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. Today’s video is the first solo release from Dafydd Owain, ‘Uwch Dros y Pysgod’.
There’s a wistful tone to this weeks’ Video of the Week, as we enjoy Dafydd Owain’s reflection on the gradual of loss of childhood innocence. The video is inspired by Owain’s own childhood memories and sees Owain playing with a hand-made cardboard village.
Owain may look familiar, he’s previously been part of acts such as Palenco, Omaloma, Jen Jeniro and Eitha Tal Ffranco, but ‘Uwch Dros y Pysgod’ marks his first solo release under his own name. “Uwch Dros y Pysgod is a somewhat self-portrait-esque look at the innocent contentment of childhood against the muddled melancholic reality of adulthood.” says Dafydd. “The song is based on an imaginary village of the same name—similar to the villages you’d see on children’s programmes such as Joshua Jones or Sam Tân (Fireman Sam). I used to watch these programmes religiously as a child and found solace in their formulaic narratives. Even against what seemed like insurmountable odds, everything would be resolved within the allocated 10 minute time slot. These programmes never really prepared me for the reality of adulthood”.
Owain recruited a number of his fellow musicians to perform on his new album, including Osian Williams (Candelas, Blodau Papur), Aled Hughes (Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog), Gethin Griffiths (Ciwb, Elis Derby) and Elan Rhys (Plu, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18). At the production helm sits Dafydd’s long-time music collaborator and companion, Llŷr Pari (Melin Melyn, Bitw, Omaloma, Serol Serol). Directed by Dafydd Huws for Lŵp (S4C), the music video features a model of the village of Uwch Dros y Pysgod hand-crafted by Cai and Efa Dyfan.
‘Uwch Dros y Pysgod’ is out now and streaming in all the usual places.
