Ben Glover

12th September: Check out this interview Ben did with Soul Surmise on the upcoming Orphan Brigade album, due to be released on 27/9/19. Read here

May '19: Ben is currently working on the new Orphan Brigade album, "To The Edge Of The World." The band wrote and recorded it in Ben's home village of Glenarm in County Antrim and it is scheduled for release in September 2019.

1st February '19: Shorebound wins 'Album of The Year' at the UK Americana Awards 2019! 

Ben was presented with the UK Album of the Year award for his latest album Shorebound last night in Hackney at the 2019 UK Americana Awards. The award was presented to Glover by last years winner Robert Vincent who co-wrote and is featured on the song Keeper Of My Heart on Shorebound.Ben Glover commented on receiving the award “I am absolutely honoured and grateful for the award! Shorebound was a very special album for me as it was a collaboration with my closets musical friends from both sides of the Atlantic. Huge thanks to the Americana Music Association UK for this, it is without a doubt one of the proudest moments of my career.”

Prior to receiving the award, Ben performed Kindness from the album in front of the packed out Hackney Empire. Thanks to the Americana Music Association UK and to all who voted for Ben.

 

18th January '19: The new video for 'A Wound That Seeks The Arrow' (featuring Angel Snow) is released today. Folk And Tumble premiered it exclusively and can watch it here.

16th January '19: We're excited to announce that Ben will be performing at the UK Americana Awards 2019. The awards show takes place in the Hackney Empire on 31st Januray. The show will be hosted by Bob Harris and other performers include Graham Nash who is being presented with a Lifetime Achievment Awards. Tickets are available here

8th November '18: We're thrilled to announce that Ben's Shorebound album has been nominated for 'UK Album Of The Year' at 2019 UK Americana Awards! Read more about it here  here  

4th October '18: Proper Music recently asked Ben to curate a Spotify playlist featuring recent Americana releases. He says “It’s always a considerable challenge to compile a ‘favourites list’ of any kind, especially when there has been an exceptionally high number of superb releases in the Americana genre in the past twelve months. I could not fit all my favourites on this playlist but these are some of the songs that I’ve revisited on many occasions. Respect and gratitude to all these inspirational artists for producing such wonderful work. Enjoy." Check it out here

14th August '18: Ben recently did an interview for The String which was broadcast on WMOT. Read and listen here

6th July '18: ". Shorebound is the work of an artist content, assured and very much at peace with himself." Lonesome Highway reviews Shorebound..read it here 

24th June '18: MOJO Magazine gives Shorebound 4/5 stars! "Two years after The Emigrant comes a fuller-sounding album - cellos and tom toms as well as Glover’s acoustic guitar and warm voice. Plus multiple guest singers, five of them women - Angel Snow haunting on A Wound That Seeks The Arrow; Mary Gauthier adding a Gothic edge to Catbird Seat. There’s darkness in this album, but songs like Keeper Of My Heart and Northern Stars sound as sweet and mellow as California country rock."

7th June '18: "(Kindness)... is a wish floating on a gentle acoustic stream that washes over the listener and floods their heart with the hope of a blessing offered to them from an Irishman who has been blessed to share the gift of music in all its collaborative glory."  Folk Alley reviews Shorebound here.

3rd June '18: "Sometimes a special gig comes along and it is a privilege to have attended it. This is a gig that people will remember and talk about for a long time. It reminds us the depth and sheer quality of the talent that we have locally, and the star in our midst that is Ben Glover. The sheer quality of his writing is enough to raise him to a different level. The fact that he delivers these exceptional songs with such skill, versatility and sensitivity sets him a cut above most of his contemporaries in the Americana scene." Read Folk and Tumble's review of Ben and friends' Belfast gig here.

1st June '18: "If you have never heard of Ben Glover, then this album will delight and amaze and have you hunting down his catalogue in wonder. If you have heard and loved Ben's earlier recordings then this album, with its atmospheres and sense of growth will delight and amaze. Read Northern Sky Mag's 5 star review of Shorebound here.

23rd May '18: Shorebound gets 9/10 in Americana UK which says "Outstanding collaborations and solo songs from fast-rising Northern Irish Americana exponent."   Read the review here.

22nd May '18: "Shorebound is a remarkable collaboration in which Ben Glover’s natural ability to draw out the individual qualities of each artist has resulted in an album that defines today’s Americana." - Read No Depression's review of Shorebound here.

21st May '18: No Depression reviews Ben's London gig with Mary Gauthier. Read it here

7th May '18: Northern Ireland be proud. Ben Glover has grown into one of our very best songwriters. An export to be proud of! Shorebound is a sublime collection of mature art" Read Soul Surmise review here.

6th May '18: Folk Radio UK says of Shorebound: "The resulting recording is one that oozes confidence and skill. The production is assured, the playing excellent and the singing at points very beautiful. This is a worthy piece of work from a class act." Read it in full here

6th May '18:  "Ben Glover is luminescent." FATEA reviews Shorebound. Check it out here.

5th May '18: Shorebound "will direct Glover further into the hearts of the masses." Read Music-News review here.

3rd May '18: "..it is immediately apparent that not only has Ben Glover managed to top The Emigrant but he has found a way to move not just your heart, but he also touches your soul." Check out The Yorkshire Times' review on Shorebound here.

3rd May '18: Belfast blog Folk And Tumble says "Shorebound is a force of musical nature...this is Ben Glover at his best.' Read it here

3rd May '18: Subba-Cultcha reviews Shorebound and says: 'Do yourself a favour and add this one to your collection as soon as possible.' Read it here.

2nd May '18: "Deep, dark, delightful Americana...an amazing album...Ben Glover really is a rare talent.." Read The Rocking Magpie's review of Shorebound here

1st May '18: Ben is the featured singer this month on iSing Magazine. Find out more here.

1st May '18: Three Chords And The Truth UK says Shorebound is "a monumental record...This cements a growing reputation of (Ben Glover) being one of the most perceptive songwriters across the borderless roots/Americana scene." Read the review in full here.

20/4/18: NORTHERN STARS (feat Malojian and Matt McGinn) released today! Check out the third single to be taken from Shorebound here on YouTube or Spotify

6/4/18: SINGLE AND VIDEO RELEASED TODAY! 'Kindness' is the second single to be released from Ben's new album Shorebound. Ben says "I would go as far as saying that, if there were testimony that I could leave this world, then this song is it." Watch the video here

15/3/18: 'SHOREBOUND' is now available for pre-order in the UK and Ireland. Check out the links here

13/3/18: SINGLE RELEASE!  'Ride The River' is the first single to be released of Ben's new album Shorebound. The song is co-written and features vocals by Kim Richey. The Boot exclusively premiered the track and you read more about it and listen to the track here

25/2/18: NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT! Ben's brand new album 'Shorebound' will be released on 4th May 2018 (US release to follow later in the year). 'Shorebound' comes out on Proper Records in Europe (Appaloosa/IRD in Italy) and features performances with Gretchen Peters, Ricky Ross, Mary Gauthier, Neilson Hubbard, Kim Richey, Robert Vincent, Angel Snow, Amy Speace, Malojian, Matt McGinn and Anthony Toner. The live dates for the first leg of the UK/Ireland tour are now confirmed and ticket info can be found here

3/1/18: Ben has put together a new Spotify playlist featuring his entire catalogue between 2008-2016. Follow the link here, hit shuffle and enjoy.

22/11/17: "What Will Christmas Be?" is the new single by Ben and Natalie Schlabs. It was released on 17th November and is available on Spotify, iTunes and all digital stores. You can find out more about it via FRUK here

26/9/17: Ben recently did an interview with Culture Hub magazine talking about the Orphan Brigade's time in Italy writing 'Heart Of The Cave.' Read it here

20/9/17: Check out The Orphan Brigade's video for Pain Is Gone which premiered on The Bluegrass Situation here

20/9/17: No Depression reviews Heart Of The Cave, "What started as a project has brought them together as a band that has created one of the most moving and thoughtful recordings I’ve heard in a long time." Read it in full here

8/8/17: "The Heart Of The Cave is very much the type of record that you need to take time over; and the investment is well worth it, with echoes of Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave and Quentin Tarantino at times." The Rocking Magpie reviews The Orphan Brigade's Heart Of The Cave. Read it in full here

6/8/17:"In November 2015, I reviewed the Orphan Brigade’s first album, ‘Soundtrack To A Ghost Story’. It was exceptional, an enchanting creative cauldron. It gave me chills. But oh my, Orphan Brigade, what sweet sorcery is this!? The follow-up offering surpasses all expectations. Whatever alchemy is at work, they have spun a precious outcome." The first review for Heart Of The Cave has landed! Read it in full here on Folk And Tumble.

31/7/17: As well as recording and touring his own music, Ben is a writer and singer in The Orphan Brigade. They have a new album coming out on 29th September called 'Heart Of The Cave.' Here's a new trailer which features footage from some of the locations where they wrote and recorded the album in Osimo, Italy. The music is a clip from the song 'Osimo (Come To Life).' Check it out here

10/4/17: NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT!! The Orphan Brigade has signed with At The Helm Records for the release of their new album 'Heart Of The Cave'! It will be also be released in Italy on Appaloosa Records. The Americana Music Association UK has exclusively shared this promo video for the new album...check it out here!

30/3/17: Ben recently appeared on Another Country with Ricky Ross on BBC Radio Scotland where he performed four songs live and chatted to Ricky about life, music and his recent travels. Check out the video of his performance of The Emigrant here

28/3/17: Read Folk And Tumble's review of Ben's recent Belfast gig at The Black Box here

17/3/17: BBC RADIO 2 have added 'From Clare to Here' from 'The Emigrant' to their Folk Playlist! See the list of songs selected by Mark Radcliffe here

15/3/17: Spotify have placed Ben and Natalie Schlabs' new single "Fall Apart" on their 'Fresh Folk 2017' playlist! Check it out here

2/3/17: Ben has released a new single called "Fall Apart." It's a duet, co-written and performed with Natalie Schlabs and is available on all digital stores. The Bluegrass Situation featured it as their 'Track Of The Week' - read and listen to the song here

22/2/17: The Emigrant tour kicks off in Birmingham (UK) and Three Chords and The Truth give it a raving review! Read it in full here

2/2/17: Bright Young Folkreviews The Emigrant and says, "Combining his deeply personal experiences with an issue so immediately relevant to us all has produced an emotional and intensely thought-provoking masterpiece." Read the review in full here

12/1/17: Ben has announced dates for the first segment of "The Emigrant 2017 Tour." Visit the live page here for more details

13/11/16: Tune into BBC 2 Northern Ireland tonight for Brave New World which features Ben discussing The Emigrant in the studio Nashville. A few months ago William Crawley and crew were over filming in the US and he met with Ben and chatted about his new album and life in the US. Watch it on the BBC iPlayer here

18/10/16: Check out the review by Folk And Tumble of Ben's recent Belfast gig here

6/10/16: No Depression declares that The Emigrant "is a tremendous sweep and should end up on the shores of many a top ten albums of 2016 list." Read the review    here

5/10/16: "Glover has been able to somehow make a record that with four original songs slotting in around six old Irish folk songs has made a cohesive work of original and vital power." Read The Emigrant review on Soul Surmise here

1/10/16: Blabber 'n' Smoke refers to Ben as a "Hibernian Tom waits"  and "at times approaching Van Morrison’s stream of consciousness repetitions" in their review of The Emigrant. Read it here

30/9/16 The Northern Irish blog Folk And Tumble praises The Emigrant and says "A Song of Home is Glover’s own, and a clear indicator of why the likes of Gretchen Peters, Mary Gauthier are keen to collaborate – but it is the title track which for me, shines the light on why Ben Glover may be one of the best songwriters to come out of this neck of the woods this century." Read it in full here

30/9/16: "It’s a magnificent album and a substantial addition to the Irish emigrant canon that fully confirms Glover as one of the finest in the Americana genre." Read Folk Radio UK's feature here

30/9/16: We are thrilled to announce that THE EMIGRANT is officially released today! It's available via Proper Records (worldwide excluding North America) and Appaloosa Records in Italy. We hope we hope you enjoy Ben new album!

27/9/16: "Dylan, Springsteen, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Christy Moore might all have played their part in shaping Ben Glover into a musician with a restlessness in his life. A mix of the wild rover, the journeyman with a world weariness portrayed in song." Read the review by Sonic Bandwagon here

26/9/16: Culture Hub magazine has featured Ben in their recent edition. Check the interview out online here

15/9/16: Check out the new video for 'A Song Of Home' from The Emigrant here!

7/9/16: "You should be now getting the message that THE EMIGRANT is full of substantial artistic merit and a conceptual piece of multi-song writing excellence. If you like your music brimming with history, context, emotion and perception, Ben Glover will deliver." Three Chords And The Truth UK blog has some hight praise for The Emigrant! Read the review here

30/8/16: The Rocking Magpie reviews The Emigrant and says about the title track 'Even as an Americana UK Song of the Year Winner; I swear he will never write a finer or more heart breaking song than this…..and in the light of the current American Political climate should be played on National Radio on the hour, every hour!"  
To read the review in full visit here

15/8/16: Ben has just been confirmed as special guest on Grammy-nominated9 Brandy Clark's UK tour in September. The tour kicks off in Birmingham on 20th September and continues onto Glasgow, London and Manchester. For ticket info visit here

10/8/16: In an early review of The Emigrant, Fatea Magazine says " Never has the sound of longing been so uplifting." Read the full review here

3/8/16: The Emigrant album sampler: Fancy a taster of Ben's new album? We've put together this sampler of The Emigrant to give you a flavour of what to expect when it's released on 30th September 2016 on Proper Records. Visit Youtube here to access the sampler video. Enjoy!

19/7/16: NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT: We are very excited to announce that Ben has signed with Proper Records for the release of his new album The Emigrant. The album is a co-production between Ben and Neilson Hubbard and will be released on 30th September 2016. Ben is a big fan of many of the artists on Proper and is absolutely delighted to be part of this great label. Find out more and pre-order The Emigrant via Proper Records here

11/5/16: The Thin Air reviews Malojian, Matt McGinn and Ben's Belfast show. Read it here

11/5/16: Gigging NI reviews Northern Lights at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Read it here

3/5/16: The Thin Air blog recently interviews Ben and his Northern Lights touring partners Malojian and Matt McGinn. Read it here

25/4/16: The Bluegrass Situation recently invited Ben to be a guest contributor and put together a Spotify playlist compromising his favourite Irish artists. Check out Ben's playlist and his thoughts on the songs and artists here

14/3/16: Folk And Tumble blog talk to Ben about his April/May tours...read more here

Folk Alliance 2016 - Ben has been selected to perform an official showcase at the Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City in February. His showcase will be on Thursday 18th at 6.15pm in the Brookside Ballroom. Ben will also be performing a number of private showcases...please get in touch with us if you wish to get more details.

3/2/16: Ben and Gretchen Peters' song Blackbirds won 'International Song of The Year' at the UK Americana Awards in London tonight! Gretchen (who's album Blackbirds won International Album of The Year) was in London at the awards show to pick up the award. We're delighted at this honour and thanks to everyone who voted for it! Read this piece on the awards by The Belfast Telegraph here

'Soundtrack To A Ghost' has been released in Italy on Appaloosa Records and has just received a 4**** review in Italy's foremost music magazine, Buscadero!

The Irish Times gives The Orphan Brigade album a 4**** review and says "Top notch singing and story-telling.' Read the review here

Ben and Gretchen Peters receive a UK Americana Awards 2016 nomination for their song Blackbirds for International Song Of The Year! The inaugural awards ceremony will take place in London in February 2016. A full list of the nominees is available to see here

Folk Radio UK calls 'Soundtrack To A Ghost Story' "Outstanding." Read the review here

The Americana/roots music bible that is No Depression features The Orphan Brigade on their homepage!! Visit the site here

"One could imagine that The Band of a solo Robbie Robertson might have made the album" claims Blabber'n'Smoke! Check out the review here

For The Country writes that 'Soundtrack To A Ghost Story' is a "perfect piece of Americana and a fascinating examination of the effects of warfare." Read further here

Folk and Tumble blog features a beautifully written piece on the The Orphan Brigade. Read it here

"Soundtrack To A Ghost Story" receives 8/10 in Americana UK and says "Americana's most interesting release of 2015?" Read the review in full here

Three Chords and The Truth blog reviews The Orphan Brigade's new album and says "Praise cannot be lavished any higher for the outcome of Josh, Ben and Neilson's project and while the name The Orphan Brigade is not presently a household one, with any justice it should be." Read the review here

Gigging NI blog features "Soundtrack To A Ghost Story." See the piece here

Ben's side project 'The Orphan Brigade" will release their album "Soundtrack To A Ghost Story" on Friday 13th November 2015! You can view the new video for 'Trouble My Heart (Oh Harriet) here

Check out the session that Ben performed on BBC Radio 2 recently on the Bob Harris Sunday show...visit here to listen in...

The Orphan Brigade is marching through the indie film circuit. This side project, featuring Ben, Neilson Hubbard, Joshua Britt, Kim Richey, Gretchen Peters, Kris Donegan and others is a concept record and documentary based on a haunted house in Kentucky. The documentary "Soundtrack to a Ghost Story" has already won the Special Jury Award at the Shreveport Film Festival and is also being featured in the Nashville Film Festival, Bare Bones Film Festival and SouthEastern Film Fest. Documentary and music release info coming soon. In the meantime learn more here

Striking Matches, a US band on IRS Records recently debuted at the top spot of the UK Country Charts with their album "Nothing But the Silence." The album, produced by legendary producer T Bone Burnett, features the song "What A Broken Heart Feels Like" which was cowritten between the duo and Ben. 

Download a copy of Gretchen Peters' latest album "Blackbirds". The new album, which debuted at number one on the UK Country Charts features three songs co-written by Ben (Blackbirds, Pretty Things, and When You Comin' Home). The album is available on I Tunes, Amazon and through Gretchen's site here

Be sure to check out Ben and Angel Snow performing "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" here

The current season of  "Stella", the Sky 1 drama starring Ruth Jones, features four of Ben's songs from Atlantic. Tune in to Sky 1 on Friday nights at 9pm!

Check out the new video for "Prisoner" here

Ben kicks off a co-headlining tour with Angel Snow on March 5 in Perth, Scotland. The 15 city tour wraps March 25 in De Schalm, Netherlands on March, 25. Full tour dates available here

National jewelry company Kay Jewelers recently chose Ben's song "I Could Take The Whole World On With You," for their 2014 Thanksgiving Campaign airing on VH1. The song is part of a side project done with frequent co-writer Kaci Bolls. You can see the ad here!

The Telegraph lists "Atlantic" among best 23 country albums of 2014

Elmore Magazine calls "Atlantic" a "staggeringly authentic take on roots" Read the review here

The Telegraph (UK) gives "Atlantic" 4 out os 5 stars! Find out more here

Ben has been named American Songwriter's Songwriter of the Week. Check out the interview here