Ben de la Garza: vocals, guitar, ukelele, trombone, toy piano, beat and sound programming
"Listening to Ghosts" collaboration: Elena de la Garza (vocals), Thad Raczkowski (trumpet), Victor Penniman (viola de gamba), Forsides (breakbeats), Jeremy Fogel (live drums)
dj cuts on "The Fantasy Wire": DJ Afar
other collaborators: Ben Didsbury, Ashley Cox
Influences
Music: Bobby McFerrin, Bela Fleck, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Hedges, Andres Segovia, Dvorak, Tom Waits, Bjork, Cannibal Ox, Vangelis, Radiohead, Rage against the Machine, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, El-P, Fiona Apple, Julian Bream, The Temptations, Chick Corea, The Police, Sting, Run DMC, Nick Drake, Joan as Policewoman, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Meters, Saul Williams, Public Enemy, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Holly, The Beach Boys, James Brown, Paco deLucia, Jennifer Charles, RJD2....etc
also:
love, loss, nature, stories I hear, tension and release, eccentrics, loon attics, swimming up against the undertow
A Couple Cover Songs- "Mad World" and "I Can See Clearly"
And an instrumental from "Listening to Ghosts"
Hey there friend,
My name is Ben de la Garza. fullname Ben de la Garza Bassett. The de la Garza comes from the Mexican side of my family. There have been many great musicians in my family, and none of them ever rose to prominence. But the torch was passed one way or another, and I'm striving to make music that I love and hopefully others will enjoy as well.
I played piano when I was six, had a bit of a sour experience with it, took up trombone in fifth grade, and then truly found my niche on guitar when I hit puberty (fancy that). I have been composing for my whole life, and I try to blend any genre that strikes me at the moment with any other styles I've tried.
I've been a beatsmith, more than dabbling in a lot of computer programming. I released a hip hop album in 2005. It's called the Fantasy Wire, and it's a good deal more abrasive than what I'm doing now. If you like weird hip hop, it might be your kind of thing.
I also recently released my second solo album, called "Listening to Ghosts". There are several guest artists, including my sister Elena.
For many years I've been close with the local community of people who have been labeled with a mental health diagnosis. I spent some time as a patient in psych wards in my early 20s, and it was a formative experience for me. I've been tossed around a bit, but with every swing I've gathered myself and got back to my feet. I am an advocate for the mentally "ill", and I try to be a peacemaker.
I met Billy Baldwin at the inner harbor during the I Can't Remember Who Was Playing Show. Meeting Billy was the big happening of the night, though the band waas somewhat good.
How's everything with you and the family ? We all are pretty good. Just getting used to the colder temps. Trying to avoid getting sick. :) I don't know if you are in NYC if you are then I hope that is going good for you. Say hello to David for us too.
Greetings…!
Founding member and former front man of John Brown’s Body Kevin Kinsella returns to Southern Cali August 1 to perform at the Belly Up Tavern with Elijah Emmanuel and the Revelations. A typical Kevin Kinsella set includes new, original reggae, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant and classic JBB songs.
Tickets $13 adv/$15 dos. Ages 21+. Come out and show some love! Belly Up Tavern is located at 143 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, California. http://www.bellyup.com.
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2009 6PM Hot Topic Great Northern Mall Clay, NY
July 8 - CD Release - "Distilled" July 10 - Hot Topic Great Northern Mall 6pm July 10 - CD Release Party at Mac's Bad Art Bar - Mattydale, NY July 11 - Lucky's - Cortland, NY July 17 - Hot Topic Watertown Mall - Watertown, NY 6pm July 17 - Adams Hotel - Adams, NY July 23 - Looney Tunes CD Store - Long Island July 24 - Uncle Mike's - Manhattan July 25 - Uncle Mike's - Manhattan
Brand New Sin is about to release their 4th full length and 1st independent album. The CD entitled "Distilled" hits the streets JULY 8, 2009! CATCH OUR CD RELEASE PARTY JULY 10th AT MAC'S BAD ART BAR 1799 Brewerton Road Mattydale, NY 13208!!
Hey thanks man! I watched the two acoustic videos you have up, similar style. Good stuff! Thanks for the add! I'm just starting to play out so if you need an opener let me know!
Greetings…!
Founding member and former front man of John Brown’s Body Kevin Kinsella returns to Southern Cali Thursday June 25 @ the OC Tavern (San Clemente) and Friday June 26 @ Winstons OB in San Diego! Tickets $10. Ages 21+. Come out and show some love!
