Ben Kweller

Ben Kweller is a singer-songwriter known for his blend of indie rock and power pop. Born in San Francisco, California, in 1981, Kweller's family relocated to Emory, Texas, in 1982, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. The family later moved to Greenville, Texas, in 1986.

Kweller's musical journey began at a young age when his father taught him to play the drums at seven. The father-son duo would often play songs by artists like The Beatles, The Hollies, and Jimi Hendrix. His father's long-time friend, Nils Lofgren, also influenced his early exposure to music.

At eight, Kweller learned to play the piano and began composing his own songs. By age nine, he had written a dozen original compositions and received an honorable mention in a songwriting contest sponsored by Billboard magazine.

Early Band Endeavors

In 1993, Kweller formed the band Radish with drummer John Kent and bassist Ryan Green. The trio released two independent records, Hello (1994) and Dizzy (1995). After Green's departure, Bryan Bradford joined on bass. Radish gained attention after Nils Lofgren recommended them to producer Roger Greenawalt, leading to a demo tape and a record deal with Mercury Records. The band released the album Restraining Bolt and achieved a cult following in the United Kingdom with their top 40 hit "Little Pink Stars." They also made appearances on television shows like "The Weird Al Show" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." Despite early success, the band's second album, provisionally titled Discount Fireworks, was never released due to a merger between Polygram and Universal Music Group, and Radish eventually parted ways with Mercury Records.

Solo Career Launch

At 19, Kweller moved to New York City to begin his solo career. He self-released four EPs, including material from the unreleased Radish album. One of these EPs, Freak Out, It's Ben Kweller, caught the attention of Evan Dando of The Lemonheads, leading to an invitation to tour with him. Kweller also toured with artists like Jeff Tweedy, Juliana Hatfield, and Guster.

In 2001, Kweller signed with ATO Records and released the EP EP Phone Home. His debut solo album, Sha Sha, followed in March 2002, featuring the popular single "Wasted & Ready." The album showcased a diverse sound and gained popularity through grassroots promotion. Kweller assembled a live band to support the album, performing on "Austin City Limits."

The Bens and Subsequent Albums

In 2003, Kweller toured Australia with Ben Folds and Ben Lee as The Bens, releasing a four-song EP. He also contributed lead vocals to Guster's song "I Hope Tomorrow is Like Today," featured in the movie "The Wedding Crashers."

Kweller's second album, On My Way (2004), produced by Ethan Johns, explored a new musical direction with a "live" recording approach. The album's release was followed by extensive touring, including a co-headlining US tour with Death Cab for Cutie.

His third album, the self-titled Ben Kweller (2006), was produced by Gil Norton, with Kweller playing all instruments himself. He continued to tour, expanding his live band and taking on more vocal-focused roles.

In 2007, Kweller experienced a memorable performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, marked by a severe nosebleed that affected his set. Commemorative T-shirts referencing the incident were later sold.

Following the ACL performance, Kweller began recording his fourth album, Changing Horses, released in early 2009 on ATO Records.

Independent Release and Future Projects

Kweller's fifth studio album, Go Fly A Kite, was released in February 2012, marking his first release on his own label, The Noise Company. The album was delayed due to his departure from ATO Records and his decision to release it independently. He described the album as electric and energetic, exploring darker themes.

In 2013, Kweller announced plans for a "split" record with Waylon Jennings.