Ben Lee: ‘My complete profession is chasing the dragon of opening for Sonic Youth’

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Ben Lee: ‘My complete profession is chasing the dragon of opening for Sonic Youth’

When did you first realise you could be changing into a bit well-known?

Fame is a bizarre one as a result of it occurs in so many levels. I keep in mind I used to busk in Bondi Junction after I was in all probability 9 years previous, and my grandmother angrily referred to as me one evening, and mentioned, “Mrs Trachtenberg noticed you begging in Bondi Junction!” That was my first style of fame – realising how your fame precedes you, and that there’s accountability and misunderstanding and incomprehensible kind of stuff.

However I’ve to say my first correct present aged 14, after we had been Noise Addict, opening for Sonic Youth at Selina’s. We weren’t introduced, and we got here out on stage and burst into this intro: “That is the actual Sonic Youth!”

Individuals checked out us with bewilderment. My complete profession is chasing the dragon of that second, as a result of I grasped one thing concerning the energy of being a public determine, that you simply had been in a position to confuse folks in such a chic manner.

Have you ever ever had a cringeworthy movie star run-in?

Oh yeah, tonnes. Everybody is aware of Seinfeld is kind of a jerk now, however I met him after I was 18. I’d been obsessive about Seinfeld and I used to be fully shocked on the stone-faced, judgmental vibe that was coming from him. Now he’s well-known for that, however I used to be simply younger and drunk in New York.

Additionally Jarvis Cocker, who’s a musical hero of mine. Jake Fogelnest, Natasha Lyonne and I had been watching REM from the facet of the stage on the Tibetan music competition. Jarvis was there and we had been obsessive about him. We had been like, “Jarvis, Jarvis, come over right here, come over right here!” Nobody in America knew him then and we had been all such mega followers. I couldn’t consider something to say, so I mentioned: “Jarvis 14-inch Cocker!” As if he by no means heard that earlier than. He simply checked out me like, “As if.” I used to be humiliated. However I believe the flexibility to take a swing in life and fall flat in your face and embarrass your self is a optimistic high quality. So even these experiences, I take a look at them in myself as type of endearing now.

What’s the wildest factor you have got ever executed for love?

I keep in mind after I was youthful and on tour, me and my girlfriend had had a combat and I believed it was actually heroic to cancel the subsequent present to fly dwelling and make it proper. Now I believe that’s truly demonstrating so many purple flags … as if I couldn’t wait a couple of days for it to be resolved in individual.

I additionally used to lie about writing a tune a couple of crush, after which have one other crush and lie and say it was about them. That’s early male singer-songwriter stuff – you try this sufficient instances and also you’re certain to get caught out finally.

One of many songs in your new album is known as Unhealthy Luck. What’s the worst luck you’ve had?

I’ve had notoriously good luck in my life, so complaining about unhealthy luck feels very bratty, however I’d say getting meals poisoning from contemporary orange juice. It’s such a slap within the face since you’re making an attempt to make a conscientious resolution. It was New Yr’s Eve too. I stayed in and watched the Kardashians whereas my spouse and the youngsters went out for a celebration.

What do you do when you possibly can’t get to sleep?

Now we have a Actual Housewives routine that eases us off to sleep. We’re nonetheless catching up – we’re on New York, season 11 – and we try to get by means of an ep or so earlier than mattress. I believe it’s as a result of there’s such typically low stakes however such excessive rigidity. It offers me some perspective on my life. I don’t know why, however there’s one thing about that which is stress-free.

What’s your most controversial popular culture opinion?

OK, I’m truly going to say one thing controversial and I don’t need any fallout from this. I say this with absolute admiration, however folks misunderstand Nick Cave’s genius. To me, he’s giving the best performing efficiency of a songwriter, fairly than being the best songwriter. It’s not like Leonard Cohen, the place the songs are the craft. Nick Cave’s craft is his efficiency of this literary songwriter. He’s performing and he’s simply astonishing. When folks give attention to his songwriting, it’s virtually like fascinated about Willy Loman in Demise of a Salesman and specializing in his gross sales job.

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It’s a really earnest function. He’s enjoying the literary singer-songwriter. Persons are actually hooked up to this concept of authenticity. But it surely’s been fascinating watching him as he’s been by means of real hardships and tragedies. I believe, as we get increasingly damaged, we truly develop into extra humble and happier as an individual. That’s the impression I get [of Cave] – after I noticed him dwell lately, he had such a mild, beneficiant spirit in between songs. Then he’d launch into the songs, and it was like, “Oh, the Darkish Lord” – and also you realise that’s his chosen character. He’ll should play it out to the top, as a result of that’s what occurs. We arrange these roads for ourselves after which we’re caught. I’ve whole admiration for him, simply in a manner that’s a bit of bit totally different to that of a few of my friends.

Which movie scarred you for all times as a child?

Loads of ABC kids’s tv within the 80s scarred me for all times. I’ve reminiscences of some fairly disturbing TV exhibits. I keep in mind there was one about these bullies who went on a college hike in nature and they might squish frogs of their naked fingers, and one among them bullied one other child into doing it. They minimize away earlier than the precise demise however it was fairly a suggestive scene.

In the event you had a sandwich named after you, what could be in it?

Cheese, avocado and peanut butter. I like that mixture. It’s simply incredible. The bread has obtained to be delicate. The expertise must be like consuming child meals. Like a ball of mush.

Who do you need to play you in a biopic?

Georgia Maq [from Camp Cope].

Would you fairly die on the backside of the ocean or out in house?

Oh my gosh. Properly – in outer house, are you within the components or are you in a capsule? What’s occurring?

You’re in a capsule, and then you definately’ve by accident hit a button and ejected your self from the capsule, and also you’re simply floating in house. And that’s the way you die.

I believe I’ll go along with that one. It’s so cinematic. It’d be a greater ending to the biopic.


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