Old Pine

Released in April 2011, the Old Pine EP served as the final precursor to Ben Howard's breakthrough debut album, Every Kingdom. While the title track would eventually become a centerpiece of his career, this EP captures the songs in a slightly more raw, immediate state. Recorded primarily with long-time collaborators India Bourne (cello) and Chris Bond (percussion), the EP showcases Howard's unique 'lap-tapping' guitar technique, where the instrument is played flat across the knees to allow for percussive strikes on the body. This technique gives the folk-oriented songs a driving, rhythmic backbone that distinguishes them from traditional singer-songwriter fare. Critically, the EP was praised for its organic warmth and Howard's ability to blend technical guitar proficiency with accessible, anthemic songwriting. It remains a definitive document of the 'New British Folk' movement of the early 2010s, standing alongside early works by Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling but with a distinct coastal, surfing-influenced identity.