Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ben Chapman follows his typical trend of combining country with funk with the announcement of his forthcoming album, Downbeat, and its title track, which was released on Friday, Aug. 6. Produced by Anderson East, the album, which was recorded in three days in a newly built studio in Nashville, is scheduled to be released on Dec. 13.
Chapman began much of his career playing at dive bars, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Mexican restaurants and making trips along I-24 between his hometown of LaFayette, Georgia, and Nashville, moving to his now-home around New Year’s Day, five years ago after turning 21.
After making a songwriting publishing deal with Hillary Lindsey’s Hang Your Hat Music, writing for artists like Flatland Cavalry, Shelby Lynne, Muscadine Bloodline and the Steel Woods, Chapman’s third full-length LP, Downbeat, “shows a side of me that my last two projects didn’t,” Chapman said, highlighting a change in tone and lyrics.
“‘Downbeat’ is a testament to music making everything alright. It could be a fight, an upset ex, heartbreak, or just about anything else that can happen under those neon lights. But when that first downbeat drops everything suddenly becomes okay.”
Much of Chapman’s 10-song Downbeat album came quickly to him. He wrote “Star of Monterey” with housemate and songwriter Jon Decious on their porch, and wrote “Finish What You Started” with Decious and Meg McRee, Chapman’s girlfriend. McRee co-wrote four songs on Downbeat, including “Don’t You Dare” and “America’s Sweetheart.”
“I’m growing as an artist and a human and have a clear creative vision,” Chapman says. “I’m ready for people to hear this version of myself — my true self.”
Downbeat Tracklist:
1. Almost Home
2. Star of Monterey
3. Don’t You Dare
4. Downbeat
5. Temporary High
6. If I Was You
7. Finish What You Started
8. Baby Don’t Cry, It’s Saturday Night
9. America’s Sweetheart
10. Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You
Keep up with Ben Chapman: Instagram // Spotify // X // Facebook // YouTube // Website
