Live webchat with Cerys Matthews, Radio 6 presenter, singer, songwriter and former member of Catatonia, Wednesday 12 June, 10.30am

[RachelMumsnet]

Cerys Matthews is coming along to Mumsnet Towers on Wednesday 12th June for a mid-morning webchat and to tell us about her beautiful new book, Hook Line and Singer that has just been published. Everyone who joins the webchat will be entered into a draw to win a signed copy (total here at MNHQ of the lucky winner)

Cerys is best known as a singer and songwriter from the band Catatonia. (Remember RoadRage and Mulder and Scully?) She now produces and presents the popular Sunday morning show on BBC Radio 6, makes documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 2, curates festivals and regularly appears on television shows like the Culture Show and The Voice where she joins Sir Tom Jones as a singing coach. She lives in West London and has five children.

Hook, Line and Singer is the result of this lifelong love-affair with singing: a beautiful songbook filled with Cerys' favourite songs, ballads and lullabies from around the world. The book is completed with music scores to make this the perfect sing-a-long book. Interspersed with the songs are personal anecdotes and tips of how to sing the songs and even suggested dances.

Put the date in your diary to join Cerys at 10.30am on Wednesday and if you're unable to make that time, post a question to her in advance on this thread.

[Sneets]

Hi Cerys. Oh I loved XFiles so when you did Mulder & Scully I was in my element!
So now I'm a Dr Who fan, you could do a song about that please!

What do you do to relax?

[Salbertina]

Hi Cerys- just listened to Midweek podcast with you, book sounds fascinating!

Am living in S Africa, anything from subsaharan Africa you've come across at all? Have read my kids lots of Xhosa & Zulu stories but not come across lullabies etc, maybe more of an oral tradition.

[gazzalw]

Hi Cerys

Love the Ballad of Tom Jones and your rendition of "What's New Pussycat" sung with the man himself (we had it at wedding!).

I love your musical evolution and eclecticism but I have a nagging feeling that, like Nick Cave, there is a novelist lurking within. Have you ever considered writing fiction and if so what type would appeal?

Thanks!

[feetheart]

Hello Cerys

I have a question on behalf of 10 yr old DD.

She has been playing guitar and ukelele for nearly 2 years and loves it but is very shy and HATES being the centre of attention. She will happily play and sing in a class or group but the idea of 'performing' scares her A LOT, even though she does seem to enjoy it once she is doing it. Have you any hints or tips that might help her as I'm an unmusical, born show-off so not much use!

Thanks

[Littlesmoke]

Shw mae! Any tips on managing being pregnant with touring and working in music? Thank you for being a massive inspiration.

[MarmaladeTwatkins]

Hi Cerys,

The music you play on your show is very obscure/eclectic. What is the least obscure album that you own?! (Am really hoping for something terrible )

Being greedy and asking a second question, do you have any tips for compiling a playlist for parties? I've had to do a few recently and always end up with the same old stuff on...

:)

[liveotherwise]

Hi Cerys

Sorry I won't be able to make the chat :(

What's the most satisfying thing you've done professionally? Is it performing live, producing, worrying or something else?

Thanks

Jax

[CerysMatthews]

@HoveringKestrel

I would love to ask Cerys if, after their joint appearance on The Voice, a new collaboration with Tom Jones, possibly festive, may be considered, I love 'cold outside'.

Also, are there any songs out there you would love to cover and put your own spin on?

Good luck with the festival. Please go to my website for an email address re bookings. xc

[RachelMumsnet]

Argh - she's off and running. Take it away Cerys Matthews

[CerysMatthews]

@HairyPoppins

Hi Cerys,

Trying not to gush, I'm a long time fan (reviewing Sweet Catatonia was my first journalistic assignment!) and I think your 6music programme is fantastic, the poetry/prose is my favourite bit.

My favourite holiday (pre-kids) was a girls road trip with my best friend that took in Nashville, but we aren't sure we did it justice first time around and are plotting to go back. What is your must-see recommendation in the city or nearby?

Thanks.

Nashville-Broadway and Country Museum then hire 4x4 or soft top and drive the 3.5 hrs to Memphis. Beale Street, ducks at peabody Hotel, Stax Academy, Gracelands and Sun Records beckon. Good luck.
XC

@Salbertina

Hi Cerys- just listened to Midweek podcast with you, book sounds fascinating!

Am living in S Africa, anything from subsaharan Africa you've come across at all? Have read my kids lots of Xhosa & Zulu stories but not come across lullabies etc, maybe more of an oral tradition.

Penguin asked me to write a novel for them , but I'm far happier talking curiosities, songs and histories rather than the marathon of writing a novel.Songs yes, but a novel ,Im not sure. Thanks for your question.

[BoltonCVS]

Hi Cerys, wow 5 children, did you chose to breastfeed any of your children?

I work for Bolton CVS and we are working towards making Bolton a breastfeeding friendly place to visit. I breastfed both my children and was asked to feed in the toilets on a couple of occasions. the scheme aims to give women choice and a positive experience of public feeding.

If you breastfed... did you have a positive experience?

[CerysMatthews]

@MarmaladeTwatkins

Hi Cerys,

The music you play on your show is very obscure/eclectic. What is the least obscure album that you own?! (Am really hoping for something terrible )

Being greedy and asking a second question, do you have any tips for compiling a playlist for parties? I've had to do a few recently and always end up with the same old stuff on...

:)

It's most satisfying at the moment, when Im getting to work on different projects. My first love will always be singing and sharing music with people, but Im loving working on literature,poetry, books and history too now. xc

[CerysMatthews]

@Littlesmoke

Shw mae! Any tips on managing being pregnant with touring and working in music? Thank you for being a massive inspiration.

Keep busy but rest when you can. xc

[CerysMatthews]

@MarmaladeTwatkins

Hi Cerys,

The music you play on your show is very obscure/eclectic. What is the least obscure album that you own?! (Am really hoping for something terrible )

Being greedy and asking a second question, do you have any tips for compiling a playlist for parties? I've had to do a few recently and always end up with the same old stuff on...

:)

Ha ha! in answer to both these questions (cunning, I am !) compilations all the way! but good ones...and there are plenty of them. I loved the best of Bowie when I was 12- compilations are a good way in.XC

[IsaacCox]

Hi Cerys

Massive fan here by the way!

If you hadn't gone down the singer route, what else did you want to do?

Thanks

[CerysMatthews]

@BoltonCVS

Hi Cerys, wow 5 children, did you chose to breastfeed any of your children?

I work for Bolton CVS and we are working towards making Bolton a breastfeeding friendly place to visit. I breastfed both my children and was asked to feed in the toilets on a couple of occasions. the scheme aims to give women choice and a positive experience of public feeding.

If you breastfed... did you have a positive experience?

I did with my youngest 3 but not my step children, they were a bit old :)
I think the most important aspect it to be sure the baby gets the first milk so defo feed in the first couple of weeks if you can, as the first milk contains tons of disease battling goodness.
xc

[CerysMatthews]

@Littlesmoke

Shw mae! Any tips on managing being pregnant with touring and working in music? Thank you for being a massive inspiration.

Good luck with pregnancy. I didn't do anything differently really, apart from the obvious. For me keeping busy meant time went quickly, I coudlnt wait to see the baby so 9 months always seemed a loooooong time.xc

[CerysMatthews]

@feetheart

Hello Cerys

I have a question on behalf of 10 yr old DD.

She has been playing guitar and ukelele for nearly 2 years and loves it but is very shy and HATES being the centre of attention. She will happily play and sing in a class or group but the idea of 'performing' scares her A LOT, even though she does seem to enjoy it once she is doing it. Have you any hints or tips that might help her as I'm an unmusical, born show-off so not much use!

Thanks

I wouldnt worry about it at all, just enjoy the fact that she gets so much pleasure out of music...I spent hours playing music in my bedroom, not to 'perform' but just for the sheer love of it.It's like reading- its an amazing comfort and doesn't have to be done in public..If she wants to take it further she may songwrite instead of becomign an artist..it'll come if she wants to perform, she'll just have to take a deep breath, jump in and learn as she goes along.Its what us rock and rollers did!
xc

[CerysMatthews]

@Salbertina

Hi Cerys- just listened to Midweek podcast with you, book sounds fascinating!

Am living in S Africa, anything from subsaharan Africa you've come across at all? Have read my kids lots of Xhosa & Zulu stories but not come across lullabies etc, maybe more of an oral tradition.

Interesting question.Many of our UK songs were passed down by oral tradition too. Ill have to look into Sub Saharan songs, I'm afraid my travels haven't brought any to my attention. But ill defo try and find some.
xc

[Rumours]

Hi Cerys is there going to be a cd to go with the book for those of us that can't read sheet music?

[CerysMatthews]

@HoveringKestrel

I would love to ask Cerys if, after their joint appearance on The Voice, a new collaboration with Tom Jones, possibly festive, may be considered, I love 'cold outside'.

Also, are there any songs out there you would love to cover and put your own spin on?

I'd love to record again with Tom, Im trying to persuade him to put some tinsel on :) I released a whole album of festive goodies last year which made the Times seasonal essential list- its a riot of fun arrangements including coconuts and chinese temple blocks with the classic carols and called 'Baby its Cold Outside' (it has the single with tom on it).Its for children and children at heart .thanks for question xc

[CerysMatthews]

@missbumbumbrazil

Hi Cerys,

I've loved you since I was 12. Now 30. Nothing more to add.

then I appreciate your good taste and support :) x

[CerysMatthews]

@deemented

Hi Cerys

My most played album ever is International Velvet, and especially it's namesake single is sung almost daily in this house, especially by my very patriotic Manshape. My question is - how important is being Welsh to you? Do you miss home, now you live in London?

Ive always felt a strong root with my Welshness mostly because I love different cultures, and this happens to be my own.I've lived in many places in the world since I was 17 so now speak almost 5 languages. And love to cook food from around the world. Being Welsh is my heritage and I love sharing it with people, just as much as I love them sharing recipes and sayings and music from theirs. I hope this makes sense.

[CerysMatthews]

@Daughteroughter

Clwb Ifor Bach or Chapter (before its poncey revamp)?

not sure , its been a while. id probably say the stadium, and the vegetarian food centre on penarth rd for great indian food. :)