Benny J Blake delivers raw, compelling debut alt pop single, 'Begin'

Eora/Sydney’s Benny J Blake dives headfirst into raw emotion on his new track, ‘Begin’ - the first single under this particular moniker, and the first taste from debut album, ‘The Sharpest Tooth In The Jaw’.

  Far from inexperienced, Blake is a seasoned musician and recording artist, and has been performing and creating music for the past 20 years under different projects, touring relentlessly and dealing with all of the ups and downs that come along with that lifestyle.

After leaving his previous band and going through a split with his long term partner, Blake was ready to gracefully blend back into normality, and give up music for good.

  If catharsis had a soundtrack, it’d sound like ‘Begin’. Blake pours every ounce of heartache and triumph into a swirling storm of breakbeats, guitars, bass, and synths, creating a moody yet electrifying backdrop. His raw, heartfelt vocal delivery turns ‘Begin’ into an emotional exorcism—equal parts vulnerable and powerful. Think the slick electropop edge of Arkana meeting the eclecticism of Gorillaz, but Blake carves his own lane. ‘Begin’ is a bold and mature slice of alt-pop that feels both contemporary and timeless. Press play and let this one carry you; it’s a trip worth taking.

After some time apart from his creative outlet, inspiration eventually hit and he found himself writing again. Finding musical inspiration via the model of creative visionaries such as Damon Albarn, Elliott Smith, Sharon Van Ettan and PJ Harvey - Blake set out on a new musical journey, one that blends genres seamlessly through a dynamic, textual approach to melody and production.  ‘Begin’ will capture your attention from its opening bars; with layers of whirling synths, hypnotic drum loops and a passionate vocal performance from Blake.   

Of the track, Blake explains that it is an exploration of healing - a cathartic starter pistol to “begin” the long road to recovery and acknowledging the small wins along the way.

  “While slowly eliminating distractions and vices that have kept me stoned and frozen in existential dread and maladaptive coping mechanisms while accepting my human flaws and practicing foreign self love and compassion.” 

Blake wrote and performed almost everything on his first release - from piano lines to drum parts via his Newtown home studio. Although ‘Begin’ and the rest of ‘The Sharpest Tooth In The Jaw’ was definitely a solo effort, there were some key personnel that helped bring the record to life.   Wade Keighran, bass player and songwriter for legendary band Wolf And Cub, took up bass duties and produced ‘Begin’ for the record; whilst fellow Sydney-sider Georgia Jones provides some beautiful additional vocals on the track that compliment Blake’s voice perfectly.

  On the rest of ‘The Sharpest Tooth In The Jaw’, Blake was lucky enough to enlist the help of Shane Parsons and Lachlan Ewbank of DZ Deathrays who stepped in on guitar duties for select tracks throughout the record; as well as Neal Sutherland (Amy Shark, the Presets, Donny Benét), Jon Grace (Dear Seattle, TOWNS, Bakers Eddy) & Eileen Sparks (producer for triple J Live At The Wireless, Like A Version) for additional production duties throughout the record.

‘Begin’ is a compelling taste of what is to come from Benny J Blake, and is available now on all streaming platforms.