Ben de la Garza - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Off of "Window of Redemption"
"Estudio Sin Luz" by Andres Segovia
A Couple Cover Songs- "Mad World" and "I Can See Clearly"
And an instrumental from "Listening to Ghosts"
Hey there friend, My name is Ben de la Garza. fullname Ben de la Garza Bassett. The de la Garza comes from the Mexican side of my family. There have been many great musicians in my family, and none of them ever rose to prominence. But the torch was passed one way or another, and I'm striving to make music that I love and hopefully others will enjoy as well.
I played piano when I was six, had a bit of a sour experience with it, took up trombone in fifth grade, and then truly found my niche on guitar when I hit puberty (fancy that). I have been composing for my whole life, and I try to blend any genre that strikes me at the moment with any other styles I've tried.
I've been a beatsmith, more than dabbling in a lot of computer programming. I released a hip hop album in 2005. It's called the Fantasy Wire, and it's a good deal more abrasive than what I'm doing now. If you like weird hip hop, it might be your kind of thing.
I also recently released my second solo album, called "Listening to Ghosts". There are several guest artists, including my sister Elena.
For many years I've been close with the local community of people who have been labeled with a mental health diagnosis. I spent some time as a patient in psych wards in my early 20s, and it was a formative experience for me. I've been tossed around a bit, but with every swing I've gathered myself and got back to my feet. I am an advocate for the mentally "ill", and I try to be a peacemaker.

so peace to you and yours. -Ben

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 01/09/2007
Band Website: Bendelagarza.com
Band Members: Ben de la Garza: vocals, guitar, ukelele, trombone, toy piano, beat and sound programming

"Listening to Ghosts" collaboration: Elena de la Garza (vocals), Thad Raczkowski (trumpet), Victor Penniman (viola de gamba), Forsides (breakbeats), Jeremy Fogel (live drums)

dj cuts on "The Fantasy Wire": DJ Afar

other collaborators: Ben Didsbury, Ashley Cox
Influences: Music: Bobby McFerrin, Bela Fleck, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Hedges, Andres Segovia, Dvorak, Tom Waits, Bjork, Cannibal Ox, Vangelis, Radiohead, Rage against the Machine, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, El-P, Fiona Apple, Julian Bream, The Temptations, Chick Corea, The Police, Sting, Run DMC, Nick Drake, Joan as Policewoman, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Meters, Saul Williams, Public Enemy, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Holly, The Beach Boys, James Brown, Paco deLucia, Jennifer Charles, RJD2....etc

also: love, loss, nature, stories I hear, tension and release, eccentrics, loon attics, swimming up against the undertow
Sounds Like: standing naked at a black tie party
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Concert Video online

My November 5th show at The Sidewalk Cafe in NYC was videotaped. You can listen to all or some of it here: http://youtube.com/bendelagarza
Posted by on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:34:00 GMT

All Lyrics from "Window of Redemption"

In the spirit of trying to stay busy during the day, I just typed all the lyrics "Window of Redemption"------------------------------------------------- ---------"Exotic Game"You're always digging hole...
Posted by on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:06:00 GMT

I'm in New York City

For anyone looking for me in Syracuse, I am in The Big Apple for three months. I am soaking up the musical atmosphere here for a while, honing my performance skills and having a good time. I'll be bac...
Posted by on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:05:00 GMT

New Album Out Now FOR FREE

Hey guys-I'm releasing my new album in a sort of non-traditional manner. It's available for free directly from my homepage: http://bendelagarza.comI kind of treated the whole page as the album art (de...
Posted by on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:24:00 GMT

Preview video of instrumental song for next album

Check out the video for "Tiny Revelations" on my page.. thanks. let me know what you think if you have a second
Posted by on Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:41:00 GMT

Ride Free Cds in stock, so if you feel like spiting a recession...

That's all.
Posted by on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Buy My Old Albums

There are now order forms for my new album "Ride Free", as well as for my previous two records, "Listening to Ghosts" and "The Fantasy Wire".These are at http://Bendelagarza.com/records.htmShips right...
Posted by on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Updates

well, for one, I'm sick. I've been nursing this cold for almost two weeks now. I thought I kicked it, but then I went running a couple times, lowered my defenses, and the shit knocked me sideways agai...
Posted by on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:52:00 GMT

Recording = reclusive behavior

So today was a beautiful day. I went swimming at Green Lakes and am finally getting my breathing down right for the crawl, unfortunately as the Summer winds down here in Syracuse. I had a great gig la...
Posted by on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:14:00 GMT

stores where you can purchase the album

Barnes and Noble on Erie Blvd. In Dewitt, NY (you can listen to it there too) Soundgarden Record Store in Armory Square, Syracuse Recess Cafe on Harvard Place, Westcott area (Syracuse) &nb...
Posted by on Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:18:00 GMT