Huw Stephens talks to Mike Mantin

SWN seems even more focused on upcoming British and local bands rather than foreign imports this year. Do you think there’s been a recent resurgence in British talent?
“There’s always been so many brilliant bands from Wales and the rest of the UK. We love inviting guests to SWN from abroad, and there’s still a lot this year, but I think with the recession maybe we get to hear more bands locally than before because American bands have less money to tour round here.”

I know a fair few ardent music fans who think that British music doesn’t have a lot to offer – where would you advise them to get looking?
“Well, get online to Drowned in Sound and Pitchfork. I would say this, but tune in to my show. Mary Anne Hobbs, Rob da Bank on Radio 1. Look at the line up for SWN this year. Check out Stool Pigeon and Kruger, both passionate  magazines great at pushing new bands. Go to your local venue, check the local interesting promoters and see what’s on offer. Those who say there’s not a lot of good stuff going aren’t looking properly.”

Considering ‘Dark Was The Night’, a section of the American indie rock scene seems pretty unified and connected - do you think there’s anything like that here?
“I do, but maybe in smaller pockets. The whole scene that Los Campesinos! come from, their support of bands like Internet Forever that leads you to Brainlove records that leads you to Pagan Wanderer Lu that leads you to the whole Cardiff scene that has spawned Shape Records that is home to Evils who’s mates with other electronic acts. Maybe it’s a line rather than one big gang. I see the labels like Domino and Wichita bringing a lot of like minded musicians together to unleash them on the world.”

You’ve got an incredible knack of highlighting bands that go on to become huge the following year - what boxes does a band have to tick to play at SWN? Do you approach them or is there a lot of interest from bands to play?
“Bit of both really. We approach some, others make themselves known online or through agents if they have one. We simply go for bands we like and love, like Golden Silvers last year; their music is so awesome we simply had to have them on. We don’t intentionally go for ones that might make it big, because that would be pointless. It’s always an interesting line up, diverse and interesting.”