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{{Short description|Welsh singer-songwriter (born 1981)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}


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Bonello started performing in Cardiff [[open mic]] nights in his early twenties and soon moved on to writing and performing his own material.<ref name=PRS2015>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-EK4c8s9Ao|title=PRS for Music – The Gentle Good interview 2015|date=28 August 2015|publisher=YouTube}}</ref>
Bonello started performing in Cardiff [[open mic]] nights in his early twenties and soon moved on to writing and performing his own material.<ref name=PRS2015>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-EK4c8s9Ao|title=PRS for Music – The Gentle Good interview 2015|date=28 August 2015|publisher=YouTube}}</ref>


His debut EP was self-released in 2005 and titled ''Find Your Way Back Home''. It included two English tracks and two Welsh tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Gentle-Good-Find-Your-Way-Back-Home-EP/release/2636795|title=The Gentle Good - Find Your Way Back Home EP|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref>
His debut EP was self-released in 2005 and titled ''Find Your Way Back Home''. It included two English tracks and two Welsh tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Gentle-Good-Find-Your-Way-Back-Home-EP/release/2636795|title=The Gentle Good - Find Your Way Back Home EP|website=Discogs.com|access-date=2 August 2020}}</ref>


Bonello's first EP on a label, ''Dawel Disgyn'', was released on Gwymon in 2007. It features Seb Goldfinch on violin, Llion Robertson on keys and Lindsey Leven (now in [[Guto Pryce|Gulp]]) on backing vocals. Robertson has also produced all of Bonello's albums to date.
Bonello's first EP on a label, ''Dawel Disgyn'', was released on Gwymon in 2007. It features Seb Goldfinch on violin, Llion Robertson on keys and Lindsey Leven (now in [[Guto Pryce|Gulp]]) on backing vocals. Robertson has also produced all of Bonello's albums to date.


Bonello's debut album ''While You Slept I Went Out Walking'' was released in 2008. Sung in both Welsh and English, it features renditions of traditional tracks and original songs. After the album's release, Bonello was invited to play at the 2008 [[Festival Interceltique de Lorient]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/festival-interceltique-lorient-cymruwales/lorient-2008-year-of-wales/263421980375833|title=Lorient 2008 - Year of Wales &#124; Facebook|website=Facebook.com|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref> and as part of the Wales programme at the 2009 [[Smithsonian Folklife Festival]].<ref>[http://www.festival.si.edu/past-festivals/2009/wales/music.aspx Smithsonian Folklife Festival – 2009 – Wales Music and Dance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623211121/http://www.festival.si.edu/past-festivals/2009/wales/music.aspx |date=23 June 2015 }}</ref> He's previously performed at the [[Glastonbury Festival]], as part of the 2009 Emerging Talent Competition, and at the [[South by Southwest|SXSW festival]] in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/baebb2b0-8bea-3c4e-b010-ddad8c4a3f49|title=BBC Blogs – Wales – Interview: The Gentle Good|author=Bethan Elfyn|date=3 February 2011|publisher=BBC}}</ref>
Bonello's debut album ''While You Slept I Went Out Walking'' was released in 2008. Sung in both Welsh and English, it features renditions of traditional tracks and original songs. After the album's release, Bonello was invited to play at the 2008 [[Festival Interceltique de Lorient]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/festival-interceltique-lorient-cymruwales/lorient-2008-year-of-wales/263421980375833|title=Lorient 2008 - Year of Wales &#124; Facebook|website=Facebook.com|access-date=2 August 2020}}</ref> and as part of the Wales programme at the 2009 [[Smithsonian Folklife Festival]].<ref>[http://www.festival.si.edu/past-festivals/2009/wales/music.aspx Smithsonian Folklife Festival – 2009 – Wales Music and Dance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623211121/http://www.festival.si.edu/past-festivals/2009/wales/music.aspx |date=23 June 2015 }}</ref> He has previously performed at the [[Glastonbury Festival]], as part of the 2009 Emerging Talent Competition, and at the [[South by Southwest|SXSW festival]] in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/baebb2b0-8bea-3c4e-b010-ddad8c4a3f49|title=BBC Blogs – Wales – Interview: The Gentle Good|author=Bethan Elfyn|date=3 February 2011|publisher=BBC}}</ref>


Second album ''Tethered for the Storm'', released in 2010, included an [[a cappella]] duet with Lisa Jên Brown of Welsh-language folk band [[9 Bach|9Bach]] and backing vocals from [[Cate Le Bon]]. The album featured The Mavron Quartet with string arrangements by Seb Goldfinch.
Second album ''Tethered for the Storm'', released in 2010, included an [[a cappella]] duet with Lisa Jên Brown of Welsh-language folk band [[9 Bach|9Bach]] and backing vocals from [[Cate Le Bon]]. The album featured The Mavron Quartet with string arrangements by Seb Goldfinch.


In October 2011, Bonello travelled to [[Chengdu]], China as part of [[The British Council]]'s China Residencies, in collaboration with the PRS for Music Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.britishcouncil.org/projects/musicians-in-residence-china|title=Musicians in Residence, China|first=Stephen|last=Bloomfield|date=31 December 2017|website=British Council Music|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref> The residency at the Chengdu Associated Theatre of Performing Arts produced Bonello's third album, ''Y Bardd Anfarwol'' (''The Immortal Bard''), released in 2013. It was recorded both in China with local musicians and back in the UK with The Mavron Quartet, members of the [[UK Chinese Ensemble]] and contributors such as Laura J. Martin on flute and Lisa Jên, who sang lead vocals on one track. The Welsh-language project, which combines Welsh and Chinese folk traditions, is based on the life and works of Chinese poet [[Li Bai]]. In 2014 it won Best Welsh Album at the [[National Eisteddfod of Wales|National Eisteddfod]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/national-eisteddfod-gentle-good-win-7583940|title=National Eisteddfod: The Gentle Good win album of the year|author=Sion Morgan|date=8 August 2014|publisher=WalesOnline}}</ref> In 2015 the play ''Rhith Gân'' by Wyn Mason, based on ''Y Bardd Anfarwol'', won the Drama Medal at the Montgomeryshire and the Marches National Eisteddfod. The play was first staged at the 2016 Eisteddfod in Abergavenny, with Bonello serving as musical director.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theatr.cymru/portfolio/the-drama-village/?lang=en | title=The Drama Village - Rhith Gân|accessdate=5 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/176721224|title=Addysg - Rhith Gan (Wyn Mason)|first=Theatr Gen|last=Cymru|date=29 July 2016|accessdate=2 August 2020|website=Vimeo.com}}</ref>
In October 2011, Bonello travelled to [[Chengdu]], China as part of [[The British Council]]'s China Residencies, in collaboration with the PRS for Music Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.britishcouncil.org/projects/musicians-in-residence-china|title=Musicians in Residence, China|first=Stephen|last=Bloomfield|date=31 December 2017|website=British Council Music|access-date=2 August 2020}}</ref> The residency at the Chengdu Associated Theatre of Performing Arts produced Bonello's third album, ''Y Bardd Anfarwol'' (''The Immortal Bard''), released in 2013. It was recorded both in China with local musicians and back in the UK with The Mavron Quartet, members of the [[UK Chinese Ensemble]] and contributors such as Laura J. Martin on flute and Lisa Jên, who sang lead vocals on one track. The Welsh-language project, which combines Welsh and Chinese folk traditions, is based on the life and works of Chinese poet [[Li Bai]]. In 2014 it won Best Welsh Album at the [[National Eisteddfod of Wales|National Eisteddfod]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/national-eisteddfod-gentle-good-win-7583940|title=National Eisteddfod: The Gentle Good win album of the year|author=Sion Morgan|date=8 August 2014|publisher=WalesOnline}}</ref> In 2015 the play ''Rhith Gân'' by Wyn Mason, based on ''Y Bardd Anfarwol'', won the Drama Medal at the Montgomeryshire and the Marches National Eisteddfod. The play was first staged at the 2016 Eisteddfod in Abergavenny, with Bonello serving as musical director.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theatr.cymru/portfolio/the-drama-village/?lang=en |title=The Drama Village - Rhith Gân |access-date=5 August 2016 |archive-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915150239/http://theatr.cymru/portfolio/the-drama-village/?lang=en |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/176721224|title=Addysg - Rhith Gan (Wyn Mason)|first=Theatr Gen|last=Cymru|date=29 July 2016|access-date=2 August 2020|website=Vimeo.com}}</ref>


In early 2014, Bonello released on Bandcamp a new EP, ''Plygeiniwch!'', featuring traditional acoustic [[Fingerstyle guitar|fingerpicking]] instrumentals, with all proceeds going to [[Macmillan Cancer Support]]. In 2014 he's also appeared in [[Cerys Matthews]]'s [[S4C]] documentary about the history of folk music in Wales, ''Y Goeden Faled'' (''The Ballad Tree'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/cerys-matthews-takes-journey-welsh-6949481|title=Cerys Matthews: Why there's nowt so dear as folk|author=Karen Price|date=12 April 2014|website=WalesOnline.co.uk}}</ref>
In early 2014, Bonello released on Bandcamp a new EP, ''Plygeiniwch!'', featuring traditional acoustic [[Fingerstyle guitar|fingerpicking]] instrumentals, with all proceeds going to [[Macmillan Cancer Support]]. In 2014 he has also appeared in [[Cerys Matthews]]'s [[S4C]] documentary about the history of folk music in Wales, ''Y Goeden Faled'' (''The Ballad Tree'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/cerys-matthews-takes-journey-welsh-6949481|title=Cerys Matthews: Why there's nowt so dear as folk|author=Karen Price|date=12 April 2014|website=WalesOnline.co.uk}}</ref>


Bonello's next album, ''Ruins/Adfeilion'', was recorded in January 2016 and released on Bubblewrap in October 2016. Alongside regular collaborators, the album features [[Georgia Ruth]] on harp and backing vocals.<ref name=Inter2016>{{cite web|url=http://www.jomec.co.uk/intercardiff/food-culture/suffer-the-small-birds-the-gentle-good | title=The Gentle Good, a Welsh musician’s fight for global human rights | date=7 December 2016|author=Noelle E.C. Evans|publisher=InterCardiff}}</ref> The album was nominated for Welsh Language Album of the Year at the 2017 National Eisteddfod<ref>[https://eisteddfod.wales/welsh-language-album-year-shortlist-published-0 Welsh Language Album of the Year Shortlist Published]. 12 July 2017.</ref> and in October that year won the [[Welsh Music Prize]] for 2016-2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/welsh-music-prize-2017-winner-13792057 | title=The Winner of the Welsh Music Prize 2017 | date=20 October 2017|author=David Owens| publisher=WalesOnline}}</ref>
Bonello's next album, ''Ruins/Adfeilion'', was recorded in January 2016 and released on Bubblewrap in October 2016. Alongside regular collaborators, the album features [[Georgia Ruth]] on harp and backing vocals.<ref name=Inter2016>{{cite web|url=http://www.jomec.co.uk/intercardiff/food-culture/suffer-the-small-birds-the-gentle-good | title=The Gentle Good, a Welsh musician's fight for global human rights | date=7 December 2016|author=Noelle E.C. Evans|publisher=InterCardiff}}</ref> The album was nominated for Welsh Language Album of the Year at the 2017 National Eisteddfod<ref>[https://eisteddfod.wales/welsh-language-album-year-shortlist-published-0 Welsh Language Album of the Year Shortlist Published]. 12 July 2017.</ref> and in October that year won the [[Welsh Music Prize]] for 2016–2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/welsh-music-prize-2017-winner-13792057 | title=The Winner of the Welsh Music Prize 2017 | date=20 October 2017|author=David Owens| publisher=WalesOnline}}</ref>


The Gentle Good has toured in the UK and performed solo and with a band in various festivals around Wales, including the [[Hay Festival]], [[Calan Mai]] Folk Festival, [[National Eisteddfod of Wales|The National Eisteddfod]], [[Laugharne Weekend]], [[WOMEX|WOMEX 2013]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.womex.com/virtual/trac/gentle_good|title=Gentle Good - WOMEX|website=Womex.com|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref> and [[Festival N°6]]; he's been a regular performer at the [[Green Man Festival]]. In 2015 Bonello returned to perform in Australia and India, and also took a further trip to China to perform music off his third album.<ref name=PRS2015 /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.britishcouncil.org/projects/china-residencies/gareth-bonello-china-tour|title=The British Council Music Projects – Gareth Bonello China Tour|date=February 2015|publisher=The British Council}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2015.perthfestival.com.au/Whats-on-by-Genre/Great-Southern-Festival/The-Gentle-Good|title=The Gentle Good|website=2015.perthfestival.com.au|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref>
The Gentle Good has toured in the UK and performed solo and with a band in various festivals around Wales, including the [[Hay Festival]], [[Calan Mai]] Folk Festival, [[National Eisteddfod of Wales|The National Eisteddfod]], [[Laugharne Weekend]], [[WOMEX|WOMEX 2013]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.womex.com/virtual/trac/gentle_good|title=Gentle Good - WOMEX|website=Womex.com|access-date=2 August 2020}}</ref> and [[Festival N°6]]; he has been a regular performer at the [[Green Man Festival]]. In 2015 Bonello returned to perform in Australia and India, and also took a further trip to China to perform music off his third album.<ref name=PRS2015 /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.britishcouncil.org/projects/china-residencies/gareth-bonello-china-tour|title=The British Council Music Projects – Gareth Bonello China Tour|date=February 2015|publisher=The British Council}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2015.perthfestival.com.au/Whats-on-by-Genre/Great-Southern-Festival/The-Gentle-Good|title=The Gentle Good|website=2015.perthfestival.com.au|access-date=2 August 2020}}</ref>


Bonello has long collaborated with musician [[Richard James (musician)|Richard James]], performing as a duo and also as guitarist in James's accompanying band.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j8JeW1TU-A|title= OUTSIDE MY HOUSE 1 – Mel Daley, Rich James + Gareth Bonello|date=28 May 2013|publisher=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4rAU0PVxjw|title=Richard James – Cariad y Wawr – Live at Acapela Studio|date=16 November 2013|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> Bonello was also one of the musicians who appeared on James's 2015 album, [http://richardjames.bandcamp.com/releases ''All the New Highways''], which was nominated for the 2014–2015 [[Welsh Music Prize]].<ref>[http://www.welshmusicprize.com/home/nominees/previous-winners/2017-2/] {{dead link|date=August 2020}}</ref>
Bonello has long collaborated with musician [[Richard James (musician)|Richard James]], performing as a duo and also as guitarist in James's accompanying band.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j8JeW1TU-A|title= OUTSIDE MY HOUSE 1 – Mel Daley, Rich James + Gareth Bonello|date=28 May 2013|publisher=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4rAU0PVxjw|title=Richard James – Cariad y Wawr – Live at Acapela Studio|date=16 November 2013|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> Bonello was also one of the musicians who appeared on James's 2015 album, [http://richardjames.bandcamp.com/releases ''All the New Highways''], which was nominated for the 2014–2015 [[Welsh Music Prize]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.welshmusicprize.com/home/nominees/previous-winners/2017-2/ |title=2017 - Welsh Music Prize / Gwobr Gerddoriaeth Gymreig |access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052322/http://www.welshmusicprize.com/home/nominees/previous-winners/2017-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Bonello has a degree in zoology and specialised in ornithology. In 2020 he completed a PhD at the University of South Wales, "Welsh and Khasi Cultural Dialogues: Research through Creative Practice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.welshkhasidialogues.co.uk/about-us.html|title=Welsh and Khasi Cultural Dialogues|website=Welshkhasisialogues.co.uk|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=Inter2016 /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gradschool.southwales.ac.uk/student-stories/dr-gareth-bonello/ | title=Dr Gareth Bonello | website=University of South Wales|accessdate=4 August 2020}}</ref> Alongside music, he worked with the [[British Trust for Ornithology]] and from 2007 until 2015 with [[Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales]] at [[St Fagans National History Museum]], where he also conducted the yearly bird walks celebrating [[Dawn chorus (birds)#International Dawn Chorus Day|International Dawn Chorus Day]] at the museum's grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/st-fagans-national-history-museum-2049010|title=St Fagans National History Museum celebrates International Dawn Chorus Day|date=28 April 2012|author=Alison Young|publisher=WalesOnline}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=ghbonello|author=Gareth Bonello|number=588361249978744832|date=15 April 2015|title=I'm leaving @AmgueddfaCymru after over a decade and my final task is to lead this dawn chorus walk! It'll be magic!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/news/?article_id=360|title=St Fagans springs into summer – Press release|date=31 May 2007|publisher=National Museum Wales}}</ref>
Bonello has a degree in zoology and specialised in ornithology. In 2020 he completed a PhD at the University of South Wales, "Welsh and Khasi Cultural Dialogues: Research through Creative Practice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.welshkhasidialogues.co.uk/about-us.html|title=Welsh and Khasi Cultural Dialogues|website=Welshkhasisialogues.co.uk|access-date=2 August 2020|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021312/http://www.welshkhasidialogues.co.uk/about-us.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Inter2016 /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gradschool.southwales.ac.uk/student-stories/dr-gareth-bonello/ | title=Dr Gareth Bonello | website=University of South Wales|access-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> Alongside music, he worked with the [[British Trust for Ornithology]] and from 2007 until 2015 with [[Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales]] at [[St Fagans National History Museum]], where he also conducted the yearly bird walks celebrating [[Dawn chorus (birds)#International Dawn Chorus Day|International Dawn Chorus Day]] at the museum's grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/st-fagans-national-history-museum-2049010|title=St Fagans National History Museum celebrates International Dawn Chorus Day|date=28 April 2012|author=Alison Young|publisher=WalesOnline}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=ghbonello|author=Gareth Bonello|number=588361249978744832|date=15 April 2015|title=I'm leaving @AmgueddfaCymru after over a decade and my final task is to lead this dawn chorus walk! It'll be magic!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/news/?article_id=360|title=St Fagans springs into summer – Press release|date=31 May 2007|publisher=National Museum Wales}}</ref>


Bonello lives in Cardiff with his wife, Jennifer Gallichan, who is also part of The Gentle Good's live lineup.
Bonello lives in Cardiff with his wife, Jennifer Gallichan, who is also part of The Gentle Good's live lineup.

He supports [[Welsh independence]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yesismore.cymru/artists/gareth-bonello/ | title=Gareth Bonello }}</ref>


==Solo discography==
==Solo discography==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Cardiff]]
[[Category:Singers from Cardiff]]
[[Category:Welsh male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Welsh male singers]]
[[Category:Welsh folk singers]]
[[Category:Welsh folk singers]]
[[Category:British folk guitarists]]
[[Category:British folk guitarists]]
[[Category:Welsh-language singers]]
[[Category:Welsh-language singers]]
[[Category:Welsh-speaking musicians]]
[[Category:Welsh-speaking musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Welsh singers]]
[[Category:21st-century male singers]]

Latest revision as of 03:36, 8 June 2023

Gareth Bonello
Birth nameGareth Huw Bonello
Also known asThe Gentle Good
Born (1981-04-13) 13 April 1981 (age 43)
Cardiff, Wales
GenresFolk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, cello, piano
LabelsGwymon, Bubblewrap Records
Websitewww.thegentlegood.com

The Gentle Good is the stage name of Gareth Bonello (born 13 April 1981), a singer-songwriter and folk musician from Cardiff who performs in English and Welsh. The stage name is inspired by Bonello's, with "Gareth" traditionally meaning "Gentle" in Welsh. In addition to his own material, Bonello has had a longstanding partnership with musician Richard James and has also collaborated with other artists as a session musician.

Career[edit]

Bonello started performing in Cardiff open mic nights in his early twenties and soon moved on to writing and performing his own material.[1]

His debut EP was self-released in 2005 and titled Find Your Way Back Home. It included two English tracks and two Welsh tracks.[2]

Bonello's first EP on a label, Dawel Disgyn, was released on Gwymon in 2007. It features Seb Goldfinch on violin, Llion Robertson on keys and Lindsey Leven (now in Gulp) on backing vocals. Robertson has also produced all of Bonello's albums to date.

Bonello's debut album While You Slept I Went Out Walking was released in 2008. Sung in both Welsh and English, it features renditions of traditional tracks and original songs. After the album's release, Bonello was invited to play at the 2008 Festival Interceltique de Lorient[3] and as part of the Wales programme at the 2009 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.[4] He has previously performed at the Glastonbury Festival, as part of the 2009 Emerging Talent Competition, and at the SXSW festival in Texas.[5]

Second album Tethered for the Storm, released in 2010, included an a cappella duet with Lisa Jên Brown of Welsh-language folk band 9Bach and backing vocals from Cate Le Bon. The album featured The Mavron Quartet with string arrangements by Seb Goldfinch.

In October 2011, Bonello travelled to Chengdu, China as part of The British Council's China Residencies, in collaboration with the PRS for Music Foundation.[6] The residency at the Chengdu Associated Theatre of Performing Arts produced Bonello's third album, Y Bardd Anfarwol (The Immortal Bard), released in 2013. It was recorded both in China with local musicians and back in the UK with The Mavron Quartet, members of the UK Chinese Ensemble and contributors such as Laura J. Martin on flute and Lisa Jên, who sang lead vocals on one track. The Welsh-language project, which combines Welsh and Chinese folk traditions, is based on the life and works of Chinese poet Li Bai. In 2014 it won Best Welsh Album at the National Eisteddfod.[7] In 2015 the play Rhith Gân by Wyn Mason, based on Y Bardd Anfarwol, won the Drama Medal at the Montgomeryshire and the Marches National Eisteddfod. The play was first staged at the 2016 Eisteddfod in Abergavenny, with Bonello serving as musical director.[8][9]

In early 2014, Bonello released on Bandcamp a new EP, Plygeiniwch!, featuring traditional acoustic fingerpicking instrumentals, with all proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support. In 2014 he has also appeared in Cerys Matthews's S4C documentary about the history of folk music in Wales, Y Goeden Faled (The Ballad Tree).[10]

Bonello's next album, Ruins/Adfeilion, was recorded in January 2016 and released on Bubblewrap in October 2016. Alongside regular collaborators, the album features Georgia Ruth on harp and backing vocals.[11] The album was nominated for Welsh Language Album of the Year at the 2017 National Eisteddfod[12] and in October that year won the Welsh Music Prize for 2016–2017.[13]

The Gentle Good has toured in the UK and performed solo and with a band in various festivals around Wales, including the Hay Festival, Calan Mai Folk Festival, The National Eisteddfod, Laugharne Weekend, WOMEX 2013[14] and Festival N°6; he has been a regular performer at the Green Man Festival. In 2015 Bonello returned to perform in Australia and India, and also took a further trip to China to perform music off his third album.[1][15][16]

Bonello has long collaborated with musician Richard James, performing as a duo and also as guitarist in James's accompanying band.[17][18] Bonello was also one of the musicians who appeared on James's 2015 album, All the New Highways, which was nominated for the 2014–2015 Welsh Music Prize.[19]

Personal life[edit]

Bonello has a degree in zoology and specialised in ornithology. In 2020 he completed a PhD at the University of South Wales, "Welsh and Khasi Cultural Dialogues: Research through Creative Practice".[20][11][21] Alongside music, he worked with the British Trust for Ornithology and from 2007 until 2015 with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales at St Fagans National History Museum, where he also conducted the yearly bird walks celebrating International Dawn Chorus Day at the museum's grounds.[22][23][24]

Bonello lives in Cardiff with his wife, Jennifer Gallichan, who is also part of The Gentle Good's live lineup.

He supports Welsh independence.[25]

Solo discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • While You Slept I Went Out Walking (2008, Gwymon)
  • Tethered for the Storm (2010, Gwymon)
  • Y Bardd Anfarwol (2013, Bubblewrap Records)
  • Ruins/Adfeilion (2016, Bubblewrap Records)

EPs[edit]

  • Find Your Way Back Home (2005, self-released)
  • Dawel Disgyn (2007, Gwymon)
  • Plygeiniwch! (2014, via Bandcamp)
  • Y Gwyfyn (2018, Bubblewrap) release marking Welsh Language Music Day

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "PRS for Music – The Gentle Good interview 2015". YouTube. 28 August 2015.
  2. ^ "The Gentle Good - Find Your Way Back Home EP". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Lorient 2008 - Year of Wales | Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  4. ^ Smithsonian Folklife Festival – 2009 – Wales Music and Dance Archived 23 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Bethan Elfyn (3 February 2011). "BBC Blogs – Wales – Interview: The Gentle Good". BBC.
  6. ^ Bloomfield, Stephen (31 December 2017). "Musicians in Residence, China". British Council Music. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  7. ^ Sion Morgan (8 August 2014). "National Eisteddfod: The Gentle Good win album of the year". WalesOnline.
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