Ben Ripani Music Co. profile picture

Ben Ripani Music Co.

About Me

When rock and roll, country and western, rhythm and blues, and gospel collectively leave their footprints in song, it is affectionately called “Americana.” Embracing the classic yet contemporary sound of Americana in the tradition of artists like Ryan Adams and Wilco, a new voice is rising: Ben Ripani. Traveling the road that winds from the towering buildings of the metropolis to the rolling hills of the farmlands, Ben's songs tell stories of hope and love, of being lost and found; his music speaks of and to life's challenges and rewards. “Hope Street” is the debut solo album from Ben Ripani, who has previously released an EP with the San Diego band Down With Leo. The collection of songs written for “Hope Street” paint stories and pictures of life in transition, centered primarily on the American southwest, a place of discovery and renewal. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ben ventured west to San Diego where he formed the rock band Down With Leo. During his time with Down With Leo, Ben found his songwriting voice, stated to "have perfected pace changes and sophisticated compositions to make every song interesting".Writing from a personal perspective about his life and his world, "Lyrically, each track tells a story and the narrative is revealed as the song builds".(San Diego Reader Review) Ben's journey took him to Phoenix, Arizona where he continued pouring himself into song while learning about the recording process at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe. After finishing the “Hope Street” album, Ben returned to Chicago where he now delivers his Americana flavored messages of love, hope, and redemption to enthusiastic Windy City audiences. Any fans of the stylings of Ryan Adam or Wilco owe it to themselves to check out the music of Ben Ripani. Like on any road trip, getting there is half the fun; get ahold of “Hope Street,” put it on, and enjoy the ride.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 09/07/2006
Band Website: www.benripani.com
Band Members: Ben Ripani, The people who built "Hope Street"..........Paul Richards (Engineer/Producer) Bert Stone (Engineer) David Kruk (Assistant Engineer) Tom Wiggins (Mastering Engineer) Tim Marchiafava (Violin) Joe Sullivan (keys and bells) Ted Belledin (Keys and Clarinet) Jia Francis (Vocals) Jay Allan (Bass) Robb Krysl (Drums) Ashley Norton (Vocals) Joe Mastroianni (Designer) John Sarmiento (Photographer)"Slowly, you're dragged beneath in his understated gems, fascinated, realizing just how compelling Ripani's music is, how subtly it works its way into odd angles and unruffled pleasures." -FAME review by Mark S. Tucker
Influences: Ryan Adams, Jeff Tweedy, Neil Young, Elliot Smith, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, James Mercer, Paul Simon, John Lennon, Sean Lennon, Woody Guthrie, Mississippi John Hurt, Frank Green, Randy Neuman, Sam Cook, Ottis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Chet Atkins, Leo Cockey, Aaron Bowen, Gregory Page, Marie Hadad, Billy Joel, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Cake, Blind Melon, The Pixies, The Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, The Cure, Beck, The Grateful Dead, Phish, Modesky, Martin, and Wood, John Coltrain, Miles Davis, Death Cab For Cutie, The Cold War Kids, Spoon, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, Menomena, Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Led Zepplin, The Doors, The Beatles, Wilco, Brad Hebert, Randy Hebert, Brian Shim, Lee Chato, Radiohead, The Stereotypes, Delcoa, Widespread Panic, MOE, Cursive, Weezer, The Ramons, The Strokes, The Muse, Martin Sexton, You Shall Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead, The Clash, The White Stripes, Dave Mathews, The Shins, 311, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Jeff Buckley, Guided By Voices, Modest Mouse, Justin Bryant, Rage Against The Machine, Bloc Party, Ben Harper, Chad Nordhoff, Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Vampire Weekend, The Fleet Foxes, Allison Kraus, Ashley Norton, Jay Allan....I don't know, thats all i can think of right now. Can't wait to be influenced by new music.
Sounds Like: The artist formerly known as @@)
Record Label: Independent
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange review of "Hope Street"

..Hope StreetBen RipaniAvailable from Ben Ripani's web site.A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Mark S. Tucker([email protected]).Hope Street starts out like a riff from Tom ...
Posted by on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:36:00 GMT