Hot Jam Music CIC, based in the South Wales valleys are delighted to announce the premiere of two original music videos, on Sunday 12th July 2026, showcasing songs written and performed by local armed forces veterans.
Veterans from Valley Veterans in Ton Pentre and Taf Ely Veterans group in Rhydfelin worked with Andy Mulligan and Sylvia Strand over the period of one year. The veterans wrote the lyrics and melodies and Hot Jam helped to shape these into finished songs. We then set about recording their songs, guided by the Hot Jam team and using the veteran’s own musical and performance talents. Despite having no experience of multi track recording they managed to record lead vocals, keyboard, bass guitar, brass, drums, harmonica and a choir.
The Hot Jam team filmed the veterans performing, recording and rehearsing for the videos. With their permission,actual photographs of their time serving have been included, to bring their stories to life. The two music videos are a poignant reflection of the plight of veterans and the sacrifice they have made through their service.
‘Many of our veterans have complex needs and insecurity issues relating to their experiences serving, to see them taking part in a musical activity, writing and recording together and performing with each other for peers has been overwhelming.’
Nigel Locke, secretary, Valleys Veterans.
‘We at Hot Jam are delighted with the success of this project, a unique first for us. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the veterans who engaged so willingly with this project and to our staff for their time and dedication. We hope you enjoy the video presentation as much as we enjoyed making it. We look forward to working with Valleys Veterans and other groups in the future. Thank you for giving us your time, effort and memories. We hope this helps to demonstrate how the power of music can help in some of our hidden communities.’
Nick Bristow, Hot Jam Chairperson.
There are two music videos being premiered; ‘Veteran’s Lament’ written by Nigel Locke, and ‘Heroes’ written by Dave King. There will be a screening at the Rhondda Arts Festival on Sunday 12th July at 11:45am. This is directly after the opening of a new veteran’s memorial at the Parc and Dare Theatre.
Once premiered at the event, the music videos will be available to watch on the Hot Jam social channels later in the week.
This project was made possible via a Shared Prosperity Grant from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council via UK Government.
Hot Jam Music CIC runs creative music projects.
We help people express themselves through songwriting, recording and performance. Led by qualified teachers and professional musicians, our aim is to educate and enthuse through access to rock, pop and other contemporary styles using fully immersive, interactive events. Health and wellbeing are key priorities for us, we help participants to express themselves through music, and inspire them to work with others to create something unique to them.
Rhondda Arts Festival is an annual festival celebrating Welsh culture and the arts in the valleys. Taking place over 10th to 12th of July in Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, the festival is thrilled to include a performance by the Valley Veterans Band and Hot Jam, in a memorable performance alongside the reading of military letters.
For more information about the festival, please visit https://www.raft.cymru/
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