“One criticism of blues is that with the standard 12 bar and 1-4-5 progression, songs sound the same after a while. This could get worse with AI. To counter this and preserve the blues, we need to tell unique, new stories that make people laugh, cry and live into their sorrows. That’s our role as musicians – to make people feel alive.”

Dr. Ben: Cure Your Blues

Dr. Ben, the folk-blues recording artist whose music channels three decades of experience as a travelling physician across rural Canada, released his explosive new single "Cure Your Blues" across all major streaming platforms. The track marks a bold evolution in the artist's sound, combining intricate fingerpicking guitar work with soulful blues licks and brutally honest lyrics that capture the raw emotion of heartbreak with surgical precision. “Cure Your Blues" was born from a place of pure creative fire. Dr. Ben, whose real name is Ben Chan, crafted this searing breakup song to capture what he describes as "Alanis Morissette-level fury with medical irony and a gluttony for punishment." The single showcases the Toronto-based singer-songwriter and lead guitarist at his most visceral, weaving together blues rock intensity with the poignant storytelling that has earned him recognition across the independent music landscape. Working alongside producer Douglas Romanow, Dr. Ben brought this vision to life with meticulous attention to sonic detail. The recording sessions captured the essence of classic blues-rock while maintaining the intimate quality that defines his artistry. Lead guitar work drives the track's emotional core, with Dr. Ben's blues licks serving as a second voice to the narrative of a love turned toxic.

(Dr. Ben / Photo by Heather Pollock)

Dr. Ben's unique background as a physician who has served 97 small communities across Canada infuses his music with uncommon depth. He writes songs of heartache, hope, and healing, drawing from decades of helping people navigate mental health challenges, addictions, and chronic illness. His performances extend beyond bars across Ontario to hospitals and nursing homes, where he brings his music directly to patients during his downtime. This dedication to serving communities through both medicine and music creates an authenticity that resonates through every note. Since releasing his first single in 2024, Dr. Ben has captured the attention of the music industry with two awards for his music videos and five semi-finalist or finalist nominations in major songwriting contests. These accolades reflect the power of his songwriting and his ability to connect universal emotions, from devastating loss to resilient hope, with audiences hungry for genuine artistry. His dual careers as a university professor of healthcare management and global health advocate further demonstrate the breadth of his commitment to making a difference. “Cure Your Blues" represents a dream realized.

Interview by Michael Limnios                      Special Thanks: Eric Alper

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

Music is a window on how we interpret, feel and see the world. My first songs written three decades ago were a huge outlet for expressing frustrations of being single and lonely. After getting happily married, the youthful angst that fuelled my creativity dried up. The moment that changed my music was the pandemic. I reconnected with my old compositions, reshaping them around more recent memories and started writing again, this time about my experiences as a travelling doctor in small towns across Canada. Don’t let periods of hardship, pain or isolation go to waste – use them to write a great song.  

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

My sound is “roots”, or a mix of folk, blues and rock.  My songs span the full range of human emotion, including heartache, hope and healing. I try to match the tempo, dynamics and phrases with the feel and meaning of each lyric. When a line describes frustration, the guitar fill that follows sounds like it’s stuck in a rut. When “rain keeps cryin’ from the sky”, the guitar riff trickles down a descending blues scale in 16th notes like raindrops. For a sad line, the fill has a mournful slow minor-third bend.  

“Don’t give up on your dreams! My latest single, Cure Your Blues, was the first song I wrote over 30 years ago.  Then I got married, had kids, bought a house, got a paying job which took up all of my time. But I never gave up on my dream of getting my music out there for the world to enjoy. With this release, my dream has finally come to life.” (Dr. Ben / Photo by Heather Pollock)

Why do you think that Canadian Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

Blues is the foundation of classic rock and contemporary music, from the Beatles to Eric Clapton to John Mayer. In Canada we’ve had greats like Jeff Healey, Colin James and the Downchild Blues Band. Why is it still strong in Canada? Maybe because it has a driving rhythm that makes you want to move, a structure that’s familiar and comforting, and bends in the guitar string that can express a hundred different emotions depending on how deep, fast and wiggly you make them.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I am nostalgic for the deep lyrical content of great bands from the 70s, that tell a great story but leave enough mystery that the listener can interpret the song in his or her own way. That’s what I aspire to create with my music, and my hope is that new young audiences will fall in love with this style of songwriting.  

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

The highlight of my career for sure is the screening of my first music video, “Fibbin’ on Me”, at the Cyprus Music Video Festival last May.  I got to walk the red carpet and perform at the awards ceremony, but best of all, I got to hang out with so many creative people in visual arts, dance, film and music of all genres.  

“I am nostalgic for the deep lyrical content of great bands from the 70s, that tell a great story but leave enough mystery that the listener can interpret the song in his or her own way. That’s what I aspire to create with my music, and my hope is that new young audiences will fall in love with this style of songwriting.” (Dr. Ben / Photo by Heather Pollock)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Don’t give up on your dreams! My latest single, Cure Your Blues, was the first song I wrote over 30 years ago.  Then I got married, had kids, bought a house, got a paying job which took up all of my time. But I never gave up on my dream of getting my music out there for the world to enjoy. With this release, my dream has finally come to life.   

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music/musicians in today’s society?

One criticism of blues is that with the standard 12 bar and 1-4-5 progression, songs sound the same after a while. This could get worse with AI. To counter this and preserve the blues, we need to tell unique, new stories that make people laugh, cry and live into their sorrows. That’s our role as musicians – to make people feel alive.  

You’ve worked in many different settings, from clinics and hospitals to studios, clubs and bars. How do you navigate between these different worlds?

I love working as a travelling doctor, going to small towns across Canada in places where they are always short-staffed and could use an extra hand. I try to schedule my music gigs in these same towns and it’s great because they are so appreciative of live music.

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(Dr. Ben / Photo by Heather Pollock)