Hiraeth is a Welsh word that doesn’t exist in English. It means a sense of longing for your homeland. Feeling you belong to it. Like it’s part of you.
I’ve never been tempted to leave Wales. I don’t think I could. I love the people, the culture, the accent. Our warmth and spirit and sense of community.
Wales is in my blood and it runs through my songs. My Nan was in Caerphilly Ladies Choir for fifty years so I was surrounded by their sounds from a young age. I sang in churches and performed as a soloist with Aber Valley Male Voice Choir. I was only seventeen but I knew what a privilege it was.
These spaces are where I learned to harness my singing abilities and they mean so much to me. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am.
Our male voice choirs are like nothing else. I find their sound almost transcendent and I can hear and feel the spirit of the land all around me.
I’m coming down the aisle to Myfanwy when I get married. I played it to my mate and she burst out laughing because it’s quite sad. But I don’t care, it’s lush.
Singing is a need for me. I’m still as in love with it as I ever was. When I perform, I feel a connection inside and everything just aligns.
Jessy AllenWales is a part of me and it runs through my songs. Growing up, I was surrounded by the sounds of my Nan’s choir and I used to sing in churches and with male voice choirs. I learned to harness my singing abilities in these spaces. Without them, I wouldn’t be me."
I’ve got brilliant memories of going to talent competitions around the Valleys with my Mum when I was little. They were in Labour Clubs and working men’s halls and mostly presented by Owen Money. People were always friendly but I remember how intimidated I felt by the big stages.
That was the beginning of me learning to sing in front of anyone. It taught me a sort of fearlessness.
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