Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers

Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers

Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers is a Halifax, Canada-based group active since 2009. The project is centred on Ben Caplan and develops as a shifting ensemble rather than a fixed line-up.

Formation and line-up

The group begins as a trio in Halifax in the winter of 2006, with guitar, cello and violin. Over time it goes through numerous changes in personnel and instrumentation, with more than 20 musicians passing through the project. At one point it settles into a sextet. The group uses a wide range of instruments, including guitar, banjo, melodica, flute, saxophones, violin, cello, bass, organ and percussion.

Recordings and airplay

The song Conduit is selected by CBC Radio 3 as Track of the Day on 10 February 2010. The same report notes that the group is planning a studio album to follow its summer 2009 live EP.