Heartland

Posted: **01 Jun 2022, 19:31**

So, Ben just announced that he is leaving Nathan Gray due to his schedule with the Sisters.

I will not start speculating that this is because he will be too busy recording the new Sisters album, but if you feel like it, please go on

Post from FB:

Due to my commitments with The Sisters of Mercy, I must now step down from performing with Nathan Gray Thank you, Nathan, for so many incredible & life-affirming experiences. Your inimitable voice & profound lyrics have inspired me for over 20 years & I feel SO grateful & humbled that, somehow, this kid from Bristol U.K. ended up performing live & composing with one of his heroes across Europe (venues, caves & churches!) You have become a true friend & a compassionate mentor & your path of enlightenment & ambition has hugely inspired me. I also have met so many amazing people through you - musos, fans, artists, togs, industry & much more! I remain wholly supportive of your amazing work & am sure that, at some point, we will cross musical paths again!

Posted: **01 Jun 2022, 20:54**

He knows what happens to guitarists who don't drop everything to be available when himself calls..

Posted: **01 Jun 2022, 20:55**

DReifZ wrote: ↑01 Jun 2022, 19:31 So, Ben just announced that he is leaving Nathan Gray due to his schedule with the Sisters.

I will not start speculating that this is because he will be too busy recording the new Sisters album, but if you feel like it, please go on

Post from FB:

Due to my commitments with The Sisters of Mercy, I must now step down from performing with Nathan Gray Thank you, Nathan, for so many incredible & life-affirming experiences. Your inimitable voice & profound lyrics have inspired me for over 20 years & I feel SO grateful & humbled that, somehow, this kid from Bristol U.K. ended up performing live & composing with one of his heroes across Europe (venues, caves & churches!) You have become a true friend & a compassionate mentor & your path of enlightenment & ambition has hugely inspired me. I also have met so many amazing people through you - musos, fans, artists, togs, industry & much more! I remain wholly supportive of your amazing work & am sure that, at some point, we will cross musical paths again!

It did make me go and check the website to count tour dates. There's a fair bit of empty space, enough time to record us a double LP at least.

Posted: **01 Jun 2022, 20:57**

czuczu wrote: ↑01 Jun 2022, 20:54

He knows what happens to guitarists who don't drop everything to be available when himself calls..

Also... Andrew isn't even full time, is he?

Posted: **01 Jun 2022, 22:42**

Well none of them are getting any younger and they've just lost 2 years to the plague so I guess we can expect a busy touring schedule. Watch them now go and release an album then disappear for 5 years again

Posted: **01 Jun 2022, 22:59**

If he's now "full time" with The Sisters I hope Andrew has given him a decent pay rise

Posted: **02 Jun 2022, 10:26**

Obviously it's hard to guess what it means, except tour downunder, maybe South America. But touring more extensivelly is the most plausible scenario.

But I wouldn't jump to conclusion that 1) he was somehow forced or 2) there's any possible recording session, and all obligation that it creates.

He is a top bloke for sure, new songs co-written by him are the best things happend of the band in last 25 years, also current performance quality is also on the decades high.

Posted: **02 Jun 2022, 11:22**

I'd assume he's on a retainer now between tours, just guessing though.
I can't imagine, having lost Chris, that AE would want to start over if Ben walked and his profile has been growing quite nicely.

Posted: **02 Jun 2022, 11:34**

There is no way that Ben can survive financially from the 2-3 months of touring The Sisters do each year. As a comparison, Chris played with 3(?) other bands to make ends meet.
So if this truly is "full time with The Sisters", either Ben has inherited some large sum of money, or The Girls are counting on an increase of income within the near future.

Posted: **02 Jun 2022, 11:54**

Whatever it is, I keep my toes and fingers crossed that everything works out perfectly well ...

...

Posted: **02 Jun 2022, 12:18**

Sisters have changed their business model to become a near fulltime touring outfit.

Posted: **02 Jun 2022, 12:59**

paint it black wrote: ↑02 Jun 2022, 12:18 Sisters have changed their business model to become a near fulltime touring outfit.

With the best will in the world, there's not enough demand for that.

Posted: **02 Jun 2022, 13:58**

czuczu wrote: ↑02 Jun 2022, 12:59
paint it black wrote: ↑02 Jun 2022, 12:18 Sisters have changed their business model to become a near fulltime touring outfit.
With the best will in the world, there's not enough demand for that.

That's why they're going all around the world. New crowds, new markets

Posted: **02 Jun 2022, 14:00**

While I'm usually prone to have very optimistic guesses, in this case I just think there may be colliding tour schedules. Not unlikely that Nathan Gray wants to tour in October/November when the Sisters are busy down under and Latin America (and who knows, maybe indeed US/Canada some day) plus I guess there's room for a small tour in the UK.

And from what I can see it's NG who wrote "full time with the TSOM", not Ben himself.

Having said that, I can't think of any other tour possibilities before next summer.

Posted: **04 Jun 2022, 23:46**

It's because the new double album is coming out later this year

Posted: **05 Jun 2022, 09:04**

if he has to choose between Naŧhan Gray (who?) and TSOMhes obviously going to choose The Girls. he's not said anywhere that hes stoppped his other activities eg Diamond Black.

Ben wrote:Due to my commitments with The Sisters of Mercy, I must now step down from performing with Nathan Gray Thank you, Nathan, for so many incredible & life-affirming experiences. Your inimitable voice & profound lyrics have inspired me for over 20 years & I feel SO grateful & humbled that, somehow, this kid from Bristol U.K. ended up performing live & composing with one of his heroes across Europe (venues, caves & churches!) You have become a true friend & a compassionate mentor & your path of enlightenment & ambition has hugely inspired me. I also have met so many amazing people through you - musos, fans, artists, togs, industry & much more! I remain wholly supportive of your amazing work & am sure that, at some point, we will cross musical paths again

Posted: **11 Aug 2022, 07:21**

He's back with Nathan Gray for another final time!

(Info from Ben's FB yesterday)

"(CORRECTED DATES!) Unexpectedly but wonderfully, I’m back onstage with Nathan Gray this week for a German festival run! A “last hurrah” with the beloved 2020 NG band & I’m excited & a bit emo to play together one final time!

THU: Rocco del Schlacko Festival
FRI: Open Flair Festival
SAT: Taubertal-Festival"

Heartland

Ben just left Nathan Gray

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