Ben Craven is an Australian musician and producer who became known for his 2011 progressive rock album, Great & Terrible Potions, which featured artwork by cover designer Roger Dean.

Ben Craven
OriginBrisbane, Australia
GenresProgressive rock, Cinematic Rock
Instrument(s)Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals, Drums
Years active2005–present
LabelsDesert Comb Music
Websitebencraven.com

Career

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Under Deconstruction

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In 2007, Craven recorded the EP Under Deconstruction as a free download, protesting against the use of DRM in the music industry.[1] Craven later observed that DRM was only a distraction from the problem of monetising legal music file downloads.[2]

Ben Craven & The Section

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In 2012, Craven assembled three-piece band Ben Craven & The Section specifically for live performances of his album Great & Terrible Potions.[3] The band was interviewed and performed for a live interactive video streaming event in May 2013, in what was billed as a world-first for progressive rock.[4]

Last Chance To Hear

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Last Chance To Hear was released in 2016, a concept album "loosely inspired by the end of the music industry as we knew it", featuring guest contributions from Billy Sherwood and William Shatner.[5] In October 2016, Craven was awarded the Australian Independent Music Award (AIMA) for Best Instrumental, for the track Critical Mass Part 2.[6]

Discography

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Appears on

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  • All in a Dream by The Franky Valentyn Project (2015, vocals on Gothic Horror)
  • Alter Ego by Joost Maglev (2019, guitar on Corpus Christi, Burning Girl)
  • Planetary Overload Part 2: Hope by United Progressive Fraternity (2022, composer and guitar on The Answer)

References

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  1. ^ Ben Craven - Great & Terrible Potions BACKGROUND MAGAZINE Review
  2. ^ Under Deconstruction (Free EP) | Ben Craven Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Progressive Rock Multi-Instrumentalist Ben Craven Forms Live Trio | Progressive Rock Central.com
  4. ^ Yes Music Podcast Breaks Boundaries | News | Prog Magazine Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Ben Craven announces Last Chance To Hear". Teamrock.com.
  6. ^ Bryant, Gareth. "The 2016 Australian Independent Music Awards Winners". scenestr.com.au. Retrieved 12 December 2016.