Ben Howard has unveiled an exclusive Scott Nixon remix of stand-out album track 'Black Flies' rounding up an incredible 2011 with debut album 'Every Kingdom entering the UK charts at number 7.
It has been an extraordinary year thus far for Devonshire singer-songwriter Ben Howard. He released his EP, ‘Old Pine’ through Communion Records back in the spring, and just six months later has been celebrating his debut album entering the UK album charts at #7.
And yet 'Every Kingdom' is a record that young Ben Howard has been brewing within himself for at least a couple of years. And it’s such careful attention to detail, with tight, homespun harmonies and folk-informed arrangements, that could only have been fully realised after relentless road-testing of the songs on stages across the UK and Europe.
Compared to the likes of John Martyn, Donovan, and Bon Iver, 'Every Kingdom' (produced by the band’s bassist and drummer Chris Bond), captures the rawness and intimacy of Ben’s live performance. The deftness of touch, the spellbinding nature of those six strings carefully finger-plucked, and Ben’s otherworldly vocal cries are spun and woven sublimely.
Late last month Ben also played a late-night session in Holland, as organised by his European label, alongside his band. As he played 'Only Love' a flashmob of local fans appeared from the dark to watch the performance. Watch the video here:
Ben plays a handful of UK dates in December before setting out on his huge UK tour in February 2012.
6th December / Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
7th December / Cambridge, Junction
8th December / Lincoln, Tokyo
9th December / Swansea, Sin City
13th February / Truro, Hall For Cornwall
14th February / Portsmouth, Pyramids
15th February / Brighton, Concorde 2
17th February / Manchester, Ritz
18th February / Edinburgh, Queens Hall
19th February / Glasgow, Oran Mor
20th February / Newcastle, Northumbria University
22nd February / Norwich, Waterfront
23rd February / London, Shepherd's Bush Empire
24th February / London, Shepherd's Bush Empire
25th February / Oxford, Academy
27th February / Leeds, Cockpit
28th February / Birmingham, HMV Institute
29th February / Bristol, Academy
Published on 05 December 2011 by Wayne Feltham
