Ben Ballinger

Ben Ballinger is an American folk singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas.[1][2] He is best known for his solo career and was recognized by The Austin Chronicle as one of "Austin's top young songwriters".[3]

Ben Ballinger
BornThe Dalles, Oregon
United States
GenresAmericana
Folk
Soul
Rock and roll
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
guitar
Years active2001–present
LabelsGood Horse Records
Associated actsCarson McHone
The Dalles
Websitebenballinger.com
MembersBen Ballinger
Mark Henne
Evan Nicholson

Early life

Ballinger was born in The Dalles, Oregon. He started writing songs during the seventh grade.[1][4] His father, Mike, played music at The Dalles Catholic church for more than 30 years.[1]

Early career

Ballinger moved from Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2003. He was part of the anti-folk scene, which included artists such as Regina Spektor, Beck, Hamell on Trial, Paleface, Langhorne Slim and Kimya Dawson. He organized the annual "Schoolhouse Rock Festival" in Friend, Oregon with musician Steve Schecter.[5][6] In 2011, Ballinger moved to Austin, Texas, where he started a band with Blue Mongeon, Drew Brunetti, and Chris D'Annunzio named The Dalles. The Dalles received media attention for the song, "Lines," from the 2012 album, My Own Private White House. The song was featured on Season 5 of the FX series Sons of Anarchy.[1][2][7] The Dalles played Utopia Fest 2012, alongside Dr. Dog, Charles Bradley, Ben Kweller.[8] Ballinger was a featured guest vocalist on the 2013 Carpetbagger album, Far Off The Daybreak Call.[9]

Solo career

In 2014, Ballinger signed with Good Horse Records, an Austin-based production company.[1][10] His 2014 album The State I'm In was recorded and produced by Good Horse Records in three days through a fully analog production system.[1] The State I'm In was ranked "among Austin's best Americana releases of that year" by The Austin Chronicle.[11][12] It received criticism, however, from The Austin Chronicle's music critic Jim Caligiuri.[13] Ballinger did multiple tours behind The State I'm In, including through the West Coast and Midwest.[1][14] Ballinger joined Nine Mile Touring in 2015 as well as the spring 2016 West Coast tour of East Cameron Folkcore.[15][16]

His 2016 EP, Homestead, is being produced by Brian Beattie, Austin-based music producer. Beattie is known for producing Okkervil River's 2002 album, Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See, as well as albums for Daniel Johnston, Shearwater and Bill Callahan.[17] Ballinger has held Austin residencies at Hole in the Wall, Stay Gold and the White Horse.[18] He is an official SXSW 2016 showcasing artist.[19]

Production

Ballinger partnered with Reid Connell to produce a music video for The Dalles, which led to the founding of the filmmaking company, Be Lie All. Connell and Ballinger also produced the music video for the single, "Ashes to Ashes", from Ballinger's The State I'm In.[20]

Discography

Albums and EPs
YearTitleArtistLabel
2016HomesteadBen BallingerUnreleased
2014The State I'm InBen BallingerGood Horse Records
2012My Own Private White HouseThe DallesSelf-released
2010FabricationBen BallingerSelf-released
2008Ben BallingerBen BallingerSelf-released
2005A Minor StudyJack BenjaminSelf-released
2003Jack BenjaminJack BenjaminSelf-released

References
  1. "Ben Ballinger brings 'State I'm In' to Gorge". Hood River News. December 23, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  2. Wiley, Derek (May 6, 2015). "Ballinger Returns to The Dalles". The Dalles Chronicle. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  3. Freeman, Doug (March 11, 2016). "Tuesday SXSW Showcases". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  4. Chandler, Chip (April 29, 2015). "Ballinger's 'State' is Happy, Thank You Very Much". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  5. Ham, Robert (June 17, 2011). "Yet Another Festival: Schoolhouse Rock 2011". Willamette Week. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  6. "Schoolhouse Rock Festival in an Abandoned Oregon Ghost Town". The Portland Mercury. June 13, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  7. "Sons of Anarchy". IMDb. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  8. "2012 Lineup". Utopia Fest. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  9. "KUTX Song of the Day". KUTX. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  10. C urtin, Kevin (July 7, 2014). "First Listen: Ben Ballinger". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  11. Kennedy, William (December 31, 2014). "Confessions in Flannel". Eugene Weekly. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  12. Curtin, Kevin (October 4, 2014). "Mrs. Glass/Ben Ballinger". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  13. Caligiuri, Jim (October 31, 2014). "Ben Ballinger". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  14. "Ben Ballinger and his Band, Strange Americans, Gun Street Ghosts". Westword. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  15. "Nine Mile Touring". Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  16. "East Cameron Folkcore". Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  17. "Ben Ballinger". SXSW. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  18. "Austin360 Music Picks". Austin American-Statesman. January 21, 2016. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  19. "SXSW List No. 5". The Austin Chronicle. January 29, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  20. Palmer, Lucia (June 7, 2013). "'Be Lie All' Blends Austin's Music Scene With Filmmaking". Austin Fusion Magazine. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
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