Meic Stevens biography

A native of Solva in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, Meic Stevens has been an integral part of the Welsh music scene since the beginning of the 1960s.

Although he began performing in English, he was spotted as a Welsh performer at an early age when he appeared on an early TV pop programme.

Meic composes most of the lyrics and music on his albums. He is a gifted guitarist, and can perform as a soloist as brilliantly as with his band. He was a member of a group called Y Bara Menyn (Bread And Butter) with Geraint Jarman and Heather Jones, and also sang with a backing band called The Cadillacs.

When Sain Recordings was formed in 1969, Meic produced their first ever EP - Dwr by one of the label's founders, Huw Jones. Meic also went to London to produce another EP for Huw, which included Paid Digalonni (Don't Despair), a song written for Dafydd Iwan while the latter was in Cardiff prison.

Soon after, Meic recorded his first EP with Sain, although he had previously recorded in English on other labels. His first single was released in 1972, and included the irresistibly catchy Y Brawd Houdini (The Brother Houdini), which later became a live staple for Super Furry Animals. Meic's second single followed some months later, and included the old time favourite Diolch Yn Fawr.

Over the years he's recorded many albums, most notably on Sain and its sister label Crai. For a time he lived in Britanny, influenced by the lifestyle, music, food and wine of the region. But he returned to Wales, and now lives with his children in Cardiff.

In 2002, coinciding with Meic's 60th birthday, Sain released Disgwyl Rhywbeth Gwell I Ddod, a triple CD anthology of his songs recorded between 1968 and 1979. The Welsh Bob Dylan? Few would disagree.