MacD on Music: Break the Ice

I’ve been doing this column for over two years now, and in that time I’ve spoken to artists from around the country, including Wicklow (ILA), Dublin (Sky Atlas) and Cork (The Future Cork Local Band).

This week I’m going to be talking to a Belfast act, the brilliant Ben Cutler.

Last year, Ben released his EP ‘Break The Ice’, and we spoke about his main influences and the creative process involved in its creation.

“The EP was recorded back in May, so I spent the week recording with my producer Darragh Tibbs, who also plays drums in the band. It was recorded all at once.

It’s rock and roll with a blues edge to it. It’s all influenced by what I’ve been listening to recently, bands like the Black Keys, Blackberry Smoke and there was a bit of T-Rex in there too. The EP takes you on a swing of emotions, ranging from finding yourself to anger and then it ends on a resilient note.”

Next, we spoke a bit about his musical background and how he got to where he is today: “I’ve always had guitars around the house from a young age.

“My grandad was a musician as well, so that’s where I think I get it from. I just gradually picked up the guitar and started to teach myself, whether that’s just watching YouTube videos, I’ve learnt it all by ear, really. I’ve never read music or got classical training as such.

“My knowledge on theory, anyone that works with me would say, is pretty desperate. It’s all by ear, to be honest. Then I started busking. My first introduction to playing would be busking and playing at things like, there’s a competition called Banbridge Buskfest, which is where I really started.

“Then I went from busking to writing my own songs, and then I got playing at a few small festivals in Belfast, where, really, the focus is on singer-songwriters with an acoustic guitar. That’s where it started for me. It’s only the last four years or so when I’ve started playing with a band and I’ve got more into the electric, rock and roll side of things.”

I asked Ben which he preferred, playing solo or with a band: “Definitely for the newer material, it’s all written with the idea of playing it live with a band, especially when I’m writing the guitar parts, I always write two guitar parts to be played over the top of each other, so I do write everything.

“I always think about what the other guys will be playing around me as well, whereas years ago it would’ve always just been me with an acoustic guitar.”

Next, I asked Ben about some of the biggest moments of his career to date: “With the band there, back in 2022, we played the main stage at Camp Dalfest up at Glenarm Castle, so that was surreal playing on such a large stage.

That music, for me, thrives on being played through a huge PA. Also, in 2021, I had a trip to do with 21 Artists for the 21st Century mentor program here, we got to go over and play at Number 10 Downing Street, a bit of an intimate show there.”

After that Ben told me about some of his local artists that he’s been listening to: “I’m a big fan of local music and I think we’ve got a really strong scene here in Belfast and there’s music for everyone. In particular, there’s a band called the Cornerstones, which would be right up my street, the blues rock territory.

“Then, my favourite band from over the years, when I was growing up and playing more acoustic stuff, I would see a lot of local bands playing and it’s something I always wanted to do. There was a band called SX-70, who are still going, which were always my favourite.”

Then Ben told me about some of the artists he’s worked with: “In particular, for this EP and over the past two years I’ve been working very closely with a friend of mine called Kyle John Suckling, who’s also a great artist and songwriter.

“We built this new sound for me, so all this writing I’ve been doing has either been co-writing with him or sending the ideas back and forth and he’s been very much involved in shaping this new direction for me.”

And that’s it for Ben Cutler. His EP ‘Break The Ice’ is out now. Now we move onto other business.

This Friday is an exciting day for Derry music. First up, we have the much-anticipated release of CHERYM’s debut album ‘Take It Or Leave It’, coming on the back of the incredible launch in the Nerve Centre this past Friday. The album is sure to be a classic so be sure to go and grab it now. Friday also sees the release of Cora Harkin’s new single ‘Back Of My Mind’. It’s available for pre-save now.

Finally, social time. Ben Cutler can be found @bencutlermusic, CHERYM @cherymofficial and Cora Harkin @coraharkinmusic.