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 two independent releases, ''Hello'' (1994) and ''Dizzy'' (1995), with Martin Baird at Verge Music Works recording studio in Dallas, Texas. Around the time of ''Dizzy's'' release, Ryan Green decided to leave the band and focus his attention on school. Lorin Hamilton filled in for a few months until Bryan Bradford AKA Bryan Blur joined on for most of the band's career. Ben sent a copy of ''Dizzy'' to Nils Lofgren. Nils was impressed with Radish and recommended them to Roger Greenawalt who was producing Lofgren's album at the time, ''Damaged Goods''. Greenawalt took Radish into a studio where they recorded a demo tape which was subsequently shopped around to record labels nationwide, After an unexpected bidding war, Radish eventually signed to Mercury to release the album Restraining Bolt.
Radish made appearances on ''The Weird Al Show'', ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and ''Late Show with David Letterman'', but despite the much-hyped signing, the band failed to strike big success. Radish earned a large cult following in the United Kingdom with their top 40 hit "Little Pink Stars". The band toured several times in Europe including opening slots for Faith No More and Main Stage at Reading Festival '97. Radish released two singles. In 1998 Radish became a quartet featuring Joe Butcher (Polyphonic Spree, UFOFU) on lead guitar and Debbie Williams on bass. Radish went to Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama to record the follow-up to ''Restraining Bolt'', provisionally titled ''Discount Fireworks''. The band recorded with record producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, The Lemonheads). While mixing ''Discount Fireworks'' in NYC, Kweller and Kent met bassist Josh Lattanzi who would become Radish's 5th and final bass player. As a result of Polygram's merger with Universal Music Group, the 18-song album was never released and Radish soon secured a release from their contract with Mercury Records.
At age 19, Ben Kweller moved to New York with his girlfriend Liz Smith, where he began his solo career. He played acoustic shows and self-released four EP's, comprising some of the unreleased Radish ''Discount Fireworks'' recordings and other songs recorded in his apartment on a laptop computer. It was one of these EPs, ''Freak Out, It's Ben Kweller'', that caught the attention of Evan Dando of The Lemonheads, and Dando invited Kweller out on tour with him, playing across America and Europe. Jeff Tweedy, Juliana Hatfield and Guster also began to notice Kweller and took him on tour with them
In 2001 Ben Kweller became ATO Records's first worldwide signing and released a 5-track EP entitled ''EP Phone Home''. In March 2002, ''Sha Sha'', Kweller's first solo studio Album was released. ''Sha Sha'' included the very radio-friendly and popular single "Wasted & Ready". The album featured John Kent on drums, Josh Lattanzi on bass, and showcased a wide variety of sound from Quirky Pop music to Folk to Punk. The album grew in popularity with a grassroots effort based on his website and a promotion group called teamBK, which promoted via word-of-mouth advertising. To support the release of the album and EP, he put together a live band, initially comprising Lattanzi on bass, Fred Eltringham on drums, and Mike Stroud on guitar and keyboards. Towards the end of the ''Sha Sha'' album cycle, the four-piece performed on PBS's Austin City Limits
In 2003, Kweller toured Australia with Ben Folds and Ben Lee as The Bens. The trio produced an eponymous four-song EP, with each member taking lead vocals on one song, and a final song in which they all contributed vocals. In an interview on October 14 2006 Ben hinted that The Bens may do another album. Later in 2003, Kweller provided lead vocals on the song "I Hope Tomorrow is Like Today" from Guster's album ''Keep It Together''. Kweller and Guster co-wrote the song after a late night jam at Gusters' Brooklyn studio. The song is prominently featured in the movie The Wedding Crashers.
''On My Way'' (2004), Kweller's second album, went in a new direction. The album, produced by Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon), was recorded 'live' - there were limited overdubs and no use of headphones. After the release of On My Way, Kweller embarked on more touring, playing to his largest audiences ever, including a US tour co-headlining with Death Cab for Cutie. By this point, the lineup of his live band had changed to include John Kent on drums and Jason Roberts on guitar and keyboards, after Mike Stroud left to concentrate on his own band Ratatat and Fred Eltringham left to play drums in The Wallflowers.
In 2006 he recorded his third album, ''Ben Kweller'' with record producer, Gil Norton. Unlike the previous studio albums, Kweller played all the instruments on this record himself. Kweller continued to tour to support his self-titled album, and expanded his band into a five piece, which grew to include Dan Horne on bass, Mark Stepro on drums, Jay Barclay on guitar and organ, and Jason Roberts on lead guitar. Kweller continued to play guitar and piano on this tour, but it also gave him the opportunity to just sing on certain songs.
His tie-in "Trio on the Train Track Tour" included a new live band comprising Chris Morrissey on bass and Mark Stepro on drums. During the Australian leg of the tour, the band was composed of Jay Barclay on guitar, Dan Horne on bass and Mark Stepro continuing on drums.
As part of his 2006 tour, Kweller played the Austin City Limits Music Festival, where he was plagued by a severe nosebleed for the entirety of his set. After covering his guitar in blood, he attempted to stop the flow by inserting a travel-size tampon thrown onto the stage by a fan, which expanded painfully during a performance of "This Is War." After attempting to play "Falling" at the piano, which also became covered in blood, Kweller was forced to end the set early.
In the Spring of 2007, Kweller co-headlined with his label-mates Gomez. He continued through the summer with his own string of headlining dates which eventually ended at another appearance at ACL fest. This time no bloody nose, however, commemorative T-shirts were sold at the merch booth with fake blood stains that said "ACL 2007: The return of Ben Kweller".
Immediately following his performance at ACL, Kweller began recording his fourth full-length LP, ''Changing Horses'' in Austin, Texas on September 21, 2007. The album features the trio on the train tracks, and Pedal Steel/Dobro player Kitt Kitterman. In 2008, Kweller re-signed with ATO Records who released ''Changing Horses'' in early 2009.
Kweller's fifth studio album, entitled "Go Fly A Kite," was his first release produced solely by his own record label, The Noise Company. In earlier interviews, Kweller had stated that it would be released as early as March or April of 2011. However, after that the manager of The Noise Company stated that the album was now set to come out either late January or early February of 2012. Kweller confirmed on stage at Stubbs in Austin on 4/16/11 that the delay in release is a result of Kweller's parting ways with his former record label, ATO Records, and his desire to release the recording independently. Kweller had also stated the album would be very electric and energetic while dealing with some darker topics. It will be accompanied by a comprehensive world tour and several media appearances. The album was released in February of 2012.
In 2013 Kweller announced via facebook that he would be doing a "split" record with Waylon Jennings.
More info here: http://www.daytrotter.com/#!/content/nrn/vinyl-kweller-jennings.htm
Believer
Ben Kweller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're in need, you give
Because of you, I am living
The most that I can live
Oh sweet darling girl
So glad you found me
Oh sweet darling girl
Remember me, don't forget me
I have something true
My path is dark, my step's uncertain
Unless I walk with you
Oh sweet darling girl
So glad you found me
Oh sweet darling girl
Your power surrounds me
Your power...
Your power...
Your power...
Surrounds me
You speak to me without speaking
You touch so I can feel
With your strength I am stronger
At last I know I'm real
Oh sweet darling girl
So glad you found me
Oh sweet darling girl
Your power surrounds me
Your power...
Your power...
Your power...
Oh sweet darling girl
Oh sweet darling girl
Oh sweet darling girl
I'm so glad that you found me
I'm so glad that you found me
So glad that you found me
And your power surrounds me
The lyrics to Ben Kweller's song "Believer" can be interpreted as a declaration of love and gratitude to someone who has been a source of strength and support in the artist's life. The song is addressed to a woman who is described as having the power to heal, give, and strengthen those around her. The singer acknowledges that he has struggled on his own path, but has found solace and guidance in the presence of this person. He credits her with helping him discover his own sense of purpose and identity, and expresses his deep appreciation for the role she has played in his life.
The repetition of the phrase "sweet darling girl" throughout the song serves to reinforce the idea that the singer sees this woman as a nurturing and maternal figure in his life. He seems to view her with a mix of awe, gratitude, and affection, and recognizes that her presence has had a profound impact on him. The imagery of light and darkness that appears in the lyric "my path is dark, my step's uncertain / unless I walk with you" suggests that the singer sees this person as a source of illumination and guidance in his life.
Overall, "Believer" is a heartfelt tribute to someone who has played a pivotal role in the artist's life, and a celebration of the transformative power of love and support.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're hurt, you heal others
Your empathy is so strong that even when you're hurting, you cannot bear others' pain and do everything to heal them.
When you're in need, you give
You are grateful for what you have and acknowledge the importance of giving back, even in your need.
Because of you, I am living
Your presence and influence has helped me rise above my fears and limitations, and live my life to the fullest.
The most that I can live
I am giving it my all because your support has made me realize the value of every moment I have.
Oh sweet darling girl
I am so enticed by your love and strength, and cannot imagine a life without you.
So glad you found me
I was lost and hopeless, but you became my light and showed me the way towards hope and purpose.
Your power surrounds me
I am in awe of how powerful and inspiring you are, and the effect it has on me is incredible.
Remember me, don't forget me
I want to be a part of your life forever, and I hope I can be even half as good for you as you've been for me.
I have something true
I have acquired the clarity and confidence that comes from being with you, and I want to repay it with everything I have to offer.
My path is dark, my step's uncertain
I feel lost and unsteady at times, but with you by my side, I'm not afraid anymore.
Unless I walk with you
When you're not around, my doubts and fears are amplified and my progress seems impossible.
You speak to me without speaking
Your presence, your eyes, your gestures all convey something deeper that I cannot define, and it speaks directly to my soul.
You touch so I can feel
Your touch is like magic - it awakens my senses and reminds me of the beauty and immensity of life.
With your strength, I am stronger
You inspire me to become a better version of myself, and your strength empowers me to face my challenges with courage and determination.
At last I know I'm real
You've helped me overcome my insecurities and doubts, and made me realize that my true potential is greater than I ever imagined.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RANDY BACHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind