Ben Clempson

BUY 5 TRACK E.P. BLACKOUT CLICK HERE!Pillar Box Records Presents Ben Clempson“Ben Clempson’s Bluesy folk music evokes a gentler past, filled with laid-back double bass, gently picked guitars and soulful vocals” Ents24.comHaving signed to Warwick-based label Pillar Box Records in October 2006, Ben has been recording his debut solo album. Due for release in July 2008, the collection of self-written songs features Ben playing guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, celtic harp and harmonica. It showcases Ben's song writng with sensitive arrangements and encompasses a broad spectrum of styles from gentle folk through to raw, funky blues.The calibre and range of guest musicians appearing on the album is testament to Ben’s exceptional musicianship and diverse material: John Parker (Nizlopi) plays double bass on more than half the tracks, and 2008 BBC Folk Musician of the Year, Andy Cutting (Kate Rusby, Blowzabella) adds diatonic accordion to the mix and The Coull Quartet (Somm, ASV, Hyperion) lend a masterly gravitas to a brace of string arrangements.As a prelude to the album, a double A sided single will be a download-only. Ben will be touring in support of the releases. September sees him collaborating with the Coull Quartet again in a live context bringing Acoustic Folk and Chamber music to audiences in Coventry and Birmingham.BiographyFolk-blues singer-songwriter Ben Clempson was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, in 1977. His childhood saw him surrounded by creative influences with a career in the arts seeming inevitable. An accomplished artist, photographer and sculptor it was, fortunately for us, music that became the focus of Ben’s creative output.Immersing himself in folk music during his teenage years he developed a distinctive guitar style combining intricate finger picking with slapping and tapping the body of the instrument. Playing his first solo gig at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 1998 he has, since then, gone from strength to strength, gigging extensively around the Midlands venues and festivals alongside artists such as Nizlopi. The influence of John Martyn, Richard Thompson and Paul Simon are evident but his style is entirely his own. Ben’s blend of strong melodies, spellbinding technique and infectious rhythms make music that is accessible to fans of all genres. . read more. BUY 5 TRACK E.P. BLACKOUT CLICK HERE!