BEN CAPLAN AND THE CASUAL SMOKERS ON TOUR THROUGHOUT CANADA AND THE US BEGINNING JUNE 1
LISTEN TO BEN CAPLAN PERFORM LIVE ON BBC RADIO 2
“For all the fierceness of the Canadian’s appearance, nothing quite prepares for his voice, both spoken and singing. An unmistakable presence.” Independent
“From Satanic hoedowns to swaying country heartbreakers, this evening with the larger-than-life Caplan makes for rollicking fun.” 4/5 –The Guardian
“Caplan’s music is freewheeling stuff… As different as ‘Birds With Broken Wings’ and ‘I Got Me A Woman’ are, they represent just a sample of the stylistic diversity Caplan explores on Birds With Broken Wings.” NPR Music: World Café Next
“...full of rousing choruses, eclectic instrumentation and dramatic and spooky lyricism. The songs are distant cousins to both Tom Waits and Gogol Bordello.” CBC Music
“Expertly toeing the line between lush, orchestral folk and gruff, rough-and-tumble blues, Birds with Broken Wings is an entrancing and dynamic listen” Exclaim!
Ben Caplan has spent much of this past year on the road supporting his latest record, Birds With Broken Wings, including a run through Europe and the UK which saw him play 43 shows in 53 days. During that time, The Independant UK called Caplan “An unmistakable presence,” while The Guardian UK claimed that an “evening with the larger-than-life Caplan makes for rollicking fun.” The Halifax artist is just putting the wraps another stretch of dates through the UK as he prepares to return home to North America for a string of dates throughout Canada and the US. Full tour dates can be found below.
The critical acclaim for Caplan’s live show is no surprise, he is simply unforgettable. With his huge beard and unruly mane, he is as visually striking as he is aurally compelling. But looks are deceiving. Once he has your attention, Caplan can croon smoother than a glass of single malt whisky, pouring beauty into a harsh world. During this recent run through the UK, Caplan stopped by BBC Radio 2 for an interview and session with Dermot O’Leary, performing the title track from his acclaimed new album as well as an inspired version of Bob Dylan’s “Simple Twist Of Fate.” The interview and performances start at 02:18:00 and the whole segment is available to stream internationally today.
LISTEN TO BEN CAPLAN PERFORM LIVE ON BBC RADIO 2
Inspired in part by Eastern European and Jewish folk traditions, Ben Caplan mixes older musical sensibilities with his own soul, straight from his hairy heart. Out now on Coalition Music, his new record Birds With Broken Wings was produced by Montreal rapper/hip-hop/klezmer artist Josh “Socalled” Dolgin and mixed by Renauld Letang (Feist, Manu Chau), and features some 35 guest musicians and collaborators on 12 tracks recorded over the course of three intense and productive weeks of 10-hour days in the studio.
The ultimate focus of the album remains steadfastly on Caplan’s vocals, songwriting, and storytelling, which have already won him Nova Scotia’s 2012 Entertainer of the Year and the East Coast Music Award for Rising Star Recording of the Year for 2013. He has shared stages with acts ranging from Grizzly Bear and Dirty Projectors to The Staves and Blondie, and played major festivals around the world including the U.K.’s Glastonbury.
TOUR DATES
May 26 - Liverpool, UK - Arts Club
May 27 - Manchester - Dot to Dot Festival
May 28 - Bristol, UK - Dot to Dot Festival
May 29 - Nottingham, UK - Dot to Dot Festival
Jun 25 - Perth, ON - Kilt Run Festival
Jun 27 - Ottawa, ON - Ottawa Jazz Fest
Jun 28 - Sault Ste Marie, ON - Outspoken Brewery
Jun 29 - Thunder Bay, ON - The Foundry
Jul 1 - Saskatoon, SK - Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
Jul 2 - Onanole, MB - Poor Michael’s
Jul 5 - Grand Forks, ND - North Dakota Museum Of Art
Jul 6 - Morden, MB - Kenmore Theatre
Jul 7 -10 - Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg Folk Festival
Jul 12 - Helena, MT - Myrna Loy Centre
Jul 13 - Spokane, WA - The Bartlett
Jul 14 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
Jul 16 - Sheridan, OR - Wildwood Music Festival
Jul 18 - Salt Lake City, UT - Billboard Live!
Jul 19 - Fort Collins, CO - Surfside 7
Jul 21 - Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern
Jul 22 - Pontiac, MI - Pike Room @ The Crofoot
Jul 23 - 24 - Guelph, ON - Hillside Festival
Jul 28 – Edmonton, AB Taste of Edmonton
Aug 5 - Toronto, ON - Indie Fridays @ Yonge-Dundas Square
Aug 11 – Luhmuhlen, DE - A Summer's Tale
Aug 12 - Rees-Haldern, DE - Haldern Pop Festival
Aug 13 – Wiesen, AT – Summerville
Aug 17 – Jena, DE – Kulturarena
Aug 18 – Winterthur, CH – Musikfestwochen
Aug 19 – Trutnov, CZ - Trutnov Open Air Festival
BEN CAPLAN ONLINE