Indie Music Monthly

Hi I’m Harry and this is the first Issue of 2026’s Indie Music Monthly.

I will be sharing with you some of the best local music we have here in Wales, bringing you 4 tunes each month that you can add to your indie music playlists.

Whilst I aim to focus on music being created in Wales, every now and then I may throw in the odd honourable mention from further afield.

In this issue we will focus on some of the best upcoming indie bands from Cardiff, these are bands I have been following for a while and have been making a huge impact on the local music scene.

I’ll discuss the track, the band, and anything else I think is worth mentioning.

It's important to mention that meanings of these songs may not be accurate  to what the band or artist intended, but what you’ll fins here is an insight into how they make me feel, it’s what music is all about right?

Enjoy!

Trainspotters – Have You Been Smoking Lately?

I first stumbled upon this band when scrolling through TikTok, the members of the band organised on the stairs of their house, a musician on each step, covering Oasis’ Don’t Look Back in Anger and it was the epitome of talent. And I found this band at just the right time and a few days later they released this masterpiece.

‘Have You Been Smoking Lately’ is the bands first and latest release, it does not disappoint. The song about sacrificing yourself for someone you love comparing the addiction of smoking to holding out for someone you love, The song really has two mind sets, the start of the song and the softer parts outlining how love can be this blurry illusion and then… it snaps into this grungy rock tune when the illusion breaks and reality hits, the effects this relationship is actually having “like a cigarette”.

The music video for this song really encompasses the music as well, being shot over the Cardiff skyline the video switches from a blurry distorted film when the song is in its most dulcet and calm, but you get the switch in clarity then as the song develops into its grungier, rockier phases. This really adds to the song, so I suggest checking out the music video for this song as well as adding it to your playlist!

Intërum – Silent Symphony

Grace, Jayden, Ryan, and Zach, are the musical talent behind Cardiff band Intërum. Their new single Silent Symphony is their second release of 2025 following ‘Change Your Mind’.

Silent symphony is far from silent, the single really leans into the grungier and heavier side of the band which is a great listen. Whilst I haven’t had the chance to catch up with the band, I am unsure of the true meaning, but this is what I get from the tune; It’s clear that the song is revolving around a train ride, but I think it’s really exploring that kind of disassociating feeling you get when looking out of that train window and imagining another life, but also how others on the train are all in the same boat (or carriage) for this journey in this ’Silent Symphony’ where the silence of the train ride is actually allowing for this deeper more complex thought.

Another thing to note about this song is just the energy that comes through when listening to it. You can tell the band had a lot of fun making and recording this track and it really shows. The raw talent and fun energy is what makes this band great.

I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with the band and they are a really exciting group of people, seeing them live in Fuel Rock Club was an amazing experiencing, they really own that stage and are unbelievably talented, so if you have the chance to catch them live go and do it! I am really looking forward to seeing what’s next for these guys. 

The Malakites – Forgotten

Forgotten is the recent release from the Malakites, they have been making waves in the Welsh and UK music scene for years. They have supported bands like ‘The K’s’ and been featured in ‘This Feeling’ countless times.

This new single really throws me back to going into town when I was 16, paying a couple of quid to get into Clwb and coming out having discovered my new favourite band, and having this on repeat for the next few months.

The single focusses, well you guessed it, about being forgotten. I may have a different take on the official meaning of the song, but to me it seems heartfelt, like there is a true story behind these lyrics. The lyrics to me create this story of nearly entering a relationship and kind of getting to that point of excitement where it might stick to only have been “forgotten” about and for that relationship to seemingly drop out of nowhere

The relaxed melody in conjunction with the punchy drums really puts a lot of power behind this song. I especially like the sort of false ending in the song around the two-minute thirty mark, this really encompasses that “forgotten” feeling and then for the song to kick back in is almost like emphasising the real effect this feeling has, and how you can also forget about being forgotten but then you remember.

They also have a fantastic ‘Winter Tour Diary’ on their YouTube channel, so go check that out!

BLISS – White Winged Doves

This single, White Winged Doves, from Alt-Rock band BLISS is a really refreshing single that scratches an itch in my brain that I was really needing.

The tune was released mid 2025 and has had some brilliant traction. This garage rock tune is one that I have on a constant repeat it’s a really catchy and addictive tune. The pauses the drum fills the vocals everything about this song is perfection. Talking about the vocals there is a distinct Brian Malko vibe in certain parts in the song that really make this a unique and vibrant track.

The single captures that feeling of meeting someone you truly like, but things have changed, coming to the agreement that it would be better to move on, and while this may feel amicable the feelings are very much there. The lyrics focus on change and the effects this has had, a poignant lyric that stands out is “you found peace in my despair” unsure on the true meaning but personally I think that the person has connected with the speaker’s despair, and they have changed due to this feeling of mutual despair.

The band have played some amazing live gigs from their own headline shows at Le Pub and Fuel, being featured in The Cardiff Music City Festival and have had their own headline tour! (Bliss have also played with Intërum that were mentioned above). Sadly I haven’t seen BLISS live yet but from the videos I have seen they look fantastic live, and I will be looking to attend their future gigs.

Looking forward to 2026 to see what this band have coming up next.