In 2021 Sywel Nywl released a Welsh language alt-pop song each month, collaborations with an enviable list of Welsh artists. He created work with Mark Roberts (one-half of Catatonia), Gwenllian (of Adwaith), upcoming artist Casi, and legendary Welsh artist Endaf Emlyn. The twelve songs are now released as an album ‘Deuddeg’ (‘Twelve’) via label Lwcus T, and earns a vinyl release later this year. Lewys talks us through each artist involved, and why he chose them to be part of this unique and very special project.
MR – ‘Crio Tu Mewn’
Mark Roberts is an unbelievable musician, one of Wales’ finest, the brain child of bands such as Catatonia, Y Cyrff, and recently MR. He’s on a roll having released 4 albums in the last 4 years.
Casi – ‘Rhwng Dau’
Casi’s my sister and I really enjoy writing music with her. We get on really well together and her voice and way of writing is sublime. She’s great with words and is the Children’s Laureate of Wales this year.
Gwenno Morgan ‘Dyfroedd Melys’
Gwenno was a couple years younger than me in school and she had a similar musical upbringing, playing in the school Jazz band some different county orchestras, so it was really interesting to write a song with her. Her music is very cinematic, technical, and even virtosic at times. I really look forward to see what she releases and who she works with over the next couple of years.
Gwenllian Anthony – ‘Pen Yn Y Gofod’
A member of one of Wales’ biggest musical exports, Adwaith, it was a really honour to write a song with Gwenllian. She has a raw and rustic voice, something that really fitted well on top of the electronic vibe. Adwaith have grown so much as a band, and I like many, am super exciting for their next material.
Glyn Rhys – ‘James’ (Bonsai)
Mellt, Glyn’s band, are a raw musical three piece. The way they craft their songs together are so beautiful and their musical motifs are so satisfying, it really is no surprise that they’re so popular in Wales. They’re a band that in some ways I’ve grown up with, competing against them in battle of the bands, and playing side by side with them on different bills over the years.
Lauren Connelly – ’10/10′
I think Lauren might stand out from the twelve as she isn’t a musician in its traditional sense, but has a fantastic groove. She’s a creative, an actor, and her way of expressing herself is unbelievably fresh for Wales and the Welsh music scene. Her Cardiff accent really fitted the spoken word and I hope she releases a lot more music in the future.
Steffan Dafydd – ‘Y Meddwl Lliwgar Yma’
Breichiau Hir have been around for 10 years, but have recently hit a new high with their latest singles. Ritsy from the joy formidable made a delicate cover of one of their single’s ‘yn dawel bach’, which emphasise that there are amazing songs within the hard hitting wall of sound the band makes.
Gwilym – ‘Static Box’
Gwilym might be Wales’s most popular pop band at the moment, they write hard hits, and get people off their feet. I really hope they have an amazing summer of gigs after losing out on the past two years.
Endaf Emlyn – ‘Traeth y Bore’
Signed to Parlaphone in 1970, he released a series of singles before Recording the first Welsh language concept album in 1974, His music was so ahead of it’s time, so hard to pin down a ‘genre’, and he is without a doubt, one of the greats.
Iolo Selyf – ‘Seagal‘
Iolo’s outlook on life is inspired by his heroes such as David R Edwards, and Richie Edwards of the Manics. His former band, Ffug is where we first came across him. He’s a Lyrics man, and a punk!
Dionne Bennett – ‘Amser Parti’
Dionne is one of Wales’ finest voices. Her powerful vocals and musical presence is out of this world. She’s been learning Welsh over the last few years, and hopefully will release a lot of Welsh material over th next few years. She’s sang with The Earth and The Peth, two projects created by Super Furry Animals members.
Photo credit: Dion Wyn Jones
