Ben Farr on Old Man — Blues, Wisdom, and Finding the Right Sound
Hull singer-songwriter Ben Farr is back with his new single Old Man. Rooted in blues and folk-like storytelling, it carries that indie rawness that works just as well in a stripped-back coffee shop set as it does with a full band behind it. We caught up with Ben to talk about where the track came from, its influences, and what’s next.
Q: How did the song come about, and what’s the story behind it?
“It started with a few chords, a standard blues idea. From there it became a story about someone older giving me advice, almost like they’re saying, ‘Sort yourself out, or you’re heading for disaster.’ The ‘old man’ isn’t me in the future, it’s more like a character talking to me, and me answering, ‘I’ll try to understand.’ It’s about hearing those words of wisdom and trying to take them on board.”
Q: What artists do you feel in its DNA?
“Definitely Neil Young. Some Hendrix in there too. Bob Dylan, of course. That’s my default setting: old-school rock and roll, blues.”
Q: Was this song an instant spark or has it been in the making for a while?
“This one was actually a quick one. Fifteen, twenty minutes. I went back to polish little phrases, but the bones of it were done in one sitting.”
Q: Did you picture it as a solo piece or a full band arrangement?
“That’s the identity crisis I’m still figuring out. I can perform it solo, but in my head I hear it with a full band, harmonies, layers, the whole lot. At the same time, playing solo gives me freedom. For me, though, if I’m recording this properly in the studio, it’s got to be full-band.”
Q: You mentioned harmonies. How did those come together?
“The harmonies are mainly me, layered up. Josh came in one day and just started singing along — added a low harmony that fit perfectly. It’s only a small part of the song, but it gave it more depth and character. Different voices always add texture.”
Q: What’s next for you and the track?
“I’ve got a music video for Old Man lined up, and a live version of another tune recorded at The Polar Bear that I’ll release too, just me and acoustic guitar. That one I’ll probably put on SoundCloud rather than Spotify, as more of a free release.”
Outro
Old Man is another glimpse into Ben Farr’s blend of blues grit and indie spirit — timeless but still fresh. Keep an eye out for the upcoming video and live sessions dropping soon.