SWIGOD! (BUBBLES!): New Various Artists Double LP - Allan / Out 16/05/25 via LIbertino
SWIGOD!
Artist: Various Artists
Album Title: Swigod!
Album Release Date: 16/05/25
Label: Libertino
Location: Carmarthen, Wales
Format: Digital Double / Double Vinyl LP / CD
Photo + Artwork: Jon Safari Art
Socials: @LibertinoRecs @Beastpruk
SWIGOD!: Libertino Cyfrol / Vol 1.
Allan / Out 16/05/25
As a label, we’ve never been ones to look back. We’ve always been chasing the dreams of our artists,celebrating the now, and carving out space for the futures they’re building. After Covid, we thought briefly about releasing a compilation—but there was so much new music, so much to say in the moment, that the idea was quietly set aside. Until now. WHY NOW? Maybe because it finally felt right to stop for a moment, breathe,and take in what’s been built. Nearly a decade of storytelling through song, of standing by our artists through every high and low, of staying true to something bigger than ourselves. This is a moment of change—an end of a chapter, and the beginning of something new.SWIGOD isn’t just a compilation. It’s a celebration of everything Libertino has stood for since day one: being fearlessly independent, pushing Welsh music beyond borders, and believing—always—that music is magic, and that the world needs to hear it. This album is a love letter to everyone who’s believed in this journey with us. It’s not a retrospective—it’s a statement of intent. This is only the beginning.
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Mae gwreiddiau Libertino i’w canfod yn yr eiconig, Parrot yng Nghaerfyrddin. Yno, yn ystod un o gigs cyntaf ARGRPH ac Adwaith, ganed y syniad o greu rhywbeth o’r newydd-rhywbeth a fyddai’n cynnig llwyfan a llaisi artistiaid newyddo Gymru ac a fyddai’n torri’n rhydd o’r disgwyliadau ailadroddus. Yno, y daeth hi’n glir bodyr egni a’r awch gen i, i gefnogi’r don nesaf o artistiaid Cymreig.
Sefydlwyd Libertino fel label annibynnol, dwyieithog, uchelgeisiol a blaengar-un nad oedd am fodloni arryddhau cerddoriaeth yn unig ond un oedd am ail-ddiffinio ac ail-strwythuro pob agwedd o’r diwydiant. Ybwriad oedd creu newid, i gryfhau ac i wella, i fod yn gynhwysol ac yn agored ac i groesawu syniadau o’rnewydd. A’r cyfan er budd artistiaid ifanc-ac er mwyn cefnogi’r gymuned greadigol ehangach o’m cwmpas.Ein hawydd oedd bod yn artist-ganolog er mwyn creu amgylchedd agos atoch lle gall artistiaid arbrofi, tyfu adarganfod eu creadigrwydd. Bu’n fwriad erioed gennym i chwalu’r hyn a deimlai’n anghyraeddadwy ac i wthiocerddoriaeth o Gymru ymhellach, yn enwedig cerddoriaeth Gymraeg. Ein bwriad oedd torri tir newydd yn y Gymraeg er mwyn cyrraedd cynulleidfaoedd rhyngwladol, heb golli gafael ar hunaniaeth ein hartistiaid lleol.
Er ein bod mewn sefyllfa freintiedig, yn helpu llunio dyfodol ein hartistiaid, dydi rhedeg label annibynnol ddimyn fêl i gyd. Mae cyd-bwyso’r ymroddiad hwn gyda chynnal label annibynnol yn sialens. Er hynny, mae’r ffyddsydd gennym yn y gerddoriaeth, yr artistiaid a’rgrym sydd yn y caneuon eu hunain yn ein gyrru ymlaen. Doesdim cyfaddawdu ar ein gwerthoedd hyd yn oed pan fo’r diwydiant yn pwyso arnom. Trwy oresgyn y pwysauhynny rydym wedi cadw’n ffyddlon i’r ysbryd a ysbrydolodd Libertino o’r dechrau.
Datblygodd Libertino’n bwyllog gan ymfalchïo yn y ffaith mai’r artistiaid sy’n dod gyntaf a hynny gyda newidhir dymor mewn golwg, nid llwyddiannau byr dymor. Hoffem feddwl ein bod yn arwain y ffordd heb chwilioam gymeradwyiaeth a chefnogaeth oddi mewn nac oddi allani Gymru. Wrth aros yn driw i’n gweledigaeth a’rstraeon yr hoffem eu hadrodd, mae perthynas gref wedi datblygu rhwng ein hartistiaid a’u cynulleidfa, ac maegweld yr ymateb hwnnw’n blaguro dros y blynyddoedd yn cynhesu’r galon. Celfyddyd pur a gonest yw’rgânbop ac mae ei gallu i godi uwchlaw iaith a ffiniau yn ddigymar.
Yn fwy na dim, ceisiwyd ail ddiffinio beth a welir fel llwyddiant yn y diwydiant cerddoriaeth. Mae’r syniad henffasiwn o‘lwyddo’,sef y cysyniad gwenwynig sy’n dyrchafu llwyddiant masnachol yn hytrach na gwerthoeddartistig yn medru niweidio lles ac iechyd meddwl cerddorion. Wrth herio’r confensiynau gosodedig hynny credwn y medrwn ddisodli’r llawlyfr hen ffasiwn trwy gyflwyno un sy’n adlewyrchu realaeth a gwerthoedd artistiaid heddiw.
Mae SWIGOD yn cynrychioli’r daith honno sydd wedi ail ddiffinio yr hyn y gall cerddoriaeth amgen Gymraegfod. Mae’r albwm aml-gyfrannog hwn yn dathlu pennod gyntaf Libertino a’i artistiaid. Mae’n arddangosagwedd eofn y label, yn hyrwyddo lleisiau dewrsy’n gwthio ffiniau tu hwnt i gysgod ‘Cool Cymru’,ac yngwrthod cael eu rhwystro gan gyfyngiadau’r diwydiant.
Ni fyddai’r daith hon yn bosibl onibau am y sylfaen gadarn a osodwyd gan arloeswyr fel Emyr, Gruff ac Alun o ANKST, Richard a Wyn o Fflach a Rhys Mwyn o Recordiau Anhrefn. Eu hegni diflino hwy a’u parodrwydd i fentro sydd wedi naddu’r ffordd i ni allu arbrofi heddiw. Mae eu cyfraniad a’u hymrwymiad i gerddoriaeth ac iddiwylliant Cymru wedi agor y ffordd ac mae ein dyled yn fawr iddynt. Mae eu gwaddol hwy yn parhau ilunio’n gorwelion ac yn ein hysbrydoli i symud ymlaen er mwyn mynd â cherddoriaeth Gymraeg ym mhellach nag erioed o’r blaen.
Er gwaetha’r heriau anochel, mae Libertino yn parhau i wthio cerddoriaeth o Gymru-yn lleol, yn genedlaetholac yn rhyngwladol–gan ddarganfod cynulleidfa mae ein hartistiaid ni, a holl artistiaid o Gymru, yn eu haeddu.Nid edrych yn ôl yn unig mae SWIGOD, ond datganiad o fwriad a chyhoeddiad mai dim ond dechreuad yn unigiw hwn.
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Libertino was born out of a moment of pure inspiration on a dance floor in Carmarthen’s iconic venue, The Parrot. It was a flash of clarity at one of ARGRPH’s and Adwaith’s first live shows that ignited a passion to create a label that would amplify a new wave of Welsh artists, breaking free from outdated expectations. It was a moment that made it clear that there was no other choice but to build something that would champion these voices and give them the platform they deserved.
From the outset, Libertino was founded as a fearlessly independent, bilingual, alternative and progressive label-one that wasn’t just about releasing music but about reshaping the industry itself. We wanted to be a catalyst for change, making the Welsh music scene more open, ethical and supportive-not just for young artists but also for the larger creative community around us. We are deeply artist-centred, creating an environment that feels like a family, where musicians can grow, experiment and explore their creativity in a dynamic and inspiring space. The glass ceiling that has held back so many Welsh artists, especially those singing in Welsh,needed to be shattered. Our mission has always been to take Welsh music beyond its borders, reaching largerUK and international audiences while staying true to the artists’ identities.
Keeping faithful to the label’s ethos and always recognising that we are in a privileged position to carry the hopes and creative dreams of our artists, has not been easy. Balancing this deep commitment with the reality of sustaining an independent label has been a constant challenge. Yet, it is this belief in the music, in the artists and in the power of the songs themselves that drives us forward. We refuse to compromise on our values even when the industry demands it. We have found ways to navigate these pressures while remaining loyal to the spirit that inspired Libertino from the very beginning.
Libertino has always travelled the long road, cherishing the growth of its artists over quick gains. We have always believed in leading by example, never seeking validation or approval from within or outside Wales.From the beginning we knew that by staying true to the stories we share, the audience would come to our artists as much as we would go to meet them.To be unique and willing to share the world within the music, while also being shaped by the music itself, is something magical. The pop song is the most perfect of art forms, capable of moving head, heart and feet-a force of connection and expression that transcends language and borders.
More than that, we sought to redefine what success means in the music industry. The outdated idea of ‘making it’-a narrow, often toxic concept that prioritises commercial gain over artistic integrity, playing the game,keeping within the narrow definition of ‘cool,’ and adhering to tired cultural myths-can be damaging to musicians’ well-being and mental health. By challenging these imposed expectations, we believe we can rewrite the outdated handbook, replacing it with one that reflects the realities and values of today’s artists.
SWIGOD stands as a testament to that journey, a celebration of Libertino’s first chapter and the artists who have redefined what Welsh alternative music can be. This compilation album encapsulates the label’s fearless approach: championing bold, boundary-pushing voices, carving out space beyond the lingering shadow of ‘Cool Cymru’, and refusing to be constrained by industry limitations and long-held prejudices. It is a reflection of the spirit that has driven Libertino from the very beginning—one of passion, determination and an unwavering belief in the music.
This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the foundation laid by pioneers like Emyr, Gruff and Alun at ANKST, Richard and Wyn of Fflach and Rhys Mwyn at Recordiau Anhrefn. Their groundbreaking work carved an alternative highway on which many of us in Wales are fortunate to travel. Their relentless passion, DIY ethos and commitment to amplifying Welsh voices against all odds, created the space for a new generation to emerge.Their legacy continues to shape our creative horizons, inspiring us to push forward and take Welsh music further than ever before.
Libertino has remained steadfast in its mantra, pushing Welsh music as far and wide as possible, undeterred by obstacles, always finding the audience our artists and all Welsh artists deserve.
SWIGOD isn’t just a retrospective, it is a statement of intent, a declaration that this is only the beginning.
Gruffydd Owen, Libertino
SWIGOD: Libertino Cyfrol / Vol 1. (Digital Version)
Tracklisting
1. Accü - 'Am Sêr'
2. Sister Wives - 'Wandering Along / Rwy’n Crwydro'
3. ilu - 'Graffiti Hen Ewrop'
4. SYBS - 'Cwyr'
5. Adwaith - 'ETO'
6. Los Blancos - 'Cadw Fi Lan'
7. Ynys - 'Caneuon'
8. Tacsidermi - 'Ble Pierre'
9. N’famady Kouyaté - 'Aros I Fi Yna'
10. Eädyth - 'Inhale / Exhale'
11. MÊL - 'Cusco'
12. Phalcons - 'Idle Ways'
13. Papur Wal - 'Llyn Llawenydd'
14. Breichiau Hir - 'Portread O Ddyn Yn Bwyta Ei Hun'
15. Rogue Jones - 'Triongl Dyfed'
16. Angharad - 'Postpartum'
17. Minas - 'Payday'
18. Clwb Fuzz - 'No Heaven'
19. Chroma - 'Weithiau'
20. ARGRPH - 'Llosgi Mi'
21. Hotel Et Al - 'Heneb Yfory'
22. KIM HON - 'Nofio Efo’r Fishis'
23. Hotel Del Salto - 'Stand For Your Right'
24. Gillie - 'i ti'
25. Kidsmoke - 'Higher'
26. KEYS - 'You Wear The Loveliest Gowns'
27. Silent Forum - 'How I Faked the Moon Landing'
28. Siula - 'Golau Gwir'
29. Alex Dingley - 'Lovely Life To Leave'
Listen / Stream
https://on.soundcloud.com/rgfiGvdCRx8HS42a8
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