‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.
A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.
Today’s guest is Ben from Benny’s Videos.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
I’m Benny’s Videos, I make music that shoots straight for the heart chakras, has a high level of drama and taps into a deeper darker holiness. I like to create the kind of music that could be played at the “coronation of a dark lord”, oscillating between Mozart’s’ Requiem and all the divas that have ever walked the Earth.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
There’s definitely an album on the way, more singles and more videos! I’m directing the music video for a single I released last year ‘Inside my Head’, which I wrote with Nik Brinkman and Oscar Wuts. After a year hiatus from performances, in 2017 I’m focusing on blowing people’s minds in the flesh! Theres also a couple of tracks from the new Boycrush record that should be out later in the year.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
You can follow me on Facebook and Soundcloud, just search Benny’s Videos!
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Nine Inch Nails – The Fragile / Joni Mitchell – Hejira / David Bowie – Diamond Dogs
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
I saw Brooke Fraser play a few weeks back, and hadn’t realised how deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness she was, her 1st album went 7 times platinum and she had Temuera Morrison in one of her videos! I really love that new track she did with Joel Little! I’d love to have her feature on a track, she has such an incredibly versatile voice and I love what she does with it.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
The Michael Fowler Centre & Wellington Town Hall are my favourite venues (But I haven’t played them.. yet!)
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I always start with melody, it’s the first thing that comes to me. I’ll loop the idea, let it seep deeper into my soul and gradually the lyrics reveal themselves to me – it’s similar to clairvoyance. David Lynch was asked in a press conference for Mulholland Drive (one of my all-time favourite films) where his ideas come from? He said he didn’t know and that “it must be the ocean”. When I have the concepts down I’ll take them to one of my collaborators, Deakin Palmer helps me craft the initial basis of the songs whilst I guide the drama and grandiosity. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis’ creative process has always inspired me. Albert Williams and I have been singing and creating together for 14 years, he has recently joined me on guitar, he’s like the Page to my Plant! Jack Mells is a wizard on drums, which helps me to define the sound. Al & Jack worked with me on the reinterpretation of Joni Mitchells ‘I Had A king”. Radio NZ was playing it last month and announced it as her version, that was pretty f***king great!
Where/when is your next gig?
I’m opening Homegrown this Saturday @ 1pm at the local stage/ FREE to Public stage! It’s the first show in over a year. Also playing with Kamandi March 11 @ Valhalla.