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Awards
Gruff Rhys wins first ever Welsh Music Prize
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 24 October 2011
The first ever Welsh Music Prize was presented last week, and the rather deserving winner was Mr Gruff Rhys. The Super Furry Animals frontman was presented with the all new gong for his third solo album ‘Hotel Shampoo’. The award came during the week Rhys’s latest solo venture was launched, the rather nifty app game ‘Whale Trail’ with accompanying song of the same name, both of which were garnering much applause on Twitter last week.
The new award to recognise Welsh music talent was set up by Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens and his SWN Festival collaborator John Rostron, and was presented during said festival this weekend. Rostron told reporters: “To have all of the shortlisted acts attend this inaugural Welsh Music Prize speaks volumes of the interest that this idea has generated, as did Gruff’s obviously emotional response to winning the Prize. I didn’t envy the judges having to pick a winner – the shortlist was incredibly strong – but then that’s why we started the Prize. Such great music emerges from Wales which myself and Huw Stephens feel deserves wider recognition. I’m delighted that this first event has achieved that”.
Commenting on his win, Rhys told CMU: “It’s a huge honour to win the inaugural WMP for ‘Hotel Shampoo’, the shortlist was so strong, it could have deservedly gone to anyone. It’s a beautiful award, shaped like an old VHS video tape (but is made of metal). Let’s hope it goes to a load of great albums in the future”.
Don’t forget CMU Editor Andy Malt recently spoke to Rhys about ‘Whale Trail’ and other ventures, and you can read the interview here.
