"Annwn" …
The 'otherworld' in Welsh mythology , is a single from her debut album in 2022 by the same name. Legends, Tales, traditional songs and original folk melodies are infused in to the concept album. She recorded the single, and the album of the same name with her band in Jigcal Studios in Cardiff , bridging the gap between traditional music and contemporary sounds.
The single Annwn considers a connection with the landscape, history and wild animals. The song takes inspiration from elements of dark mythology, Celtic history, and visual inspiration from the famous 'American Horror Story' series. These influences can be found in the video which was shot in the magical village of Portmeirion on North Wales. Here we see Mari re-living her childhood dream and explores a ray of themes and imaginative scenes. As an actress, artist, script writer and musician who studied Performing Arts in Cardiff, she was very keen to bring theatrical elements to the artwork, to enable the audience to immerse themselves completely in her world and the world of Annwn.
Video by :
Andy Pritchard and Aled Wyn Jones.
Art: Jamie Walker.
Camera Assist: Sion Gwyn.
Creaduriaid/Animals: Gwion Mathias
“Pan o’wn y gwanwyn ar uchelfryn,
Yn gwylio’r defaid gyda’r wyn,
Clwyn lais fy nghariad ber ei chaniad,
Yn seinio’n llawen yn y llwyn;
Oedd gwawr llawenydd ar ei deurudd
O mor hardd ei lliw a’i llun,
A minnau’n syllu, ac ymhyfrydu,
Gan hardded hwyl fy annwyl fun.”
Mari Mathias - Y Morgen (Green Man Festival | Sessions) 2024
Harnessing the power of ancient Welsh mythology, let Mari Mathias take you on an enchanting sonic journey through her GM24 session 💫
Watch in full →
PLANNU x TSAKHA
The Hornbill Festival is a 10-day annual festival in Nagaland, India that celebrates the region's culture and traditions. The festival takes place in Kohima District, usually between December 1–10. Mari Mathias (Wales) & Seyie Chuzho (Nagaland) two folk singers came together in 2024 to collaborate on a track, bringing welsh traditional folk to Nagaland indigenous sounds. Funded by The British Council , UK -in collaboration with Wales Arts International, Hornbill Festival, The Welsh Government , Centre Stage Festival in New Delhi & The British Council , India.
Mari & Seyie opened the Hornbill Festival during the Opening Ceremony to 22,000 people and 2 million watching online.