actually...

oh shit, so i guess I actually wasn't done. I just threw down some vocals after hearing a part that needed a lift.
yes, we all need a lift sometimes. music is my lift. my emotional face lift, the fork lift that carries my heart around. oh, terrible metaphors. english lanuage, why have you forsaken me?
I'm out-

Recording Done

well, the final recordings were done last night in beautiful Aurora, NY. I drove along Cayuga Lake on the way out there with the fading sun glistening off the waves.

Victor did a bang-up job hammering out a few amazing tracks with his viola de gamba. And I redid a bit of guitar in his first-rate home studio.

So now I'm in my final stages of mixing. I've done the majority of the mixing already, but there are some kinks to work out.
I believe Victor will be mastering the album, but that remains to be seen.

can't wait to share the finsihed product and get out there for some gigs. It's been a while!
-Ben

upcoming gig

Thunderkids and Fun Machine, two bands out of New Jersey who are currently touring, will be playing in Syracuse with me at the Dinosaur Barbecue on Monday, August 13th.
My friend and old housemate, Mike Liska, is in the band Thunderkids. They do a lot of avante garde, textural music. Fun Machine sounds pretty crazy too. Frankly, I'm not sure how Syracuse will react. hopefully people won't throw bottles at the stage.

Divas Festival

I was at an open mic in Hanover Square last week and asked the girl hosting it, Lisa Gentile, if she wanted to try playing together that night. She seemed very hesitant at first, but decided she liked what she heard when I figured the songs out on the spot. I've got a good ear. That's probably my best musical attribute. If you play something, complicated or simple, chances are I can pick it up quickly.

So Lisa asked me to play with her at the Diva's Festival this Saturday Night. I won't be playing any of my own material. I am backing up Lisa for her set at 8 PM. This show (obviously) features all women who are notable CNY artists. Jessie Chick is playing, and she's really great. There are a few others, but Lisa and I will be first I think.

It's at the Syracuse Center for the Performing Arts at 728 E. Genesee St Syracuse, NY. It costs 15 bucks to get in, but this is a pretty major venue and there are a lot of artists, so the money hopefully isn't an issue.

peace
-Ben

TV Show appearance 7-31

I will be featured in a brief segment during an hourlong special on WCNY tv. The show is called "My So-Called Disability". I believe the program will look at mental illness as more of a divergence of thought than as a disability. Anyway, that is how I look at it.
It will be on channel 24 (WCNY) at 9 pm on Tuesday, July 31st. Be sure to check your tv listings to make sure the channel you watch is the right one. Here is a link to the television website:

WCNY tv shedule

A Lingering melody

I wrote an Irish folk song last night.
But I have to admit it was mainly just a melody I heard in my dream. I woke up with the tune still echoing in my head.
I wish I could live in a small Irish village for a while, so I could share my song in the local pub.
I think American bars should do away with stereos and live music, so a bunch of jolly drunks would have to improvise the music (I'm sort of kidding, but sort of not).
Here are the lyrics.

I keep on thinking you were the last one I loved
My prides's a sunken ship
There are those who pass on, and lovers make new
The firelight reminds my heart
But an echoing chime in the back of my mind
searches the skies for truth
The people hold hands as they sway like the tide
singing 'you were the last one I loved'

-Ben

i remember this. I swear youtube has everything