Amanda: First up, Ben, you have a new record out, so congratulations! Tell me, how has Rosendale influenced your record?
Ben: The entire record was written right here in Rosendale, this is where I live. The first half was written while living on Main Street, and now I live up on Mountain Road, and that’s where the second half of it was finished.
Amanda: Mountain Road? That sounds familiar…
Ben: Yes! The first single to come out for my record was called “Mountain Road”.
The day I moved into this apartment, I was moving from Main Street and I drove up and down Mountain Road 13 times. And the whole time I was doing the move, I was listening to reggae and I knew that I wanted to write a song to reflect and remember that experience of moving in here. The piano was the one of the first things I set up, because I just had this idea for a song in my head and I wrote it on the piano the first week I lived in this apartment. And I thought it was awesome that the record label selected that to be the first single.
Amanda: How’d you end up picking the songs to be on the record?
Ben: They were the first 10 that were done and were good! (Laughter)
Amanda: I could imagine it’s such a long process to make a record. How does it feel now that it’s done?
Ben: It is close to feeling like a weight being lifted off of me. I’m still, obviously as we’re talking, promoting the record and trying to get people to hear it and maybe buy it. It’s available on vinyl and CD and digital, by the way. But yeah, I’m really deep in the promotion process right now and just trying to get the word out and then I have some record release shows coming soon. That will be like the last final push. Ask me if it’s in Rosendale. (Laughter)
Amanda: So you’re having a record release show, is it in Rosendale?
Ben: I’m having four record release shows, as a short tour. We’re playing in Newark, New Jersey; Boston, Mass.; Westfield, which is near Springfield, Mass; and then Poughkeepsie, New York. So not quite in my current hometown, but it’s gonna be across the river in Poughkeepsie, which is where I grew up and was raised. It’ll be at Reason and Ruckus on Friday, June 6th on Main Street in Poughkeepsie.
Amanda: I’ll be there.
Ben: Yes. Everybody should come! Only 30 minutes from Rosendale, and you’ll be home by 10pm. I promise!
Amanda: I’ve met your twin brother. Has Anthony been an influence on you musically and has he been involved with making this record with you?
Ben: Yes, I’ve been referring to my brother as my “Executive Producer” lately. He helps me with everything. While I was composing and recording, I wanted to keep the record special for him, so I didn’t share the music with him until it was all done. He’s my biggest fan.
He and I grew up together loving music and going to ska shows. All of that time with him is definitely what led to me making this record today. Anthony plays trombone and he will be playing the record release shows with me and it’ll be the first time he’s ever played ska with a band!
Ben’s record release party is this Friday, June 6, at Reason & Ruckus, 305 Main Street, Poughkeepsie 12601. All ages are welcome. Local songwriter Dylan Emmet opening. Doors at 6:30, 7:30 show, tickets available at benbasile.com
