Welsh Music Prize 2023 winner announced as Rogue Jones
- Published
"This money will mean we can carry on doing what we love," says Bethan Mai, with her partner Ynyr Ifan
The Welsh Music Prize 2023 has been won by bilingual pop duo Rogue Jones.
The quirky Carmarthenshire act, made up of married singer-songwriters Ynyr Ifan and Bethan Mai, scooped the award for their second album Dos Bebés.
The couple from Pembrey also received the prize fund of £10,000 at the awards ceremony, now in its 13th year, which took place at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.
They join past winners like Gruff Rhys, Gwenno and Adwaith.
The ceremony was held for the second time in front of a live public audience as part of Llais, Cardiff's flagship international arts festival which takes place between 10-15 October.
The shortlisted albums were whittled down from a longlist of 130. The judges then had to choose one from 15.
Rogue Jones celebrate their win at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff
Others on the shortlist included Mercy by John Cale, Milk For Flowers by H Hawkline and Good Lies by Overmono.
In an interview with BBC Radio Wales, Bethan Mai said: "I'm a bit speechless but absolutely chuffed, it means the world and we can't really put it into words.
"Sitting here tonight, seeing the shortlist and seeing the others perform, we feel truly humbled."
She added: "As everyone knows, making a living as an artist in this climate isn't the easiest thing, especially when you have a young family.
"This money will mean we can carry on doing what we love."
But it's not all rock and roll, revealed Ynyr Ifan.
"We're just delighted that people have listened to (the album) and enjoyed it, and to win this tonight is incredible," he said.
"But we can't stay too late as we have to get back to Pembrey tomorrow morning early to take our daughter Tanwen to school.
"It's fancy dress day tomorrow in school and our daughter is dead set on going to that.
"But I'm definitely going to have a dance… for the next hour or so!"
Dos Bebés is described as an "eccentric" and "superbly crafted" album about "parenthood, motherhood and young children, as well as UFOs, computer science, witchcraft, Welsh independence".
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