| Al Lewis | |
| Birth Date: | 1984 |
| Birth Place: | Pwllheli, Wales |
| Occupation: | Singer, songwriter |
| Genre: | Folk, pop, Welsh |
| Years Active: | 2007–present |
| Label: | ALM, Sain |
Al Lewis (born 1984 in Pwllheli, Wales) is a Welsh singer and songwriter. He became known in the Welsh language media after his song came second in the Cân i Gymru[1] contest in 2007.
Lewis attended Ysgol y Creuddyn in Llandudno, where he formed a cover band called Bluewood.[2]
He participated in Cân i Gymru in 2007, the 38th edition of the competition. He came second in the competition with the song Llosgi (Burning), jointly composed by Lewis and Arwel Lloyd Owen.[3]
In 2007, Lewis released his first Welsh language EP entitled Byw Mewn Breuddwyd. Lewis appeared at the Wakestock Festival,[4] alongside Mark Ronson, and at the inaugural Sŵn Festival[5] in Cardiff.
In June 2009, Lewis released his first Welsh language album, Sawl Ffordd Allan,[6] reaching number one in the C2 Radio Cymru Welsh language chart, and the Skin & Bones EP, in collaboration with fellow Welsh singer and songwriter Sarah Howells of Paper Aeroplanes.[7]
Lewis and Howells have also recorded a live video session for the BBC. BBC Radio Wales described his collaboration with Howells as showing "cinematic mainstream melodies reminiscent of James Blunt or Simon and Garfunkel."[8]
Lewis' album, In the Wake, was released in October 2010.
In early 2013, Lewis released his second English language album, which again featured backing vocals from Sarah Howells. The album also features a rerecorded version of Llosgi. The album was produced by Charlie Peacock.[9] The album was recorded at his home studio in Nashville.
In December 2013 Lewis released a Christmas single, A Child's Christmas in Wales, in homage to Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas.[10] The song was added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist.
By his links in Nashville, Lewis met Mississippi-born singer-songwriter Alva Leigh and they formed the band Lewis and Leigh. As of October 2014 Lewis and Leigh have released a four-track EP, Night Drives. The EP features three original songs and a cover of Wilco's Say You Miss Me.
Lewis's music is regularly played on BBC Radio 2. In 2015 he headlined the bill at Sesiwn Fawr in Dolgellau.[11]