Ben McNeil
Ben McNeil, a singer/songwriter from Nowra, influenced by Jeff Buckley, The Foo Fighters, Bon Iver and Radiohead among others.
Ben grew up in the Shoalhaven though moved to Sydney in his early twenties, where he honed his song writing skills, before helping to form the band ‘A Day Late’, an acoustic pop/rock outfit, where Ben sang lead Vocals and played rhythm Guitar. They recorded with producer Stuart Stuart, who played a big part in ‘The Veronicas’ signing to Warner Bros.
The songs they recorded had some local success winning an ABC radio song contest and helped them in being the number one indie band on MP3.com.au for a number of weeks.
During this time Ben also played solo gigs around the city, impressing those who came to see him, with his performing style and vocal range.
Ben moved back to Nowra late 2008 and began writing new songs and recording them in his bedroom before venturing out to start performing solo at such diverse venues as the naval college HMAS Creswell, the Tea Club, Shoalhaven River Boat hire in Terara, and the Nowra Golf Club. Ben quickly landed a steady gig playing covers at the Bottlerocket Cocktail bar playing their ‘Live and Local Sunday Sessions’.
In October 2010 Ben entered the North Nowra Tavern’s ‘Tav’s Got Talent’ and went on to win. Following the competition the local radio stations Power FM and 2ST both had Ben in for a live performance and an interview.
In May 2011, Ben was added to the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre’s books as a local artist for support of touring artists, and supported the Melbourne band ‘Skipping Girl Vinegar’ on their most recent tour.
At present Ben is in the pre production stages of recording an as yet unnamed record with a local producer to be released by the end of the year. Ben creates infectious, heart-felt acoustic pop/rock accompanied by some sweet fingerpickin’ and killer guitar work. Ben very recently released his newest single, ‘Call Today’, which is available on iTunes.
Example of Songlist
Blackbird – The Beatles
Moon dance – Van Morrison
Wake up – Coheed and Cambria
Stand By Me – John Lennon
Better be home soon – Crowded House
Remember to breathe – Dashboard Confessional
Sittin’ on the dock of the bay – Otis Redding
Is She Really Going Out With Him – Jackson Browne
Pretty Pathetic - The Smoking Popes
My hero – Foo Fighters
Wonderwall – Oasis
Last goodbye - Jeff Buckley
Easy – Lionel Ritchie/Faith No More
Billie jean – Michael Jackson
About a girl – Nirvana
Wish you were here – Pink Floyd
Originals
Written In the Skies
Yesterdays
My Girl
Find My Way
Oceans
I’ll Be Home Soon
Here For You
Fly
Smile
Don’t grow Up
Call Today
Bookings can be made on (02) 4443 3422 or complete an enquiry form
