Ben Rogers is playing at Tractorgrease Saturday Aug 5th at 7pm.
Tickets are $12 and available during business hrs at 604 858 3814 or email: tractorgrease@gmail.com
Ben Rogers is a folk artist and classic storyteller with a voice like smoke damaged velvet soaked in Tennessee whiskey. Trusty old acoustic guitar in hand and boots stomping out a steady rhythm, Ben can hypnotize audiences with his timeless tales of murder, betrayal, war, justice, love and the human condition, just like a modern day folk troubadour should and does.
Rogers was raised, and is based in Vancouver, Canada, and though it’s a far cry from the back country roads of the southern US, he embodies the values and musicality of traditional folk, Americana and country, ala Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and George Jones, with a little Roger Miller and Tom Waits thrown in. That said, Ben is an individual as a performer, and possesses a careful balance of mystique, mischief and gentle kindness that emanates through all aspects of him. "The man’s dark charisma is something you need to experience live to fully appreciate," writes The Georgia Straight, who recently included him in their Best of Bands 2013. There’s a bright side to Ben as well; his sense of humor in writing and performance is as infectious as his songs. As American Roots UK writes: "He could turn out to be one of the best singer/songwriters of a generation."
Rogers recorded his self-produced debut Lost Stories: Volume 1, in both Vancouver (Neighborhood Studios) and Los Angeles (Sunset Sound), releasing it in January 2013 to critical acclaim. He set off through western Canada upon the release, and continues to tour from west to east across Canada and as far south as California. Ben has also toured the UK in recent years; he completed a 26-date tour in 2011, though lately his music has made him one of the most in demand artist in his hometown area.
Ben has had the pleasure to share the stage and studio with the likes of Frank Turner, The Sojourners, Luke Doucet, Tim Hus, C.R. Avery, Mark Berube, Roger Manning (Beck, Jellyfish), and Big Sugar's Gordie Johnson. Ben has performed across Canada at Burnaby Blues & Roots Fest, Kispiox Festival, In The House Festival, Tree Frog Festival, Canadian Music Week, Bluebird North, Evolve Festival, and most recently trekked down to the 2014 Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City. No matter where he goes, Ben Rogers quickly becomes a fan favorite, and is following a certain path towards folk hero status, sooner or later!