Ben Gage + opening guest Liz Simcock
Ben Gage is a traveling roots troubadour from Akron, Ohio whose songs blend folk guitar, blues harmonica, and stories rooted in the honest grit of everyday people. On the road around seven months a year, he spends his time roaming national parks, gathering inspiration from the landscapes, diners, and strangers along the way. His performances balance humor, heart, and connection, engaging audiences big and small.
Ben has played shows across the United States and internationally, earning a reputation for his warm stage presence and ability to turn any room into a listening room. Mike Davies of KLOF magazine described his first full-length record 'Two Singing Songs' as a "fabulous album." and Ben followed it last September with the equally well-received 'Roads I Missed.' Friend and fellow musician Steve Madewell called it "a delightful piece of work" and Gage "an immensely talented and hard working artist."
His album, Roads I Missed was released in September 2025 and is a collection of story-driven songs that trace the quiet weight of decisions, detours, and the things we leave behind. Rooted in raw Americana and the spirit of the open road, the album moves through moments of jealousy, desperation, connection, and longing, always with an eye on the forks in the path. Each track feels lived-in, worn like a favorite jacket, with Gage’s gravel-warm vocals and harmonica leading the way.
“For me, nothing captures a moment the way a song can," says Ben. "I have always struggled to live in the moment, itching to get to the next “thing”, but a song stops me in my tracks. It demands attention and will fall to pieces without it. Songs are my anchors to the now.” We're delighted to say that there'll be a special guest set to open the evening by the distinguished British singer-songwriter Liz Simcock. Liz's songs, often autobiographical and highly personal, are immediately accessible to audiences and injected with poetry, emotion and splashes of humour. In 1999 she featured on the 'Playpen' album of New Acoustic Music alongside Eliza Carthy, Billy Bragg, Eddi Reader and Kathryn Williams (and don't forget that Kathryn is herself at the Sound Lounge on 28th February!) Since that era, Liz has trodden an independent path, gaining a growing reputation as a performer and songwriter. Liz counts Richard Thompson, Clive Gregson, Boo Hewerdine and Joni Mitchell amongst her songwriting influences. In 2015 and 2017 Liz toured with Clive and recorded the 'Underwater Dancing' album with him, but her main focus has always been on her own songwriting and live performances. Liz’s sixth album is in the making, with the working title 'Into The Light.' "Remember when you found those Vashti Bunyan and Karen Dalton records? Remember how you thought 'I wish I could have been there'? Well, Simcock is right here, right now. People will rediscover her albums in 30 years' time, lavishly compile sleeve notes and wish that they were there too. She's that good" – Downeast Folk & Roots Doors 7pm, show 8.15pm.
Ben Gage and The Sound Lounge have joined forces to make this a FREE ENTRY show so that everyone can come along and enjoy Ben's amazing songs, and Liz's before that! You can donate on the night by cash or card. Just ask a member of the Sound Lounge staff if you'd like to contribute.
