Ben 'baby' Copperhead

Event information

WNYC calls him “the banjo visionary”, while the BBC calls him “the banjo-wielding electronic experimentalist.”

“Ben Copperhead delves into the elements around us and projects them with a deeply reflective aural spirituality, resulting in what we can only describe as an intimately widescreen experience….the overall sense is one of both immersion and omniscience, exultation and quietude.” - Dave Cantrell, Stereo Embers
“..daring combination of banjo, loop pedals, and a voice straight out of some forgotten 60s folk album, is music to lull you away to a long summer evening under endless skies” – Rachel Brown, Narc Magazine UK
“…full of Walt Whitman humanism and banjo-driven charm” – Simon Godly, God is in the TV

Ben “Baby” Copperhead is a New York City-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist whose compositions, performances, and arrangements offer a unique, contemporary vision informed by an unlikely range of influences, traditions, and collaborations.

Rooted in folk music with an “otherworldly” banjo-style, Copperhead uses modal and tonal explorations, while sometimes using samplers, processed drum machines, tape loops, and handmade electronic instruments inspired by the experimentalism of Musique Concrète.

His latest recording Wailing Viridescence, was released on the legendary and formative Shimmy-Disc label run by Kramer who is responsible for producing and putting out Ween, Galaxy 500, Daniel Johnston, Allen Ginsberg, John Zorn, BOREDOMS, RUINS and countless classics. In 2017, Copperhead released The Serpent and the Sparrow on UK's Tin Angel Records, followed by tours with Trembling Bells and Devon Sproule.

Ben Copperhead has worked with Mavis Staples, Darryl McDaniels (Run-DMC), Nona Hendryx, Michael Bearden, Hozier, Zea (The Ex), Eugene Chadbourne, Devon Sproule, Jace Clayton (DJ/rupture), and many more. He was a member of Ed Askew’s band and a founding member of the instrumental surf band The Zolephants.

Copperhead will be performing as a duo with UK-based Chris Cundy on bass clarinet. Chris will also be performing a solo set.

Chris Cundy is an award winning composer performer playing bass clarinet and rarified woodwind instruments. In 2024 he released his gorgeous fourth solo album Of All The Common Flowers which explores a self-developed music of circular breathing, cross-rhythms, and archaic dance motifs. He has also worked with singer songwriters including Fyfe Dangerfield, Little Annie, and The Bookshop Band, and has appeared on motion picture soundtracks for Aardman Animations.
“Swirling around the songs was bass clarinet player Chris Cundy, like a birdsong interrupting an argument” LOS ANGELES TIMES