I thought Ontario’s Strumbellas were making a pun on “umbrella” but they’re missing an R.
The name should be much more familiar by the end of the summer, anyway, for the sextet are about to have their breakthrough with Spirits, a hummable highlight from their third album, Hope.
It’s a song about loneliness and misery, but its hollered, folky chorus is made for a smiling singalong. It’s currently on over 12 million YouTube views and getting big numbers on Shazam too – always a strong indication of a future hit. Back in Canada, the band have previously won a Juno award for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year.
Now they’re pumping up their sound for the mainstream in a manner that should please fans of early Mumford & Sons, so its a good job they’re supporting the bigger band in Hyde Park next month.
Just before that, they’ll play their first ever UK show in Hoxton, and begin the process of becoming international stars.
July 5, Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen, N1 (020 7419 4696, hoxtonsquarebar.com); July 8, British Summer Time, Hyde Park, W1 (08448 24 48 24, bst-hydepark.com)