Eccentric Australian pop artist Ben Lee today shares his new single Lovers, a modern, mature love song that explores past and present relationships. The new single is out now via Lee’s company Weirder Together, a collaboration with his wife actress Ione Skye – a platform that supports other artists creating bizarre and beautiful content, spanning podcasts, film projects, music and fanzines. The new release follows Lee’s 20th album ‘I’M FUN’, which features 2021’s anthem, Born For This Bullshit feat. Sad13, followed by subsequent singles including the non-duality of Like This Or Like That, the time-warping Parents Get High feat. Washington, and the reflective Arsehole feat. Georgia Maq.
Last night, Ben Lee and Ione Skye hosted one of their iconic Weirder Together Variety Shows at The Great Club in Marrickville, Sydney with guest appearances from Montaigne and Byron Spencer, amongst others. The pair will be bringing the night to Melbourne on Thursday 23 May at Brunswick Ballroom with guests Gab Strum, Kirsty Webek and Vigilantonie, plus other surprises. Tickets are available HERE.
Speaking on the creation and meaning behind the song, Ben shares; “The past few years have been a time of immense reflection in our household. While I have been making an album about getting older and coming to an understanding of my past, my wife, Ione Skye, has been working on her memoir ‘Say Everything’ due out via Gallery Publishing in 2025.
Naturally, THE PAST has been a big subject in our lives, marriage and minds. Sometimes, especially when you are younger, the past can feel threatening. The experiences of your partner can be intimidating, the worry that their past may still be lingering over their lives in some way, casting a shadow, ready to overwhelm and consume you without warning. I’ve found that changes as you get older. It’s been interesting witnessing my wife write a book that talks about her past loves; her big dangerous sexy relationships, the ways they burned and consumed her. I’ve gotten to pay close attention to her process of…processing. And I’ve developed an appreciation for the ways that these relationships made her who she is today; the person that I love.
When I sat down to write this song, Lovers, I wanted to write a modern, mature, romantic song. One that didn’t deny the past. If anything, it celebrated it. It felt healing and healthy for me to thank my past loves and lovers, and hers. When it came to creating the artwork for the single, I knew I wanted a vintage photo of a young couple in love. I’ve been really inspired by the creative and romantic union between Sam and Tim from Cub Sport, so I texted Tim and asked if he might be open to sending me some old photos of them to choose from. The picture Tim sent was perfect, and is the one you now see as the single cover. I’m very grateful for their openness to letting me use their image to illustrate my message.
Actually to me, it feels like the entire pay off of getting older is about getting more grateful. So on that note, thank you for listening. Enjoy Lovers”.
Ben Lee
The ‘Lovers’ Tour
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Thu 2 May – The Wedge Theatre, Sale VIC
Fri 3 May – The Round Theatre, Nunawading VIC
Sat 4 May – Haba, Rye VIC
Sun 5 May – ‘Not On Your Rider’ @ The Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW
Sun 12 May – Dangar Island Bowling Club, Dangar Island NSW
Fri 17 May – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns QLD
Sat 18 May – Mansfield Hotel, Townsville, QLD
Thu 23 May – Weirder Together Variety Show @ Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne VIC
Fri 24 May – Royal Theatre, Castlemaine, VIC
Sun 25 May – Memo Music Hall, St Kilda, VIC
Fri 31 May – Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads, NSW
Sat 1 Jun – ‘Small Fry Rock’ @ The Triffid, Fortitude Valley QLD
Fri 7 Jun – Street Theatre, Canberra ACT
Sat 8 Jun – The Marlin, Ulladulla NSW
Fri 14 Jun – Everglades, Woy Woy NSW
Sat 15 Jun – Avalon RSL, Avalon Beach NSW
Fri 21 Jun – Studio 188, Ipswich QLD
Sat 22 Jun – Black Box Theatre @ Kingston Butter Factory, Kingston QLD
Sat 29 Jun – The Concourse Lounge, Chatswood, NSW
Thu 4 Jul – Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland, QLD
Fri 5 Jul – Star Court Theatre, Lismore, QLD
Sat 6 Jul – Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Sat 7 Jul – Hello Sailor, Port Macquarie, NSW
LOVERS IS OUT NOW VIA WEIRDER TOGETHER – BUY / STREAM HERE
With thanks to Positive Feedback
