Tag: Ben Lee

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "Sand" by Jessica Chapnick and Ben Lee

When I read some time ago that Ben Lee had composed the soundtrack for the new Aussie movie The Square I became quite excited. New Ben Lee is always cause for joy, but I was particularly intrigued because he was handing singing duties over to Jessica Chapnick. I heard the song for the first time on Sunrise this morning, and I’m impressed.

She may star in Home & Away, but Jessica is far from those disposable soap popettes we’re so familiar with. Instead she’s cut from that serious balladeer mould that is sure to interest fans of Sarah Blasko and Holly Throsby. Ben has excelled with these romantic yet original lyrics. All in all, I’m in love with this song.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee Writes Square Soundtrack

Ben Lee has just finished working on the soundtrack of Nash Edgerton’s upcoming movie The Square. But you won’t hear Ben sing any of the tracks. That job will be handled by Jessica Chapnik, who you may know from her role as Sam on Home and Away.

“I’m really happy with these recordings,” Ben says in his online blog. “Apparently they showed a sneak preview of the trailer that features a song of mine at Tropfest last week, and people liked it.”

The Square sounds like it’s going to be pretty fantastic with a script penned by Nash’s brother Joel. It stars Bill Hunter, Peter Phelps, and The Chaser’s Julian Morrow.

Image source: Spebi @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: American Television

Ben Lee’s new music video has sparked a whole new love affair with his song “American Television.” With so many great tracks on Ripe it almost got lost, but this clip is all kinds of awesome.

It’s a homage to the TV shows of my youth, with parodies of Doogie Howser M.D., Blossom, ALF, and stacks more. I just love the Michael Jackson-style face melding towards the end. Look out for a cameo appearance by Saved by the Bell’s Kelly Kapowski, Tiffany Amber Thiessen.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee and Ione Skye Engaged

Aussie cutie pie Ben Lee has announced he’ll wed his Hollywood actress girlfriend Ione Skye.

In typical Ben style, he announced the happy news on his blog.

“It’s very exciting … and I am psyched about making this commitment with such a wonderful partner,” he said.

Ben proposed after receiving the blessing of his spiritual guide Sakthi Narayani Amma in India.

“Amma said: ‘Marriage will be good for Ben. In the past, Ben has wavered on his path as he didn’t have support. Ione understands his job and profession and can support him. She is spiritually connected to the Divine. There should not be any problem with Ben and Ione. Every marriage has adjustments. You cannot plan for everything in life. But it can be smooth. Ben can ask Ione. Amma will bless everything.'” Ben recounted.

“So that is why I got home last night, proposed, got the all important answer from my love, and am lying here in bed in LA, jetlagged, sick with flu, but thrilled beyond belief. Life is full of surprises and the unexpected. But sometimes you get what you need AND what you want”

I’m not sure what it is about the entertainment industry these days, but it seems like everyone is either getting married or getting pregnant! All this lovely news sure makes a nice change!

Image source: Spebi @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Ripe” – Ben Lee

Ben Lee has released the feel-good album of the year. The appropriately titled Ripe is a mature effort, bursting with happiness and good vibes.

A more cynical critic may argue that this disc is weaker for its lack of angst, but such positivity is refreshing and very easy to listen to. These critics tend to equate negativity with depth, but to dismiss Ben Lee’s newie is to miss the album’s subtleties.

He’s a very clever lyricist, and this prevents the album’s love songs from drowning in a sea of frothiness and fluff. The quirky phrases are modern and intensely believable. The single “Love Me Like the World Is Ending” is a great indication of the original romantic tunes contained on the disc. The 50s-inspired duet with Mandy Moore, “Birds and Bees,” is also really sweet.

But it’s not all about love. Lust gets a run too in the brutally honest “Sex Without Love.” Ben’s ode to an American urban megastar, “What Would Jay-Z Do?” is surprisingly more convincing than it sounds.

Continue reading ““Ripe” – Ben Lee” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee Heads East

Ben Lee swore the cancellation of the Up! Festival wouldn’t stop him touring his new album Ripe. He’s made good on his promise with the announcement of a handful of dates along the East Coast.

The tour will kick off at Melbourne’s Prince of Wales Hotel on October 18. Then Ben’s off to Ballarat, Moorooduc, Brisbane, Sydney, and Woolongong. The shows are at some intimate little venues, so fans are in for a real treat. The Ballarat and Sydney gigs are also all ages so Ben’s youngest admirers need not miss out.

There’s no word yet on when Ben will visit the rest of Oz, but I’ll keep you posted. Until then Ben lovers, you’ll just have to be content with the new album. Ripe is released tomorrow.

Image source: Graciepoo @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Ben Lee!

It’s not unusual for musos to include a cover version or two in their live show or as B-sides. But you rarely see performers cover entire albums. Yet that’s exactly what Australia’s resident oddball, Ben Lee, has done.

When Ben flew from LA to Sydney recently, he decided to give Against Me’s album, New Wave, a spin. A love affair, and new project, was born.

“I fell in love with the album. Really. Like, couldn’t stop listening to it,” Ben wrote in his blog. “I wondered to myself how these songs would sound acoustically.”

He wondered so much that he decided to record the entire album.

Continue reading “Free Ben Lee!” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nude Skateboarders Stall Ben Lee Clip

Ben Lee has just finished the film clip for his brilliant new single, “Love Me Like The World Is Ending.” Ordinarily this wouldn’t be news, but there was an embarrassing glitch with the making of the video.

Ben had a typically dramatic and quirky vision for the new clip. He hoped to assemble a cast of colourful characters, including a businessman, a homeless man, a rabbi, a Muslim, and a unicorn. No problems there.

He also imagined a couple of skateboarders, wearing nude bodysuits, would then zoom around New York City. But it seems something got lost in translation, because the skateboarders took to the streets in the buff. The cops were quickly on the scene and the crew’s shooting license was revoked.

The new, fully-clothed clip features a much tamer giant water-balloon fight!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: Love Me Like The World is Ending

I caught Ben Lee performing his latest single, “Love Me Like The World Is Ending,” on Sunrise this week. I must admit, although I’ve always liked Ben Lee, I’ve never been a massive fan. But after listening to this song I can’t wait to hear his new album Ripe.

It seems Ben’s mellowing, becoming less pretentious and allowing us to see more vulnerability. This performance, with just an acoustic guitar as accompaniment, showcases that perfectly.

Amazing, right? If you’re in Sydney and enjoyed the song as much as I did, I suggest you get down to Warringah Mall today. Ben will be performing and signing copies of “Love Me Like The World Is Ending” from 1 pm.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee’s Newie Ripe With Talent

Ben Lee‘s latest album, Ripe, is jam-packed with big-name talent.

Ben showed his affection for Good Charlotte in his smash hit “Catch My Disease.” On his sixth solo release, Undercover reports that the indie rocker gets a chance to appear with the punk outfit’s breakout star, Benji Madden.

Ben duets with pop darling Mandy Moore on the light-hearted 50s style “Birds and Bees.” The album also features appearances from Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins, Chicago songbird Rachael Yamagata, and members of Rooney.

But the big names don’t stop there. John Alagia, famous for his work with John Mayer and Dave Matthews, has produced the star-studded affair.

Ripe will hit Australian and American stores on September 18.

Image source: Guido van Nispen @ Flickr.com