Ben Howard Reveals Details Of New EP ' Old Pine' - Out May 23rd
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Written by Jon Stickler
Young, West Country singer-songwriter Ben Howard is to release a 'Old Pine', a four-track EP, on the 23rd May via Communion/ Island Records.
Ben Howard is a man out of step with the troublesome nature of modernity. He no longer bothers with mobile phones (he’s lost 7 to date), he’s yet to dabble with digital television, and he finds this social networking malarkey irksome. It’s a stance that resonates through his music too, all recorded in a crumbling, creaking barn in rural Devonshire and nestled between the moors and the sea.
What Ben lacks in modern nous, he compensates for in the intricacies and fresh approach to his guitar playing. Blindly thrashing three chords isn’t his style, and the mesmerising finger picking technique that he merges with creating beats via a deft rap of his knuckles on the instrument is something quite special.
It’s an intriguing delivery, and one that makes his crackling, weaving songs so spellbinding. Part Bon Iver, part Donovan, Ben’s beautifully toned vocal is an instrument in itself, and it’s a talent that is already prospering on the live circuit long before a deal with Island Records (by way of Communion) was inked. Selling out venues far beyond his vast following amongst a fiercely loyal West Country surfing community, his recently concluded UK tour sold-out from Glasgow to London, and across Europe too where the demand is at odds with his freshly signed status.
The 'Old Pine' EP is a woozy, languid introduction, cathartic and quietly euphoric. ‘Old Pine’ is already a live favourite, his percussive perfection matched with the driving intricacies of Ben’s guitar playing and, smoky controlled voice. It’s replicated across the EP too. ‘Further Away’ and ‘Follaton Wood’ showcase that guitar-plucking and the rawness of Howard’s emotional subject matter.
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. Spring is afoot, and 'Old Pine' is a timely breathe of fresh air.
To give you a brief window into Ben's stunning live show, you can watch this beautifully-shot video of last month's co-headline, sold-out show at St Stephens Church.
Ben is heading out on a full UK tour across April:
12th April – The Duchess, York
13th April – Moles, Bath
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
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