Benjamin Francis Leftwich is an English singer-songwriter from York. He released his first album Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm in 2011, which peaked at #35 on the UK charts. He has released four further albums since, the most recent in February 2024. Leftwich has also co-written with other artists, including The 1975, Holly Humberstone, and CMAT.
Early life and influences Benjamin Francis Leftwich's father was Adrian Leftwich.
Leftwich began playing at the age of ten and grew up listening to the Rolling Stones and Nina Simone, later discovering Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, and Elliott Smith. He cites Cher, Arcade Fire, Ryan Adams, and Bruce Springsteen as inspirations."Benjamin Francis Leftwich reveals album inspirations", BBC, 30 June 2011, retrieved 6 July 2011
Career Leftwich's debut album, the Ian Grimble-produced Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm, was released in July 2011. The Fly called it "a majestic debut" The Skinny,Buckle, Chris (2011) "Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm", The Skinny, 27 June 2011, retrieved 6 July 2011 while the Sunday Express called it "lovely".Heathcote, Charlotte (2011) "ALBUM REVIEW – BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH: LAST SMOKE BEFORE THE SNOW STORM (DIRTY HIT)", Sunday Express, 3 July 2011, retrieved 6 July 2011 Hazel Sheffield, writing in The Guardian, gave it a 3/5 rating,Sheffield, Hazel (2011) "Benjamin Francis Leftwich: Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm – review", The Guardian, 30 June 2011, retrieved 6 July 2011 as did David Pollock, writing for The Scotsman, who drew comparisons to Damien Rice and José González.Pollock, David (2011) "Album review: Benjamin Francis Leftwich: Last smoke before the snowstorm", The Scotsman, 5 July 2011, retrieved 7 July 2011 Leftwich's "Shine" was named Spotify's most addictive track of 2014, the most repeat-played song of the year. Leftwich sold more than 100,000 copies of Last Smoke and received over 150 million global Spotify plays. "Atlas Hands" was featured in Zillow's TV Commercial 'Lake House' in 2015 In this same year, Benjamin Francis Leftwich co-wrote "Grow" with British artist Frances which featured in the Amazon UK TV advert.
His second album, After the Rain, was released in August 2016. Performing songs off this album and the previous one, Leftwich toured extensively from April 2016 to August 2017, covering the UK, Canada, USA, China, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and throughout Asia (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia).
Albums Gratitude, To Carry A Whale and Some Things Break followed in 2019, 2021, and 2024 respectively.
As well as writing and recording his own music, Leftwich co-writes with other artists, and has collaborated with The 1975, Holly Humberstone, and CMAT, among others.
Personal life In February 2024, Leftwich said that he had previously had problems with alcohol and drug addiction, but had been sober since 2019.
Discography
Albums Title Details Chart positionsUK Last Smoke Before the SnowstormReleased: 3 July 2011 Label: Dirty Hit Format: CD, LP, digital download 35 After the RainReleased: 19 August 2016 Label: Dirty Hit Format: CD, LP, digital download 53 GratitudeReleased: 15 March 2019 Label: Dirty Hit Format: CD, LP, digital download – To Carry a WhaleReleased: 18 June 2021 Label: Dirty Hit Format: CD, LP, digital download – Some Things Break Released: 9 February 2024 Label: Dirty Hit Format:: CD, LP, digital download –
EPs Title Details A Million Miles OutReleased: 24 October 2010 Label: Dirty Hit Format: Digital download PicturesReleased: 6 March 2011 Label: Dirty Hit Format: Digital download In the OpenReleased: 19 October 2012 Label: Dirty Hit Format: Digital download ElephantReleased: 8 November 2019 Label: Dirty Hit Format: Digital download
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions Album UK 2011 "Box of Stones" 195 Last Smoke Beforethe Snowstorm "Atlas Hands" — 2012 "Pictures" — 2014 "Shine" — 2016 "Tilikum" — After the Rain "Mayflies" — "Summer" — "Groves" — 2017"Pure Morning" cover—"Because of Toledo" cover—
References
External links