Cynefin

The Cynefin project is the creative vision of west Wales native Owen Shiers. Fascinated by music and history, it is a bid to give a modern voice to Ceredigion’s rich yet neglected cultural heritage.

Starting out from his home village of Capel Dewi in the Clettwr Valley and traveling through the local musical landscape, Owen unearths seasoned songs and stories, some never before recorded, and gives them new life in the present.

Cynefin received three nominations at the 2023 Welsh Folk Awards, and the project gives Owen a platform to practice his accompanying skills while returning to his roots. Owen and the band will be touring a new album, ‘Shimli’, which gives a unique insight into the oral culture and customs of the past, while also discussing the contemporary challenges facing West Wales, raising questions about our modern malaise of disconnection and rootlessness.

“A stunning new talent” – The Guardian
“Anhygoel” – Huw Stephens