Steve Eaves

Last updated

Steve Eaves (born 1952) is a Welsh poet, songwriter and singer, working in the Welsh language. He has lived for most of his life in the Bangor area of North Wales. He has been a performing musician for over 45 years. During the late 1960s and early 1970s he worked as a labourer and musician, with frequent forays to Chester, Crewe and other locations to perform at folk clubs and underground venues of the period. He also performed at the now legendary Les Cousins folk club in Soho, sharing the floor spot with legendary blues singer Jo Ann Kelly. He also performed with various 'underground' luminaries of the time such as Al Stewart, Tea and Symphony, and the Sutherland Brothers.

Contents

During the early 1970s, he became a student of Welsh and French at the University of Lampeter and gained literacy skills in Welsh. He came to prominence in the early 1980s, with the publication of two volumes of poetry – mainly written in free verseNoethni in 1983 and Jazz yn y nos three years later. In the same period, he began to apply his poetry to music, performing as a singer and guitarist, initially with his Triawd (Trio), which evolved into his current backing group, Rhai Pobl (Some People). The influence of the Blues is very significant in both his poetic and musical style. [1] Jazz, folk and rock are also cited as musical influences. His band has always included some of the most talented musicians on the Welsh language music scene, and currently includes Eaves' long-time collaborator, multi-instrumentalist Elwyn Williams, drummer Gwyn 'Maffia' Jones, double bassist Pete Walton and eminent folk musician Stephen Rees, as well as Eaves' daughter, Manon Steffan Ros. The late poet Iwan Llwyd was the band's bassist for some twenty years. Allusions to Christianity, Taoism and left-wing political activism are frequent in his lyrics, the latter a reflection of his earlier involvement in the radical Welsh language movement Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg and the Welsh Socialist Republican Movement. His acclaimed 2007 album Moelyci , recorded over a six-year period, largely deals with his reaction to the death of his wife, Siân. To date, he has released ten albums and two volumes of poetry.

He lives in the village of Rhiwlas, near Bethesda in the county of Gwynedd, North Wales. He has five children, two sons and three daughters.

Eaves' eldest daughter, Lleuwen, is an accomplished jazz singer, musician and composer. She has released a number of acclaimed albums, including a jazz re-working of Welsh Revivalist hymns, Duw a Ŵyr, Penmon, and award-winning Tân, which includes compositions in both Welsh and Breton. His youngest daughter, Manon Steffan Ros, is the author of over twenty children's books and three novels for adults, all in Welsh. Her award-winning novel Blasu has been translated (by the author) into English, under the title of The Seasoning. She is twice winner of the Drama Medal for playwrights at the National Eisteddfod of Wales and won the Prose Medal in 2018. In June 2017 she won the prestigious Tir na n-Og Award for the 3rd time, primary school category, presented by the Welsh Books Council to honour the year's best Welsh-language book. [2]

Eaves also works as an independent language planning consultant, focussing on the revitalization of Welsh. He holds two doctorates. The first is an honorary doctorate of the Open University (D.U., Open), awarded in 2014 in recognition of his ‘exceptional contribution to Welsh language and culture.’ The second is a PhD awarded by Cardiff University in 2015 for a thesis in Welsh, arguing for the key role of 'critical linguistic awareness' in the inclusive model of language planning currently pursued according to public policy in Wales. [3]

Bibliography

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welsh Language Society</span> Pressure group in support of the Welsh language

The Welsh Language Society is a direct action pressure group in Wales campaigning for the right of Welsh people to use the Welsh language in every aspect of their lives. The chair of the Welsh Language Society since October 2023 is Joseff Gnagbo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dafydd Iwan</span> Welsh singer and politician

Dafydd Iwan Jones is a Welsh singer and nationalist politician who rose to fame writing and performing folk music in the Welsh language. From 2003 to 2010, Iwan was the president of Plaid Cymru, a political party which advocates for Welsh independence from the UK.

Robert Maynard Jones, generally known as Bobi Jones, was a Welsh Christian academic and one of the most prolific writers in the history of the Welsh language. A versatile master of poetry, fictional prose and criticism, he was born in Cardiff in 1929, educated at the University of Wales, Cardiff and University College Dublin. Jones held the chair in Welsh language at Aberystwyth from 1980 until his retirement. He died on 22 November 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meic Stevens</span> Musical artist

Meic Stevens is a Welsh singer-songwriter. He has been one of the most prominent figures in the Welsh music scene for over five decades, and played a key role in establishing the popular music scene in Wales. He is described by some as "the Welsh Bob Dylan" and has also been compared favorably with musicians such as Syd Barrett. Stevens's songs are mostly sung in his native Welsh language and have a mystical, faintly psychedelic flavour. His work has influenced groups such as Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and Super Furry Animals. He is largely unknown outside Wales.

The Wales Book of the Year is a Welsh literary award given annually to the best Welsh and English language works in the fields of fiction and literary criticism by Welsh or Welsh interest authors. Established in 1992, the awards are currently administered by Literature Wales, and supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and the Welsh Books Council.

Crys are a Welsh heavy rock/metal band from Resolven, South Wales. The band was formed in 1976 by the brothers Liam Forde Scott Forde ; and Alun Morgan while attending boarding school in Hereford, England. They were originally named 'Salic Law' and performed at numerous pubs and clubs in the South Wales area.

The Tir na n-Og Awards are a set of annual children's literary awards in Wales from 1976. They are presented by the Books Council of Wales to the best books published during the preceding calendar year in each of three awards categories, one English-language and two Welsh-language. Their purpose is "[to raise] the standard of children's and young people's books and to encourage the buying and reading of good books." There is no restriction to fiction or prose. Each prize is £1,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meredydd Evans</span> Musical artist

Meredydd Evans, known colloquially as Merêd, was a collector, editor, historian and performer of folk music of Wales. A major figure in Welsh media for over half a century, Evans has been described as influencing "almost every sphere of Welsh cultural life, from folk music and philosophy to broadcasting and language politics".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwyneth Glyn</span> Welsh poet and musician

Gwyneth Glyn is a Welsh language poet and musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derwyddon Dr Gonzo</span> Welsh-language funk and ska band with chart success

Derwyddon Dr Gonzo were a Welsh-language funk and ska band from Llanrug, North Wales. Having reached number one in Siart C2, their music has received airplay on BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 1 and Serbian radio. The band performed regularly on the Welsh language scene circuit, in addition to larger festivals such as Latitude Festival, Wakestock, Sŵn, Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau and Maes B at the National Eisteddfod. Their second EP, Chaviach/Bwthyn was released on the Copa Label in 2008. On 27 July 2009 the band released their second album, Stonk!, on the Copa label, and recorded at the Wings for Jesus Studio in Cardiff by Sir Doufus Styles.

Simon Brooks is a Welsh academic and writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tafod y Ddraig</span> Monthly magazine

Tafod y Ddraig, or Tafod, is a monthly Welsh language magazine dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Welsh language. This magazine was the only voice of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg from its foundation in October 1963 by Owain Owain. It is still published by the Society under the title Tafod ("Tongue"), approximately quarterly to coincide with events such as the National Eisteddfod.

Gwenno Teifi is a Welsh language activist from Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, Wales. In February 2006 she became the first member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg to serve a jail sentence for a language protest in 11 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Y Lolfa</span> Welsh printing and publishing company

Y Lolfa is a Welsh printing and publishing company based in Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion, in Mid-Wales. It publishes a wide variety of books in Welsh and English. It also provides a commercial print service. Y Lolfa was established in 1967 by Robat Gruffudd. It is now an independent, limited company run by the founder's sons, Garmon Gruffudd and Lefi Gruffudd, with Paul Williams as production manager.

Emily Huws is a Welsh language children's author. She is a recipient of the Mary Vaughan Jones Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angharad Tomos</span> Welsh author and activist, born 1958

Angharad Tomos is a Welsh author and prominent language activist. She is a recipient of the Tir na n-Og Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road signs in Wales</span> Signage in a country of the United Kingdom

Road signs in Wales follow the same design principles as those in other parts of the United Kingdom. All modern signs feature both Welsh- and English-language wording, with Welsh-first signage present in most areas of Wales and mandated for all new signs, but some English-first signage remains in some areas from when it was legally allowed before 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Bevan</span>

Gareth Jamie Bevan is a Welsh language campaigner from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales and a prominent member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg. Bevan refused to pay fines and costs to Merthyr Tydfil Magistrate's Court for breaking into Conservative Party offices in north Cardiff the day before a visit from David Cameron in a demonstration against cuts to S4C.

Y Blew was a Welsh rock band founded in 1967. Although short lived, having pressed and released just one single, the band are recognized as the first rock band to sing in Welsh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manon Steffan Ros</span> Welsh novelist, playwright, games author, scriptwriter and musician

Manon Steffan Ros is a Welsh novelist, playwright, games author, scriptwriter and musician. She is the author of over twenty children's books and three novels for adults, all in Welsh. Her award-winning novel Blasu has been translated into English, under the title of The Seasoning. In May 2021 she was described as "arguably the most successful novelist writing in Welsh at the moment". In June 2023 she won the Yoto Carnegie Medal for The Blue Book of Nebo, her English translation of her novel Llyfr Glas Nebo.

References

  1. "Steve Eaves" (Welsh language). Shon Williams. BBC LLEOL. British Broadcasting Corporation.
  2. "Tir na n-Og Awards". Welsh Books Council. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
  3. Eaves, Steve (May 2015). "Hyfforddiant Ymwybyddiaeth Feirniadol am yr Iaith Gymraeg, a'i Gyfraniad at Gynllunio Ieithyddol Cynhwysol yng Nghymru. PhD Thesis,". Online Research @ Cardiff. Cardiff University. Retrieved 1 June 2015.