Al Lewis (singer-songwriter)
| Al Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1984 Pwllheli, Wales |
| Genres | Folk, pop, cymraeg |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years active | 2007—present |
| Labels | ALM, Sain |
| Associated acts |
|
| Website | Official website |
Al Lewis (born 1984 in Pwllheli, Wales) is a Welsh singer and songwriter. He became known in the Welsh language media after his song came second in the Cân i Gymru[1] contest in 2007.
Biography
Lewis attended Ysgol y Creuddyn in Conwy, where he formed a cover band called Bluewood.[2]
He participated in Cân i Gymru in 2007, the 38th edition of the competition. He came second in the competition with the song Llosgi (Burning), jointly composed by Lewis and Arwel Lloyd Owen.[3]
In 2007, Lewis released his first Welsh language EP entitled Byw Mewn Breuddwyd. Lewis appeared at the Wakestock Festival,[4] alongside Mark Ronson, and at the inaugural Sŵn Festival[5] in Cardiff.
In June 2009, Lewis released his first Welsh language album, Sawl Ffordd Allan,[6] reaching number one in the C2 Radio Cymru Welsh language chart, and the Skin & Bones EP, in collaboration with fellow Welsh singer and songwriter Sarah Howells of Paper Aeroplanes.[7]
Lewis and Howells have also recorded a live video session for the BBC. BBC Radio Wales described his collaboration with Howells as showing "cinematic mainstream melodies reminiscent of James Blunt or Simon and Garfunkel."[8]
Lewis' album, In the Wake, was released in October 2010.
In early 2013, Lewis released his second English language album, which again featured backing vocals from Sarah Howells. The album also features a rerecorded version of Llosgi. The album was produced by Charlie Peacock.[9] The album was recorded at his home studio in Nashville.
In December 2013 Lewis released a Christmas single, A Child's Christmas in Wales, in homage to Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas.[2][10] The song was added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist.[2]
By his links in Nashville, Lewis met Mississippi-born singer-songwriter Alva Leigh and they formed the band Lewis and Leigh. As of October 2014 Lewis and Leigh have released a four-track EP, Night Drives. The EP features three original songs and a cover of Wilco's Say You Miss Me.
Lewis's music is regularly played on BBC Radio 2. In 2015 he headlined the bill at Sesiwn Fawr in Dolgellau.[11]
Discography
Albums
- Sawl Ffordd Allan (2009), Sain
- In the Wake (2010), ALM
- Ar Gof A Chadw (2011)
- Battles (2013), ALM
- Heulwen o Hiraeth (2014)
EPs
- Byw mewn Breuddwyd (2007), ALM
- Dilyn pob Cam (2008), Sain
- One Way Love Affair (2008), ALM
- Skin and Bones (2009), ALM
- Our Lines Remain (2012), ALM
References
- ↑ S4C.co.uk Archived 2011-05-26 at the Wayback Machine.
- 1 2 3 Kathryn Williams (22 December 2013) "The Welsh singer-songwriter with a surprise Christmas hit that cost just £1,000 to make", Wales Online. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ↑ "Einir yn ennill Cân i Gymru" (in Welsh), BBC Cymru, 5 March 2007.
- ↑ Wakestock.co.uk
- ↑ Swnfest.com
- ↑ Sainwales.com
- ↑ Al Lewis, BBC walesmusic, last updated 8 March 2010. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
- ↑ BBC.co.uk
- ↑ Al Lewis – Battles, Newsoundwales website, 9 February 2013.
- ↑ Al Lewis (interview), Newsoundwales website, 2 October 2014.
- ↑ "Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau in 2015 is "bigger and better"". Daily Post. North Wales. 26 June 2015.