Cerys Hafana

Cerys Hafana
Hafana at WOMAD in 2024
Background information
OriginMachynlleth, Powys, UK
Instrument(s)Triple harp, piano
Years active2019–present
Websiteceryshafana.com

Cerys Hafana is a multi-instrumentalist and composer[1] from Machynlleth, Wales.[2]

They are a member of AVANC (Ensemble Gwerin Ieuenctid Cymru (English: The Youth Folk Ensemble of Wales)).[3][4]

In 2022, they released the album Edyf, based on songs found in the National Library of Wales.[5] The album was shortlisted for the 2022-23 Welsh Music Prize[6] and the Welsh-language album of the year.[7] The Guardian named it one of the top ten folk albums of 2022.[8]

They contributed an essay to the 2022 anthology Welsh (Plural).[9] The essay was met with a controversial reception.[10]

Reception

Paul Carr and Robert Smith of the University of South Wales have described Hafana as "one of the most original voices in contemporary Welsh folk music."[11] Jude Rogers of The Guardian has described them as "a master of the Welsh triple harp" who "explores resonances from the past that connect with the modern day."[12]

Personal life

Hafana describes themself as queer, not fitting into the gender binary,[10] and uses they/them pronouns.[a]

Discography

All releases below have been available through Bandcamp.[14]

Studio albums

  • Cwmwl (2020)
  • Edyf (2022)
  • Difrisg (2025); piano compositions[15]
  • Angel (planned release 2025)

Studio EPs

  • The Bitter (2024)
  • Crwydro (2024)

Singles

  • "The Wife of Usher's Well" (2023)
  • "Child Owlet" (2024)
  • "Tra Bo Dau" (2025)

See also

  • Duo Ruut – Estonian contemporary folk duo

Notes

  1. ^ Hafana has been using 'they/them' pronouns in their self published website biography since c.14 October 2024.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Beti a'i Phobol: Cerys Hafana" [Beti And Her People: Cerys Hafana] (in Welsh). BBC. 9 July 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  2. ^ "'It's learning to make sense of the mess of lines in front of you': Cerys Hafana on playing the Welsh triple harp". BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Ateb y Galw: Y delynores Cerys Hafana" [Answering the Demand: The harpist Cerys Hafana]. BBC Cymru (in Welsh). 25 October 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  4. ^ "The Youth Folk Ensemble of Wales". Trac Cymru: Music Traditions Wales. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  5. ^ Way, Emma (25 August 2023). "'There're so many stereotypes about harp music – people are surprised by mine' – one to watch: Cerys Hafana". Buzz Magazine. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Welsh Music Prize 2023 finalists revealed". Nation.Cymru. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Listen to the music: Welsh language album of the year shortlist announced". Nation.Cymru. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Cerys Hafana". Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  9. ^ Raymond, Gary (28 January 2023). "Cerys Hafana in Conversation". Wales Arts Review. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  10. ^ a b "'Do'n i byth yn ffitio mewn i'r bocs traddodiadol'" ['I never fit into the traditional box']. BBC Cymru (in Welsh). 28 July 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  11. ^ Carr, Paul (17 April 2024). "Four rising Welsh music acts to pep up your playlist". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  12. ^ Rogers, Jude (23 September 2022). "Cerys Hafana: Edyf review – using the Welsh triple harp to connect past and present". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on 14 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Music: Cerys Hafana". Cerys Hafana. Retrieved 2025-06-06 – via Bandcamp.
  15. ^ "Cerys Hafana announces new album, Difrisg". Nation.Cymru. 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
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