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Artist
Ben Kweller
12+ albums
indiesinger-songwriterindie rockindie popalternative
about
Ben Kweller is a singer-songwriter playing a mix of indie rock and power pop influenced songs that was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981, being a part of the group The Bens as well as having a critically praised solo career. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, TX; his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to the much larger city of Greenville, TX. Ben himself was exposed to music at a very early age. Howard taught Ben how to play the drums when he was just a seven-year-old. For the next year, the father and son would jam together almost every night after Howard got home from work. With Howard singing and playing guitar and Ben keeping the beat, the duo would play songs by The Beatles, The Hollies, Jimi Hendrix, and other artists of the 60s. Howard also has been a long-time friend of Bruce Springsteen associate Nils Lofgren, the two having gone to high school together. When Ben turned eight, someone showed him how to play the chestnut "Heart And Soul" on the piano. The youngster immediately began to create his own songs using the same chords. By the time he was 9 he had a dozen original compositions under his belt and entered a songwriting contest sponsored by Billboard magazine. Kweller won honorable mention. In 1993, Kweller became friends with another young local musician, drummer John Kent, and the two formed the band Radish with bassist Ryan Green. The trio played locally in and around Greenville, Texas and recorded t
