Benjamin Wagner has been working the New York club scene for over ten years, self-releasing ten LPs along the way. Famed "Idiot's Delight" host Vince Scelsa described him as "extraordinary." R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe dubbed him a "future superstar." VH1 News called his songs, "Timeless." The New York Press, says "He's Ryan Adams without the 'tude, Pete Yorn without the hair, John Denver without the glasses, Dave Matthews without the dance moves."
"My father worked for the EPA, so I moved around like the stereotypical army 'brat'," Wagner says. Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Wagner lived in Washington D.C., Indianapolis, and Chicago, before his tenth birthday. After his parents divorce, Wagner, his brother and mother moved to Philadelphia. Growing up in the 80s, he vividly recalls getting his first transistor radio and listening, transfixed, to top forty radio stations in Chicago and Philly, loving everything from Hall and Oates to Phil Collins. But like James Joyce's Stephen Daedalus, Wagner finally had his defining, life-changing musical epiphany.
"My big brother brought R.E.M.'s Reckoning home from college which immediately woke me up and snapped me out of my Phil Collins stupor," Wagner laughs. "Hearing 'So. Central Rain' for the first time changed everything."
Reveling in bands like the Replacements and the Pixies (Wagner even does a "twisted" cover of the Pixies' "Here Comes Your Man"), the young songwriter strapped on a Martin acoustic and began playing in bands in high school and later, at Syracuse University. There, Wagner fronted the funky -- and popular -- local alt.pop band Smoky Junglefrog, opening for majors like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Samples and Dada. Following the bands' demise, Wagner moved to New York City and began playing a wide array of clubs like the Mercury Lounge, Arlene Grocery and Brownie's.
Latest bulletin 11.13.08
Benjamin Wagner "Live At Rockwood Music Hall" Due November 19!
Please join guitarist Chris Abad, bassist Tony Maceli, drummer Jamie Allegre, special guest vocalist Jamie Leonhart and me to celebrate the release of my ...
Please join guitarist Chris Abad, bassist Tony Maceli, drummer Jamie Allegre, special guest vocalist Jamie Leonhart and me to celebrate the release of my "Live At Rockwood Music Hall" LP next Wednesday, November 19th from 9-10pm at, um, Rockwood Music Hall.
The new, online-only LP is available in 8-song iTunes, or 10-song Authentic Records' versions. Culled from two-years of Rockwood performances, it captures the intimacy of the now-legendary Lower East Side venue, and features songs from my recently-released LP, "The Invention Of Everything Else," plus a few covers. Here's the track listing:
1- Giving Up The Ghost 2- The Last Time 3- Promise 4- How To Fight Loneliness 5- Killing The Blues (featuring Jamie Leonhart) 6- Live Forever 7- The Boys Of Summer 8- Wonderwall + Harder To Believe + Milk & Honey
we were worker bees together at uncommon grounds. you were like my big brother...my name is sara and this was like, oh...15 years ago....
Aug 19 2008, 09:05 PM
we were worker bees together at uncommon grounds. you were like my big brother...my name is sara and this was like, oh...15 years ago....
Aug 19 2008, 09:04 PM
we were worker bees together at uncommon grounds. you were like my big brother...my name is sara and this was like, oh...15 years ago....
Aug 12 2008, 07:02 AM
I cannot find your damn email anywhere, or your normal facebook page, where I can email you. How crazy is that%3F I searched your site. Dude, you need to do something about that, so all the talent scouts have a way of reaching you. Seriously. Email me.
Aug 12 2008, 07:02 AM
I cannot find your damn email anywhere, or your normal facebook page, where I can email you. How crazy is that%3F I searched your site. Dude, you need to do something about that, so all the talent scouts have a way of reaching you. Seriously. Email me.
Aug 12 2008, 07:00 AM
I cannot find your damn email anywhere, or your normal facebook page, where I can email you. How crazy is that%3F I searched your site. Dude, you need to do something about that, so all the talent scouts have a way of reaching you. Seriously. Email me.
Jul 18 2007, 10:30 PM
Yay! Great to find Ben on here :) He is a fab musician (amongst other things!) and has a wonderfully atmospheric voice.