HEY YOU. YES YOU TOUR – SEPTEMBER 2003
Last time he graced Australian stages he was one of three Bens. This time it's all Lee. That's Ben Lee, of course.
The Frontier Touring Company are thrilled to confirm that Ben Lee will be returning to Australia in 2003 for his Hey You. Yes You. national tour.
Ben Lee and his music are somewhat difficult to define. In 1993 Lee and his Sydney school friends started Noise Addict when he was just fourteen years old. It was a time when Australian alternative music was still in its developmental stages and it wasn't a straight forward era for young bands. They managed however, to attract the attention of some high profile music figures, including Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, the Lemonheads' Evan Dando and The Beastie Boys' Mike Diamond. Heavyweights in the international music scene, each of these men contributed considerably to the increasing profile of Lee and Noise Addict. Such early success, however, inevitably lumped Lee with the "teen hero" tag which took some time for him to shake.
It was the success of his solo work, the single Cigarettes Will Kill You and his album Breathing Tornados that proved to be a breakthrough for his solo career and helped shake past pre-conceptions of his music. Lee's strong support and success in the US had led him to base himself out of America, where he still remains today.
In an interview with The Age, Lee commented, "I'm not pub-rock, but I'm not fey little indie music with no sex in it, either. I'm an anomaly. That used to frustrate me, but now I just embrace it. I'm a freak of nature – and I'm gonna live it out for you, baby!"
And it would seem that his attitude is proving increasingly popular down under. Lee's latest album Hey You. Yes You was released to critical acclaim in Australia in November 2002. The single Something Borrowed, Something Blue became a radio staple and the early 2003 tour with Ben Kweller and Ben Folds was a sell out success.
2003 will also be the acting debut of Ben Lee in the movie The Rage In Placid Lake, released in Australia in late August. The movie, co-starring Rose Byrne and Miranda Richardson, is described as dark comedy about a non-conformist teenager.
September 2003 will see Lee undertake a major tour of Australia which will undoubtedly keep the old fans happy and the new ones ecstatic. Joining him on the road will be Waikiki, who Lee already has a close relationship with. Recently he collaborated with the up-and-coming Australian band on their singles Here Comes September and Complicated.
Waikiki first came into the public eye two years ago with their debut EP Presents. They have since captured the devotions of the masses with their infectious brand of inspired indie pop.
And finally rounding out the lineup will be new US sensation Longwave, who will join the tour from Melbourne onwards. Fresh from supporting The Strokes in the US, Longwave are causing something of a sensation in music circles. Kerrang's review of their London gig summed up the live experience of the band, "the crowd are treated to a spellbinding aural experience of searing guitars and slo-burning crescendos." The combination of Ben Lee, Waikiki and Longwave will make this one of the most worthwhile live experiences this year.
Tickets for Ben Lee with special guests Waikiki and Longwave will be on sale on Friday 27 June 2003. The shows will be performed in intimate venues across the country, so make sure you snap your tickets up quick!
