Ben Kweller has announced his first album since his son’s death, titled ‘Cover the Mirrors’, and has shared grungy new single ‘Optimystic’ – listen below.
The album, which is due to be released on May 30 2025, is his first major work since his 16-year-old son, Dorian Zev, died in a freak car accident in 2023. The release date coincides with what would have been his son’s 19th birthday.
‘Cover the Mirrors’, Kweller’s seventh album, is set to have features from MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee, The Flaming Lips and Coconut Records.
Alongside news of the album, Kweller has shared a grungy new single titled ‘Optimystic’ – driven by swirling guitar riffs and punchy lyrics. Listen below.
Kweller commented on the album in a press release, saying: “This is the most personal, emotionally raw project I’ve ever worked on. When Dorian died in 2023 I was overcome with the need to make music.
“I didn’t care what came out of me because it was the only way I could find peace in my earth-shattering grief. It’s hard not to focus on everything I’ve lost and in the depths of my sorrow I realized that something was gained. I can only describe it as an additional layer in the spectrum of understanding.
“My highs are higher and my lows are lower. My love is deeper and my calling is stronger. ‘Cover The Mirrors; is helping me cope with my new reality and these songs are part of that journey.”
Additionally, Kweller will be taking the new album on tour across North America, making stops at cities including Chicago, Boston and Vancouver. Tickets are on sale now, and you can get yours here – subject to availability.
New album New tour! Ticket presale is live on https://t.co/F2k0QLwBhm. Go reserve yours now. I can’t WAIT to see you all again. #tourdates #singersongwriter #austinmusic #benkweller #austintx #indierock #austintexas #drippingsprings #originalmusic #antifolk #yallternative… pic.twitter.com/KATGEQ7z9S
— Ben Kweller (@benkweller) December 11, 2024
Ben Kweller’s 2025 North American tour dates are:
APRIL
15 – Atlanta, GA – Purgatory at The Masquerade
16 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
18 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
19 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
21 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
22 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
24 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
25 – Ferndale, MI – Loving Touch
26 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
28 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
29 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
30 – St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway
MAY
2 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
3 – Austin, TX – Scoot Inn
JULY
9 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up
11 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
12 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie
14 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
17 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
18 – Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
19 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
21 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
23 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour
25 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
26 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
In 2023 after the passing of Dorian Zev, Kweller and his wife Liz shared an obituary for their son and launched a GoFundMe page to help create a memorial fund.
“Dorian was a spiritual person who perceived deeper meaning in life,” the statement read. “He was authentic, kind and generous. He saw the good in everyone and was never embarrassed to be himself because he was confident in who he was.
“In his short life, Dorian radiated positivity and spread it to everyone he touched. He was brave, adventurous, and lived each day to the fullest. […] We know that his powerful light and music will continue to make this world a happier, more peaceful place.”
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