Sometimes you embark on a project with no idea how it’s going to end up. The making of this video has taken many twists and turns – but I think the result has worth all the effort. Some of the processes involved are genuinely cutting edge, so I want to share some of the behind the scenes with you too. We’ve used film, animation, green screen, archive footage, AI – pretty much every technique under the sun to produce an aesthetic which I think befits Ifan Jones’ original poem.
New Album Pre-Orders
PRE-ORDER NEW ALBUM
📅OUT 30.1.25
The new Cynefin album, ‘Shimli’, finally flies her nest on January 30th! A huge amount of work has gone into the music and packaging which, I hope, does justice to the songs, poems and stories that have been drawn from the cultural humous here in Ceredigion. I can’t wait for you all to hear her!
You can now pre-order the CD right here on the website, or all the usual outlets. You can also pre-order a digital download from Bandcamp. Both physical and digital versions come with a full 35-page booklet detailing the history and background of all the songs on the album (more on that soon!). If that doesn’t make you want to dust off your CD player, what will?
Welsh Sea Songs & Shanties
I recently recorded a very old ballad which I discovered called ‘Cân Pysgotwyr Cei Newydd’ (Song of the fishermen of New Quay) for a compilation album of Welsh Sea Songs and Shanties which is out today on Sain Record Label. There’s some lovely tracks on there. Do check it out!
2023 Wales Folk Awards
Next month sees the second ever Welsh Folk Awards, which aims to recognise and celebrate the folk scene here in Wales (the last ones were in 2019 so there was a lot of catching up to do!). I’m delighted that Cynefin has received three nominations for Best Album, Best Emerging Artist, and Best Solo Artist. It’s really heartening to see how much the scene has grown since four years ago and how much more interest and enthusiasm there is for folk music in Wales.
Folk On Foot Podcast
I had the absolute pleasure recently of sharing my little corner of Ceredigion with Amy-Jane Beer and the Folk on Foot podcast team. We walked, talked, sang, mused, wondered and generally had a great time in each others company. If you missed it, do have a listen to the episode here!
You absolutely must also buy Amy’s book ‘The Flow’, it’s an absolute gem of a read born of Amy’s passion and love for rivers and the natural world (it also has a chapter featuring yours truly!)
Band Tour
The music scene has taken a while to get back on its feet again following the pandemic, but I’m delighted to be able to announce the first Cynefin band tour since 2019! This tour was supposed to happen following the release of Dilyn Afon two years ago, but for multiple reasons it’s been pushed back – until now! We’ll be playing tracks from Dilyn Afon as well as premiering new material so do come and say hello to Alfie, Fred and I – and remember to pre-book tickets, it makes our lives a lot less stressful!
📅 Dates | Dyddiadau
05.11 Rhayader @ The Lost Arc
07.11 Caernarfon @ Galeri
08.11 Aberystwyth @ Canolfan Celfyddydau Arts Centre
09.11 Carmarthen @ Theatr y Lyric Theatre
10.11 Ammanford @ Miners – Theatr y Glowyr
11.11 Felin Fach @ Theatr Felinfach
‘Ambell I Gân’
Back in November I sang a few obscure Ceredigion folk songs as part of a live session for the ‘Ambell I Gân’ series on BBC Radio Cymru. The presenter Gwenan Gibbard managed to collect such an eclectic range of songs and tunes from around Wales during the series that Sain Record label have decided to […]
Celtic Connections
I had a blast in Glasgow in February performing at Celtic Connections festival alongside Kathleen McInnes and Brendan Begley as part of the ‘Mother Tongue’ concert. It was great to meet so many talented musicians and also represent Wales along with six other Welsh artists on the international stage. You can catch the highlights from two special programmes for S4C and BBC Wales here:
👉 S4C: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0blfln5/gwyl-cwlwm-celtaidd
👉 BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014vbh
Cambridge Folk Festival Award Gig
I was recently nominated for the Christian Raphael Prize, which is run every year by Cambridge Folk Festival and the inspirational Christian Raphael and its aim is to support emerging folk artists. Due to the old ‘rona, the show took place online this year and so you can watch the whole thing back below. I includes a slew of amazing folk artists including Nick Hart, Burd Ellen and Katherine Priddy. You can still donate to towards the artists here:
Llafur Ni (Our Grains)
Did you know that almost no-one grows Welsh Black Oats anymore?
Why are we so ready to turn our backs on our indigenous seed, which like folk singing, is such a vital part of our rural heritage? It seems like madness to me, especially in a time when the food supply is under such pressure.
It’s #SeedWeek this week and I spent some time with The Gaia Foundation alongside Iwan Evans and Gerald Miles putting together this great little film (which includes some folk singing!) to raise awareness around the issue.
Llafur Ni – Our Grains from The Gaia Foundation on Vimeo.
