New Ben + Vesper Recording!
We’re down here in Fishtown, Philadelphia at the amazing studio owned by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey — Miner Street Recordings. We’re on day four, our last day of tracking other than vocals. Dan Smith, our producer and friend and head of our label, Sounds Familyre, had a big show in LA with his band, Danielson, so he was unfortunately unable to be part of it past the first day. But Brian and Amy are amazing. We call Amy the “mic whisperer”. You cannot believe her expertise at mic placement. She also happens to be a sculptor, painter and…get this…trapeze artist. All this in this quiet, demure woman who could fit in one leg of my jeans. We’re all pretty starstruck by her.
Basic tracks only took, amazingly, two full days, and we’ve been able to go hog wild with fun stuff for these last two days. Our friend Suf did some gorgeous piano and kick-butt vocal arrangements.
John Mosloskie and Steve Oyola from Holler! Wild Rose have been blowing our minds with their vintagey drums and bass. In general for this record, think Hall & Oates meets West Side Story meets Fleetwood Mac meets early R.E.M. I can’t really explain further…you’ll have to stay tuned. We’ve got some really kickin’ album art planned that will be another collaboration between Ben and myself, just like that of our last album, All This Could Kill You. All I have to say is “Bruce Willis in Armageddon”.
Label schedules being what they are, we’re not entirely sure of the target release date, but go to the Ben + Vesper website and enter your email in the box at the bottom of any page to receive updates about the album, shows, and related Ben + Vesper news.
Photo by Helen Michelsen; Styling by Karen St. Pierre
