The Official Website of Ben Salter

Cor Blimey,

How are youse.

A couple of shows coming up the next couple of weekends in Melbourne town that are both sort of special so I’d urge you to attend.

Firstly, this Sunday the 29th of May I am headlining a show at Bella Union in Carlton. It’s a lovely room located in the Trades Hall Union building. Solidarity sisters and brothers. It’s an afternoon, all ages show and all proceeds are going to go to help a young lady named Grace Robinson attend Portland FAME school in the US. Well it’s not actually FAME school but it’s something similar. She’s going to be opening the bill, at 2.30pm or so.. I was lucky enough to do a songwriting mentoring thing for Grace around 12 months back which is why I’m involved with this gig. She’s really something else so I hope you can come nice and early. Also on the bill is the formidable Brooke Russell. Anyway as I said it’s all ages and at a reasonable hour so bring the kids! But the bar will be open anyway.

The following weekend I am playing another benefit of sorts, this time with my full band, and this time for Muscular Dystrophy. Here’s the full spiel:

LOOK AT THIS FOR A BLOODY UNBELIEVABLE NIGHT!! Lawrence Mooney, Judith Lucy, Lehmo, Hannah Gadsby, Bob Franklin, Anne Edmonds, Dave Thornton and special guest Ben Salter ‘n his band! Dizzy Heights is putting on the fundraiser of all fundraisers! The first annual Hustle for Muscle will showcase some of Australia’s most popular and talented stand up comedians, followed by some killer live music. All profits from the Hustle for Muscle will be donated directly to FSHD Global Research Foundation, an Australian based not-for-profit research foundation dedicated to finding a treatment and cure for Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD). FSHD is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy, a genetic muscle wasting condition aecting 1 in 7,500 people, both adults and children. For more info about what FSHD is and the devastating eects it can have, please visit the FSHD Global website. The FSHD Global Research Foundation allocates 100% of the tax deductible donations they receive to current and future medical research grants. Funding that will improve the quality of life for people and families suering from this cruel and misunderstood disease… However, it’s not all grey skies! Research so far has pinpointed the nasty poison that causes the damage, which is an amazing accomplishment and now research is dedicated to what the bloody hell to do with it!

The website for tickets is HERE.. they start at $50 which I think is bloody reasonable for that amazing array of talent and me.

Other things:

I’m playing at Dark Mofo in a few weeks, down in Tasmania. I’m going to be joined by the amazing Olympia. You can get tickets for all that HERE.

Okay I gotta run.

Friday night. Station Bar & Lounge. I’ll be relaxed.

SHOWS, yeah I got em, in South Eastern Queensland.

In two weeks time I am performing at The Bison Bar in Nambour, solo and intimate. That means that I get undressed while I play. I am trying not to do too many solo shows at the moment, but for the Sunshine Coast I make special exception. Anyway here is a poster I made using Deep Dream and a picture of Baby Jesus:

You can get tickets for the Bison Bar show HERE.

Then the following weekend I have two VERY SPECIAL AND IMPORTANT shows with my band (who still don’t have a name btw) at the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Here’s a sweet poster for those:

Woo hoo. Get tickets for the Soundlounge show HERE and tickets for the Triffid show HERE.

Thursday 18th February – Union Hotel Newtown, two sets with band + Wifey About to head to the airport to pick up the band who are flying in from Brisbane and Melbourne because I am independently wealthy and can afford such indulgences. We’re gonna have a quick rehearsal at Troy Horse and then head to The Union on King Street for the show. It’s gonna be a ripper. I think the Union is where I finally managed to get the attention of Sydney. I’ve only ever played there solo so I’m looking forward to showing off the band who have never rehearsed together. We’re doing two sets! And Wifey are doing one set before us! And it’s FREE! It’s all too much, too beautiful. If I were a Sydney person, I WOULD DEFINITELY ATTEND.

Friday 19th February – Band show with Mark Seymour, Taronga Zoo
Can’t believe we caused a peace riot down King St last night. It was righteous, and that’s why I’m gonna call my next album “Righteous Peace Riot”. This evening were performing at Taronga Zoo with Mark Seymour. I’m pretty excited.. I really like Mark Seymour’s songwriting. I really liked a late period H&C song called Wasted In The Sun. I wonder if he does that one. I hope the weather is nice. Maybe we can catch the Ferry.

Saturday 20th February – band show with Mark Seymour, Melbourne Zoo
A great show again last night! And another peace riot, this time with animals! It was like that scene in The Three Amigos, all the lions and tigers and otters singing along to my songs. How incredible! I feel sorry for anyone who missed out. Currently at the airport because we’re off to Melbourne this afternoon to perform at the Melbourne Zoo. Certainly has a lot to live up to. The band has been absolutely cooking. Clint has been playing in the nude and last night Seja set her Nord electric piano on fire. Although I think that was just because she hates Nords. And I’m not talking about a mythical quasi Viking race from a popular Bethesda RPG, either!

Sunday 21st February – Riverboats Festival, Echuca
Melbourne, I love you and I want to marry you. Can’t believe we smashed attendance records for a Twilight Sessions show at the Melbourne Zoo. Arun our bass player was hailed as the second coming of Jesus Christ and Seja destroyed ANOTHER Nord, although this time she just poured water on it, rather than setting it on fire. HECKERS. Anyway I’m in the car on the way to Echuca to play Riverboats with the Wilson Pickers at the uncivilised but okay I guess hour of 11.30 AM. Exciting! But I can’t wait to not leave the house for a few days.

Monday 22nd
A huge weekend. I’ve just done three loads of washing and eaten boiled eggs. I hope I never have to go on tour again.

Tuesday 23rd February
I am now level 50 on Fallout 4. My enthusiasm for the game is waning.

Wednesday 24th February
I’m making tomato chutney today.