A Hellesdon man has taken on the music industry as a way to honour the memory of his twin brother.

Ben Lawrence was very close with his brother Dan, meeting the stereotypes of twins as they liked the same things and spent their formative years honing their musical skills, even forming a band together.  

But Ben’s life was drastically changed when a series of seizures revealed that Dan was fighting brain cancer - and later died at the age of 25 in 2016.  

Norwich Evening News: The twins were inseparable and shared a love of music The twins were inseparable and shared a love of music (Image: Ben Lawrence)

Ever since his brother's death Ben has been striving to honour him in the way he knows best, through music.  

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Now he is set to release his debut record O Wide World, a 13-track album divided into three acts which he hopes will take listeners on a narrative through the loss of his brother.  

Ben said: “I had experienced this tragic loss, and then the pandemic hit and it seemed like lots of people were experiencing grief and loss in a way we hadn’t felt before.  

Norwich Evening News: Dan and Ben Lawrence loved writing and sharing music Dan and Ben Lawrence loved writing and sharing music (Image: Ben Lawrence)

“It was as though these songs now meant something to other people too, so I felt like I needed to make this record. 

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“My hope is that this album connects deeply with those who have suffered bereavement, but also that it becomes a soundtrack of hope to people’s everyday lives.  

Norwich Evening News: Growing up playing together Ben has found the process very comforting Growing up playing together Ben has found the process very comforting (Image: Ben Lawrence)

“This album has been an incredibly life-affirming project for me.” 

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Ben has worked hard to get to this point, from writing at his home in Norwich. In 2021 he began the task of finding collaborators.  

Norwich Evening News: Ben Lawrence has written the album to honour twin brother Ben Lawrence has written the album to honour twin brother (Image: Ben Lawrence)

Following a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign that raised over £10,000, Ben built links with Iain Hutchison, a producer based at his studio, GloWorm, in Glasgow.  

This year the pair have worked on completing the album and bringing it all together.  

O Wide World was released on November 24 and can be heard on all streaming services. 

Norwich Evening News: O Wide World is a journey through Ben's story O Wide World is a journey through Ben's story (Image: Ben Lawrence)