalGigGuide.com
"..The songs are sung with a lot of passion and warmth and are what makes the EP stand out from others...I can see many people falling in love with the simple yet haunting Halflight." Comfortcomes.com - Various
Discography
Subside EP - 2004
Pick Me EP - 2005
New Material produced by Tim Rushent and Mixed by Head recorded in 2006 and pending release this year.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
So you play a last minute acoustic gig at a small Cardiff Bar. Try out a few new songs, sell a few CD's. A 'London music-industry bod' just happens to be entertaining some business clients at this bar and loves what he hears. He gives you his card. You're cynical and unexcited and leave early cos the headline act is terrible. A year later this 'music-industry bod' chucks in his well paid city job and nice London pad and moves to a remote cottage in the Brecon Beacons to record your album. You'd get excited wouldn't you? Sarah Howells doesn't.
Sarah only gets excited when she's standing in front of room full of people with a guitar in her hands.
In those moments before the first few notes ring out.
Having supported acts such as Gossip, Johnathan Rice, Jim Noir, James Morrison and Sandi Thom, the Halflight sound has reached many different audiences.
Halflight began at the end of 2003 after Sarah Howells previous band Jylt, tragically came to an end. Bassist, singer and best friend, Nia George had been diagnosed with Leukaemia and eventually died of the illness at only 21. Despite the indescribable sense of loss and despair this brought, Sarah was compelled to continue writing and performing and out of this, Halflight was born.
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