Ben Marwood
Ben Marwood is currently on the road for his new album “Get Found”, which includes two intimate shows at Southsea Sound, Portsmouth. Mr Teeth caught up with the singer-songwriter to discuss the tour, Xtra Mile Records and playing the Olympic Stadium with Frank Turner.
I gather you’ve had a bit of hard time of it over the last couple of years, how does it feel to be back playing/recording?
“It feels good in my soul. I love writing and recording, it’s the best use of time and money that I can think of.
Playing also feels good but as an awkward man I am never 100% comfortable with standing around in public… until I’m actually doing it, then I remember how much fun it is.”
Without having to go into details of what’s been going on, but how much has it influenced the new album?
“Probably not as much as people think. The biggest thing that stopped this becoming Ben Marwood’s Big Illness Experience is that most of it was written prior to my enforced hiatus. I wrote fifteen songs, got pretty ill, then wrote a couple more along the way (The Devil Makes Work For Jazz Hands and I’m Wide Awake It’s Boring). They are really the bits of the album that are most about having a body that’s stuck in Safe Mode.”
How does “Get Found” compare to your previous albums as a result?
“I think it’s different again to the first two. “Outside There’s A Curse” was creative but very lo-fi, shoddy production values but listening to it now it really works as an album, whereas “Back Down” had higher production values but wasn’t as creative.
This time around I think there’s more of a balance – it sounds even more polished than the others. I also tried playing around with backing vocals which I hadn’t really bothered too much with before, but I’m very pleased with how it turned out.”
Do you think there are any surprises for your current fans?
“I don’t think any songwriter likes to think that all of their work sounds the same, so my initial reaction is “every song is unique and everyone will be both surprised and amazed!” but in reality, it’s not “OK Computer” or Dylan going electric.
That said, the layers of vocals on “The Devil Makes Work for Jazz Hands” are something I’ve never tried before and it has a great pace and bounce to it which is pretty new to me. One of the songs is me on the piano which I’ve not tried prior to this album.”
The album is being released on Xtra Mile Records – which other artists on the label do you particularly like?
“Lately I’ve been really into Against Me! whose album “Shape Shift With Me” is a really impressive out-and-out rock record. I’m into Chris T-T (who celebrates 20 years of being Chris T-T this year) and Non Canon (who is main support for the tour and one of my best friends ever). Oxygen Thief are also very good, as is Beans On Toast.”
You’ve also played with fellow label-mate Frank Turner… what was it like being part of the 2012 London Olympics, opening ceremony?
“It was completely mesmerising. I was a little surprised to get the call. It was an incredible experience that will stay with me forever, and just one of a huge list of opportunities that FT has given me that I couldn’t even begin to repay him for, aside from saying things like this in interviews. The actual ceremony feels like a dream thinking back on it, and performing (well, dancing badly and clapping) in front of that many people was an unusual experience. It was one of those moments where, when it’s happening, you’re conscious of how special it is and how lucky you are.”
Have you watched the ceremony back?
“I haven’t watched my bit back. I don’t know why. I have it on DVD and it’s such a strong, fun memory, so it’s not that I don’t want to watch it. I need to watch it, but I’ve seen videos of me dancing before and oh boy, it’s not pretty!
I haven’t ever told anyone this so I’m not sure why I’m saying this now, but when I got home from the hotel I did watch the very start of the opening ceremony proper (the FT segment was on the pre-show) and shed a little tear that it was over. Maybe deep down that’s why I haven’t watched my part.”
It’s a bit of a contrast to the intimate April shows you have coming up, what size venues would be your happy medium?
“I enjoy small shows. I love venues that are so acoustically dead that you can make every note sound perfectly precise (especially if it means I can unplug my guitar and go for a wander).”
As for Portsmouth’s own “Southsea Sound” (8th April) it’s normally a recording studio rather than a venue, how did that gig come about?
“We were looking for a small show to spend a Saturday, because we have a show on Thursday and Friday and I have no idea how I’m going to react to them. I think capacity at Southsea Sound is something bonkers like 25, I’m really looking forward to it. Tickets sold out in a few hours, so we ended up booking a matinee.
It will be very nice to catch up with El Morgan, who is one of the owners of the studio and responsible for making this show possible.”
Will you play the same set for the matinee or mix it up?
“It definitely won’t be the same set, though it will have some things in common I’m sure. I’m expecting it to be special though. I’m secretly hoping someone films it or takes a feed from the sound desk so it’s recorded for posterity, as I have a feeling these two will be a couple of the more unique moments from the tour.”
What about your support, what can people expect?
“Support comes from Non Canon, who is not only my label-mate and one of my best friends but he’s also the genius who booked this entire tour for us. The man’s incredible. Here’s a guy who already has two musical projects on the go – Non Canon & Oxygen Thief – holds down a job and also has time for his friends and family but also is branching out into other areas. When does he rest?
Also, very excited about Helen Chambers opening eight of these ten shows for us. She’s a fantastic songwriter from t’North and a good friend. She’s the only one of us with children so I’m fully expecting her to either adopt a role as Tour Mum, or go the opposite direction and be the party animal. Both of these wonderful support acts aren’t a million miles away from me musically”.
Finally, what’s next for Ben Marwood after these dates?
“Right now, my focus is on releasing the album and getting these dates successfully out of the way. If this comes off, it will be a big step towards me feeling like a normal human for the first time in a long while.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t making other plans in my head though – I’m hoping to hit the road with a full-band this summer and make full use of the freedom of movement in Europe, while it’s still there, by finally playing some shows in Germany before the year is out.”
Ben Marwood “Get Found”
