WYEP's 2007 Local Artist of the Year, Ben Hardt blends melodic rock with lush string arrangments. Backed by both a rock band and string quartet, Hardt released his first self-titled album in 2007. The ambitious project tells the story of two lovers in World-War-II-era London. It has already garnered critical acclaim for its complex instrumentation and sweet-but-never-saccharine lyrics. In addition to songwriting, Hardt plays guitar and co-arranges the strings. With that much talent, Ben Hardt will move in only one direction - up.