With his latest release Run, and just getting back to the UK from New Zealand, I thought it would be a good opportunity to catch up with Ben about his music.
For those who haven’t heard of you before, how would you describe yourself and your music?
Well I’d like to think my music is energetic and uplifting. Hopefully I occasionally match these qualities as a person… Yeah probably not.
Where did music begin for you?
In my bedroom in Tynemouth in the UK where I grew up, around the age of 8 when I first picked up an old acoustic guitar. But I guess getting into music probably started much younger than that on trips in the car with a cassette player listening to a mix of The Beatles, The Spice Girls and ‘The Smurfs Go Pop’. Haha. Bloody hell. (I assure you my music taste is better now than when I was four).
Which artists do you take inspiration from?
I’d probably say I take inspiration from the musicians I am surrounded by over here in Western Australia. I have some very talented mates: Michael Dunstan, Dave Sonntag, Luke Fox, Kallidad to name a few. And I get a lot of inspiration from metal, electronic, world, blues, folk, roots genres. I’m a big fan of instrumental music and how you can tell a story of evoke a feeling without words.
You recently released your latest single – Run. Who produced the single, and have you worked with them before? How was it working with them?
I worked with Andy Lawson who has his studio out in the hills of Perth. I’d wanted to work with him for a few years, but he’s always booked out so far in advance. A testament to his amazing work.
Is this single a hint at more new music on the way?
It was intended as a stand-alone piece for now, but the sound is probably a hint of the general direction I’m continuing in.
Where did the inspiration for the lyrics come from?
The lyrics came from running. It’s my longest-standing love alongside music. For me it’s a tool for all things positive – you never regret going out and getting the blood pumping. And I just wanted to keep the lyrics a touch poetic, rather than being anything too literal. Nobody wants to hear a song about bunions and nipple rash, do they. Haha.
Any plans for any tours or festivals this year?
I’ve just finished up a New Zealand tour and I do believe I’ll be back over to the UK for a tour and a run of festivals in the summer. Keen!
What is that one gig you will always remember playing?
Hmm there are a few for different reasons. But one that seems to stick out was when I played Green Man Festival in Wales in 2018. It was a really good stage and I had a good crowd from the start. But something had been up with my guitar on that tour and I had been snapping so many strings, which is unusual. Sure enough, I think not even one minute into the start of my set, TWO strings snapped at the same time. And then the song after another string snapped. As a solo artist you don’t have a drummer or rhythm guitarist to fill the void while you change strings, so I was forced to talk a bit of shit. It could have gone either way, but fortunately the crowd was with me and it just made the energy and interaction of the show so much better. Sometimes the best things come out of something going wrong.
Where would you hope to be this time next year?
I’d like to have released more music and be keeping busy on the road. Slightly better stages and time slots each year at festivals. And to stay happy of course.
Where can we find out more about you?
The usual Facebook and Instagram thing. And my music is everywhere on the usual online platforms; Spotify, Apple Music etc.
Anything else you would like to tell us?
Have a bloody wonderful day will ya 🙂
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