Ben Stewart is a one-man band making tunes in the hills of Monterey, CA.
In this spotlight, we chat with Ben about music, the new project, and more.
Full Q&A, links, and a stream of Persephone can be found below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create?
I’m a one-man band from Monterey, California. I create an eclectic variety of rock music. I enjoy writing catchy melodies, bluesy guitar lines, and groovy beats. I’m a pretty chill guy and most of my songs are more towards the mellow side of the rock spectrum.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
I have been making music in various forms for most of my life, but gave it up for several years to focus on other life pursuits. About a year ago I suddenly felt an urge to create music again. I think the inspiration came out of my meditation practice. Over the past year, I’ve released an LP and two EPs (18 songs in total). I’m still having fun and having more ideas for songs than I have time to record them. I’m motivated by the simple joy (and the challenge) of making music — having an idea for a song, writing it and then recording it and attempting to make it sound like it sounded in my mind. The process is addicting.
Who or what are your biggest influences when it comes to your creativity?
Musically, I’m into a wide range of music but my deepest influences are old school — the Beatles and Bob Dylan. Lyrically, I’m most influenced by the people, events and ideas in my day-to-day life. There is also a philosophical element in some of my songs that can be traced to my interest in Zen Buddhism.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
“Persephone EP” is a collection of 4 summery pop rock songs that was, appropriately, written and recorded over the summer. It has a somewhat brighter sound than my previous releases. It’s also the first album where I played the drums (instead of programming the beats via MIDI) which I think makes the beats a bit funkier and more organic. I didn’t really set out to accomplish anything other than making some fun-to-listen-to songs that captured certain feelings and experiences. I traveled a lot this summer, and the songs were written and worked on in several locations including California, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Alberta. I’m sure those places found their way into the songs.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
As a musician, I’m generally a fan of the digital age and technology. Digital recording makes everything so much easier and adds new possibilities to the creative process. I love being able to take my laptop along when I go on a trip and working on songs wherever I happen to be. I suppose the challenge for indie musicians is getting your music heard. There are so many musicians making good sounding music, it’s extremely difficult to stand out in the crowd. I don’t worry about that too much, as I’m not seeking fame or fortune.
How do you feel about streaming services? Any romantic attachments to the physical formats: vinyl, 8-track, cassettes, CDs?
I understand the appeal of streaming services, but I don’t subscribe to any myself. I have a large mp3 collection and a small vinyl collection. I don’t consider myself attached to the physical formats, but I am dismayed in the way listening to music has changed. Nobody seems to have the patience to sit back and really listen to a full album. These days it’s all about instant gratification, overproduced hit singles, putting things on shuffle and constantly hitting the next button out of boredom — or alternately, putting music on in the background and not really listening to it. Basically, I think society has a bad case of ADD. My listening habits aren’t much better.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
My bandcamp page has all of my music: http://ben-stewart.bandcamp.com/
I’m also on soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/benstewart1
And I recently started a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/benstewart596
Anything else before we sign off?
Thanks MTM for doing what you do! And thanks to those who take the time to listen to my music.
