An Australian singer says that he is excited to return to Brighton as part of his UK tour in September.

Ben Abraham, who is best known for writing songs such as Kesha’s smash hit Praying, is now bringing his own brand of soulful music to the South Coast.

The 37-year-old has previously played in Brighton but is now coming back with a renewed appreciation for British crowds as well as a new album.

Ben said: “I haven’t toured very often. This is basically retracing places I’ve toured in the past.

“I played about six years ago and touring in the UK is amazing because UK audiences are so thoughtful.

“I’m really proud of this record and what we made. It’s so great to have my work bringing me around the world”.

Ben's new album, Friendly Fire, has come out of a period of transition in his life.

In the past six years, he has wrestled with questions of spirituality and sexuality that have heavily influenced his work.

Growing up in Melbourne as the son of church pastors the role that religion plays in his music is clear.

And after publicly coming out in an Instagram post in February, his new music is heavily influenced by this personal journey.

He said: “I was just really challenging my faith and really expanding my understanding of myself and my spirituality and my sexuality and questioning my identity out of that.

“The album is really this fusion of bigger, poppier songs than I’d ever written paired with this desire to tell a really personal and intense story to me.”

Ben is certainly a singer who has benefited from the rise of social media.

With more than 200,000 followers on TikTok, he has used the platform to his advantage alongside a string of popular music videos.

His most recent, for single If I Didn’t Love You, features Charlie Day from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame.

His other series of videos, a collaboration with artists where he walks and sings in various parks, has also proved popular.

“A walk and sing in Brighton would be amazing!” he says when I pitch the idea to him.

He adds: “Brighton would be the perfect place, walking by the seaside would be fantastic”.

The Argus: Ben will be playing at Patterns in Brighton this September. Image: Jordan CarterBen will be playing at Patterns in Brighton this September. Image: Jordan Carter

Ben notes, however, that previous attempts at a walk and sing video in London were less successful.

Unlike in Los Angeles, where he is based, he isn’t used to being heckled by pensioners in Islington while filming.

As he prepares to trade California for the Sussex coast, he says he is looking forward to Brighton, where he has fond memories of touring before. 

He concludes: “It’s thrilling! I can’t wait, I’m excited to meet the people of Brighton.”

Ben Abraham is performing at Patterns on Tuesday, September 6.