BEN KWELLER - New Video, Album, Tour News

MUSIC NEWS - Ben Kweller has announced the premiere of his new music video for his new tune, "Fight " on MySpace Music today, Thursday, January 29. It's one of the highlighted tracks from his soon-to-be released album "Changing Horses" (due February 3rd from ATO Records). Check out the "Fight" video(below), and be careful on the highway!!! It's upbeat representation of the album's musical craftsmanship, a work indebted to Country music and the kind of poignant songwriting one expects from the seasoned musician. The music video for "Fight" is a good-natured clip that poignantly illustrates the lengths one will go for their buddies in a pinch.

"Changing Horses" was produced by Kweller and recorded mainly in Austin, TX, where he and his family recently moved. The title of the new album is meaningful, as it represents a significant change for the 27-year-old Texas-bred musician. Beginning with his first record, "Sha Sha ," released back in 2002, Kweller's albums have always been stylistically restless, moving from indie rock to ballads to anti-folk to melodic chug rock, often from song to song. "Changing Horses ," on the other hand, is more focused; a full-blown, pop/country affair, full of pedal steel, twang and multi-part harmonies. It features his great touring band -- Chris Morrissey on bass and vocals, and Mark Stepro on drums and vocals -- as well as Kitt Kitterman on pedal steel. Like all of Kweller's work, the new album is filled with unforgettable melodies and soulful lyrics that could only come from someone sensitive to the human spirit.

To make the record, Kweller dug down to his deepest roots. "I grew up bass-fishing, playing in creeks, and shooting BB guns," Kweller says. "Country music was the soundtrack to my life. It's still a big part of who I am. When Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson come on the radio, somethin' happens inside. Brings me back to the trees, back to pushin' cars out of the mud. Reminds me of my hometown."

For Kweller, releasing a country album is the realization of a long-held goal. "I've been working on Horses for years." he says. "I wrote the first song for it when I was 16. Over time, I've collected these songs that fit together and wanted to release them together. I didn't want to try and fit them on my other albums one or two at a time."

Mr Kweller and his band, just finished one tour of America, the UK and Europe, and now have confirmed a North American tour for 2009 to support the release of the "Changing Horses " album. We've listed the confirmed tour dates below, with west coast shows and more international dates adding soon.

Click on; Ben Kweller, Fight Video .

Ben Kweller 2009 North American Tour Itinerary -

February
16 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown
17 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
18 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
21 - Cleveland, OH - Case Western
22 - Toronto, ONT - The Mod Club Theatre
24 - Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre
25 - New York, NY - Town Hall
26 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
27 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA
28 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel

March
01 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
03 - Lousiville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
04 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
05 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
06 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theater