Ben Ripani Music Co.

Bio:

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.
The journey would begin after college, having realized music was the only path for him, the Chicago native, self taught singer songwriter moved to San Diego and formed the rock band "Down With Leo". With them he recorded a 3 song demo in 2004, a full length album called "The Shaking Ground" in 2006, and 5 song EP in 2007. 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 desire for learning music would then take him from San Diego to Phoenix where he attended the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. While at school Ben worked with producer Paul Ricahards and Bert Stone to record his debut solo album "Hope Street" which was released in December 2008. The album is diverse and honest, passionate "with rich instrumentation and soulful vocals. Some songs here are stripped to only the acoustic guitar to showcase Ripani's poetics, which certainly hold up." (Max Herman: Illinois Entertainer) Each track is " a cut that soothes but pulls at the borders of the heart, briefly mounting passionately in the refrains. Slowly, your 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 pleasure." (Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange by Mark S. Tucker)

Upon Ben's return to Chicago he formed his new band the Ben Ripani Music Co. This 5 piece band is comprised of Patrick Benson (percussion, vocals), Dave Marshall (bass, vocals), Chris Nakielski (keyboards, vocals), and Chris Lambert (guitar).
The style of the band is that of Indie/Folk/Alt.Country/Americana with lyric based songs, involved texture and sound. It is hard not to engage in the honesty, moments of vulnerability and truth that is laid on the stage during live shows. Ben Ripani Music Co. recorded a two song demo in October 2009 featuring "East Side Train" and "Open Mile", and is in the studio now recording a full length album with an expected release date of October 2010. The band will continue to tour, travel and is looking forward to playing in a city near you.

Member Since:

July 09, 2006

Members:

Ben Ripani Music Co.

Chris Lambert: Guitar

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)



View Ben Ripani 's EPK

"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.

Record Label:

Independent