Benjamin Michael Lee(born 11 September 1978) is an Australian musician and actor. Lee began his career as a musician at the age of 14 with the Sydney bandNoise Addict,but he focused on his solo career when the band broke up in 1995. He appeared as the protagonist in the Australian filmThe Rage in Placid Lake(2003).[1]He has released eleven solo studio albums.
Ben Lee | |
|---|---|
 Lee at the 2008Australia Day Live Concertin Canberra | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Benjamin Michael Lee |
| Also known as | DJ Dad Bod |
| Born | 11 September 1978 Sydney,New South Wales,Australia |
| Genres | Indie pop |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels |
|
| Member of | Radnor and Lee |
| Formerly of | |
| Spouse | Ione Skye |
| Website | ben-lee |
Career
editNoise Addict
editLee's musical career began in 1993 with the bandNoise Addict,who were signed toSteve Pavlovic's independent label Fellaheen Records, on the strength of a self-produced and distributed four-track demo recorded in Lee's bedroom. Pavlovic's connections brought the band to the attention ofSonic Youth'sThurston MooreandBeastie Boys'Mike D,both of whom released the band's material in the US.
The group put out several releases on the Beasties'Grand Royal Records.These included the acousticYoung and JadedEP in 1994, which contained Lee's tribute toEvan Dando,"I Wish I Was Him". In 1995, Grand Royal released the band's only full-length album, theBrad Wood–producedMeet the Real You.Noise Addict made a music video for the song "16", toured withSebadoh,but then broke up. Lee was also briefly a member of the alternative actGerling.
In 2009, Lee recorded a new Noise Addict album,It Was Never About the Audience,with a new lineup:Lou BarlowandLara Meyerratken.
Solo career
editLee's solo career started at the age of 16, while he was still in Noise Addict. He began recording his first solo album,Grandpaw Would,in both Sydney andChicagowith producerBrad Wood.This was followed by the 1997 album,Something to Remember Me By,also produced by Wood. An alternate version of his song "Burn to Shine", produced byT-Bone Burnett,played over the end credits of the filmBest Men.Lee was then featured on theThere's Something About Marysoundtrack, with the song "How to Survive a Broken Heart". 1998'sBreathing Tornados,released on Pavlovic's new labelModular,marked a new direction for Lee as he introduced synthesisers and increased instrumentation into his sound.
The album was a success in Australia, earning LeeARIA Awardnominations for Best Male Artist and Album of the Year. The album's first single, "Cigarettes Will Kill You",was also nominated for Single of the Year and finished second in that year'sTriple J Hottest 100.In 2001, Lee contributed a track ( "Sweet Is the Night" ) to a Jeff Lynne tribute albumLynne Me Your Ears.
Lee's fourth album,hey you. yes you.,was released in 2002. The first single from the album, "Something Borrowed, Something Blue", reached number 67 on theARIA Chartsand number 22 on the2002's Triple J Hottest 100.The second single, "Running with Scissors", peaked at number 82 on the ARIA charts. In 2003, he also contributed several songs to theEvan Dandosolo albumBaby I'm Bored.
In late 2004, Lee left Steve Pavlovic'sModular Recordingsand started his own record label, Ten Fingers. The first release on the label was the single, "Gamble Everything for Love",followed by the album,Awake Is the New Sleepin February 2005, which went double platinum in Australia. A defining release in his career, the album showcased a much brighter, positive side of Lee's personality, in contrast to his previous darker musings.Awake Is the New Sleepreceived several nominations for the 2005Australian Recording Industry Association(ARIA) awards, and Lee won Best Male Artist, Best Independent Release, and Single of the Year for "Catch My Disease",which Lee wrote with Mcgowan Southworth." Catch My Disease "also went to No. 2 on the2005 Triple J Hottest 100.
In addition, the song was featured on the soundtracks to the 2005 filmsJust FriendsandDeuce Bigalow: European Gigoloas well as the soundtracks to the television seriesGrey's Anatomy,Hidden PalmsandScrubs.In 2006, it was used in a television commercial forDellComputers. On 26 March 2006, Lee performed "We're All in This Together" fromAwake Is the New Sleepat the closing ceremony of the2006 Commonwealth Games.The single for "We're All in This Together" was released on 8 April 2006. The CD includes cover versions of the song by Pony Up, Holidays on Ice and Gelbison. "We're All in This Together" has being used in commercials for Kohl's (2008), Coca-Cola (RemixedAustralian Summer Series Ads in 2007), the South Australian Government (2006), the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal (2007), andTelusMobility's "My Faves" (2007).
Lee released his sixth album,Ripe,on 18 September 2007, withBenji MaddenandMandy Mooremaking appearances. Mandy Moore sang a light-hearted, 1950s-style duet with Lee called "Birds and Bees". "Mandy was very sweet and did her bestOlivia Newton-Johnfor me. I'm really psyched about this recording, "Lee says. Madden helped out with some backing vocals, along with US bandRooneyand Sara Watkins from the bandNickel Creek."American Television" from the album was used in a VH1 advertisement forFlavor of Love 3and the song "Ripe" appeared in an episode ofOne Tree Hill(Season 5, episode 2).
In 2007, Lee performed a cover ofCrosby, Stills & Nash's "Our House"for Landmarks on The DL.[2]
In February 2009, Lee released his seventh studio album,The Rebirth of Venus,which received mixed reviews.[3]It featured guest performances from the likes ofMissy HigginsandPatience Hodgson,and peaked at No.21 on theARIA Charts.[4]
Lee's eighth studio album,Deeper into Dream,was released on 11 October 2011. It was Lee's first attempt at a concept album, basing the entire 12 tracks around thedreamstate. Despite not charting,[4]it was received fairly favourably by critics.
In April 2013, Lee released his ninth and arguably his most experimental studio album, entitledAyahuasca: Welcome to the Work,[5]with collaboration fromJessica Chapnik.The album is based upon his personal experience with the psychoactive South American drug known asAyahuasca.Lee featured as the mentor forJoel Madden's team on the 2013 season ofThe Voice Australia.[6]
In June 2015, Lee released his 10th solo album,Love Is the Great Rebellion,his first on a major label, Warner Bros. Records.[7]
According toRadio National's Geoff Wood, Lee invented the term "electro-yoga" to describe a new form of music dedicated to the practice of yoga.[8]Lee has since followed up this release with an acoustically oriented album, entitledFreedom, Love and The Recuperation of the Human Mind,in 2016, as well as achildren's albumcalledBen Lee Sings Songs AboutIslamfor the Whole Familyin 2017. Together with formerHow I Met Your MotherstarJosh Radnor,Lee formed an indie-folk duo calledRadnor and Lee,and they released their debut self-titled album in November 2017.
2018 saw the release ofB Is for Beer,a soundtrack to the musical based on the novel of the same name written byTom Robbins.Lee and Robbins had collaborated for ten years to develop the musical. Funding for the album's development came via crowd-sourcing atKickstarter.
Lee releasedQuarter Century Classixin 2019, a collection of cover songs he was influenced by during his teenage years. In 2020, Radnor and Lee released their second collaborative album,Golden State.
In 2021, Lee competed in thethird seasonof theAustralian version ofThe Masked Singeras "Professor". He finished tenth after being eliminated in the third episode.[9]
In September 2021, The Music Network confirmed Lee had signed withWarner Music Australia,releasingI'M FUN!in June 2022, preceded by single "Born for This Bullshit"; it was Lee's first album to chart in the top-50ARIA album chartsin more than seven years. The deal includes rights to his 19-album back catalogue.[10]This One's for the Old Headzwas released in September 2024.
Personal life
editLee was born in Sydney and was raised in aJewishhousehold but did not consider himself religious as a child.[11]Lee was educated atMoriah College,located in Sydney's eastern suburbs.[12]
Lee datedClaire Danesfor several years, but their relationship ended in 2003. He married actressIone Skyeon 28 December 2008, in aHinduwedding ceremony inIndia.They have one child.[13][14]
Lee stated that he follows apescatariandiet.[15]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [4] | |||
| Grandpaw Would |
|
— | |
| Something to Remember Me By |
|
— | |
| Breathing Tornados |
|
13 | |
| hey you. yes you. |
|
45 | |
| Awake Is the New Sleep |
|
5 |
|
| Ripe |
|
11 |
|
| The Rebirth of Venus |
|
21 | |
| Deeper into Dream |
|
— | |
| Ayahuasca: Welcome to the Work |
|
— | |
| Love Is the Great Rebellion |
|
71 | |
| Freedom, Love and the Recuperation of the Human Mind |
|
— | |
| Ben Lee Sings Songs About Islam for the Whole Family |
|
— | |
| Quarter Century Classix |
|
— | |
| I'm Fun! |
|
46 | |
| This One's for the Old Headz |
|
— |
Collaboration albums
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Radnor & Lee(as Radnor & Lee) (withJosh Radnor) |
|
| Golden State(as Radnor & Lee) (withJosh Radnor) |
|
| It Was Never About the Audience(with Noise Addict) |
|
Soundtrack albums
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Square (Motion Picture Soundtrack)(withJessica Chapnik Kahn) |
|
| B Is for Beer: The Musical(withTom Robbins) |
|
Mixtapes
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| A Mixtape from Ben Lee |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Away with the Pixies |
|
| All Nite Long |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [4] |
UK [20] | |||
| "Pop Queen" | 1994 | — | — | Grandpaw Would |
| "Cigarettes Will Kill You" | 1998 | 46 | 92 | Breathing Tornados |
| "Nothing Much Happens" | 1999 | 136 | 95 | |
| "Something Borrowed, Something Blue" | 2002 | 67 | — | hey you. yes you. |
| "Running with Scissors" | 2003 | 82 | — | |
| "Gamble Everything for Love" | 2004 | 39 | — | Awake Is the New Sleep |
| "Catch My Disease" | 2005 | 27 | — | |
| "Into the Dark"[A] | 97 | — | ||
| "We're All in This Together" | 2006 | 59 | — | |
| "Love Me Like the World Is Ending" | 2007 | 18 | — | Ripe |
| "Numb" | 54 | — | ||
| "I Love Pop Music" | 2009 | 86 | — | The Rebirth of Venus |
| "Rise Up" | — | — | ||
| "Song for the Divine Mother of the Universe" | 2010 | — | — | |
| "Big Love" | 2015 | — | — | Love Is the Great Rebellion |
| "Born for This Bullshit"[10] | 2021 | — | — | I'm Fun! |
| "Like This or Like That"[21] | 2022 | — | — | |
| "Parents Get High" | — | — | ||
| "Arsehole" | — | |||
| "Tuck Shop" (withNinajirachi)[22] |
2023 | — | — | Non-album singles |
| "Monday Morning" (Rob & Chad featuring Ben Lee) |
— | — | ||
| "God Honest Truth" (Shamir featuring Ben Lee) |
2024 | — | — | |
| "Over Asking (Sold)" | — | — | ||
| "Lovers"[23] | — | — | This One's for the Old Headz | |
| "Heavy Metal"[19] | — | — | ||
| "Positive Energy"[24] | — | — | ||
Notes
- A^The Australian peak for theInto the DarkEP is on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Promotional singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Career Choice" | 1998 | Something to Remember Me By |
| "Dead or Anything" (as part of Dando Lee Petersson Schwartzman) |
2002 | Dando Lee Petersson Schwartzman |
| "In My Life" | 2005 | This Bird Has Flown – A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul |
| "American Television" | 2008 | Ripe |
| "What's So Bad (About Feeling Good)?" | 2009 | The Rebirth of Venus |
| "Forgiveness" | 2015 | Love Is the Great Rebellion |
| "The Body of Love" | ||
| "Goodbye to Yesterday" |
Other appearances
edit- "Itchycoo Park"fromI Shot Andy Warhol(1996)
- "Make Your Move" (featuringIone Skye) fromSpider(2007)
- "Beautiful Flirt" (with Ione Skye and Jack Graddis) fromBear(2011)
- "We're All in This Together" (withJack RiverandLime Cordiale) fromMusic from the Home Front(2020)
Awards and nominations
editAIR Awards
editThe Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally asAIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Awake Is the New Sleep | Best Performing Independent Album | Nominated | [25] |
| Ben Lee | Independent Artist of the Year | Nominated |
ARIA Music Awards
editTheARIA Music Awardsis an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres ofAustralian music.They commenced in 1987. Lee has won four awards.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Breathing Tornados | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Male Artist | Nominated | |||
| "Cigarettes Will Kill You" | Single of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2003 | hey you. yes you. | Best Male Artist | Nominated | |
| 2005 | "Catch My Disease" | Single of the Year | Won | [26] |
| Awake Is the New Sleep | Best Male Artist | Won | ||
| Best Independent Release | Won | |||
| Album of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best Pop Release | Nominated | |||
| Awake Is the New Sleep(Ben Lee, Lara Meyerratken, Dan Estabrook) | Best Cover Art | Won | ||
| 2006 | "We're All in This Together" | Best Male Artist | Nominated | |
| Best Independent Release | Nominated | |||
| Into the Dark | Best Pop Release | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Ripe | Best Independent Release | Nominated | |
| The Square(with Jessica Chapnik) | Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album | Nominated | [27] |
APRA Awards
editTheAPRA Awardsare held in Australia and New Zealand by theAustralasian Performing Right Associationto recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Catch My Disease" | Song of the Year | Won | [28] |
| Most Performed Australian Work | Won | [29] |
Australian Music Prize
editTheAustralian Music Prize(the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. They commenced in 2005.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Awake Is the New Sleep | Australian Music Prize | Nominated | [30] |
References
edit- ^Vagg, Stephen (14 July 2019)."Australian Singers Turned Actors".Filmink.
- ^"AOL Radio Stations | Free Internet Radio".Spinner.com.Archived fromthe originalon 12 February 2012.Retrieved5 April2016.
- ^"Reviews for The Rebirth of Venus by Ben Lee".Metacritic.com.Retrieved5 April2016.
- ^abcdPeaks in Australia:
- Top 50 peaks:"australian-charts.com – Discography Ben Lee".Hung Medien.Retrieved29 July2016.
- Top 100 peaks to December 2010:Ryan, Gavin (2011).Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010(PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 163.
- "Nothing Much Happens":"Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 24 May 2016".Imgur.com.Retrieved26 November2016.
- Love Is the Great Rebellion:Ryan, Gavin (6 June 2015)."ARIA Albums: Florence + The Machine Debuts at No 1".Noise11.Retrieved6 June2015.
- ^"Ben Lee".Pledgemusic.com.Retrieved5 April2016.
- ^Annabel Ross (4 April 2013)."The Voice | Ben Lee".Theage.com.au.Retrieved5 April2016.
- ^"Album Premiere: Listen to Ben Lee's Love Is the Great Rebellion".Pastemagazine.com.Retrieved5 April2016.
- ^Wood, Geoff (19 June 2015)."Yoga music goes mainstream".Radio National.Retrieved30 May2021.
- ^Schneider, Kate (20 September 2021)."Judges shocked as Ben Lee revealed on Masked Singer".news.com.au.News Corp Australia.Retrieved21 September2021.
- ^ab"Warner Confirms Ben Lee Signing".The Music Network.September 2021.Retrieved25 September2021.
- ^"Pop Singer Ben Lee Comes Out of the 'Ayahuasca Closet' [INTERVIEW]".The Huffington Post.24 June 2013.
- ^Molitorisz, Sacha (9 November 2002)."The ballad of Ben Lee".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved30 November2013.
- ^"The many layers of Mr. Lee".The Sun-Herald.2 September 2007.
- ^"A Wedding in India for Actress Ione Skye".People.com.11 January 2009.
- ^"Vegetarian StarShould Ben Lee Be De-Throned?".Vegetarianstar.com.22 September 2008.Retrieved25 July2017.
- ^"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Albums"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association.Retrieved27 December2021.
- ^"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Albums"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association.Retrieved29 July2016.
- ^"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association.Retrieved28 December2021.
- ^ab"BEN LEE Releases New Album 'This One's For The Old Headz'".Good Call Live.20 September 2024.Retrieved24 September2024.
- ^"BEN LEE | full Official Charts history".Official Charts Company.Retrieved29 July2016.
- ^"New Aus Music Playlist ADDITIONS – 08/04/22".Music Feeds.8 April 2022.Retrieved9 April2022.
- ^"Ben Lee On Ninajirachi Collab 'Tuck Shop'".The Music.2 June 2023.Retrieved4 June2023.
- ^"Ben Lee Gets Sincere on the Romantic 'Lovers'".Rolling Stone Australiadate=19 April 2024.19 April 2024.Retrieved19 May2024.
- ^"Positive Energy Single".Am Rap.9 August 2024.Retrieved12 August2024.
- ^"History Wins".Australian Independent Record Labels Association.Retrieved18 August2020.
- ^"ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2005: 19th Annual ARIA Awards".Australian Recording Industry Association(ARIA). Archived fromthe originalon 17 December 2007.Retrieved2 December2021.
- ^ARIA Award previous winners."History Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album".Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).Retrieved16 July2022.
- ^"Previous Winners Song of the Year".Australasian Performing Right Association(APRA).Retrieved5 May2010.
- ^"2006 Winners – APRA Music Awards".Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived fromthe originalon 8 March 2011.Retrieved5 May2010.
- ^"Winners & Shortlists".australian music prize.Retrieved22 August2020.
