Vince Leigh’s Single Review: Tears Flow by Ben Walker
By Drummer Vince Leigh (Pseudo Echo, John Farnham, Tina Arena) from the Australian Radio Promotions
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Ben Walker’s last two single releases, Castles and Time to Go, attracted crucial support from radio networks across Australia, including KIX COUNTRY NETWORK, ABC LOCAL, TAMWORTH 2TM, 2MO – SUPER NETWORK, FLOW FM NETWORK, GOOD MORNING COUNTRY SYNDICATION and AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY SYNDICATION.
His latest track, Tears Flow, yet again displays one of the singer-songwriter’s most prominent skill sets; an ability to draw forth a narrative from everyday occurrences and the accommodating method of communicating those vignettes in a naturalistic, almost disarmingly modest way. This is perhaps the most credible characteristic for an indie-country slash folk music artist to possess. The unadorned transposing of these observations is what makes them so effective, conjuring an air of authenticity that never seems to warrant questioning, enabling the listener to sit back and let the chosen details build into an amiable yet nonetheless focused probing of society.
As Ben says about the new release, ‘Tears Flow is a nod to all those who feel they have to put up a “front”. It was inspired by a friend of mine who always came across in public and on social media as being highly successful and very happy – in fact, if I’m honest, I felt I couldn’t live up to their achievements. One day they let slip that they had been going through a very difficult time – I felt stupid for not realising, but they’d seemed the “life and soul of the party”, the reality, behind closed doors, was quite different.’ Ben now divides his time between writing, producing and performing regularly around Sydney and beyond. Recently, he’s had the opportunity to collaborate on songs with internationally renowned songwriters, including Allan Caswell, Beth Lucas, and Stephen Dobson. In January, Ben will again head to the Tamworth Country Music Festival for a set of shows and to host a stage showcasing upcoming country music talent.
