Radical Face: The Indie Folk Storyteller

Radical Face is the primary musical alias of American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ben Cooper, known for crafting intricate indie folk concept albums. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Cooper's project achieved significant underground success, with his album "The Family Tree: The Roots" being streamed over 100 million times on digital platforms.

Early career

Ben Cooper began his musical journey in the late 1990s, initially performing in the experimental electronic duo Radical Face alongside Mark Hubbard. After Hubbard's departure, Cooper retained the name for his solo work, shifting towards an acoustic, narrative-driven sound. His official debut, "Ghost," was self-released in 2007, later being picked up by the independent label Nuf Sed.

Breakthrough

Radical Face's breakthrough arrived in 2011 with the single "Welcome Home," from the album "The Family Tree: The Roots." The song's inclusion in a major film trailer and subsequent viral spread on YouTube propelled it to become a streaming phenomenon, amassing hundreds of millions of plays and introducing his music to a global audience.

Key tracks

Welcome Home — This haunting anthem became a viral cornerstone of the indie folk genre and remains his most recognized track.

Always Gold — A poignant narrative song that exemplifies the detailed character studies central to his "Family Tree" album series.

We're On Our Way — A driving, hopeful track that showcases his skill in building lush, layered acoustic arrangements.

Glory — This song highlights the more experimental, atmospheric side of his songwriting within his conceptual framework.

Hard of Hearing — A deeply personal track from his later work, reflecting a shift towards more autobiographical material.

Following this success, Cooper dedicated years to his ambitious "The Family Tree" trilogy, completing it with "The Branches" (2013) and "The Leaves" (2016). He has also collaborated with artists like singer-songwriter Emily Hearn and contributed to the side project Electric President. His later albums, including "Therapy" (2021), marked a departure from the saga, focusing on more direct, personal themes.

Fans of Radical Face's narrative indie folk often appreciate the work of The Decemberists, who similarly excel in crafting elaborate story-songs and concept albums. The introspective, home-recorded aesthetic finds common ground with Sufjan Stevens, another artist known for grand thematic projects. The melodic, folk-oriented side of his music aligns with Iron and Wine, known for its quiet, detailed songwriting.

The evocative music of Radical Face is a staple on independent music radio stations and online folk radio streams that champion narrative-driven songwriting. His catalog, from early hidden gems to his popular breakthrough anthems, receives consistent airplay across specialty programs dedicated to the modern folk genre.

Listeners can discover the detailed musical world of Radical Face by tuning into the curated indie and folk radio stations available on onairium.com, where his storytelling songs are regularly featured in rotation.