This is Video of the Week from Wales Arts Review. We’ll be showcasing some of the best art in Wales with a new video shared every week. From music to drama and everything in between, videos will not be limited by medium. This week we take a look at ‘Gwely’r Môr’, the new single from Welsh/Latin collective Rio 18, featuring singer Elan Rhys.
‘Gwely’r Môr’ (‘Sea Bed’) is the latest (third) in a series of collaborative single releases this year by the international Welsh / Latin collective, Rio 18. The singer is Elan Rhys, one third of magical Welsh folk trio, Plu who has collaborated extensively with Rio 18 since their inception in 2018.
This Welsh language song is a whimsical (and bilingual!) paean to underwater reveries, set to a summery samba soul beat. The introductory refrain in English spells it out nicely:
Under the waves we could be
Just you and me
Dreaming away as we sleep
In the deep blue sea
Elan Rhys and Carwyn Ellis from Wales take care of vocals and keys respectively, Shawn Lee from the USA drums and produces and Andre Siqueira and Kassin from Rio de Janeiro take care of percussion and bass, with Kassin also mixing.
There is also a distinctly whimsical video to accompany the song, made by Japanese illustrator and animator, Tomo Oriyama. “I first saw Tomo-san’s work on the amazing video to ‘Float’ by The Altons and I knew I wanted to work with him straight away!” says Carwyn Ellis. “His style works perfectly for this song and he’s been a dream to work with. We’re even more taken by the idea of becoming sub-aquatic beings now!”
‘Gwely’r Môr’ is available stream now from all the usual places.
