Catatonia

Catatonia formed in Cardiff in 1992, Cerys Matthews and Mark Roberts at the centre of a band that would spend the next decade making some of the most distinctive music to emerge from Wales. Matthews's voice — rich, warm, and capable of extraordinary range — was immediately recognisable, and Roberts's songwriting gave her material worthy of it.

'Way Beyond Blue' (1996) was a strong debut, but it was 'International Velvet' (1998) that broke them nationally. The title track — with its Welsh-language chorus and its celebration of Welsh identity — became an anthem. 'Mulder and Scully' was a top five hit. The album reached number one and made Catatonia one of the most successful Welsh bands of their generation.

'Equally Cursed and Blessed' (1999) was another strong album, but the pressures of success were taking their toll. Matthews's well-publicised personal difficulties and the general collapse of Britpop as a commercial force led to the band's split in 2001. Matthews has had a successful solo career since. The Catatonia back catalogue deserves wider recognition.