Welcome to Ben Ross Music

Who/What/When/Where and sometimes Why are you?

I am Ben Ross, a composer of music, a performer of music, and a lover of music. I grew up in Pennsylvania, and I currently live in Berkeley, CA.

How would you describe your music?

Always a tough question…in a useless word I would say alternative. I am a singer and a songwriter, so you could call me a singer-songwriter if you'd like. Otherwise, some combination indie, folk, pop, rock, and just a hint of jazz. Actually I'm not really a fan of "genre-fication" (or generification for that matter)...I'd prefer if you just called me Ben.

What instruments do you play?

Well, my first instrument was the drums, but the guitar has been my favorite ever since I started playing. I've picked up some keyboard, bass, harmonica, and recently the sitar and tabla, but the guitar remains my home.

Who do you consider major influences?

Well I must admit growing up on a combination of classic rock and the 90s alternative. More recently I have drawn inspiration from the singer-songwriters from the 70s era (James Taylor, Paul Simon) to the present (Damien Rice, Rufus Wainwright) and also the modern alternative and indie scene (Radiohead, Wilco, The Shins, Death Cab for Cutie, Flaming Lips, Sufjan Stevens).