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Mae’r arlunydd, cyflwynydd, bardd ac awdur Siôn Tomos Owen yn cyhoeddi ail gyfrol o straeon am fyw yn y Rhondda’r wythnos hon. Mae Y Fawr a’r Fach 2: Mwy o Straeon o’r Rhondda yn rhan o’r gyfres Amdani, ac mae llyfr Siôn yn addas ar gyfer dysgwyr lefel Sylfaen.
Mae Siôn yn wyneb cyfarwydd i wylwyr S4C, diolch i Pobol y Rhondda , cyfres oedd yn mynd ar daith trwy Gwm Rhondda, ac roedd ei gyfrol gyntaf o straeon ffraeth am ei blentyndod a’i arddegau yn boblogaidd iawn.
Meddai Siôn Tomos Owen:
“Pan sgwennes i’r gyfrol gyntaf nôl yn 2018 ges i lawer o hwyl ond ges i drafferth yn dewis pa storïau i’w cynnwys, ac o’n i’n gwybod byse rhaid i mi sgwennu ail lyfr rhywbryd! Ac ar ôl magu fy mhlant yn y cwm hefyd, mae gen i hyd yn oed mwy o straeon doniol i’w rhannu.
“Mae’r ymateb i’r gyfrol gyntaf wedi bod yn wych a dwi wedi siarad a gwneud ffrindiau gyda chymaint o ddysgwyr Cymraeg sydd wedi darllen fy llyfr – pobl o Brighton i Lithuania, Gwlad Pwyl a hyd yn oed Santa Barbara yng Nghaliffornia! Ac mae pawb yn dweud eu bod nhw’n mwynhau’r ffaith bod yna gartwnau yn cyd-fynd gyda’r straeon hefyd, sy’n gwneud i fi wenu.”
Cafodd Siôn Tomos Owen ei eni a’i fagu yn y Rhondda, ac mae e’n byw yno o hyd. Mae’r ail gyfrol yma yn dweud ei hanes yn tyfu’n ddyn a dod yn dad, ac am y lle mae’n ei garu – y Rhondda.
Mae lluniau du a gwyn Siôn yn cyd-fynd â phob un o’r 18 stori fer. Mae geirfa ar bob tudalen a rhestr eirfa yng nghefn y llyfr.
Meddai Siôn Tomos Owen:
“Un o fy hoff bethau am deithio yw cwrdd â phobl newydd ac mae’r niferoedd dwi wedi cwrdd â nhw yn ddiweddar sy’n dysgu Cymraeg mor galonogol. Yn ddiweddar, mae teulu ffrind fy merch wedi newid iaith y tŷ i’r Gymraeg ar ôl dysgu’r iaith – rwy’n sgwrsio gyda’r fam ar y ffordd wrth fynd â fy merch i’r ysgol bob dydd. Mae’r profiad yn gwneud i mi eisiau ysgrifennu mwy o lyfrau i ddysgwyr oherwydd y cynnydd yn y nifer o bobl sy’n dysgu ac mae brwdfrydedd dysgwyr i siarad Cymraeg yn anhygoel!”
Lansiwyd cyfres Amdani yn 2018, prosiect a welodd gweisg Cymru yn cydweithio gyda’r Ganolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol a Chyngor Llyfrau Cymru i ddatblygu a chyhoeddi llyfrau darllen cyffrous yn arbennig at gyfer oedolion sy’n dysgu Cymraeg. Erbyn heddiw mae yna dros 40 o gyfrolau i gyd.
Mae cyfres Amdani eisoes yn boblogaidd ac wedi meithrin darllenwyr brwd. Y gobaith yw y bydd llyfrau fel straeon Siôn Tomos Owen yn annog darllenwyr hen a newydd i ddatblygu eu Cymraeg.
Bydd straeon Y Fawr a’r Fach 2 yn cael eu darllen bob diwrnod ar Faes D yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol am 2 o’r gloch.
Mae Y Fawr a’r Fach 2: Mwy o Straeon o’r Rhondda gan Siôn Tomos Owen ar gael nawr (£6.99, Y Lolfa).
Welsh Born Experimental Drone-Folk Duo 'Peiriant' New 'Can Idris' single Out Friday
By Ceri Shaw, 2024-08-01
BIOGRAPHY
ABOUT
'Peiriant' Online
The Boy From The Coach is a delight to read. If you have ever wondered how life is lived in the innumerable small pubs and Inns which dot the Welsh countryside this book is for you. The author,, J.A.S. ( Tony) Rees, was a frequent visitor to the pub in the late 40's and 50's when he stayed during the school summer holidays. The pub was owned and run by a relative of his mother, May Morgan, who greeted him every summer, "with a Craven A cigarette lodged at the center of her mouth" .The book provides an insight into many of the colorful aspects of rural village life in Wales at the time. The pub's plumbing arrangements are described in the following terms:-
"At the roadside, set against the wall of the Coach and with open access from the road was the 'Gents': a corrugated iron 'privacy' wall was all that sheltered participants from inquisitive eyes and from the weather (there was no roof)."
The village of Llangynidr stands at the confluence of the River Usk and the Afon Crawnon (see map below) . In a later chapter we learn that after heavy rainfall the water would be inundated with brown mud which contained many treats for the fish who would gather there:-
"The locals also took advantage of the opportunity presented. Fishing the Usk proper was only allowed by permit and fee paid, but not so for the Crawnon. So, with thanks for rain and flood, locals...., would crowd the lowest point on the Crawnon, just inches from the Usk , and fish, and fish, for hours. There was jovial local rivalry, and some comments about tangled lines not meant for youthful ears. In all it was a kind of rebellion against the control of fishing waters by the bailiff and the wealthy."
Although short this book offers an invaluable insight into the lighter side of Welsh village life in the post war period. The author's son, Matthew G Rees is a brilliant short story writer ( see linked interviews and reviews below ) and it is evident from the quality of the writing that literary talent runs in the family.
We unreservedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the area or Welsh rural life in general.
The Coach & Horses, Llangynidr
Skäl release their raucous debut single 'All of The People' on Friday the 30th of August on Snowdonia Records
By Ceri Shaw, 2024-07-27
Skäl release their raucous debut single 'All of The People' on Friday the 30th of August on Snowdonia Records.
‘All Of The People’ is an urgent, infectious and exciting debut track from Skäl , that bursts out of the speakers on a wave of tremulous guitar hooks, grooving bass lines and quickfire drums, while Ev Kirwan's vocals hook you in with a swaggering confidence as the song spirals into a frenetic guitar anthem and a rollicking crescendo with fantastic carousel of guitar solos. It reminds one of the resplendent early sound of The Stone Roses, they call it a "cross between The Verve and The Replacements ". It's a frenetic union of anthemic melodies, floor filling grooves and uproarious rock, with an all for one attitude of all the best fledgling gangs possess. Engineered, produced and mixed by Jono Tringham, was recorded at Allo Sounds in Studio Widnes.
Skäl are an alternative five piece rock band from Winsford in Cheshire and a brand new signing to Snowdonia Records, the North Wales based record label that's home to Holy Coves, Sister Envy, Box of Trash, Subterrania . They are made up of Ev Kirwan on vocals, Jack Enty on guitar, Darcy Smith on guitar and backing vocals, Adam Latham on bass and Tom Giltrow on drums and backing vocals.
They cite bands like Smashing Pumpkins, The Verve, The Las, The Replacements, Pixies, Echo and the Bunnymen, Wunderhorse, High Vis and The Real People as an influences yet they are filtered through young magpie eyes of emerging musicians from their hometown of Winsford, with a knack for melodic shots of rock songs, with a burning ambition to be heard by as many people as possible. With a string of releases and shows in the works their unmissable debut single 'All Of The People' is a statement of intent.
Ev Kirwan - Vocals
Jack Enty - Guitar
Darcy Smith - Guitar / Backing Vox
Adam Latham - Bass
Tom Giltrow - Drums / Backing Vox
Tom Emlyn releases tender new single ‘Double-Crossed’ and video filmed in Cardiff by Sam Ffoto Inbox
By Ceri Shaw, 2024-06-27
Tom Emlyn releases his new single ‘Double-Crossed’ on the 21st June. Accompanied by a video filmed by Sam Ffoto / Pypi Slysh. From his forthcoming new album Rehearsal For The Rain: Scaredycat, Vol.2, due for release on August 29th, 2024.
Welsh singer-songwriter Tom Emlyn releases his new single, ‘Double-Crossed’ on the 21st of June. With tender vocals, introspective lyrics caressing a daydreaming guitar motif, and lo-fi percussion it explores the darker side of self-reflection to a stripped back Velvet Underground -inspired groove. Originally written and recorded in lockdown, the song features on his forthcoming album Rehearsal For The Rain: Scaredycat, Vol.2 , due for release on August 29th, 2024.
The self-produced record is his fourth solo effort in the space of two years, continuing an impressive streak of creativity and inspiration. The single is accompanied by a video by Sam Ffoto - a series of photographs, taken rapidly enough to give the illusion of film, on a cold January day in Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff.
What is it that pursues our hero through these frigid spaces? Is it a stranger, a friend, or his own shadow? Explore ‘Double-Crossed’ and find out for yourself. A song that explores self-portrayal and small-town paranoia, but not without a sense of warmth and comfort.
Tom Emlyn's fourth album in two years, Rehearsal For The Rain: Scaredycat Vol. 2 is a self-produced, powerful, fully realised creative statement.The album will be released digitally and on cassette, with a launch show at the Moon, Cardiff on August 29th to celebrate.
In summer 2022, Tom released his debut solo album ‘News From Nowhere’, a bittersweet love letter to his hometown of Swansea, described by Adam Walton (BBC Radio Wales) as a record of “undoubted brilliance, eloquence and energy”. It has been positively received, with airplay and support from Radio Wales, BBC Horizons, R.E.P.E.A.T. fanzine, God Is In The TV, and Joyzine, among others. Tom’s second album ‘I’ve Seen You In Town’ followed quickly– a more mellow, acoustic affair which was also well received. He also released the ‘Scounger EP’ on Bandcamp last February.
His latest record follows hot on the heels of Return Journey Revisited: Scaredycat Vol 1, which was released in May 2023. In the same vein as the first volume, Rehearsal For The Rain gathers up lost fragments from years of songwriting and making music.
A dreamlike, lo-fi psychedelic bedroom pop journey, with elements of prog, blues, indie and alternative folk.
"Peripatetic musical genius" - Adam Walton
"The songs have true emotional depth, are highly tuneful and melodic with lyrical sharpness and shades of dark, combining the magical ingredients of melancholy and wit" - Cath Holland, God Is In The TV zine
"Tom has an unerring knack of turning up with an unexpectedly vivid phrase or metaphor that will jolt you, and make you think" - Richard Rose, R.E.P.E.A.T. fanzine
Artwork: Keith Bolton
https://linktr.ee/tomemlyn
https://tomemlyn.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/tom_emlyn
https://www.instagram.com/tomemlyn/
Adios release impish dark wave of new single 'They' on the 7th of June FFO: Human League, Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode
By Ceri Shaw, 2024-05-22
Adios MF will release the new single ‘They’ on the 7th of June through Dash The Henge Records.
Adios MF is a musical collective spearheaded by Nathan Keeble carving fresh dark wave and electronica sound the underground of Sheffield. Their latest single, "They," was recorded between Brooklyn and Brixton, serves as a sonic manifesto of what's to come. Their music defies categorisation, blending elements of post-punk, electronica, and avant-garde into a sonic tapestry that's uniquely their own.
With sleek production by Nathan Saoudi and Richard Wilson yet coursing with enough detail and character to set it apart, with this impish 80s beat, sinewy guitars, metallic dapping keyboards, and sample loops, it forges a uniquely futuristic sound that’s at once both familiar and yet mirrors the churn of the cityscape.
With a sound that hints at the influence of acts like Human League, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk and Molly Nilsson, the vocals are addictive and almost mechanical, driven with hooky melodic ticks that sink their nails into and won’t let go, and yet the lyrics reside with a disquiet at the creeping gentrification of urban redevelopment “They built a Starbucks on my street” and reference to shadowy figures who might take you away. It hints at a dark underbelly and Sci-fi dystopia where your every action is being watched.
ADIOS MF say “They” is a Kitsch by product of existence amid the constant churn of urban development and the persistent buzz of drilling. It was written as a tonic to the realisation that resistance is futile; you must simply acquiesce to the world of urbanism and let it carry you along on its unpredictable journey, set to a naughty 80s beat.”
Born from the industrial landscape of the north of England. Adios MF was ideated in January 2024, South London's Dash The Henge Records signed them shortly after hearing their demos.
Digital Only
Words & Music by Corey Clifton & Nathan Keeble
Produced by Corey Clifton, Nathan Saoudi & Richard Wilson
Mastered By Richard Wilson
A release by Dash The Henge Records & Cracked Media
CLASSIC COLLECTION OF WELSH FOLK TALES REPUBLISHED ALONGSIDE POSTER OF ARTIST MARGARET D. JONES AND AUTHOR, ROBIN GWYNDAF’S WORK
By Ceri Shaw, 2024-05-22
This week sees an updated 5 th edition of a collection of Welsh folk stories republished. Welsh Folk Tales by Robin Gwyndaf (Y Lolfa) was originally published by the National Museum of Wales in 1989 and is an important record of the folk narrative tradition in Wales.
The 2024 edition has been dedicated to the author’s late wife, Eleri Gwyndaf, who sadly died in 2023.
For a period of over twenty years, Robin Gwyndaf interviewed over 2,500 informants, around 400 of them on tape. This material, both written – in books and journals – and oral testimony of around 600 hours of recordings, “gives the reader a vivid glimpse of that long and creative tradition,” as Colin Ford, Director of the National Museum of Wales, says in his foreword to the third edition in 1995.
Welsh Folk Tales records 63 stories from all over Wales, including ‘The islands of saints’ from Ynys Enlli, ‘The eagles of Snowdon’ from Caernarfonshire, ‘Owain Glyndŵr and the Abbot of Valle Crucis’ from Denbighshire and ‘The death of “Llywelyn our Last Prince”’ from Brecknockshire. It describes the legends and traditions and places them in their historical and social context. It also refers to the types and classification, the themes, function and meaning, as well as the value of the tales themselves. Pronunciation of Welsh words and placenames also features.
Dr Robin Gwyndaf says:
“The need to present the history of Wales in an interesting and meaningful manner to all the inhabitants of the country and beyond, whatever their age or language, has never been more crucial. My hope is that this volume, in Welsh and English, will be a small contribution towards fulfilling a dream. It is my dream that all the people of Wales, and Welsh people living abroad – and, yes, the inhabitants of Britain also – come to appreciate the wealth of our inheritance as a nation – our native language, our literature and our culture. An intrinsic part of that vibrant, wide-ranging culture is our folk tales and folk traditions.”
Only necessary changes have been made to the text, and the wonderful illustrations, now in colour, by artist Margaret D. Jones, who is now 105 years old, still shine in the volume. Margaret Jones was commissioned by the National Museum of Wales in 1988 to illustrate a map featuring the folk tales and traditions of Wales, to be published at the same time as the first edition of the book. Both the book and the A2 poster has been out of print for around 10 years, but will be available again this May for £9.99 each.
The book: Welsh Folk Tales by Robin Gwyndaf (£9.99, Y Lolfa) is available now.
The A2 poster: Welsh Folk Tales by artist Margaret D. Jones, and Robin Gwyndaf, researcher and designer, (£9.99, Y Lolfa) is available now.
SYBS Debut Album / Albym Gynta 'Olew Nadroedd' Out / Mas 03.05 via Libertino
By Ceri Shaw, 2024-05-03
ALBWM CYNTAF SYBS ALLAN YFORY AR LIBERTINO
Mae albwm cyntaf SYBS, 'Olew Nadroedd', yn gapsiwl amser teimladwy o’r cyffro a’r pryderon â ddaw ynghyd wrth dyfu fyny. Er bod y byd o'n cwmpas yn gyffrous a'n lliwgar, mae ymroi yn llawn i'r profiadau newydd hynny yn frawychus ac ar adegau, yn anghyfforddus. Dyna'n union mae Osian Llŷr (cyfansoddwr, prif leisydd a gitarydd SYBS) yn ei gyfleu ar yr albwm.
Eglura Osain: "Yr hyn roedden ni moen cyflawni gyda ‘Olew Nadroedd’ oedd cymryd snapshot o ble oedden ni fel band pan gafodd llawer o’r caneuon eu cyfansoddi; ble roeddem ni’n arbrofi llawer ac yn ceisio ffeindio ein ‘sŵn’, a ble o ni’n agored i fyd o ddylanwadau cerddorol gwahanol.
Cefais fy ysbrydoli gan albyms fel 'I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One' gan Yo La Tengo a 'Fantasma' gan Cornelius, sy'n teimlo fel ryw collages mawr o synau a genres gwahanol, ond sy'n dal i swnio fel eu bod yn perthyn i'r un lle.
Roedd e’n adeg gyffrous iawn yn ein bywydau cyn covid, lle’r oedd y rhan fwyaf ohonom wedi symud i ddinasoedd gwahanol ar gyfer y brifysgol a'n cael yr holl brofiadau newydd yma, ond yn dal i ddod yn ôl i gigio yng Nghaerdydd yn aml iawn. Dwi’n hoffi meddwl ein bo' ni wedi llwyddo i ddal ychydig o’r anhrefn a’r egni o’r cyfnod hwnnw ar yr albwm.
Mae llawer o'r geiriau ar yr albwm yn fyfyriol, yn bryderus a'n ansicr, ond mae'r gerddoriaeth ar y cyfan yn lliwgar, swnllyd, a'n 'llawn'; a dwi'n teimlo bod hynny yn cyfleu'r ddeuoliaeth o ble'r oedden ni pan ddechreuon ni ddod â'r albwm at ei gilydd yn 2018."
Bydd 'Olew Nadroedd' allan ddydd Gwener 3ydd o Fai ar Libertino.
SYBS' debut album, 'Olew Nadroedd', is a moving time capsule of the excitement and wide eye wonder — on one hand fear, and anxiety on the other — of young adulthood. The world outside entices and enthrals yet there is trepidation in fully embracing a life beyond the comfort of childhood. It’s this dichotomy that Osian Llŷr (songwriter, vocalist, guitarist) captures with every note and lyric on SYBS' debut album.
Osian explains: “I think what we wanted to achieve with 'Olew Nadroedd' is a snapshot of where we were as a band when a lot these songs came to fruition; when we were still experimenting with finding our sound, and where we opened ourselves up to a world of musical influences where anything goes.
I was really inspired by albums such as ‘I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One’ by Yo La Tengo and ‘Fantasma’ by Cornelius, that feel like this big collage of sounds and genres, but still manage to sound like they’re coming from the same source.
It was a really exciting time in our lives pre-covid where most of us had moved to different cities for university and were having all these new experiences, but still gigging in Cardiff very frequently, and I like to think we’ve managed to capture some of that chaos and energy in the album.
A lot of the lyrics are reflective, anxious and uncertain but the music for the most part is vibrant, noisy, and almost hyperactive; and I feel like that really captures the dichotomy of where we were at when the album started coming together around 2018. You have all this enthusiasm and curiosity for the world but you’re not really sure what to make of any of it or what you’re meant to be doing, so you end up being open to everything.”
'Olew Nadroedd' is out this Friday 3rd May via Libertino.
