YOUR FAVOURITE MTV SHOWS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON PARAMOUNT+

Interview: Ben's Brother

The new rock group talk exclusively to MTV News...

Hot five-piece Bens Brother have seen their debut Beta Male Fairytales take the album chart by storm. We spoke to confident founder-frontman Jamie Hartman who wrote All Time Love for Will Young last year and has also worked with Lemar

Hi Jamie, How did the band come together?

Jamie: I was originally signed on my own and then I realised that the music leant itself to much better to a full band. So I auditioned people.

Youre 33 now, how long have you been playing music?

Jamie: Ive been doing it since I was at school through to busking on Portobello Road for a while. Then I got to the point of writing for other people.

What does Bens Brother sound like?

Jamie: Its a combination of all my influences. Vocally it was Sam Cooke, then Dylan, Radiohead, Tom Petty and The Beatles. Its fully rootsy, acoustic pop music done in a straight forward honest way.

How did recording the album go?

Jamie: We recorded with James Morrison and KT Tunstalls producer in Ladbrooke Grove (North London). We just went for it- some of the songs were first takes, it was just incredibly simple.

What do you think of Beta Male Fairytales as a whole?

Jamie: I think the album is gonna be one of those records that people talk about and say youve got to have it. If you listen to the last song on the record it is as good as the first. Its an onslaught of singles.

Do you have a favourite song on the record?

Jamie: Let Me Out will be the next single and its the launchpad for us really. Time is a special song too.

Its took you a while to find success, would you tell people not to give up?

Jamie: Thats the whole point of it really and if there is any message its to hang in there and keep going cos youll get through it. Im a lesson in perseverance because its taken more than 10 years.

What are your ambitions?

Jamie: I want the album to win Grammys. Not just Brits but Grammys. Cracking the States is important because I want to reach as many people as possible.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Jamie: I like The Killers and Im not too averse to Razorlight either. I like the Arctic Monkeys but its too early to call it the record of the year. Were still gonna be in that race. And weve got the songs to back it up.

'Tom Thorogood'

Beta Male Fairytales is out now on Relentless

Visit the bands Myspace HERE

Latest News