Ben has been a judge since 2020
Ben Groth (aka “The Child of Eve”)
Bitter Jester Music Festival Judge
Hailing from the tranquility of the midwest, The Child of Eve (Benjamin Jeffrey Groth) has studied his craft immensely and obsessively over the years. The Child of Eve is a herald of explorations, juxtapositions, and a master in isolation. Drawn by those who have beguiled him, he is knee deep in the progressive folk community, writing music and lyrics with such subtle melancholy that it will often leave you profoundly curious. Listen to him performing his songs “Newish Lament” and “The Beekeeper” live on WLUW here.
As a performer, Ben has been on a bit of a sabbatical over the last couple years as he rediscovers his sound and refines his style.
“There has never been anyone like The Child of Eve.”
Feeling “dusty and outdated,'“ Ben decided to escape both mentally and physically to the island is Inis Mór, one of three Aran Islands off the coast of Galway, Ireland, last year. He spent three months in near-complete solitude last spring, detaching from the world and rediscovering himself.
Prior to Bitter Jester 2023, he spent a good stint of time in Southern Europe, where he finished walking a pilgrimage from Saint Jean Pied de Port in France, across Spain, to Santiago. The entire journey took 27 days and was 488 miles of walking and soul-refreshing.
He then took a quick detour to the UK to see Muse play at Home Park Stadium in Plymouth, then to Ireland for a pub crawl, then back home to the US in early June, just in time for BJMF. It was a wild and blessed time with his brothers, who accompanied him on the adventure.
After the soul-cleanse, Ben’s aspirations with music have been fine tuned and he is in the process of finishing an album of new songs (aiming for the fall of 2023 with a late spring, 2024, release). After that, his plan is to dive back into the music scene head on once again.
“A truly gratifying indulgence.”
A former competitor in the Bitter Jester Music Festival, The Child of Eve holds a special badge honor of being one of BJMF’s solo performers who won their Preliminary Concert, beating half a dozen bands - a particularly challenging and impressive task.
“Beautiful, thoughtful independent music.”
The Child of Eve performing live at Bitter Jester for his second time in 2018.