New single 'One Year On' from Ben Mark Smith out this Friday
Ben Smith is an acoustic singer-songwriter hailing from Heanor in Derbyshire, with an infectious style of acoustic finger picked melodies; tales of family, friends and loss. What is so great about Ben is the way he weaves his wickedly funny sense of humour into his songs often bringing his audience to tears (in a positive way), and always leaving them thoroughly entertained.
Ben has performed at an eclectic range of events, festivals such as Kimberley jam, Dot to Dot and the Hockley Hustle, in an all guitar orchestra alongside acclaimed guitarist Adrian Utley (Portishead) and at many a charity gig. Also, a regular on Nottingham’s vibrant live music scene, playing venues such as The Bodega, The Angel and Rough Trade.
But no matter the kind of show, Ben brings a passionate and authentic feel to every performance, connecting with his crowd through the words in his songs (not to mention the terrible jokes in-between).
So, we’ve got a treat for you tonight. Out on Friday 5 June 2020, we bring you a review of the new single One Year On from Ben Mark Smith, accompanied by Brad Drury on drums. If you like artists such as Frank Turner and Will Varley you’ll enjoy Ben. For me, with his humorous style it also has shades of the great protest singer Beans on Toast, and vocally it reminded me of Sean McGowan.
On the face of it, a sad song of a lost relationship, and how things have changed in the year since it ended, but there’s no sadness in this…. It’s a wonderful bright and bouncy track about hanging on to lost love “If only I had a time machine, I’d travel back a year.” I love the excellent use of humour as Ben would travel back a year but “first a quick pitstop to meet Jimi Hendrix for a beer”. Well…. you’ve got to get your priorities right, come on…. A beer with THE Jimi Hendrix ? Who wouldn’t lol.
He beautifully describes with humour the pitfalls of trying to move on and dating with things such as Tinder and the danger of alcohol on dates!
The song goes on to show how over the last year he has grown as an artist, how he’s now being played on the radio and “I’m playing sold out shows at clubs we used to go; words I wrote about you’ve become a hit” and then BAM ! the humour kicks in again as he declares “But I’d drop that all in a second because you were really fit !”
Bright, lively & entertaining and most importantly a great FUN song. For a really enjoyable night out, a must see live, and well worth a LiveWire Music score of 8.5
