Ben White is a talented folk singer-songwriter from Gainesville, Florida, whose work has been significantly shaped by some of the most esteemed names in music and literature. Described by the OC Weekly as “folk noir,” the writings of artists such as Townes Van Zandt, Mississippi John Hurt, Cormac McCarthy, Gillian Welch, and Leonard Cohen have played a pivotal role in helping Ben hone his amorphous, melancholic Americana sound. He holds a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling through lyrics, enabling him to capture aspects of the human condition, conveying vivid imagery and tackling complex themes in a poignant yet beautiful manner. Ben’s music has taken on an almost haunting quality, offering a glimpse into the raw and vulnerable sense of the conflict and emotions in us all.

Born in Winter Park, Florida, Ben White grew up in a musical and evangelical family. As the son of a pastor, he spent a lot of time in churches, eventually becoming a music pastor himself. However, in 2010, Ben left the church and has since spent years unpacking the trauma of his spiritual deracination. This scathing process was pivotal for Ben as a writer, and he was able to use music as a mechanism to navigate these experiences.

After over a decade, Ben is releasing his first full-length album Men as Trees Walking on August 25th. In it he uses allegory and experience to beautifully question old ideas and delve into the disorienting and overwhelming experience of starting over. In songs like Adelia and Dust, one can hear an honest reflection of Ben’s story of losing his spiritual identity and the ensuing feelings of disconnection, self-doubt, and the taunting absence of meaning. Men as Trees Walking is not only Ben’s attempt at processing the deconstruction of self but also an exercise in stepping forward on a new path.