2014 has been a succesful year, full of new
projects. The Ben Babylon Band were selected by Sonic Bids to play Sunset
Sessions 2014. We could see tham opening for Marshall Tucker Band at the Canyon
Club. Also working with producer Matt Still in the Studio on 4 new songs: first
of them, "Never Stop" released free the past 03 September, the official day of changing their band name
to "The Episodes". As you know, Ben released his new Single, "Burning Man", off his EP "Further Interpretations of Real life", and another single, "Contradiction", which features the Elton John Band. We invited Ben
to chat a little about all these projects, and asking about all those things.
So Ben, welcome again to your fan site, a joy to have you here. So let's start.
Jack Rabbit, it's your turn.
Thanks, well, the BBB develop to The Episodes.
You define this as an Alternative Rock band. Why the need of this development?
What could The Episodes gives you that the BBB not did?
Yes, we are a high-energy, piano-based
alternative rock band. We put ourselves in that genre because a lot of the
bands that influence us are in that genre as well. The reason we changed our
band name to The Episodes was to form a sense of unity, and also to introduce a
new “start.” We are starting to branch out, listen to different genres, and
also write very differently. Our songwriting process is beginning to develop
and transform as well — both individually and collectively. We just sound
different. You can definitely hear our Ben Babylon Band “roots", but we
just sound different. We also wanted to institute a fresh and unique “image”
that we just didn’t think the Ben Babylon Band could boast. To establish this
image, we added Joshua Barish to the band. Now, you will never see Joshua on
stage, but you will see his art. Soon we will unveil our new beautiful kick
drum head. Joshua is going to be performing all of the art for The Episodes.
Art and music, good combination. Amazing idea! And why the choosing of the
name? What's the reason behind this?
That, I have to say, is a little bit of a
mystery. Somebody just suggested it — I believe it was Alex. We all got
together and started suggesting band names, and The Episodes just came up. I
can’t tell you why we all liked it so much, but I think we realized it just
fit. I think we liked the sort of double meaning behind the word “episode.” It
could mean an episode as in a period of time or a show, or it could be a mental
breakdown type of episode. I think it will prove to be a good band name in the
future as well. I think we, as The Episodes, will have many “episodes” — or
chapters. I think we will continue to develop, and I think the name really
allows for us to branch out and try new things as our career develops with
time.
Sure! Perfect! Influences from Ben Folds Five
to Randy Newman, from Elton John to Radiohead, from Queen to Cage the
Elephant... a wide range of styles. What do you pick from those different
artists?
Yes, all of these artists are major influences
on our music. Elton John has been an influence on our music from our beginnings
as the Ben Babylon Band. But as we developed, we all began to listen to all
different kinds of music. One of my favorite singers/songwriters/performers of
all time is Freddie Mercury. I have listened to him, watched his performances
(my favorite being Wembley ’86), and even researched him and his life. He is a
major influence on me, and subsequently also an influence on the rest of the
band. We all listen to different bands however, and fusing all of our
influences together really creates, what we think, quite a unique sound.
Yes! Then could you present the members of the
band? One of those members is Jacob Staben, the one you write: "What will
he be playing, you ask? We don't really know to be honest . . . just a bunch of
. . . things".
Alex Arnaout — Alex is the bassist of the
band, and also sings background vocals.
Ben Babylon — That’s me. I am the lead singer
and keyboardist.
Joshua Barish — Yes, we count him as a band
member. He creates all of the artwork for The Episodes, and has creative input.
Jagger Krusen — Jagger is the drummer, and
sings background vocals.
Brian Schwartz — Brian is the lead guitarist
and occasionally sings background vocals.
Jacob Staben — Jacob plays all sorts of stuff!
He will play rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, etc. Whatever the song calls
for. He adds texture to the band.
Thanks! "Never Stop", mixed by the
greatest Matt Still, is the brand first new single. This is the first step to
release an entire album? I love the lines: "Look at all these people are
they even here for me? Look at all these people — why don’t they shout, why
don’t they scream?”.
Yes, that is our first single, available on
Bandcamp for $1+ (https://theepisodesmusic.bandcamp.com/releases). Matt Still
did an amazing job and we look forward to hopefully working with him again. He
is amazing. We recorded four songs with him, and “Never Stop” is the first one
we released. The second song, “Jack’s Hit” is actually available to download
now when you sign up for our mailing list
(https://www.facebook.com/theepisodesmusic/app_306495682738302). To answer your
question about an album — yes! We are trying to complete an album right now.
Unfortunately, making an album takes a lot of time and money, so it is a slow
process. That’s why every dollar that comes from Bandcamp goes to funding our
album. But we are definitely in the process, and we have high hopes for it!
Wow! People, we have to be there, we must be there. Next
coming shows are in the making, I suppose. Anything to explain about this?
Which songs we could hear on your live
performances? Something from the BBB days? New songs by The Episodes? Covers as
you did by Fun or Ben Folds?
You will definitely here a few of our BBB
songs, but reimagined. We will also have a lot of new songs that we have never
played before. We will play a few covers, but a majority of the show will be
original.
Finally, I would love you explain something
bit about the experience on the Berklee School of Music. What does it means to
you to be in one of the most priviledged schools of music?
My experience at Berklee School of Music was
one of the coolest experiences in my life. I had so much fun, met so many
talented people, and I learned so much. What I learned there is definitely
being incorporated in my new songs — and I can’t wait to show them to
everybody!
Thanks so much Ben for being here. Today it's
your birthday, so me and Rabbit wish you a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, wishing all
the best this year and years in become. You are a genuine person and I wish you
fullfill all your dreams because you deserve it. Next, we've got a few people,
few fans, that would like to send their wishes to you. You are so much loved
and you are the best. Thanks so much Ben, God Bless you.
Fans, we have the opportunity to help Ben and
the boys to get funds for their coming album, so it could be a nice gift to
download one of their tracks, for just
one dollar. So my suggestion, and I will, it's to help in there. Thanks.
Pictures courtesy of Ben Babylon
