Ben Whitley is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Liverpool who has just released his first acoustic album that takes strong inspiration from the likes of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.
Sam Millne caught up with him…
What would you say your style is?
If I had to pin it to anything I would have to say folk or blues, only due to the nature of how it’s played. It’d be hard to call it rock n roll with just an acoustic guitar and a harmonica!
I usually lean towards fingerstyle playing as it opens up a lot of doors for re-invention. Styles such as country and traditional tunes are where I find most of my chords and melodies. It’s something about those older songs that just seem to keep an ever-lasting beat and keep the feet tapping.
People like Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash and more recently Sierra Ferrell have a certain rhythm that engages the listener. I try to go for that sort of stuff with my playing.
What made you want to release the album (Maybe It’s A Way Of Life)?
I figured I’d been playing the open mics for a while and had a bit of a catalogue of tunes that were pretty much only getting played at these open mics, so I thought I might as well put them out to save them collecting dust in my head.
I had a short period before recording this album when I wasn’t doing anything new and I put it down to getting comfortable with what I already know.
This was why putting the album out allowed me to leave all that in the past. I still play a lot of the tunes on the album and I enjoy them; it’s just that I needed to carry on with something new.
When did you start writing songs?
I started writing a little while after learning them. See, I first started writing poetry about three years ago and they used to get put in the local newspaper etc.
Then I found music not long after and started learning all the stuff I wanted to learn really. If there was something I liked the sound of, I’d learn it.
I think I wrote my first song in January 2021; it was ‘I Can’t Ramble’ which ended up being on the album. From then I would just be learning new things and then putting them towards these songs.
It was good because the turnover was quick, I would learn a new chord or something one day then the next day I would have it in a song. This kept everything fresh.
What’s the inspiration for your lyrics?
Any songwriter will know that you could start a song in one frame of mind and then leave it for a bit and then come back with a different mindset which can totally change the complexion of the music.
So, for me, I try to write in the moment and keep it real. I try saying things as they are or as it comes out.
Life can get too serious sometimes so it’s always good to have a light-hearted side and I try conveying that in some of my lyrics – you might find words juxtaposing each other or funny nonsensical lines.
I just try and keep things light whilst still saying how it is.
Inspiration-wise, some of the stuff could come from old traditions like blues singers talking about having no money or losing their woman. Other stuff could come from scenes in films or comedies and I just try to recreate that image in words.
Plans for what’s next?
I try not to plan too far ahead because anything could happen. I know for sure I’ve got new stuff that I want to try out and hopefully will have it with you before or after Christmas.
After that I’m not sure – just see where the wind takes me. Who knows, I could start a jazz band!
You can listen to Ben’s album, ‘Maybe It’s A Way Of Life’, here
You can follow Ben on Instagram here
Mersey Music 