A Cumbrian music student is set for their debut release having completed two years of study at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester.
Ben, also known as √bodyroot, is a producer and guitarist, originally from Cockermouth. Inspired by the natural world, his sensory beats ride the line between experimental and accessible.
Moving from Cumbria to Manchester left √bodyroot feeling like a fish out of water. Unsure of how to reconcile his love of nature with big city life, he began recording the world around him and using these sounds in his productions. His debut release ‘√root tape_001’ is a journal of various locations, feelings and experiences from this time, topped off with tight electronic grooves and memorable hooks.
He draws inspiration from artists like Porter Robinson, Fred again.. and Brakence, while also borrowing from more experimental acts like Aphex Twin and Cornelius.
He said: "Creating ‘√root tape_001’ was definitely a balancing act. I was taking ideas from my ambient and electronic influences and condensing it into something more in line with my favourite pop instrumentals. I was worried that by placing myself between genres, I might end up not pleasing anybody. Doing every part of the process yourself makes you doubt stuff like that. Listening back to it now though, I realise I’ve made the exact record I would’ve wanted to hear a year ago. I’m very proud of it.
"I'm inspired by my home in the Lake District, creating ambient electronic beats blended with audio recordings of the beautiful countryside where I grew up. Most of my debut release '√root tape_001' is inspired by homesickness, and missing the slower lifestyle of the Lakes. I think this could really resonate with young people from the area who are living between university and the countryside."
The young artist was also inspired by another name of the upcoming music scene in Cumbria, in FLYNT a west Cumbrian band, who released their latest single Calling You Back earlier this year after a sold-out gig at The Brickyard.
√bodyroot's first release is out on September 20.
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