SONIC TONIC PRESENTS: LAURA J MARTIN / THE GENTLE GOOD @ THE OLD LIBRARY BAR

Laura J Martin has so far released three solo albums. Her most recent, On The Never Never, was recorded in Nashville with members of Lambchop, Silver Jews and Jesus Lizard. Her next album “Prepared” is due for release in May 2024 and betrays her burgeoning interest in widescreen electronic sounds. 

A mercurial and bewitching live performer who interweaves layers of vocals, flute, mandolin and electronics; Laura and her band have toured regularly across the UK and Europe and supported acts such as PJ Harvey, Teenage Fanclub, Cate Le Bon and performed and collaborated extensively with Euros Childs. Consistently played and supported by BBC Radio 6 Music DJs such as Marc Riley, Cerys Matthews, Lauren Laverne, Gideon Coe and Stuart Maconie; Laura's most recent release was a collaborative project 'Wyndow' written with Lavinia Blackwall of Trembling Bells and released in 2021.

The Gentle Good is the moniker of Cardiff-based musician and songwriter Gareth Bonello. Known for his enchanting melodies, intricate guitar style and beautiful acoustic arrangements, Gareth is one of the foremost songwriters in Wales today.

The Gentle Good has released several highly acclaimed records, notably Ruins/Adfeilion, which won the Welsh Music prize in 2017 and Y Bardd Anfarwol (The Immortal Bard) which won the Welsh Language Album of the Year award in 2014.

A captivating soloist, Gareth has performed all over the world, from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC to the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. In recent years he has become a highly regarded musical collaborator, having worked extensively with artists from China and India. He is a founder member of the Khasi-Cymru Collective with artists from the Khasi communities indigenous to Northeast India. Their debut album Sai-thaiñ ki Sur (the Weaving of Voices) examined the cultural impact and colonial legacy of a Welsh mission in Northeast India and received widespread critical acclaim upon its release in 2021.

The Gentle Good’s latest release is a stripped-back exploration of traditional Welsh folk song performed on acoustic guitar, cello and vocal. Titled Galargan (Welsh for ‘Lament’) the album took form during the dark days of the pandemic, allowing Gareth’s talents as a solo singer and guitarist to take centre stage. Released in September 2023, Galargan has received rave reviews, including a rare 5 stars from The Guardian where it was listed in the top 5 folk albums of 2023.

For loads more information please visit www.thegentlegood.com