Straight Outta NETHERBURY

STU LAMBERT discovers The Gravity Drive preparing their second album The Wildlight for lift-off

- STU LAMBERT

“We play epic music that is highly emotive and sweeps you up,” declares Ava Wolf, co-lead singer in The Gravity Drive with her mythically-named husband Elijah Wolf. The act won acclaim for their first album Testament, released in 2014, from music luminaries including Tom Robinson and Bob Harris. Chris Hawkins of BBC 6 Music described their music as: “Inspired and inspiring, positive and uplifting, with passionate harmonies.”

The follow-up album, The Wildlight, is released on August 21. Opener Hits Like a Fix certainly ticks the ‘epic’ box, with a cinerama soundscape reminiscent of finest Goldfrapp, melodies worthy of a James Bond theme and a silky, wistful vocal from Ava. Second track Shooting Star features Elijah’s vocal over West-Coast guitars and lush backing vocals, confirming the references that have been made to Buckingham-Nicks era Fleetwood Mac. The remainder of the ten-track album deftly combines a distinctive approach with moments that call to mind the best tunes on your favourite adult rock albums and the lavish sound that is such a surprise coming straight outta...West Dorset.

For The Gravity Drive have also gained respect by achieving recognition without the near obligatory move to London, preferring to nest in Netherbury, just outside Bridport, where they live with their young daughter in a rustic cottage with a wild bluebell wood at the bottom of the garden.