9Bach

9Bach
Lisa Jen Brown performing with 9Bach at Gwyl Hanner Cant, a celebration of 50 years of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg
Lisa Jen Brown performing with 9Bach at Gwyl Hanner Cant, a celebration of 50 years of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg
Background information
OriginBethesda, Wales
GenresFolk, world music, acid folk
Years active2005–present
LabelsReal World Records
MembersLisa Jên
Martin Hoyland
Esyllt Glyn Jones
Mirain Roberts
Dan Swain
Andy Gangadeen
Past membersAli Byworth
Websitewww.9bach.com

9Bach is an alternative folk group formed by Welsh singer-songwriter and pianist Lisa Jên and guitarist Martin Hoyland, a veteran of 1990s alt-rock band Pusherman.[1] The group now includes Dan Swain (bass guitar), Esyllt Glyn Jones (harp, vocals), Mirain Roberts (vocals) and Andy Gangadeen (drums). The sextet's name puns on "nain", the word for "grandmother" in north Wales; "bach" means "small" in Welsh.[2]

When the group began in 2005, its repertoire mainly consisted of traditional Welsh-language folk songs.[3] Its self-titled debut album was released in 2009. Lisa Jên sang on Gruff Rhys's 2007 album, Candylion,[4] and toured with Rhys in that period.

In 2015, 9Bach's album Tincian ("resonate") won Best Album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.[5] The band was joined onstage by Bethesda-based male voice choir Côr Penrhyn for their final song of the evening.[6]

The band's third album, Anian, ("nature") was released 13 May 2016. Its title song was written by actor-musician Rhys Ifans, who sings it on 9Bach's recording. "Deryn" is sung by musician and Real World founder Peter Gabriel. The album incorporates Greek and Middle Eastern musical influences.[7]

  1. ^ "Pusherman – Biography & History – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Real World Records". Realworldrecords.com. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  3. ^ "BBC Cymru – C2 – Sesiynau – 9 Bach". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  4. ^ "9Bach – Biography & History – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  5. ^ "Homegrown talent shines as Wales hosts BBC folk awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  6. ^ "News — 9Bach". 9bach.com. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Real World Records". Realworldrecords.com. Retrieved 5 August 2017.