LOCAL indie-brass band, ‘Year of the Dog’ have spoken on how they are looking to continue to reach their ambition for their band despite combatting challenges along the way.

The band met at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff where they studied their love for music and decided to put their talent together by forming a band showcasing their array of expertise in the field.

The band includes a number of band members including Felix Lindsell-Hales, Olly Jenkins, Gareth Thomas, Peter Richards, Jacob Prescott and Luke Hartley.

The band have been notably recognised from featuring in Sex Education the series on Netflix and have been in the process of recording their first album in Rockfield Studios where renowned artists have recorded some of their greatest hits including; Oasis, Black Sabbath, Coldplay, Queen and many more.

The studios was created by two brothers, Kingsley and Charles Ward, where they built a studio in the attic of their farmhouse and started recording as making music was something they wanted to do.

One of the band members, Felix Lindsell-Hales spoke about the bands opportunity to feature on Sex Education the series.

“They were looking for a swing band and we weren’t a swing band, but we had brass instruments.”

“It was funny being on set.”

Since they featured on the show, the band have grown and have played in multiple venues, including Paris for the rugby world cup, and Nozstock a local festival in Herefordshire.

“It was amazing because I have been going there since I was 14 years old, ” Said Felix.

However, from COVID-19 Felix spoke on the struggles which festivals have faced.

Ever since the pandemic festivals have been struggling so a lot of them have been closed down because they can’t make up for money they have lost.

“To stay alive, they are paying even less, generally 80 percent of artists are not paid.”

But due to the popular demand for applications which festivals receive, a lot of smaller artists tend to play for free.

Playing at a festival and being able to have that name on the tour, builds a credible reputation.

“The bands are what bring the audience,” added Felix.

Felix has given advice to other aspiring artists who may want to pursue a career in the music industry.

“Play as many gigs as humanly possible, don’t worry about the fee, it’s about playing as much as possible and expanding your audience.”

Continuing to progress in the music industry, ‘Year of the Dog’ are actively working on their first album with an Abbey Road producer who they met in Czech Republic.

The album is inspired by growing up in the Wye Valley so recording at Rockfield Studios is taking it back to the area where it all started.

“It’s the resilience of it, and when you look back you will probably appreciate the hustle, and I think that’s always the way with everything, added Felix.”