Al Lewis (singer-songwriter)
Encyclopedia
Al Lewis is a Welsh
singer and songwriter
. He is well known in the Welsh language
media, after he came second in the Cân i Gymru
contest in 2007.
In 2007, Lewis released his first Welsh
language EP
entitled, "Byw Mewn Breuddwyd". Lewis appeared at the Wakestock Festival
, alongside Mark Ronson
, and at the inaugural Sŵn Festival
in Cardiff.
In June 2009, Lewis released his first Welsh language album, Sawl Ffordd Allan, 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
.
Lewis' album, In the Wake, was released in October 2010.
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."
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He is well known in the Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
media, after he came second in the Cân i Gymru
Cân i Gymru
Cân i Gymru is a Welsh television show broadcast on S4C annually. It was first introduced 42 years ago when BBC Cymru wanted to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. It usually takes place at Afan Lido in Port Talbot. It has taken place every year except 1973...
contest in 2007.
History
Lewis participated in Cân i Gymru in 2007, the 38th edition of the competition. He came second in the competition with the song "Llosgi" ("Burning"), composed by Lewis and Arwel Lloyd Owen.In 2007, Lewis released his first Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
language EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
entitled, "Byw Mewn Breuddwyd". Lewis appeared at the Wakestock Festival
Wakestock (Wales)
Wakestock is Europe's largest wakeboard music festival, combining the cultures of music and the world's fastest growing watersport in a weekend of high-octane excitement! It is held on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, in between Pwllheli and Llanbedrog....
, alongside Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
, and at the inaugural Sŵn Festival
Swn
The Sŵn Festival is a music festival curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens and Cardiff-based promoter John Rostron, which takes place annually in Stephens' hometown of Cardiff, Wales. The first Sŵn Festival took place on the 9–11 November 2007...
in Cardiff.
In June 2009, Lewis released his first Welsh language album, Sawl Ffordd Allan, reaching number one in the C2
C2 (radio)
C2 is a Welsh language music and youth strand on BBC Radio Cymru, broadcast on weeknights between 8pm and 1am from BBC Cymru's studios in Cardiff and Bangor....
Radio Cymru
BBC Radio Cymru
BBC Radio Cymru is BBC Cymru's Welsh-language radio station, broadcasting throughout Wales from studios in Cardiff, Bangor, and Aberystwyth on FM since 1977. At the time of its launch it was one of the few FM-only radio services in the UK...
Welsh language chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
, and the Skin & Bones EP, in collaboration with fellow Welsh singer and songwriter Sarah Howells of Paper Aeroplanes
Paper Aeroplanes
Paper Aeroplanes are an alternative pop band from West Wales formed around 2009, although both members have played together since 2003.-History:...
.
Lewis' album, In the Wake, was released in October 2010.
Lewis and Howells have also recorded a live video session for the BBC. BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Wales is the BBC's national radio station broadcasting to Wales in the English language. Operated by BBC Wales, it began broadcasting on 12 November 1978 following the demise of the old "Radio 4 Wales" when BBC Radio 4 became a national network and moved from medium wave to long wave...
described his collaboration with Howells as showing "cinematic mainstream melodies reminiscent of James Blunt or Simon and Garfunkel."
EP
- Byw mewn Breuddwyd (2007), ALM
- Dilyn pob Cam (2008), SainSainSain , in full – Recordiau Sain Cyf is a Welsh record label, which was in the Welsh folk revival....
- One Way Love Affair (2008), ALM
- Skin and Bones (2009), ALM