Cynefin

Cynefin' (pr. kuh-neh-vin) is the creative vision of West Wales native Owen Shiers. Fascinated by music and history, it is a bid to give a modern voice to Ceredigion’s rich yet neglected cultural heritage. Starting out from his home village of Capel Dewi in the Clettwr Valley and traveling through the local musical landscape, Owen has unearthed seasoned songs and stories, some never before recorded, and given them new life in the present.

The result of three years’ research and work, his debut album ‘Dilyn Afon’ (Following A River) is distinct both in its concept and ambition. From talking animals and tragic train journeys – to the musings of star crossed lovers, farm workers and lonely vagabonds, the album provides a unique window into the past and to a vibrant oral culture of story and song - it moves, probes and reveals forgotten aspects of the tradition, whilst raising questions around our modern malaise of disconnection and rootlessness.

Nominated for Welsh Album of the Year 2020, Cynefin gives Owen a platform to ply his intricate arranging skills whilst taking him right back to his roots. 

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Cynefin yw gweledigaeth greadigol Owen Shiers, brodor o orllewin Cymru. Wedi’i swyno gan gerddoriaeth a hanes, mae’n ymgais i roi llais modern i dreftadaeth ddiwylliannol gyfoethog Ceredigion sydd wedi mynd yn angof. Gan gychwyn o’i bentref genedigol, Capel Dewi yn Nyffryn Clettwr a theithio drwy’r dirwedd gerddorol leol, mae Owen wedi darganfod hen ganeuon a straeon, rhai na recordiwyd erioed o’r blaen, ac wedi rhoi bywyd newydd iddynt yn y presennol.

Mae ei albwm cyntaf ‘Dilyn Afon’, sy’n ffrwyth tair blynedd o ymchwil a gwaith, yn wahanol o ran cysyniad ac uchelgais. O anifeiliaid sy’n siarad a siwrneiau trên trychinebus - i synfyfyrion cariadon truenus, gweithwyr fferm a chrwydriaid unig, mae’r albwm yn rhoi cipolwg unigryw i ddiwylliant llafar y gorffennol ac i ddiwylliant stori a chân fu unwaith mor fyw. Mae’n symud, stilio ac yn dadorchuddio agweddau angof y traddodiad, wrth godi cwestiynau hefyd ynghylch ein gwendidau modern o ddiffyg cysylltiad a diffyg gwreiddiau.

Wedi’i enwebu ar gyfer Albwm Cymraeg y Flwyddyn 2020, mae Cynefin yn rhoi llwyfan i Owen arfer ei sgiliau trefnu cywrain tra’n ei dywys yn ôl i’w wreiddiau.

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