There’s no doubt about it; Ben Griffith
is destined to be a star. From when he casually wanders on stage to
the moment he leaves - you are his. Emanating an infectious passion
for music and life, his deceptively simple and beautifully crafted
songs capture the hearts and minds of his audience.
Drawing from a plethora of influences, Ben conjures
melodies reminiscent of the Beach Boys or the Smiths, strung with
lyrics that combine the heartfelt emotion of Counting Crows with the
wry honesty of Beck. These qualities are underscored by a sense of
truth, of depth to his thoughts and ideas that raise his songs up
from the ranks of his peers.
Live he presents a delectable range of possibilities.
Switching effortlessly from the role of solo troubadour to that of
front-man, his songs shine throughout. Guitar and voice merge in a
soft, chilled out style of his own, sweetly tempting you in. Other
thoughts and troubles drift away as his songs evoke memories of the
joyous leap and swell of new love; of nights lost to alcohol and great
ideals; of the cauterising ache of a broken heart.
Starting as part of a band on the gig circuit
in London, Ben discovered his passion for playing early. As band-mates
split off to university he moved on, heading to Brighton to pursue
his music. In his own words, “I've decided that music is what
makes me happy and makes me feel alive.”
The last few years have been spent honing his
talents with performance after performance, playing anywhere from
parties to pubs, sweaty basements to packed marquees.
In pursuing his own sound Ben took advantage
of the scene around him, using the opportunity to work with other
artists and producers. Collaborations with producer friend Tim Bidwell
(Hardkandy – Catskills Records) in early 2005 resulted in Ben’s
first batch of completed material, from which the song “In or
Out” went on to win the Live South BBC SCR demo panel.
Subsequent work with Tim Gomersall, the architect behind Nylon Rhythm
Machine, produced a number of songs and has cemented a creative relationship
that has seen Tim provide regular support at larger shows.
Ben’s playing has gone from strength to
strength, and has built him a solid fanbase in Brighton before heading
back to London to spread his wings. Before a new audience his combination
of candid charm and irreverent humour, as well as the sincerity and
quality of his music, is winning over a whole new group of fans. Recent
shows have seen him hijack the headliner’s audience, disarming
even the most indifferent of listeners.
The near future will see further shows for Ben in and around the Capital,
with the imminent release of his first major release in October to
be followed by a national tour. One thing is certain; it is only a
matter of time before we are all dancing to the beat of his heart.
"Serene and Slightly Melancholic indie"
Time Out - one to watch
“Ben Griffith is 'contemporary'.
His voice sounds like it belongs in 2007.”
Phil Jackson (BBC
Southern Counties Radio)
“He has a vocal strength and
a smooth style, nicely backed by the gentle plucking of an acoustic
guitar. Slightly haunting, his lyrics pull at the part of us all that
thinks of times gone by with regret and longing.”
Hybridlab
To listen again, click
here. For gig info click here.
