Casi

A TALENTED youngster is hoping hundreds of people will vote for her in a prestigious talent competition.

Casi Wyn, 19, from Bangor is one of just 50 finalists in the The Big Audition hosted by jazz singer Jamie Cullum.

More than 8,000 youngsters entered the competition and Casi was delighted to find she had made the final 50.

Now she’s hoping to make the final 10 for a chance to win the top prize.

She said: “I sang two songs in the regional final in Cardiff. My own song, Forgive me and Adra by Gwyneth Glyn.

“The final 10 are selected through public vote and I’m hoping for strong North Wales support.” - Wales Online

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Casi Wyn, a Welsh wonder who hails from Bangor, North Wales. Casi is a superb singer who specialises in singing haunting folk songs, and when she sings, her voice has the power to move souls, earth you to the very spot until she is finished, and captivates her audience effortlessly.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Casi all my life, as she’s a tremendous friend to my lovely sister, and we all went to school together (primary and secondary)! It’s amazing to actually witness someone develop and grow into such a beautiful artist that she is currently, and she’s not even started to flourish down in London yet. Casi’s moved down to the big smoke in order to study Politics at university, but also, as Wales doesn’t give her the opportunity to expand anymore as she’s exhausted most Welsh avenues, she’s performing down in London, ever evolving into a bigger, bolder, stronger artist.

A word that you’ll NEED to know in order to understand the interview below fully is ‘Eisteddfod’. The Eisteddfod is a celebration of culture, arts, literature, music and creativity. The origins of the Eisteddfod first started way back in the 12th century, where this kind of meeting of artists met in a festival held by Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deuheubarth in his court in Cardigan, in 1176. Some of the best poets and musicians from across the country were invited by Lord Rhys, and a chair at the lord’s table was given to the best poet, an honour that is still one of the biggest parts of the National Eisteddfod today.

However, as many of the Welsh bards were commissioned by the nobility, it was only the professional bards who were able to enter, leaving the public to watch from afar as they competed to win the noblest titles that were on offer. Even Queen Elizabeth I got involved, ensuring that the standards remained of high quality by making sure all contestants were legal and above board. Unfortunately, the demise of the Welsh arts soon eliminated the Eisteddfod tradition until very late in the 18th century. As the interest in the Welsh arts deteriorated, the Eisteddfod became informal, and in 1789 Thomas Jones organised an Eisteddfod in Corwen, which enabled the public to enter for the first time.

The first revival of the Eisteddfod was a few years earlier, and Iolo Morganwg (bardic name of Edward Williams) founded “Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain” (The Throne of the Bards of the Isle of Britain), in Primrose Hill, London. This was the beginning of the revival of Welsh music, literature and arts once again, which was celebrated immensely back in the middle ages.

It’s safe to say that the Eisteddfod was the barrier that kept all of the Welsh arts, literature and culture alive, and away from the icy fingers of the influx of English that came to murder the Welsh language, and all that went with it, back in the Victorian era.

Casi Wyn is an example of everything that the Eisteddfod means to us in Wales, and how it’s such a huge platform to celebrate the incredible talent that emerges from one of the smallest countries in the world.
- Alt Sounds

‘Winter’ is a dramatic offering, with all the best attributes pop music has to offer, with a whirlwind of strings stirring up elusive emotions, a melting melody and Casi’s unique vocals layered thick over a ballad that’s heart wrenchingly beautiful. “Why oh why, won’t the winds just carry him home?” reverberates around the track, hauntingly persistent and echoes the loss that only a lover who’s heart’s been taken by another and discarded effortlessly can feel. Glorious melodies meld together, adding an essence of fragility and delicateness that sorrow can bring.

“He stole my soul, not even the birds sing their song anymore” deepens the unrequited love that coarses through the track, heightening the heartbreak and the barren and unforgiving nature only winter can offer.

Casi Wyn is an incredible artist, and I predict a gleaming future for her, and with a debut EP right around the corner, I for one, can’t wait to listen to it.

Read more at http://hangout.altsounds.com/features/157106-tune-day-casi-wyn-winter-issue-95-a.html#jG7cw3AuJzOHbHPH.99 - Alt Sounds