Aldous Harding
A disarming slant on gothic folk.
Overview
Lyttleton born and raised gothic-folk musician Aldous Harding (nee Hannah) is reminiscent of an age gone by. Drawing comparisons to folk-singers of the sixties for her vocal styling and timbre, the 24-year-old distinctively embraces far darker themes than her forebears with moody lyricism that draws on Harding’s own experiences and an eclectic mix of modern and classical inspiration – Cormac McCarthy, J.D. Salinger, The Wind In The Willows; films Howl’s Moving Castle and the thematically surprising Clueless – a reminder of the young singer’s separation from her stage persona.
Harding has toured with Tiny Ruins and Perfume Genius and her debut self-titled album has received accolades from the likes of Uncut and Mojo. Produced by fellow Lyttleton musician, old friend and now partner, Marlon Williams – with whom she often joins on stage with beguiling presence, the record is a stripped back affair, championing Harding’s haunting vocals which tell gloomy tales of death, grief, birth and love set to stark instrumentals.
2016 sees Harding undertake her second European tour with over twenty dates booked in across France, Belgium, Germany and England. With Harding now living in Melbourne, catch her while you can in one of Auckland’s delightfully intimate venues performing both familiar and new material.