Benjamin Booker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Booker
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Benjamin Booker in New Orleans, LA (9 October 2024)
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| Birth name | Benjamin Roderick Evans |
| Born | June 14, 1989 Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States |
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| Years active | 2012–present |
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Benjamin Booker (born Benjamin Roderick Evans on June 14, 1989) is an American musician. He is known for his powerful singing, songwriting, and guitar playing. His music blends different styles like blues, rock, and soul. People have described his sound as "raw" and "explosive garage rock." He gets ideas from artists like The Gun Club and T. Rex.
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Early Life and Music Start
Benjamin Booker was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Later, his family moved to Tampa, Florida. As a teenager, he loved going to local punk rock shows. He studied music at Orange Grove Middle School and then attended Hillsborough High School.
After high school, he went to the University of Florida. He studied journalism, thinking he might write about music. But after college, he moved to New Orleans and started playing his own music. In 2012, he released a short collection of songs called Waiting Ones. This collection caught the attention of music blogs. One of his songs, "Have You Seen My Son," even played on satellite radio. Soon after, he began touring and signed with ATO Records to make his first full album.
Music Career Highlights
First Album: Benjamin Booker (2014)
Benjamin Booker's first album, named Benjamin Booker, came out on August 19, 2014. It was recorded in Nashville. The first song from the album, "Violent Shiver," was released a few months earlier.
This album quickly became popular. It appeared on Billboard charts for alternative and independent albums. Rolling Stone magazine called him an "artist you need to know." He also performed his songs on popular TV shows like Late Night with David Letterman.
After the album came out, Benjamin Booker toured a lot. He played with famous musicians like Jack White and Courtney Barnett. He also performed at many music festivals around the world. These included the Newport Folk Festival, Lollapalooza, and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
Second Album: Witness (2017)
Booker's second album, Witness, was released on June 2, 2017. The album's main song, "Witness," featured the legendary singer Mavis Staples. This song, and others on the album, talked about important social issues. Critics praised the album for its mix of blues, gospel, and soul music. The New York Times called "Witness" "a piano-pounding hymn."
Another song from the album, "Right on You," was described as a "high-tempo ballad that packs a punch." After Witness was released, many people said Benjamin Booker's music blended punk, soul, and blues in a fresh way. Pitchfork noted that his music made "retro music feel modern" by reflecting on important topics in America.
After touring for Witness, Benjamin Booker took some time away from the spotlight. In 2020, he released a song called "Black Disco." He has also appeared on songs by other artists more recently.
Benjamin Booker's Music
Benjamin Booker has released several albums and EPs. Here are some of his main works:
Studio Albums
- Benjamin Booker (2014)
- Witness (2017)
- LOWER (2025)
Live Albums
- Live at Third Man Records (2015) - This was released only on vinyl records.
EPs (Extended Plays)
- Waiting Ones (2012)
- Spotify Sessions (2014) - This was available only online through Spotify.
Singles
- "Violent Shiver" (2014)
- "Witness" (2017)
- "Black Disco" (2020)
