Welsh Chamberfolk trio VRï are returning on 28th October with their new album ‘islais a genir’ which will be released on the esteemed and much loved independent record label bendigedig.
Their 2018 debut album ‘Ty Ein Tadau’ (House Of Our Fathers’) received Best Album and Best Traditional Welsh Language Track in the Wales Folk Awards and a nomination at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Best Traditional Song, as well as a nomination for the Welsh Music Prize.
VRï are Jordan Price Williams (cello, voice), Aneirin Jones (fiddle, voice) and Patrick Rimes (viola, fiddle, voice). They are already members of other established bands on the traditional music circuit – Calan, Elfen, NoGood Boyo. Today, they have shared a video for Cainc Sain Tathan from their new album. The video was filmed at Trefaes Uchaf, Bethania, an old Welsh Georgian-style mid-19th Century farmhouse.
It must have been quite a beautiful experience to have witnessed this being recorded in such a place as Trefaes Uchaf, considering the history of suppression of such music by Methodist chapels, and, earlier, its language by the Act of Union. You’ll be swept away when you hear their voices – try and catch them on one of their upcoming tour dates. (see below).
bendigedig shared the following on VRï:
VRï are three young men from deepest, darkest chapel-going Wales who have mined the cultural upheaval of past centuries and drawn inspiration from the incredible story of a time when Wales’ traditional music and dance was suppressed by Methodist chapels, and, earlier, its language by the Act of Union. As audio archaeologists, VRï have unearthed long-lost nuggets that shed a new light on a vibrant folk tradition that harnesses the raw energy of the fiddle with the finesse of the violin, the beauty of chamber music with the joy and hedonism of a pub session. Their songs, sung with powerful vocal harmonies, tell stories of the people who struggled 200 years ago, just as many struggle today. It’s a wonderful and unique soundscape that connects across the centuries to give us a sense of belonging, of community, and a magical feeling of weightlessness and uplifting freedom.
Tour Dates
JULY
17 Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau
With special guest Beth Celyn
29 + 30 Cambridge Folk Festival
AUGUST
2 Tŷ Gwerin, Eisteddfod
18 Dome Stage, Snape Maltings SOLD OUT
SEPTEMBER
3 + 4 Gŵyl Gerdd Ryngwladol Abergwaun a Gorllewin Cymru/
Fishguard and West Wales International Music Festival
9 Galeri, Caernarfon
With special guest Beth Celyn
OCTOBER
28 Yn Neuadd Les/The Welfare, Ystradgynlais
29 Wyeside, Builth Wells
NOVEMBER
3 RWCMD, Caerdydd/Cardiff
11 The Met, Bury
12 Mwldan, Aberteifi CARDIGAN
15 Pound Arts Centre, CORSHAM
More here: https://www.vri.cymru/