Ben Grant Mitchell

What does it mean to be Australian? Is it a colour? Is it a gender? Or is it something about our spirit?

And God is just another name for nature, creation, all that is natural and divine. And government is just another name for a body of bureaucrats who will gladly take any personal responsibilities we, as living men and women, renege. I choose the former. It was here first.

This view and my guitar. That’s all I need. Oh, and a pen. And some paper. Let’s go...

Found this video while going through Free The Nation Music footage from one of the five festivals we held during the crazy ‘rules’ and ‘directives’ and relentless media fear-mongering lockdown on fun, joy, peace and love. We turned off the fear and made our own fun 😉 It's bit of a live version of ‘Waitin For My Ship To Come In’, which is a new track from my latest album, ‘These Old Blues’. Performed at Coorabell Hall in Byron Bay, NSW. Love playing with these guys, Matthew Armitage and Lucius Borich. We even have a band name now: The Free Country Soul Rockin’ Blues Band! Says what it is right there on the box ;)

Couldn’t stop myself commenting my true feelings on this post that came up in my shadowbanned Facebook page just now. What is rock n’ roll if not freedom? What is music if not the rhythm of acceptance for all, and the beat of individual uniqueness celebrated—not condemned. We are not all the same and anyone who tries to force us to be like them—to do what they do, for whatever reason—is a bully. And, it must be said, a coward.

Writing, recording and producing every day at the moment and absolutely loving every second. Frustrations come along occasionally, sure, but not for long. The process of making music has taught me to accept whatever emerges and work with it. Fighting isn’t very creative. PS. Thanks to Lucius Borich for the photo he took at his awesome new studio, Studio 101 Recordings

Sometimes I think I should keep my personal views to myself. Then I see a face mask on a kid.

To celebrate the upcoming release of my new album, These Old Blues I’ve put together a ‘Best Of Blues’ playlist featuring tracks from 2003 to 2021. It includes two EPs recorded in London (and released as an album in 2020), tracks from my 2006 debut album, The Stars Can See, and some ripper acoustic/swamp/blues recorded with Matt Walker (Tex Perkins/Fat Rubber Band etc..) as featured on 2021’s Slow Is The New Fast. Plus more! Goes from more uptempo, retro rocky blues to bare-boned acoustic, so something for everyone. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JGHRJAnRmy8FFkYkWvSmg?si=9gHCiDfiREmV9R-BLHid8A

To celebrate the upcoming release of my new album, These Old Blues I’ve put together a ‘Best Of Blues’ playlist featuring tracks from 2003 to 2021. It includes two EPs recorded in London (and released as an album in 2020), tracks from my 2006 debut album, The Stars Can See, and some ripper acoustic/swamp/blues recorded with Matt Walker (Tex Perkins/Fat Rubber Band etc..) as featured on 2021’s Slow Is The New Fast. Plus more! Goes from more uptempo, retro rocky blues to bare-boned acoustic, so something for everyone. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JGHRJAnRmy8FFkYkWvSmg?si=9gHCiDfiREmV9R-BLHid8A

A man isn’t a penis. A man is someone who is willing to face criticism for doing the right thing. A man is someone who is willing to protect vulnerable others, even if it costs him time, money, status or, possibly, his own life. A man is someone who is willing to stand alone against evil, even if no one else can see that evil. A man is NOT someone who makes it difficult for children to breathe. Anyone who does THAT is a monster; a tyrant, a soul-less minion serving masters of deception, corruption and slow murder by proxy. Be a man. Even if you are a woman. The young ones are relying on us.

Today is the debut of the video for ‘Waitin’ For My Ship To Come In’. 'Waitin’ For My Ship To Come In’ is the lead single (NOW available exclusively on Bandcamp) from my new album, ‘These Old Blues’. ‘These Old Blues’ comes out on all other platforms on 2nd August 2022. Thanks for listening and especially big thank you to everyone who purchases this track—or the album. Together we are keeping independent music alive and well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PshCHqqlbk

You’ve got to at least ask, right? I mean if you don’t ask you’ll never know. Worth a shot.

My song, ‘When You Left Me In Albuquerque' tells a big part of the story that is Elvis Has A Son, mainly the romantic part. Angus Flynn, the hero of this comedy/romance/adventure, afraid of commitment, almost sabotages his burgeoning romance, with a woman who only has his best interests at heart. Fortunately for Angus, after leaving in Albuquerque, the love of his life comes back to him in Memphis. You can listen to 'When You Left Me In Albuquerque' only on my Bandcamp page at link below where the full double album soundtrack for Elvis Has A Son (which also comes with the eBook) is exclusively available. https://benmitchell.bandcamp.com/track/when-you-left-me-in-albuquerque #elvis #elvishasason #albuquerque

Loved belting out vocals the other night for new tracks recorded with Lucius Borich and Matthew Armitage. Feels so free singing with all your voice, all your heart, all your soul. And having Loosh on the mixing desk made it that much better. I love my home studio but creating with amazing talents in inspirational environments brings out its own special magic. These tracks are sounding out of this world.

Today is a beautiful day to be alive. Question anything or anyone who seems to be bringing fear into your life. They are always trying to control you—even if it is simply so you are in the lower vibration of fear. And when someone or something seeks to control how you behave by trying to make you scared remember what Shakespeare was credited as saying... “There is nothing to fear except fear itself.”

Singalong time. Well, if you know the words to ‘Not Another Country Song’, one of the 30 tracks on my double album, Elvis Has A Son. Otherwise please sit back and enjoy as I sing Not Another a Country Song for you. Elvis Has A Son is packed with country—country-rock, blues-country, country-folk and country ballads. It comes with a full colour lyric book (PDF) AND an eBook of the novel, Elvis Has A Son. Available from my website here: https://www.ben-mitchell.com/ PS. Feel free to share this with any of your friends you think secretly love country music but never own up to it ;)

You know. Love, Ben

Today, my novel and accompanying DOUBLE ALBUM soundtrack, Elvis Has A Son is exclusively available from my website. I’m very excited to be sharing this project, which could very well be the FIRST TIME a novel has ever had an accompanying ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK as part of the story. Sorry to shout but, like I said, I’m very excited. Love, Ben PS. Friends, fans and followers can use ‘friendsofben’ discount coupon for 20% off the already reduced price—for a limited time (until the single launches on Sunday 26th June)—for the novel, double album PLUS lyric book. https://howtobooks.samcart.com/products/elvis-has-a-son

Love meeting up with, Jay. He dances around at markets and festivals, turning up when the sun is shining or the sky is pouring. Quantum physics and love are his go to conversation starters. Though he does most of the talking. I just try to listen as fast as I can. #love #quantumphysics

Is it good luck when a Willie Wagtail lands on your third eye? I was already feeling lucky when this little beauty perched on my knee for a while. Then we also had some touchy, feely hand time together. Happy day to you! Love, Ben PS. If you watch to the end you’ll see how REALLY lucky I was.