THE MODERN RECORD INTERVIEWS... BEN WALKER AT TRNSMT FESTIVAL 2024
WE CAUGHT UP WITH BEN WALKER AHEAD OF HIS SET AT TRNSMT FESTIVAL 2024 FOR A QUICK CHAT.
Ben Walker, a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from the North East of Scotland, emerged onto the music scene in late 2021. From performing in a grain shed during lockdown live streams with one the family farms cows, he has swiftly grown in popularity. Supporting artists like Rianne Downey, Nathan Evans, Spyres, Callum Bowie, and recently The View on their Scottish tour in December, Walker has showcased his versatility and talent.
In 2023, Ben earned recognition on Tenement TV’s top tracks list and Amazing Radio’s 'Ones to Watch for 2024'. Boasting infectious enthusiasm, he’s cultivated a diverse fanbase across the UK. Notably, Ben has just sold out Glasgow’s King Tut’s in January 2024 and has a headline tour of Scotland, including a show at St Luke’s in Glasgow later in the year. We had some time with Ben before his performance on the River Stage.
Hi Ben, it’s great to have you here at TRNSMT! How are you feeling about your performance today?
I'm feeling really good. I actually didn't think I'd be feeling this good. I hope it stays this way. I think in my head I've worked so hard in the past couple of years that I'm just ready to enjoy the moment. I can't wait to, you know, played so many times to nobody. I played to half full rooms, full rooms, and it's just kind of one of those ones where it's up the top, isn't it? You really want this gig. So the fact I'm here within three years of playing my first live gigs just immense and I'm super looking forward to it.
Especially being Scottish?
Yeah, absolutely. Especially living as north as I am as well. Like, you never see anyone kind of north, you never see anyone from Dundee. I mean, other than the, the obvious, the view and like, it just, it's super nice to be from that neck of the woods and kind of show folk. There's a lot of people from home that are now picking up guitars and instruments. 'cause they see that inspiration, which is crazy 'cause I, I don't see it personally. <laugh>. But you never do, do you?
You’ve come a long way since performing on the farm during lockdown. Can you tell us more about that journey?
Of course. So, through the end of school, I always wanted to be a pilot or work on the farm. That was my thing. My friend's mum convinced me into going air cadets when I was younger. And that was like, I was fixated on it from the word go. And then I was like, right, maybe wanna stay on the farm. And then towards the end of school - the last couple of weeks, there was a girl in my class that was like, I want to be a singer. And I was like, oh, we can actually do that. She's like, yeah, I've got this manager. So I, I eventually was just like, do you know what I'm gonna, I'm gonna try my hand at it. It's a perfect time.
I think it's crazy. You need to know what you want to do at 17 and you changed so fast that like, even now, that's three or four different things I've wanted to be, so yeah, I just kind of threw myself into it. Decided that I was gonna go to uni and kind of just turned up <laugh> and was just so focused on getting back on the stage. And I think, I guess the farm's just an awesome vehicle. It's different, isn't it? There's lots of blonde haired, blue-eyed dudes with acoustic guitars singing in their bedrooms. You know, talent's one thing, but just getting something a bit different. And so I guess just using what's in my back garden literally just, just helped. And it was crazy. I was putting all this effort into recording these videos using nice microphones and different techniques and it was getting nothing on TikTok. And then you just stand in a grain shed with a cow and all of a sudden everyone cares. So yeah, just use, use what you've got, isn't it? But yeah, it feels, it feels crazy to actually get to play gigs now and not just playing a chorus to your iPhone. I guess it's how it is now, isn't it?
Supporting artists like Rianne Downey, Nathan Evans, and The View must have been incredible. How have these experiences influenced your music?
I've been incredibly fortunate to meet these people. And I guess the really like cool part is getting to talk to these folk and see what niggles them every day, knowing that they have problems with their voice and knowing that they get a little bit anxious after gigs. That's when I get anxious. It's not ever before. It's always after the kind of the come down of adrenaline and just knowing it all went okay and everyone enjoyed it. So, yeah, the getting to talk to these guys is a huge inspiration and seeing how they handle and overcome these sort of issues is awesome. Invaluable, I guess would be the word.
Just seeing someone warm up, I mean, it's always cool. It's like when you're in school and we’re made to do dancing. No one ever wants to dance first, but then all of a sudden everyone's dancing because one person did it first. So just seeing someone actually take themselves off and do a warmup or take themselves off for a bit of quiet time rather than try to be involved with everyone and just being focused. It's great. Yeah, it's invaluable just sitting with these pros and watching.
In 2023, you earned recognition on Tenement TV’s top tracks list and Amazing Radio’s 'Ones to Watch for 2024'. How did that feel?
It's pretty crazy. I couldn't believe it, I used to singing in our grain shed and I'm used to, you know, my mum, dad, my dog, just having to put up with it. So yeah, to get that moment was a lovely bit of recognition. I think the main thing is as well is just seeing folks sing your songs that support online is invaluable. Especially from media outlets such as you guys today. They (fans) were posting about my performance just before I came in here. It's just awesome to have that support.
What has been your favourite part of preparing for today’s set at TRNSMT?
I think seeing the whole thing come together. Knowing like in the back of my head where I was when I wrote all these songs and just all the string of experiences coming together in one moment and then just being like, right, I get to go out on stage for half an hour with some of my best friends and experience something that a lot of people would, you know, chew your left leg off for. That's the biggest thing, you know, my mom, dad and family, jack here, my band, they've been through hell on Earth for the past couple of years, so it's good. I'm really looking forward to just doing it together.
Which song do you think will resonate most with the TRNSMT audience today and why?
Probably just a boy. I mean, I wrote that song when I moved back from university. I was pretty badly bullied when I was a kid, so was everyone. Not a competition, right? But I try not labor that point too much. I came home eight years later after the whole altercations kicked off and these guys walked back at the bar and I wrote this song as a result of how I was feeling when I was at the time. I've always been interested in playing guitars, in stages and lights. It wasn't cool to do that in school. And that was kind of, for me, the real kind of resonant part of like, everyone's been told they can't do something in their life. Everyone's been told that that's not possible. And playing TRNSMT was never even on the horizons. Far less playing like King Tuts and then to, to kind of smash those, it is great, but then set new goals, i find other kind of mad wild ideas. So yeah, for me just a boy would be the one because, you know, I did just have a little dream and I just stuck to it and somehow of, I'm in a tent talking to you guys before performing at TRNSMT!
Can you share a memorable moment from your career that has influenced your music?
Probably standing on stage at the Caird Hall. I'm from Dundee or I would say I'm from the sticks in between Aberdeen and Dundee, but I was born in Dundee. It's kind of what I would consider to be the closest to home. My mom and dad both were on that stage. It feels very American, but they graduated on that stage. And so it was quite nice to have my whole family, everyone that I care about, all in that room and singing songs that I thought were silly things or ones that was a no, I need to believe in myself now moment. That was when I didn't know what I was doing or when I thought I knew what I was doing. One of those moments. So yeah, Caird Hall in Dundee supporting The View in December would've been my most memorable moment ever and after the concert, I done a charity gig and there was a few school kids that said that my advice to them for resilience and overcoming their fears really resonated with them. And I've seen them physically shake to try and talk to me and I thought was ridiculous. <laugh>, it's me, I don't bite. But that, that was the effect I had on them. And it just shows that there's a bigger purpose than just myself.
What message do you hope to convey through your music?
Well, I don't know. There's many different things and I'm trying to think of what's a good thing to say here. <laugh>. Just putting yourself behind other folk and putting other folk in front of you and saying, it's okay to feel anxious or to feel scared, but you know, have a plan and, and really think about how you're gonna overcome these problems and just like knowing that you're not alone, knowing that everyone else feels that way as well, you know? I don't know how to put it into words. I never wanted anyone to take anything from my music. I love knowing that folk take different things from it and then hearing these different takes. I know how I want myself to feel with my songs, but seeing like someone else take something completely different from that song is just magical. It feels like superhero powers.
What’s next for you after TRNSMT? Any upcoming projects or tours?
So I'm going to Spain tomorrow back writing with Kyle Falconer and Ellie, who's actually playing here tomorrow. So we're going out to Spain for a few days, doing a bit of writing with them and then back home. There's some support slots that everyone will see next week. I'm sorry I can't talk about them just now. It's one of those ones. But I'm super, super excited for 'em and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity. And then after that it's why not festival and then it's September, which we really can't talk about, but <laugh>, it's gonna be great. I'm probably not the first or last person to say it, but big things are coming soon. It's been said by every indie band ever, but I'm gonna say it again. There's the big things coming soon.
Is there anything else you’d like to share today?
I don't think there is, there's nothing to share. I'm always leaking stuff online <laugh>, to be honest, I should probably stop sharing things, but i wont <laugh>. Thank you to everyone that's from home and everyone that's seeing me for the first time. You know, I had a text message from someone that's saying that they've been following me and my journey from when I had 200 followers and it's been a crazy time. Thanks for listening. Thanks for humoring me because you've made me, deep down, you've made a 14-year-old dude, very happy. Yeah, no, thank you.
Thanks so much for chatting with us, Ben. Best of luck with your performance today!
Don't be silly. Thank you for taking the time. Cheers.
At TRNSMT Festival 2024, Ben Walker delivered an electrifying performance that left the crowd spellbound. His soulful melodies and dynamic stage presence were a testament to his musical prowess. With each song, Walker managed to strike a chord with the audience, creating a memorable atmosphere that lingered long after his set ended. As predicted by ‘Ben himself during his interview, his performance of ‘Just a Boy’ resonated with the crowd and fans who know him were clearly moved by the inclusion of this on his set list. His ability to connect with fans through his heartfelt lyrics and captivating energy made his performance a standout moment of the first day of the festival.