Ben Howard Single: ‘The Wolves’ & Live Events

It’s been an explosive introduction for young West Country singer-songwriter Ben Howard. Having only signed his record deal with Island Records at the beginning of the year, Ben had already accrued a hefty fanbase across the UK and Europe through sheer persistent touring, and the word of mouth support that followed. With the release of his debut EP, ‘Old Pine’ this Spring, that fanbase is still growing by the day, and raced into the Top 20 iTunes chart within a few hours of its release. Old Pine’s success was predominantly buoyed by the incredibly supportive surf community that nurtured Ben in Devon and Cornwall and now across the whole UK over the past couple of years, but also by the support from national and regional radio stations across the UK. Old Pine was playlisted at 6Music and XFM, and received repeat rotation and celebrated sessions at Radio 1 (Zane Lowe, Fearne Cotton) and Radio 2 (Jo Whiley, Dermot O’Leary, Janice Long) which has since garnered further acclaim at press, both online and off it. It resulted in another sold-out tour of the Highlands and UK, with a spate of European shows also all sold-out well in advance. There has been something very natural in Old Pine’s appeal to a wider audience, and that natural vibe resonates throughout his music too, all recorded within a crumbling, creaking barn in rural Devonshire, and nestled between the moors and the sea. Debut single, and firm live favourite, ‘The Wolves’, is another spellbinding example of Ben’s progressive acoustic guitar playing. Six strings all carefully finger-plucked to dramatic effect, and aided by both Ben’s otherworldly vocal cries and the gentle harmonies of his band. It’s another fascinating step in the right direction towards Ben’s forthcoming debut album, currently due for release in September. Dark and alluring on tape, and creating this unique live story before the story’s truly yet begun, Ben Howard harks back to a classic and comforting time of old, albeit with a forward-thinking method of guitar performance.
Ben Howard Live:
5th August – Fieldview Festival, Somerset
13th August – Boardmasters, Cornwall
19th August – Greenman Festival, Brecon Beacons
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“Full of hard-won wisdom that belie his age. Go and see him. He’ll make listening to acoustic folk-tinged music feel like the first time.” – The Guardian  
The Wolves - Single - Ben Howard
Ben Howard releases his debut single, ‘The Wolves’ on the 18th July through Island Records.
http://www.myspace.com/benhoward