Minute Taker

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 3 acclaimed albums have earned airplay on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music, cultivating a deeply loyal following drawn to his ability to blend nostalgia with a sense of mystery and intimacy.

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 <a href="spotify:artist:0z5DFXmhT4ZNzWElsM7V89" data-name="Erasure">Erasure</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1G1mX30GpUJqOr1QU2eBSs" data-name="Yazoo">Yazoo</a>, and collaborations with fellow retro-fuelled artists <a href="spotify:artist:25bvQC4jyyFUce6jbzNlwb" data-name="Bright Light Bright Light">Bright Light Bright Light</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7uWMG0Go7YMKqVG1fbsOBO" data-name="Color Theory">Color Theory</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0FHXyAFKLg02mIUpNApPgo" data-name="3FORCE">3FORCE</a>, LAU, <a href="spotify:artist:2qqhDbkLipV4MivHJZlOJ6" data-name="Walter Alienson">Walter Alienson</a> &amp; <a href="spotify:artist:4n34M10wtYMrhh5tNsKwnn" data-name="Megan McDuffee">Megan McDuffee</a>.

His ambitious new album The Oblivion, due for release in early 2026, expands the 80s-inspired sound of his previous record, fan-favourite <a href="spotify:album:5PeeEbuH7zrADOC11BdNXr" data-name="Wolf Hours">Wolf Hours</a>, into a mysterious, retro-futuristic universe, drawing influence from cult films such as Blade Runner, The Lost Boys and The Terminator. The album’s lead single <a href="spotify:track:3mE1lXsSNCzbM3dT6Uosjz" data-name="Into the Dark">Into the Dark</a> blends haunting vocals, otherworldly synths and guitar-driven energy, channelling the melodic drama of <a href="spotify:artist:2jzc5TC5TVFLXQlBNiIUzE" data-name="a-ha">a-ha</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1aSxMhuvixZ8h9dK9jIDwL" data-name="Kate Bush">Kate Bush</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4bthk9UfsYUYdcFyqxmSUU" data-name="Tears For Fears">Tears For Fears</a>, with a touch of <a href="spotify:album:2ANVost0y2y52ema1E9xAZ" data-name="Thriller">Thriller</a>-esque magic.

Minute Taker&#39;s CDs, Vinyl &amp; Merchandise is available worldwide at minutetakershop.com