Luke Ritchie is a UK singer-songwriter who works in acoustic, rock, folk and blues styles. He is associated with the band Sevenball and also performs solo.

Career

Ritchie records and performs as a singer and guitarist. He completes work on a debut four-track EP called Cover It Up for Angel Falls Records, produced by Anthony Whiting, whose credits include work with M.I.A. and Natalie Williams. His voice attracts attention from several established musicians and broadcasters, including Radio 1’s Mary-Anne Hobbs, who passes a recording of his work to Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland. Ritchie and Borland discuss a new project called Eat the Day before Borland returns to Fred Durst.

He also works in film, returning from Prague after contributing to the soundtrack of Horem pádem, described as one of the most successful films ever made in the Czech Republic. The film’s director, Jan Hrebejk, and composer, Aleš Březina, hear Ritchie singing in London and invite him to work on the soundtrack in the Czech Republic.

Sevenball and live performances

Ritchie’s band Sevenball has been active for several years, and he performs both with the group and on his own. In one solo performance, he plays unplugged for most of the set before Sevenball drummer Martin Goodfellow joins him for the final number. The band’s sound is described in terms of grunge, with comparisons made to Ben Harper and Radiohead for their full live presentation, while Ritchie’s own playing brings out blues and folk influences, including echoes of John Martyn.

His live voice is noted for its power, and his guitar work is presented as a key part of the solo acoustic set. The songs mentioned from his performances include “Pass it Over”, “The End”, “Song for Sundays”, “Shanty” and “I Don’t Worry”.

Style and reception

Ritchie is associated with a strong, forceful vocal delivery and a mix of acoustic and electric material. Descriptions of his singing emphasise blues and folk influences, together with rock and grunge elements. His work is also described with phrases such as “sky-scraping vocals” and as having “a taste of blues with a chaser of folk via John Martyn”.