Ben Ottewell, one of several singer/songwriters in the successful British rock band Gomez, will release his first solo album, Shapes and Shadows, on Shock Records on February 11th, 2011. The nine tracks on Shapes and Shadows were co-produced by Ottewell and Will Golden and mixed by Tom Biller (Liars, Warpaint, Karen O & the Kids)at The Chalet in Los Angeles, California.

Ottewell has been a member of the acclaimed British rock band Gomez for more than a decade, the voice of some of their most beloved tunes, including “Tijuana Lady,” “Revolutionary Kind,” and “How We Operate.” He has played the occasional solo show for years throughout the UK.

Ottewell sat down with childhood friend Sam Genders previously of Tunng to collaborate on the ideas. With the co-writers deep understanding of each others roots and having grown up together, there is a strong theme of looking back or recollecting.

During his tenure in Gomez, Ottewell has shared in great success over the last decade, including the Mercury Music Prize winning Bring It On. The band has earned their biggest commercial and critical success yet with their last two releases, How We Operate and A New Tide, lauded by the BBC and Mojo.