“No guilt, all pleasure,” sings Ben Lee on his forthcoming album, The Rebirth Of Venus (due April 28 on New West). Lately, the 30-year-old Australian singer/songwriter has been on a mission to deliver radio-ready pop songs for the rest of us, mixing up hooks and politics and letting it all hang out. Shortly before he appeared on Jay Leno last week, Lee did a Q&A with MAGNET on the topics of Venus, his recent marriage to Ione Skye and the “mistake-pop” of his past and future.
As guest editor of magnetmagazine.com this week, the world’s most enlightened pop star shares thoughts about his latest revelations—from music to monkey gods.
Lee: I’ve been working with Gabriella Cihomsky, a 15-year-old Carlsbad native, on her debut album for the last few months. She’s a young pianist/songwriter in the vein of Carole King and can already write a song that will make you cry. I’ve been co-producing her album, and it’s just been so inspiring to watch her develop and to turn her on to records that are shaping her world. One day I played her Harry Nilsson’s (version of Randy Newman’s) “Short People,” Nico’s “These Days” and some Stereolab. I watched her eyes light up the way mine did as a kid hearing music that blew my mind. But the cool thing is, she already gets it. Music is second nature to her, and I really think her record is gonna turn a lot of people on. She has a ’60s Burt Bacharach/Laura Nyro vibe mixed with love of grooves and weird sounds. And her songs just kill. I’m constantly in awe of her talent.
“Your Dance Floor” from 2007′s Sweet EP:
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This concludes “Ben Lee Week” here at magnetmagazine.com. Thanks to Ben for writing about some really thought-provoking and fun stuff. Go to the store and buy all his records and The Rebirth Of Venus when it comes out April 28.
One Comment
nice!!! the chorus is very strong. cool verse 2 harmonies too