Calan (meaning "Calend" (being the start of a month, or year) in Welsh) are a young, traditional Welsh band, who formed in early 2006.
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Nigel Gould of the Belfast Telegraph wrote,
"The dynamic quintet’s debut album, Bling, has everything you could want from a record — stunning use of instrumentation, gorgeously crafted songs, sprightly foot-tappers, verve and raw excitement."[1]
Gavin Martin of the Mirror wrote,
"...there’s nowt as dear as folk – especially when played with the grace, daring and sheer joy this multi- instrumental five-piece bring to a winning selection of reels, jigs and hornpipes. Shake a leg. In fact, shake several."[2]
Calan had their first public appearance in the Aberdare Coliseum, supporting Scottish group Bodega.[3] After this they went on to play a spot in the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, and the same day travelled down to Dolgellau and performed in Tŷ Siamas as part of the Sesiwn Fawr 2007. They also made an impromptu appearance at a twmpath held at the Neuadd Goffa in Mynydd Llandegai in early 2008. Also in 2008 they supported the Irish folk-band the Wolfe Tones at Celtfest in the Cardiff International Arena.
Calan played at the Gŵyl Mynydd Llandygai 2008, and also appeared at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, in Brittany. They then went on tour with the Canadian ensemble, Genticorum, in October 2008 to publicise their album 'Bling'.
They have also performed at the Cambridge folk festival, Yn Chruinnaght, the Gower folk festival and at the Calan Mai show in the Wales Millennium Centre.
The band were filmed and interviewed for S4C's Sioe Gelf in 2007, and the segment was aired in the same month. They have also performed on Uned 5, Wedi 3 and Mosgito in 2008 and Nodyn in 2009.
The band released their debut, 'Bling' on the Sain label and are preparing a second album this year.