OPHELIA is the collaborative project of singer-songwriters Rebecca Van Cleave and Samuel Taylor.

The two had been performing together in the US, promoting their respective solo projects, when they decided it was time to bring together some of their favourite musicians and make a record. Their five track EP is to be released on May 5 and ahead of that, they play Brewdog, Cardiff, on May 3.

Andy Howells recently caught up with the pair.

“Music has always been a huge part of my life,” Sam says.

“I remember vividly singing every word to albums like Graceland by Paul Simon and Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan on long car journeys during family holidays travelling through rural France. I started playing music at the age of 11 and soon after that I started to write songs. It’s been a part of my life since then, playing live, recording music and it always will be.”

Rebecca, whose father is a singer-songwriter, said music has always been a big part of her life.

She said: “I grew up doing a lot of musical theatre and going to rock shows in my teenage years - most of my friends were in bands. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that I actually started singing my own songs live.

“I had been a closet singer-songwriter for a while - Sam was the one who encouraged me out of my shell.”

The duo said journeying itself has been their biggest inspiration as they wrote most of the album on the road. We penned the album mostly on the road. New places, new experiences, travel, and the people you meet along the way have been a big part of making this record together.

They said the writing of Ophelia took place across several states in the US and the UK, while they embarked on a transatlantic tour of their respective solo projects. Once back at home in the UK, they set about making a record with David Glover from Tesla Studios in Sheffield.

As a threesome they laid down the foundations of a full album. The pair said they wanted to take this record down a different path than their solo projects- to make it more rocky and edgy. Then Greg came in and added his drum wizardry, and Eamon with his fiddle, and it really took the songs to this other level. It hits you in the heart. I’m really proud of what we’ve created together.

The EP which is out on May 5 includes four tracks from the album and a special bonus track which they recorded as a tribute to one of their favourite artists who passed away last year.

The gig in Cardiff will be a stripped back show and the pair said they are really looking forward to interpreting the songs in a different way. It’ll be a lot of fun. Greg Haver who co-produced the album, lived in Cardiff for many years and worked with some great Welsh bands like Manic Street Preachers and Super Furry Animals. He speaks very highly of the city and we’re really looking forward to playing there.Keep up to date with Ophellia online: opheliamusicofficial.com