singer-songwriter Ben Hutcheson – Jem Girl at the Piano

I’m so happy to share the first interview of the year, in my popular Get to Know series, is with none other than singer-songwriter Ben Hutcheson. Ben has released two EPs and a self titled album so far, with plenty more on the way. In this interview, we had a catch up about his music background and the imminent release of his brand new single ‘Almost There’ which was created during a pivotal time of his life. Read on to learn more about Ben and his music.

Hi Ben, when did you discover your love for music?

I’ve always loved music for as long as I can remember! I remember always dreaming of being a singer / musician from a young age of about 4 or 5. Since then my love and appreciation for music has only grown, It’s one of the most universal languages to portray emotions and feelings and it connects with nearly everyone on the planet which is what makes it so special.

Who inspired you to become a singer-songwriter?

There was no exact inspiration from a young age but I was always enthralled with watching live performances such as Prince’s HalfTime Show at the Super Bowl. As I grew older several other genres and bands began to influence me, from AC/DC and Guns N Roses all the way to Frank Sinatra, Luke Combs, The Script and Passenger.

You have released two EPs and a self titled album so far. How was the experience and has the process gotten any easier for a new singer to release their music?

Every release brings its new challenges and learning curves. I wouldn’t say that releases get easier as you end up adding a huge amount of different aspects to each new release. Your knowledge grows and you expand your releases as you continue on your journey, hopefully reaching and impacting more people as you go. The overall experience however has always been a positive one! If it’s something you love doing then no matter the result of the release on the day, you will at some point see something that shows you what you are doing is worth it. From playlist additions to interviews, all the way down to simple comments on posts or comments in person that can completely make your day.

Upon releasing your self titled debut album, do you feel any pressure on your next album being just as good?

I think there’s always pressure to make the next release as great as you can, but that pressure definitely seems to intensify when it comes to releasing a follow up to your debut album. I have several songs that I would love to get into an album and get out at some point but it’s all about logistics and making the album financially viable as well. My aim is of course to improve on every release and better my music as time goes on, but as long as I am happy with the music I produce and confident in the songs then hopefully it should resonate with my audience as well.

You have just released the single Almost There. Can you share the story behind the single?

Absolutely! Almost There was a song that I wrote after coming to the end of a darker period in my life. I was struggling with my mental health and felt like I was stagnating, which was having an impact on a lot of aspects in my life. As I started to come out of this time and began to understand why I was feeling this way, I began to feel a sense of being on the right path and on my way to having a more positive outlook. That’s where ‘Almost There’ comes in! The idea of having been through a darker time and maybe for some people even still being in that dark place but knowing that the better times will come and that even though the journey and the recovery can be extremely hard, you’re almost there and times will get better.

Name some of your favourite music artists.

Oh there’s so many to choose from! It would be wrong of me not to mention artists such as Luke Combs, Scotty McCreery and Passenger. Some of my old favourites range from AC/DC and Metallica to Kenny Chesney, Queen and Ed Sheeran. I’m also a big fan recently of Post Malone and Brandi Carlisle!

How would you describe the sound of your overall music?

Primarily Country Rock with Pop aspects is my normal style! I do feature on several Tropical / Chill House tracks as well. I like to say that most of my music is relatable in some emotional way, from being upbeat and energetic down to being slower, more heartbreak and tales of loss. The following quote from Julianne Regan (All About Eve) seems to capture my overall music sound.“Ben Hutcheson, a young singer/songwriter with a wisdom beyond his years. His lyrics tackle universal themes such as love and loss, yet also weave captivating stories, with a contemporary feel. With a warm, rich voice he expresses emotion and authenticity and makes a genuine connection with his audience.”

You have performed live with some big names such as Billy Ocean and Natalie Imbruglia. How was that incredible experience?

Being on the same stage or line up as artists like Billy Ocean, Natalie Imbruglia and Scouting For Girls is something that still seems surreal to me. I remember having their songs on repeat when I was younger (and still now in all honesty!), so to be sharing the stage with people who you found to be icons in your childhood is something that never gets old. I’ll always treasure these experiences and strive for more. You can’t beat the feeling, it’s like being on top of the world.

What future projects can we look forward to from you?

Definitely more releases! I have another single due later this year and a few tracks I may be featuring on. I am also looking to put an emphasis on live performances in the coming months so make sure to keep an eye out for my name in a venue near you. Otherwise I hope to get back in the studio soon and get some more singles prepared, perhaps even an EP or an LP.

Thanks so much for sharing your musical journey (so far) with me and the readers Ben! You can follow Ben Hutcheson across all social media platforms and do check out his latest release Almost There available on all music platforms from today.