Ben Howard

Early Life

Benjamin John Howard was born on April 24, 1987, in Richmond, south-west London, England. At the age of eight, he moved to Totnes, Devon, where he was raised in a musical household. His parents introduced him to a variety of singer-songwriter records from the 1960s and 1970s, including artists like John Martyn and Joni Mitchell, which greatly influenced his musical style. Howard began writing songs at the age of eleven and developed a passion for playing the guitar, eventually deciding to focus on it after experimenting with other instruments. He attended King Edward VI Community College and Torquay Boys' Grammar School before pursuing journalism at Falmouth College of Arts. However, he left the course to dedicate himself to music full-time, crafting a unique blend of melodic folk music with darker lyrical themes.

Music Career

Howard's music career took off with the self-release of his debut EP, "Games in the Dark," in 2008. He followed this with two more EPs, "These Waters" and "Old Pine," which featured the hit single "The Wolves." In 2011, he signed with Island Records and released his debut studio album, "Every Kingdom," which reached number four on the UK Albums Chart and was certified triple platinum. His music gained further recognition when the song "Promise" was featured in the American television series "The 100." Over the years, Howard has released several albums, including "I Forget Where We Were," "Noonday Dream," and "Is It?" His distinctive guitar style, characterized by alternate tunings and a percussive strumming technique, has set him apart in the folk music genre.

Personal Life

In his personal life, Howard has been in a relationship with fashion entrepreneur Agatha Lintott since 2014, and they married in May 2025. An avid surfer and supporter of Liverpool F.C., Howard faced health challenges in 2022 when he suffered two transient ischemic attacks, which impacted his memory and speech. This experience influenced his fifth studio album, "Is It?" released in 2023. Howard also owns a home in Ibiza, where he spent parts of his childhood, reflecting his connection to the sea and nature.