Austinist Interviews SXSW: The Gentle Good

There are several Welsh acts playing this year's SXSW, but none are newer to Texas than The Gentle Good. Essentially a one-man folk music project, Cardiff's Gareth Bonello has been playing a quietly captivating mix of English, Welsh, and Spanish folk to drunken (his words, not ours) Welsh audiences for several years.

Bonello has already released an EP and is currently recording his first full-length album. He recently chatted with us about cowboy boots, parents, and drinking.

Have you ever visited Texas before?

No, I haven't even been to the US before.

Does the success of folk-based artists like Alexi Murdoch, Damien Rice, and Devendra Banhart make you feel that there is a sizable audience for the music you enjoy playing?

I think there is a renewed interest in folk music, and the success of the artists you've mentioned indicates that. People seem to be more open to acoustic music and music in languages other than English these days. The audience is definitely there, it's just a bit less obvious as it's not the kind of music that is broadcast non-stop on commercial radio. Trends in music are fickle in any case, and any artist worth their salt will stick by their music even when their particular style isn't flavour of the month.

We also see you play in a country music side project. Any intentions of visiting Texas honky-tonks or dancehalls for inspiration?

It's top of my 'to-do' list along with getting a decent pair of boots and a banjo.

Do you have a favorite Welsh band besides The Gentle Good at present?

Richard James's Seven Sleepers Den was probably my favourite album of last year. It's full of gorgeous harmonies and sweet finger-picked guitar. Alun Tan Lan and the Super Furry Animals are also favourites.

How do your parents describe your music?

As "a hobby."

Is there a great album that an ex- has ruined for you?

Not really, I'm not particularly sentimental.

Do you look forward to the SXSW gig knowing that you'll have to win over a drunken, music industry-heavy audience?

I am looking forward to it as it'll be a new experience with a totally different audience to what I'm used to. I do find it hard playing to A&R men, especially when they're wasted and talking a lot. Acoustic music sounds best with a hushed silence. I'm on pretty late so I'm expecting people to be pretty drunk. I suppose I'm used to it, as nobody is sober over here after about 8pm.

Finally, tell us why we should visit Wales someday.

Nobody is sober over here after about 8pm.

Excellent point. Thanks for talking with Austinist.

Thanks to you too!

The Gentle Good will play SXSW 2007 at The Copa on Wednesday, 3/14 at 11pm for SXSW, and at Latitude 30 on Friday, 3/16 as part of the 'New Music From Wales' day party.

[The Gentle Good MySpace]

Image via The Gentle Good's MySpace page. Photographer uncredited.