FdM likes to partner with like-minded labels once in a while - and Country Mile is one of them - hence this free members club compilation CD....

Country Mile Records was formed in Newport in 2005 as a means to get the songs of Ray and Chucks band, The Grief Brothers, into the public domain so we released the 7” single “Silo”/“Broken Bottle Lament” in the summer of that year. The record led to a journey of 20 years releasing a further 43 CDs, vinyl singles and albums and cassettes by dozens of different acts.

The label has become known for its eclectic roster, embracing a range of genres from folk and power-pop to experimental and indie sounds. Over two decades, Country Mile has championed both established acts and emerging talent, always focusing on authentic songwriting and a strong connection to the South Wales music scene. The journey has been marked by memorable releases, limited editions, and a loyal community of listeners who appreciate the independent spirit of the label.

The compilation is a whistle-stop tour of the two decades. If you fancy getting hold of the original albums, try the Last Night From Glasgow website, the Country Mile website or Bandcamp site.

Track listing:

1. Burning Ferns “Bullet Train”. Newport’s power-pop heroes, Burning Ferns have recorded three fantastic albums for us over the past 10 years. “Bullet Train” was released as a CD single and lathe 7” and is featured on the bands second CD album “Public Mono”

2. Coastal Ghost “Nightwalker”. Coastal Ghost is a new collective featuring established singer-songwriter M. G. Boulter, Mile Bailey from the Soft Hearted Scientists and Julie “Sheena” Bailey from Helen Love. This track is taken from their debut 7” lathe single which gained a five-star review in Shindig! Magazine. An album is due late spring 2026.

3. The Ash & The Oak “Quadrology”. The track was originally released as a 3” CD single and also appears on the highly rated “Searching For The Soft Rays” CD album. The band featured in a Sunday Express article on “new folk” penned by Cerys Matthews which listed the album as one of the top 5 exponents of the genre.

4. The Grief Brothers “Marion Jones”. Swansea folk legends The Grief Brothers album “35 Years On Woodfield Street” from which this track is taken is the labels best-selling release (the entire first CD pressing went in a week!). The album attracted a lot of attention and radio play around the world. The second run of CD albums have nearly all gone so we recently pressed up a limited number on grey vinyl.

5. The Sun Kings “B Sides & Rarities”. Cardiff based band mixing Cumbia and Calypso together with elements of Ska, always looking at the bright side of life in these dark times. The track was released as a limited lathe 7” single and appears on the CD album “Lovers Always Win”.

6. We Are Muffy “20th Century Folk Hymnal”. We are Muffy are a duo featuring the incredible talents of Nick Duffy (Lilac Time) and Angeline Morrison. The track was a limited lathe 7” that also opens the CD and vinyl album “Lost Things Returning”.

7. Give Me Memphis “Helen Heaven”. Give Me Memphis have been around the South Wales music scene for many years and include members of The Darling Buds in their line-up. The track features on the CD album “Fore”

8. Jon Langfords Men of Gwent “Adrian Street”. Jon Langford is a legend in South Wales playing in The Mekons, Waco Brothers and numerous other bands in addition to his own solo work. The Men of Gwent are Jon’s band when he returns to Newport to sing songs about local characters and history. The track features on the band’s debut vinyl album “The Legend of LL”.

9. The Limps “Someone I Can Talk To”. The Limps hail from Carlisle and include Chuck from Country Mile Records on bass. The band originally issued a few (now extremely rare) 7” singles in 1979 and we made these re-available on the CD “Is It Really Possible” along with a few demos. This track is featured in the Hollywood movie “Snack Shack”.

10. One String Loose “Nashville Radio”. One String Loose were a young band playing traditional music around South Wales when they contributed their version of the Jon Langford song to our “Levitation – A Tribute to Jon Langford” CD (our second release). The band continue to this day as the hugely successful folk band Rusty Shackle.

11. Dot Dash “Unfair Weather”. Dot Dash is a trio based in Washington D.C. Their infectious, catchy, short pop songs appear on seven albums released by the wonderful The Beautiful Music record label and we issued a vinyl compilation album titled “16 Again” from which the track is taken.

12. Railroad Bill “Slow Train”. Railroad Bill were based in Cardiff and played their own brand of skiffle around the world. The track “Slow Train” was released as a wax cylinder single (yes really!) and also appears on the CD and vinyl album “Pigs Might Fly”.

13. Soft Hearted Scientists “Rode My Bike”. The much-loved Cardiff band are well known to Fruits De Mer Records fans as the label has released a number of their records. This track is taken from the terrific “Waltz of The Weekend” album and we released it on a “Friends of The Fish” collaboration 7” lathe single which sold out within minutes online!

14. Spencer Segelov & Great Painting “And We Get Burned”. Multi-instrumentalist Spencer has released music for 20 years under a variety of names including Spencer McGarry Season and Instructions. This track was a limited lathe 7” single and it also appears on the album “You’re A Lighthouse, I’m At Sea” which is available on vinyl and CD.

15. Armstrong “Baby You Just Don’t Care”. Armstrong have released numerous singles and albums since the 1990’s and continue to write and play live to this day. The track is taken from the CD album “Under Blue Skies” we released in conjunction with Canadian label, The Beautiful Music.

16. The Naked Citizens “Space Touring” (Richard Norris extended mix). The Naked Citizens was a side project of Dan and Chris from Railroad Bill. They roped in a number of guest players to create the eclectic self-titled CD album. This track features the vocal talents of Suzi Chunk. The song was remixed by several dance DJs (including highly respected Richard Norris featured here) and was popular in Ibiza in the summer of 2019.

17. Guto Dafis “Pill Sailor”. Guto is a renowned folk musician, accordion player and storyteller in South Wales who contributed the Jon Langford classic song to the “Levitation – A Tribute to Jon Langford” CD.

The only way to get a copy via Fruits de Mer is to become a club member and buy copies of all four of our February releases.
If you're not already a club member, please click on the 'mailing list' tab at the top of the page