Ben Goerner has played guitar and piano since he was a kid. His first band in high school played original music exclusively. He has played at movie premiers, in a locally written and produced rock musical, did his time on the road for almost a year, and enjoyed very steady work and popularity throughout the 90’s and 2000’s with a power trio. He continues to write with some of the best songs co-written with his brother Karl Goerner. The songs are meant to tell stories, to shed light on injustice, on relationship struggles and resilience, friendships, and the overall journey through life.
Influenced by progressive and pop rock as well as roots and folk in the 70’s and 80’s you can tell that these influences have had a huge impact on the sounds and themes that Ben creates, often times with his brother Karl.
As a retired counsellor, having worked with people who have been marginalized and unjustly mistreated by society, many of the songs are a dedication to the many stories of struggle and resilience of the human spirit.
Currently, living on Vancouver Island, Ben is creating a balance between the progressive feels of his most profound influences and a folk, rock, roots feel. He is playing his guitar and piano as a solo, in the local band “Downtown Train”; and now in a duo under the name “Douglas and Yeats”. Ben has also collaborated with others all around the island.
Ben and Karl have released two songs recently to major platforms such as Spotify, Apple, Deezer iTunes and iHeart radio and are planning to organize and compile their first album by spring of 2026. Ben will also be releasing his solo projects on an ongoing basis as well while he plays across the island.