Daniel Dylan Wray

Cheers!

‘We had no future. So we made a future for ourselves’: the untold history of Welsh reggae sound systems A country known more for rock and choral music was a hotspot of the dub reggae sound system scene in the 70s. Rival crews recall Cardiff’s riotous parties – and racist hostility

Loved doing this piece. Some amazing work being done to document, preserve and celebrate a properly incredible yet overlooked bit of UK music history.

www.theguardian.com/music/2026/m...

Thanks Simon!

Here’s @danieldylanwray.bsky.social with an early copy of his book Groovy, Laidback & Nasty. With over 150 original interviews, it's the first ever truly definitive history of Sheffield music and the city’s incredible array of artists, movements and moments. Out 7 May: geni.us/GroovyLaidba...

Gotta be Mr BlubStep surely

Not Going Home: photographing ’90s UK clubbers in the early-morning afterglow Shot during the summer of 1998, Mischa Haller’s Not Going Home photobook is a window into the UK post-night out landscape. Daniel Dylan Wray learns more

Shot in the summer of 1998, Mischa Haller’s Not Going Home photobook is a window into the UK post-night out landscape 📸

@danieldylanwray.bsky.social spoke to Haller about some of the collection’s standout photos

djmag.com/features/not...

It’s over six pages and is wonderfully designed by Michelle Thompson.

This is taken from a feature i've got on Threads in the latest issue of @empiremagazine.bsky.social, which is out today.

Thanks Luke! Big fan of Dark Entries and was a real pleasure to write this one and speak to such lovely people for it.

Archive on 4 - Taxi Driver at 50: New York, Then and Now - BBC Sounds The film Taxi Driver is 50 years old. Michael Goldfarb looks at New York then and now.

Magnificent documentary by writer (and one time New York taxi driver) Michael Goldfarb, about Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, 70s New York and the transformed city of today www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

‘It’s more productive than doomscrolling’: film-maker Ben Wheatley on his secret life as musician Dave Welder While playing with nine-figure Hollywood budgets, the Kill List and Meg 2 director has become a prolific music producer. Next up is his experimental film, Bulk

Keen to delve into the extensive back catalogue of a solo artist? Maybe try Dave Welder, the secret alias of film director Ben Wheatley who has knocked out nearly 30 albums in the last year. Cloak unveiled, I had a chat with him about it for the first time.
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...

‘It's a strange time to be in this country’ Artist Corbin Shaw on flags, identity, and whether he’s still proud to be English

Corbin Shaw has been working with flags for years, taking objects often seen as symbols of belligerent nationalism and subverting them with humour, emotion and vulnerability.

After a year in which flags have dominated our discourse, how does he feel about them today?

✍️ @danieldylanwray.bsky.social

He was on really good form. Def worth getting to the London date if you can!

3 hour set in Manchester on Monday! But also sadly no Lidl Christmas jumper.

I caught them on Monday. Did he tell the very long and deranged story about tracking down Billy Joel to murder him?

🎯

The Wellington in Shalesmoor!

I’ll take you next time!

Had my lunch at a proper proper old school boozer today. Pint of local ale, sandwich and crisps: £5.40. 🤌🏻

Noise is a Healing Force: My Bloody Valentine Live | The Quietus Daniel Dylan Wray remembers Mani at a My Bloody Valentine show and relishes in the healing powers of volume and noise.

Always a joy to be blasted by My Bloody Valentine. Last night was also a tribute to Mani and for @thequietus.com I dug into the idea of extreme noise as a vehicle for calm and tranquility. thequietus.com/quietus-revi...

Thanks very much!

Thank you!

Nice one - cheers Dan!

Here’s hoping!

Also put together a bit of an accompanying playlist for the book. 30 tracks is peanuts in the grand scheme of things to reflect 60+ years, and a few bits also not on Spotify, but hopefully a nice taster and one that I may expand upon a bit over the coming months.

Thanks Dave

Thanks JD!

Cheers Stevie, appreciate it!

White Rabbit signs 'definitive, immersive' history of Sheffield's music scene in four-way auction White Rabbit has acquired music and culture writer Daniel Dylan Wray’s Groovy, Laidback and Nasty, a history of Sheffield music told through the city’s independent artists, scenes and spirit.

Didn’t get chance to properly post yesterday, as a bit full on, but I have written a book. On the history of music in Sheffield. Out in May via the excellent @whiterabbitbks.bsky.social. Pre-order available now and full PR spiel here. Thanks for the love so far

www.thebookseller.com/rights/white...