June 10th 2024.
Renowned guitarist of The Who, Pete Townshend, recently collaborated with a talented duo of musicians from Wigtown after being deeply impressed by their music. Townshend was blown away by the extraordinary work of Ben Please and Beth Porter, also known as The Bookshop Band. He was so taken by their music that he reached out to them to suggest working together.
The Bookshop Band was formed by Ben and Beth in Bath back in 2010, where they collaborated with other musicians and their local independent bookshop. They have since relocated to Wigtown, known as Scotland's National Book Town, and have become an integral part of the annual book festival. As a former bookshop owner himself, Townshend not only produced the album but also recorded it in his own studio and played on every track.
Townshend shared that he first listened to the CDs in his car while traveling and was completely blown away by the sound. He was fascinated by The Bookshop Band's unique technique of creating a symphony orchestra-like sound with just two people. He described each song as special in its own way and was inspired to reach out to the duo.
The album, titled Emerge, Return, was written entirely by Ben and Beth and was inspired by themes from popular books such as The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman. These books explore topics of oppression, free will, and free speech. The title of the album was taken from a song inspired by Robert Macfarlane's Underland, which delves into the underworld and morality in the context of deep time.
The album has already been receiving praise, with radio personalities Shaun Keaveny and Zoe Ball commending its hypnotic and amazing sound. Ben expressed his excitement at working with Townshend, stating that the rock legend brought a unique perspective to the recording process and even played on every track, adding an extra dimension to the album.
The Bookshop Band is highly admired among writers, with best-selling author Kate Mosse specifically requesting them to write songs for her book launches. The band has carved out a niche for themselves, operating between the music and book worlds. Their approach is to read books, respond by writing a song, and then perform in bookshops to bring the work to new audiences.
They have previously released 13 albums, which were sold at gigs and online. However, Emerge, Return will be their first commercial release. The album is set to be released on June 28th, alongside a podcast series featuring conversations with the authors of the books that inspired its tracks. It will be supported by a 71-date UK tour, with most performances taking place in indie bookshops, including a set at the Glastonbury Festival.
Ben and Beth expressed their excitement for the upcoming tour, stating that playing the songs live and sharing stories in bookshops is what The Bookshop Band is all about. Their passion for both music and literature shines through in their work, making them a beloved and unique presence in the music industry. To keep up with their latest news and releases, be sure to subscribe to Scottish Field and read more about book news.
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