Ben Parks Makes His Casbah Debut Tonight
San Diego’s own Ben Parks takes the stage at The Casbah tonight, Tuesday, August 26, marking his long-awaited debut at the iconic venue. Doors open at 7:30 PM, with the show starting at 8:30 PM.
Photo taken by Samuel Greenhill
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Parks grew up as a pastor’s kid, developing deep roots in Gospel music before finding his voice in indie pop and alt-rock. Now based in San Diego, his artistry blends intimate piano melodies, soaring vocals, and 80s sci-fi pop textures, drawing comparisons to Phil Collins, The 1975, Maggie Rogers, and MUNA. Embracing the self-coined genre of “Sad Gay Pop,” Parks turns personal transitions like coming out, moving west, and redefining faith into songs that are both vulnerable and cinematic.
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His debut studio record, Ecotone Pt. I, was released in July 2023 and went on to earn a nomination for Best Pop Album at the 2023 San Diego Music Awards. With over 180,000 streams across platforms, the five-song EP introduced listeners to Parks’ world of existential longing, heartbreak, and love wrapped in pop hooks. Since then, he’s released two singles (“Attachment Theory” and “All My Love”), a self-directed music video, and performed across San Diego, including sets at the San Diego County Fair and the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla.
Photo taken by Sammy Noelle
Tonight’s Casbah performance not only cements Parks’ rise in the San Diego music scene but also teases what’s next: his much-anticipated follow-up project, Ecotone Pt. II.
