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Ben Montague may not be a familiar name right now, but the singer-songwriter is set to establish himself among the brightest UK melodic rock talents, offering an alternative to the world of reality-show gimmickry and sensationalism. The release of his debut EP follows months of perfectionist hard work, and takes the influence of a range of classic singer-songwriting legends and gives them a youthful and distinctly 21st twist. The results combine elegantly crafted melodic guitar hooks reminiscent of Maroon 5 and The Feeling, all blended with modern takes on the brash, showy talents of 70s-era Elton John, the brooding intensity of Eric Clapton and the charismatic showmanship of Queen.

The roots of his talent stretch back to childhood, to times spent in thrall to the rock icons he learned to love from his family – when he was aged 10, for instance, watching the Rolling Stones at Wembley with his father, or spiriting away his elder brother’s Beatles, Cream and Prince records to his bedroom to devour the classic pop and rock which would be such an influence in his future career.

Aged 14 he learned to play guitar and began writing songs in his London bedroom, and set on path of the teenage rite-of-passage of joining bands and some serious dues-paying gigging across the country. Eventually, though Montague tired of the compromise of band life and struck out on his own, leading to recent years spent honing his stage-craft and finding a solo voice combining energy, soul and positivity. In this time he set out across the Atlantic for writing sessions in Nashville, New York and LA, a process which led to work with esteemed producer Peter-John Vetesse, whose track record covers Simple Minds, Annie Lennox and Take That’s Mark Owen and Gary Barlow. Whatever success is due to come Montague’s way, it won’t be flash in the pan.

Now a captivating and confident live performer, backed by his own band, Montague’s first recorded work stretches from the euphoric Can’t Hold Me Down to the deep-felt melancholia of Haunted. It’s an infectious, mature collection full of heart, soul and craft, which updates the classic rock songwriter tradition, a combination Montague has been honing until the time is right. That time is coming now.