Mared’s Debut Album ‘Y Drefn’ OUT NOW

“Here’s an artist who seems fully realised from the first note” -Georgia Ruth

“Mared’s voice is flawless” -Lisa Jên, 9Bach

”An extraordinary voice… an artist to treasure. ” -Lleuwen

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I KA CHING Records is delighted to be releasing Mared’s debut album; Y Drefn (The Order) on 21st August 2020. The first fifty customers will receive a bespoke print made by Mared herself.

Mared describes Y Drefn as an intricate interweave of folk, pop and jazz influences. When contemplating the album as a whole, the opening song, Y Reddf, discusses change and retention and the closing song Dal ar y Teimlad leaves us with a message of hope and letting go of the past in order to move forward. Whatever the musical style, whatever the message, Mared’s voice is a glimmering focal point that demands our attention.

The songs were written and arranged over a period of six years, and therefore have gone through a process of adaptation and growth, especially after having started recording and playing live with Osian and Branwen Williams and Ifan Emlyn at Sain Studio in 2019.

Having lived between cities and her rural home in Wales, discussing her identity is an important theme for Mared, and is particularly present in the jazz song Pontydd (Bridges). The songs continue to take on new meanings for Mared, especially due to recent events that have happened around the world and discuss topics that are as important as ever for Mared to voice.

Four singles taken from Y Drefn have already been released and have received a warm reception on BBC Radio Wales’ Janice Long, Adam Walton and Bethan Elfyn shows. Over Again was on Radio Wales’ playlist for three weeks, and Dal ar y Teimlad (Hold on to the Feeling) and Pontydd were chosen as BBC Radio Cymru’s Track of the Week.

Mared’s reputation as a performer has gone from strength to strength; performing in the West End’s recently revived production of Les Misérables, which opened in January 2020 at the Sondheim Theatre. Mared also starred in the Sain Studio’s 50th Anniversary Concert with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Alternative Eisteddfod Musical Concert, and the Lost Eisteddfod Concert. Mared collaborated with electronic duo Denton Thrift and the songs Fear in the Night and Something Real have reached over 700,000 streams on Spotify.

Her influences include Laura Mvula, Lucy Rose, Celeste, Madison Cunningham, Georgia Ruth, Lianne La Havas and Faye Webster.

Praise for Mared and Y Drefn

“A perfect pop album that brings influences from the jazz world to the folk. A huge, powerful voice, full of soul and richness that demands every morsel of your attention.”
-Angharad Jenkins, Calan and DnA

“Mared’s unassuming soul is not only heard in her voice but in her writing. Fantastic escapism.”
-Elan Rhys, Plu

“I love Mared’s new album – her voice creates a sense of peace combined with dreamy soft sounds.”
-Eädyth

” A supernatural voice with songs that are full of hope. An artist to treasure.”
-Lleuwen

“Stunning and natural. As if it has always existed.”
-Marged, Y Cledrau

“With beautiful arrangements, soft drums and charming tunes, Mared’s album is like wrapping your ears in a warm velvet blanket.”
-Elin, Thallo

“All the essential ingredients for an outstanding collection are here to see: the originality of the songs; the skilful arrangements; the sincerity that pervades the whole lot; and of course, one of the most outstanding voices I’ve heard in a long time.”
-Siân James

“Mared’s voice is delicious, pretty, full of tension and grit and rejoicing, yet as homely as sitting in front of a fire. She understands her instrument so well and uses every part of it – you’re going to be obsessed.”
-Lisa Angharad, Sorela

“Mared’s voice is flawless. It can go anywhere it wants, and you trust that it’ll never let you down. I follow her on Insta and she’s always singing, creating, getting lost in whatever she’s doing, and she pulls you in – magic.”
-Lisa Jen, 9Bach

“Warm tones and comforting sounds – a perfect combination for today’s world. Congratulations Mared.”
-Ani Glass “

“Mared is absolutely wonderful! Her voice, her songs and her personality! After touring with her, I found myself singing her songs for weeks.”
-Alys Williams ”

“I get the feeling that Mared is one of those souls who just has to sing – it’s our pleasure to listen! Here’s an artist who seems fully realised from the first note – a voice that is free, genuine and exciting.”
-Georgia Ruth

Y Drefn’s Track Listings

1. Y Reddf (Instingt)
2. Gwydr Glas (The Silver Glass0
3. Over Again
4. Y Drefn (The Order)
5. Dos i Ffwrdd (Go Away)
6. Pontydd (Bridges)
7. Yno yn Barod (Already There)
8. If I’d Known
9. Yr Awyr Adre (The Sky Back Home)
10. Dal ar y Teimlad (Hold On to the Feeling)

Mared’s Social Media Links

Spotify / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / Gwefan