Ben Kweller gears up for country album and tour

Ben Kweller has announced a tour of North America to support the release of his country album 'Changing Horses'.

The record, Kweller's fourth, was recorded and self-produced in Austin, TX where the musician recently relocated.

Having grown up in Texas, Kweller says that a country album has been on the cards for years.

"Country music was the soundtrack to my life," he says. "It's still a big part of who I am. When Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson come on the radio, somethin' happens inside. Brings me back to the trees, back to pushin' cars out of the mud. Reminds me of my hometown. I've been working on 'Horses' for years. I wrote the first song for it when I was 16."

Kweller and his band have confirmed a North American tour for 2009 to support the release of the record. A west coast leg of the tour will be announced soon.

'Changing Horses' comes out on February 3.

The dates confirmed so far are:

Omaha, NE Slowdown (February 16)
Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theatre (17)
Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall (18)
Cleveland, OH Case Western Reserve (21)
Toronto, ONT The Mod Club Theatre (22)
Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre (24)
New York, NY Town Hall (25)
Washington, DC 9:30 Club (26)
Philadelphia, PATLA (27)
Pittsburgh, PA Diesel (28)
Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle (March 1)
Lousiville, KY Headliners Music Hall (3)
Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge (4)
Athens, GA 40 Watt Club (5)
Birmingham, AL Workplay Theatre (6)

--By our New York staff.
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