Al Lewis (born 1984 in Pwllheli, Wales) is a Welsh singer and songwriter. He became known in the Welsh language media after his song came second in the Cân i GymruS4C.co.uk contest in 2007.
Biography Lewis attended Ysgol y Creuddyn in Llandudno, where he formed a cover band called Bluewood.Kathryn Williams (22 December 2013) "The Welsh singer-songwriter with a surprise Christmas hit that cost just £1,000 to make", Wales Online. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
He participated in Cân i Gymru in 2007, the 38th edition of the competition. He came second in the competition with the song Llosgi (Burning), jointly composed by Lewis and Arwel Lloyd Owen."Einir yn ennill Cân i Gymru" (in Welsh), BBC Cymru, 5 March 2007.
In 2007, Lewis released his first Welsh language EP entitled Byw Mewn Breuddwyd. Lewis appeared at the Wakestock Festival,Wakestock.co.uk alongside Mark Ronson, and at the inaugural Sŵn FestivalSwnfest.com in Cardiff.
In June 2009, Lewis released his first Welsh language album, Sawl Ffordd Allan,Sainwales.com reaching number one in the C2 Radio Cymru Welsh language chart, and the Skin & Bones EP, in collaboration with fellow Welsh singer and songwriter Sarah Howells of Paper Aeroplanes.Al Lewis, BBC walesmusic, last updated 8 March 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
Lewis and Howells have also recorded a live video session for the BBC. BBC Radio Wales described his collaboration with Howells as showing "cinematic mainstream melodies reminiscent of James Blunt or Simon and Garfunkel."BBC.co.uk
Lewis' album, In the Wake, was released in October 2010.
In early 2013, Lewis released his second English language album, which again featured backing vocals from Sarah Howells. The album also features a rerecorded version of Llosgi. The album was produced by Charlie Peacock.Al Lewis – Battles, Newsoundwales website, 9 February 2013. The album was recorded at his home studio in Nashville.
In December 2013 Lewis released a Christmas single, A Child's Christmas in Wales, in homage to Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas.Al Lewis (interview), Newsoundwales website, 2 October 2014. The song was added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist.
By his links in Nashville, Lewis met Mississippi-born singer-songwriter Alva Leigh and they formed the band Lewis and Leigh. As of October 2014 Lewis and Leigh have released a four-track EP, Night Drives. The EP features three original songs and a cover of Wilco's Say You Miss Me.
Lewis's music is regularly played on BBC Radio 2. In 2015 he headlined the bill at Sesiwn Fawr in Dolgellau.
Discography
Albums Sawl Ffordd Allan (2009), Sain In the Wake (2010), ALM Ar Gof a Chadw (2011) Battles (2013), ALM Heulwen o Hiraeth (2014) – as Al Lewis Band Ghost (2016), Celticana Records – with Alva Leigh as Lewis & Leigh Pethe Bach Aur (2018) – as Al Lewis Band Te yn y Grug (2020) – as Al Lewis Fifteen Years (2024) – as Al Lewis
EPs Byw mewn Breuddwyd (2007), ALM Dilyn pob Cam (2008), Sain One Way Love Affair (2008), ALM Skin and Bones (2009), ALM Our Lines Remain (2012), ALM
References
External links Official website in Welsh and English Lewis and Leigh website Al Lewis biography from BBC Wales