Exclusive: Ben Kweller On Country

Acclaimed American songwriting talent Ben Kweller has steered straight for the country and western on his forthcoming album 'Changing Horses' and has stopped by Clashmusic.com to tell us all about it.

The follow up to 2006's self-titled effort, 'Changing Horses' contains such delights as pedal steel guitars and was no doubt recorded by men brandishing stetson hats. Not that we have a problem with that sort of thing - the new album encapsulates that other, mysterious America that lurks behind the cliches of the Grand Ol' Opry.

Asked if he was attempting to make country cool again, Kweller was unequivocal. "Well, I never thought it was uncool, so… I mean, I will say this: a lot of my fans are coming up to me and saying, “Man, I fucking hate country music, but your new shit is really cool.” So, whatever that means. Maybe some kids will go and discover Johnny Cash now and find out about good country music. I mean, the new shit that is on the radio sucks. It’s not country music, it’s people that want to be Avril Lavigne and wearing cowboy hats. There’s nothing in there."

Kweller is already looking to the future, but admits that he has no set plan. "Well, I definitely have found a groove, meaning that being a songwriter and a performer is my thing. Stylistically, I have no idea what will happen in the future. I don’t know where my music will take me, but I know that there are different parts of me."

Click here to read the full interview with Ben Kweller!