Are Banjo Ben and The Breeze the New Symbol of Wellington Folk Music?
Wellington-based alternative folk outfit Banjo Ben and The Breeze emerge with their debut comedy single Umbrella, out today, August 28th, on all streaming platforms. Blending theatrical storytelling with high-energy musicianship, the track marks the band’s playful entry into the comedic folk space.
Following a run of local gigs, touring, and festival appearances, the band took time out to record Umbrella with sound engineer Thomas Clark (Middle Island, Jack Bromwich). The result is a raw, adventurous indie-folk track that pushes beyond genre expectations while staying grounded in acoustic traditions.
Umbrella tells the chaotic story of a domino effect, stemming from the simple purchase of an umbrella in the windy city of Wellington. Propelled by vivid characterisation and accelerating tempos, the song takes listeners on an unpredictable journey – both lyrically and musically. What begins as an upbeat, danceable tune quickly spirals into a whirlwind of flurrying mandolin scales and rapid percussive fills, mirroring the escalating intensity of the story.
Rooted in Wellington, the band’s songwriting reflects a strong sense of place, with their home city serving as a key source of inspiration. This connection to tradition and their acoustic instrumentation is balanced against an unconventional approach to arrangement and storytelling, setting them apart from the rest of the local alternative music scene and providing an intriguingly new sonic palette for audiences.
Described by Ashley Brown (The Image) as a band whose “theatrical lyrics totally won over the giggling crowd,” there is no doubt that this single will build upon the band’s assortment of successful endeavours.
To accompany their debut track, Banjo Ben and The Breeze have announced their first Free Eyegum performance, taking place at Wellington’s beloved San Fran on Wednesday the 2nd of September.
Out now on all streaming platforms, Umbrella raises the question: are Banjo Ben and The Breeze the new symbol of Wellington folk music?
