# Ben Howard
**Ben Howard** (Benjamin [John Howard](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-howard), born 1987) is an English singer-songwriter from South Devon known for a fingerstyle (plucking guitar strings with fingertips instead of a pick) guitar approach rooted in the 1970s British folk scene, and for a catalog that has moved from acoustic folk on *Every Kingdom* (2011) toward atmospheric, experimental indie rock on later albums such as *Collections from the Whiteout* (2021) and *Is It?* (2023).[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [2](https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/ben-howard) His debut earned a [Mercury Prize](https://www.edgepedia.org/mercury-prize) nomination and two [Brit Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/brit-awards), and his second album, *I Forget Where We Were*, debuted at number one on the UK charts.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name / born | Benjamin John Howard, born 1987 in London; raised near Totnes, South Devon from about age eight[2](https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/ben-howard) • [3](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788) • [4](https://www.discogs.com/artist/1650054-Ben-Howard-2) |
| Studio albums | *Every Kingdom* (2011), *I Forget Where We Were* (2014), *Noonday Dream* (2018), *Collections from the Whiteout* (2021), *Is It?* (2023); EP: *How Are You Feeling?* (2024)[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [10](https://store.benhowardmusic.co.uk/products/how-are-you-feeling-ep) |
| Best chart result | *I Forget Where We Were* debuted at number one on the UK charts; *Every Kingdom* peaked at number four[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [3](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788) |
| Awards | Mercury Prize nomination for *Every Kingdom*; two Brit Awards[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) |
| Certification | *Every Kingdom* certified platinum in the UK (one source says double platinum; see below)[5](https://www.songhall.org/profiles/ben-howard) • [6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom) |
| Signature sound | Fingerstyle guitar on a setup he describes as "ripped off John Martyn's early 70s rig"; later records add electronic textures[6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom) |
| Labels | Island and Communion (early career); later releases on Island/Republic, Island/Virgin and Universal[2](https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/ben-howard) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) |
## Early life and musical beginnings
Howard was born in [Richmond, London](https://www.edgepedia.org/richmond-london) in 1987, and when he was eight his parents relocated the family to the countryside near Totnes in South Devon.[3](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788) He grew up on his mother's folk record collection, which instilled a love of [Joni Mitchell](https://www.edgepedia.org/joni-mitchell), Donovan and [Richie Havens](https://www.edgepedia.org/richie-havens), alongside John Martyn.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [7](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ben-howard/432957499?ls=1) He dropped out of his university course in Cornwall six months before graduation, convinced by the response to his music from the local surf community.[7](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ben-howard/432957499?ls=1) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452)
**Self-releases and signing.** He self-released his debut EP, *Games in the Dark*, followed by two more EPs, *These Waters* and *Old Pine*.[2](https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/ben-howard) In 2008 he put out his debut EP, which caught the attention of [Island Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/island-records), and a European tour supporting the Australian musician [Xavier Rudd](https://www.edgepedia.org/xavier-rudd) in late 2008 built his early audience before he signed to Island and Communion.[3](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [2](https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/ben-howard)
## Breakthrough: Every Kingdom and the Brit Awards
*Every Kingdom*, released in 2011, peaked at number four on the UK charts and was nominated for the Mercury Prize.[3](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788) It won Howard two Brit Awards, and was certified platinum in the UK.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [5](https://www.songhall.org/profiles/ben-howard) The two award categories are reported differently across sources: AllMusic names British Breakthrough Act and British Solo Male Artist, while the [Songwriters Hall of Fame](https://www.edgepedia.org/songwriters-hall-of-fame) names Best Male Solo Artist and Breakthrough Act; the discrepancy is unresolved here.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [5](https://www.songhall.org/profiles/ben-howard) The certification level also differs: AllMusic says the album "eventually" went platinum, while the Guardian's 2023 interview calls it his "double-platinum debut".[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom)
The album's success carried him to major stages: he performed on the Pyramid Stage at [Glastonbury](https://www.edgepedia.org/glastonbury) on Saturday 29 June 2013, and appeared at festivals including SXSW, Sasquatch!, Bonnaroo, Coachella and Austin City Limits, as well as supporting [Mumford & Sons](https://www.edgepedia.org/mumford-and-sons) on a February east coast US run.[2](https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/ben-howard) • [5](https://www.songhall.org/profiles/ben-howard)
## Musical evolution and later albums
**I Forget Where We Were (2014).** For his second album, released in October 2014, Howard took a more electric approach and was rewarded with strong reviews and sales; it debuted at number one on the UK charts.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [2](https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/ben-howard)
**Noonday Dream (2018).** His third album was psychedelia-tinged, with lush electronic textures, and was recorded in part at Le Manoir de Léon studio in south-west France.[7](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ben-howard/432957499?ls=1) • [8](https://www.benhowardmusic.co.uk/bio/)
**Collections from the Whiteout (2021).** Sessions with producer [Aaron Dessner](https://www.edgepedia.org/aaron-dessner) of the National took place between New York, Paris and Devon before being completed at Howard's adopted home on Ibiza; the album also features string arranger Rob Moose and mixes acoustic folk, experimental pop, ambient and minimal music.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [7](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ben-howard/432957499?ls=1) Howard discovered Dessner's PEOPLE collective during a 2019 drive through Portugal.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452)
**Is It? (2023).** In 2022 Howard suffered two transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), or mini-strokes, which he describes as "a before-and-after moment".[6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom) After a month of inconclusive hospital tests, he and his band returned to Le Manoir de Léon, and the result, made with producer Nathan Jenkins, known as Bullion, is a record in which his voice and guitar interact with electronic elements, manipulated vocal samples and atmospheric drum-machine programming.[8](https://www.benhowardmusic.co.uk/bio/) • [6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom) AllMusic characterizes the album as dealing partly with the emotional fallout from the strokes.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452)
**How Are You Feeling (2024).** How Are You Feeling? is a 2024 EP released on Universal.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [10](https://store.benhowardmusic.co.uk/products/how-are-you-feeling-ep)
## Musical style and instrumentation
Howard's guitar style is built on fingerstyle playing within a setup he has described directly: "My whole guitar setup is ripped off John Martyn's early 70s rig."[6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom) AllMusic notes his early sound drew on the 1970s British folk scene and sounded more like [John Martyn](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-martyn) than the [Jack Johnson](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-johnson) comparison his surf-adjacent image invited.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) Across his catalog the arrangements have widened from solo-acoustic folk to full-band, atmospheric and electronic textures, culminating in the sample-based and drum-machine-driven sound of *Is It?*.[6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom)
## By the numbers
- *Every Kingdom* (2011): UK peak number four; Mercury Prize nomination; two Brit Awards; UK platinum certification (double platinum per the Guardian).[3](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [5](https://www.songhall.org/profiles/ben-howard) • [6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom)
- *I Forget Where We Were* (2014): UK debut at number one.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452)
- Five studio albums between 2011 and 2024 on Island, Republic, Virgin and Universal imprints, alongside the 2024 EP *How Are You Feeling?.*[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) • [10](https://store.benhowardmusic.co.uk/products/how-are-you-feeling-ep)
## How it compares with his contemporaries
AllMusic situates Howard alongside the contemporary singer-songwriters Benjamin Francis Leftwich and James Vincent McMorrow.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) Early press filed him with the "surf folk" of Jack Johnson and Newton Faulkner, and drew [Ed Sheeran](https://www.edgepedia.org/ed-sheeran) comparisons, which he found reductive; Apple Music notes his debut arrived three weeks after Sheeran's own and was placed sonically closer to Bon Iver and Damien Rice.[3](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788) • [7](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ben-howard/432957499?ls=1) His touring circuit overlapped with Mumford & Sons, whom he supported in the United States.[5](https://www.songhall.org/profiles/ben-howard)
## Side projects and collaborations
**A Blaze of Feather.** Howard fronts a collaborative sextet with his guitarist Mickey Smith and multi-instrumentalist India Bourne, among others. The group began appearing at high-profile UK festivals and released a self-titled full-length in 2017.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452) Smith is also an acclaimed surf photographer, and Howard divides his time between the UK and Ibiza, where his parents live and his grandfather ran a jazz club.[3](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788) His connection to Dessner's PEOPLE collective shaped the making of *Collections from the Whiteout*.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452)
## What has changed since 2023
Since the strokes and *Is It?*, Howard has remained active. His official site lists 2026 shows, including US dates and a "song circle" format, indicating touring plans into 2026.[9](https://www.benhowardmusic.co.uk/) His official bio frames *Is It?* as "a lush, sonically splintered album" made during moments of seismic shift after the health scare involving a clot.[8](https://www.benhowardmusic.co.uk/bio/)
## References
1. [Ben Howard, AllMusic biography](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-howard-mn0001530452)
2. [Live Sessions: Ben Howard, NPR](https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/ben-howard)
3. [Ben Howard: 'England at the moment – it's quite a strange place', The Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/ben-howard-england-at-the-moment-it-s-quite-a-strange-place-1.4514788)
4. [Ben Howard (2), Discogs](https://www.discogs.com/artist/1650054-Ben-Howard-2)
5. [Ben Howard, Songwriters Hall of Fame](https://www.songhall.org/profiles/ben-howard)
6. ['It felt like a falling apart': Ben Howard on returning to music after two strokes, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/ben-howard-music-interview-is-it-every-kingdom)
7. [Ben Howard, Apple Music biography](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ben-howard/432957499?ls=1)
8. [Bio, Ben Howard official site](https://www.benhowardmusic.co.uk/bio/)
9. [BEN HOWARD (official site)](https://www.benhowardmusic.co.uk/)
10. [How Are You Feeling Ep, store.benhowardmusic.co.uk](https://store.benhowardmusic.co.uk/products/how-are-you-feeling-ep)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Blues, folk, and roots musicians › Contemporary folk singer-songwriters › Contemporary indie folk artists*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license