Part of the Shaking Through vision is to create short documentaries about the recording process in addition to providing an incredibly produced, free MP3. We’re fortunate to have three videos on the site, documenting the recording from both our perspective and from the geeky techy side as well (fun).

It was such a blast to have this experience. The biggest thing we came away with, other than getting to spend two days with such dear friends, was the sense that this had to be the future of the music industry. Just as the “eat local/organic” movement has raised awareness about what we put in our bodies–and the lives of those that provide us such a valuable service, we believe that music will once again swing away from the mindset of “I deserve everything free and easy, at whoever’s expense”, to “This person is providing me with a slice of beauty. What can I do to support them?” People like the great folks at Weathervane are truly on the cutting edge. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

Would you please share the Ben + Vesper Shaking Through session with your friends? And tell ‘em to download “Hot Thunder”!

Luv,
B+V

Photo by Helen Michelsen

Ben + Vesper are that musical married couple from NJ.  They are the ones that are dually described as “lightly entwined earthbound angels” and  “two Disneyfied hyenas, yowling at each other.”  However you choose to describe their sound, it’s agreed that Ben + Vesper are a fresh, strange and important voice growing strong in the indie music world.

Since joining up with Sounds Familyre in 2005, Ben + Vesper have been busy recording, performing and collaborating with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Smith (Danielson), Kurt Weisman (Feathers) and Chris Weisman (Happy Birthday).  As a band, Ben + Vesper is a musical spectrum.  They are the full-on five-piece rock outfit, or the intricate and dynamic duo, or the high school theater pit band.  Ben + Vesper’s versatility on stage and in the studio comes from their love of working with musicians from different genres and backgrounds, while Ben + Vesper’s vocals remain always at the helm.

Ben + Vesper’s first full length entitled All This Could Kill You (Sounds Familyre, 2007) earned hefty praise from Pitchfork with a 7.5 rating, in addition to being featured in Magnet Magazine’s “Magnified” section. All This Could Kill You also attracted many positive reviews from print and web-based publications, including Paste, Dusted, Anthem, Harp, Venuszine, American Songwriter, Under The Radar and Relevant. To support this release, Ben + Vesper toured from Maine to Nashville.

More recently, the latest recording entitled LuvInIdleness (Sounds Familyre, 2010), a five-song pop anthem produced, arranged and recorded by Sufjan Stevens.  In tandem with the release of LuvinIdleness, Ben + Vesper produced their first music video which was premiered on Stereogum (2/8/10).  Drowned in Sound described the title track in their “Singles of the Week”, describing it as “a terror to type it is heaven to listen to…”  ” Magazine highlighted LuvinIdleness in their recent “Best of What’s Next” interview with Ben + Vesper.

After a 5 week residency at Sycamore Bar in Brooklyn and a two week SXSW tour opening for Danielson, Ben + Vesper will be heading up through New England to do a two week house concert tour in preparation for their performance at the Egersund Visefestival music festival in Norway this July.

While all this is happening, Ben + Vesper’s second full length album Honors is just being wrapped up and ready to release in October of 2010 on Sounds Familyre.  Honors was produced by Daniel Smith and Brian McTear and includes contributions from Sufjan Stevens and Holler, Wild Rose! members John Mosloskie and Steve Oyola as well as Josh Stamper of Danielson.  These three musicians provide the virtuoso rhythm section who are currently performing with Ben + Vesper as part of their live shows.

Ben + Vesper plan to go on tour in conjunction with the release of Honors in the fall of 2010.

We really believe in Weathervane’s work in helping independent musicians. From their site: “Weathervane Music is a new organization, building a non-profit community whose sole purpose is to support and advance the careers of amazing independent musicians. We work with a small selection of artists each year, and we intend to do it every year, for many to come.”

• Sunday, June 20, 104 Manhattan Avenue, Jersey City NJ. “Up at Four” opens for us.
• Tuesday, June 22, 125 Montague Road, Amherst, MA.
• Thursday, June 24, Exeter Farmer’s Market, Swasey Parkway, off of Water Street in downtown Exeter, NH. (Obviously there’s no admission for this, but we encourage you to purchase CDs.)
• Friday, June 25, South China, ME (Augusta area). 7xDown and Smokin’ Ephods open for us.
• Saturday, June 26, Yoga on the Hill, Kittery, ME.
• Sunday, June 27, Concord, MA. Jim Olsen opens for us.
• Friday, July 2 at the Egersund Visefestival, Egersund, Norway. Playing in Danielson, and with Ortolan, Robyn Hitchcock and others. Vesper will also officially debut Cruel Summer, as well as play a set of hymns in the Egersund church. http://www.egersundvisefestival.no/

To see examples of my work, visit http://www.vespersongs.com and click on “Portfolio” (or look at the backgrounds). Remember, this is black and white work.

Thanks–and see you on tour! Visit http://www.soundsfamilyre.com for tour dates.

Luv,
B+V

LuvTenet #1: Treat Each Other Like Strangers. (You may ask what this means.)
LuvTenet #2: Kiss (for real) at least once a day, on purpose.
LuvTenet #3: Let us presume the best. (quoted from Danielson, of course.)
LuvTenet #4: It doesn’t really have to take that long to know that he or she is “the one”. (If it does, then maybe they’re not.)
LuvTenet #5: ALWAYS speak well of the other in the presence of other people, never tearing down but always building up. Speak well and the feelings will follow.
LuvTenet #6: Be painfully honest (but always kind) about you-know-what and finances.
LuvTenet #7: Take Good Care Of Each Other.
LuvTenet #8: Quick Repentence Is King. (Sorry, Ali McGraw.)

IAM is the International Arts Movement. Their mission statement says:

“IAM gathers artists and creative catalysts to wrestle with the deep questions of art, faith and humanity in order to inspire the creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that ought to be…We value an approach to life and work that is Rehumanizing, Aspirational, Enterprising, and Generous, and fosters an environment for effectively Wrestling with the deep questions of art, faith and humanity.”

We’re looking forward to seeing several old friends at the conference, like painter Bruce Herman, singer Christy Tennant and photographerDavid Sacks, as well as *finally* meeting the extraordinary artist Makoto Fujimura. Will we meet you there? We hope so!

with Danielson and Ortolan
Tickets $8

MONDAY, MARCH 8 • Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm

Tel: (347) 529-6696
Fax: (347) 529-6295

Directions:
The Knitting Factory is a 4 minute walk from the L/G Train (Lorimer-Metropolitan) and a 7 minute walk to L Train (Bedford Ave).