Executive Overview
In the fast-evolving landscape of the contemporary British folk scene, few acts have achieved the dynamic equilibrium of Good Habits. Anchored by the core songwriting duo of Bonnie Schwarz (cello, vocals) and Pete Shaw (accordion, synths), the project has continually redefined the boundaries of acoustic-electronic crossover music. For their latest artistic phase in 2025 and 2026, the duo expanded into a formidable powerhouse trio with the addition of powerhouse drummer Jen Walinetski. This rhythmic expansion has injected a fresh, kinetic punch into their live performances and their critically acclaimed studio album, Better for Now.
Released on Colour Plum Records, Better for Now has captured the attention of critics and fans alike, earning a coveted spot as a Featured Album of the Month. Reviewers have praised the record for continuing the band’s outward-looking trajectory, seamlessly bridging the gap between festival-ready, trance-induced folk rhythms and deeply vulnerable, acoustic balladry.
Amidst a demanding tour schedule traversing the United Kingdom and Europe—including recent stops in Sheffield and upcoming autumn dates—Schwarz and Shaw paused to pull back the curtain on their domestic life. Participating in the signature “Off the Shelf” interview series, the duo opened their home, sharing ten deeply personal objects that illuminate their daily routines, creative processes, and the blurred lines between life on the road and life at home.
Detailed Chronology
From Nomadic Origins to Collaborative Evolution
The genesis of Good Habits is rooted in resilience and adaptability. When Schwarz and Shaw found themselves stranded in Aotearoa (New Zealand) during the onset of the global pandemic, they refused to let isolation stall their creativity. Purchasing a converted van equipped with a bed in the back, they spent a transformative year traversing the country, playing any gig that would have them.
That nomadic chapter forged an unbreakable musical and personal partnership, teaching them resourcefulness—from surviving on pub chips to turning microwave rice into chewy wraps. Returning to the UK, the duo eventually settled near Sheffield, finding a creative haven in the city’s vibrant south-west "lentil belt" of whole food shops and artistic communities.
The 2025–2026 Lineup Shift and Better for Now
The evolution of Good Habits reached a major milestone with the recruitment of drummer Jen Walinetski in 2025. Walinetski’s crisp, driving percussion provided the missing rhythmic puzzle piece, propelling the band’s sound into high gear.
This new chemistry is immortalized on Better for Now. As noted by critics, the album captures a profound "sense of movement and of travel," blending technical virtuosity with sheer, unbridled vitality. This spirit of exploration is vividly captured in their recent music video for Reading Song, filmed during a punishing heatwave in late May 2026. Featuring unadorned, emotive vocals from Schwarz that highlight her regional accent, the track moves forward on a loping bassline and Walinetski’s crisp drumming, punctuated by Shaw’s jaunty accordion lines.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Inside "Off the Shelf" with Good Habits
Offering a rare glimpse into their domestic world, Schwarz and Shaw selected ten distinct objects from their home. Each item tells a story about their creative workspace, their relationship, and their transition from years of relentless touring to establishing a permanent base.
1. The "I Declare It Meaningful" Embroidery
When decorating their home, Schwarz and Shaw engaged in a classic domestic debate: what belongs on the walls? While Shaw prefers art with an explicit personal narrative, Schwarz appreciates visual aesthetics for their own sake. To bridge the gap, Schwarz bought a butterfly embroidery from a charity shop because its color palette suited their bedroom. Initially relegated to a shelf, the piece disappeared shortly before Shaw’s birthday. When unwrapped as a gift, it bore newly embroidered words: "I DECLARE IT MEANINGFUL." It now hangs proudly as a testament to their playful artistic compromises.
2. The Cockatoo Kitchen Painting
Embracing the joys of having a permanent home after three years of nomadism, the duo frequently host touring musicians and neighbors. Over the summer, Australian singer-cellist Monique Clare visited while on tour. During her stay, they invented a spontaneous game: painting a picture while swinging on a swing, followed by a guessing game. Monique’s chaotic masterpiece—a vibrant cockatoo—now permanently brightens their kitchen.
3. The Stable Door and the Art of Lüften
Influenced by time spent in Germany, Shaw adopted the daily ritual of lüften—opening all doors and windows every morning to circulate fresh air. Rising before Schwarz with his coffee and a book, Shaw utilizes their stable door to blur the boundaries between the indoors and the surrounding woods. It serves as a vital physical reminder to step away from emails, listen to the morning chorus of birds and trains, and "touch some grass."
4. Shelves of Dried Staples
Reflecting on their pandemic-era van life in New Zealand—where diet largely consisted of free pub chips and peanut butter—Shaw maintains a deep gratitude for real, home-cooked meals. Situated near Sheffield’s whole-food epicenters, the couple’s pantry is stocked with meticulously labeled jars of dried legumes and spices. Returning from tour triggers an automatic domestic daze of bread-baking, dahl-cooking, and flapjack-making.
5. Running Shoes as a Creative Reset
For Shaw, running acts as a psychological "cheat code." Far from training for a specific marathon, he uses solitary runs through nature to clear mental blocks. However, his fitness regimen remains strictly seasonal: driven outdoors by winter cabin fever, his running routines inevitably plummet during the busy summer touring season, leaving his running shoes to rest on the rack.
6. "I Like a Bare Bum" Print
Challenging Shaw’s philosophy that art requires a narrative backstory, Schwarz champions art that connects purely on an emotional level. Purchased from Arthouse Unlimited—an art charity showcasing the work of adults living with disabilities—this bold, joyful print brings unadulterated happiness into their home, sharing wall space alongside a tribute to the late Dolly Parton.
7. The Festival Blue Hat Collection
Acquired at a fantasy festival in the Netherlands last winter, these playful feathered hats pay homage to the traditional helpers of Sinterklaas. What began as a single festival souvenir has organically expanded into an eccentric collection, frequently catching their eight-year-old neighbor entirely off guard during casual visits.
8. Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear
These vintage plush toys once stood guard at either end of the piano belonging to Schwarz’s late grandmother—a cherished music teacher who gave Schwarz her earliest piano and cello lessons. Evoking fond childhood memories of sneaking up to her Dorchester home on Saturday mornings, the mouse and bear now sit atop the household piano, ready to be discovered by visiting children and family friends.
9. The "You Got This" Sign
A relic from Schwarz’s final year as a university student, this sign was purchased during a moment of acute academic paralysis when she faced an intimidating film composition deadline. Bought during a desperate walk to a pop-up art shop, it fueled a 30-hour marathon to complete the project. Today, it hangs in their office as a humorous and grounding reminder that even the most daunting tasks are manageable.
10. The Cross-Stitch Sunflower Cushion
Handmade by Schwarz’s mother as a Christmas gift, this mammoth cross-stitch cushion rests in their living room. Originally featuring a band press photo taken by musician and photographer Kate Griffin in New Zealand, the cushion forced Schwarz to reflect on the nature of their career. Ultimately, it serves as a comforting reminder that when your life and your work are entirely intertwined, that fusion is something to celebrate.
Official Statements & Creative Vision
Reflecting on the overarching ethos of Better for Now, the band’s recent singles and videos emphasize authenticity and human connection. Discussing the visual accompaniment for Reading Song, Schwarz highlights the unvarnished nature of the project:
“The video was filmed on a belting heatwave day in late May 2026. Every time it looks like Pete is asleep in this… he is.”
The critical reception of their work underscores their unique standing in the modern folk circuit. Thomas Blake of KLOF Magazine observed that Good Habits exhibit:
“…a combination of virtuosity and sheer vitality that makes Good Habits one of the most exciting bands on the British folk scene right now, as well as one of the most technically accomplished.”
Future Outlook
As Good Habits continue their extensive tour across the UK and Europe through late 2026, the inclusion of Jen Walinetski has permanently shifted their trajectory toward grander, more rhythmically intense sonic horizons. With Better for Now establishing them as heavyweights of modern folk-fusion, the duo shows no signs of slowing down.
Balancing high-intensity touring with the grounding comforts of their Sheffield home—fueled by homemade dahl, running shoes, and a collection of eccentric art—Good Habits have successfully built a sustainable, deeply personal creative ecosystem. Fans can purchase Better for Now on Digital, CD, and LP via Colour Plum Records, and catch the trio live as they bring their genre-bending energy to stages across the country.
