Macclesfield singer-songwriter Ben Gorb recently released his second album Burning Light, bringing classic sixties and seventies rock style music with a modern kick and twist.

He also has just played a headline album launch party 'compared to Hendrix', a ponstponed event delayed by the Omicron variant.

Ben reminds us that the despite COVID-19, the underground music scene is very much alive and kicking and ready to deliver its message back out to those that are open to listening.

He has laid out his table with weighty rock tracks and poignant lyrics. He draws his influences from legendary bands like The Who and Jimi Hendrix, with some softer undertones of melodic rock.

Ben has been composing his own original music and songs since the tender age of 15, just after he learnt how to play guitar at 14. We got a chance to have an in-depth chat with Ben, which is presented in a Q&A format.

Macclesfield Nub News: What was your inspiration for writing this album?

Ben Gorb: I had a collection of songs that I felt strung well together, some are older songs I revisited, and some are new. I just knew that when they are placed together, they flowed." MNN: Are any of the songs influenced by the effects of Covid?

Ben Gorb: Helpless the 6th track on the album has a little bit of the feeling of isolation that most of us felt during this period."

MNN: On Talking, the final track on the album, was it planned for the sound of fingers on the frets to be prominent?

Ben Gorb: I knew I wanted to the album to finish on a softer note. I play this one with my friend and excellent guitarist Jake Priestly. Normally I play my guitar parts myself when I am recording, but I felt this one needed something else. I wanted it to be a more raw track, intimate, not too much production."

MNN: How would you describe your genre of music?

Ben Gorb: It's definitely Rock, but that label is too broad. I would say I am more the classic rock of the 60's and 70's with a modern twist." MNN: What is your creative process?

Ben Gorb: 90% of the time it starts with a guitar riff or chord progression envisioning the balance. Then finally the melody and lyrics will follow. I can get inspiration from anywhere and at any time. I don't have to always be on the guitar. Initial ideas can come into my head at any time. But committing to finishing the song is where the hard work is.

MNN: What message would you like your fans to take from this album?

Ben Gorb: Just to know that music is very much alive and appreciated. Rock is still prevalent, that people are still enjoying it and writing it. MNN: Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Ben Gorb: My songwriting hero Pete Townsend. Although Jimi Hendrix could be one as well."

MNN: If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be?

Ben Gorb: So many to choose from my list would be endless, but I suppose Queen, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Pearl Jam… just so many, too many to choose from! MNN: Ok let's take this down a level if there was just one person you could reach out to and do it with now who would that be?

Gordon Giltrap. He is a good friend; he is a genuine nice guy and I love his music. I would open acoustically for him but that would be an amazing show, we should make it happen."

MNN: Do you prefer playing with your band or solo?

Ben Gorb: Band. When I write my songs I can hear the drums, the bass etc in my head. My style of writing has always been suited to a band context. I enjoy playing solo but with my band is where it is at. The full energy and experience come across when the four of us play together. MNN: Why was Manchester's Night and Day Café the venue for the launch?

Ben Gorb: As you the show was scheduled to be done at the end of last year, but with COVID once again on the rise and a possibility of a lockdown. It felt better to reschedule. I have played Night & Day before and seen many styles of musicians play here too. It is a great versatile venue in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. A fantastic area for the underground music scene. It's a place that inspires me, and is also very friendly,"

MNN: What is your favourite song from the album and why?

Ben Gorb: That's a tough one. I enjoy them all of course! I love No One Knows [the music video was filmed in Macclesfield Forest]. I feel it's one of the best songs I've written. I feel it's very eclectic. It started as a simple, stripped back acoustic folk song. But it turned out sounding huge! Especially with the inclusion of the strings. I also really like Innocent Gun. It contains a lot of inner frustration that explodes out in a triumphant manner. It's got some of what I feel is my best guitar work on a recording. MNN: If you had to choose one to reach number one in the charts which one, would you prefer and why?

Ben Gorb: Probably Talking. Because it's a real statement to the industry! The industry as a whole, and an important and liberating message to underground artists.

MNN: What is your message to Macclesfield?

Ben Gorb: My message to the people of Macclesfield would be to please keep supporting live music. Even though Macclesfield is a medium-sized town, the music scene is very, very good. Obviously things have been complicated [with the pandemic] but there are plenty of great venues, great artists and great people. Live musicians need the stability and enjoyment of it, the reason they do what we do is for their passion for performance, so it will mean the world to them to come out and support them after such a tough year of not doing it.

MNN: Any final thoughts?

Ben Gorb: I would like to add or highlight that good rock, indie and pop music is still very much prevalent. There is lots of different kinds of music out there that never see Radio 1. People still like going out and discovering what is out there. The underground music scene has amazing artists and musicians out there making music. My album will likely never be a chart-topping success, but I hope listeners have an absolute blast with it. Macclesfield: You can listen to Ben's latest album here. You can also follow him on Facebook. See Also: Review: Macclesfield musician Ben Gorb rocks headline show in Manchester Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top 10 Macclesfield news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article? 1200 of you have signed up already. Simply enter your email address in the shaded box below or on this link. Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper which produces 30-40 stories a week for our town. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter