Ben Caplan

Rugged, raspy, and roaring with charisma, Halifax's Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers is to folklore what smoke is to bourbon. Perfectly coupled. Ben's songwriting is as bold in range as it is in ferocity. Fueled by a quality of melodrama and powerful lyricism, it's the romance and the manhood crashing with his voice that gives Caplan a truly innovative and experimental artistry. A sound that bridges the gap between controlled composition and unruly passion. Striding in pace with gypsy-inspired strings amid the sultry tones of clarinet and saxophone, Caplan has marked his place in the Canadian music landscape with a growling spirit similar to that of Tom Waits. Caplan's tours have extended throughout the Commonwealth, the rhapsodic energy in his live show an elegant cacophony gaining attention around the world. Breaking between guitar, banjo, piano, and melodica, Caplan's stage show is almost reminiscent of a burly and bearded Freddy Mercury; a raging, strong, and exploratory songwriter, it's the blues in his soul, and the heart in your chest pounding as one that makes Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers an act not to be missed. Ben Caplan has been a touring musician for the past five years. Seasoned in coast-to-coast travel, Caplan his seen stages in the UK and has performed at a rolodex of festivals. ---- What People Have Said About The Casual Smokers: Stephanie Domet, CBC Radio1 - Atlantic Airwaves: "Ben understands that in this business it’s not enough to just climb on stage and sing songs. You need to be an entertainer as well. You need to entertain and engage the audience – and that he does in spades.... Keep an ear on Ben. You’ll be hearing more from him, I’m sure!" Bryan Acker, Herohill.com "Caplan and his talented band - The Casual Smokers - will undoubtedly garner review after review build around on his voice, but even when they deliver the roughtest of bar room stomps, there is a surprising depth and musicianship to the songs... Caplan and the Casual Smokers stand out from the masses influenced by the same sounds." Craig Norris, Host CBC Radio 3: "I really like your stuff. And now I want everyone out there to hear your stuff… it’s kind of rough around the edges, has a real sort of bar room, salooney, Tom Waits vibe to it; wicked playing, and great delivery. I cannot wait until the full length real record comes out." Slowcoustic.com: I don’t pretend to have known Ben Caplan for years but damn it after this video from his Green Couch Session, I wish I did. While his day job with “Ben Caplan & the Casual Smokers” is not quite as stripped down and acoustic as the below video, if you are looking for slightly bluesy, jazzy, folky tunes – you should check them out! Amelia Curran, Singer-Songwriter: "He's like Freddy Mercury meets Mr. Bungle" Peter Katz, Singer-Songwriter: "More like Freddy Mercury meets God!" Paul Cram, Bandleader, Producer, Improviser, Musician: I played with Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers the other night and It was great fun. I love the energy of their minor slinky music, cause it's bendable and makes you wanna wail.. It was also a nice surprise to play with a "horn section" improvising around arrangements for violin, Cello and winds on solid songwriting that could take the punishment and throw it back: Klezmer/Torch Balkan Jazz/Folk/...anyone? Joe Bigda-Peyton, Psychology Major: Although still able to recognize fear-evoking facial expressions, there is a clear indication that Ben Caplan has experienced some damage to his anterior and possibly even posterior amygdale. Joe Girard, Expert: "The music of Ben Caplan is the cure for diarrhea, malaria, and malignant ennui! Third world nation's rejoice!"