Ben Glover: And The Sun Breaks Through The Sky
The Black Box, Belfast: 08 May
Acclaimed Northern Irish singer-songwriter Ben Glover releases his latest work
‘And The Sun Breaks Through The Sky’ out 26 April, 2024
Glover says, “This album embodies a fresh creative approach for me within the studio. The recording process began in 2019, and I allowed it to progress naturally over four years until it felt like a family of songs had come together. Moreover, I found that by taking a more patient path, the recording sessions nurtured a deeper dialogue with the songs themselves.”
The lockdown in 2020 brought about a transformative period for Glover’s relationship with music. He explains, “The pandemic forced me to essentially break the creative cycle that I had been on for twelve years.” This shift allowed him to embrace a more introspective approach to music making.
‘And The Sun Breaks Through The Sky’ marks a pivotal moment in the singer-songwriter’s career, where he prioritizes creating music for himself rather than adhering to external pressures of a traditional album cycle. Reflecting on this shift, Glover shares, “to be able to create without an external agenda is very liberating.”
Regarding the theme of the album, Ben reveals, “It seems that life is largely about discovering one’s way back home. Home, of course, isn’t necessarily a physical location; it’s much greater than that. It embodies our true nature, who we are at our core. This discovery is made through relationships—with ourselves, with others, with the world itself and with that which is beautifully mysterious beyond our understanding. So, if there were a thread connecting these songs, it would be that they are explorations of these connections.”
Collaboration remains integral to Glover’s artistry, with the album featuring songs co-written with his long-time creative partners including Mary Gauthier, Gretchen Peters, Kim Richey, and Neilson Hubbard. He co-produced the album with Dylan Alldredge at Alldredge’s Skinny Elephant Recording in Nashville.
With a career now spanning eight albums, two EPs, and three albums with The Orphan Brigade, Glover has established himself as a prominent figure in the singer-songwriter landscape. His previous album, Shorebound, earned him the prestigious Album Of The Year title at the Americana UK Awards in 2018, further solidifying his standing in the genre. His ability to seamlessly blend his Celtic roots with Americana has been a hallmark of his career, captivating audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
Alongside releasing his own material he is known for his in-demand co-writing skills, collaborating regularly with esteemed artists and writers both in the US and in Ireland.
With And The Sun Breaks Through The Sky, Ben Glover promises to deliver another captivating addition to his impressive body of work, showcasing his continued evolution as an artist.
· Produced by Ben Glover and Dylan Alldredge
· Recorded and Engineered by Dylan Alldrdege at Skinny Elephant Recording, Nashville
· Mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering
MAKE MY WAY HOME
Written by Ben Glover
Ben: acoustic guitar
Jaimee Harris: backing vocals
Johnny Duke: electric guitar
Juan Solorzano: piano, wurlitzer, guilele, 12 string acoustic, hammond organ
Sam Howard: bass
Ross McReynolds: drums and percussion
AND THE SUN BREAKS THROUGH THE SKY
Written by Ben Glover & Neilson Hubbard
Ben: acoustic guitar
Johnny Duke: electric guitar
Will Kimbrough: electric guitar
Sam Howard: bass
Neilson Hubbard: drums and backing vocals
Danny Mitchell: hammond organ
THERE’S A RIVER
Written by Ben Glover & Eliot Bronson
Ben: acoustic guitar
Jaimee Harris: backing vocals
Colm McLean: electric guitars and pedal steel:
Dylan Alldredge: bass, percussion
Evan Hutchings: drums
Danny Mitchell: hammond organ
THE MEADOW
Written by Ben Glover & Mary Gauthier
Ben: acoustic guitar
Danny Mitchell: piano
LIFETIMES APART
Written by Ben Glover & Kent Agee
Ben: acoustic guitar
Danny Mitchell: hammond organ and flugelhorn
Sam Howard: double bass
ONE FINE DAY
Written by Ben Glover & Kim Richey
Ben: acoustic guitar
Kim Richey: backing vocals
Juan Solorzano: guitar, bass
Nelson Hubbard: drums, percussion
Danny Mitchell: piano, hammond organ
Barry Walsh: vibraphone
Kim, Ben, Jaimee Harris and Maddie Alldredge: choir of voices
ARGUING WITH GHOSTS
Written by Ben Glover & Gretchen Peters & Matraca Berg
Ben: acoustic guitar
Kim Richey: featured vocals
Colm McClean: electric guitars
Dylan Alldredge: bass
Ross McReynolds: percussion
Danny Mitchell: hammond organ
BREAK FOR YOU
Written by Ben Glover & Kim Richey
Backing vocals: Natalie Schlabs
Will Kimbrough: ganjo, acoustic guitar
Johnny Duke: acoustic guitar
Sam Howard: double bass
Ross McReynolds: drums and percussion
Danny Mitchell: hammond organ
TILL WE MEET AGAIN
Written by Ben Glover & Mary Gauthier
Barry Walsh: piano and vibraphone
Colm McClean: electric guitar