Ben + Vesper Bring the Hot Thunder!

We are great fans of Weathervane Music Organization and their curated series, Shaking Through, in partnership with WXPN. Back in June, we had the incredible privilege of recording a new song, “Hot Thunder” for the series, curated by Daniel Smith of Danielson. We were joined by our esteemed brother, Josh Stamper, on guitar and arrangements for woodwinds and strings; bassist John Mosloskie and drummer Steve Oyola of Holler! Wild Rose; John Reese on sax, clarinet and piccolo; Erica Miller on strings, and recorded by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey at Miner Street Studios in Philadelphia, PA.

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

B+V Selected for Shaking Through Session

Ben + Vesper have been asked to participate in the Weathervane/WXPN project called “Shaking Through“. We will be recording a new song, “Hot Thunder”, for a two-day collaboration at Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey’s studio in Fishtown, Philadelphia. The project will be curated by Daniel Smith (Danielson), our esteemed producer and founder of Sounds Familyre records, our esteemed record label. We will be collaborating with Joshua Stamper (guitar, orchestral arrangements), John Mosloskie (bass) and Steve Oyola (drums) of Holler! Wild Rose. The whole recording session will be filmed in a mini-documentary which you’ll be able to see online.

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.”

Vesper Pen and Ink Drawings for Commission

Hi B+V Fans!
Vesper here. For TWO WEEKS only (2/24/10-3/9/10), I am offering $100 pen and ink drawings in the subject of your choice. Get that tattoo design you’ve always wanted, or get a gift for that special someone. Contact me at vespersongs[at]hotmail[dot]com. Time is limited, so think of your subject and let me know.

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

Ben + Vesper LuvTenets

At our Facebook page, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve been posting 11 Tenets of Luv, one for every year we’ve been married. Let’s getcha started.

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.)

LuvInIdleness is here!

It’s official! Our new EP, LuvInIdleness, is available wherever you buy your favorite music.

Now, this little 5-song gem does not contain a lyric sheet. But we’ve made it easy for you to obtain one. Here’s how.
Step 1: Download the lyric sheet.
Step 2: Watch this Instructional Video to learn how to fold and insert the sheet perfectly into the sleeve.

You can also listen to the title track on the Hear page. Enjoy, and Luv!

Eye-Aching LuvinIdleness Package Art!

Keep those 3-D glasses you were given when you went to see Avatar, because you don’t even know what will happen when you gaze upon our new EP with those things on. We advise against this while climbing stairs, operating heavy machinery, or recovering from a migraine. Thanks to our son for this mind-warping discovery.

B+V, Ortolan, Danielson Spring 2010 Tour

A Familyre Drive Spring 2010 Tour!!!
Ben + Vesper, Ortolan, and Danielson will all be packin’ the van and heading off to make musical merriment at the fine cities below!

Come on out! All three bands will have just released or will be soon to release new records, so come hear some fantastic new material, as well as some old hits!

Here’s the itinerary:
03/06/2010 Ben + Vesper play at the closing ceremony of the IAM (International Arts Movement) Encounter conference at Cooper Union, NYC. 8 pm; conference registration required.

03/07/2010 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie – Ortolan ‘Time On A String’ CD Release Party!

03/08/2010 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory – Ben + Vesper ‘LuvInIdleness’ EP Release Party!

03/10/2010 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar

03/11/2010 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506

03/12/2010 Athens, GA @ 40 Watt

03/13/2010 Orlando, FL @ Stardust

03/14/2010 Elkton, FL @ Harvest of Hope Festival

03/15/2010 Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder

03/17/2010 Austin, TX @ Beauty Bar – SXSW!

03/19/2010 Denton, TX @ Hailey’s

03/20/2010 Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone

The Contenders!

Hi all,
Thought we’d share the entries for the LuvInIdleness drink contest with you. The winner will get an EP and T-Shirt, as well as have their drink served on the last night of our residency at Sycamore this week.

From S.M.: (my apologies–I forgot to include this one!)

Pernod, blackcurrant juice and club soda. I’ve never actually tried this, but it should be heavenly for lazing on a summer afternoon (or idling on a midsummer’s night?). Though not necessarily everyone’s idea of living easy in the summertime.

From N.S.:

1 part Bailey’s Irish Cream.
1 part Kahlua.
2 part Coca-Cola Classic.
Served on the rocks.
Garnished with a slice of fresh ginger.

Also from N.S.:

1 1/2 part Gin.
2 parts Soda Water (aka Club Soda, Seltzer Water).
1 part Tonic Water.
1/5 of a peeled cucumber, mashed
Wedge of Lime
Garnish with thin slice of cucumber and pansy flower.

Place cucumber in a cocktail shaker and mash with a muddler or spoon until pulpy. Then add gin, soda, tonic, ice, and shake.
Empty, don’t strain, all contents into a lowball cocktail glass.
On the rocks.

From J.R.:

*a sippin’ martini for bittersweet afternoons in the garden*

A gin waltz – with orange, elderflower, and rose petal flavours to
chase your blues away – or to embrace them. Accenting with a bleeding,
fading purple flower just for you!

The drink, a everything I love, has story intertwined.

Shake and strain;
• 1 shot Hendricks Gin
• Splash St. Germaine
• Juice of one wedge orange

• Serve up, with a splash of sprite and a twist of orange
• Let stand, then drop a few drops of red wine into the drink as garnish

From T.M.:

2 parts peach nectar
1 part fresh-squeezed lime juice
1 part vodka

From J.D.:

1 part concord grape juice
1.5 (to taste? to preference? to respite? choice vodka…or is it gin…??
Several chopped (finely) basil leaves

From M.M.:

ice cubes with red hots frozen in!
1 part grenadine!
1 part vanilla vodka!
2 parts ginger ale!
two cherries on top! one carved in the shape of a flower! one carved in the shape of a heart!

i don’t care if i win this, this is totally what i’m getting tomorrow!