Owen Shiers is a Welsh musician, composer, and social historian. From his home in the Clettwr Valley, he has spent years uncovering rare and forgotten songs, bringing Wales’s oral traditions to life. His latest album Shimli draws inspiration from folk song, the beirdd gwlad (folk poet) tradition – as well as living oral history and story and was nominated for UK Folk Album of the Year 2025.
Owen has toured across the US, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, performing at WOMAD, Glastonbury, and Shambala, and collaborating with Peter Gabriel, Toumani Diabaté, Seckou Keita, Sam Lee, Spiro, and Catrin Finch.
Since 2016, he has co-create Gafael Tir with Gwilym Morus-Baird, exploring Welsh land rights and protest history through song, poetry, and storytelling. He continues to research and collect rare folk songs from Ceredigion whilst also dabbling in growing landrace oats
More information about Owen Shiers and his current projects and shows can be found on his website: www.cynefinmusic.wales.
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