Riding along on a relentless rhythm track and a squall of glorious melody, “Taro #1 + #2” is Gruff Rhys’ sublime, swirling song about the very end of it all that sounds so vital… and so very, very alive.

Gruff Rhys on “Taro #1 + #2”: “The title translates as Hit #1 + #2. The circle of life – accepting death as the end of the turn. Almost no light in this track. Apart from Kliph Scurlock’s incredible groove & Gavin Fitzjohn’s phased horns.”

Dim Probs was recorded and mixed in Bristol in late 2024 with producer Ali Chant (Yard Act/PJ Harvey). The album echoes the warmth and closeness of Gruff’s career-defining first solo album (2005’s Yr Atal Genhedlaeth) and the stargazing melancholy of 2021’s Seeking New Gods. Written and performed entirely in Welsh/Cymraeg, Dim Probs places the listener side by side with one of the country’s greatest and most thoughtful songwriters in the corner of a studio as the songs grow around them from just voice and guitar. The result is an intimate and hypnotic record that mixes acoustic folk with whatever scratchy, primitive electronic machines come to hand on each track. One listen? Dim Probs indeed!

Gruff Rhys will play a series of live shows across Wales, England and Scotland around the release of Dim Probs. Nearly all solo shows are now sold out (please check listings locally). See dates listed below.

August 

16^th Glasgow, Big City Festival (with Lankum and many more)

29^th Brighton, Psych Fest (with Jane Weaver, Gong and many more)

September

5^th Boston, Gilderdrome w/ Richard Hawley

7^th Wolverhampton, Newhampton Arts Centre

10^th York, The Crescent

11^th Liverpool, St Michael’s Church 

12^th Blackpool, Tower Ballroom w/ Richard Hawley

13^th Bethesda, Ara Deg Festival

16^th London, Stanley Arts

17^th Bristol, Strange Brew

18^th Portmeirion, Town Hall

19^th Machynlleth, The Tabernacle

20^th Treorchy, Park and Dare

24^th Exeter, The Phoenix

30^th Llangoed, Village Hall

A series of in-store gigs and signings around the release of Dim Probs will be announced shortly along with a series of international shows.

October

1^st Rhydymain, Village Hall

3^rd Rhoshirwaun, Village Hall

4^th Crymych, Market Hall

18^th Neath, Arts Festival

19^th Nantwich, Civic Hall