Gai Toms


Gareth 'Gai' J Thomas 'Toms' is a Welsh singer-songwriter, musician, producer and actor. In 1992 he co-formed the popular Welsh ska-rock band Anweledig, which developed into one of Wales' top live party bands. From 1997 to 2007 he created an 'off the road' Welsh folk outfit Mim Twm Llai, releasing three albums on Recordiau Sain. Since 2008, he dropped the Mim Twm Llai pseudonym for his own lifelong nickname Gai Toms, performing solo on guitar or with his backing band. His latest album titled 'Orig', based on the life of Welsh wrestling legend Orig Williams, gave us Gai Toms a'r Banditos.
Gai Toms writes mainly in Welsh, his mother tongue, he also writes in English. Music styles vary from folk revival to indie rock, depending on album concepts and themes.
WWW Official SiteFB gaitoms

Background

Toms was raised in the Merionethshire village of Tanygrisiau near Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales. His father, Robert Meurig Thomas was an ex-quarryman, crane driver and bus driver, his mother, Margaret Gwenda Ellis, a machinist and school caretaker. His elder sister, Elaine, was an early musical influence on him, and sometimes accompanies him on backing vocals.

Praise

In March 2012, Toms won the Cân i Gymru music competition. with Philip Lee Jones. Due to massive cuts in royalties for Welsh artists, he participated in the show/competition several times under different guises.
Gai Toms has won 10 BBC Cymru RAP awards, most for best songwriter.
Two of his albums have been nominated for Welsh Language Album of the Year at the National Eisteddfod: Brython Shag in 2015 and Gwalia in 2017.

Gai Toms discography

Y Filltir Gron Orig Recordiau SainGwalia SbenshThe Wild, the Tame and the Feral SbenshBethel SbenshRhwng y Llygru a'r Glasu Sbensh

Mim Twm Llai discography

Yr Eira Mawr CraiStraeon y Cymdogion CraiO'r Sbensh Crai

Anweledig discography

Byw CraiLow Alpine CraiGweld y Llun CraiScratchy Zion Train collaboration. CraiCae yn Nefyn CraiSombreros yn y Glaw Crai

Other releases