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Sŵnami

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Guitarmankev1 (talk | contribs) at 23:38, 6 August 2020 (http://www.swnami.com/ no longer directs to band's website). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Sŵnami
Sŵnami in 2012
Sŵnami in 2012
Background information
OriginDolgellau, North Wales
GenresIndie Rock
Years active2011 - present
LabelsRasal (2012-14)
I Ka Ching (2014-present)
MembersIfan Davies
Ifan Ywain
Gruff Jones
Gerwyn Murray
Lewis Williams
Past membersHuw Ynyr
Tom Ayres

Sŵnami (pronounced /sˈnɑːmi/) are a Welsh indie rock group from Dolgellau, north-west Wales, who sing predominantly in Welsh. They won the Welsh Language Album of the Year prize at the 2016 National Eisteddfod of Wales. Their name is a play on the word 'tsunami' and the Welsh word for sound, "Sŵn", to convey the idea of a wave of sound.[1]

Background

Sŵnami was formed around the beginning of 2011.[1] The band's lead singer is Bangor University graduate Ifan Davies, who is from outside Llanegryn, Gwynedd.[2] The other members of the band are Ifan Ywain (guitar), Gerwyn Murray (bass), Lewis Williams (drums), Gruff Jones (synth).[3] They describe their style as "rocky with a bit of synth".[1]

The band won the Brwydr Y Bandiau (Battle of the Bands) at the 2011 National Eisteddfod in Wrexham.[3] In 2012 they beat nine other bands to win Wakestock Battle of the Bands and secure a place on the line up of the Welsh festival.[1]

In 2015 Sŵnami won awards for Best EP or Single (for their single "Cynnydd" / "Gwenwyn") and Best Video (for "Gwenwyn") at the Welsh Y Selar music awards.[4]

The band's first album, Sŵnami, was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize in 2016[5] and was the winner of Welsh-Language Album of the Year at the 2016 National Eisteddfod held in Abergavenny.[6]

Ifan Davies (lead singer) also plays guitar for Yws Gwynedd and Yr Eira, and Lewis Williams plays the drums for Candelas.

Discography

Singles

Release Title English translation Label
2012 "Mynd a Dod"  Come and go Rasal Miwsig
2012 "Eira" Snow Rasal Miwsig
2014 "Gwenwyn" Poison Recordiau I Ka Ching
2014 "Cynnydd" Growth/Progress Recordiau I Ka Ching
2017 "Dihoeni" Pining Recordiau Tp[7]

EPs and albums

Release Title English translation Type Label
2013 Du a Gwyn Black and White EP Rasal Miwsig
2015 Sŵnami Sŵnami Album Recordiau I Ka Ching

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Dolgellau group Swnami wins 2012 Wakestock Battle of the Bands". Wales Online. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  2. ^ Daniel Bissett (22 October 2016). "Relive the performances leading Welsh bands in Gig y Pafiliwn". North Wales Daily Post. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Horizons - Sŵnami". BBC. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  4. ^ David Owens (23 February 2015). "Yws Gwynedd, Candelas and Sŵnami triumphant at Welsh music awards". Wales Online. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Welsh Music Prize shortlist for 2016 unveiled - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  6. ^ "Swnami win this year's Welsh Language Album of the Year". Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Dihoeni by Sŵnami on Amazon Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-06-07.

Template:Welsh musicians