Drawing influence from art, film, and music in equal measure, singer-songwriter Ben Honebone's solo project Goldbringer is an expansive soundscape of catchy beats combined with Ben's versatile vocal personality and ear for melody. Goldbringer's custom 'electro-prog-pop' presents a unique style of artistic expression with thematic elements drawn from society and the arts. We sat down with Ben for a chat about all things Goldringer.
Tell us about your new album Soundtracks
'Soundtracks' is a 50min multi-coloured journey through my brain! It is literally the soundtrack to my life whilst I was making it. I was writing lots of lyrics, trying lots of different musical ideas, and watching films by the late Italian film director Lucio Fulci. The title is doubly apt when you consider that the album is also my own personal soundtrack to Fulci's films, my musical reaction to works, as a fan. The album has a bit of a split personality in the sense that it's a combination of me expressing myself as an artist, and as a fan. I'm a huge fan of Lucio Fulci's films, and of Fabio Frizzi, who composed the score to many of his most celebrated movies. Certain tracks on the album are my tribute to them and their magnificent body of work. There are also two other nods to film directors on the album, but I'll leave you to find them yourself! I'd like to think that the listener can enjoy a rich and diverse journey with the album. It goes to lots of different places sonically, lyrically, and cinematically.
The album is very cinematic and should be featured in avant garde films (just throwing this out there!) Would you agree and would you like this to happen?
I do agree and I'll take that as a compliment, thank you! I'd absolutely love for that to happen. As a film-maker myself, it has been my intention to incorporate my love of cinema into Goldbringer and this album in particular. I think Goldbringer has always been a marriage of audio and visual elements. I've created videos in conjunction with tracks in the past (see 'Other Side'), but I've never focused on a single external cinematic influence like Lucio Fulci before. Check out my YouTube channel to get the full audio-visual experience!
You are from South Wales- and the Welsh are famously known for musicality; do you think this heritage has influenced your sound in any way?
Definitely. If you'd asked me that question some time ago, I might not have thought so, but I've gotten to know myself a bit better now and I think that there has always been a song inside me. More to the point, there has always been a forum or indeed a venue to express this creativity and passion in Wales. It's been nurtured and encouraged. It could have been the school annual Eisteddfod, the endless drunken nights singing karaoke, or being in loads of Welsh bands over the years. At the core of all my influences, and at the core of Goldbringer, is that song inside that's always playing, driving me on to the next idea, the next noise!
How did you become a musician? Who or what has inspired you?
I was always more excited about the idea of being the singer when I was growing up, rather than wanting to play an instrument. I'd had some piano lessons when I was 8 or 9 so playing music was definitely a thing, but writing and performing the lyrics, giving the music literal meaning really appealed to me, and still does. I started learning the lyrics to any song I liked as a kid and eventually I realised that I could actually sing. I think the first song I learned the words to that wasn't a nursery rhyme was 'Redemption Song' by Bob Marley. That ultimately led to me being the singer for numerous welsh bands. Wanting to create the music as well as the vocal is something that came to me a bit later. Goldbringer started out as a vehicle to express ideas that didn't fit into the make-up of the band's I was in, but it's grown to become it's own entity now.
My inspiration for doing what I do is simply how happy it makes me. Listening to all kinds of music, creating music, and especially performing music, it all gives me a sense of achievement and well being.
What do you enjoy most about being a musician? What do you hate most?
One of the most rewarding things is writing a melody and getting it stuck in your head for days! I usually treat that as a sign that it's a good part to use. The thing I enjoy the most however is performing live, it's the ultimate expression of an idea and in some cases, a feeling.
I try not to expend any energy hating on things. You can usually tell if something is working out or not with a song, or in a band situation. So you try and fix it and ultimately move on if you can't. Learning is more useful than hating.
If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
As you mentioned earlier, in Wales we have a long tradition of music and nurturing grass roots talent in smaller local venues. I'd love it if the music industry supported these smaller artists and venues more. What better way to discover new music and develop stable and fruitful music careers?
If you were on a desert island and could only take one album with you to listen to, what album would you choose?
The 'Transformers The Movie' Soundtrack from 1986.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far?
Answering this question! Seriously though, there's a new challenge around every corner. I'm not wanting to tempt fate here but you have to roll with the punches in music and in life, if you're able!
What outside of playing music makes you happy?
Well, there is also the obsession with film as we've discussed! As well as making videos for Goldbringer, I also make music and lyric videos for other bands and artists. I'm always working on something and sometimes it's hard to make myself actually stop and relax! Outside of all the arts stuff I'm a pretty simple sausage. Wales has an abundance of mountains, forests and nature reserves, so when I'm not busy creating, you can usually find me in a forest or halfway up a big hill getting some exercise! Spending time away from screens and technology is important.
What album/song do you wish you wrote and recorded?
Wow, that's a tough question... I'll choose 'On Our Knees' by the late Seattle singer songwriter Shawn Smith, from his album 'Sunshine'. A magical, simple and beautiful song from an incredible artist that I really really miss.
Do you have a message for your fans?
Settle into your seats, you're in for a treat. This is Utopia. Where humans of all races and origins have equal rights to live in peace and dignity.
'Soundtracks' is a 50min multi-coloured journey through my brain! It is literally the soundtrack to my life whilst I was making it. I was writing lots of lyrics, trying lots of different musical ideas, and watching films by the late Italian film director Lucio Fulci. The title is doubly apt when you consider that the album is also my own personal soundtrack to Fulci's films, my musical reaction to works, as a fan. The album has a bit of a split personality in the sense that it's a combination of me expressing myself as an artist, and as a fan. I'm a huge fan of Lucio Fulci's films, and of Fabio Frizzi, who composed the score to many of his most celebrated movies. Certain tracks on the album are my tribute to them and their magnificent body of work. There are also two other nods to film directors on the album, but I'll leave you to find them yourself! I'd like to think that the listener can enjoy a rich and diverse journey with the album. It goes to lots of different places sonically, lyrically, and cinematically.
The album is very cinematic and should be featured in avant garde films (just throwing this out there!) Would you agree and would you like this to happen?
I do agree and I'll take that as a compliment, thank you! I'd absolutely love for that to happen. As a film-maker myself, it has been my intention to incorporate my love of cinema into Goldbringer and this album in particular. I think Goldbringer has always been a marriage of audio and visual elements. I've created videos in conjunction with tracks in the past (see 'Other Side'), but I've never focused on a single external cinematic influence like Lucio Fulci before. Check out my YouTube channel to get the full audio-visual experience!
You are from South Wales- and the Welsh are famously known for musicality; do you think this heritage has influenced your sound in any way?
Definitely. If you'd asked me that question some time ago, I might not have thought so, but I've gotten to know myself a bit better now and I think that there has always been a song inside me. More to the point, there has always been a forum or indeed a venue to express this creativity and passion in Wales. It's been nurtured and encouraged. It could have been the school annual Eisteddfod, the endless drunken nights singing karaoke, or being in loads of Welsh bands over the years. At the core of all my influences, and at the core of Goldbringer, is that song inside that's always playing, driving me on to the next idea, the next noise!
How did you become a musician? Who or what has inspired you?
I was always more excited about the idea of being the singer when I was growing up, rather than wanting to play an instrument. I'd had some piano lessons when I was 8 or 9 so playing music was definitely a thing, but writing and performing the lyrics, giving the music literal meaning really appealed to me, and still does. I started learning the lyrics to any song I liked as a kid and eventually I realised that I could actually sing. I think the first song I learned the words to that wasn't a nursery rhyme was 'Redemption Song' by Bob Marley. That ultimately led to me being the singer for numerous welsh bands. Wanting to create the music as well as the vocal is something that came to me a bit later. Goldbringer started out as a vehicle to express ideas that didn't fit into the make-up of the band's I was in, but it's grown to become it's own entity now.
My inspiration for doing what I do is simply how happy it makes me. Listening to all kinds of music, creating music, and especially performing music, it all gives me a sense of achievement and well being.
What do you enjoy most about being a musician? What do you hate most?
One of the most rewarding things is writing a melody and getting it stuck in your head for days! I usually treat that as a sign that it's a good part to use. The thing I enjoy the most however is performing live, it's the ultimate expression of an idea and in some cases, a feeling.
I try not to expend any energy hating on things. You can usually tell if something is working out or not with a song, or in a band situation. So you try and fix it and ultimately move on if you can't. Learning is more useful than hating.
If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
As you mentioned earlier, in Wales we have a long tradition of music and nurturing grass roots talent in smaller local venues. I'd love it if the music industry supported these smaller artists and venues more. What better way to discover new music and develop stable and fruitful music careers?
If you were on a desert island and could only take one album with you to listen to, what album would you choose?
The 'Transformers The Movie' Soundtrack from 1986.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far?
Answering this question! Seriously though, there's a new challenge around every corner. I'm not wanting to tempt fate here but you have to roll with the punches in music and in life, if you're able!
What outside of playing music makes you happy?
Well, there is also the obsession with film as we've discussed! As well as making videos for Goldbringer, I also make music and lyric videos for other bands and artists. I'm always working on something and sometimes it's hard to make myself actually stop and relax! Outside of all the arts stuff I'm a pretty simple sausage. Wales has an abundance of mountains, forests and nature reserves, so when I'm not busy creating, you can usually find me in a forest or halfway up a big hill getting some exercise! Spending time away from screens and technology is important.
What album/song do you wish you wrote and recorded?
Wow, that's a tough question... I'll choose 'On Our Knees' by the late Seattle singer songwriter Shawn Smith, from his album 'Sunshine'. A magical, simple and beautiful song from an incredible artist that I really really miss.
Do you have a message for your fans?
Settle into your seats, you're in for a treat. This is Utopia. Where humans of all races and origins have equal rights to live in peace and dignity.
