Sessions 002: August Gone

Grunge roots, a fiercely independent streak and a debut album ready to make some noise. August Gone is gearing up for the biggest release of her career so far, with Broken People arriving on 6 November 2026.

We sat down with her to talk about the records that shaped her, the realities of going solo and what needs to change if Jersey's original music scene is going to get the recognition it deserves.

August Gone is exactly the kind of artist we want people to discover through Gigz Hub. A Jersey singer-songwriter with a taste for grunge, hard rock and songs that don't shy away from saying something. She writes her own material, plays bass and piano, and has carved out a sound that makes little effort to play it safe. This isn't music designed to fade into the background, and that's rather the point.

Her live credentials are already building. From headlining the Local Stage at Jersey's Weekender festival to taking her sound across to The Vault in Guernsey, she's been steadily making her mark. BBC Introducing in the Channel Islands has been paying attention, too. Both High Horse and Broken People picked up BBC Track of the Week, while her 2025 EP, Obey Not, was given its own dedicated BBC listening party, hosted by Tim Hunter.

Now comes the next chapter. Her debut album, Broken People, arrives on 6 November 2026, bringing together ten tracks exploring heartbreak, boundaries and the business of putting yourself back together. Singles including This Game, Heartbreak Angel, Selfish Gene and Mean Streak have already offered a taste of what's to come. She's also caught the attention of the Jersey Evening Post, earning a three-page feature, while four music videos directed by Philip Clyde-Smith have helped give the album its own visual identity. Two of those feature ballerina Mara Frunza.

For now, August Gone is taking to the stage solo, stripping things back and putting the focus firmly where it belongs: on the voice, the songs and the stories behind them.

And perhaps that's where she's most compelling. No big production to hide behind, no distractions, just an artist and her music. We're looking forward to seeing where she takes it next.

I’m August from the project August Gone. I am a Jersey-based singer-songwriter with a love for alternative rock, grunge, blues and a little bit of pop. I write all my own songs, drawing on real-life experiences, relationships, change and the messiness of being human.

My music has rock roots but isn’t afraid to explore different sounds, with raw vocals, honest lyrics and a little attitude thrown in for good measure.

I’ve been lucky enough to perform at local festivals and venues, and I’m currently preparing to release my debut album, Broken People, on 6 November 2026.

I was singing before I could even speak! I was quite the little jester at home, always performing and making people laugh, so music and entertaining people have been part of me for as long as I can remember.

As I got older, that naturally grew into joining choirs and orchestras. I learnt piano, double bass and then bass guitar before eventually finding my way into bands. Over time, I discovered songwriting and realised that music wasn't just something I loved doing; it was a way to express myself, make sense of life and turn my experiences into something creative.

It's been a part of me for as long as I can remember, and I can't imagine life without it.

I think it was the way music made me feel. I was always drawn to music, whether I was listening to albums or watching films like Singles, which really captured that whole alternative music scene.

I was fascinated by the musicians, the emotion, the sound and the way music could become such a huge part of someone's identity. It resonated with me on a level that was hard to explain. I didn't just want to listen to music; I wanted to be part of it, to create something of my own and make people feel something through my songs, too.

Some of my earliest memories of falling in love with music are listening to my dad’s vinyl and CD collection. I loved discovering different artists and sounds that way.

But one memory that really sticks with me is roller-skating with Kate Bush playing through my headphones. There was something magical about getting lost in the music and feeling like you were in your own little world.

I think that feeling has always stayed with me: that sense of freedom, emotion and escapism that music gives you. It’s something I still chase, both when I’m listening to music and when I’m writing my own.

I’d describe it as passionate, emotionally driven alternative music with rock, grunge, blues and pop influences. There’s a real intensity to it. Whether it’s a powerful ballad or something with a bit more grit and attitude, I want the songs to grab you and make you feel something.

My music isn’t really designed to be elevator music or something you just have on in the background.

People might be surprised to know that, although I love the energy and chemistry of playing in a band, going solo has pushed me to discover just how much I’m capable of.

I’m learning to become a powerhouse in my own right, free to follow my own creative vision without compromise. I might prefer sharing the stage with a band, but I’m proving to myself that I don’t need one to make an impact.

The 90s grunge scene has had a huge influence on me. Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and the Pixies are all bands I love.

I’m drawn to the raw emotion, intensity and honesty of grunge, and that definitely finds its way into my songwriting. I’m also hugely inspired by female artists like Heather Nova, Tracy Chapman, Lady Gaga and The Chicks, who each bring something unique to their music and storytelling.

I’ve never wanted to be boxed into one genre, though. I love everything from classical and blues to pop, dance and metal. I think that mix of influences is what makes my sound what it is: passionate, emotionally driven and rooted in rock, but never afraid to go somewhere unexpected.

Songwriting is a cathartic, almost purging experience for me. It’s a way of processing the things I’ve lived through, the emotions I struggle to put into words and the parts of myself I’m still discovering.

There’s something incredibly powerful about taking pain and transforming it into something tangible and beautiful. It feels like alchemy, turning the difficult parts of life into art and finding meaning in things that might otherwise just hurt.

For me, songwriting is both therapy and a way of reclaiming my own story.

I wish there were more venues dedicated to original live music. Places that genuinely support artists and take care of the practicalities, from door staff to sound engineering, so musicians can focus on what they do best.

I understand that covers are often the safer commercial bet, but I think it’s a shame when original music gets pushed aside. You can press a button and listen to a recording any time, anywhere, but you can’t replicate the energy, vulnerability and connection of hearing an artist perform their own songs live.

There’s something special about experiencing music as it was written, with all the emotion and stories behind it. I’d love to see more opportunities for original artists to be heard, supported and given a proper platform.

My favourite thing about performing in Jersey is the people. It’s not cheap to go out these days, so when people choose to come out and support live music, I think that’s something really special. They want to have a good time, and they genuinely appreciate what you bring to the room.

Since going solo, I’ve received some really lovely, positive feedback that’s reminded me just how much live music is loved and valued here. It’s given me a real boost of confidence and made me appreciate those connections even more.

There’s something wonderful about sharing your own music with people in your own community and seeing it resonate with them.

With Broken People arriving on 6 November 2026, August Gone is ready to put her most personal work out into the world. Ten tracks shaped by life, loss, relationships and everything in between. It's a record that promises to show exactly who she is as an artist, and perhaps give listeners a glimpse of what comes next. One thing is certain: August Gone has plenty more to say.