In something of a backward nod to the ways of a bygone era, it’s fair to say that Ben Hemming didn’t so much find the blues… as the blues found him.
It was during a particularly troublesome period in his life, stuck in a dead end job, and having watched his girlfriend walk out of his life, that he decided the only option was to seek change. Big change. Leaving all of his emotional baggage behind, he embarked upon a musical pilgrimage around America that eventually would come to define not just his sound, but also his own identity. He eventually returned to London with a collection of songs he’d written along the road, which went on to form the basis of his debut album, the aptly titled ‘Broken Man’. Recorded with nothing more than the equipment he had to hand, he self-released the album to critical acclaim; The Blues Magazine called him ‘A unique musical identity’; Blues Blast Magazine described his songs as being ‘of bleak beauty’ and Americana U.K. placed him at the forefront of the so-called ‘new Blues’ movement.
It was this success that has set him on the path to record his new EP ‘Resurrection’. Although coming from a more Alt Rock direction than it’s predecessors it still follows Hemming’s dark and cathartic songwriting, developing a maturity that still holds true to his Blues roots.
As implied in the title the EP is about rebirth and a new direction in musical style and genre. “It’s really a record of hope, it uses metaphors of religion and the resurrection to deal with issues of masculinity and loss of self in a world now so deprived of meaning and purpose.”
The result is a collection of songs that have developed to a new level of musical maturity from previous albums. A land mark recording full of the lyrical poetry and imagery that stands Ben Hemming apart from others, while still retaining the rawness of emotion of past releases.
Recorded at Masterlink Productions, a studio located in rural Woking just outside of London, with producer James Welsh at the controls, the recording process acted as a ‘sale heaven’ away from the distractions of city life, and gave a real focus and direction to the album. “I feel I’ve surrounded myself with people who understand what I’m trying to achieve in my music. It’s a safe environment that has really helped develop my songwriting to the next level. I guess I found the self-belief I’ve been looking for.’’
Ben Hemming, at the forefront of the U.K. Rock scene, is continuing to bask in the limelight with his new EP ‘Resurrection’ out mid 2023.
We horen graag je mening! Voeg reactie toe