Minute Taker is the creative alias of singer, songwriter and producer Ben McGarvey. From his home studio on the moors outside Manchester UK, he fuses the emotional honesty of classic songwriting with the cinematic world-building of MTV-era synth-pop. His acclaimed albums and audiovisual work, together with his community-first ethos, have helped him cultivate a deeply loyal following, drawn to his ability to blend nostalgia with a sense of mystery and intimacy.

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As a gay artist, his lyrics and music videos often explore themes of identity, longing and belonging, giving voice to the outsider spirit that runs through much of 1980s pop culture. His strong affinity for the decade has led to official remixes for Erasure and Yazoo, and collaborations with fellow retro-fuelled artists Bright Light Bright Light, Color Theory, LAU, 3FORCE, Walter Alienson and Megan McDuffee.

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Now, he turns his gaze toward his most ambitious project yet - The Oblivion, due for release in early 2026. The album expands the 80s-inspired sound of his previous record, fan-favourite Wolf Hours, into a mysterious, retro-futuristic universe, drawing influence from cult films such as Blade Runner, The Lost Boys and The Terminator.

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The record’s lead single Into the Dark sets the tone with its haunting vocals, otherworldly synths and guitar-driven energy, channelling the melodic drama of A-ha and Tears for Fears, with a touch of Thriller-esque magic.

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Minute Taker’s piano-vocal reimagining of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill, recorded in 2018, has become his most-streamed track and earned airplay on BBC Radio 2, perfectly showcasing his ability to reshape iconic songs into something ethereal, emotive and unmistakably his own. Other covers of songs by artists such as Depeche Mode, Tori Amos, Madonna and Pet Shop Boys were recorded exclusively for a series of homemade albums available for fans via a Patreon-style subscription platform called Secret Songs. Featuring unreleased songs, concert films, handmade albums and a thriving fan community, Secret Songs offers a treasure trove of content for listeners and plays a vital role in sustaining Minute Taker’s work as a fully independent, uncompromising artist.

 

Find out more about joining Secret Songs here.

 

CDs, Vinyl and Merchandise available worldwide from the Minute Taker Store here.

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