Holyhead band Holy Coves reach six official charts with independent album Hiraeth

Holy Coves have done things their own way with their latest album, and it is paying off. Hiraeth, released independently on the band's own DIY label Snowdonia Records on 14 August, has gone into six official charts.

The album reached number three in the Independent Album Breakers Chart, number seven in the Record Store Chart and number 16 in the Independent Album Chart. It also made number 52 in the Physical Album Chart, number 53 in the Album Sales Chart and number 55 in the Scottish Album Chart.

The band hail from Holyhead on Anglesey and are led by singer and songwriter Scott Marsden, backed by drummer Jay Demarco, bassist Yan Shi and guitarist Adam Wilkinson. They recorded Hiraeth at their studio in Menai Bridge with an experienced North Wales production team that includes John Lawrence of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and Owain Ginsberg of We Are Animal and Hippies vs Ghosts, along with Spike T Smith and American producer Erik Wofford, known for his work with The Black Angels and Black Pumas.

The record was born at a crossroads. Disillusioned with the music industry, the band stepped back from social media and the touring circuit to work out how to move forward as an independent act. They launched their own label, brought in a team of trusted friends to help manage the band and locked themselves away in their band room on Anglesey to write together.

Reviewers have been warm, with the album described as a brave offering, free from the confines of genre. Scott's songwriting is the most personal it has ever been. "I used writing as a way to process everything that was happening around me," he said. "The band showed up for me when I needed them the most."

It has been a busy year for the group, who headlined Wrexfest in Wrexham and completed a full UK instore tour before taking a well-earned break in September.

For a band from the far end of Anglesey putting records out on their own label, seeing Hiraeth sit in the charts alongside releases from much bigger operations is a real achievement, and a boost for the island's music scene.

Hiraeth is out now through Snowdonia Records. Follow Holy Coves on their social channels and Bandcamp for news of upcoming shows.