Garrin Benfield

About Benfield’s Live Show:
Benfield’s shows center on his quirky pop melodies but are stretched by Garrin into improvisational explorations into new territory each night. Familiar songs are often twisted and contorted into gorgeous new creations that leave audiences breathless. At once organic and eclectic, Garrin’s shows are an experience as much as they are a musical concert! Utilizing electronic effects and a loop station, audiences find themselves grooving to atmospheric rhythms and settling back into Benfield’s soothing vocal style. When the whole band is cooking, Benfield seamlessly blends his compositional skills with his improvisational ones, making old songs seem new. His thought-provoking lyrics and orchestral arrangements are constantly refurbished but are never over-shadowed by the endless noodling characterized by many in the neighboring jam-Band genre.
Current Release: Where Joy Kills Sorrow. The album, being released on Zacksongs, contains 11 tracks of diverse original material with Garrin’s words, voice, and guitar as its centerpiece. From the concise, electric Beatle-esque pop of "What You Wanted to Hear" and "Answers" to the aggressive, punky throttle of "Don’t Panic", this CD balances song craft, melodic innovation, and a radio friendly aesthetic that has become Benfield’s focus. Where Joy Kills Sorrow is a journey that also includes lush acoustic balladry, ambitious guitar excursions, and direct, thought provoking lyrics.
History:
*2006/7: Garrin plays over 100 gigs all over the United States, working material from his first four CDs as well as constantly debuting new songs and works-in-progress. Garrin also co-writes a collection of new tunes for the first time with noted Nashville songwriters.
*2005: Jambase.com founder and CEO Andy Gadiel named Garrin’s 7/14/05 show with Dan Bern at 12 Galaxies as his favorite show of the year!
*The Advocate Magazine selects Garrin as the "Number One Indie Artist of 2005!" saying, "Benfield’s all-around talent includes a gift for beautiful songwriting on top of his prowess as a singer and musician."
*2004: Garrin Benfield releases new CD, "Where Joy Kills Sorrow" and continues to tour nationally. A two month tour takes him up and down both coasts hitting full-band dates, solo shows and several nights with Dan Bern, Bitch of Bitch and Animal and Vince Welnick (Grateful Dead, Tubes).
*Garrin Benfield performs at several major national music festivals; including High Sierra Music Festival, Blue Ridge Harvest Fest and The Dogwood Festival.
*Zacksongs releases a collection of live material consisting of Benfield’s concert staples titled "August Live". The disc was recorded while Benfield was on tour opening for Boz Scaggs in the summer of 03.
* In 2003 Benfield contributes songs to compilation CDs for the Not in Our Name Project (along with Ani DiFranco, Michael Franti and Charlie Hunter) and Performing Songwriter Magazine.
* In 2002 Benfield’s critically acclaimed CD Nowhere is Brighter is released. Alongside Benfield is Bonnie Raitt?s band and special guest Boz Scaggs. The disc is named "Top 10 CD of 2002" by Performing Song writer and Acoustic Guitar Magazines. Benfield tours US as a solo performer and with his regular, touring band, appearing at some of the most highly regarded venues in the country. He is regularly asked to perform with major label and other known artists.
* In 2001 Benfield continued regular national touring, hosted a monthly songwriter series in San Francisco and was a finalist in the Telluride Troubadour Competition.
* In 2000 Benfield releases his debut album Living A Dream to high praise. Among the 13 tracks on the album was the startling tribute to murder victim Matthew Shepard that is nominated for an award oppo site Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls.
* Benfield grew up the youngest of nine children in Westchester County, New York and moved to Northampton MA to attend Hampshire College. It was at Hampshire that Garrin started and played bass in his band Maya that later moved with him to San Francisco.
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