Hailing from the small Canadian province of PEI is the country music industry's very own "Saltwater Cowboy," Ben Chase.
For those unfamiliar with Ben and his music, he has already earned more than 2 million global streams, with his single “Call Me Drunk” recently surpassing 1 million streams on Apple Music. The high-energy entertainer has also previously opened for notable country acts such as Zach Bryan, Brett Kissel and Dan + Shay at highly regarded Canadian country music festivals.
In September of last year, Ben released his debut album, That Was Then, This Is Now. The project consists of 20 tracks, including 12 previously released singles and 8 brand-new songs. As a whole, the record explores relatable themes such as dating & relationships, young love, heartbreak and coping with change– all of which draw inspiration from his lived experiences. In many ways, the album is an introduction to Ben himself. He shares,
“There’s a little bit of everything in there– my style, who I am as an artist. I hope fans will have a better understanding of who I am by the next one.” (Chase).
What’s also unique about this record, is that the first side demonstrates Ben’s former work and the second side demonstrates his newer work and growth since relocating to Nashville, TN. It’s clever from a marketing perspective because it’s contrasting the two in a single body of work. He explains,
“Originally, the full album cut was going to be 10 songs– but I wanted to include the songs with Matty. So we ended up with the concept of ‘Side Then’ and ‘Side Now’- with Side Now being the Nashville stuff”. Adding, “I wasn’t much of a writer then, but I am now” (Chase).
When it came to putting the album together and selecting the songs that should be included, Ben shares,
“We had 380 songs to pick from– Many of which were written during the pandemic. I trusted the producers on the record to make the final call” (Chase).
One of those tracks was “Saltwater Cowboy”– a country/Canadiana anthem for all the fishermen. Written by Drew Gregory, Lawrence Maxwell and Ben himself, the song highlights the similarities between traditional cowboys and the hardworking fishermen of Canada’s East Coast. With Ben’s lobster farming background, he argues that despite not wearing cowboy boots and hats, the ocean was his version of a farm and he shares the same ‘grit’ as the traditional ranchers do.
Making music that lasts versus for virality on social media is a buzzpoint in the music industry right now. Sharing his thoughts on the debate and how it applies to this record, he states,
“The longevity side with this record. I’ve been making music for a few years now and hope to do so for a longtime.” (Chase).
With Ben’s commendable work ethic, energetic live shows and his ability to keep a crowd engaged, there’s no doubt that he will be able to do so.
Straight out of school, Ben moved to Calgary and Edmonton, AB where he spent 4 years making a name for himself in the Canadian country music industry. His goal was to then move to Nashville by 21, however the pandemic put a wrench in his plans. He then found himself temporarily moving back home to PEI– but has been cutting his teeth in Nashville ever since. Speaking about his experience of moving to Music City and his best advice for artists planning to do the same, he shares,
“It’s a bit overwhelming. People can instantly tell you’re Canadian and you’re not an American artist. Nashville’s scene is much like the Canadian country music industry, but 10 times larger.” Adding, “Be open to new opportunities, you never know who you’ll meet” (Chase).
The 2020 Fans Choice CMAB award-winning artist also delivered the tracks on the album to live audiences Canada-wide as part of his In My Truck Tour. Joining as his special guests were fellow Canadian talents Riley Taylor (“You Left Me”) and the 2x Music PEI award-winning artist, Lawrence Maxwell. Ben also had support from Big Loud’s rising star, Griffen Palmer and Jim Cuddy at the Barrie, ON tour stop. He shares, “It was my debut headlining tour and it sold out in Halifax, Calgary and Fredericton– which is a big deal for an indie artist” (Chase). Clear evidence that things are only getting started for the rapidly rising talent.
SIDE A: THAT WAS THEN
Produced by Matt McKay
The record opens with “All over It,” a punchy already-over-the-girl breakup song. Up next is “Already Winning,” in which Ben sings of knowing you’ve already won when you’ve found the one for you. This is followed by the upbeat pop-country tune “In My Truck Girl,” a track written by the star-studded team of songwriters consisting of David Lee Murphy (#1 hit “Dust on the Bottle”), Jeremy Stover (Jon Pardi, Tim McGraw) and Justin Moore (“Jesus And Jack Daniels”). Then there’s“First Names,” in which he sings of how grabbing drinks turned into a serious relationship.
In “Better,” Ben encourages listeners not to settle for less and the wrong person in romantic relationships— *Better* is out there for you. Next up is “About Last Night,” a track about a one-night stand that turns into something more. This is followed by “Nights Like This,” a honkytonk-inspired tune that features Eric Jalbert. Within the nostalgic track, the duo reminisce on the “good ol’ days”.
He then shifts gears with “Right Ones Left”, a seemingly open letter asking where all the good ones went, as he contemplates if they are all taken after travelling across the world and still not finding the right one. It’s one of the hidden gems on the album, despite many of the other tracks having higher streaming numbers. This is followed by “Say Goodbye Slow,” a song about moving too fast and ending things on a slower note.
SIDE B: THIS IS NOW
Produced by Lucas Gienow, Grady Saxman
The second half of the record opens with “That Was Then, This Is Now,” which serves as a transitional track from Side A to Side B. Within the song, he sings of a past relationship with a girl who has now moved on to a suit & tie type of guy. This is followed by the down-for-anything love song, “Count Me In”. In “Reading You Wrong,” Ben sheds light on how easy it is to overthink and question someone’s intentions in the earlier phases of dating (or if you’re stuck in a situationship).
In “Saltwater Cowboy,” he pays tribute to his roots by honouring all the hardworking fishermen of the East Coast. This is followed by “Met Too Young,” in which Ben and fellow Canadian artist Mariya Stokes sing of first loves and meeting the right person at the wrong time.
In “Small Town Talking,” he sings of the trials and tribulations of dating in a small town and going for it anyway, despite the gossip they will stir up. Up next is the sonically catchy track, “Some Things Never Change”. Within the song, he sings of how old habits die hard and those lingering feelings for an old flame. He then slows things down with the sentimental “Ink on My Arm,” a track about the memorial tattoos one gets in honour of a loved one who has passed on.
“Call Me Drunk”. This is followed by “Hats Off,” in which Ben pays tribute to all the hustlers, all-nighters and hardworking blue-collar folk who give it their all to make a living. It’s a wholesome track that many listeners will appreciate. The album closes off with “Fading,” a track about losing your place in your hometown after you’ve moved away and started a new chapter in your life.
THE VERDICT:
My standout picks would be “Right Ones Left,” “Small Town Talking,” “Saltwater Cowboy,” “Reading You Wrong” and “Some Things Never Change”. While there are many solid tracks on the record that I do not want to discredit and I enjoy listening to, these songs offer fresh narratives and new perspectives on relatable experiences. They are also easy to listen to several times and not grow tire of.
Overall, I think this record is great for new country fans or those who are partial to a more contemporary sound.
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW ALBUM TRACKLIST:
- All Over It (Brock Berryhill, Aaron Pollock, Adam Dowling, Ben Chase, Matthew McKay)*
- Already Winning (Ben Chase, Ethan Burke, Matthew McKay, Trinity Bradshaw)*
- In My Truck Girl (David Lee Murphy, Jeremy Stover, Justin Moore)*
- First Names (Aaron Pollock, Ben Chase, Cayd Grenier, Dayne Greiner, Tyler Greiner)*
- Better (Ben Chase, Ethan Burke, Nathan Perry)*
- About Last Night (Jason Matthews, Nick Nanton, Trinity Bradshaw)*
- Nights Like This (Aaron Goodvin, Bart Butler, Doug Johnson)*
- Right Ones Left (Aaron Pollock, Ben Chase, Nathan Perry)*
- Say Goodbye Slow (Ben Chase, David Borys, Matthew McKay)*
- That Was Then, This Is Now (Ben Chase, Ethan Burke, Mariya Soetaert)**
- Count Me In (Ben Chase, Jason Blaine)**
- Reading You Wrong (Ben Chase, Makayla Lynn Parry)**
- Saltwater Cowboy (Ben Chase, Drew Gregory, Lawrence Maxwell)**
- Met Too Young (Ben Chase, Bryan Ruby, Chad Sellers)**
- Small Town Talking (Ben Chase, Ken Cooper, Lucas Gienow, Nick Nanton)**
- Some Things Never Change (Aaron Pollock, Ben Chase, Lydia Sutherland, Nathan Perry)**
- Ink on My Arm (Aaron Pollock, Ben Chase, Chris Yurchuck, Lydia Sutherland)**
- Call Me Drunk (Andrew Peebles, Ben Chase, David Borys)**
- Hats Off (Ben Chase, Jimmy Thow)**
- Fading (Ben Chase, Dustin Bird)**
*Produced by Matty McKay
**Produced by Lucas Gienow, Grady Saxman
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*This article is a release “From the Vault”. Updated information has been included to introduce a fresh & relevant perspective.
Listen to The That Was Then, This Is Now Album:
Stay up to Date with Ben Chase:
Be Chase. “ That Was Then, This Is Now.” Spotify, Ben Chase. Sept 29 2023. <https://open.spotify.com/album/0gRSS75VxkWuBYjAH05mgg?si=nqzIol82QduxbCIOLq4OvQ>.
Chase, Ben. Interview. Conducted by Kyla Pearson, Nov 16 2023.
Nolan, Ryan. “Featured: Canadian country artist, Ben Chase. PC: Ryan Nolan.” Courtesy of PR team. Accessed Nov 14 2023.
Unknown. “Featured: Official cover art for Ben Chase’s debut album, That Was Then. This Is Now. ” Graphic courtesy of PR team. Accessed Nov 14 2023.
