The UK has recently had quite the resurgence in the indie folk rock genre. One of the artists at the forefront of this movement is Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Already an accomplished singer-songwriter, he has carved out a unique style that has defined him as a great talent on the rise. With the excitement surrounding his latest EP, In The Open, we took some time to catch up with Benjamin and see what he has been up to!
AMBY: Which three songs are the quintessential Benjamin Francis Leftwich?
BFL: Pictures, Butterfly Culture and Is That You on that Plane….
AMBY: Who is your inspiration as far as songwriting goes?
BFL: I love lots of song writers… I’ve always been a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen… my favourite album is Nebraska…I think there is a consistent level of passion in his live performances and on record and he writes really beautiful songs… even though he crosses lots of genres with different records the songs are always king for him, songs rule the world. I think Tom Petty is the same… I’ve been listening to a lot of Tallest Man on Earth as well… I played some festivals with him in summer and he is SO amazing.
AMBY: You just released free covers EP available through your website. What other songs would you like to cover that did not make the cut this time?
BFL: I’d really like to try a Bat For Lashes song or Fleetwood Mac… LOVEEEE Bat For Lashes.
AMBY: You will be releasing a new EP, In The Open on November 19th. Is this new material to tie people over till the next record?
BFL: No. It’s songs that I’m proud of.
AMBY: The new single In The Open is great ear-candy. What is the story behind the song?
BFL: It’s about a stoner girl sitting on top of a car park in the middle of the night and screaming at the sky.
AMBY: Which three albums changed your life?
BFL: Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska, Ryan Adams – Heartbreaker, Fionn Regan – The End of History
AMBY: What do you do outside of music for fun?
BFL: I don’t have too much time off but I really like spending time with my friends and going to the pub or going and watching other peoples gigs.
AMBY: What is the craziest thing to happen to you while touring?
BFL: On this tour a couple of people have come up to me and shown me my lyrics tattooed on them. That’s kind of crazy I guess, but it’s also a compliment… A girl once brought me a lollypop with a dead scorpion inside it…I liked that.
AMBY: Where would you like to go in a time machine?
BFL: Aztec times.
AMBY: How would you like to be most and least stuck with in an elevator?
BFL: Bat For Lashes I’d like to be stuck with. I would not like to be stuck with Spector.
AMBY: What is the best song of 2012?
BFL: Bat For Lashes- Laura
AMBY: And lastly, what’s something about you that nobody knows yet?
BFL: I’m allergic to beans…. And I have an octopus tattooed on my thigh.
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Take a listen to Is That You On That Plane– a quintessential Benjamin Francis Leftwich track! And last but not least, thank you very much Benjamin, for giving us your answers!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl9Pxpg5mVw&w=480&h=300]
Alicia & Yaz Atout