Blink and you might have missed it. The release of 'Run Thru The Wastelands' by Cardiff duo ONE TO ONE was a gem. Tim Cockram investigates.

Andrew Pidcock and Dave Parsons wear their Kingsway recording artists persona with an unassuming air. That's hardly surprising. The duo's album, as One to One, has hardly broken sales records despite 'Run Thru The Wastelands' being, for me, the most impressive British Christian album since After The Fire's 'Signs Of Change' (yep, I really am that old!)

One To One's particularly compelling brand of synth-rock is a treat to the ears though it hasn't shifted too many units. Today the band can be occasionally seen setting up their DX7's in drafty Welsh Church halls. I caught up with them in their hometown of Cardiff where after a curry, I taped the following conversation.

Firstly, what is the significance of the name One To One?

A.P. We spent a night spiritually looking through the Bible trying to find an obscure name in the Old Testament (laughs) like Ezekiel and his Band.

D.P. Fortunately we didn't find anything! (We finally settled on) One to One to reflect one to one between people, which is sadly lacking and one to one with God. Quite often people are happy to believe in a God who loves everybody but when it comes down to them loving others it's much harder.

So you see your music as being personal?

A.P. It's personal to us.

D.P. It's us opening up to the listener.

A.P. Showing what's worked in our life; if they can relate to that it's great, it's good news. If it doesn't relate to people then there's not a lot of point in carrying on.

How did One to One happen?

D.P. I was in a seven-piece band at school, it was fun! About the time everyone was going their own way after leaving school I met Andy at church.

A.P. Prior to that I'd been in a five-piece band (which played on Penarth Pier!). I played with them for a year, year and a half, then a bit on my own doing the usual 'coffee bar' scene. It's about the time that we met.

How do you go about writing your material?

D.P. Not having a drummer means that if one of us gets an idea for a song they go away with the drum machine for a couple of days and them come back and the other person either weeps or says "it's okay" then we add the rest. I like writing together, the interaction.