Formed in 2005 by Iwan, Dafydd and Aled Hughes - three brothers from the Llyn Peninsula, north-west Wales - Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog play a blend of folk, country and rock music. As well as their own material, the band often perform adaptations of traditional songs.

Their first album, ‘Dawns y Trychfilod’ was released in 2007 on the ‘Sbrigyn Ymborth’ label and topped the BBC C2 chart for Welsh-language releases. The band received the ‘Best New Band’ award at the BBC RAP Awards the same year. This was followed in 2008 by a single, ‘Paid a Deud - a duet with Gwyneth Glyn.

2009 saw Llyr Pari of labelmates Jen Jeniro join the band as additional guitarist. His second performance was on the main stage of the ‘Wakestock’ festival in north Wales. Branwen Williams, who had contributed backing vocals on ‘Dawns y Trychfilod’, joined in 2010 on keyboards and vocals. This, alongside Euron Jones’ pedal-steel guitar (which featured on ‘Paid a Deud’) brought a different sound to the second album, ‘Dyddiau Du, Dyddiau Gwyn’, released in 2010.

Recorded with David Wrench, the album brought wider attention to the band, including airplay on BBC 6Music and positive reviews in publications and website in Wales and England. This was followed by live performances at many festivals over the summer of 2011, including the Green Man Festival in the Brecon Beacons, SWN festival in Cardiff and as one of the headlining acts of ‘Maes B’ in the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Wrexham. ‘Dyddiau Du, Dyddiau Gwyn’ received the Album of the Year award from Welsh music magazine ‘Y Selar’.

Over the years the band have recorded numerous sessions, both studio and acoustic, for BBC Radio Cymru as well as many live performances and videos on Welsh-language television channel S4C, notably on the ‘Bandit’ and ‘Nodyn’ programmes.

In 2011, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog were one of four bands included on ‘Y Record Goch’, a compilation double vinyl – the first in a series by the new ‘Recordiau Lliwgar’ label. It was a very busy year for the band, with around 50 live shows played between April and the end of the year. These included some of the band’s first appearances outside Wales, in Ireland and London. An original track, ‘Y Ffenast’, was included on Fatea Records’ Winter 2011 Showcase Session.

2012 has seen the band starting to gig more regularly outside Wales, with appearances at Union Chapel, London and at the regular 'What's Cookin' nights in east London. They are also bthe backing band to Gerogia Ruth Williams, the acclaimed singer-songwriter from mid-Wales.

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog's version of 'Fall On My Knees', a traditional folk song from America, has been played on Tom Robinson's show on BBC 6 Music.

The band have stated that their third album will be released in early 2012. Three new songs were broadcast on Radio Cymru’r ‘Trac’ programme in November 2011.