Singer. Songwriter. Storyteller. Campaigner. Crocodile Charmer*. Half Irish, Quarter Welsh, Quarter English, All Human. Mental Health Awareness Campaigner. Astronaut**. Fantasist. Spy.

"Ain't No Place to Hide is a musical masterpiece. There is no doubt that Craig is an accomplished artist, combining Folk & Americana with a hint of Country to create a real audio delight" - Music News Monthly 

A brief history...

Craig Gould combines his "Beautiful songwriting" (Simon Fowler, Ocean Colour Scene) and "Powerful voice" (Mark Chadwick, Levellers) to entwine his listeners within his "Wonderfully crafted tales" (BBC Introducing)

Craig spent a decade of his earlier years in a band called Carousel Circus, playing on the bill with some fantastic established acts (Ocean Colour Scene, Levellers, The Rifles, Example, The Undertones, Bez from Happy Monday’s, Oysterband, Saw Doctors, 3 Daft Monkeys, Home Service, Flogging Molly, Maximo Park) at some of the UK's greatest venues and festivals (Birmingham Symphony Hall, Camden Assembly, Islington Academy, Liverpool Cavern Club, Solfest, Bearded Theory, Timber). It was during this time that Craig's talent for songwriting and storytelling truly came alive. Thunderous live shows and numerous live radio performances on BBC Introducing and Kerrang! Radio established Craig as one of the hottest new songwriters in the UK. He also beat Chuck Norris at darts with a Shanghai finish***

In 2014 he left the band to concentrate on a promising management career, but this progression came at a cost. In 2016 Craig collapsed at work and was later diagnosed with a severe mental breakdown and PTSD, a 'burnout' result after years of work within various management roles. It was in these darkest of times that Craig re-discovered his love for music. Songwriting became a tool to process what had happened. It helped him move forward and left him with a collection of songs offering insight and inspiration.

Fast forward to 2020 (Not the best year for a comeback!) and Craig was energised to perform and determined to inspire change. After 6 years away from the scene he took to the stage at the Nottingham Contemporary to open for indie band "The Swines" (fronted by Scott Bugg, brother of Jake Bugg) and to announce the launch of the Craig Gould Music Project - using his music to drive positive change towards mental health care within the UK.

and now...

Craig returned to the music scene to make more than just song. He set out the framework of a music project that would use those songs from the dark times to inspire respite for others in need. After pitching the idea to a number of mental health charities in the UK, Craig signed a commercial partnership agreement in 2020 with the fantastic Campaign Against Living Miserably - CALM - a partnership that will see Craig donate all sales/streaming profits from the debut solo album (and it's three singles) for as long as the profit is generated. 

With a national charity on board, Craig began work to raise finances to fund the album. A successful  crowdfunding campaign saw an initial target of £1,500 raised in just 7 days, with the amount now at over £2300 raised from over 80 donors! Craig wasted no time in honouring this wonderful fan based endorsement and began approaching the right people to bring the songs to life. 

Craig moved quickly to secure the services of the supremely talented Miles Myerscough-Harris of Wholehog Media to produce/mix & master the album. Miles had worked previously with Mark Knopfler, Lukas Nelson & Yola from the amazing Under The Apple Tree Studios in Oxfordshire - a wonderful family business set up with his Father & broadcasting legend "Whispering" Bob Harris. 

Outside of the project Craig enjoyed further success in 2021 when commissioned by circularity.org as part of their "Songs From the Wood" project. Craig wrote "All I Need" which featured as part of an EP release supported by The National Forest.  A short film and an intimate campfire performance at the fabulous Timber Festival was also part of this commissioning

Craig's debut single "Ain't No Place To Hide" released in September 2021 to warm critical acclaim. The song  hit #2 in the iTunes UK Country Chart, and was chosen by the BCMA and MAM as their "Country release of the Week." The track gained support from numerous UK Radio Stations (BBC, Chris Country Radio, Country Radio UK and ARC Radio Playlist) and was also chosen by Anna Louise of BBC Radio Kent as her "Release of the Week". BBC Radio Derby also featured a live track performance from Craig for each night during single release week. The track featured performances from some fantastic artists, such as AMA UK 'Instrumentalist of the Year' Anna Corcoran (Robert Vincent, Laura Marling) on piano and Chris Baldwin (Riding The Low) on backing vocals.

"A joyful, flawless anthem" - indiemusiccenter.com

"Between Gould's timeless songwriting and the stunning musicianship, this delivers the full package" - threechordscountry.net

The second single "Captain of the Seas" released in November 2021 and hit #1 in the Amazon Music "Hot New Releases" Folk Chart, as well as #4 in the iTunes UK Singer/Songwriter chart. The track again recieved support from BBC Radio as well as longstanding and established UK Folk/Americana Radio shows such as The Folk Pilot, What The Folk is That?, and Leader's American Pie. Country Radio UK added "Captain of the Seas" to their morning playlist during release week & Anna Louise of BBC Radio Kent again chose the single as her "Release of the Week" - these amazing achievements for an independent artist was further enhanced by over 300 plays of the song on both Amazing Radio's UK and USA streaming services.

Craig's fantastic debut solo year ended with further acclaim, with "Captain of the Seas" receiving nomination for "Single of the Year" (alongside artists such as Sam Fender) as well as being named as 'One to Watch in 2022' by the fantastic musicnewsmonthly.com

"Known for his captivating storytelling style of writing and performing, his latest work is an exquisite blend of delicate instrumentation and emotive vocals. Truly captivating..." - sinusoidalmusic.com

"A deeply affecting and moving song... Poetic and haunting... It's hard not to be taken aback" -atthebarrier.com

"An amazingly good, powerful song with a lush arrangement. Make a note of the name" - folking.com

"A vocally-pleasing effort of excellence that might have the hairs on your arms standing up to attention. He sings with such a joyful style and the well-constructed lyrics completely grab you by your soul, to lead you to into this cinematic-like story" - anrfactory

The next single release from the album is scheduled for February 2022, with the album landing in Spring 2022. Thank you for reading. 

To learn more about the project click here, and to see how you can help and support the project, please click here.

* The attendance of both crocodiles AND alligators at live shows is strictly prohibited

** Due to medication and a poor disciplinary record Craig is currently unable to leave the Earth's atmosphere

*** "I felt the air conditioning played a part in my defeat, but fair play to Craig. He ground that win out" - Chuck Norris