Ben Hammond: Vocals, Vocal Percussion, Guitar/Octaver, Live-Looping, Songwriting
Sandi Grecco: Drumset
April 2nd, 2013 performance of Ben’s original tune “Hipster Juliet”, featuring a mini verse from Skee-Lo’s “I Wish”. All elements of this performance are played and looped live with no pre-recorded tracks or samples.
Ben is playing a Taylor T5 through a Boss OC-3 Octaver Pedal and a Boomerang III Loop Station.
Article in “Siesta Sand” by Mike Sales
Good friend and local musician Mike Sales just published an article in the Siesta Sand publication interviewing me with a focus on my role as host of the SKOB Open Mic Jam, which I host every Tuesday night from 7-11pm. Take a read through, it’s so great to have people like Mike propping up the local music scene!
Also, speaking of local music scene, I was extremely fortunate tonight to play at the famous Skipper’s Smokehouse with Sandi Grecco on drums and my loop pedals. Here is the setlist as best as I can remember:
Some nice ink from the Ticket / Sarasota Herald Tribune for a gig I played last week with Human Condition, one of the nicest bands in town.
“‘Original Music Showcase’ featuring some of Florida’s most accomplished talent. The lineup includes beat-boxing, loop-pedaling, soul-drenching Sarasota songwriter Ben Hammond who, along with HC frontman Dean Johaneson, just rocked out the C&B last weekend as part of the Noise Ordinance 3 CD Release Party.”
Ben Hammond and Matt Gerhardt and Ben's Moustache Rockin Out!
Ben Hammond Band with Jefe and JW rockin' at the North Bridge Tavern
Just played a concert of original music last night at the Local Bean, a new coffee shop on Siesta Key here in Sarasota, FL. This is an awesome little spot dedicating itself to promoting local, live, original artists, and I highly recommend you check it out. Below is a video compilation of some of the tunes I did, including a video debut of my new tune: “Friction“.
Let me know what you think, and please “Share” it and “Like” it and whatever other fun verbs you want to do to it 
1 week from today I will be playing at the first ever MacFest, to be held in beautiful downtown Bradenton, Fl. I will be playing at 3pm; also appearing at this FREE, family friendly event will be “Dangerous” Dan Toler, Pedro Arevalo, Mich Kach, Kettle of Fish, Michael Mac Band, and tons more! For more info visit the blog or the facebook fan page.
While we’re on the topic of local festivals, I thought I would share some photos and a follow up on the awesome local original music festival: Noise Ordinance. As mentioned in a previous posting, I was selected as one of 39 local original bands from an audition pool of over 130 bands! This years festival was truly a success; raising money for WSLR (local radio station) and their new studio. The festival was truly exciting to be part of this year; huge energy on stage and from the crowd, and hundreds of people there to hear ORIGINAL material. That’s right, not a single Jimmy Buffett / Sublime / Jack Johnson request the entire night! If you would like a free copy of the sampler CD come ask me at a live show.
Here are some photos of the night from local photographer Peter Acker:
Aimsel Ponti just penned a great review of my recently released Live CD/DVD – “Solo at Stone Mt Arts Center” in Maine’s biggest newspaper, the Portland Press Herald. Those of you who read the paper regularly probably already know of Aimsel as a die-hard music fan and a huge supporter of the local independent scene. I was honored she was interested in reviewing my record, and now that it’s out I could not be more pleased with the results. Here are a couple quotes:
“”When I’m Supposed To” shows off his talent as a human beatbox along with his magic pedal that loops in layers of his vocals. The other instrument you’ll hear on “Live” is Hammond’s acoustic guitar, but don’t think for a second this is a standard-issue singer-songwriter deal. Hammond’s far from it, and he’s cut from soul-pop cloth, a fabric that includes rock, folk and even jazz sensibilities…”
“”Wintergreens” is an instrumental track on the “Live” CD, and it’s a stirring piece of acoustic guitar. My only criticism is that it’s too short at just more than two minutes. All was forgiven when I heard Hammond’s terrific cover of Flight of the Conchord’s “Most Beautiful Girl.”"
“Hammond is a versatile musician who writes memorable originals, delivers when he decides to cover someone, and uses his guitar, voice and gadgets to create a sound that you want to keep hearing.”
To read the whole article, please visit PressHerald.com.
Purchase this album on Itunes. Download a select few mp3s for free from BenHammondMusic.com
Video from the DVD:
http://www.benhammondmusic.com to purchase this Live CD / DVD (13 audio tracks and 6 video tracks including this one).
Recorded Live on May 6th, 2010 at the Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, Maine.
Taylor T5 Acoustic / Electric Guitar, Vocals and Vocal Percussion by Ben Hammond. Ben also used a Boomerang+ Loop Station (it’s fun, Google it) on both the microphone and the guitar for this concert. The loop pedal appears as specified in the following places (REC = Recording a layer, ST = “Stacking” which is playing one layer and recording another layer simultaneously, or if no indication it’s just playing what’s been previously recorded) REV 0:02-0:11, REV 1:08-1:09, REC 2:15-2:23, 2:23-2:31, ST 2:31-2:40, 2:40-2:48
Composed by Ben Hammond, all rights reserved.
Produced by Ben Hammond. benhammondmusic.com
Audio Recorded and Mixed by Pat O’Donnell of Stone Mountain Mobile.
Audio Mastering by Reuben Ghose, reubenghose.com
DVD Directed and Edited by Mike Dana, mikedanastudio.com
Camera Operators: Mike Dana, Chris Proulx, and Parker Schoonover.
For free downloads, tour schedule, links to purchase this song and more, visit http://www.benhammondmusic.com
