Band Meeting with Harbottle & Jonas
The Folk duo Harbottle and Jonas are releasing a new album in St Mary Church on the 13th July – we thought we’d ask a few impertinant questions…
How did you get together?
We met at the University in Liverpool. We were both studying music and ended up living in Totnes in 2011. We moved down to Devon, where Dave started his PGCE (secondary school music) in Newton Abbot and Freya got a job in the social justice department at Dartington Hall. We went on to lead the folk course at Dartington Summer School on two consecutive occasions. We had two gorgeous concerts in the great hall, one was recorded for a live album which was later released.
What’s it like working together as a couple?
It’s brilliant and incredible but it’s also very challenging. To be able to share this journey… these intimate, unique and special experiences at gigs with someone you love is a wonderful thing. We’ve found it hard in the past to separate our music from our marriage. We are much more conscience of this these days.
What do you love most about Totnes?
Totnes has a great community and spirit that drew us in. It’s full of characters who are full of expression, free thinking and creativity. The South Hams itself is just stunning… I mean the river dart, who doesn’t want to kayak down that?
Why St Mary’s?
We really enjoy performing concerts in churches. There is something really special about gathering in such a sacred space. St. Mary’s is a really beautiful church with a rich history.
Who’s supporting you?
Our friend and manager… the wonderful Katie Whitehouse. We love her and can’t wait to share the church / stage with her again.
The Wild Goose Choir… a year ago Freya established a community folk choir in South Brent. They make a beautiful sound together! There may even be a special collaboration during the concert featuring the choir.
What can we expect at the gig?
Songs, stories, laughs and lowly lit unique experiences. Folk music but in a form that you might be not necessarily used too.
The Guardian described you as being ‘like a contemporary Fairport Convention’ what do you say about that?
BUZZING. We’ll take that all day long…
Playing live preparation – tab of immodium, eat all the blue smarties, read a book?
We’re pretty easy going really… If there is a rider it would probably be fizzy water?! A gig these days feels more like a date night so we just make the most of it and have a giggle together.
Who or what would you say are your biggest influences?
Freya is very much influenced by soul singers such as Nina Simone. She has always loved the writing of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Regina Spektor, to name a few and her mother and grandmother were both opera singers. Freya has always played as a solo artist and has a very distinctive, authentic singing style and way of playing.
Dave has always been tinkering with recording methods and stringed instruments from the age of 11. Influenced by the story telling of the likes of Christy Moore, Richard Thompson, Van Morrison… the act of song-writing, connecting words to feeling and surrounding, inspired the desire to write and perform.
The Harbottle & Jonas album Wild Goose was recorded at home – tell us about that?
Having initially tried to combine our voices and instruments with little joy… we persevered and created what has now become our signature sound – dual vocal harmonies cutting a range of acoustic and folk instruments. Storytelling at gigs is a big part of what we do. The main reason for joining forces was to adventure together, to tour around and busk, make connections…
What’s next for you?
Our current plan is to launch this new album and put it out into the moor!
We are expecting our second child in the summer and so we will be having a little rest this autumn but we will continue into next year performing at festivals, venues, churches and village halls.
Harbottle and Jonas launch the Wild Goose album at St Marys Church, Totnes on 13th July – Tickets available here