The Gentle Good, the musical project of Welsh songwriter and instrumentalist Gareth Bonello, is set to release his album ‘Elan’ on May 16th via Bubblewrap Collective (LP/CD/DL – Pre-order here). Created during a year-long stay in an off-grid cottage in the Cambrian Mountains, the album is a psychedelic portrait of the Elan Valley in Powys, Wales, examining its environment, heritage, and the political context of its flooding at the close of the Victorian age to provide water for Birmingham.
Watch the accompanying video for the third single from the album, ‘To Be in Summer’, about the rural idyll, how we are drawn to the countryside and romantically fantasise about a never-ending summer.
The song is partly inspired by the famous romantic poet Percy Shelley, who was so enchanted by the scenery of the Elan Valley he tried his best to buy a manor to live there. The title comes from the Welsh word ‘Hafod’, which translates literally as ‘to be in summer’. A ‘Hafod’ is a summer dwelling, linked to the traditional practice of moving livestock to the upland pastures in summertime. The practice, known as Hafod and Hendre (old town), was common for centuries in Cwm Elan.
Gareth adds:
After writing some moody songs and making it through the winter, I quite fancied writing an upbeat summer pop number. I’m a huge fan of Welsh psychedelia, so this one’s a bit of a nod to bands like Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci and Super Furry Animals that have been such a huge influence on me and many others.
Keep a lookout for Toby Hay who makes an apperance in the video…
Pre-Order Elan: https://bubblewrapcollective.co.uk/product/the-gentle-good-elan/
Upcoming Tour Dates (with Georgia Ruth)
WEDNESDAY 14 MAY – Pound Arts Centre, Corsham
THURSDAY 15 MAY – St Pancras Old Church, London
SATURDAY 17 MAY – CULTVR Lab, Cardiff
SUNDAY 18 MAY – St Mary’s Creative Space, Chester
Ticket links and more: https://thegentlegood.com/