MUSIC
Roots of jazz, country and electronic can be heard in the music of Thallo, which is Elin Edwards’ project. With songs both in Welsh and English, a rich sound is intertwined carefully with her voice and band instrumentals in complex arrangements. Thallo’s single ‘I Dy Boced’ established her status as “one of Wales’ most exciting artists” according to PYST, and since then Thallo has received praise from the Welsh music scene and beyond. Thallo has received frequent attention from Radio Cymru, Radio Wales, Radio 1, and has performed in festivals and concerts across London and Wales, including St Pancras Old Church and the festival Other Voices.
Watch the video for ‘Mêl’ here.
“This has reduced me to a wet puddle of hyperbole…absolutely outstanding.” – Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales
“They were incredible. I really enjoyed the set” – Huw Stephens
Plu is formed of sibling trio – Elan, Marged and Gwilym Rhys from Caernarfon, North Wales. Plu (meaning ‘feathers’ in Welsh) play alternative Welsh language pop-folk, with close 3-part harmonies a back-bone to their varied set.
The band is currently producing their fourth album with folk, Americana songs expected later this year.
Papur Wal are a trio based in Cardiff via North Wales. Formed in 2017, but formalised as a three piece a year later, their influences range from 90s bands such as Built to Spill, Pavement and Teenage Fanclub to 70s rock like Big Star, Todd Rundgren and Nils Lofgren. Their combination of Slacker and Power Pop gives them a unique scope and blends sugary melodies with shape shifting tempo changes.
Their debut EP, “Lle yn y byd mae hyn?” (2019) (“Where in the world is this?”) introduced their story-telling nature, aswell as their ability to discuss emotive and difficult themes and cemented Papur Wal as a band in the Welsh language music scene. Following quickly on the heels of their debut EP was Double-A side “O’n ni’n Ffrindia / When he’s Gone” (2019) which received plays on BBC Radio 6 and BBC Radio 1 and began to explore their 70s rock-inspired side but maintained their slacker roots. The following AA-side “Meddwl am Hi / Piper Malibu” released in pre-pandemic 2020 was supposed to lead to the band’s anticipated debut album, but album plans were delayed until 2021.
Formed in 2014 in the Caernarfon area. The first album, Bwncath, was released in the summer of 2017 and the most recent album, Bwncath II, in March 2020. The first album was produced by Robin Llwyd – and almost everything on it was recorded by him and Elidyr.
In 2019, we had a great reaction to the singles ‘Clywed Dy Lais’ and the winner of the Cân i Gymru (Song for Wales) competition, ‘Fel Hyn ‘Da Ni Fod’ and performing it at the Pan Celtic Festival. Additionally, a special video (animated by Lleucu Non) to the song ‘Dos Yn Dy Flaen’ was released to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day 2020, and the 3 songs reached 100,000 streams on Spotify.
The album Bwncath II was recorded at Sain Studios and the 4 members are gigging regularly together. “It’s been really nice to record this album as a foursome for the first time. It definitely feels like a collaboration between the 4 of us and true to the live performances.” It was produced by Robin Llwyd and the artwork was designed by Elidyr Glyn.
Merch o Gaerdydd ydy Mali ac mae wedi bod yn astudio yng Ngholeg Cerdd Leeds. Er hynny, galwodd hiraeth hi’n ôl i Gaerdydd i geisio datblygu ei gyrfa gerddorol. Daeth y symudiad ychydig yn gynharach na’r bwriad oherwydd Covid a’r clo mawr, a gyda hynny penderfynodd newid ei henw llwyfan hefyd o Mali Melyn i’w henw gwreiddiol, Mali Hâf.
Wedi rhyddhau ei sengl newydd ‘Refreshing/Ffreshni’ yn Ionawr 2021 – Mae’r trac yn ddilyniant i’r gân ‘Aros Funud’ a gyfansoddodd ar gyfer cystadleuaeth Cân i Gymru 2019.
Mae ‘Refreshing / Ffreshni’ yn gân am berthynas iach, boed gyda pherson arall neu gyda natur. Dyma berthynas lle mae yna ymddiried a pharch a siawns o fod yn unigolyn creadigol heb ragfarn.
Mae’r sengl hefyd yn ddechrau ar gydweithrediad newydd gyda’r cynhyrchydd, DJ a cherddor Shamoniks, neu Sam Humphreys, sy’n gyfarwydd fel aelod o Calan ac am ei waith diweddar gydag Eädyth.
Y Drefn, Mared’s debut solo album was released mid-2020 on I KA Ching Records. With a wide range of influences, the album goes on a journey through the genres, setting off with a folk-pop blend on Y Gwydr Glas and Y Reddf, before moving into the realm of Jazz and Soul on Pontydd and Dos I Ffwrdd. Prior to March 2020, Mared was a cast member of Les Miserables in the West End – an experience which she believes was key in shaping her as a solo artist. Following her role curating an episode of S4C’s Curadur back in March, Mared had the exciting opportunity to perform her work with a full band and she is looking forward to replicating the experience at Tafwyl!
A Cardiff based heavy rock band whose songs burst with emotion. The band’s ability to flow between fragile, gentle melodies and energetic, heavy soundscapes shapes their style.
Despite taking influence from post-hardcore, punk, emo, indie and post-rock, the band’s work doesn’t fit neatly into any of these genres. Rather, their sound is a powerful one, guided by emotional and passionate melodies.
The band’s debut album is set for release in Summer 2021
Since their formation in 2005, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog have released four albums and have performed across the globe. Their third record, Draw Dros y Mynydd, was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize in 2012, and last year the band celebrated 10 years since the release of their second album, Dyddiau Du Dyddiau Gwyn, with a tour of Wales. Currently, the band are working on new material.
EMEZI (“She Says” in breton language) is a duo composed of two young women, Perynn Bleunven and Elise Desbordes. Their music is sung in breton, its genre however, is not inspired by tradition.
Elise plays the keys and Perynn the percussions, but first and foremost they are vocalists, having long sung in choirs and vocal groups. They are inspired by the music they listen to, ranging from jazz to hip hop, and pop of course! Their texts are sometimes personal, sometimes political, but rest assured, no need to speak breton fluently to get the right vibes!
Eädyth is fast becoming a familiar name to BBC Wales and BBC Radio Cymru listeners, thanks to her unique, soulful, electro sound and her bilingual lyrics. 2020 also saw her receiving air-time on KISS FM and BBC Radio 1, expanding her audience and introducing her to new listeners. For the past two years, Eädyth has been one of the artists involved in both the BBC Horizons and Forté Project talent development programs, further solidifying the Welsh music industry’s investment in her journey to becoming one of the scene’s freshest acts. Recently, she has worked on the Sherman Theatre’s Heart Of Cardiff as a composer and sound designer and her 2021 started on a high note, with the release of her new single Breuddwyd on Welsh Music Day alongside her being awarded the 2020 Prize at Y Selar Awards.
Ani Glass is the persona of Cardiff-based electronic pop musician, producer and artist, Ani Saunders. Glass sings in her native languages Welsh and Cornish and in March 2020 released her self-produced debut album ‘Mirores’. As well as receiving glowing reviews, the album was also awarded Welsh Language Album of the Year at the National Eisteddfod and shortlisted for the Welsh Music Prize.
“A dreamy and kaleidoscopic debut” – Wales Arts Review
“A triumph from one of the leading figures of the Welsh-language pop-music boom” – Buzz Magazine
Ani later released the Ynys Araul remix EP which included versions by electronic legends Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Glass is also known for her work with The Pipettes, joining to record the Martin Rushent-produced ‘Earth Vs. The Pipettes’ album.
Derw was founded by a mother & son duo, the guitarist Dafydd Dobson and harpist Anna Georgina, following their success in reaching the final of Cân I Gymru in 2018 – the first time they had collaborated. Elin Fouladi, the Welsh-Iranian singer, fronts Derw, with musicians from Welsh bands Zervas and Pepper, Afrocluster and Codewalkers joining them to record their debut EP Yr Unig Rai Sy’n Cofio, which was released in March of this year.
Taking their inspiration from chamber pop acts such as The National and Elbow, the band has strong links to their history and heritage, with their name being derived from Anna’s father’s name – Derwas. Their family has a wealth of glamorous stories and Yr Unig Rai Sy’n Cofio (‘The Only Ones Who Remember’) serves to make sure they stay fresh in people’s memories.
In four years, Gwilym have established themselves as one of the foremost bands of the Welsh-language music scene, with songs such as ‘Catalunya’ and ‘\Neidia/’ consistently gracing the airwaves due to their huge popularity. Following on from the success of their debut album Sugno Gola (2018) and a handful of award wins, they are busy recording their second album. Let their catchy Summer tunes and beats put a smile on your face and a spring in your step!
Much has changed since Lewys’ beginnings as a solo project back in 2017. For two years now, all members of the band (Lewys, Ioan, Iestyn, Gethin) have been contributing to the songwriting, as well as putting on incredible live performances. Their highly anticipated debut album “Rhywbryd yn Rhywle” was released across all platforms in March 2020, featuring the standout track ‘Hel Sibrydion, which won the category of ‘Best Song’ in this year’s Selar Awards.
After a two year writers block after releasing her album ‘Atgof Prin’ in 2018 (Sain), Glain is back with new songs and sound with a promise of a new album by the Summer.
When the first lockdown struck, Glain was in the middle of a run of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ in Greece along with the cast from the West End. Despite the disappointment after the early curtain call bringing the show to an end, this provided Glain with the creative space needed to start writing again.
Glain’s influences include Billie Eilish, Greta Isaac & Phoebe Bridgers.
The hope is to release her second album by the end of the summer!
“Geraint Jarman shows us why he’s a legend of a scene he helped create. He remains a jerky, wiry performer, with an excellent band mixing over-driven rock guitars, reggae and tuneful punk snarl. When he equates Ethiopia and Cymru, you don’t need to speak his language to know how he feels” THE INDEPENDENT (Festival No6 Review 2014).
There is no-one who can match Geraint Jarman’s immense and continuing effect and influence on Welsh language music over the past half a century. As a highly original Cardiff bred composer, poet, performer and television producer he has had a defining effect on every decade of the story of Welsh language youth culture.
Clwb Ifor Bach’s middle floor Saturday night DJ for almost 15 year, Gareth has used has turning skills to rock parties at clubs, bars and festivals all over Wales and the world. From Latitude to Camp Bestival and No.6, from Ibiza to Tokyo, Gareth is at his best behind the decks bringing life to the party. He’s recently written a podcast about the history of Welsh pop (The Story of Miwsig – BBC Sounds) and he promises to bring some bangers from the past and mix them with the scene’s newest material to end the Tafwyl party with a bang this year. Turn up the sound, dance like your aunty, Mr. Potter is coming ti the house!