Chris Nakielski: Finger Snaps, Piano, Synths, Backup Vocals
Dave Marshall: Bass, Backup Vocals
Patrick Benson: Percussion, Backup Vocals
Ben Ripani, The people who built "Hope Street"..........
Paul Richards (Engineer/Producer)
Bert Stone (Engineer)
David Kruk (Assistant Engineer)
Tom Wiggins (Mastering Engineer)
Tim Marchiafava (Violin)
Joe Sullivan (keys and bells)
Ted Belledin (Keys and Clarinet)
Jia Francis (Vocals)
Jay Allan (Bass)
Robb Krysl (Drums)
Ashley Norton (Vocals)
Joe Mastroianni (Designer)
John Sarmiento (Photographer)
"Slowly, you're dragged beneath in his understated gems, fascinated, realizing just how compelling Ripani's music is, how subtly it works its way into odd angles and unruffled pleasures." -FAME review by Mark S. Tucker
Influences
Ryan Adams, Jeff Tweedy, Neil Young, Elliot Smith, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, James Mercer, Paul Simon, John Lennon, Sean Lennon, Woody Guthrie, Mississippi John Hurt, Frank Green, Randy Neuman, Sam Cook, Ottis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Chet Atkins, Leo Cockey, Aaron Bowen, Gregory Page, Marie Hadad, Billy Joel, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Cake, Blind Melon, The Pixies, The Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, The Cure, Beck, The Grateful Dead, Phish, Modesky, Martin, and Wood, John Coltrain, Miles Davis, Death Cab For Cutie, The Cold War Kids, Spoon, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, Menomena, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Led Zepplin, The Doors, The Beatles, Wilco, Brad Hebert, Randy Hebert, Brian Shim, Lee Chato, Radiohead, The Stereotypes, Delcoa, Widespread Panic, MOE, Cursive, Weezer, The Ramons, The Strokes, The Muse, Martin Sexton, You Shall Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead, The Clash, The White Stripes, Dave Mathews, The Shins, 311, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Jeff Buckley, Guided By Voices, Modest Mouse, Justin Bryant, Rage Against The Machine, Bloc Party, Ben Harper, Chad Nordhoff, Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Vampire Weekend, The Fleet Foxes, Allison Kraus, Ashley Norton, Jay Allan....I don't know, thats all i can think of right now. Can't wait to be influenced by new music.
When rock and roll, country and western, rhythm and blues, and gospel collectively
leave their footprints in song, it is affectionately called “Americana.” Embracing the
classic yet contemporary sound of Americana in the tradition of artists like Ryan Adams
and Wilco, a new voice is rising: Ben Ripani. Traveling the road that winds from the
towering buildings of the metropolis to the rolling hills of the farmlands, Ben's songs tell
stories of hope and love, of being lost and found; his music speaks of and to life's
challenges and rewards.
“Hope Street” is the debut solo album from Ben Ripani, who has previously released an
EP with the San Diego band Down With Leo. The collection of songs written for “Hope
Street” paint stories and pictures of life in transition, centered primarily on the American
southwest, a place of discovery and renewal.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ben ventured west to San Diego where he formed the
rock band Down With Leo. During his time with Down With Leo, Ben found his
songwriting voice, stated to "have perfected pace changes and sophisticated compositions
to make every song interesting".Writing from a personal perspective about his life and his world,
"Lyrically, each track tells a story and the narrative is revealed as the song builds".(San Diego Reader Review)
Ben's journey took him to Phoenix, Arizona where he continued pouring himself into song
while learning about the recording process at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences
in Tempe. After finishing the “Hope Street” album, Ben returned to Chicago where he now delivers his
Americana flavored messages of love, hope, and redemption to enthusiastic Windy City
audiences.
dave, i'm sorry to hear that. hopefully everything is looking up for you and this new band. i wish you the best, of course. and i've just been busy with school. finally get to graduate next year. changed some things in my life and have been doing great since, thanks. let me know if you need anything.
Hey Ben Ripani Music Co....hope you have a good week!!!
What have you been up to? I just wanted to catch up and let you know that my new CD "Change is Good" is now available on the official JTL Site... http://www.jacobtylerlucas.com or you can just click the link below to download it on iTunes! It would help me out to keep making more music and I will love you for it!!!
Thanks again for adding me, Ben. I really like some of your tunes, especially Don't Cry on Me. I hope you'll visit my page to check out "Back Into Your Life" and some of my other songs. I'm hoping to release my first CD soon. Keep up the good work and take care always.
Damn dude, I wish I would have known you were in Chicago a few weeks ago. Drivin' around there at 5 mph was insanity. The radio however, called it "normal".
Hey Ben whats up bro. I went to San Diego a couple weeks ago and it's just not the same with out you there. I missed out on some late night whiskey drinking at the Alibi with you bro.I want a cd, how can I get one. Give a call some time havent talk to you in a while i hope all is well. I lost your phone number so you have to call me. O by the way I'll be in Wrigleyvile on June 20th with Frank to see a Cubs game, so maybe we can drink some whiskey then. Hope all is well and hope to hear from you soon. O yeah PEPPPPPERS !!!
Hey, Just wanted to let you know that we are running a special until May 15th. $250 for a 10 hour day. If you book 2 consecutive days you get the 3rd day for free. Our hourly rate is also being reduced to $30 an hour until May 15th as well. Message us for scheduling info.
