Draft:The Bookshop Band

The Bookshop Band is a British musical duo comprising singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Ben Please and Beth Porter.

Their music is inspired by literature, and they have released 13 albums influenced by over 150 authors, creating music for authors such as Philip Pullman, Margaret Atwood, and Robert Macfarlane.

Formation and background
The Bookshop Band officially formed in September 2010, releasing their debut album in December of the same year. The band's musical compositions are a response to the books they have read. The band was originally formed in partnership with their local bookshop Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights, an independent bookshop in Bath, UK. They have since relocated to Scotland's Book Town, Wigtown. The duo has toured extensively across the UK and internationally, performing in various venues ranging from bookshops to festival main stages.

Musical style and collaborations
The Bookshop Band's music blends elements of folk, indie, and chamber pop. Ben Please and Beth Porter incorporate a diverse array of instruments, including cello, harmonium, glockenspiel, guitars, and ukuleles, along with their voices.

Notable collaborations include commissions by BBC Radio 3, the V&A Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. They have also contributed music for the launch of Philip Pullman’ s The Book Of Dust. Their upcoming 14th studio album, "EMERGE, RETURN," produced by and featuring Pete Townshend, is set for release on summer 2024, accompanied by a full UK tour.

The Bookshop Band wrote the score and songs for Aardman Animations’ first musical, Robin Robin, receiving Oscar, BAFTA and Ivor Novello Award nominations in the process and winning the British Animation Award for Best Television Soundtrack in 2022.

Discography
The Bookshop Band has released a total of 13 studio albums, with each album exploring a different theme or literary inspiration. Their discography includes collaborations with various authors and artists.