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Benj is a Peterborough area singer/songwriter and
multi-instrumentalist who has worked in a wide variety of music
projects. Benj has done numerous 4 track recordings, plays in
a duo called Tin Can Chris + Bottle Neck Benj, and is a
member of the Gin N Tonixxx. Benj is also a visual artist,
exploring pinhole photography, printmaking, screen-printing, graphic
novel creation and super 8 filmmaking. His CD's and merchandise
(buttons, t-shirts, stickers, graphic novels, handmade instruments
and more) always include his own original images and handmade
works of art. He has performed live scores for his super 8 films
and presented numerous multi-media performances using music, performance
and super8 film. This past winter several local DJ's got together
for a night of Benj Rowland re-mixes. This summer, he was featured
along with other local musicians in the Blue Grass Opera Rigoletto,
a new feature film created in Peterborough. He has also composed
and performed music for dance, theatre, and performance art events
for a variety of different artists. One of his songs was even
bought by Cogeco Cable this year as a theme for one of their shows!
Benj was honoured at the Peterborough
Folk Festival in 2005 with the Emerging Artist of the
year award. His influences include old country, blues, and experimental
music, as well as all the local people working in music who have
helped out or been an inspiration.
As well as playing a wide variety of stringed and other instruments,
Benj has also designed and crafted many of the unique instruments
that he plays. Benj takes an original and improvisational approach
to his four-track recordings and compositions, often including
people, children and other creatures who happen to walk into his
studio while he is recording his many layered arrangements. His
recordings often include him playing many instruments, including:
banjo, violin, drums, antique pump organ, portable pump organ,
various whistles, ocarinas, mountain dulcimer, slide banjo, washtub
bass, voice and more!!
Benj and Chris, The County Boys, at the log cabin on Baxter Creek
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