Ben writes and plays what he describes as ‘Lo-Fi Post-Folk musings’. He grew up on a diet of folk, 60’s Psychedelia and Brit-pop which makes for a sound that appeals to those that own and treasure 7 inch records.

Ben’s song Leeds For The Winter was played by John Peel on his Radio One show, and songs from his autumnal debut The Leafy Underground have been play-listed and played on national and Independent radio stations on all continents.

In the last couple of years Ben has played over 100 gigs all around the country, playing at venues such as City Folk at The Heavenly Social, (supporting Radio 2 Award Winner Kris Drever), Anti-Folk night 'blang!' at 12 Bar, and Bohemian Jukebox in Birmingham. He joined Guillemots onstage for their final number at a packed out show at Birmingham Academy in 2007 and he’s the local support choice of both NYC Anti-Folk originator Lach, and political folk-rocker Chris T-T.

September 2009 marks Ben’s 4th consecutive appearance at the Moseley Folk Festival, when he'll play on a bill with Bert Jansch, Beth Orton, and St Etienne.

"Finely crafted songwriting" Metro.

"Resurrects the mad ghosts of Nico and Nick Drake" Virtual Festivals.

With band there are energetic songs sung over power chords, with an unconventional double bass and lively drums. In the new LP The Broken Family DaySaver these two sounds meet in an album where unashamedly happy songs of seaside jaunts, day trips, and amyl nitrate sniffin' sit next to reflections on impossible summers, crippling jealousy and the single parent conundrum.

The Broken Family DaySaver-Out now on Bearos.

Available on CD (with lyric booklet featuring original photographs)
from Ben via myspace.com/bencalvertmusic, and from independent record shops.
Also available as digital download (yuck!) from itunes.

"A booty bag of avid odes to poppers, kids and wonderboys; he's an understated emancipator of lyrical wisdom."
Plan-B.

“Haunting, heart-bruising tales bitterly stumble into each other as if played by a meth-ed up, homeless Johnny Marr. The dark humour and stark honesty of Ben Calvert is paralysing, and charmingly so”
The Fly

“Although Ben Calvert has a folk heart, it is a folk heart which has been broken on indie dancefloors to the sounds of Blur and The Smiths. An accomplished piece of art.”
Indie mp3.co.uk

“The world of Ben Calvert is one of family, sex, drugs and psychedelic folk soul where city doldrums, insalubrious corners, glue-sniffers and cynical grey tile skies are redeemed and lined with silver by the innocence of ‘Kids’. “The Broken Family Day Saver” is the very type of English modern day troubadour album which would be perfectly aplomb in any Shane Meadows film, and sees a return to the form which previously heralded radio play and endorsement from John Peel. An unexamined life is not worth living.”
Redbricks Magazine.

“Flee is a soft and delicious slice of near nakedly drawn early Marr-esque musings, that in truth is quite perfect for these sultry days. Beyond that the only thing you need know is that you ought to investigate Ben Calvert further for yourself.”
Losing Today









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