Sŵnami

Sŵnami (Welsh pronunciation: [suːˈnaːmi]) 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]

Sŵnami
Sŵnami in 2012
Sŵnami in 2012
Background information
OriginDolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales
GenresIndie Rock
Years active2011–present
LabelsRasal (2012–14)
I Ka Ching (2014–2021)
CÔSH (2021–present)
MembersIfan Davies
Ifan Ywain
Gruff Jones
Gerwyn Murray
Lewis Williams
Past membersHuw Ynyr
Tom Ayres

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]
2021 "Theatr" Theatre Recordiau Côsh
2021 "Uno, Cydio, Tanio" Unite, Embrace, Ignite Recordiau Côsh
2022 "Be Bynnag Fydd" Whatever Will Be Recordiau Côsh
2022 "Paradis Disparu" Lost Paradise Recordiau Côsh
2022 "Wyt Ti'n Clywed?" Do you Hear? Recordiau Côsh

EPs and albums
Release Title English translation Type Label
2013 Du a Gwyn Black and White EP Rasal Miwsig
2015 Sŵnami Album Recordiau I Ka Ching
2022 Sŵnamii[8] Album Recordiau Côsh

References
  1. "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. "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 News. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  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 7 June 2020.
  8. "Sŵnamii | Review - Wales Arts Review - Reviews". Wales Arts Review. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
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