Ben Sollee - Learning to Bend

So it was by a pleasurable accident that I ran across Ben Sollee - I was actually checking out my friend Ben Dean's band Caravan of Thieves - and stumbled across Ben Sollee who actually has the same PR firm as Ben.

Anyway, long story short - Ben Sollee is a classically trained cello player/singer song writer out of Kentucky, who has worked with some seriously talented musicians in the alternative folk world such as: Jim James (My Morning Jacket fame); Casey Driessen (Colorfools, and an amazing Bluegrass fiddler); Abigail Washburn (banjo, singer song writer); and Bela Fleck. (Flecktones fame)

His style of music is a fusion of jazz, neo classical, folk, and bluegrass. As far as a musician and instrumentalist his talent with the cello is fantastic - he uses a lot of Darol Anger style rhythm chops on songs such as "How to See the Sun Rise" with his bow - but also has flawless pizzicato plucking style on songs such as "It's Not Impossible." (on the album this features the banjo stylings of Bela Fleck)(check out Ben Sollee's video playing this song live on Jimmy Kimmel Live.) His right hand pizz. is a wonder to watch even for people who aren't experts with string instruments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCWVZkK24PQ

In regards to his song writing, Ben Solle has a nice mature touch with his songs, which never come across as contrived. Check out the lyrics for his song "Panning for Gold" which is about his grandparents suffering from dementia:

"I saw God by the river
Panning for gold
I saw God by the river
Weary and old

He said; ‘Son,
I used to know where I put things,
I used to know’

I saw God in the forest
Teaching Tai Chi to the trees
In the wind
And bowing to the seas

He said; ‘Son,
I used to know where I put things,
I used to know’

I saw God on the mountain
Tearing at the sky
I saw God on the mountain
With tears in his eyes

He said; ‘Son,
I used to know where I put things,
I used to know
I could have shown you all the beauty in the world
but now I need you to show me
Yes, show me’ "

His album, 'Learning to Bend' is a veritable gem of songs ranging from Bluegrass ("Bury Me With My Car"), Folk ("Prettiest Tree on the Mountain"), Appalachian ballad ("Built for This"), Pop Soul("How to See the Sun Rise"), to political commentary "A Few Honest Words" and the Sam Cooke cover "A Change is Going to Come." Overall as a album it is light easy listening, which never gets too heavy or fluffy.

Furthermore: "Per Ben's unique performance experience and creative vision trump his 24 years and traditional classical training; he is poised to emerge as a solo artist, bridging genres and demographics with earnest and dynamic songwriting. However, the single most salient quality of Learning to Bend, is Ben's contagiously optimistic worldview. Ben is not just expressing his personal quest for flexibility, he is asking the entire country to learn to bend, learn how to cry, learn how to see the sun rise... He is at the forefront of a movement that is happening right now: a zeitgeist in which a nation can face reality and empower itself to evolve and feel deeply and stand up for the power of hope." -Amazon Editorial

Check out the following video of Ben Sollee's "It's Not Impossible" -

~Andrew Joslyn

Fictional Fictionists

Utah natives "Fictionist" are a relatively unknown band in the Northwest -- however through the bizarre fluke of Myspace, I came across their somber, melodic, and dulcet pop rock sound and it instantly caught my ear.

Fictionist consists of: Stuart Maxfield - Lead Vocals, Guitar; Spencer Harrisson - Bass; Jacob Jones - Keys; Aaron Anderson - Drums; Robbie Connolly - Lead Guitar, Funktastic Effects; and Brandon Kitterman - Rhythm Guitar, Toys.

The group fondly compares itself to the classics such as the atmospheric rock of Pink Floyd, and the exhuberance of the Beatles, which isn't too far off the mark. For fans of British rock such as Travis, and Oasis - Fictionist are a nice addition to the pantheon.

Possibly some of the most stand out attributes for the group is the tight instrumentation of their tracks, but also the flawless vocal harmonies. Stuart Maxfield croons along to songs such as 'Noisy Birds' and 'Set Me on Fire,' along with Robbie Connolly singing back ups which creates utterly lush and beautiful layers of sound which just wash over you.

Jamie Gadette of the Salt Lake City Weekly praised the band: "On their Website Utah’s Fictionist observe “Life’s meaning finds form as we rearrange this ancient noise,” though judging by the local sextet’s new album Invisible Hand “ancient noise” might refer to a revolution in sound dating back just three or four decades. Fictionist wrap their record in psychedelic interludes containing little of the dark, droning vibes driving works by contemporary psych-rockers The Warlocks and The Black Angels. Invisible Hand rather leans toward the sunnier, groovier end of the spectrum with soaring guitar solos topping a pile of tasty instrumental glitter—strings and moog, loops, handclaps and the occasional toy—creating an atmosphere mixed with late ’60s/early ’70s AM radio and brooding British rock (Travis comes to mind). Besides their music, Fictionist are fast gaining a reputation for being utmost professionals celebrated by festival organizers and audience members alike. Experience them in an intimate setting before they start selling out arenas."

All in all, Fictionist seem poised for something more than the aridness of Utah.