Ben's Brother Interview

31 July 2009

Following 2007’s critically acclaimed debut, ‘Beta Male Fairytales’, Ben’s Brother is back with his cracking new album ‘Battling Giants,’ and as he prepares to unleash his velvet vocals on the world, I caught up with him for a little chat…

Hello there pretty, how are things going in your lovely world?

Amazing thanks and you?

I’m great thanks, now, to anyone who hasn’t heard of you yet, how would you describe your sound?

A cascade of huge melodies, harmonies and lyrics written by a singer/songwriter and played by an English rock band

Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind Battling Giants…

The album was inspired by the highs of being onstage, the lows of coming offstage and life and love in between the two... All against the backdrop of paying for a new record myself

What’s going to be the next single?

Ha! Not telling.. probably because I don't know yet. Spoilt for choice..

If you were going to give us just one song of yours to listen to so that you would become our new favourite singer, what would it be?

Depends what you like doesn't it!!? What if you're into big black women's voices? Actually - maybe you'd like mine then anyway. Ok - try listening to Letters. Or Bitter End.

If you could cover another band’s song, what would it be?

I probably would do a Killers song or or an old Bowie track

And can you sum up your good selves in just five words?

Damn damn damn damn good

What makes you stand out from the crowd?

My hat. And I'm 6.2 which helps

You know we’re having a bit of an economic crisis here at the moment, if people wanted to spend their last £10 on a cd this weekend, why should they buy yours?

Because they'll get 13 properly great songs with real heart and soul instead of one single and 12 album fillers

What three bands would you have to headline your dream festival?

Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Queen, of course!

What has been your favourite musical memory to date?

Watching the Rolling Stones for the first time at Wembley - oh and watching Radiohead on Liberty Island before the towers came down. I know that's two - but I'm taking artistic license

If all of the bands equipment was on fire, what one piece would you save and why?

My harmonica. Coz it's portable, and the rest is really expensive and we can get it all replaced on the insurance! I'm pretty practical about things.

Who do you think is the greatest artist around at the moment?

Male voice - Ray Lamontagne.

Female voice - Joss Stone.
Male singer/writer - John Mayer.

Female Singer/writer - Amy
Band - Hmmm.. loving Kings of Leon.

If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I had to listen to one cd for the rest of my life, I'd pray my life was short.

Okay, now we want to ask you some random questions; Tell me about the most terrifying experience of your life…

Three years ago I was on a plane back from South Africa, on my own, sitting in the exit row seat at 9pm, waiting to take off. Something was wrong and we were delayed. It felt weird. Anyway, we took off, and 20 seconds into take-off the engine outside the window next to me burst into flames and blew up - the plane starting shaking and pulling hard down to the left. Sirens went off - the flight attendant opposite me was screaming into the intercom "Captain, the engines on fire!!!" and the person 2 away from me threw up. I thought I was dead. But I'm not. I prayed to have another few years and I got them. Thank the L-rd.

Crikey! That’s horrible! Moving swiftly on… what’s the most stupid purchase you’ve ever made?

A Prada shirt for 400 quid for my 30th birthday. Some girl put a cigarette hole in it that night. Proved to me that I couldn't really afford it!

Why go to the top of a tall building, only to put money in binoculars and look at things on the ground?

Don't. Lie on your back in a field at dusk, wait for nightfall and look up at the stars.