About VRï
VRï are three young men from deepest, darkest chapel-going Wales who have mined the cultural upheaval of past centuries and drawn inspiration from the incredible story of a time when Wales’ traditional music and dance was suppressed by Methodist chapels, and, earlier, its language by the Act of Union. As audio archaeologists, VRï have unearthed long-lost nuggets that shed a new light on a vibrant folk tradition that harnesses the raw energy of the fiddle with the finesse of the violin, the beauty of chamber music with the joy and hedonism of a pub session. Their songs, sung with powerful vocal harmonies, tell stories of the people who struggled 200 years ago, just as many struggle today. It’s a wonderful and unique soundscape that connects across the centuries to give us a sense of belonging, of community, and a magical feeling of weightlessness and uplifting freedom.
VRï’s 2019 debut album ‘Ty Ein Tadau’ (House Of Our Fathers) received a 5* review in Songlines magazine and numerous awards nominations and wins. Their new album 'islais a genir' (a sung whisper) releases on the bendigedig label in October 2022.
VRï are Jordan Price Williams (cello, voice), Aneirin Jones (violin, voice) and Patrick Rimes (viola, violin, voice).
Aneirin Jones
Vocals, Fiddle
Aneirin Jones is part of the new wave of young traditional musicians coming from Wales. Already having been working professionally since the age of 16, he has recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a degree in Traditional Fiddle. Aneirin is also a member of No Good Boyo, as well as the 20-strong super Welsh supergroup Pendevig, known for their G-force mash-ups of Welsh folk and rock, funk, rap, electro.
Jordan Price Williams
Vocals, Cello, Double Bass, Harmonium
A graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Jordan Price Williams is a versatile and innovative musician. He holds a BMus and an MA in classical music performance, and is established on the Welsh folk scene both as a traditional multi-instrumentalist and a singer. Jordan trained on the double bass, and has developed a unique style and way of performance on the cello, bringing the fiddle music of Wales to an instrument not initially associated with it. He also plays whistle, Welsh bagpipes and harmonium as well as singing in Welsh, Cornish and English. He has been a member of various Welsh bands, including Elfen, VRï, supergroup Pendevig, and NoGood Boyo as well as performing solo and as part of various collaborative projects. Jordan has emerged as one of the leading exponents of a new generation of Welsh traditional musicians.
Patrick Rimes
Vocals, Harmonium, Viola, Fiddle, Feet
Patrick Rimes is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and conductor from Snowdonia, North Wales. He is a founder member of pioneering traditional music acts Calan, VRï and Pendevig, with whom he tours regularly across the UK, North America and Europe. He has collaborated with the likes of Cerys Matthews and Sir Bryn Terfel, and appeared as a soloist with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne and the London Sinfonietta.
FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST
BETH CELYN
Vocals
VRï are joined on three of islais a genir’s fifteen tracks by singer, writer and poet Beth Celyn. Beth is one of the band’s closest collaborators, whose brilliantly adapted renditions of old traditional tunes, especially about women, have done much to expand VRï thematic and narrative scope.
You can read Beth's song notes here.