Figueira da Foz, Portugal – Sometimes the most unexpected encounters lead to the most captivating discoveries. That was certainly the case leading up to the Gliding Barnacles festival, a celebration of surf culture, art, music, and gastronomy held annually in this small coastal town. It began with a familiar face and blossomed into an introduction to a band that quickly found a place on my playlist: The Butlers, a New Zealand-based group blending surf rock with a poetic sensibility.
The story unfolded at the Malibu Foz Hotel, a known gathering spot for attendees of Gliding Barnacles, and particularly renowned for its breakfast buffet. It was there I reconnected with Ambrose McNeill, a figure whose own story is one for another time, and through him, I met Bradley Mervyn King. King, a musician with a striking presence – over six feet tall, sporting sunglasses, long blond hair, and a hat emblazoned with “HOWL,” a reference to Allen Ginsberg’s iconic poem – immediately piqued my interest.
As we walked the ten minutes to the ferry crossing the harbor to Praia Cabedelo, the location of Gliding Barnacles, I learned more about my new acquaintances. It turned out King wasn’t just a musician, but the frontman for The Butlers, a band gaining popularity back in New Zealand. And, in a revelation that bordered on unbelievable, he’d cycled to Portugal from London. “You rode your bike here?” I asked, incredulous. “Yeah, I rode my bike here,” he replied, explaining he’d picked up cycling as a more affordable way to travel through England.
It wasn’t until after the festival concluded that I truly immersed myself in The Butlers’ music, and I was immediately hooked. Their sound, a blend of indie rock and surf influences, is characterized by original lyrics and rhythms. Tracks like “Vodka’s What You’re Drinking” and “No Good Nina” are instantly catchy, while the more atmospheric “Leopard of Sweet Dreams” evokes a psychedelic, almost dreamlike quality. Their growing popularity in New Zealand was evident even after the festival; I heard two of their songs played within a two-hour span while at a bar in Auckland awaiting a flight home.
The Butlers, a four-piece band hailing from Sumner, New Zealand, have quickly garnered attention for their unique sound. You can explore their music on YouTube, Apple Music, or Spotify.
Gliding Barnacles, founded in 2014, aims to showcase Figueira da Foz as a premier destination for surfing, particularly classic longboarding, and to celebrate surfing as an art form. The event, which takes place each summer, has grown to attract around 5,000 visitors annually, bringing together surfers, artists, musicians, and creatives from around the globe, as noted by The Surf Journalist.
Ambrose McNeill will be hosting his Single Fin Mingle in Sumner, New Zealand, from March 26-29, offering another opportunity to experience the vibrant surf culture that connects these seemingly disparate corners of the world.
The Butlers’ music, born from a journey fueled by pedal power and a creative spirit, embodies the adventurous and artistic ethos of events like Gliding Barnacles. As the festival continues to evolve and connect the ocean to the city, it’s artists like Bradley King and bands like The Butlers who help define its unique character.
What comes next for Gliding Barnacles remains to be seen, but the event’s commitment to fostering creative connections and celebrating the culture of the ocean promises continued growth and innovation. Share your thoughts on the intersection of music, surf, and art in the comments below, and be sure to spread the word about The Butlers!
