Benjamin Booker will release his debut, self-titled album on August 18 on Rough Trade [ATO Records in the United States]. The album is produced by Andrija Tokic [Alabama Shakes, Hurray For The Riff Raff].
Described as “a well-mixed musical cocktail of punk, folk, and New Orleans blues”, Booker cites his influences as The Gun Club, Blind Willie Johnson, and T. Rex. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter plays as a two-piece with drummer Max Norton, both being based in New Orleans.
Having already gained fans including Tame Impala, toured with Hurray For The Riff Raff and played a string of sold out shows in London, Booker and his drummer Max Norton will open for Jack White on his US July tour. There follows a series of summer US dates with Courtney Barnett.
He’s had some good reviews from the mainstream media already.
“Benjamin Booker blasted a raw brand of blues/boogie/soul,” observed the Chicago Tribune’s Greg Kot in his SXSW wrap-up. “He likes to leave the rough edges intact, bringing to mind the houserockin’ records that Hound Dog Taylor once did for Alligator Records in the ’70s.” American Songwriter said, “The 22-year-old New Orleans guitarist/songwriter – joined live by drummer/mandolin player Max Norton – took the stage as an unknown and…stepped off the stage a conqueror.” “It might look like just two people onstage but Benjamin Booker’s voice surely counts as a band member in its own right. Soulful and sandpaper-rough…” noted The Guardian while NME said, “he takes the ripped, raw racket of The Dirtbombs and smothers it in fuzzy, inherently moody-sounding riffs that recall The Gun Club and T Rex in equal measure.”
