Guestlist
☰
NEWS
EVENTS

Ben Howard- Interview

Indie | Monday 27th June 2011 | Osh

1- Hey Ben how are you doing today ? having a busy one? Hey Im good man but busy, were just mixing the record at the moment. 2- How would you describe your sound for listeners unfamiliar with your work? That’s a hard one probably rootsy acoustic music, but we can be poppy at times though. 3- The folk scene seems pretty healthy at the moment with Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling etc getting a lot of mainstream recognition and success, do you think its in a good way? Definitely there’s a lot of good music getting airtime at the moment. The Mumford and Sons thing helped the English music scene a lot and has opened doors for lots of aspiring artists. 4- You yourself have received a good deal of hype in the music press from the likes of Zane Lowe etc, how does this influence/effect you if at all? Its hard to ignore to be truthful but its really exciting as well. As a songwriter your always thinking about what people think of your music, but its best to try and ignore that and play what you want to play. 5- So I understand your album is due out soon could you tell us some more about that? It gets released in September, its a mix of lots of different stuff new tracks and old tracks. We spent 18 months working on it so hopefully that will show. There are some heavy bits on the record some thoughtful bits, a good mix really. 6- Who were your musical influences growing up? A lot of stuff that my parents listened to like Van Morrison, I still listen to tapes a lot to be honest. John Martyn as well, Nick Drake a lot of older generation songwriters. In terms of newer stuff Bon Iver are a big inspiration. There first album was so fresh and magnificent. 7- Who do you like on the music scene at the moment? any tips for 2011? Lucy Rose who supported us in London she’s really good a fantastic songwriter. Also The Middle East are a band who don’t get much attention but are really fantastic. 8- So we recently wrote a piece on your shows your playing in partnership with the beach cleaning up project could you tell us some more about it? Its a project with Barefoot wine getting together with Surfers Against Sewage. Were doing a few little shows in Newcastle, St Andrews the first ones on Sunday it should be fun. 9- So now Summer’s here you playing many festivals soon? Yea were playing quite a few actually playing Hop Farm in a couple of weeks. ,I’m really looking forward to playing the Green Man festival this summer which should be a lot of fun. 10- do you enjoy playing festivals and all they entail? Yea festivals are always good fun because everybody’s in a good mood having had a bit to drink. We make sure that our setlist includes the fast paced upbeat numbers rather than slow love songs. 11- whats the best gig you’ve ever been to? Glastonbury 2009 was amazing for me I saw Bon Iver on the park stage which was really amazing, a really euphoric atmosphere. I also saw an African singer called Rocky Traore who blew my mind. 12- what would be your desert island disc if you like, one record you could have on an island? Jon Martin- Solid air its a truly phenomenal record, check it out. 13- what do you do in your spare/down time? I live in town so i just hang out at coffee shops or go surfing when I can. I’ve also got into climbing recently but i have to be careful not to ruin my hands otherwise i’ll get in to some trouble! 14- If you could fill a swimming pool with anything what would it be? Millions the sweets they’re fantastic we could have a Millions party, not the blackberry ones though. I was going to say whiskey but that would be wrong! 15- Can you provide us with an exclusive? The record is going to be called Every Kingdom which we decided recently, so that’s a pretty big deal for us. George Cochran

Popular

LATEST INTERVIEWS

Follow GUESTLIST