Search - Ben Arthur :: If You Look For My Heart

You've heard the phrase triple threat before...but try this: singer-songwriter/novelist/video series producer and host. A quadruple threat. Meet Ben Arthur, native of Virginia, resident of New York, and creator of a new album (his sixth) entitled If You Look for My Heart and a new novel (his second) called...If You Look for My Heart. Ben's new release is a concept album interrelated with a novel, sharing themes, characters, and title. Yet they also stand alone. Both pieces stand as independent works of art, but when brought together the story unfolds in new and unexpected ways. 'I did some shows where I would read sections of a short story in between songs that were vaguely related to the narrative,' according to Ben. 'And it occurred to me that I could create a single work of art that incorporated music and literary fiction in a fundamental way. When I realized how much it scared me, (which was a lot!) I knew I had to try.' The hushed acoustic song 'Fire on a Sunny Day' is from the perspective of a young, troubled autistic character in the book: though invisible, I m burning inside, the song s simple metaphor speaking for this tongue-tied young man. In other songs Arthur has guest artists speak for his characters: indie hip hop legend Aesop Rock (whose music is featured in the novel) is part of the hard-hitting 'Love Your Enemy,' a song as much about murderous rage as love. There are also guest appearances from singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata who is both an incidental character in the novel and a vocalist on the lovely ballad 'Desolate,' about the emotional perils of being the other woman. Other songs are vintage Ben Arthur, like 'So Far,' a brightly ironic love song. 'So far,' Ben sings, 'I want to spend my last day with you.' Not only has Ben released five previous albums and one novel, he has performed on national television and on the internationally syndicated radio program Acoustic Café. Ben has shared the stage with artists including Dave Matthews, Tori Amos, Bruce Hornsby, Shawn Colvin, Toots and the Maytals, and Sophie B Hawkins. His songs have been heard on ABC, CBS, Showtime, and PBS, and he has had three half hour specials devoted to his work on Sirius XM radio. Rolling Stone has said, 'Ben Arthur has the looks and hooks of John Mayer.' And there is that video series, too. Since 2011 Ben has hosted and co-produced Dubway Days, in which he writes and records a song with a featured artist over the course of a day. Guests so far have included John Wesley Harding, Ollabelle, Vienna Teng, Tracy Bonham, and Latin film star and two-time Grammy nominee Ximena. 'If You Look for My Heart' represents the latest chapter in the life of Ben Arthur, quadruple threat.