Ben Kweller @ The Zoo, Brisbane 9th April 2009

Ben Kweller returns to tour Australia in April in support of his new album Changing Horses, released through Shock Records.

The album is his fourth full-length and was produced by Kweller and recorded mostly in Austin, TX, where he and his family recently re-located.

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The title is meaningful as it represents a sea change for the 27-year-old Texan-bred musician. Beginning with his first record, Sha Sha, released in 2002, Kweller’s albums have always been stylistically restless, moving from indie rock to ballads to anti-folk to melodic rock, often from song to song.

Changing Horses, on the other hand, is of one mind — a full-blown, straight up country affair, brimming with immaculate pedal steel, twang and multi-part harmonies. It features his touring band — Chris Morrissey on bass and vocals, and Mark Stepro on drums and vocals — as well as the brilliant Kitt Kitterman on pedal steel. Like all of Kweller’s work, the new album is filled with unforgettable melodies and deeply soulful lyrics that could only come from someone as sensitive to the human spirit as he is.

To make the record, Kweller dug down to his deepest roots. “I grew up bass-fishing, playing in creeks, and shooting BB guns,” Kweller says. “Country music was the soundtrack to my life. It’s still a big part of who I am. When Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson come on the radio, somethin’ happens inside. Brings me back to the trees, back to pushin’ cars out of the mud. Reminds me of my hometown.”

For Kweller, releasing a country album is the realization of a long-held goal. “I’ve been working on Horses for years.” he says. “I wrote the first song for it when I was 16. Over time, I’ve collected these songs that fit together and wanted to release them together. I didn’t want to try and fit them on my other albums one or two at a time.”


Tour Dates

Brisbane – Thursday 9 April
The Zoo
OzTix 1300 762 545 , The Zoo Online, Rocking Horse Records, Butterbeats (City & Valley), Moshpit Music

Melbourne – Friday 10 April
Chill City – Alexandria Gardens

Sydney – Saturday 11 April
Metro Theatre
Ticketek 132 849 , Metro Theatre 02 9550 3666

Newcastle – Monday 13 April
Cambridge Hotel
Moshtix 1300 GET TIX , Cambridge Hotel02 4962 2459

Hobart – Wednesday 15 April
Republic Bar
Moshtix 1300 GET TIX

Melbourne – Thursday 16 April
Corner Hotel

Adelaide – Friday 17 April
The Gov
Moshtix 1300 GET TIX , Venue*Tix08 8225 8888

Fremantle – Saturday 18 April
West Coast Blues n Roots
Moshtix 1300 GET TIX