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8 JULY 2019

NEW AUDIOVISUAL SHOW WOLF HOURS COMING TO LONDON

Minute Taker will be bringing his new audiovisual show to London on 9th November, following the initial premiere in Manchester in July. 

>> GET TICKETS <<

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STREAM 'NOCTURNAL MONOLOGUES' WITH 'SECRET SONGS'

2 DECEMBER 2024

Minute Taker's new short music film is available to stream throughout December, exclusively for 'Secret Songs' subscribers. 

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NEW AUDIOVISUAL SHOW 'NOCTURNAL MONOLOGUES'

7 NOVEMBER 2024

Minute Taker is premiering a new show at Waterside's Prism festival on 21st-23rd November, featuring songs from his upcoming album 'The Oblivion'. There will also be a post show talk on 22nd.

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'WOLF HOURS' SPLATTER VINYL EDITIONS

3 JULY 2024

The first vinyl repress of Minute Taker's acclaimed, 80s-inspired album 'Wolf Hours' is here. Purple and Transparent Turquoise Splatter Editions available now.

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NEW COLLAB WITH COLOR THEORY 'OUR LAST SONG'

14 JUNE 2024

Minute Taker's third duet with fellow synthpop artist Color Theory is out now. There's also a 6 track EP available from the Minute Taker Store.

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NEW SONG WITH 3FORCE OUT TODAY

9 APRIL 2024

'Meet the Devil' is a dark, ethereal synthwave / EDM song which Ben has written & produced with electronic trio 3FORCE. Out now on FiXT Music.

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UPCOMING PERFORMANCE AT LOUD CABARET

3 APRIL 2024

Ben will perform a short live set at a brand new queer cabaret night hosted at The Met, Bury (Manchester) on 18th April. Limited tickets available now.

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'WOLF HOURS INSTRUMENTALS' NOW IN DIGITAL STORES

22 MARCH 2024

Minute Taker's 80s-inspired synth-pop album 'Wolf Hours' album in purely instrumental form. Listen now on Spotify and other digital stores.

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'LAST THINGS' REISSUE NOW IN DIGITAL STORES

24 FEBRUARY 2024

After an initial delay, 'Last Things: 10th Anniversary Edition' is now available on Spotify, Apple Music and other digital stores.

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'LAST THINGS: 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION' 

1 DECEMBER 2023

The 10th Anniversary Edition of Minute Taker's critically acclaimed second album is out now on Limited Edition Blue & Gold Double Vinyl, along with 2 Special CD Editions, Gold Cassette & digital formats.

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NEW SONG WITH WALTER ALIENSON OUT NOW

18 AUGUST 2023

The pair's long-awaited second synthwave collaboration! When you’re feeling strung out by the modern world, this is one
 to help you get back in touch with all of the spirit and excitement you felt as a child!

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'TRUE COLORS' WITH LAU & ZAK VORTEX OUT NOW 

28 JULY 2023

Minute Taker has recorded a duet with LAU & produced by Zak Vortex. Their synthwave take on the Cyndi Lauper classic is included on LAU's new album 'Circumstance (Take Two)'.

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WOLF HOURS AUDIOVISUAL SHOW OUT NOW!

12 JULY 2023

The latest volume of Minute Taker's 'Secret Songs' series includes a DVD of his live audiovisual show 'Wolf Hours' with an accompanying CD soundtrack. Available exclusively for subscribers.

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'LEAD YOU HOME (JOS LEENE EXTENDED MIX)' RELEASED

14 APRIL 2023

By popular request, a brand new, 80s style 12 inch mix of 'Wolf Hours' album opener 'Lead You Home' is available now in digital music stores.

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'500 BREAKUPS' EXTENDED MIX RELEASED

17 MARCH 2023

An extended mix of the fourth single from 'Wolf Hours'. Listen now on all music platforms.

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'LEAD YOU HOME' (SHY AI REMIX) RELEASED

13 JANUARY 2023

The latest 'Wolf Hours' album remix by new artist, SHY AI.

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'THE DARKEST SUMMER' (MAROTTES REMIX) OUT NOW

11 NOVEMBER 2022

Experimental electronic artist Marottes has provided a new ethereal remix of 'The Darkest Summer'. 

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'NORTHERN LAD' TORI AMOS COVER RELEASED

21 OCTOBER 2022

Minute Taker has teamed up with his friends Ryan Lamey and Autoheart's Jody Gadsden for this emotive, acoustic take on Tori Amos' classic.

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'MIRROR EDITION' OUT NOW!

6 SEPTEMBER 2022

The latest volume of Minute Taker's 'Secret Songs' series is a parallel universe version of 'Wolf Hours', featuring previously unreleased material. 

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'WOLF HOURS' VINYLS & CASSETTES NOW ON SALE

21 JUNE 2022

A limited run of heavyweight vinyl and colour cassette editions of 'Wolf Hours' are now available worldwide from the MT store! 

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NEW COLLABORATION WITH COLOR THEORY OUT NOW

6 MAY 2022

I've Seen You In A Dream is an ethereal, 80s-tinged ballad with US synth-pop artist Color Theory.  The song is out now in digital stores and there's a download pack featuring exclusive extras available from the MT shop.

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NEW SINGLE 'I DON'T UNDERSTAND (SONG FOR UKRAINE)'

13 MARCH 2022

Written & recorded over the past week, Ben's new song addresses the current horrific situation in Ukraine. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal to support families fleeing the Russian invasion.

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NEW ALBUM 'WOLF HOURS' OUT TODAY!

28 JANUARY 2022

Minute Taker's 80s-inspired synth-pop album is out now and available worldwide on all good digital platforms. CDs, download packs & exclusive merch items available in the MT shop.

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NEW SINGLE 'LEAD YOU HOME' OUT NOW

14 JANUARY 2022

The opening song from Minute Taker's upcoming album 'Wolf Hours' is released today on all digital platforms. Get an exclusive download pack from the MT store, featuring an instrumental mix and 14 page digital booklet.

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NEW EMOTIONALLY CHARGED VIDEO FOR 'LEAD YOU HOME'

1 DECEMBER 2021

Directed by John Lochland, the video explores the dreams of a former World War 1 soldier as he lies on his deathbed over 60 years later.

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NEW ALBUM 'WOLF HOURS' CROWDFUNDER GOES LIVE!

25 NOVEMBER 2021

With exclusive bundles of CDs, Vinyl and merch called 'Wolf Packs' along with some special one-off items!  Visit the crowdfunding page by clicking the link below.

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'SECRET SONGS VOLUME 8: SOON AFTER DARK' RELEASED

7 OCTOBER 2021

Minute Taker releases his first extended mixes album exclusively for his 'Secret Songs' subscribers.

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NEW SINGLE 'AFTER THE RAIN' RELEASED

6 AUGUST 2021

Minute Taker's quirky new summer single featuring Bright Light Bright Light is now available worldwide in digital stores.  Get an exclusive download pack from the Minute Taker shop.

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NEW SINGLE '500 BREAKUPS' RELEASED

28 MAY 2021

Minute Taker releases the fourth single from his upcoming album 'Wolf Hours'.  Available now in digital stores.  Download pack featuring exclusive instrumental mix & digital booklet available on the link below.

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NEW INTERVIEW WITH WATERSIDE ARTS

14 MAY 2021

As part of Waterside Arts' Diverge series, Anthony Crank interviews Ben about the Wolf Hours project & beyond.

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'RUNNING UP THAT HILL' REMIX EP RELEASED

30 APRIL 2021

Dance label FYLF Music release a remix EP of Minute Taker's cover of Kate Bush's classic, featuring epic mixes by Matt Pop & StarLab.  Available now on streaming platforms & download pack available below.

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'NEON LINES' NEW SONG WITH WALTER ALIENSON

21 JANUARY 2021

Minute Taker's brand new collaboration with synthwave artist Walter Alienson is available in digital stores now. Plus collector's download pack available from Minute Taker's shop including exclusive extras! 

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'SECRET SONGS VOLUME 7: PIANO SONGS' RELEASED

14 DECEMBER 2020
 
Minute Taker releases the latest volume of his subscription album series, focusing on songs he performed live online during the lockdown period, including his Eurythmics & Depeche Mode covers.

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'THE DARKEST SUMMER' PIANO VERSION RELEASED

11 DECEMBER 2020
 
Minute Taker releases a stripped-down piano-vocal version of his latest single 'The Darkest Summer'.  Available now on Spotify & all digital stores.

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NEW 'SECRET SONGS' ALBUM 'REMIXES'

19 AUGUST 2020
 
Minute Taker releases the sixth volume of his subscription album series, featuring a host of inventive remixes of his songs by other artists including SEA OF SIN, ein einmeier, OKJAMES, Christopher Norman & more.

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'THE DARKEST SUMMER' DOWNLOAD PACK

12 AUGUST 2020
 
Minute Taker releases the third single from his upcoming album WOLF HOURS as a pay what you want download with exclusive Instrumental Mix & Digital Booklet featuring lyrics & photos.

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'THE DARKEST SUMMER' VIDEO RELEASED

12 AUGUST 2020
 
Watch Minute Taker brand new music video set on a beach in 1989.  

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NEW COVER OF KATE BUSH'S 'UNDER THE IVY'

2 APRIL 2020
 
Minute Taker releases a new imaginative Kate Bush cover version.  Get a free download plus an instrumental mix & digital booklet.

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'HEARTS (SEA OF SIN) REMIX' RELEASED

17 MARCH 2020
 
German Synth-Pop duo SEA OF SIN provide a dark, retro remix of Minute Taker's recent single HEARTS.  Available in digital stores now.

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NEW PLAYLIST: DREAMY SYNTH-POP

12 MARCH 2020
 
Minute Taker's latest playlist features 80's Synth-Pop classics by KATE BUSH, A-HA & PET SHOP BOYS along with his favourite new 80's-inspired artists.

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MINUTE TAKER'S ERASURE REMIX RELEASED

14 FEBRUARY 2020
 
Erasure have included Minute Taker's brand new remix of 'Home' on the reissued edition of their 1991 album 'Chorus'.

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'NOT AFRAID' DOWNLOAD PACK AVAILABLE NOW

1 JANUARY 2020
 
Minute Taker releases the second single from his upcoming album WOLF HOURS as a pay what you want download with exclusive instrumental version & Digital Booklet featuring lyrics & photos.

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'NOT AFRAID' VIDEO RELEASED

1 JANUARY 2020
 
Directed by John Lochland (JL2 Productions) Minute Taker's new video explores the psyche of a teenage football player with a crush on his teammate.

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'SECRET SONGS 5' RELEASED

4 DECEMBER 2019
 
Minute Taker releases EARLY SONGS, the latest volume of his subscription album series, featuring some of his first ever recordings.
 

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'WOLF HOURS' COMING TO HOPE MILL, MANCHESTER

15 NOVEMBER 2019
 
Minute Taker's audiovisual show has been included in Manchester Pride's Turn On Fest, a festival of LGBTQ arts at Hope Mill, Manchester on 24 January. 

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NEW MERCH RANGE

29 NOVEMBER 2019

Featuring artwork from Minute Taker's upcoming album & audiovisual show WOLF HOURS.
 

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ANIMATION VIDEO FOR LUST RELEASED

31 OCTOBER 2019

Watch the video for LUST taken from Minute Taker's new audiovisual show WOLF HOURS, featuring animations by Kirk Sylvester.

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GET FREE DOWNLOAD OF LUST + DIGITAL BOOKLET

31 OCTOBER 2019

Get a free download of the song plus an exclusive 8 page digital booklet with lyrics & pictures. 

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VIDEO FOR HEARTS (WE'LL NEVER KNOW) RELEASED

9 OCTOBER 2019

Minute Takers releases the first video from his upcoming album & audiovisual show WOLF HOURS, inspired by dream sequences in 70s/80s horror movies.

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HEARTS (WE'LL NEVER KNOW) DOWNLOAD PACK

9 OCTOBER 2019

Minute Taker releases the first single from his upcoming album WOLF HOURS as a pay what you want download with exclusive instrumental version & Digital Booklet featuring lyrics & photos.

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WOLF HOURS AUDIOVISUAL SHOW LIVE IN LONDON

8 JULY 2019

Minute Taker will be bringing his new audiovisual show to London on 9th November, following the initial premiere in Manchester in July. 

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SECRETS SONGS 4: OFFICE DAYDREAMS RELEASED

18 MAY 2019

The latest volume in Minute Taker's Secret Songs subscription album series is available now, exclusively for members.  
 

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RUNNING UP THAT HILL COVER RELEASED

19 APRIL 2019

Minute Taker's haunting piano cover of the Kate Bush classic from his album Secret Songs Volume 3: Covers is now available in all digital stores and streaming platforms.
 

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COVER OF GONE BY IONNALEE RELEASED

15 FEBRUARY 2019

As part of a new ionnalee / iamamiwhoami tribute project ECHOES FROM OUR PAST.  Download Minute Taker's cover plus remixes by Christopher Norman & ein einmeier.  

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MINUTE TAKER'S COVERS ALBUM RELEASED

3 DECEMBER 2018

The latest volume in Minute Taker's Secret Songs series features his imaginative interpretations of songs by some of his favourite artists.

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REMIX OF YAZOO'S WINTER KILLS PREMIERED BY THE QUIETUS

20 SEPTEMBER 2018

Minute Taker's first remix features on the synth-pop duo's new vinyl boxset Four Pieces.

Inspired by artists/bands like Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Yazoo, A-ha, Tori Amos, David Bowie & Kate Bush, Minute Taker is a gay artist, singer-songwriter, musician, remixer & short film maker. For fans of retro synth-pop, haunting, ethereal piano covers, LGBT music & synthwave.

Otherwise known as British singer-songwriter/producer Ben McGarvey, Minute Taker makes what NOTION describes as "beautiful electronic-orientated pop songs" with "haunting melodies, electronic beats & soulful singing" (TIME OUT). From his small home studio on the Pennine moors he uses vocals, piano, synths & a whole lot of imagination to craft his nostalgia-fuelled synth-pop songs, perfect for disappearing into. Along with releasing 2 critically acclaimed albums, several EPs & official remixes for Yazoo & Erasure (released on Mute/BMG UK), he’s also gained a reputation for his inventive cover versions of classic songs by some of his favourite eighties and nineties artists/bands including Kate Bush, Eurythmics, Madonna, Björk, Depeche Mode & Pet Shop Boys. His upcoming 80s-inspired album 'WOLF HOURS' is preceded by the singles “Hearts (We’ll Never Know)”, “Not Afraid” & “The Darkest Summer”, each with short films inspired by retro movie dream sequences, exploring the experiences of LGBT men at different points in time. "The Darkest Summer" explores memories of a day out at the beach and arcade for a gay couple in the 1980s.

Minute Taker (Ben McGarvey) Music.  Official Musician / Band Website www.minutetaker.net

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