Singer channels country roots
If you ask Ben Cooper, the integrity of music is best captured and expressed when it is a live performance: Raw, stripped down and authentic.
It’s the reason the singer/songwriter decided to make his first solo CD a live studio album, and why he decided to title it Integrity.
“I think it was important to capture the performance. It’s not as fabricated,” he says. “I love performing and I think, or I hope, that comes across when you hear the album.”
After moving to Ottawa from Northern Ontario seven years ago, Cooper formed the band Stone Melodies, and recorded an EP and two full-length CDs. But after the members parted ways, Cooper saw a chance to return to his musical roots and draw upon the classic country and rock artists that inspired him to learn music in the first place.
As a one-man show, Cooper’s music has twangs of country mixed with catchy rock melodies, and bittersweet blues. His album is eclectic, but not disjointed. Maybe because of the live approach, or maybe just thanks to Cooper’s skill, it always seems natural.
Cooper says it took him a year to write, produce and record Integrity, but it may have taken a lot less time if not for a serious computer malfunction. Of course, it might have also been a very different album.
“I had almost a full album, recorded, polished and on my hard drive. My computer had a meltdown and I lost everything, but instead of getting upset I just thought screw it. I need to do it live this time, without all the bells and whistles.”
When I ask him if that computer malfunction was just an accident, or the universe’s way of sending him a message, Cooper pauses for a moment, then answers.
“Maybe it was a message, because I do think this is the album I was meant to make.”
Ben Cooper plays Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Café Dekuf, 221 Rideau St. He will be joined by Peter Voith, Tyler Kealey, Shawn Tavanier and Jeff Rogers. Tickets are $10.
