Benjamin Wetherill
By Gavin MillerIn a music scene as wide and varied as Leeds is at the moment, you're bound to get the odd one or two who just seem so captivating, so unique and so... "where the fuck did this guy come from?"
Benjamin Wetherill makes music that's all at once bleak, beautiful, emotional, heartfelt and yet it all seems so fragile. It's the kind of music that doesn't need dressing up in fancy mixes or big, epic soundscapes. It's raw, powerful and very gentle. A self confessed George Formby addict, ladies and gentlemen - this is Benjamin Wetherill.
You certainly are a unique voice here in Leeds, how did you start playing music?
The recorder was picked up in primary school, then, an electric keyboard bought by an accordionist of a father, both of which amounted to little fruition, though a seed was sown nonetheless.
Then, much later, the guitar (a younger brother's unused birthday present) was picked up; a love affair with Nirvana led onto much more ambitious and pretentious things.
Last year was a great year for you, so how do you see this one shaping up?
Well, last year was supposed to be Joel's actually, but things are picking up a little for me already.
You're a great act to see live, but do you ever feel a bit nervous or worried that playing in rock venues, that people might not get it?
I listen to 'rock' music myself and I like what I do. But if people don't get my original stuff, that's fair enough, I'm not to everyone's taste, but I don't worry about that; if you're not confident in what you are doing, you are a fool to be doing it in front of people, I can be a fool, but it's generally after I've had one or two, and I try to be a sober as possible when I play live. But whoever doesn't get Formby in some way or another, doesn't get music, and you can't help those people I'm afraid.
Do you believe all the hype and attention that the city is receiving at the moment?
The bands that seem to be receiving hype, the few that I have heard at least, don't interest me so I shouldn't say.
What are some of your favourite songs to play live?
The favourite originals are always those which are relatively new, but that have been within my live set long enough for me to feel completely comfortable with them... those or songs which suddenly seem to achieve a new lease of life. Regarding 'covers' - Leaning on a Lamp-post is a favourite, as is Gloomy Sunday, enjoyment derived from the actual playing aside, clearly for two very different reasons.
How does the writing process work for you? Is it harder to write lyrics than the music?
Sometimes the idea for a song just comes; a bit of persistence and I have a couple of minutes, three or four if I'm lucky. More often than not the music comes first, but then again, sometimes it's the words; sometimes you get them both at once.
Generally I find it harder to think of words I'm happy with, than a tune I'm happy with; words find it easier to sound stupid than a tune does.
Are there any bands or artists around at the moment who you think are doing some good things?
A few, and only a few in my opinion, are onto interesting things. Locally, Yorkshire, that is, Champion Kickboxer and Mz Sojourn are two names that come to mind, and the northeast, as far as I am aware, belongs to The High Plane Drifters. On a wider scale, those I appreciate that are around at the moment have been doing what they are doing now for a long time: Sonic Youth and John Renbourn for example.
How does playing alone compare with playing with someone else on stage with you?
In a way I miss the additional elements present when you play with others that you have no control over, the ideas that you may not have had or were able to realise, in regards to conception as well as live performance, as well as the connection you are able to have with someone.
But the reasons I have for choosing to be a solo performer lie in the ease of organisation, the freedom of musical direction; the more accurate realisation of ideals and goals... I rely upon myself and myself only, and because of this, when things works out it is very fulfilling.
And finally... When can we expect some more records?
A 5 track EP or a single perhaps, in a few months.
Thanks to Benjamin for the interview. His latest CD 'Woodland Whites and Spring Curls' is available from selected stores or from his website.
