Brigyn
Brigyn are a Welsh music act from North Wales, consisting of the brothers Eurig and Ynyr Roberts.
The brothers formed Brigyn in 2004 after the break-up of their previous group Epitaff. After signing to the Gwynedd label Gwynfryn Cymunedol, their eponymous debut album was released in late 2004. A Welsh-language release, the album received considerable airplay on Radio Cymru; one of the tracks, 'Sonar' was selected by BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens for inclusion on the Dan Y Cownter showcase CD released by the Welsh Music Foundation in 2005. Later that year, a second album, Brigyn2, was released on Gwynfryn Cymunedol.
In 2006, Brigyn toured Wales, playing the Sesiwn Fawr festival in Dolgellau in July and the Green Man Festival later in the summer. A tour of Ireland soon followed. Also in 2006, the remix CD Ailgylchu (Recycle) was released, containing remixes by Welsh underground artists of Brigyn songs.
Brigyn achieved prominence in the media through successfully obtaining the permission of Leonard Cohen to release a Welsh-language version of his 1984 song 'Hallejujah'.
Brigyn won the Pan Celtic Song Contest in 2011.
Biography
Since their formation, Brigyn have received plentiful airplay and TV appearances in Wales and the UK.
Their sound is a mixture of modern folk music, rhythm loops and orchestral samples. The brothers cite various artists as influences, including Björk, Simon & Garfunkel, and 20th century classical composers. The band have shared a stage with artists ranging from world famous tenor José Carreras to The Incredible String Band. To date they have performed at The Green Man Festival, Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Small Nations Festival, Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau, and also at popular Welsh language festivals such as Maes B and Gwyl y Faenol (Brynfest).
Following the success of their eponymously titled debut album in 2004, Brigyn released their second album Brigyn2 in Autumn 2005. Successful tours of San Francisco and Ireland followed in late 2005 and April 2006 respectively. A collection of rare songs were released exclusively on iTunes and limited edition vinyl late in 2006 and a re-mix concept album, Ailgylchu, was released in August 2007. In late 2007, Brigyn embarked on an epic 10-date tour of venues around Wales, that included an appearance at the Swn Festival. They also became the first ever group to perform at the new Milkwood Jam venue in Swansea.
Their third studio album Brigyn3 was released in May 2008, and the promotional campaign for the album began with an exclusive live session in 'The Hub', London for Tom Robinson's show on BBC 6 Music.
Following a touring schedule in 2008 that included a return to playing at the Green Man Festival, Brigyn released the single "Haleliwia" in November - a Welsh-language adaption of Leonard Cohen's, "Hallelujah". A Welsh-language single ("Yr Arth a'r Lloer" - "The Bear and the Moon") was released at the end of 2009.
Brigyn released their first ever English-language material in 2010; the single "One Way Streets" was made available on 1 March as a download from the iTunes Store.