http://www.benpurnell.com/

Stemming from northern NSW between Ballina and Byron Bay, Ben Purnell grew up a keen fisherman, spear-fisherman, martial artist, and surfer. With an interest in singing his favourite songs and writing some of his own, Ben started learning guitar at the age of 12.

At 14 Ben was playing rhythm guitar in his schools' rock band, with his first guitar teacher and friend James Moloney on lead guitar. At 16 Ben and James would later team up to make a number of bands which would eventually be named CHXSM. The band consisted of Jacob Mann (Drums), Jarrah Griffith (Bass), Nicolas Lemits AKA Nico/Lemsy (Guitar), James Moloney (Lead Guitar), and Ben vocals/percussion).

With an abundance of guitarists Ben was able to focus on his first interest of writing and singing songs. CHXSM existed for 5 years, and gigged frequently, winning Accelerator and SCU (Southern Cross University) band competition. The band was a great opportunity to make music with friends, as well as gain experience in the music industry. CHXSM split as the band members' lives changed. In order to keep gigging, Ben and James formed a duo (LHB). A similar duo (Big Fly) was formed wth Nico a few years later.

Enter the self discovery era. After the band broke up, Ben finished his Business in Tourism Degree and competed at the Tae-kwon-Do World Titles (after qualifying 3 times). He completed a 5 month internship which took him to East Sydney, Thredbo, and Seal Rocks. Everything he'd worked for had seemingly peaked, although his passions were still there. Ben bought a one way ticket to south-east Asia for his best friend's birthday, and returned 5 months later. He wrote many songs in this period, most of which were incomplete. Slowly but surely songs were learnt and created. Eventually in 2010, Ben was ready to play music in a new band called Due Wave. Due Wave is predominantly a covers band with past and new original songs included. This stage provided the perfect platform to try out new songs, and to become confident in singing and playing.

While growing in confidence, Ben would go on to book gigs in his own name, and managed to release his first EP 'From The Sun' at the end of 2015. Also playing on the EP is Jacob Mann (Drums), Jarrah Griffith (Bass), and NIcolas Lemits (Lead Guitar). From The Sun consists of 5 songs developed over the past 3 years, and is a great representation of the varied styles and influences from which the songs were created. A mixture of genres appear in his music, with rock, pop, and alternative themes throughout.

Covered artists range from Sublime and Ben Harper, all the way to Queens of the Stoneage and Pink Floyd.

For music and life are both very uncertain. May they be fun and inspiring.