Ropeadope

No matter how tough the breaks, Ben Arnold finds a way to step back and put life into proper perspective. It makes for the kind of universal songs that are as spiritually substantial as their hooks are relentless; akin to those that once found life atop the pop charts by the likes of Cat Stevens, Randy Newman, Graham Parker, Warren Zevon and more recently David Gray. "I’ve been writing music in one way or another for my entire life. Lately, I’ve been collaborating on songs with other people, doing session work & indy film soundtracks as well as other less egocentric band projects, says Ben. & hear what's out there; and it's still the same time worn themes of love, lost love and politics we've all been singing for centuries. At this point, it's the craft and the twisting of those themes that interests me the most." from big budget major label record deals to self-financed recordings, Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Ben Arnold has seen both sides of the proverbial coin. It’s a journey that has no doubt informed his songwriting. But despite the highs and lows, Ben finds himself exactly where he's meant to be in his career, a self-sustaining artist composing his finest songs to date, playing to a loyal, ever-expanding audience and on the verge of releasing a new album that is yet another benchmark in his steadily growing discography. The very fact that Ropeadope (a label best known for cutting edge artists like the Benevento Russo duo, King Britt, Sex Mob and Tin Hat) would offer a home to an artist in a genre it's never yet navigated speaks volumes about the universal appeal of Ben's artistry. Ben Arnold’s music has been reaching people for over a decade. He first arrived on the national scene in 1995 with his high profile Ruffhouse/Columbia release, almost speechless. Despite rave reviews, like so many major label deals during that time, the relationship was short-lived. Ben’s critically acclaimed 2000 independently released follow-up, in case I’m gone tomorrow, was cited in the top 10 indy releases by performing songwriter magazine that year. 2004 saw the nationally released calico on Sci fidelity records. The Washington post declared: "calico recalls bob Dylan’s hauntingly textured collaborations with Daniel Lanois, all of the songs come off without a hitch or a lull," while paste magazine stated: "his voice conveys a gentle, soulful growl; his lyrics are witty but not cloying; and his music draws on rock, folk, r&b and all genres in between." since calico's release, Ben has had five of those songs appear on the soundtrack to cbs' Joan of Arcadia. As well, he has made live on-air appearances on such high regarded radio shows as the world cafe, mountain stage, e-town and xm cafe Ben Arnold has toured throughout the united states and Europe with various line-ups both solo and with his rollicking live band. He has shared a stage with everyone from Ryan Adams, David gray, Ben folds and Lucinda Williams to Ron Sexsmith, Randy Newman and even a strangely magical tour in Holland with Townes Van Zandt. While maintaining a relatively low touring profile during the recording and in the build up to the release of nevermind my blues, Ben plans to tour extensively throughout 2007 and 2008.