Also known as UDWT Labels Unsigned | Years active 2009–present Origin Cardiff, United Kingdom | |
 | ||
Members Chris Stoodley, Robbie Price, Kathryn Shanahan, Alex Perry, Samuel Lloyd Griffiths Similar The Hot Puppies, We're No Heroes, National Youth Orchestra, Only Men Aloud!, Mclusky | ||
Under the driftwood tree paper planes
Under the Driftwood Tree (also known as UDWT) are a Cardiff based Welsh band that formed in 2009. Their music is described as 'surf style folk' and is based on vocal harmonies and unusual instruments, including ukulele, didgeridoos, djembe, cajon and accordion as well as acoustic guitars and bass.
Contents
under the thumb by under the driftwood tree
Formation
The band originally started as an acoustic guitar duo featuring Chris Stoodley and Dylan Thomas - of Pwllheli, with the band-name having been thought-up by Chris, and being an adaption of The Milk Wood by his name sake. Chris and Dylan recorded their first song together in December 2008 entitled 'Gone For A Week'. Chris and Dylan met whilst doing Open Mic at the Gate in Cardiff during the Autumn of 2008. In February 2009 Dylan left the group to pursue other interests.
The members of Under the Driftwood Tree met through shared interests in music and surfing. Alex Perry on lead guitar and Robbie Price on vocals and rhythm guitar, from Pembroke, joined Cardiff based Chris Stoodley on vocals and ukulele and Kathryn Shanahan from Tipperary in Ireland on vocals and djembe drum as a four-piece surf style folk band in February 2009. They began playing regularly at popular live music venues in Cardiff and were the Welsh winners of the Surface Unsigned Festival in 2009, shortlisted from 30,000 applicants and performed at IndigO2 in the The O2 in London. In 2010 they were joined by Samuel Lloyd Griffiths on Bass and performed at The Eden Sessions with Jack Johnson in Cornwall on 26 June 2010.
Band members
Television and radio
In May 2010 Under the Driftwood Tree played a live session on the BBC Radio Wales Evening Show. This has since led to them being invited to play the UK Number 1 live each Monday on Radio Cardiff, as well as performing on RTÉ Radio 1.
Although they did not get through to the final their appearance on the Sky talent show Must Be The Music led to Fearne Cotton inviting them to perform live on her radio show on 14 December 2010.
Album
The debut album of Under the Driftwood Tree is currently being produced.