Words: Adora Mekuleyi. Images: Olly Bromidge. Lighting/ Lighting Assistant Fuji George-Fukuda
Jangly Guitars, Paris, and the Art of Not Fitting In
“A haven for self expression”, Gingerella are that rare breed of band that thrives on contradiction. They’re jangly but polished, scrappy but precise, and wholly uninterested in fitting into the music industry’s neatly packaged molds. “ We are a club band, we wouldn’t want to be a festival or stadium band yet”, frontman Tommy states.
It’s this refusal to conform that makes Gingerella a standout presence in London’s music scene—and beyond. They’ve carved a path for themselves that feels equal parts DIY and destiny, playing everything from packed-out Parisian clubs to dingy venues with barely a dozen punters. “ On the tour we did two weeks playing some tiny tiny places and honestly there were like 10 people there… all these old guys as you walk in and you’ve got the make-up and the boots on.. ‘oh shit, here we go’ but as soon as you start playing, it’s great” Tommy laughs.
Gingerella’s story started online, where Tommy first spotted videos of guitarist Noah, who was then based in Newcastle. “ He ended up coming to uni here [london]. We played our first gig at Bush Hall and after that we were looking for more permanent musicians.,” Tommy recalls. From there, the lineup grew organically. “We found Simon online, and Ed joined through auditions,” Noah adds. Despite their unorthodox beginnings, the chemistry was instant. “We’ve never been one of those bands that has awkward fights in rehearsal,” Ed says. “Even when we screw up, it’s fun.”
“We just want to play good music, have a good time.”
Their influences are a love letter to British music’s greats: Bowie, Ray Davies, The Smiths, and lesser-known gems like Little Barrie.“People [that] seem to bottle the mundane and make it exciting – I really like that” Tommy explains. But there’s a deeper thread running through their music—a sense of immediacy and emotional honesty that transcends their jangly guitars and clever lyrics.
Ask any member of Gingerella about their best gig, and the answer is unanimous: Supersonic in Paris. “It felt like a riot was about to break out,” Tommy says, describing the energy of the sold-out crowd. “You put your guitar in the air, and they lose their minds.”
But for every Parisian triumph, there’s a London show that feels more subdued. “People here are too cool to let go,” Noah says. Tommy agrees. “There’s a difference. In Paris, you’ve got mid-size venues, affordable tickets, and people who just want to have a good time. London venues are struggling, tickets are expensive, and it’s harder to create that same vibe.”. A true testament to the current London music scene and its hurdles for grassroots venues and musicians.
Despite these challenges, Gingerella has cultivated a loyal following in both cities. “We’ve sold out five or six London gigs now.” Ed notes. “It’s just harder to take that next step without a release or a massive social media following.”
Speaking of social media, Gingerella approaches it with a level of skepticism that feels refreshingly old-school. “I think it makes more influencers musicians than it makes musicians influencers.” Tommy states. “I’m all for more people doing music but when it becomes less of a cultural thing and more of like a science than an art that’s when it gets a bit iffy.”
The band is determined to keep their mystique alive, resisting the pressure to churn out endless content. “ We want people to believe in us as a real band.
With the bands that you love, you really believe in them, you become immersed in their world;
and if suddenly they’re breaking down all those barriers and begging you to stream their song… you don’t believe in it anymore. Those sort of heroes are dying.” Tommy explains. “It’s really impressive that you’ve managed to keep that ‘word of mouth band’ thing alive in the digital age.”
At a Gingerella gig, you’re as likely to see the audience and band alike in their best finery, the band’s aesthetic is an extension of their music: bold, unfiltered, and unapologetic. “A Gingerella gig is a haven for self-expression,” Tommy says. “You can wear what you want, be who you want, and feel safe doing it.”
Their live shows are where the band truly comes alive, Ed stated, “It was sort of affirmation that actually the club sound worked really well on a big stage.”. Whether they’re jamming out the middle section of Cabaret or delivering the sleek melodies of Sophisticated Affair, there’s a naturalism to their performance that feels like a rebellion against overly rehearsed stagecraft, “well the energy is natural, we never fucking rehearse performing, which is why s“We’ve sold out five or six London gigs now.”
Sometimes it might look ridiculous, but it also looks real”.
What’s Next for Gingerella? With a string of sold-out shows, a growing fanbase, and their first studio recordings under their belt, Gingerella is poised for bigger stages—but not at the cost of their integrity,
“We just want to play good music, have a good time.”
If that’s the ethos Gingerella are building their career on, then their rise will be as organic and honest as the music they play. For now, they’re London’s best-kept secret—but don’t expect that to last long.
Gingerella : instagram.com/gingerellatheband
