Ben Weaver
{{short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1980)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ben Weaver
| image =
| caption =
| alt =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1980}}
| birth_place = Eugene, Oregon U.S.
| instrument = Vocals
Guitar
Banjo
| genre = Rock
Experimental music
Americana
| occupation = Singer-songwriter
| years_active = 1999–present
| label = Hymie's Records
Bloodshot Records
Glitterhouse Records
Fugawee Bird Records
30/30 Industries
Unit Three Records
| website = {{URL|benweaver.net}}
}}
Ben Weaver (born 1980) is an American singer-songwriter.{{cite news|last1=Hoenack|first1=Dave|title=Ben Weaver: If I'm Playing Somewhere, I'm Riding My Bike There|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/ben-weaver-if-im-playing-somewhere-im-riding-my-bike-there-6619877|accessdate=9 February 2016|work=City Pages|date=6 September 2013}}
Early life
Weaver was born in Eugene, Oregon but spent most of his childhood in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has a worldwide following, though his popularity is strongest in his native Midwest of the United States.
Growing up in a musical household, Weaver always envisioned a career in music. After one year of college, he decided to drop out and begin traveling, an experiences that would later deeply influence his songwriting.
Career
Weaver's debut album, El Camino Blues, was released in 1999 and featured Greg Brown, with input from Tony Glover. Weaver then undertook his first tour in support of the album. His second album, Living in the Ground, was recorded in a single five-hour-session and featured Bo Ramsey. His third album, Hollerin' at a Woodpecker, released in 2002, was critically acclaimed in Britain and the United States, including being named No.3 Americana album of the year by Mojo magazine. This success laid the ground for the international release of his fourth album, Stories Under Nails, in 2004, which was followed by his first international tour. Over the years, Weaver has toured with numerous artists including The Waifs and Kristin Hersh.
Weaver's 2010 album, Mirepoix and Smoke, was inspired by his time working in a Minneapolis restaurant after taking a break from recording and touring in 2009. In addition to his music, he is also a poet and fiction writer. His short story, "Humanesque," was featured in the 2009 anthology Amplified: Fiction from Leading Alt-Country, Indie Rock, Blues and Folk Musicians, and his poem "Devastations" won the 2009 What Light Grand Jury Prize.{{cite web|last1=Weaver|first1=Ben|title=mnLIT presents: Ben Weaver|url=http://www.mnartists.org/article/mnlit-presents-ben-weaver|website=mnLIT|accessdate=9 February 2016|date=22 February 2010}}
An avid bicyclist, Weaver has embraced cycling as his primary mode of transport during tours.{{cite news|last1=Miles|first1=Jonathan|title=Forget the Bus: This Musician Tours by Bike|url=http://www.bicycling.com/culture/people/forget-bus-musician-tours-bike|accessdate=9 February 2016|work=Bicycling|date=1 October 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Riemenschneider|first1=Chris|title=Singer/songwriter Ben Weaver takes a Superior road to touring|url=http://www.startribune.com/singer-songwriter-ben-weaver-takes-a-superior-road-to-touring/330110301/|accessdate=9 February 2016|work=Star Tribune|date=30 September 2015}}
Discography
- 1999: El Camino Blues (Unit Three Records)
- 2002: Hollerin' at a Woodpecker (30/30 Industries)
- 2003: Living in the Ground (30/30 Industries)
- 2004: Stories Under Nails (Fugawee Bird Records)
- 2007: Paper Sky (Fugawee Bird Records / Glitterhouse Records)
- 2008: The Ax in the Oak (Bloodshot Records / Glitterhouse Records)
- 2010: Mirepoix and Smoke (Bloodshot Records)
- 2014: I Would Rather Be A Buffalo (Hymie's Records)
- 2017: Sees Like a River (Ben Weaver)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.benweaver.net/ Ben Weaver]
- [https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artist/ben-weaver Ben Weaver] at Bloodshot Records
- {{Discogs artist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Weaver, Ben}}
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:Musicians from Eugene, Oregon
Category:Musicians from Saint Paul, Minnesota
Category:Bloodshot Records artists
Category:Singer-songwriters from Oregon
Category:Singer-songwriters from Minnesota
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century American male singers
{{US-singer-songwriter-stub}}