Cool project coming from the Sounds Familyre label. Ben + Vesper are Ben and Vesper (obviously), a married couple (so indie) who are set to release their thirteen-track, Daniel Smith-produced debut this May. The record features a few of the sibs from the Danielson Famile and one Mr. Sufjan Stevens on banjo, woodwinds, vocals, and piano. That oughta be enough to tip you to the tunes’ leanings, though it doesn’t account for the Dean & Britta-styled timbre mesh of Ben’s baritone and Vesper’s soft-hearted vox. Check the tracks, with “Rockaway Twp.”‘s dry, ditty of a melody blooming into something more orchestral, and “Honest Bluff”s steady-rolling chord cycle teased out to a slow swell by Daniel’s warm touch on production. Think you’ll enjoy.
Ben + Vesper – “Rockaway Twp.” (Stream)
All This Could Kill You is out 5/22 on Sounds Familyre.
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 Ben + Vesper – “Knee-Hi Wall” |  Ben + Vesper – “My Father’s Eyes” |  Ben + Vesper – “Hot Thunder” |  Ben + Vesper – “Singing Swords” Video (Stereogum Premiere) |
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i like Ida and Low a lot too, guys…doesn’t mean we all need to start bands that sound just like them.
hey ida fans what’s the name of that ida song about having casual sex with your friends?
Yeah I haven’t listened to this yet, but how did i block out until today’s random mention that Britta was the original Jem. Jem and the Holograms Jem??
this is the most meandering song i’ve heard in quite some time.
oh boy, a song about rockaway, nj. the land of bad drivers, chainstore sprawl and condos.
Vesper here…
I don’t know who Ida and Low are.
Thanks for listening, though!
Hey Nick- What the heck are you talking about? Have you actually listened to either of those bands? This sounds nothing like Low or Ida. I mean, I like some of the Low and Ida stuff, but this ben&vesper stuff is much more sophisticated and interesting. Just my opinion, but other than the married couple connection, I don’t see any similarities.
I think the two songs are really cool and beautifully recorded. Reminds me of what it might have sounded like if Jonathan Richman sang on the 3rd Velvet Underground LP. Really nice.