in which ben howard & his guitar make beautiful music

so, there's something to be said for gentle music - the kind that sinks into you and then spreads out into every limb and then to the tips of your fingers and toes so that it consumes you. music that you envision being part of your life's soundtrack.

know what i mean?

ben howard makes that kind of music.



an introduction to ben, from his facebook page:

I travel lots, surf when I can, probably drink too much, definitely think too much, and at 22 still make irrational choices. I like the outdoors and the Autumn. I’m happiest on the road or at home with friends.

Musically I started playing and writing as a kid and it’s maybe the one thing that’s never changed. Mum was a big listener to all the greats- the likes of John Martyn, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan etc so that’s played a big part in my life (Dad was more of a Yes and Pink Floyd man). Our tape collection is pretty good.

with intricate, beautiful guitar melodies and thoughtful, concise lyrics, ben's crafting songs which may remind you of bon iver, iron & wine or josé gonzález . he's garnered himself a loyal following in the UK (especially amongst the west coast surfing community), often selling out the venues he performs in. it's only a matter of time before his music grabs US audiences, too.

three tree town, the closing track off of his upcoming ep, is such a quiet, carefully constructed piece of acoustic folk. all of the elements, much like a puzzle, fit together together so perfectly - but in contradiction, i love that there's a mixture of despair and hope, darkness and sweetness. it's so much like real life. nothing is all sunshine and rainbows or, conversely, doom and gloom all the time. there's always a messy combination of both - and ben gets that in this track.

listen to and download three tree town from the soundcloud below:

oh, come in from the darkness
from the edge of this three town town
'cause it's thick in the woods out there
settles harder than the cold winter ground

oh, come in from the shadows
of these boot-black, marching clouds
'cause trouble falls like rain
lately it's been pouring down

oh, i've seen loneliness
as she wrapped me up with such tenderness
oh, i've seen loneliness
as she tied me down in her sweet caress

oh, comne in from the confines
of your own mind, my dear
'cause worry is all you'll find there, it's clear
and tomorrow will always come
tomorrow may well bring the sun

oh, i've seen loneliness
as she wrapped me up with such tenderness
oh, but i - i've seen happiness
as she came round here yesterday
in her bright blue dress
and we go ooohh-oh-oh

Ben Howard - Three Tree Town (free download) by Stayloose

and here's the video for beyond gorgeous old pine:



UK peeps, check ben out at one of the following shows:

14th April – The Borderline, London
16th April – Joiners, Southampton
17th April – Glee Club, Birmingham
18th April – The Musician, Leicester
19th April – Arts Centre, Colchester
21st April – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
22nd April – Ceilidh Place, Ullapool
23rd April – Woodlands, Stornoway
24th April – Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore
26th April – Ironworks Room 2, Inverness
28th April – Stereo, Glasgow
29th April – Riverside, Newcastle
7th May – Queens Hall, Pembrokeshire

buy the old pine ep HERE.