Some songs aren’t just heard—they’re felt. They carry the weight of memory, the sting of loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Singing River Blues, the latest release from Ben Killen, is one of those songs.

Accompanied by a striking self-produced music video, Singing River Blues is a deeply personal reflection on grief and transformation. Killen, a longtime musician with an undeniable reverence for the blues, steps into the spotlight with a song that feels both timeless and profoundly intimate.

The track was written in response to a difficult year in Killen’s life—2012, which he refers to as “the dirty dozen.” In that year, he lost both his father and grandmother, leaving him with a silence that only music could begin to fill. Sitting in his East Harlem apartment, under the soft glow of a skylight, he found the words that would become the emotional core of the song:

“Operator call me, Mother’s on the phone. Got to get my message out to her that she’s not alone.”

With raw honesty, Killen channels the deep-rooted storytelling traditions of blues and Americana, blending fingerpicked steel-string guitar with haunting, cinematic textures. His voice is both delicate and unwavering, carrying the song’s emotional weight without succumbing to it. There’s also a subtle tribute to blues pioneer W.C. Handy woven into the track, an acknowledgment of the genre’s history and the artists who paved the way.

But Singing River Blues isn’t just about personal catharsis. Killen has committed the first year’s proceeds from the song to charity, using it as a platform to advocate for fair wages for musicians and greater recognition of artist rights.

The accompanying music video is an ambitious, self-directed piece that brings the song’s themes to life through evocative imagery. Killen pairs live performance with vintage stock footage, crafting a visual experience that feels both nostalgic and immediate. From sweeping landscapes to the symbolic presence of steamboats—representing music’s journey across time—the video captures the song’s spirit in a way that’s both poetic and powerful.

Reflecting on the process, Killen admits, “I did everything myself—shooting, editing, all of it. It was a huge learning experience, but I’m proud of what came out of it.”

With Singing River Blues, Ben Killen is doing more than releasing a song—he’s making a statement. This is music that honors the past, speaks to the present, and paves the way for what’s next. And if this song is any indication, there’s much more to come.

Watch the video here: