In the rolling hills of the Devonshire countryside lies Trobridge House, a secluded 16th-century estate with wood-panelled rooms and expansive lawns that provided the ideal backdrop for the creation of Bristol based Goldfinches’ debut album, Shanti Time.
What started as a personal and local musical project has now blossomed into a full-blown effort, with the band launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise £2,500. Their goal? To complete their unique album and support grassroots music in the community.
“We’ve almost raised £2,500 now,” shared James Anderson, who plays double bass in the band. “The support has been incredible, and it’s a reflection of how important community is to this kind of music.”
The creation of Shanti Time was as much about community as it was about the music. Recorded largely at Trobridge House, the band worked with minimal resources and relied heavily on the kindness of friends and fellow musicians. Anderson recalled how the group managed to overcome the challenges of recording on a shoestring budget.
“The recording of Shanti Time is a testament to the power of the bonds that making music can create. Without these bonds—and the warm hospitality of Tony Plato, his partner Gina, and their family—the recording sessions would never have materialised in the first place,” he explained.
The connections among the musicians go back decades, with song writer Shaun McCrindle, Tony, and Paul Bateman having played together in various bands since their days at Exeter University. It was at Tony’s suggestion, after he inherited Trobridge House, that the idea for a recording session came about.
“I came up with the idea of recording an album with Goldfinches there, featuring Tony on drums. It was only possible to record Shanti Time on a shoestring budget through all these wonderful West Country connections,” Said Shaun McCrindle who fonts the band.
The setting itself played a significant role in shaping the sound of the album. Trobridge House, with its high ceilings and rich acoustics, allowed the band to capture a warm, authentic sound.
“We used four rooms in the house, including the entrance hallway, to record different instruments. The grounds were so peaceful that we even recorded ‘The Salt Path’ entirely live and acoustic outside on the lawn using a single recorder,” said John Slattery who plays guitar and bouzouki.
Shanti Time is a collection of narrative songs inspired by personal experiences and literature. One of the standout tracks, “The Salt Path,” draws from Raynor Winn’s book of the same name, which tells the story of a couple’s journey along the southwest coastal path during a time of personal crisis. Another track, “Weird Jean,” is a maritime fable about a fisherman’s daughter who is afraid of the water, while the album’s title track, “Shanti Time,” references the inner peace felt during a family holiday in Cornwall.
“The ‘shanti’ in the album’s title alludes to the Sanskrit word for peace, not sea shanties, which is what many people might think at first,” Shaun clarified with a laugh.
Despite its storytelling roots, Shanti Time isn’t confined to one genre. Drawing from diverse influences—ranging from 1920s Berlin cabaret to soul and glam rock—the album reflects the eclectic tastes and experiences of the band.
Shaun has been writing songs since the mid-1980s, and his style is quirky, heartfelt, and humorous. He’s been described as everything from ‘Bristol’s answer to Jonathan Richman’ to creating ‘superbly languid mini-masterpieces.’ This album is a true reflection of his versatility.
To bring Shanti Time to life, Goldfinches launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising £2,500. These funds are critical for the completion of the album, particularly for final production stages with Jay Auborn, a producer and composer who has worked with the band on past projects.
“Though we recorded most of the album on a shoestring budget, we’ve organised the fundraising campaign to pay Jay to complete the album in a professional studio,” Shaun said. “We’ve had some very generous donations and lovely messages of support from the community.”
For Goldfinches, the support from their local community is not only heartwarming but also essential. Having played at countless events, street parties, and local festivals, the band has long been an integral part of the grassroots music scene in Bristol and beyond.
Shaun emphasised the importance of grassroots music, saying, “We passionately believe that grassroots music plays an essential role within the community. It’s lovely to see that appreciated through the donations and messages we’ve received so far.”
Goldfinches’ commitment to their supporters extends beyond just finishing the album. The band has also offered a unique incentive for larger donors: a chance to have the band perform a personal concert in the donor’s living room. For a donation of £250 or more, the band will bring their stripped-down acoustic set to an intimate, private venue.
“What appeals to us about this format is that it reflects how we often rehearse—playing in each other’s houses. We’re not a loud rock band, and it’s a pleasure for us to perform the songs in a stripped-down format,” Shaun explained.
“Without drums, it’s easier for the audience to hear the song lyrics, which can often be overlooked in a music venue. That personal connection with the audience is something we really value.”
James, Shaun and John are no strangers to the challenges faced by independent musicians, especially when it comes to funding and producing an album. With most of their careers operating outside of the traditional music industry, the band members have grown accustomed to navigating these hurdles on their own. However, Shanti Time marks the first time they’ve turned to crowdfunding for support.
“This is my first fundraising campaign. I’ve self-released seven albums to date, but this is the first time I’ve reached out for help to get the project finished,” McCrindle noted.
Despite the challenges, the band remains optimistic about the future of the album and independent music as a whole. “With your help, we can meet our funding target to get Shanti Time finished and released into the world,”.
Once the album is completed, Goldfinches plan to distribute physical and digital copies to their donors and promote the album through live performances and online. “We currently don’t have any specific dates planned, but we’re hoping to play in Bristol, Exeter, Stroud, and Crediton—areas that all have a connection with the band,”.
As the GoFundMe campaign continues to gather support, Goldfinches look forward to sharing their music with a wider audience. In the meantime, fans and supporters can keep up with the band’s progress at UK Goldfinches on Facebook, where they regularly post updates about the album.
“We’re excited to get Shanti Time finished and into the hands of our supporters,” Shaun said. “This album is a true reflection of our journey as musicians and as a community, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”
For more information or to support the band, you can visit their GoFundMe page here.