EP149 - Gwenno - Singer-Songwriter-Musician + Paul Weller Remixer...

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined singer-songwriter-musician-producer-sound artist, Gwenno AKA Gwenno Saunders.

She is another of those incredible talents to have entered Paul Weller's orbit - first as somebody whose music he has regularly recommended, and then as a remixer for one of his songs from On Sunset in 2020.

Her creations are things of beauty - sung in Cornish and / or Welsh - hypnotic with gorgeous, enchanting melodies, a captivating blend of dreamy synth-pop and ethereal vocals that transport listeners to otherworldly realms. Her work to date is a real sonic journey that immerses audiences in a unique and introspective musical experience.

It was a real delight to dive into her story-so-far, from that early love of music, being raised in a bi-lingual household by a Welsh activist mother and a Cornish poet father to the creation of a trilogy of stunning albums. The details of which you will find below. Albums that were introduced to me by (you've guessed it!) - Paul Weller...

Her debut alum Y DYDD OLAF won Welsh Album of the Year Award at the 2015 National Eisteddfod and the 2015 Welsh Music Prize. It was also mentioned in Uncut Magazine (Jan 2016 Issue)...

"The band come off stage buzzing, but there’s no time to celebrate. After a quick change of clothes - Weller hands over a CD to listen to. (Y Dydd Olaf by Gwenno) and shouting farewell, disappears down the stairs, followed by the band."

Her second album, LE KOV, was named as one of the best albums of 2018 by so many publications, including The Guardian, Uncut and Mojo.

Reaching #13 on the Official Independent Albums Chart (UK), it was nominated for 'Best Sophomore Release' at the 2018 AIM Independent Music Awards and shortlisted for the 2018 Welsh Music Prize.

Paul Weller featured it in his list in Uncut Magazine for the end of year round up.

Her third album, TRESOR released in 2022, took things to another level again.

It was also shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize, making Gwenno the first Mercury Music Prize nominated artist not to sing in English!.

It rightly earned it's place on album of the year lists everywhere - NME, Mojo, Uncut Magazine etc, including once again Paul Weller…who said “ I really loved Gwenno’s album - this is her best so far. She sings in Cornish and Welsh so I’ve no idea what the lyrics are about but the sound of the words is so beautiful and evocative."

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