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Benjamin Booker, Rough Trade Records’ exciting new signing, releases his debut, self-titled album.

The album is produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray For The Riff Raff). Described as “a well-mixed musical cocktail of punk, folk, and New Orleans blues,” Benjamin Booker cites his influences as The Gun Club, Blind Willie Johnson and T. Rex.

The young singer-songwriter plays as a two-piece with drummer Max Norton, both of whom are based in New Orleans.

Having already gained fans including Tame Impala, toured with Hurray For The Riff Raff and played a string of sold out shows in London, Booker and his drummer Max Norton have been hand-picked to open for Jack White on his US July tour, which will be followed by a series of summer US dates with Courtney Barnett.

“Benjamin Booker blasted a raw brand of blues / boogie / soul,” observed the Chicago Tribune’s Greg Kot in his SXSW wrap-up. “He likes to leave the rough edges intact, bringing to mind the houserockin’ records that Hound Dog Taylor once did for Alligator Records in the 70s.”

American Songwriter said “The 22-year-old New Orleans guitarist / songwriter - joined live by drummer / mandolin player Max Norton - took the stage as an unknown and… stepped off the stage a conqueror.”

“It might look like just two people onstage but Benjamin Booker’s voice surely counts as a band member in its own right. Soulful and sandpaper-rough…” noted The Guardian, while NME said “he takes the ripped, raw racket of The Dirtbombs and smothers it in fuzzy, inherently moody-sounding riffs that recall The Gun Club and T Rex in equal measure.”