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Dydd Miwsig Cymru - Welsh Language Music Day

To celebrate Dydd Miwsig Cymru - Welsh Language Music Day on Friday 7 February, Heledd Watkins talks through her favourite Welsh language artists.

Who am I?

My name's Heledd, and I'm a musician who performs in a band called HMS Morris. It's hard to describe our sound exactly, but as a rough guide, we make bilingual psychedelic pop/rock.

We're inspired by Welsh bands from the 90s, such as Super Furry Animals and Melys, and contemporary acts such as Chairlift, St Vincent and Ariel Pink.

A woman back to back with a man wearing a green baseball hat, with a large sculpture in the background
HMS Morris

When I'm not performing with the band I work at Wales Millennium Centre. I'm part of the creative learning team, arranging family activities.

I'm really looking forward to Welsh Language Music Day. It's a great opportunity to discover new Welsh music and to see some of my favourite bands playing live.

Here are a few of my favourite artists who are releasing music now, and some gigs I'm looking forward to seeing on the day...

Five of my favourites

1. Georgia Ruth is a well-known name on the Welsh music scene. Her music is folky, very pretty with a hint of Country. On 20 March she'll be releasing her latest album, Mai.

2. Rhodri Brooks is a musician who has toured the world performing with the band Novo Amor. He's also released music with fellow Cardiffian Eugene Capper; their album, Pontvane, was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize in 2018. Rhodri will be releasing his latest single, Tynnu Gwaed, on Welsh Language Music Day.

3. Melin Melyn 
This is one of my favourite Welsh language bands. If you mixed Talking Heads with Euros Childs you'd get Melin Melyn. Their live shows are fantastic - full of humour and endless tunes.

4. Cotton Wolf
If you're a fan of atmospheric electronica, this is the duet for you. Lauren Laverne is a huge fan and their album, Life In Analogue, was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize.

5. Ynys is Dylan Hughes. Dylan is a former member of one of my favourite ever bands – Radio Luxembourg. Ynys is a melting pot of synth-pop and pretty melodies. Catch a performance at Tŷ Pawb in Wrexham, to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day.

Discover your own favourites by listening to the Welsh Language Music Day playlist here.

Gigs you can't miss

There'll be gigs happening right across Wales during this weekend. A great reason to leave the house on a cold and wet February weekend. Here are a few of my recommendations...

7 February: Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff – Papur Wal, Los Blancos, Ynys

7 February: Cinema & Co, Swansea – HMS Morris, Cotton Wolf, Rhodri Brooks

8 February: Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham – Adwaith, Eitha Da, Chroma, Worldcub, Melin Melyn, Meilir

If you can't make the gigs, you can also listen online.