We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ben Chaverin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ben below.

Ben, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Having spent most of my life in Kansas City, when I flew out to LA to work on new music with basically strangers on the internet, I wasn’t ready for the culture shock. I had mainly written my songs in a warehouse or out in nature or watching a sunset, so stepping into a real music studio for the first time shook me. For ten years I had written songs in my basement and taken experiences from my school and family life, so sharing those moments with people I really only knew as musicians clicked perfectly for me.

The song is about looking back into your past at a person you used to care about and sort of rolling your eyes at the godlike status you gave them in your mind. Like, why did I think you were so cool? You gave up everything you tried and started, and ended up settling for an ordinary, normal, mediocre life. I think looking back at exes and not being impressed is something a lot of people can relate to.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m the guitar kid who went to therapy.

I grew up with guitar but TikTok convinced me I needed therapy honestly. As someone raised as a man, I realized those masculine values weren’t things I was holding because of who I was, but rather the world I was brought into. I still have some of that in my life, but now I feel much more valued as a person than as a man. It’s simple really. Would you rather let what other people think about you determine your life? Or do you want to do that yourself?

From playing dozens of shows I just started to realize people like it more when you just play the music people can connect with the musician way easier. So, I did that, and people liked it. Why do you think I do flips on stage? Because it’s me! It’s over the top, energetic, unabashed and honest (sometimes too honest).

I just want people to know the groove! And to be able to relax from the crazy life and enjoy music every once in a while. Think about how much music you hear every day; you hear jingles at the store, music in ads, TikToks, on Instagram, YouTube. Nod your head along with something you like every once in a while, don’t just settle for the background music :)

My mission is to make music for young men and women my age. I want people to feel comfortable being people, not just men or women, but people.

I can’t wait to show you the song I’m working on. It’s called “How the Great Have Fallen” and it will be out in November!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Treat artists as equals! Don’t idolize and don’t gatekeep! Art is art, and it doesn’t matter who it’s coming from. The expression is the important thing. What is being expressed?

On top of that, I legitimately believe that if everyone had free healthcare the artistic community would explode. One of the biggest things holding people back from creating artist careers is playing it safe with their health. It’s the truth! There are real dangers in this world, and it’s hard to work a full-time job and take your art seriously. Vote! Talk to your friends!

(Not sure if I’m allowed to say these things, but they are my honest opinion and I find this a compelling argument for artists)

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Google suite, Canva, the InShot app, Microsoft Excel, Distrokid, DailyPlaylists, PrintPlace. If you use all of these to your advantage you’re going to save SO much time as a current day musician and artist. Learn it, live it, love it.

And be open to tools! For writing, I will use thesauruses and AI online to help inspire my lyrics! You’re not alone, and almost any skill you want you can learn online for free. Remember there are thousands of other people just like you who are spending their time learning online and you can too!

There was a time I had no idea how to produce music, and now I make it for labels, myself, and my other musician friends. I never went to school for it and I’m by no means a genius, it just took time every week to suck at it until I sucked less.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/benchaverin
• Facebook: facebook.com/benchavmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgaWpdN9cZs&ab_channel=BenChaverin

Image Credits
Jenny Wheat Photography Keenan Capps (Stoodle Films)