BENJAMIN STEWART

 

Ben Stewart’s style of producing is “unconventionally creative”.

 “I still approach things like a kid. I get very excited,” he smiles. “And I always remember that at the end of the day the technical aspects of things don’t mean much. Beautiful music can be made in complete naivety. Regardless of the technicality or the sonic characteristics, you just want to make the audience feel the intended emotion. It’s my job to make the presentation.”

 As the driving creative force behind Melbourne outfit Slowly Slowly – and producer of all their albums, including 2025’s Top 10 LP Forgiving Spree – Stewart approaches his studio work with the unique perspective of both objective producer and intuitive, empathetic artist.

 “I try and embody a sense of trust that I’m going to get the song over the line the way the artist wants,” he offers. “I may have a vision as a producer, but ultimately the artist’s vision is the most important. And I think being an artist has made me empathise with that more.”

 Though adept at working in myriad spaces, Stewart has built his own studio in Melbourne where he indulges his love of tinkering with effects pedals, guitars, synths and drums, blending the organic elements into a cohesive whole. “I like the tactile nature of hardware, especially in a collaborative sense,” he offers. “I like to have the imprint of a space on a recording as opposed to working completely in the box, where someone else could have made it.”

 A remarkably versatile producer, Stewart’s production work to date veers from the emo rock of Slowly Slowly and the electro-pop-rock of Hevenshe to the measured singer-songwriter output of Luca Brasi frontman Tyler Richardson and the harmony-soaked indie-pop of Clews. He is also an accomplished songwriter and collaborator, as evidenced by his work on these releases, his solo music, and Slowly Slowly’s discography. “If we’re in a co-writing session I don’t want to steamroll it. I just want it to have a nice flow and understand what the artist wants to create and then see if I can be of value.”

 Ultimately, he says, producing and co-writing is a service industry. “I like being that person who goes, I can help you with your music. One of the best feelings in the world is when a song is actualised. If I can gift that to someone it feels good.”