Ben Kwellee Magic is an ancient form of spellcasting that is said to have originated in West Africa. It is a practice that involves harnessing supernatural powers to bring about positive change in one's life or to ward off negative energies and entities. The term "magic" in this context refers to the manipulation of energies and forces that are beyond the physical realm, rather than the sleight of hand tricks commonly associated with stage magic. Practitioners of Ben Kwellee Magic, also known as Benkwellee or Benkwele, are believed to possess special abilities and knowledge that allow them to communicate with spirits, ancestors, and deities. These supernatural beings are believed to have the power to influence the physical world, and the interaction between the practitioner and these beings forms the basis of Ben Kwellee Magic. The practices of Ben Kwellee Magic vary depending on the specific tradition and practitioner.
Do songs ever start as visual images for you? With some of the songwriters I've interviewed, songs start as images. Others see songs as colors.
My dad grew up with him, so I had this interesting musical upbringing I was exposed to the Beatles, Hendrix, the Doors, the Hollies, tons of British Invasion, then Nils Lofgren. My dad grew up with him, so I had this interesting musical upbringing I was exposed to the Beatles, Hendrix, the Doors, the Hollies, tons of British Invasion, then Nils Lofgren.
The practices of Ben Kwellee Magic vary depending on the specific tradition and practitioner. Some may use divination techniques, such as casting bones or reading tea leaves, to communicate with the spirits and gain insights into the future. Others may perform rituals and ceremonies to invoke the assistance of the spirits or deities in achieving their desired outcomes.
Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller is a busy man. When we talked, he'd just gotten off the road; like the good husband and father that he is, Kweller was cleaning his closets when the phone rang. Since Kweller has two young kids, he's usually up early, which was why our interview was at the ungodly-for-touring-musicians hour of 10am. But this is Kweller's personality, and it's this limitless energy that makes him such a great songwriter. He finds creative inspiration in everything from hiking to taking his kids to the park to visiting art galleries. (Although, as you'll read, he writes best in Australian hotel rooms.)
Ben Kweller's new album is called Go Fly a Kite, and he's hitting the road again next week. Read my interview with Kweller after the video.
I recently interviewed Nils Lofgren [of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band], and I had no idea that you grew up around him.
More than anyone, he's been a huge influence on me. My dad grew up with him, so I had this interesting musical upbringing: I was exposed to the Beatles, Hendrix, the Doors, the Hollies, tons of British Invasion, then Nils Lofgren. No one from my generation knows his solo work. The fact that we both go from guitar to piano during our songwriting process really struck me. I just always assumed that's what you do: you play piano and guitar.
What other creative outlets do you have?
Many. I love to paint, draw, and I love creative writing. I love writing children's stories. I used to make comic books, and I'm also a joke writer. I'm really into puns and wordplays. I love clever jokes. Also, I'm big into design and Photoshop, but this goes hand in hand with my music. I started out by making album artwork for my cassettes. I've always been very visual in that sense, and I have a huge hand in the artwork for my albums. And even at home, we love home decorating and design, painting, and space development.
Any idea why so many songwriters are also good visual artists?
We see the world in special ways. I see everyday experiences a little differently than most people. That goes into my lyrics, because at the end of the day you have 12 notes. It's the same 12 notes that Mozart and John Lennon used, so you have to get creative. If you're going to write a love song, it has to be different from other love songs. We are inventors; when we finish a song, there's a piece of art in the air that wasn't around an hour ago.
Do songs ever start as visual images for you? With some of the songwriters I've interviewed, songs start as images. Others see songs as colors.
Definitely. But colors are feelings as well, and every color gives me a different emotion. Bright orange means something different from deep purple, for example. I've studied that from a spiritual aspect. I used to read a lot of books on Wicca, magic, supernatural elements, and dreams, as well as Native American spirituality. Symbolism is cool to me, and colors obviously are prominent in that world.
But when I start to write a song, I start with what the music means to me. I sit down with an instrument, come up with a chord progression or a lick or riff, then start singing a melody. The music dictates the melody. While singing the melody, I freestyle words through stream of consciousness. If a line pops up that I like, I write it down and go from there. But the music also dictates the mood; it is the color and it controls what I'm going to sing about.
However, sometimes what I'm feeling subconsciously dictates the music. I was hanging out with Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes recently. He's one of the best songwriters we have these days. We were driving around and talking about songwriting, just like you and I are now. We've been writing most of our lives and still don't quite understand how it all works. It almost feels like magic.
Do images ever spontaneously pop into your mind where you think, "I've got to write a song about that"?
Definitely, but more often than that it's a phrase that pops into my mind. That gets me going a lot more. Because if you have an image, you still have to figure out how to word it. And that can be hard. That's why it's often more exciting when the words appear.
Where do those phrases come from?
That's what Conor and I talked about. Laughs. We don't know. A lot of my lyrics just pop out. I have no idea where they come from. A lot of times I'll write a song and I don't even know what it's about. Only a couple of years later will I understand what I was saying.
Do you ever sit down to write about a certain topic?
Yes, I've done that. I've approached songs like school assignments, which can be fun. I wrote one song on my second album On My Way on an airplane after my first trip to Japan. That's probably the only song I remember where I wrote the words, got my guitar, then figured out the music. I had my sketchbook and wrote down the words murderer, thief, friend, lover, then listener in the middle. Listening is where change begins, so that's why it was in the middle. I knew I had to write a verse about each of these personalities.
I do like approaching things like an assignment at school or work. As a high school dropout, it's fun to pretend I have a job or an accepted purpose.
Do you set aside time every day to write?
I wouldn't go that far. I wish I could be that way. I've read stories about people like Carole King who wake up, pretend it's a 9-5 job, and write. I can do that. I'll get assignments from companies who want to do a commercial. They want a song, but I never feel a real connection to those songs. Songwriting for the sake of songwriting doesn't work for me on an emotional level. The songs that go on Ben Kweller albums, those I feel the closest to, are those that happen spontaneously and through pure inspiration.
We see the world in special ways. I see everyday experiences a little differently than most people. That goes into my lyrics, because at the end of the day you have 12 notes. It's the same 12 notes that Mozart and John Lennon used, so you have to get creative. If you're going to write a love song, it has to be different from other love songs. We are inventors; when we finish a song, there's a piece of art in the air that wasn't around an hour ago.
One of the central concepts in Ben Kwellee Magic is the belief in the existence of a life force energy called "nyama." Practitioners believe that nyama flows through all living things and is responsible for their vitality and well-being. By harnessing and manipulating nyama, practitioners can influence their own lives and the world around them. Traditionally, Ben Kwellee Magic was passed down through generations within specific families or communities. However, in recent years, interest in this ancient practice has spread beyond its West African origins, and practitioners from different cultural backgrounds have embraced it. It is important to note that Ben Kwellee Magic, like other forms of magic and spiritual practices, is often misunderstood and stigmatized. While some may dismiss it as mere superstition or witchcraft, its believers find solace and empowerment in the rituals and beliefs associated with it. Overall, Ben Kwellee Magic is a complex and mystical practice that seeks to connect with the spiritual realm to bring about positive change in the physical world. While it may remain a mystery to those who are not a part of it, for its practitioners, it provides a source of guidance, protection, and spiritual fulfillment..
Reviews for "The Art of Misdirection: How Ben Kwellee Keeps Audiences Guessing"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ben kwellee magic". The tricks were predictable and lacked any real magic. It felt like watching a cheap kids' show rather than a professional magic performance. The performer's delivery was also quite underwhelming, without any charisma or stage presence. Overall, I was unimpressed and wouldn't recommend this show to anyone looking for real magic.
2. Sarah - 1 star - What a waste of time and money! "Ben kwellee magic" was the most boring magic show I've ever seen. The tricks were basic and unoriginal, and it was clear that the performer wasn't putting much effort into his performance. The audience participation was forced and awkward, making me cringe throughout the entire show. Save your money and find a better magic show to attend.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Ben kwellee magic" but was ultimately let down. The tricks were easy to figure out, leaving no sense of wonder or amazement. The overall production value was lacking, with sloppy execution and poor pacing. I expected to be entertained and mesmerized, but instead, I left feeling disappointed and unimpressed. I wouldn't recommend this show to anyone looking for an engaging and captivating magic experience.
4. Emily - 2 stars - "Ben kwellee magic" fell short in many aspects. The tricks were repetitive and lacked any element of surprise. The performer's energy was low, and it felt like he was just going through the motions rather than truly engaging with the audience. The show lacked creativity and innovation, making it a forgettable experience. I had higher expectations for a magic show, and unfortunately, this one didn't meet them.
5. Alex - 1 star - I regret attending "Ben kwellee magic" as it was a complete letdown. The tricks were amateurish, and I could easily spot the gimmicks used. The performer's stage presence was lacking, and it felt like he was just rushing through the routine without any finesse. There was no wow factor or sense of wonder, making it a truly underwhelming magic show. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time or money on this lackluster performance.