After living in his brother's shadow through his teenage years, the spotlight is now on Jamie Hartman.

Lauren Pyrah talks to Ben's Brother

ALTHOUGH they profess to be beta males, Ben's Brother appear to be anything but. Formed just eight months ago, the London-based five-piece seem to be on the crest of the wave of success. Their new single, Let Me Out, has made the Radio 2 playlist, their debut album has climbed to number 26, they've performed with Jules Holland and they are booked to perform at the prestigious V Festival scheduled for this weekend.

This considered, it is perhaps a little ironic that the band's name is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the feelings of inferiority often experienced by younger siblings - in this case, 33-year-old front man Jamie Hartman, who is Ben's brother. In their formative years, Hartman was conscious of living in the shadow of his straight A student and talented sportsman brother.

"When I was going through school, I was always Ben's brother," he said. "I made him a CD when he went to South Africa to play cricket. I started to get a bit of a following over there, but everyone knew us as Ben's brother's band."

The album title, Beta Male Fairytales, reflects the same sentiment but to look at - broad-shouldered, rugged and kitted out in vintage clobber - each band member looks every inch the alpha male, but, perhaps refreshingly, without the arrogant swagger.

The group - 30-year-old Kiris Houston, who plays keyboard and guitar, bassist Daniel McKinna, 34, drummer Dave Hattee, 36 and guitarist Mogan Quantaince - seem to be conscious that hard work is required for success and this maturity is reflected in their attitude.

They are touchingly pleased with the treats provided in their dressing room and even start up a game of table football with fans after the gig.

"It seems to be a good time to be a bit older and a do what you want to do," said Hartman, whose gravelly singing voice will no doubt lend comparisons to a young Rod Stewart.

"We are still carrying our own stuff,"

he says with a smile. "But at the weekend we're getting our first lugger, so we're very excited about that. Every one of us has struggled in bands and things. I used to be a busker on Portebello Road, earning about £70 an hour."

However, this all changed eight months ago when singer-songwriter Hartman, who has written songs for Lemar and Natalie Imbrulia as well as Will Young's number three ballad, All Time Love, was signed to KT Tunstall's label, Relentless.

He auditioned a band to make the songs sound as he intended and started making album. But it hasn't been all smooth sailing for Hartman. Stand-out track Bad Dream was written after he found out - in the week he signed his record deal - that his mother had been seriously injured in a car accident. She has recovered, but Hartman's trauma from the incident is clear in the lyric, "I'm having a breakdown... tell me that you'll never leave me."

But now things seem to be finally going right for the band, who had people queuing to get into the tent when they played at Hyde Park - despite the fact The Feeling were performing on the main stage.

And they can't wait to get back to the North-East to perform in Newcastle on September 12 - despite the fact bassist MaKinna had bought Prince tickets for the same night.

In fact, to thank the region for its support, the group performed a secret gig at The Forum, in Darlington on Sunday night, organised by radio station Century, who have been championing the new single.

"We really like the people up here. It has been a really positive experience,"

said Houston.

And while the band may be a little bemused by the speed at which things are happening, they feel more than ready for the experience - but know it is not in the bag yet.

"They always say you wait ten years to be an overnight success," said Hartman. "It is happening really, really quickly, but we have all put in the time. We are right in the middle of it, teetering on the edge."

* The band's single, Let Me Out, was released on Monday and they are due to play at Newcastle's Carling Academy 2 on September 12