Alan James Creative Bursaries 2019
The English Folk Dance and Song Society have awarded four new bursaries.
Thu, 08 August 19
Noeth
Released 26 April 2019
- Llyn Du (Acoustic)
- Yr Olaf (Acoustic)
- Lliwiau (Acoustic)
- Llwybrau (Acoustic)
Liner notes
9Bach’s music is an atmospheric, evocative hybrid of the Welsh folk tradition and of contemporary influences and working practices. Following three album releases, one of which —Tincian— received the coveted BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Album of the Year, Noeth is an acoustic four track EP performed Lisa Jên and Martin Hoyland. Songs from Tincian and the following album, Anian, are stripped back to their most ethereal and beautiful form. First up is ‘Llyn Du’ —which translates as ‘Black Lake’.
‘Yr Olaf’, isinspired by a photo of Sudan —the last male white rhino— written from the perspective of a poacher, where Lisa is questioning what kind of person wants to destroy such an amazing thing, has pleasure in planting their dagger in leathery skin and enjoys the last glimmer in their eye.
‘Lliwiau’ means colours. It’s a positive outlook on childbirth— all the pain and craziness, the brightly coloured shapes, the tunnel vision, when you close your eyes and the instant love that you feel for this soul that comes out.
‘Llwybrau’ means paths, based on a poem called ‘LLwybrau Unig’ by William Griffiths.
Further Listening
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Released 29 April 2016
‘Anian’ is 9Bach's third album. Like 2014's ‘Tincian’ it begins in North Wales, but broadens out through Greek and Near Eastern influences into an emotional tour de force. Angry, sad, but most of all passionate at the state of the world, the album taps into a truly universal language. -
Released 12 May 2014
9Bach's second album is an atmospheric, emotional record that reflects their home environment of Gerlan, North Wales. The songs on the album are all stories: some of them autobiographical, some are other people's true stories and others imaginary. A hybrid of the Welsh folk tradition, and of contemporary influences and working practices.
Further reading
BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominations for The Breath and Ríoghnach Connolly
The 2019 awards ceremony will take place in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on 16 October.
Wed, 31 July 19
Real World at the British Library Sound Archive
The British Library Archive have been recording artists at the WOMAD Festival for over 30 years.
Sun, 04 August 19
Track of the day: ‘Áthas’ by The Gloaming
Find out more about one of the stand-out tracks on The Gloaming's third album.
Wed, 04 September 19