About the Artist

Ben Tartak is a contemporary musician based in Wollongong, NSW. Over the years, he has connected with a vibrant community of talented musicians, collaborating on various projects. During his time at university, Ben has explored a wide range of musical styles, performing and recording across multiple genres. He has produced two country/blues songs and is eager to continue developing his songwriting in this genre. His latest project, Bless the Journey, delves into the art of poetry in songwriting, featuring three original compositions.
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Bless The Journey
For my major project, I have created a three-track EP that reflects my personal journey of growth, conveyed through two songs and one spoken poem. The central theme of the EP revolves around pivotal moments in my life, exploring emotional transitions and experiences.
One of my main musical concerns is how to blend meaningful lyricism with sound elements to evoke deep emotional connections. I believe that poetry has a unique ability to convey metaphor and meaning, and by pairing it with music, I aim to provide listeners with a multi-layered experience. This idea drove the inclusion of a spoken poem accompanied by musical and sounds elements as the opening track of the EP.
Track 2, titled ‘A Man Who Could Talk’, is a remembrance piece dedicated to my late grandfather. This song tells the story of returning to his small town in Tennessee, USA, and feeling the pain of his absence. The lyrics reflect the emotional weight of memory, loss, and legacy. This track features Alexander Sabotkovski on vocals and Amanda Vega Carerra on piano.
The final track, ‘Throwing Rocks in Glass Houses’, uses metaphor to depict the struggles faced by a young couple in a relationship. The song evolves from conflict and challenges to a resolution, symbolising the couple’s ability to overcome adversity. It’s a narrative of growth, both in love and in life. This track features Alexander Sabotkovski on vocals and Jayden McCaughey on acoustic guitar solo.