Biography //
This Morning Call is the unusual moniker of an electronic pop producer from the UK -Ben Heyworth.
Based in South Manchester, Ben’s unashamedly eclectic and often downbeat style borrows from the likes of Keane, The Postal Service, and A-ha. It’s an exciting new direction in a city already blessed with a rich musical inheritance, an independent spirit and an international reputation.
Mixing traditional indie balladry with electronic quirks, glitch and ambience, he draws a sombre line under the increasingly creative goings on in the electro scene, whilst putting a quiet rocket under the traditional guitar band set-up.
In 2009, This Morning Call found a home on Substream, Sweden’s finest independent record label, and his debut single “Tides” is available now as a digital download with exclusive new club mixes, available worldwide. The track has already received radio support and podcasted its way around the net to considerable acclaim. The mixes, from the likes of DJ Adler (from the riotous electro outfit Saint Pauli, DE), Supercycle (Canada), and Blue Cell (DE), have each turned the original into anthemic, hands-in-the-air, floor fillers
The debut album “All Quiet At 4AM” is slated for release on CD and digital formats on 29th March 2010. “We’ve done all sorts of shows in the past to support our releases”, explains Ben, “and it’s the more innovative stuff that sticks in the mind, like our “Live Art” installation we did for the Futuresonic Festival, where local artists literally painted the audience while they watched the show, and auctioned the resulting canvas”.
The project has been variously described as “Portishead on anti-depressants” (WeHeartMusic, USA) and “LCD Soundsystem with a hangover” (Channel 4 Music, UK), and indeed this is music to lift the soul, engage the brain and move the feet.
Ben also runs a popular, music-based blog which can be found on their busy MySpace page (www.myspace.com/thismorningcall) or here on his homepage (www.thismorningcall.co.uk) for regular musings on life, the universe and everything, along with full details regarding forthcoming live dates, remixes and releases.
“This Morning Call is one of the most wonderful acts we have heard this year.” (Channel 4 Music)
Credits:
Ben Heyworth – aka This Morning Call – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Programming and other nocturnal activities.The players: “Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the record and continues to want to play live with me!”
David Lilley - Bass
Mark Ward - Saxophone, Piano, Guitar
Lucy Keyes - Bassoon, Piano
Gavin Wilks - Drums
Nigel Barrow - Cello
Joe Weaver - Drums
Jake Maun - Electric Guitar
Rob Cross - Electric Guitar
Ben Griffith - Flute
Hannah Davis - Backing vocals
The Mysterious Madfiddler - Violin
The artists:
Alex Dixon - Single and Album sleeve design, Website design (www.alexdixon.com)
Lisa Risbec - Producer and animator behind the “Clockworks” video
Danny Jones - “Behind the scenes” footage
Matthew Dines/Lisa Risbec - Photography (See “media” page)
Very special thanks to:
Hakan L (A+R) and John Heyworth, without whom this project would not have been possible.
This project and the album “All Quiet At 4AM” is dedicated to the memory of James Heyworth and the Astoria Orchestra, winners of the 1954 All Britain Dance Band Championship.
