BEN THERE, DONE THAT

THE grizzled, gravelley voice of British indie-rock band Gomez, singer-songwriter Ben Ottewell, is headed back to southern Tasmania this Sunday to launch his latest solo album.

Ottewell has an avid following in Australia thanks to his days with Gomez, whose debut album Bring It On — featuring the singles Get Myself

Arrested and Whippin’ Piccadilly — won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 1998.

Gomez went on to release a string of hit albums including Liquid Skin, In Our Gun, Split the Difference and How We Operate, featuring popular tracks such as Rhythm & Blues Alibi, We Haven’t Turned Around, Shot Shot,

Ping One Down and Girlshapedlovedrug.

In 2011 Ottewell released his debut solo album, Shapes and

Shadows, drawing comparisons to Nick Drake, and followed it up in 2014 with Rattlebag.

Last month he returned with his third solo offering, A Man Apart, and his latest single, Watcher.

Crossing multiple musical genres such as Americana, blues and folk and showcasing Ottewell’s unmistakeable voice, A Man Apart was co-written with Ottewell’s childhood friend (and former Tunng member) Sam Genders, before being recorded in Los Angeles and the UK.

To promote A Man Apart, Ottewell has set off on his third solo Australian tour, performing brand new tunes, songs from his previous solo albums, and even some Gomez favourites in intimate rooms across the country.

“Nowadays, I just feel incredibly lucky to have had some kind of 20year run at this, and if I can sustain what I do, great,” he says.

“I’m also starting to look a lot more like the way I sound — I’m not this fresh-faced kid freaking people out any more!”

Ben Ottewell plays at Peppermint Bay from 2pm on Sunday, supported by Los Angeles performer Buddy. Tickets are $51, or $71.40 including a return ferry trip from Hobart. Go to www.oztix.com.au for bookings.