Awst Releases New Single ‘Afallon’

Awst releases his bittersweet new single ‘Afallon’ that captures childhood memories, out now.

Awst is the project of Eryri musician Cynyr Hamer. Awst returns with bittersweet new single ‘Afallon’ a hazy wistful song about not being able to recapture childhood memories of long hot summers in the 90s, spending time with family in his grandparents home. Hamer says “over the years our grandparents’ home has become like a mythical magical place which exists only in our memories, like the mythical story of Avalon.”

With a redolent, glowing, psych tinged strum and lilting vocals, it’s a wistful and gorgeous window into childhood and fond memories. The accompanying video is a snapshot of that place and time, filmed by his dad through a larger camcorder in the early 1990s.

“And to be in the place of my home, now I seek for that place far within my memory”

Having been involved in various other bands over the years, such as Worldcub, Hippies Vs Ghosts, and We Are Animal, Awst is Cynyr’s more personal solo brainchild. Active since 2021, a handful of releases are already under the belt, including debut album ‘Haul/Lloer’ follow up self titled album ‘Awst’ and newly released album’ Mewn Côf’. All released within a year.

Awst’s songs are crafted from acoustic melodies, layered with dreamy guitars and synths, with the occasional horn sections. The material is written and recorded entirely by Cynyr on a tascam multitrack recorder in a caravan up in the Eryri hills. The songs are recorded almost always on first takes, keeping the live element of excitement of playing the parts for the first time, with spontaneity, playfulness and freedom captured in the music. The songs often conjure up nostalgic feelings at the end of summer, capturing bittersweet memories and sounds.

Having played electro-acoustic sets at numerous shows in the past year, including FOCUS Wales Festival and FOCUS Wales’ Dydd Miwsig Cymru event,  Awst set out to release his third album, with the single ‘Hafan’ being the first to appear, followed by second single ‘Aros Tan Ddydd’, ‘Afallon’; is the third and final single to be released from his summer album release titled ‘Mewn Côf’.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Hippies vs Ghosts Release 5th Album ‘Giamocs’

Owain Ginsberg (The Heights, We Are Animal) returns with Hippies vs Ghosts 5th album titled ‘Giamocs’ released via Bandcamp.

The Welsh multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter & producer is on fine form as always, he is easily one of the most consistent song-writers over the past two decades. ‘Giamocs’ oozes class from beginning to end.

Recorded at his home studio in France the record has elements of Can and songs which wouldn’t be out of place on a Quentin Tarantino or Guy Ritchie movie soundtrack, to be fair that would be a poor portrayal of his song-writing because for me his songs are in a different league to any songs that ever appear in these movies.

Owain has an ability that not many other musicians can ever reach. He always manages to capture something which sounds so alive and free, tribal in space! Some of the best melodies and riffs you could never imagine. He really attacks your mind with melodies, its futuristic yet still has the deepest of roots and gets right into your soul.

I’m not the first to say that Owain is a living genius. I’ve heard it said by some of the best names in music over the years.

Listen to ‘Giamocs’ here
https://ghostsvshippies.bandcamp.com/album/giamocs-lp

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com