INTERVIEW & REVIEW | GENGAHR

Almost a year and a half from the release of debut record A Dream Outside, indie rockers Gengahr are back. Currently previewing new material as they tour the UK, NRMB went down to their Bungalows and Bears show and also spoke to the band about the exciting months ahead for them and their loyal listeners.

One of Sheffield's most stylish and intimate venues, Bungalows and Bears was packed out for a free entry gig from Gengahr on Wednesday night (16 November). Support came from the hugely promising Caro (8/10). The Leeds-based trio called to mind acts such as Little Comets through their atmospheric but accessible sound, which incorporated a range of genres throughout the set. Showing off tracks including impressive new effort 'Smorgasbord', Caro did a great job of entertaining and connecting to a crowd largely unfamiliar with them; it's safe to say they are well worth catching live.

By the time Gengahr (9/10) took to the stage, the mood had been set nicely thanks to tunes from Tame Impala and The Maccabees playing over the PA system beforehand. I first saw them over eighteen months ago supporting Circa Waves, and their confidence and chemistry as a group have progressed considerably since. First album favourites 'Bathed in Light', 'Fill My Gums With Blood' and the band's huge new set closer 'She's A Witch' got the best responses, but the new tracks were also very well received. Songs such as 'Carrion' and 'Where Wilderness Grows' suggest their songwriting has improved further, and the band look to be drawing on a wide mix of influences on album two. With the promise of their sophomore effort next year, Gengahr left the Sheffield crowd truly captivated.

We also got the chance to interview Gengahr, and the NRMB interview with them is below!

Dominic Penna: You've rightly built up a sizeable following in the last couple of years through support slots, countless festival appearances and your exceptional debut album A Dream Outside. What have been the highlights for you so far?

Gengahr: There have been loads. The fact we get to play music every day is the best highlight but that sounds really lame so I'll try and come up with some actual highlights. Going all the way to Australia and Hong Kong and actually play to people who liked our music was incredible. Playing with some great bands in the UK and Europe has always been a pleasure. Danny our drummer breaking his arm on our second date on our first UK tour will always be fondly remembered, along with him getting an eye infection in Texas because he broke a marble table.

DP: What can fans expect from album two, and any word on when it will arrive?

Gengahr: No idea when it will be out but I hope it will arrive at some point in 2017. I think it will be less lo-fi sounding than the first and hopefully with better songs. We played a ton of new songs at the Bungalow and Bears show and they all went down really well so hopefully it will be great.

DP: Which tracks would you say you most enjoy playing live?

Gengahr: Currently any of the 'old' songs from the first album just because we've been playing most of them for 2 years and I feel very confident in them. But a few of the new ones are also really fun. We have a song called 'Where Wildness Grows' which I've finally learned how to play properly on guitar and now really enjoy. I think that's going to be a good one in the future.

DP: In terms of up-and-coming acts, who can you recommend to our readers?

Gengahr: I feel like my finger is very much off the pulse of current, cool and up and coming but a band I've enjoyed for the longest time is called Our Girl. We've been lucky enough to play with them and I'm pretty sure I've seen them every time they've played London. Would highly recommend, awesome guitar playing.

DP: Lastly, what are your hopes for the coming months and years ahead?

Gengahr: Warning! Super boring answer alert on full! - Just to keep playing music in any capacity would be amazing. Hopefully the second album will go down amazingly well and we can become rich and famous but if a few people just like it I'd be super happy.

Gengahr are currently touring the UK - remaining tickets can be found here. Their second album will be released next year.

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