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Benjamin Amos is a songwriter originally from Northern Ireland, now living in Durham. This February sees the release of Maelstrom, the first single from his debut album Letters.
Ben previously fronted bands that found success in Northern Ireland. His Sullivan & Gold album - For Foes was nominated for the Northern Irish Music Prize and he has supported artists such as Lisa Hannigan, Two Door Cinema Club and Ghostpoet.
Moving to the North-East he found a musical home at The Westgarth Social Club in Middlesbrough, amongst the Spooker Rekkids rabble, before finding success as co-writer and producer for Teesside favourites Nel Unlit, whose debut album received airplay and praise from the likes of BBC Radio 6's Tom Robinson.
Praise for Sullivan and Gold and Nel Unlit: 'If sumptuous and carefully crafted songs are your thing, For Foes will make for a pleasing listen... including soaring falsettos and lovely lyricism. - The Sunday Times
'Princes of sparklefolk, Sullivan & Gold have made a wonderfully thoughtful album that belongs inside a decent set of headphones.' - The Daily Mirror
'Wow! Like swimming in chocolate. Music like you havent heard in the last 60 years. Just blooming wonderful.' - Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6
Faithful Johannes makes spoken-word songs and the accompanying electronic music. He takes his ironing board to his gigs. It has been mistaken for a surfboard. He holds up large signs to help annotate his narratives or reinforce the choruses and gives out personalised notes to audience members.
In 2018 his song Ghosts in My Attic, about an unsuccessful attempt to clear out his loft, was voted North East song of the year. In 2019 Johannes released his debut album Thrills & Bills on Win Big Records.
After a string of EPs and standalone singles, Johannes brought out the tragicomic story album, Ken & Jean in September 2021 on pink vinyl. It was described by NARC. Magazine as a gem fit for any collection
Johannes has received national airplay from Tom Robinson and Gideon Coe on BBC 6 Music and regular support from BBC Introducing shows in the North East and Teesside.
He has played festivals, house shows and much in between on varied bills with rappers, poets, electronic artists and guitar bands. He's been commissioned to produce songs and videos for Tees Music Alliance and Base Camp Middlesbrough.
He has vowed to put out a Christmas single every year until his death (he's up to five so far).
The Alan Bennett of Hip Hop- Future Sounds
He's a great artist - Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
Johannes displays a skill for some brilliant rhyming couplets and detailed lyrics which unfold into modern-day reflections of everyday feeling and society - Louder Than War
'If there is a middle of a venn diagram where the four circles are Anticon Records, Alan Bennett, Leonard Cohen and Frank Sidebottom then Faithful Johannes is it - Slow Decades