Uwch Dros y Pysgod – Dafydd Owain

I Ka Ching proudly announce their first release of 2023 with Dafydd Owain’s ‘Uwch Dros y Pysgod’. The single will be released on 27 January 2023 and will debut on Georgia Ruth’s BBC Radio Cymru programme on 17 January.

Literally translated to ‘Up Over the Fish’, the release is the first of a series of singles from Dafydd Owain’s soon to be released album of the same name. Having been part of acts such as Palenco, Omaloma, Jen Jeniro and Eitha Tal Ffranco, ‘Uwch Dros y Pysgod’ is Dafydd’s first solo venture under the (ever so slightly unimaginative) moniker of ‘Dafydd Owain’.

“Uwch Dros y Pysgod is a somewhat self-portrait-esque look at the innocent contentment of childhood against the muddled melancholic reality of adulthood.” says Dafydd. “The song is based on an imaginary village of the same name—similar to the villages you’d see on children’s programmes such as Joshua Jones or Sam Tân (Fireman Sam). I used to watch these programmes religiously as a child and found solace in their formulaic narratives. Even against what seemed like insurmountable odds, everything would be resolved within the allocated 10 minute time slot. These programmes never really prepared me for the reality of adulthood.”

Dafydd recruited such musical stalwarts as Osian Williams (Candelas, Blodau Papur), Aled Hughes (Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog), Gethin Griffiths (Ciwb, Elis Derby) and Elan Rhys (Plu, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18) to perform on the album. At the production helm sits Dafydd’s long-time music collaborator andcompanion, Llŷr Pari (Melin Melyn, Bitw, Omaloma, Serol Serol).

The release coincides with the premiere of an accompanying music video on 24 January. Directed by Dafydd Huws (Amcan) for Lŵp (S4C), it features a model of the village of Uwch Dros y Pysgod hand-crafted by Cai and Efa Dyfan.

Release date: 27 January 2023

Track name: Uwch Dros y Pysgod

Artist: Dafydd Owain

Track length: 4:08

Label: I Ka Ching