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.
Al Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1984 Pwllheli, Wales |
| Genres | Folk, pop, Welsh |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | ALM, Sain |
| Website | allewismusic |
Biography
editLewis attended Ysgol y Creuddyn in Llandudno, 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,[citation needed] 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
editAlbums
edit- Sawl Ffordd Allan (2009), Sain
- In the Wake (2010), ALM
- Ar Gof a Chadw (2011)
- Battles (2013), ALM
- Heulwen o Hiraeth (2014) – as Al Lewis Band
- Ghost (2016), Celticana Records – with Alva Leigh as Lewis & Leigh
- Pethe Bach Aur (2018) – as Al Lewis Band
- Te yn y Grug (2020) – as Al Lewis
EPs
edit- 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
edit- ^ S4C.co.uk Archived 26 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine [full citation needed]
- ^ a b c 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 Archived 30 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine [full citation needed]
- ^ Swnfest.com Archived 21 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine [full citation needed]
- ^ Sainwales.com[permanent dead link]
- ^ Al Lewis, BBC walesmusic, last updated 8 March 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ BBC.co.uk [full citation needed]
- ^ 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.