News Gengahr

: Gengahr
Based: London
Listen: Soundcloud.com/gengahr
Similar to: Unknown Mortal Orchestra

When they started out, Gengahr were calling themselves RES, claiming to be from North Dakota - just because. Now things have settled into a rhythm and this week marks their first high-profile appearances at pick’n’mix fests Liverpool Sound City and Live At Leeds. Still minus a proper portrait photo, word’s slowly creeping round to their muggy, undeniably gorgeous take on heartfelt pop, where contorted guitar work is as much of a big draw as anthem-ready choruses.

So far there’s a trio of demos to choose from, although the band have been playing scattered dates in Reading and Guildford. It’s early days, but in these rough recordings, songwriting chops are right at the forefront. There’s the same psych tones of Unknown Mortal Orchestra swimming around, but those Bee Gees comparisons lumped towards All We Are give good claims here too. Check out a new video for ‘Fill My Gums With Blood’ below, directed by 9-year-old Nico.

Catch Gengahr at Liverpool Sound City (Thursday 1st May, Kazimier, 8.30pm) and Live At Leeds (Saturday 3rd May, Belgrave Music Hall And Canteen, 3pm).