Finally, the days are getting longer and the sun is making its debut; summer is on its way and we are so ready for it! Okay so I may have lied about the sun, but one thing we can guarantee is that with the changing of the seasons comes all the nostalgia of picnics on the grass, cold ciders on warm days and music in the air. Festival time is on its way and Harry and the Gondolas are just the guys to get us all in the mood.
This Bristol-based trio benefits from Harry Gould’s lead vocals and guitar, Bubba Erikson’s buoyant bass lines and Sam Snell’s flawless harmonies and percussion. Meeting through mutual friends and coming together at parties and open mics, the band was eventually formed in late 2014 and following the release of their EP last year, have played iconic local venues such as Mr Wolfs, The Gallimaufry and The Louisiana. Having worked on their sound they decided a tour was in order, so naturally they went to the other side of the world for some good ol’ Auzzy inspiration – any excuse for a holiday!
With influences such as Mumford and Sons, Bears Den and Ben Howard, it is clear why Harry and the Gondolas are the perfect accompaniment to go with that cold cider you’re craving. Their chilled nu-folk, acoustic sound and Gould’s deep resonating vocals carry the crowd toe tapping and hand clapping through fast-paced Irish-folk to mellow ballads.
I was lucky enough to sneak a peak of the set at Bath Brew House’s Easter weekend ‘Spring Beer Fest’; and whilst the seated set up was far tamer than most pub festivals I’ve been to, Harry and the Gondolas’ large catalogue of music and warm stage presence, kept the well-oiled audience engaged throughout. Stand out tracks include the beautifully harmonised and brilliantly paced ‘No Country for Old Men’ and the heart felt track, ‘Alone in the Fields’ - a recording of which was made late last year by the growing online music platform ‘Oak Sessions’.
If you want to catch the guys live then they’ve got plenty lined up over the Summer, including Blissfields, Upfest, End of Road Festival and excitingly they will be supporting Chase and Status at Gloucester University’s Summer Ball.
Check out ‘Alone In The Fields’ right here:
