Ben Lee. His songs are melded visions of strict autobiography and megalomaniacal revolutionary escapism. Weaving fragile lines between melodic story telling, sharp songwriting and a developing self awareness, his tunes are portraits of ideas and emotions that often transcend the boundaries of their creator. Ben's songs exist in the world where a commitment to adventure and reckless ambition are the only recognizable landmarks, as he sings about his personal observations on Life, Love and the Universe.
Ben Lee made his auspicious stage debut in '93 fronting indie rockers Noise Addict, a foursome of Sydney school friends who's inaugural performance was a gig at a library book sale. Catching the eye of promoter and Fellaheen Records head Stephen Pavlovic, the band were quickly signed to the label that same year releasing the semi-controversied Evan Dando nod/poke 7" "I Wish I Was Him" when the average age of the group was a mere 14. Soon after, Sonic Youth guy Thurston Moore signed the band to his Ecstatic Peace label championing their work as "the best all time interpersonal fractured songwriting ever put on tape," and released an EP entitled DEF.
Noise Addict would, soon afterwards, release their Young & Jaded EP in June '94 on the, then fledgling Grand Royal label under the auspices of Beastie Boy Mike D. Mike, like Moore, recognized greatness when he saw it. The EP would get nothing less than a hero's welcome here in the States culling favorable reviews from many crits, but stateside opportunities to see the band's dynamo live shows would be lost to burgeoning school schedules