TINCIAN is the second album by 9Bach, the group formed by Lisa Jen (also known for her work with Gruff Rhys) and Martin Hoyland. It's an atmospheric, emotional record that reflects their home environment of Gerlan, North Wales. Tincian is the perfect description: an allusive, mercurial Welsh word with several meanings that travels through time and space.

9Bach chose TINCIAN as the album title for many reasons: it is an old fashioned word that is dying. It is industrial in origin, and it is almost onomatopoeic, it rings a special sound.

The rich songs on the album (all new compositions, except for one traditional folk song) are all stories: some of them autobiographical, sometimes telling someone else's true story and some are imaginary. There are stories of quarry men, of strong and brave women, of lost children, of foxes feasting near blood stained streams in areas of natural beauty, of forgotten derelict houses, of nature, of slate, of red dust, of family and of 'cariad' which means love. Sometimes there is pain, sometimes anger, a harshness that rings a heavy sound. But there is also a beauty and serenity, a light and gentle sound that resonates much further - TINCIAN.

The ten songs on TINCIAN, though written and sung in Welsh/Cymraeg and arranged in the folk tradition, also tap into elements of dub and rock, taking an unconventional and universal approach to form, reflecting 9Bach’s view of themselves as internationalists. They want to take the experience and the culture of North Wales out to a wider audience, citing Super Furry Animals’ highly successful Mwng album as an inspiration.

The result is an atmospheric, evocative and emotional hybrid of the folk tradition and contemporary influences and working practices. Building on a deepened, almost ambient sound picture (with real instrumentation used to create grooves and loops), the songs take you into the landscape and the emotions that it evokes. Music is a living thing, not a museum piece and the way that 9Bach compose and perform reflect this.

9Bach are: Lisa Jen (vocals), Martin Hoyland (guitars and percussion),Ali Byworth (drums and percussion), Dan Swain (bass guitar), Esyllt Glyn Jones (harp, vocals), and Mirain Roberts (vocals).

TINCIAN was released through Real World Records on May 12th.

9Bach will tour the UK in May and June:

MAY
15 CAERNARFON - Galeri
16 NEWTOWN - Theatre Hafren
20 WINCHESTER Railway 
21 OXFORD Jericho Tavern
22 BRISTOL Louisiana
23 CARDIFF – Sherman Theatre
24 CARMARTHEN - Lyric

JUNE
05 LONDON - Sebright Arms
06 BRIGHTON - Komedia Studio

*Tickets available from: http://pulluptheroots.ticketabc.com/


http://www.realworldrecords.com/9bach