Artist Spotlight: Smith & Brewer

Our Artist Spotlight series aims to showcase the artists we have worked with in recent years in our showrooms and, in these difficult times facing musicians, encourage you to support these artists as best you can.

This week, the spotlight lands on Smith & Brewer!

Ben Smith and Jimmy Brewer met at an event organised by Joan Armatrading for the acts she had chosen to support her on her 2015 tour. Realising that their playing styles, voices and writing talents complimented each others, they began playing together.

Since then, they have played together all over the UK, as the support act to 10cc and Ralph McTell, at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2018, the 2018 Cambridge Folk Festival, the UK Americana Music Association Showcase in 2017 and 2019 and most recently supported The Fairport Convention on their world-wide tour.  They also contributed backing vocals to Ralph McTell’s new album, which was produced by Tony Visconti.

Smith & Brewer first visited us in 2018 to record a 'TNAG Session' performing two original songs, which we automatically fell in love with. Their upbeat, country-folk-rock style, driven by their guitar playing, created a gorgeous, upbeat session.

Following this, both Ben and Jimmy have individually demonstrated instruments for us with each of their unique and intricate playing styles.

Ben Smith has also participated in teaching in our 'TNAG Academy Series'- With his six part course running you through Blues Rhythm Foundations, with his strong fingerpicking baseline, flat-picking techniques and yet intricate and sparkling melodies- it really gets to grips with his charming playing style and exactly how to cultivate this.

Their most recent album 'Another Shade of Smith & Brewer' is one frequently spun on the TNAG Office Stereo and we couldn't recommend it enough!

"In January 2018 we moved into our friends' barn for a week and made a record.

We wanted to record what we felt were our best songs, in the way we felt would suit them best, by playing together in a great sounding room, and pressing ‘record’.

For some of the songs, we wanted a bigger sound, so we recruited our old friends Eric Lavansch on Drums and Tom Sinnett on Basses. We had a lot of fun.    

Every morning after breakfast we’d make coffee, walk in to the barn, light the fire, and play music together. It was a wonderful way to make a record, and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.

Ben & Jimmy X"

 

We're so grateful to have such a wonderful community of artists helping us to document the beautiful instruments which enter our showroom, so a huge thanks to Ben and Jimmy for all they've been involved with. We can't encourage enough that you support them in whatever way possible.