Indie Folk from mUmbo

Formed in London back in 2021, mUmbo is a musical trio that delivers a truly unique sonic experience. The outfit features the talents of multi-instrumentalist Doug MacGowan, known for his skill on electric and acoustic guitars, banjo and bass, Emma Semple, who lends her enchanting vocals, violin and viola, and Italian drummer Antonio Dale, who joined the ensemble in 2022.

Together, they blend influences from rock, indie pop, blues, folk and jazz to craft their own distinctive sound, influenced by a shared love for artists like Mazzy Star, Goldfrapp, Little Feat, Ry Cooder and Johnny Marr. Under the moniker mUmbo, these three musicians have woven a sonic fabric of indie rock infused with delicate psychedelic elements.

The project was introduced to the world in August 2021 when Doug and Emma unveiled their debut album, I Fly With Swallows, released via Silhouette Records. The addition of Antonio on drums in 2022 marked a new chapter for mUmbo and throughout the year, they released four singles. Now mUmbo presents their 7th single and the 3rd release of the year with the brand new single titled “Red Balloons.”

This time leaning into a wistful indie folk sound, with “Red Balloons” the band serves up a stunning song of timeless quality. Opened by the playful flutter of guitar notes, Emma Semple’s elegant voice enters above the snap of laid back drums and warm pulses of bass guitar.

Spinning intricate melodic leads, backed by soft vocalisations, they craft an inviting alternative folk scene with subtle psychedelic undertones, resulting in a dazzling sound. Between moments of spacey processing, Emma’s voice dances beautifully above as the song builds to a hypnotic finale brimming with splashy drums and mesmeric string flourishes.

With their profound songwriting, mUmbo tackles the theme of holding onto hope and optimism in the face of frequent struggle and discouragement. The song’s title itself, with its imagery of red balloons floating against the sky, symbolises the persistence of optimism in the midst of adversity. It’s a sensational new song that sees the band take another step closer to capturing the purest distillation of their original sonic vision.

Listen to Red Balloons below