Frank Lloyd Wleft

Self-proclaimed as London’s foremost ‘post-Americana’ artist, Frank Lloyd Wleft releases ‘Caroline’, his debut single proper, on 5th July. Featuring contributions from members of Deadletter and Lilo and the recorded debut of his backing band (or ‘Orchestra’). The track is his third solo release but his first using proper recording techniques after his lo-fi bedroom double A, ‘See Where You Land/The Gilesgate Monologues’.

Though most recognisable for his country riffs, bolo ties and obsession with The Carter Family, ‘Caroline’ speaks more of his love for Australian jangle acts. Of the tune, he says, “Caroline is one of my Australia songs, fan art for acts like Dick Diver, Courtney Barnett, Lower Plenty and The Go-Betweens. With the sparse opening, I wanted to experiment with space and silence in a pop context. The piece is especially indebted to the experimental minimalism of The Finks, who everyone needs to listen to.”

The track also finds a musical kinship with London peers like Baggio and Moon Balloon, and indeed borrows Robbie Carmen, lap steel player for Baggio as well as Lilo and Nudista. Completing the lineup is Poppy Richler, occasional Orchestra member and full-time saxophonist with Deadletter.

The 22-year-old Wleft has been performing in London in various capacities steadily since the end of the pandemic. Sets generally feature his backing band, or ‘Orchestra’, which currently consists of drummer Will Ormsby and bassist Beatrice Stride as well as Richler when possible. Highlights of their short band history include high-profile Windmill support slots with The Rebel (at the 2022 Windmill Country Christmas Concert) and Lou Terry, as well as art /music showcases at The Public Revue, where ‘The Orchestra’ have rubbed shoulders with the likes of Ash Kenazi, Gentle Stranger and Waterbaby.

Outside of his own band, Wleft plays guitar for Salomé Wu and has done stints playing with fellow London country singer Wildwood Daddy, as well as Cosette Gobat and Goat Girl’s H. L. Grail. He also performs regularly at poetry nights in the capital, and has had work published by Blue Shout (run by Angus Rogers of Opus Kink), Legss lead singer Ned Green’s Toothgrinder Press and the Gobjaw Poetry Collective.

Wleft officially launches ‘Caroline’ with a launch show at The George Tavern on 19th July constituting the band’s first proper headline gig. Support comes from Baggio and more acts tbc.