Ben Wood

I am a thirtysomething freelance journalist who was originally from the West Country but has been living in London since 1999. I'm a bit of a culture vulture with pretty broad interests: I'd say my politics are on the tolerant, non-judgemental side of lefty libertarianism. I am a massive music fan and gig-goer who's into all the classics (Stones, Dylan, Young etc), loadsa singer-songwriters (Cave, Waits, Mitchell, Cohen, Banhart, Sufjjan Stevens), 60s and early 70s soul and funk, cool jazz, classic reggae and dub, acid and old-skool house, Bach, people like Hot Chip who combine the rock and dance things... lotsa different stuff. I love reading modern fiction, biographies and graphic novels; watching indie, European and classic old Hollywood films, and going to pubs, parties and festivals. I reckon I've got a decent enough sense of humour and TRY not to take things too seriously. Sometimes this isn't possible of course... I also love my sport, particularly cricket, also football, rugby, chess... you name it! And eating out is always a pleasure. I recently left my full-time job and am trying to pick up freelance work but it's a slow business at the moment. I'd dearly love to scratch a living writing about my first love, music. Putting a few pieces up on here is my way of dipping my toe in the water. Let me know what you think...