Ben Westbeech

Ben Westbeech
Background information
Birth name Ben Westbeech
Also known as Breach, Lean
Born (1981-05-12) 12 May 1981
Origin Bristol, England, UK
Genres Jazz, house, electronica
Occupation(s) Producer, DJ, artist
Instruments Cello, piano
Years active 2006–present
Labels Trademark of Energy Production Srl, Brownswood Recordings, Naked Naked, Dirtybird
Associated acts Andreya Triana
Website benwestbeech.com

Ben Westbeech (born 12 May 1981) is a British DJ and producer originating from Hertfordshire who spent his formative musical years in Bristol, though he currently lives in Amsterdam.[1][2] Trained as cellist and vocalist, his influences include house, soul, jazz and hip hop.

Music career

Early career: 2007–08

Westbeech gave a CD containing his first single "So Good Today" to a friend in London. Two months later she played it to Gilles Peterson who snapped it up. This led to him being signed to Gilles Peterson's new label, Brownswood Recordings. His debut album Welcome to the Best Years of Your Life was released in March 2007.[3] He later appeared on Later... with Jools Holland alongside Paul McCartney and Björk. He also appeared on the track "Squeeze Me" on Kraak & Smaak's album Plastic People, released in April 2008.[4]

There's More To Life Than This: 2009–11

More recently, he appeared on the track "I Can See", which was the main single for Jazzanova's album titled Of All The Things, released in January 2009 on Verve/Universal. Ben also sang on the song "Shame" for DJ Marky and Artificial Intelligence. Westbeech is working with Professor Green (producing for his new record), Kutz (Soul Jazz), Redlight (Lobster Boy) and Rusko (Mad Decent). In 2009, Strictly Rhythm approached Westbeech and suggested he record something for them. He released his second album, There's More To Life Than This on the label in September 2011.[5] The record features collaborators including Soul Clap, Henrik Schwarz, MJ Cole, Motor City Drum Ensemble and Georg Levin. Westbeech described it as "house inspired, rather than straight up house music".[6] Westbeech also produces and DJs under the moniker Breach.[7] Under the "Breach" moniker, he produced the track "Fatherless" released on PTN in 2010.[8] Breach has released music on Claude VonStroke's Dirtybird label and Pet's (Catz n Dogz' label). Westbeech also wrote the vocal for Redlight's Breakthrough hit "Get Out My Head" featuring Nicole Jackson. He also owns the record label "Naked Naked" which releases tracks from Breach, Midland, Dusky and Dark Sky.[9]

2013–present: Breakthrough

In June 2013, Westbeech's remix of Maya Jane Coles' "Everything" featuring Karin Park was released through I/AM/ME.[10]

In July 2013, under the name "Breach" he released his first successful single on the UK Singles Chart, "Jack", peaking at 9. The follow up single, "Everything You Never Had (We Had It All)" featuring Andreya Triana, also peaked at 9.

Breach teamed up with American singer-songwriter Kelis on the track "The Key", which was released on 14 December 2014, the week of the Christmas UK number 1 race.[11] However, it did not chart.

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Notes
Welcome to the Best Years of Your Life
  • Released: 2007
  • Format: Digital download, CD
There's More To Life Than This
  • Released: 2011
  • Format: Digital download, CD

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
UK
[12]		 UK Dance
[13]		 IRE
[14]		 SCO
[15]
2012 "You Won't Find Love Again" — — — — Non-album singles
"101 / Somewhere" — — — —
2013 "The Click / Fallout" — — — —
"Jack" 9 4 74 12
"Everything You Never Had (We Had It All)"
(featuring Andreya Triana)		 9 2 84 13
2014 "The Key"
(featuring Kelis)		 — — — —

Other songs

Samples

References

  1. ↑ "Ben Westbeech". Steinberg.net/. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "BenWestbeech/BREACH (benwestbeech) on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "Ben Westbeech – Welcome to the Best Years of Your Life (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 26 March 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  4. ↑ "Kraak & Smaak – Plastic People (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  5. ↑ "Ben Westbeech – There\'s More To Life Than This". Strictly.com. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "RA News: Ben Westbeech says There's More to Life Than This". Residentadvisor.net. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "FACT mix 346: Breach – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "Breach (2) – Fatherless at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  9. ↑ Swift, Patrick (24 June 2012). "Ben Westbeech Starts New Label". Mixmag. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "Breach Remix of Maya Jane Coles". Indie Shuffle. 8 April 2014.
  11. ↑ Breach feat. Kelis - The Key (iTunes pre-order)
  12. ↑ "Breach > UK Charts". officialcharts.com/ Official Charts Company.
  13. ↑ Peak positions for the Dance singles in the UK:
  14. ↑ Peak positions in Ireland:
  15. ↑ Peak positions for singles in Scotland:

External links

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