BENJAMIN BOOKER IN CONCERT:
In just a few short years, Benjamin Booker has amassed a huge following and a truckload of critical acclaim with his gritty, garage-influenced brand of classic soul and blues. Taking his cue from punk-meets-blues outfits like The Gun Club and T. Rex, the singer and guitarist whips up an adrenaline-filled, hard-charging sound full of stomping drums, powerhouse guitars, and distorted vocals. That's not to say it's all bombast -- Booker is just as adept at creating hushed, tender moments, making his live shows a dynamic experience that treats ticket buyers to the full range of his considerable talents. Whether he's flexing his chops in a larger venue or performing to an intimate crowd at a small club, Booker is a world-class showman who always satisfies with his electric energy and unique sound.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Benjamin Booker spent his formative years in Tampa, FL immersed in the city's skate punk scene. He began playing the guitar at age 14, learning to perform other people's songs before penning his first original tunes at 19. Things really clicked when he moved to New Orleans after college -- the folk and blues he heard on local Big Easy radio station WWOZ opened his eyes to a whole new musical world, and before long he had honed a unique sound that combined his punk background with more soulful influences. He began playing shows and in 2012 he released his debut EP Waiting Ones. He returned to Tampa in 2013 and put a band together to beef up his live shows. The expanded lineup paid off -- an exec from ATO Records flew out to attend one of the group's performances and was so impressed he signed them in the parking lot after the show. Booker's momentum continued in 2014 -- he released his self-titled debut to a Top 10 spot on Billboard's Independent Albums and Alternative Albums charts, earning glowing praise from critics at SPIN, Rolling Stone, and Paste Magazine. Since then he's toured the country with Jack White and delivered show-stopping performances at Bonnaroo and Newport Folk Festival, generating considerable excitement among ticket buyers for his upcoming shows.
