Lockdown, and treasure found in the attic, inspires the debut album from Mari Mathias
TRADITIONAL folk singer-songwriter Mari Mathias, of Roath, has released her debut album which tells old Celtic tales from her home in Ceredigion.
Annwn, released by Jigcal Records, uses samples from her late grandad’s cassette tapes which she found in the attic during lockdown. It focuses on themes of history, nature, community and patriotism.
“My family history has been an enormous influence on the album, and reconnecting with memories and family stories has given me a deeper understanding of our communities and our connection to our land and history,” said Mari, 21.
The pandemic sparked Mari’s desire to experiment with musical genres and techniques.
She said: “The pandemic and the lockdowns have given me a lot of time to reflect. With gigs being cancelled and social events looming, I had a lot more time on my hands to explore ideas and experiment.”
Mari recently got Track of the Week on BBC Radio Cymru with her first single from the album Rebel, inspired by the Rebecca Riots (a series of protests made by tenant farmers against the payment of fees to use the roads) and the character of Twm Carnabwth, the Pembrokeshire protest leader.
Her second single, Annwn, was played on BBC Radio Wales.
Host Adam Walton said: “It’s absolutely jaw-dropping, with a sense of mythology and Welsh folk music as well. The mood and atmosphere of that track is something else.
“It’s not an easy thing to do, to record something that evocatively. Mari’s voice, as many people are remarking, is absolutely beautiful.”
Through her music, Mari integrates voices from Celtic history with contemporary folk melodies. She uses current sounds to bring Welsh language music to the forefront of the music industry.
The album includes songs in Welsh and English. Some songs are reinterpretations of traditional Welsh songs, which all share a narrative of politics, love, folklore, and a connection to Mari’s homeland in Ceredigion.
Mari performs with an ensemble of four musicians – Megan Eliza Cox who plays fiddle, Jed Robertson on guitar, Grudd Owen drums, and Ioan Gwyn bass.
“My band is great – all of them are solo musicians and artists in their own right who perform with other bands as well.
“This means that there are always fresh ideas and sounds to bounce off each other.”
Mari developed a passion for writing and producing music for theatre and film from writing a track for the show Trwbl mawr yn Tremyglyd by Christopher Harris.
She said: “As I studied performing arts at an undergraduate level and my master’s degree is in writing and production, I have synthesised a variety of pathways in the creative world to embark on this new adventure in the industry.”
Mari will be launching an original show, Tŷ Gwerin (Folk House), at the National Eisteddfod this year, which will be held at Tregaron. The show will feature songs from her new album as a soundtrack that will take the audience through the folk tales and landscape of Wales, through the eyes of a young girl named Gwen.
Her main goal in the next few years is to continue to develop her music and to work creatively within the industry.
Mari said: “I would like to develop my musical knowledge and work with a variety of musicians to create fresh sounds and perhaps push the boundaries of folk music as many other great artists in Wales do.”
Despite her success, Mari believes there should be more gender equality within the music industry.
“There is now more awareness of equal rights which is great, but I feel that there is still some way to go.
“There are loads of female singers and bands getting recognition now, but I feel like the main areas that need to change are the production teams, the labels, and music venues.”
