9Bach

9Bach is an alternative folk group formed by Welsh singer-songwriter and pianist Lisa Jên and guitarist Martin Hoyland, a veteran of 1990s alt-rock band Pusherman. The group now includes Dan Swain (bass guitar), Esyllt Glyn Jones (harp, vocals), Mirain Roberts (vocals) and Andy Gangadeen (drums). The sextet's name puns on "nain", the word for "grandmother" in north Wales; "bach" means "small" in Welsh.

When the group began in 2005, its repertoire mainly consisted of traditional Welsh-language folk songs. Its self-titled debut album was released in 2009. Lisa Jên sang on Gruff Rhys's 2007 album, Candylion, and toured with Rhys in that period.

In 2015, 9Bach's album Tincian ("resonate") won Best Album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The band was joined onstage by Bethesda-based male voice choir Côr Penrhyn for their final song of the evening.

The band's third album, Anian, ("nature") was released 13 May 2016. Its title song was written by actor-musician Rhys Ifans, who sings it on 9Bach's recording. "Deryn" is sung by musician and Real World founder Peter Gabriel. The album incorporates Greek and Middle Eastern musical influences.

Back in 2005 Lisa Jen and Martin Hoyland were tentatively working on the beginnings of side project/hobby, 9Bach, when their good friend Ali Byworth told them to get their act together, and get a band together, for this great festival hed been to the year before. It would at least be worth it to get free tickets he sensibly reasoned.
They duly took note, and recruited Ali on drums , Avante-Garde harpist Esyllt, and her bass player brother Dan swain. There first demo recordings secured them their first ever gig at Greenman 2005 (Baskerville Hall).
That show won many fans including a present Will Oldham who asked the band if he could buy a CD from them. He couldnt, they didnt have one.