UK-born and US-based melodic and progressive house sensation Tom Marsh, widely known as Marsh, has chosen the historic Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways (FfWHR) for an extraordinary DJ set to launch his latest single. Filmed in May by Marsh’s friend and long-time collaborator, Sam, the set is a cinematic masterpiece, showcasing the stunning landscapes of the Welsh countryside.
The ‘Snowdonia Star’ service event held particular significance for Marsh, whose parents, Andrew and Jacqui, had both volunteered and worked for the Ffestiniog Railway. ‘I have been coming here to the railway for years - my dad volunteered here in the 1970s when they were laying track in the mountains to reroute the railway on the line up to Blaenau Ffestiniog,’ said Marsh.
The Ffestiniog Railway, established in 1832, is the oldest independent railway company in the world. It offers a 13.5 mile (21.7 km) journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The historic trains climb over 700 feet (213.4 metres) from sea level into the mountains, passing through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round horseshoe bends (even a complete spiral), clinging to the side of the mountain or even tunnelling through it.
Marsh’s new single, Floodlights, released under the Anjunadeep label, is a captivating blend of light and dark, inspired by imagery of light piercing through foggy forests. First debuted in his Kew Gardens mix, Floodlights quickly became the most replayed track from the set.
‘The idea started with an ambient, fuzzy chord progression. Then I began jamming with the iconic DX7 Solid Bass patch, and quickly found the bass riff,’ explained Marsh. ‘Next came the vocals. I fell in love with the angelic, choral vibes, which added a special hook to the record! It all came together quickly and has been a joy to feature in my recent sets.’
Since the release of his 2023 album, Endless, Marsh has risen to the top ranks of the melodic and progressive house scene. The album hit #1 on Beatport’s Chart, leading to a 52-date world tour where he sold over 35,000 tickets.
You can watch the full set on Marsh’s YouTube channel. To experience the journey for yourself, visit the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways’ website for more information.
