Everything but the Girl star in conversation with Leeds Met lecturer

22 February 2012

Musician, songwriter and former pop star, Ben Watt will discuss his career and the future of the music industry at Leeds Metropolitan University on Wednesday 29 February.

The public event, called ‘How much is music worth in a free culture’ will take place at the University’s Rose Bowl where Ben will be in conversation with Leeds Met’s senior lecturer in Media and Culture, Dr Peter Mills.

Best known as one half of former alternative pop duo Everything but the Girl, Ben is a resident DJ on BBC 6 Music’s 6Mix and board member of the Association Of Independent Music.

Dr Mills, said: “Ben Watt is a key figure in the British post punk music scene. He achieved pop stardom in the 80's and 90's with his wife Tracey Thorn as part of Everything but the Girl.

“His thoughts on the state of the music scene and the value of music - both commercially and artistically, will be fresh, informed and provocative, and this will be an unmissable event for anyone interested in the future of music in the digital era.

“Ben Watt doesn't often give public speeches in this way, and therefore we are very fortunate at Leeds Met to have him coming to speak to us.”

Ben is the founder of independent record label Buzzin’ Fly Records, which specialises in electronic dance as well as alternative indie label Strange Feeling Records.

He was also nominated for Best Independent Artist Marketing Campaign at the Music Week Awards 2011 for his work on his wife’s ‘Love and its Opposite’ album.

Utilising his experience as a DJ, recording artist and record label owner, Ben’s talk will investigate how much music is worth in a free culture.

The event will take place from 5-6.30pm in the Rose Bowl Lecture Theatre A. For further information and to reserve a place, please contact guestspeaker@leedsmet.ac.uk