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Ben Gunning

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FEATURED SONG
Take The Hook
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Take The Hook
Album:
Released: Jan 1, 2010
Label:

General Info

  • Genre: Alternative / Progressive / R&B

    Location Toronto, Ontario, Ca

    Profile Views: 29828

    Last Login: 8/22/2012

    Member Since 10/26/2005

    Website www.bengunning.com

    Record Label zunior

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    .."It took Ben Gunning a while, but he did at last release what could be his Moby Dick.".. (Metro News).. .. The Zunior Music Label proudly presents Mal De Mer, the brand new album from Ben Gunning... .. Beginning as front man and founding member of the 90s alternative cult band Local Rabbits, Gunning has been a part of the Canadian music scene for 15 years. He's toured with national icons such as Sloan, The Inbreds, and the Rheostatics, and as a solo artist and writer, has collaborated with Neko Case, Mantler and Thrush Hermit, among others. .."He has refined a kind of mellow, introspective and soulful pop that, though immensely accessible, remains somewhat left of center and still maintains something of the non-conformist nature of the band he devoted 12 years of his life to. And for that we can all be grateful.".. (Express/Hour).. .. Mal De Mer, the long-awaited follow-up to Gunning's debut record (Beigy Blur), is a 13 song 'song cycle' that chronicles the growing disillusionment of a cruise ship employee, produced by Zack G (Mantler, Landau). .."Written in meticulously rhymed prose and sung in Gunning's distinctive taut falsetto, the lyrics vividly depict a godless, unnatural world full of societal alienation and frivolous entertainment, and its effect on the protagonist's spirit. All of this is set to equally ambitious, and nearly unclassifiable, music that combines jazz, R&B, hip-hop and prog rock...Moreover, it's funky as hell.".. (Now Weekly).. .. .. Press Quotes:.. .. .."Ben Gunning has an exquisite sense of melody".. – Mojo Magazine.. .. .."It's a funky, beautiful album".. (Mal de Mer - 4 stars) – Eye Weekly.. .. ......

  • Members

    Combinations of: Ben Gunning, Robin Buckley, Doug Friesen, Dafydd Hughes, Josh Van Tassel, Vincent Spilchuk, Michael Holt

  • Influences

    anita baker, blonde redhead, d'angelo, e.s.t., ghostface killah, kate and anna mcgarrigle, yellowman, pat metheny, jodeci, led zeppelin, wagon christ, keith jarret, steely dan, thelonious monk, supertramp, suicide, jaga jazzist, parliament, thomas dolby, vic chesnut, musique, phil collins, jack dejohnette, nas, dionne warwick, jesus lizard, bob dylan, rich harrison, elvis costello, polvo, michael mcdonald, gza, whitney houston, bad plus, henry threadgill, jesse winchester, joni mitchell, yes, gary burton, talking heads, bobby caldwell, stevie wonder, john prine, prince, sonic youth, van morrison, eek a mouse, will oldham, john lee hooker, pavement, john scofield, al tuck, chaka khan, steve winwood, kenny wheeler, mantler, mahivishnu orchestra, leonard cohen, george benson, tom waits, black flag, bruce springsteen, squarepusher, talk talk, burt bacharach, zz top, sparks, sizzla, james taylor...

  • Sounds Like

    Rhythm-heavy and modern music by ex-Local Rabbit singer/guitarist Ben Gunning. Rooted in songwriting, the music is lyrically, compositionally and instrumentally ambitious and unique, drawing from diverse genres : jazz, R&B and progressive rock. It is conceived and presented with care and effort.

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Comments

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  • Lonely Vagabond

    Great review of the 7-inch in Now Magazine, "The Montreal-born, Toronto-based former Local Rabbit constantly takes the road-less-travelled approach to songwriting, bravely blending smooth jazz with R&B funkiness, pop melodies and lyrics that aren’t easily penetrated and are sung in his disarming, quirky, sky-high voice"

    2 years ago
  • Backnbloom

    Take a second and enjoy our new Freelance Whales remix! .............Don't forget to vote!! ..................Thanks so much for your support!! http://tiny.cc/g9wz5

    2 years ago
  • Backnbloom

    Take a second and enjoy our new Freelance Whales remix! .............Don't forget to vote!! ..................Thanks so much for your support!! http://tiny.cc/g9wz5

    2 years ago
  • Lonely Vagabond

    Great CD review in Eye Magazine "Each hilarious track investigates psychological torment in a new nautical environment — “On Their Dime” describes casino-goer woes through a rhythmic piano/guitar arrangement, while “I Can’t Swim” explicitly intones, “I am not a pirate” over a disco groove; Gunning’s rich falsetto flutters throughout the ship decks. It’s a funky, beautiful album that’s definitely seaworthy"

    3 years ago
  • The Adam Brown

    Hey Ben! Awesome stuff!

    3 years ago
  • ARABROT



    takk for add

    3 years ago
  • MRPRDCR

    ben, how's things? i've been keeping busy writing pop music these days - mostly co-writes for other artists.
    what's good in your world?

    4 years ago
  • MRPRDCR

    What's the word Gunning? Long time!

    4 years ago
  • Christine Redvers

    Really cool music here Ben. Glad I found you =)

    If you've got a minute, check out DK Ibomeka:


    -C

    4 years ago
  • Alyssa McFadden

    Ben ur music is so F#$%ing sweet! Your voice is so original. I have to hear more of your stuff man! Do you ever come to Montreal cuz Im visiting this summer. I want you!!! xoxoxo Any new music in the works?

    -Alyssa

    4 years ago
10 of 100More

Bio:

“It took Ben Gunning a while, but he did at last release what could be his Moby Dick.” (Metro News)

The Zunior Music Label proudly presents Mal De Mer, the brand new album from Ben Gunning.

Beginning as front man and founding member of the 90s alternative cult band Local Rabbits, Gunning has been a part of the Canadian music scene for 15 years. He's toured with national icons such as Sloan, The Inbreds, and the Rheostatics, and as a solo artist and writer, has collaborated with Neko Case, Mantler and Thrush Hermit, among others. “He has refined a kind of mellow, introspective and soulful pop that, though immensely accessible, remains somewhat left of center and still maintains something of the non-conformist nature of the band he devoted 12 years of his life to. And for that we can all be grateful.” (Express/Hour)

Mal De Mer, the long-awaited follow-up to Gunning’s debut record (Beigy Blur), is a 13 song ‘song cycle’ that chronicles the growing disillusionment of a cruise ship employee, produced by Zack G (Mantler, Landau). “Written in meticulously rhymed prose and sung in Gunning’s distinctive taut falsetto, the lyrics vividly depict a godless, unnatural world full of societal alienation and frivolous entertainment, and its effect on the protagonist’s spirit. All of this is set to equally ambitious, and nearly unclassifiable, music that combines jazz, R&B, hip-hop and prog rock...Moreover, it’s funky as hell.” (Now Weekly)


Press Quotes:

“Ben Gunning has an exquisite sense of melody” – Mojo Magazine

“It’s a funky, beautiful album” (Mal de Mer - 4 stars) – Eye Weekly

..

Member Since:

October 26, 2005

Members:

Combinations of: Ben Gunning, Robin Buckley, Doug Friesen, Dafydd Hughes, Josh Van Tassel, Vincent Spilchuk, Michael Holt

Influences:

anita baker, blonde redhead, d'angelo, e.s.t., ghostface killah, kate and anna mcgarrigle, yellowman, pat metheny, jodeci, led zeppelin, wagon christ, keith jarret, steely dan, thelonious monk, supertramp, suicide, jaga jazzist, parliament, thomas dolby, vic chesnut, musique, phil collins, jack dejohnette, nas, dionne warwick, jesus lizard, bob dylan, rich harrison, elvis costello, polvo, michael mcdonald, gza, whitney houston, bad plus, henry threadgill, jesse winchester, joni mitchell, yes, gary burton, talking heads, bobby caldwell, stevie wonder, john prine, prince, sonic youth, van morrison, eek a mouse, will oldham, john lee hooker, pavement, john scofield, al tuck, chaka khan, steve winwood, kenny wheeler, mantler, mahivishnu orchestra, leonard cohen, george benson, tom waits, black flag, bruce springsteen, squarepusher, talk talk, burt bacharach, zz top, sparks, sizzla, james taylor...

Sounds Like:

Rhythm-heavy and modern music by ex-Local Rabbit singer/guitarist Ben Gunning. Rooted in songwriting, the music is lyrically, compositionally and instrumentally ambitious and unique, drawing from diverse genres : jazz, R&B and progressive rock. It is conceived and presented with care and effort.

Record Label:

zunior

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