BEN HOWARD WINS RED STRIPE MUSIC AWARDS
Devonshire surfer and singer-songwriter Ben Howard took the music world by storm after a spell binding performance at the finals of the Red Stripe Music Awards in London last night.
Ben wowed the 1600 strong audience at Kentish Town's 'Forum' with his "cracking lyrics, pitch perfect songs and exceptional guitar skills."
Ben defeated some 200 bands from around the UK en route to the final and was awarded 3 slots at leading festivals including The Great Escape.
A spokes person from Red Stripe said "you have to admire the innovative, Ben Howard, who uses his guitar to build swirling, percussive beats around plaintive plucking and melancholic vignettes."
It is real exciting times for 21 year old Ben who got to showcase his talents before a panel of music industry experts. His impressive live performances have helped attract the attention of record labels on both sides of the Atlantic.
Ben recently toured with Austrailian instrumentalist Xavier Rudd and is working closely with leading surf brand Quiksilver, playing at all their European events.
To check out Ben's tunes, tour dates and videos please visit www.myspace.com/benjaminjohnhoward
For press and general enquiries contact owaindavies@gmail.com
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig65hl9XAZs
Photo courtesy of Mike Searle / Carve Magazine
Joan Duru Storms up to 4th on the WQS ratings!
After a string of fantastic results, Joan Duru, the young 20-year-old Frenchman is now placed 4th on the World Qualifying Series Ratings. His recent 3rd place result at the O‘Neill CWC will count as part of his end of year tally, taking Joan a step closer to a slot on the Dream Tour. The 6 Star Prime Event gave Joan a precious 2625 points as well as $5000 prize money. The points may be more important than anything else as they take Joan a step closer to a slot on the ASP World Tour, the elite level of global surfing.
The recent WQS event, the 12th so far this year, was held in the far North of Scotland and ran in notoriously testing conditions. The cold, heavy reef waves of Thurso, are a long way both literally and metaphorically from Joan’s home in SW France.
Despite the wind and cold Joan performed well, scoring a 9-point ride in the quarters. He was winning his semi final for 29 of the 30 minutes, but made an error in the dying seconds, which cost him a finals place in his first 6 Star event. Trying to better his second score Joan let one wave go in the last second, which cost him severely. Joan describes it as “a hard learnt lesson” but undoubtedly will turn this tactical mishap into a positive. Alongside his power surfing and growing confidence extra experience of life on the tour is only going to better an already polished surfing ability.
This result comes on the back of a string of great results. Joan hasn’t placed lower than 9th in a European event this year and is leading the ASP European Tour Ratings.
”That 3rd is a keeper and I am still happy with that run," says Duru. "I surfed well in the event, felt relaxed and confident and after winning the event in France and getting a 9th last week, I’ve done what I wanted to. I am glad to go home now and rest and spend time with my friends. That strong lead on the European ratings is good news as well and I’ll keep this somewhere at the back of my head because I would love to get that title."
Photo : Aquashot / ASP
Interview with music's up-and-coming sensation Ben Howard
Where do you come from?
Ben: I was born in Middlesex, i now live in sunny Falmouth.
How did music come into your life?
Ben: I'd say it was probably through my mum. I must have spent 8 or 9 of my younger years listening to her singing and playing the guitar, plus there was always music on in the house like Bruce Springstein, Neil Young and John Martin. A lot of great singer songwriters.
Who or what inspires you to write music?
Ben: John Martin. Definately. His music is incredible. I think you are always influenced by so many different types of music but don't always realise. Its amazing how many different artists you listen to but you're not always aware that the music's being absorbed. The countryside is a massive inspiration too. When i first moved from London to the country, it was a really big shift, a nice shift and that's why i sing about it alot. I like to write about the people i meet or those that have made an impact on my life. My parents come up quite a lot, i guess they've taught me a few things! I love the outdoors, i'm not a big fans of trains and lots of people but i am warming to the London ways!
Who is the person you admire the most?
Ben: Gabe Davies, for sure. He's done so much in the surfing world and has achieved some pretty incredible things but still remains as the most genuine and kind person around in the industry.
How would you describe your music?
Ben: I guess it's sort of acoustic ballads with some percussive guitar and gnarly growling thrown in for good measure.
Describe your clothing style.
Ben: Hoodies, jeans & t shirts. Casual as possible.
Dress code for a night out?
Ben: Hoody, jeans and t shirt... (small pause) Maybe a clean hoody, jeans and t shirt!
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Ben: Yeah, umm... (long pause) Introverted, outgoing, keen. That's going to confuse some people!
What's your favourite quote?
Ben: "Green eyes, green like the sea, pity the one that sees them and doesn't know how to swim." I think it's spanish?
What would you do if you didn't sing?
Ben: If i didn't sing i'd probably hum. No, i'd whistle.
You recently supported Xavier Rudd on his European tour, how was it?
Ben: It was amazing. Xavier is such a nice guy and it was nice to get the opportunity to chill out with him when we weren't performing. The crowds were good too, you could hear a pin drop when i was on stage, the respect they had was just incredible.
Plans for the future? Anything else coming up?
Ben: Just to keep doing what i'm doing really. Making music and getting some more gigs through Quiksilver and hopefully play some tunes on the pro surf tour.
Check out Ben's videos, listen to his tunes and check out new tour dates for 2009 @ www.myspace.com/benjaminjohnhoward
PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Searle / Carve
Euroforce Tahiti 2008 Episode online now!
Recap on the fates and fortunes of Europe’s best surfers as they take on Tahiti! Aritz, Jeremy, and Tiago all score incredible waves in one of the most visually spectacular locations on the planet. Miky topped the bill with his 9th place finish but Tiago perhaps demonstrates the true highs and lows of life as a rookie. He scored a 10-point tube ride one minute but lost out due to a split second error over priority the next. Mistakes here come fast and furious as our surfers do battle with something more daunting than Tour veterans; the awe inspiring waves of Teahupoo.
Sit back and watch the action as a warm up before this year’s Billabong Pro 9-20th May, which remains one of the most anticipated events of the year for surfers and spectators alike. Last year, two wild cards showed their mettle to take the top two spots, but this year Joel Parkinson is in pole position with 9X World Champion Kelly Slater playing catch up. 2009 is the year that the Euroforce have more guys than ever taking their turn in the gladiator pit! We’ll keep you tuned into their progress and keep your eyes peeled for the Euroforce 2009 Tahiti edition shortly after the event comes to a close!
Watch the new Euroforce episode!!!
Fred Patacchia Wins 6.0 Lowers Pro
Fred Patacchia (North Shore, HI), 27, won mainland America’s first Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star PRIME event, the 6.0 Lowers Pro, when he defeated defending event champion Ben Bourgeois (Wrightsville Beach, NC), 30, by a score of 16.84 to 14.10 in two-to-four foot (1 metre) surf at the famed cobblestone reef of Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California.
The 6.0 Lowers Pro’s ASP 6-Star PRIME status marks the event as a critical stop on each competitors 2009 ASP WQS campaign because it offers the maximum amount of points towards qualification for the ASP World Tour.
Patacchia demolished the Lower Trestles righthanders in his Final against Bourgeois, opening up his battle against the former ASP World Tour campaigner with a 9.17 out of 10 in the opening minutes of the heat. The Hawaiian talent backed up the score with a 7.67 to solidify the win over Bourgeois.
“I’m psyching,” Patacchia said. “We got fun waves throughout the whole event and to do it at pretty fun Trestles with only one other guy out is even better, so I’m happy.”
Patacchia is currently sitting in the No. 3 position on the ASP World Tour after two events and was using the premier ASP WQS 6-Star PRIME to help his competitive focus before launching into the Billabong Pro Teahupoo next week.
“It’s a good warm up for the Hurley Pro,” Patacchia said. “It’s not a good warm up for Tahiti, but I just want to stay in contest mode, keep my body in shape and keep my mind strong and I’m having a fairly decent year this year so I just want to keep it going.”
6.0 Lowers Pro Final:
1 – Fred Patacchia (HAW)16.84
2 – Ben Bourgeois (USA) 14.10
Credit Photo: Hilleman / ASP
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