The Glasshouse

Singer/songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich returns with new single, Elephant, and announces a tour of venues he’s never played before, including Sage Gateshead.

Elephant is the first piece of material to surface since his acclaimed album Gratitude, released earlier this year, and is taken from a forthcoming EP due this autumn on Dirty Hit.

Where Gratitude saw Ben embrace more electronic elements and bring darker production nuances into play, Elephant takes him back to his roots, as those signature hushed vocals impact over an ethereal choir backdrop and delicate guitars.

Benjamin’s melancholic brand of acoustic folk-pop has drawn comparisons to the likes of Jose Gonzalez and Iron & Wine. Inspired by Elliott Smith and Bruce Springsteen, he taught himself to play the guitar aged 10, and fronted indie pop outfit the Nicoles in his teens before embarking on a solo career.

After recording his first EP, A Million Miles Out, he supported I Am Kloot, Fionn Regan, and Lisa Mitchell on tour, and attracted attention for his cover version of Arcade Fire’s Rebellion on Dermot O’Leary’s BBC Radio 2 Saturday Sessions show.

In 2011, his first single, Pictures, taken from his second EP of the same name, was declared “The Hottest Record in the World Today” by influential Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe. Later that year he released his debut album, the Ian Grimble-produced Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm.

A year later, he returned with the EP In the Open, followed by the 2014 single, Shine. In 2016, Leftwich delivered his sophomore studio album, After the Rain, featuring the single Tilikum recorded in the wake of his father’s death.

www.benjaminfrancisleftwich.com | Facebook | Twitter

Plus Support from Amy May Ellis
Amy May Ellis grew up in the middle of the North York Moors. Her music has taken her around the UK and Europe playing headline shows and guesting for artists such as Micheal Chapman, Hiss Golden Messenger, Tiny Ruins, Rozi Plain, Ryley Walker and Willy Mason.

Amy’s first two EPs Weathered By Waves and We Got Fire, explore a rich and intricate full band sound with a refreshing and ferocious honesty. They have both received support from BBC introducing, BBC 6 Music and Rough Trade.

Where My Garden Lies is Amy’s third release, a small collection of solo songs exploring ideas of home.

amymayellis.com | Facebook | Twitter