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Ben Maney | ||
Ben Maney and Countless Sheep are entertaining their fans with a unique blend of acoustical melodious tunes and catchy lyrics. What makes this next group so fun is their ability to create a variety of styles of music into one creative format. In this recent interview with our Webzine, front man Ben gives us the scoop on what is happening with the band. Enjoy!
Isaac: Hi, Welcome to your interview with Junior's Cave. Now that 2008 has officially ended, what are your reflections of the year 2008 for you as an artist?
Ben: Thanks! Happy to be here. Well, there always seems to be a lot happening.
As far as Ben M & C Sheep are concerned-I feel like we were still turning heads here in Knoxville during the first part of the year. I've been an active professional piano and keyboard player for almost 20 years now; all of my adult life. I've been a part of numerous projects. It wasn't until 2006 or so that I started gathering musicians to perform and record my own music, singing, and playing some acoustic guitar as well as piano. All the while, I've also continued to work as a pianist in various groups. So I think it's been a little confusing for some people including some of my best friends.
In fact, at times, it was even a little confusing for me (lol). I just feel incredibly driven to do it so I do. But anyway, by mid 2008 or so, I think people were finally starting to get used to me as a writer, composer-arranger- singer, and etc. And it all happened with this project. Countless Sheep. I have to say though, on a side note, the thing that I'm most grateful for in '08 is my marriage to my incredible wife Hilary back in October. She's inspired me as an artist the way no one else has. She's also a very gifted musician-a singer-in her own right. Secondly, as always, I attribute everything I do to the incredible musicians that I have had the pleasure to work with and most importantly learn from.
Isaac: What has drawn you to wanting to make music?
Ben: That is a great question and a tough question. I started playing as a kid.
And for me, it was a very introspective process of discovering how music works as a language by means of improvisation. I guess I'd have to say that what has drawn me to it--is it's capacity to fulfill a need to communicate with the world at large the way only music can.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Ben: Well, during my process of sort of being reborn as a song writer, I'd have to say I've become a huge Tom Waits fan over the course of the last 5 years or so. I'm also blown away by the craftsmanship and subtlety of Elliot Smith. Joni Mitchel has been a favorite of mine since I first started trying to play jazz many years ago. And she's an influence now in a much different way. As a pianist, I've always been into McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarret, and some H. Hancock. Started out playing blues so Muddy Waters, Otis Span. I got to meet and actually play with Pine Top Perkins recently; he's 95! That was incredible. I'm in the house band for a huge showcase called TN Shines. He was one of the featured artists. He's been a huge influence. Lately, I've been listening to early Harry Connick Jr.--his "20" album that he recorded when he was 20 years old. I'd give anything to have that left hand at my age of 37 (lol).
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Ben: Well, I suppose I just want to simply bring me and eventually I'd love to have the opportunity to help and inspire other artists to approach the business with a sense of authenticity. It's important to be true to yourself. I wouldn't be being true to myself if I weren't making music. And yeah, sometimes I involve myself on a temporary basis with stuff that's not really my thing but I try to approach everything with a broad perspective and learn from every experience so that I can hopefully filter it all through my own process somehow. I guess that's it in a nut shell. Miles Davis always said to always strive to put yourself in uncomfortable situations as a musician that's when you know you're really learning. But I guess, yeah that's it. I hope to some day offer a broader perspective to the industry.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Ben: Well in addition to working with the amazing musicians I'm working with now, I'd of course love to meet Waits--that would be crazy! Leonard Cohen-WOW!
I'd really love to score some films some day. I'd love to work with some talented up-and-coming renowned independent film makers; huge dream of mine.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Ben: It's pretty eclectic. I'd like to think that it's poetic, original, mmm, I hope that folks find it intriguing, interesting. It's definitely harmonious I think. Most importantly, I'm trying to give people an experience. It's very escapist. I really imagine these different places and they feel quite real to me. I'm trying to bring other people to these places to share the experience. I would love to have a little company out here (lol).
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your previous releases?
Ben: A lot of folks here in Knoxville seem to really love it which thrills me!
What's thrilling about it is that these folks happen to be musicians that I've looked up to for a long time"Like a Cat" is getting radio play on WUTK.
"Panther In The Snow" is on Internet radio. www.pongid.blogspot.net www.indietalent.ca www.bananapeelradio.com www.indie104.com www.radiocrystalblue.com it's starting to get recognized all over the country and in Canada. It's exciting!
Isaac: What can fans expect from your latest CD, you are working on currently? What is the inspiration behind the CD?
Ben: We'll start it in May. It's mostly instrumental so we're focusing on composition-improvisation etc. I feel that there was a lot of that on 'drinking the world from a glass" but the poetry absorbed it and kind of blurred it sometimes which was neat at times. But this one I think I hope will be a little more "clear" and less intense generally. Generally, the music is inspired by personal events which are different than" glass" which was almost all invented and fictitious.
Isaac: Where can fans locate you at online?
Ben: our Sonicbids sight is really concise…
www.sonicbids.com/benmaneyandcountlesssheep
Also, we have MySpace www.myspace.com/thebenmaneyband also again Internet radio listed above.
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in 2009?
Ben: We're still in the process of getting "drinking..." out there. Release number 2 will really show a different side. I hope to play some festivals. Instrumental music is gaining in popularity in my opinion. I'm hoping that we can continue to be adaptable and play for lots of different types of folks. I think it's quite conceivable that we will be playing in some very reputable venues. I hope to also make a solo recording sometime around late summer of some more songs with just me on piano, vocals and guitar.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans?
Ben: Thanks to Countless Sheep! Alexia Pantanizopoulos-Cello, Bethany Hankins-Violin, Chris Peck-Drums, Dave Slack-Bass, a brilliantly talented and incredible group of people!
Thanks to my wife- Hilary Hopper; my better 4/5ths.
Isaac: Final words...
Ben: Thanks for the interview! And to you Isaac and all of the folks at Junior's Cave.
This had been fun!!
Wish you the best and thanks for what you're doing for us independent music folk!
All the best
Ben M
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from Sonicbids artists for general review and feature consideration. some exposure in a modern, inventive publication with an established client base. |
