Ben Belieu

Ben evokes powerful emotions and placid tranquility. He explores the guantlet of emotions and various musical styles and philisophical issues, remaining true to folk roots (Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Simon and Garfunkel), with the intensity of Nirvana and beautiful melodies reminiscent of Elliot Smith. Ben aims for the heart and soul, pierces with truth, sincerity, compassion and incite, while maintaining subtle effervescence and hopefulness.

Ben is different than most other musicians because he is sincere, his voice is unique and captivating, soft and supple yet powerful and passionate. His lyrics are inspiring and hopeful.

He grew up on Bainbridge Island, a small artsy town, during the grunge years and was influenced by some traumatic experiences involving horribly depraved and angry peers which sent him into seclusion and he began writing, at first as a way to self sooth and then as a reaction agaisnt the negativity and angst of his surroundings. He left the Island to study at Seattle Central Community College two years into highschool and opened his mind to the world and its multitudinous representatives from all walks of life. He learned music theory, composition, piano, and jazz, while playing various shows on the Island. At UW he developed new incite and depth in his lyrics and now he is expoding into the world like the phoenix reemerging from its ashes.

Ben's folk influences are Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Simon and Garfunkel; electronic influences are Dephechemode; rock influences are Nirvana, Elliot Smith, the Smiths, Queen, Beatles, Alice n Chains, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Smashing Pumpkins; and r and b influences are Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Craig David.