Ben Gunning
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Ben Gunning

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"March 2003"

“Ben Gunning has an exquisite sense of melody”
- MOJO MAGAZINE


"Album Review - June, 2005"

BEN GUNNING



Beigy Blur /Zunior

Who knew that Ben Gunning had the funk in him? On his solo outing, former Local Rabbit surrounds himself with jazzy guitar, piano, and drums that all sound plenty artful, but Gunning takes a step further, smashing each song over the head with a synthesizer. Playful 80's synthbob (sic) abounds on this disc and, surprisingly, it works. Add to the mix Gunning's stellar vocal performance... and Elvis Costello-style twisty lyricism and you have an exciting, soulful debut on your hands.
- CHART MAGAZINE


"Album Review - March, 2005"

BEN GUNNING



Beigy Blur /Zunior

This ex-Local Rabbits singer/songwriter has crafted a uniquely soulful solo debut. Just don't expect it to sound like his old indie rock group, or much else for that matter. A rhythm-driven pastiche of AM Gold, summery rhythms and passionate gospel, Beigy Blur's uplifting songs and ballads update the '70s swaggers of Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder without ever sounding trite or unnatural. Gunning's insightful understanding of human nature and passionate faith in God take precedent within his elegantly spun lyrics, which are filled with colourful characters. But it's the intricately complex arrangements at play in such beautiful standouts as "Drinks" and "Oh Rebel" that occasionally take Beigy Blur to the level of musical enlightenment, proving Gunning's strong talent as a sound craftsman. KH - EYE MAGAZINE


"Review & Interview - June, 2005"

BEN GUNNING



Beigy Blur /Zunior

It’s gratifying to hear gifted lyricist/musician Ben Gunning evolving beyond the sounds he’s best known for. In the Local Rabbits, Gunning wrote rock’n’roll songs in a pop framework that barely did his eagle-eye writing justice. Now Gunning’s free to make even more challenging music stylistically, incorporating production elements of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop while focusing listeners’ attention on his astonishing writing. Songs like “The Beauty of God,” “Oh Rebel,” and “Drinks” are deft critiques of social “progress” and interpersonal dynamics. They’re also incredibly catchy, head-nodding songs, which, given the innovative sound of Beigy Blur, is an amazing accomplishment indeed.

How will Rabbits fans respond to this record? I think some Rabbits fans might not be as interested in this record. There’s less rock sounds here, less distorted guitars. There are some genres touched upon that might not be so popular in the “indie scene” or whatever. So, I’m definitely into expanding the territory and finding a niche for myself.

Your writing often seems pointedly contemporary. Are you conscious of this? I strongly believe that there are elements of North American life where we’ve taken a wrong path. Technologies are changing our relationships with each other and to me, there’s a whole knot of problems that come out of that. How can that not be fodder for writing? Fiction has done it but songwriting often stays within traditional subject matter. There are universals but I feel they have to be linked with specifics of what we’re dealing with and so I try to keep it modern lyrically as well.

Vish Khanna - EXCLAIM! MAGAZINE


Discography

Beigy Blur (2005, Zunior)

Photos

Bio

Beigy Blur (Zunior/March 2005), the solo debut by singer/songwriter/guitarist Ben Gunning (ex-Local Rabbits), is born of a fiercely independent vision and approach: that singer/songwriting can only remain a vibrant part of pop culture if it contends modern sounds and modern themes. His new material, a logical evolution of his contribution in Local Rabbits, is lyrically and musically ambitious and challenging. It is rhythm-heavy and contemporary, bringing elements of jazz, new R&B, and progressive rock together to support songs that explore modern tribulations of individuality, technology, division of labour, competition, and so forth with sympathy, frustration and humour.  Having mentioned all that, it also has a good beat. He has begun performing with a 3, 4, 5, and 6 piece band in and around Ontario in anticipation of the album.

Ben Gunning, now living in Toronto, Canada, is a founding member and has been the principle composer/singer of the band Local Rabbits since 1992, recording four records with the group. Local Rabbits toured across Canada and the United States multiple times, including on the Edgefest ‘98 tour as well as with such groups as Sloan, Thrush Hermit, The Rheostatics, The Superfriendz, The Inbreds, Flashing Lights, Six Finger Satellite, Zumpano, and Kelly Deal 6000. Thanks to ten years of rigorous touring and persistence through prolonged periods of economic difficulty, Local Rabbits established themselves as a powerful cult band, earning both critical and popular acclaim among listeners and peers alike. Each of their LPs ranked within the top ten on the Canadian College Radio Charts. Basic Concept stayed at number one for four consecutive weeks soon after its release. Some highlights of the Local Rabbits’ career include backing up MC Maestro (Fresh Wes) at the International Music Day in 2000 and being chosen for a number of exclusive CBC Radio recording sessions and live broadcasts.

In addition to songwriting and playing lead guitar on the Local Rabbits’ albums, he has contributed to albums by the Rheostatics, Neko Case and Thrush Hermit. Ben co-wrote “Set Out Running”, the opening track on Neko Case’s acclaimed album Furnaceroom Lullaby and toured with her as a member of her ever-alternating “Boyfriends” including dates on the 1998 Lilith Fair tour.  He also worked extensively over the past two years as a composer/producer with Alanna Stuart, an up and coming R&B singer from Toronto/Ottawa. He will be reaching various Canadian cities in the fall in support of the Beigy Blur.