Red Sub laptop Roland V-Mixer Novation MIDI synth Nigel's electric cello Mexican Fender Electric guitar various acoustic guitars shit bass guitar from 10 years ago (now broken) Dave's amazing home made bass guitar Korg Triton Mark's Alto Sax my vocal chords cubase and reason Sydney the practice amp Joe's drum kit unknown yamaha keyboard shakers (various sizes) Nigel's acoustic cello fucking loud tambourine tapping the desk with a pen to make a bass drum.... and so on.
Influences
Think Sigur Ros stealing Keanes vocals underpinned by glitched up Groove Armada style electronics, and seriously talented live instrumentalists.
Sounds Like
'This Morning Call are inspired by an array of musical talent, ranging from Goldfrapp to Bowie. But even recording sessions at Ben's home, just around the corner from the McVities factory - have helped to get the juices flowing. "Yes, biscuits have been an inspiration, we were considering releasing a record called Hobnobs", Ben joked.' (Laura Thistlethwaite, South Manchester Reporter)
A health dose of electronica blended with the soft pop-rock vocals of Ben Heyworth make "This Morning Call" a wonderful, dreamlike experience...."This Morning Call" are here to stay and will be appearing on a radio station near you in the future" (WeHeartMusic.com)
Imagine heartfelt vocals set against a backdrop of beeps, loops and crunching samples...you're somewhere close to the world of "This Morning Call"...Whistle is a revelation, you'll be whistling this tune for days afterwards. (MJ Hardman, Guestlist)
Helping us ease into the swing of this remarkably familiar yet supposedly 'new' year are downbeat electro band "This Morning Call" - without doubt one of the most remarkable bands to emerge from the indie deadzone of Manchester in recent history. Like a restrained and melancholy Hot Chip with the lid screwed on, "This Morning Call" specialise in soft, haunting electronica. Even when they verge towards generic guitar balladry such as Clockworks and Romance, the experimental electronic production stands this unusual outfit out from the crowd. In a very short space of time, we've fallen very much in love with "This Morning Call" but also feel a great sense of appreciation for the band for simply making music so amazing that we had to pull our big lazy finger out and write something explaining this. The most wonderful band we've heard this year... (rockrobotrock.blogspot)
Pop is not a dirty word. "This Morning Call" is pop music in its best sense. Accessable and easy, yet intelligent and sophisticated...Pick for me is Whistle, an instrumental not completely dissimilar to Air's 'Alpha Beta Gaga'. I'll be playing this demo again. Its not always the case. (Sandman Magazine)
Is it too late to tip a band for success this year? Perhaps we should wait until Adele is crowned the more important person in music and then quietly suggest that This Morning Call are one of the most wonderful bands we have heard this year.
Mixing traditional indie balladry with the electronic quirks of geek-gods Hot Chip, This Morning Call draw a somber line between last year's crop of Coldplay identikits such as the unremarkable but perfectly pleasant Ghosts and the increasingly creative goings on in the electro scene.
Putting a quiet rocket under the traditional guitar band set-up, This Morning Call describe themselves as 'Portishead on anti depressants' although LCD Soundsystem with a hangover might be more appropriate - although a sense of bleak brilliance applies to both descriptions.
(This Morning Call reviewed by Michael Baggs at Channel Four Music)
Ben would like to thank the following people for their continued contributions -Sian Gouldstone, Chris Marshall, Andrew Darbyshire, Lisa Risbec, Matthew Dines, Nik Sheppard, Nick Farramond, the lads from Thriller Killer, Channel M and the staff at the Hard Rock Cafe, Stuart Avery, Hakan and all at Substream Records, Blue Cell and all at Pearl Diver Records, Alex Dixon for the forthcoming EP and album artwork, David Lilley, Dan Smith, and John Heyworth.
Ben would also like to thank the following musicians for their essential contributions to the recordings and at gigs - Mark Ward (Sax, Piano, Vocals), David Lilley (Bass), Jake Maun (Guitars), Rob Cross (Guitars), Joe Weaver (Drums), Nigel Barrow (Cello), Lucy Keyes (Bassoon), the Carousel String Quartet, Hannah Davis (Bvox), Ben Griffiths (Flute), Madfiddler (Violin)
And here's a little video of us playing "The End Of Camden" gig in December 2007 in London, featuring us and our friends The Picture Show, Suzie Wilkins, Fox Cubs (who you can hear on the soundtrack), and D-Finitive. Thanks to IB at SonyBMG for filming this:
Cheers Ben for the request. Happy to meet you! Excellent stuff, particularly like Orange Glow. Great artwork too! May you go far! Stay in touch. Husky x
chairs man much appreciated. Where did you hear me?... i don't play live at the mo due to lack of musicians but as soon as a i find a bass player and a drummer im hoping to get some stuff together.
p.s. your stuff sounds grate. id love to have a shot at a remix of clockwork.
Yo ben i like the new version of clockworks, much better keep up the good work hey.... all the best man Peace N Love Vincent P.s. send me a copy when it's done
Your song 'Orange Glow' has been selected for top 10 playlist on TBondProductions. Your music is diverse and yet blends with the melody and soul. Keep up the wonderful work.
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