Gai Toms

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Gai Toms
Background information
Birth name Gareth J Thomas
Born (1976-09-14) 14 September 1976
Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales
Origin Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales
Genres Folk, brythonicana, rock, pop
Occupations Composer, producer
Instruments guitar, bass, drums, banjo
Years active 1992–present
Labels Sbensh / Sain (UK)
Associated acts Anweledig
Website www.gaitoms.com

Gareth 'Gai' J Thomas 'Toms' (born 14 September 1976 in Bangor, Wales) is a Welsh singer-songwriter, music artist and producer. In 1992 he co-formed the popular Welsh language ska rock band Anweledig. From 1997 to 2007 he performed using pseudonym Mim Twm Llai. He has also worked as an actor and writes music for television and theatre.

Background

Toms was raised in the slate quarry community of Tanygrisiau near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Son of ex-quarryman/heavy goods/bus driver Robert Meurig Thomas and school caretaker Margaret Gwenda, younger brother of Elaine. On his 13th birthday, Toms received a nylon strung Spanish guitar and a chord book, and he quickly taught himself to play.

At secondary school, Ysgol y Moelwyn, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Toms was keen on sports. Music quickly overtook his passion for sport. Toms and his friends were musically motivated by the bands of the time, especially Welsh-language bands such as Mistecs, Cylchoed Hud, Ffa Coffi Pawb, Hanner Pei, Aros Mae and Y Gofodwyr Piws. Mainstream popular bands also influenced them: The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, AC/DC and Guns N' Roses. With these influences Toms and friends decided to form a band, Anweledig.

Music career

Toms mainly performs in his first language, Cymraeg (Welsh), though he has written in English as well. He mainly writes in narrative form, allowing lyrical rhythms to guide the music. Some have dubbed him a poet, his early solo material (Mim Twm Llai) was compared to Welsh-language pop/folk pioneer Meic Stevens and later work described as Waitsian. Toms's music styles include folk ballad, reggae/ska, blues, rock and pop, all peppered with experimental tendencies. Among his influences are Meic Stevens, Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion, Tom Waits, Manu Chao, Super Furry Animals, John Prine, Django Reinhardt, Old Crow Medicine Show, Devendra Banhart, Bright Eyes, The Clash and Jim Noir.

Toms had been performing as a solo artist (though sometimes with a backing band) post-Anweledig. In 2008 he released an eco-concept album titled Rhwng y Llygru a'r Glasu. This brought two more BBC Radio Cymru RAP Awards to his collection, one for best songwriter and the other for best artist. The album was recorded at his home in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, using clean energy and drums salvaged from junkyards; the album artwork and packaging from recycled material.[1] Songs contain issues on sustainability, questioning our existence and purpose in the world today. The album was the first release on Toms's own micro-label, Sbensh.

In March 2012 Toms won the prestigious Cân i Gymru music competition.[2] He has participated in the show/competition several times before under different guises.

In November 2012, Toms announced that he intended to release a double album of 22 new songs entitled Bethel featuring ten "original timeless folk songs" and twelve "multi-genre classics". The album was released at the end of the year. Toms has been performing mostly in Wales during 2013.

Gai Toms discography

  • Rhwng y Llygru a'r Glasu (Album/CD - 2008) Sbensh CD001
  • Bethel (Double Album/CD - 2012) Sbensh CD002

Mim Twm Llai discography

  • O'r Sbensh (Album/CD - 2002) Crai
  • Straeon y Cymdogion (Album/CD - 2005) Crai
  • Yr Eira Mawr (Album/CD - 2006) Crai

Anweledig discography

  • Sombreros yn y Glaw (Album/CD/Cassette - 1998) Crai
  • Cae yn Nefyn (EP/CD - 1999) Crai
  • Scratchy (EP/CD - 2000) Zion Train collaboration. Crai
  • Gweld y Llun (Album/CD - 2001) Crai
  • Low Alpine (EP/CD - 2001) Crai
  • Byw (EP/CD - 2004) Crai

Other releases

  • 2005: Dore, Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion (plays bass)
  • 2006: Llythyrau Ellis Williams (sings Dilyn Gorwelion)
  • 2006: Dan y Cownter 2, compiled by Huw Stephens (one song as Mim Twm Llai)

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.festival.si.edu/2009/welsh-rocker-gai-toms/
  2. ↑ http://www.s4c.co.uk/e_press_level2.shtml?id=622
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