About
Meinir Gwilym is a singer-songwriter from Ynys Mon, North Wales.
Her music is an unique mix of folk, celtic, pop and rock. When asked to describe her music, Meinir's answer is 'listen to it, then describe it to yourself. I just make it.'
Her first release Smôcs, Coffi a Fodca Rhad (Cigarrettes, Coffee and Cheap Vodka) in 2002 met with phenomenal response with her unique voice and punchy lyrics hailed as one of the most original and inspired compilations to come out of Wales in years. The follow-up album Dim ond Clwydda (Nothing but Lies) sold thousands within the first few months of release in November 2003. Over the next few years, Meinir appeared at all major festivals in Wales, including Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau, Maes B, The Royal Welsh Show and Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival, and performed either with her multicultural band in larger venues or on her own, acoustically at small events.
Having completed her degree in Welsh Literature and Philosophy in the summer of 2004, Meinir was able to focus purely on her music. With her no-gimmicks image, she gets inspiration from everyday life, locally and worldwide and composes all her own songs. She has also been making inroads to the European market with successful gigs in several European capitals.
On March the 3rd 2005, a special one hour ‘fly-on-the-wall’ documentary following Meinir for a year was broadcast on S4C, which included a behind the scenes visit to Yamaha by whom she is endorsed. Meinir describes her official endorsement by Yamaha as one of the pinnacles of her career so far.
Meinir’s third CD, an album called Sgandal Fain (skinny rumour) was released on 28th November 2005. She describes it as an album of two halves “the major and the minor”.
During 2006 and 2007 Meinir concentrated on writing and composing between performances, school tours, presenting radio shows for BBC radio and Heart FM, and presenting the music series ‘Noson Chis a Meinir’ on television.
December 2008 saw the release of 'Tombola', Meinir’s first material in three years. The 11 track album showed Meinir at her best so far and was made even more special by world famous baritone Bryn Terfel’s appearance on two tracks.
Between January 2009 and February 2012, Meinir presented on S4C (Channel 4 Wales)’s nightly magazine show, Wedi 7. She describes her time working on the show as “great fun! As a roving reporter for the whole of North Wales, it was an absolute pleasure to be able to tell so many of my people’s stories, to learn so much each day, be part of so many community events, and travel the country talking to people! ‘Live’ TV is a challenge, but is also very rewarding”.
In 2012, Meinir joined forces with folk harpist Gwenan Gibbard in a project called ‘Crossing Borders’. Mixing and melding traditional Welsh folk with rock and pop, the project draws together fans of all genres of music.
During 2012-14, Meinir performed widely outside the UK. Visits to Dingle in Ireland, the Basque Country, Friesland in the Netherlands and Los Angeles were some of the highlights.
While working as a television producer and director for the past 4 years, Meinir has still been performing regularly in smaller venues and writing and composing throughout. On the 14th of November 2016, Meinir's long awaited new album was released. 'Llwybrau' (Paths) is a 15 track work, and you can buy it here.