about ben patton

As a pop-rock singer-songwriter, Ben has released three solo albums, two "Muller and Patton" duo albums, and a live concert DVD. He has toured in Europe, Asia, and around America.
As a composer-songwriter, he has written music for feature films, television programs, radio, and advertising, for such companies as FashionTV, Bigfoot Entertainment, QTV and Disney.

Ben Patton was born and raised in northern Vermont, the son of two musicians, Deb and Will Patton. He wrote and recorded ten home-made albums before he was out of his teens, selling them at his performances around New England. He also toured occasionally with acclaimed Vermont-based youth chorus Village Harmony. At nineteen he relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, where he recorded his milestone "debut" release "Here's the Good News Album".
In 2004, Ben formed a duo with his friend, German-born songwriter Jaye Muller, who's award-winning album "We Are the Majority", released under the moniker "J", had sparked controversy around Europe. In London, they collaborated on an album called, simply, "Muller and Patton", which was met with critical acclaim and a cult following.
In 2005 Ben relocated to Berlin, Germany, and toured in both Europe and Asia. With Jaye Muller and a six piece backup band, he taped "Muller and Patton: 50505 LIVE", a concert DVD.
The following year he moved to New York City, where he recorded his second solo album "Because the Heart", and gave frequent, impassioned solo performances at Big Apple clubs, while expanding his reach into the world of television, radio and advertising music.
Flying back to London to work at legendary Abbey Road Studios, Ben Patton and Jaye Muller reprised their successful collaboration on an ambitious theme-album entitled "Jonathan and Bailey". The album would be one of the final Abbey Road projects of now retired engineer Nick Webb, who's work for the studio includes the latter half of the Beatles' discography and much of their respective solo work. Jonathan and Bailey will be released this fall.
He has just released his third solo album "The Unquiet and Apart".

photography by Sujay S. Dahake

press

"[Patton is]a master of pop craft... perfectly raw... Anthemic guitar melodies ala Bruce Springsteen, Beatles-esque guitar riffs, Celtic folk rock with the sparkle of a mandolin, Beach Boys harmonies and lonely Dylan harmonica all make an appearance... It's not right to pick favorites from songs of this caliber... in full rock band mode, Patton's songs explore such off-beat situations with wit, humor, and a mixture of impatience and compassion for his characters and himself."

-Jedd Kettler, County Courier, on "The Unquiet and Apart"

"Rarely is something this sophisticated also this much fun."

-John Leckie (producer, John Lennon, Radiohead, Muse), on "Jonathan and Bailey"

"Exquisitely produced.... Patton's songwriting shows remarkable dimension.... swoon-worthy."

- Casey Rea, Seven Days, on "Because the Heart"

"These guys sound like a gently heated debate between Fountains of Wayne, Ben Folds Five, and Ben Kweller after hours in the glitziest hotel ballroom in the world. Their well-observed lyrics and shimmering west coast harmonies make this a treat for anyone who wants their heartstrings warming in the winter winds."

- KarmaDownload.com on "Muller and Patton"

"I consider him the finest singer-songwriter I've ever heard"

- record producer and former Beach Boys manager Jack Rieley, in an interview in the Brattleboro Reformer

"...The most refreshing music I've heard in a long, long time. For me, this is the album of the year..."

- Thom Hartmann, Syndicated Radio Host

"Tin Pan Alley tunes for the 2000s.... Patton's lyrics are wildly creative.... great depth and a mastery of craft... Patton's "Here's the Good News Album" contains some of the best pop music being produced today."

- Alan Haber, of buhdge.com and host of "Pure Pop" radio show

"Here's the Good News Album presents an uncommon and even strange mix of low-fi/indie rock sonics and ambitious arrangements.... although Patton's album is pop-rock, it's not for the faint of heart."

- Alan Lewis, the Vermont Guardian

"[Patton's Music] delights the close listener. .... intelligent lyrics both amusing and intimate. Lyrically, Patton unrolls his songs line by line, revealing new subtleties with each. [He] charts a confident and delightful course through lush, quirky pop, guitar rock, folk, and stripped-down jazz. It's a trip worth taking."

- Jedd Kettler, County Courier, on "Because the Heart'

"If Weezer went back to 1967 and were playing in Brian Wilson's sandbox for "Smiley Smile," it would sound just like this."

- Garageband.com on "Muller and Patton"

"This 22 year old is in command of over 60 years worth of pop-music sensibilities.... Patton has created lyrics that spin the listener around, and catchy melodic hooks that make nearly every song a toe tapper.... Even when there's a full George Martin-esque sound, the background music doesn't detract from the artist's music or lyrics. ...a non-stop pleasant surprise."

- Robert Resnik, Seven Days, Burlington, VT

"Hats off to an exciting young artist! "Here's the Good News Album" uses almost every production strategem known to man... He wears his heart on his sleeve... Ben has an exciting command of the english language... It's a crime some one of America's major labels hasn't snapped up this disc. It's better than 97% of the product that hits record store bins."

- Lyle Glidden, The St. Albans Messenger, St. Albans, VT

"Patton's guitar takes a back seat in the stretch limo of sounds... that don't find their way onto pop albums every day."

- Brent Hallenbeck, the Burlington Free Press, Burlington, VT

"The highlight performer was Ben Patton, [his] music gently rocked the hills."

- Joyce Marcel, the Brattleboro Reformer, in an article about the "Hot Music Live in the Park" concert in Brattleboro Vermont.