Ben Wright Smith invites you to join him for the release of his debut album ‘Autumn Safari’ at Red Bennies.

"These lads can play...shaggy haired Wright Smith has a raspy character in his voice that echoes Bob Dylan at  his best.." - Warwick Goodman; Beat Magazine

"It’s a rare treat to see such a talented young song writer" - Hannah Joyner; Tonedeaf

After receiving wide praise for his first EP “Benny ‘The Kid’ & Other Moonlight Ballads” Ben Wright Smith has dropped the guise of acoustic songsmith and has returned with a modern country band made up of some of Melbourne’s most interesting up and coming players.

The debut album “Autumn Safari” features a broad spectrum of alternative folk rock music, from the woozy and haunting “Bad Glove” and “Party On The Hill” to the up-beat bass-driven “Been Thinkin’ About You” & “Magic Bean”. After receiving airplay on many independent stations around Australia and gathering support all over the world (from Argentinean blogs to college Radio in the U.S.A) it seems like things are only looking up for the Melbourne based 5-piece.

In early October Ben was selected out of 12 Victorian Musicians for ‘The Push’ songwriting mentorship program where he worked with the likes of Mark Seymour and Charles Jenkins in developing and exploring the art of songwriting. Furthermore, the first single of the album ‘Been Thinkin’ About You’ was also selected to be released in 5000 pressings as a part of the Acid Tapes compilations distributed through Drum Media.

The Album itself was recorded and mastered over the last year with the help of an eclectic mix of some of Melbourne’s greatest musical ears including Michael Letho (Paul Kelly, Deborah Conway, James Rayne & Darly Braithwaite), Scott Kingman (The Screaming Jets), Jimmy & Todd (the Dukes Of Windsor, Planet Love Sound) and Cole Leadbetter (Whitley). Ben’s band is made up of Jesse Williams (Guitar, Keys, Banjo, Harmonica and Piano Accordion), Daniel Spears (Double Bass), Ether Holt (Keys, Vocals) and Evan Lineham (drums).

The new album is both diverse and centered. From high paced rockabilly freak-out in the six and a half minute epic “Independence Day” to melancholy ballads of longing and loss in “I Wish That I Got On That Train”, Ben and his band promise to be one of the leading voices of the folk revival.

Being set in one of Melbournes most unique and lively hotspots Red Bennies, this will be an album launch different to anything you may expect. With the help of supports of Howlin’ Steam Train, The Paper Street Soap Company and the Texas Jack Cabaret show it is fair to expect a whole lot of hootin’ hollerin’ and boogying.

This is one jamboree that is not to be missed!

BEN WRIGHT SMITH BAND

Ben Wright Smith is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. Ben’s music combines styles such as folk, blues, jazz & Rock and Roll; his lyrics are often allegorical and surreal.

Most of Ben’s work is accompanied by a band consisting of Toby Bender (Drums and Percussion), Daniel Spiers (Upright Bass) and Multi-instrumentalist Jesse Williams (Piano, Organ, Guitar & Piano Accordion).

" ...take a journey with him through tales of Spanish gypsies, moonlight bandits, thieving gangs, outlaws, sultry affairs and forbidden women. His songs, which have an upbeat folky appeal, are bathed in sensuality and soul. Flirtatious lyrics are matched with a Spanish flair, enabling an eclectic mix of blues, jazz, rock and roll and folk..." - Beaute De La Muse

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

HOWLIN' STEAM TRAIN

Deep down the bottom of the long muddy river. Stir up the water, and it all comes to the surface.

This here is the foot-stompin’, knee slappin’, impossible not to dig, Howlin’ Steam Train. They are exactly that, a big howlin’ steam train, storming and smokin’ down the track. You don’t see so many come by these days, but when they do, they make their presence well known, they turn heads. The band too, have a reputation of turning an empty room into a full one. People who would not normally boogie, boogie. People who would not normally cry ‘yeehaw’, cry ‘yeehaw’.

So play it loud, and remember that no matter who you are, where your from, young or old... Deep down, you all like to boogie.

THE PAPER STREET SOAP COMPANY

Meaner than a red bellied black snake, sharper than barbed wire, and sweeter than molasses...
Born in a long lazy summer, The Paper St. Soap Co. are a newly formed collective with one simple intention,
to deliver a refreshing blend of folk, country, and old time music to the oppressed chattering classes.

Think somewhere between Old Crow Medicine Show, The Almanac Singers and The Waterboys, but in the heart of Melbourne.

QUARRY MOUNTAIN DEAD RATS

In an age of dancing robots and the electric toothbrush, the Quarry
Mountain Dead Rats are taking it back to a simpler time, where the
pickin’ was fast and the banjo was king. With fire in their bellies,
these musical comrades hailing from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula bring their raw and gritty version of bluegrass kicking and hollering into the modern day. The influence of old-time mountain-music combined with rock‘n’roll sensibilities make the Quarry Mountain Dead Rats an act that make you sit up, take notice and come back for more.

Since bursting onto the scene late 2010 the band have been steadily carving out a name for themselves. With numerous festival invitations including the 2010 Falls Festival in Lorne Victoria, and spending a few weeks at number one, two and three on the Triple J Unearthed charts, the future is looking bright. Loungeroom Sessions, the Debut EP was released
Jan 2011, and the band are set to release their debut studio album early
2012.

Long live the Dead Rat!

WITH DJ EDD FISHER TO KEEP YOU GROOVING ALL NIGHT LONG...

Edd Fisher began his professional music career at age 15 as a trumpet player. Before moving to Perth to study Jazz and composition (BA) at WAAPA Edd completed a Monash University music enhancement course and was active on the Melbourne music scene in various groups from Big Bands, small Jazz Ensembles, Cover Bands and an original funk/hip-hop outfit named Debt Collector.

Now venturing into production and DJ'ing Edd has just returned to Melbourne from Cuba where he studied the traditional rhythmic culture and he was also in LA where he spent one month doing an internship with the Concord Music Group.

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