Benjamin Francis Leftwich today releases his second album After The Rain through Dirty Hit. In the lead up to the release Leftwich has shared a track a week across all streaming platforms with the final two tracks Frozen Moor and Just As I Was Waking Up revealed today, completing the album.
To celebrate the release of the album Leftwich is playing a series on free, acoustic in-stores around the UK, starting today in London. He will then head out on a second run of headline dates following the success of his Spring / Summer tour. Starting in September this extensive tour takes in the UK, Europe and the US with tickets on sale now.
Following the release of his 2011 acclaimed debut album Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm, a record which has gone on to sell over 100,000 copies worldwide and had over 150 million global Spotify plays, Leftwich’s life was thrown into an unexpected path when he went through one of the hardest things in life, the loss of a parent and his number one source of inspiration, his father.
Coming at the peak of Ben’s success and stuck between tours and caring for his father, Ben invited producers to his hometown in an attempt to work on new material, to muted results. “I just knew that I needed to not do this for a while,” he admits of his mental state following his father’s passing. “For me, I just needed to live outside of music.”
Now, 5 years after the release of his debut album, Leftwich returned earlier this year with the news of the Charlie Andrew (Alt-J, Money) produced new album. Written during those months which saw him at his lowest, the record is a creation that exists between light and dark; one that is delicate yet grand, melancholic yet optimistic, whilst remaining utterly timeless.
Stream After The Rain here.
“Enchanting, fragile folk-pop from a humble talent” – The Independent
“Fragile and steeped in emotion” – DIY
“Make no mistake Leftwich is the real deal” – Q