Ben Hammond: Vocals, Vocal Percussion, Guitar/Octaver, Live-Looping.
April 2nd, 2013 performance of Radiohead’s epic song “Paranoid Android”. 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.
Hey everybody! Check out the awesome little music scene happening up on Anna Maria Island! Myself and a bunch of other local acts having been jamming up there as of late (Come Back Alice, Kettle of Fish, etc), and there’s a lot to see. I’ve got 3 shows scheduled up there now, March 15 7-10pm at The Blue Marlin with my trio (James Dabone on horns and Cort Farris on Drums and Pan), and also March 22nd and April 12th at Dcoy Ducks with my full band (add Garrett Dawson on World Percussion, Matt Frost on Keys and tons more surprise guests!). Every show I’ve played up there so far has been a blast; a really responsive audience and a ton of fun. Come join in!
Also want to give a shout out to AMI Radio for their tireless support of independent musicians. They had me on for an on-air interview / performance a few weeks ago and I had a lot of fun meeting them and chatting with such positive, music loving people. Please support them by checking out their website, podcasts and AM Radio broadcast when you’re on island. Listen to my interview here: (interview)
PLEASE CONFIRM BEFORE GOING! Some of these listings may be outdated and are constantly changing.
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Sundays
Mondays
Why I Put Together This List:
Sarasota, FL is a really great city for music, especially considering it’s relatively small size. I have so many friends that are making a living playing music in a way that is simply not possible in other parts of the country. Yes, there are huge problems with the city’s and county’s noise ordinances. Yes, the bigger established clubs can be a little “covers” oriented. However, people like the NoiseOrdinanceCD.com project are making big progress on both these accounts, and every year I return to find a new crop of incredible musicians moving into town or making their way onto the circuit. I’ve been extremely lucky to take over as host at the long-running SKOB Open Mic.
It has been an incredible way for me personally to network, shed new tunes, ‘audition’ new potential players, and test my skills as a bandleader. More importantly, it functions as a type of an incubator for musicians, combining new players to town, older players looking to get back into it, guitarists who don’t sing with singers who don’t play, etc. I have been honored to help guide this process as both an observer and a participant.
In this spirit, I have compiled the above list of Open Mics and Open Jams in Sarasota, in the hopes of encouraging developing musicians, budding songwriters, traveling professionals form out of town, and established players seeking the final piece of their band ‘puzzle’. Whether you’re a pro with a night off, an amateur seeking improvement from an encouraging audience, or a music lover who understands the “next big thing” is probably actually tuning his guitar in your local bar down the street, come out and support local music at some of these events and let’s keep this one big awesome happy musical family.
Much love! Come say hi on Tuesday!
Ben
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.”
“Doin’ Time” into a bit of “Neighborhood” by Dirty Heads
Ben Hammond hosting the SKOB Open Mic with Tommy Rox on Lead Guitar, Sandi Grecco from the Drum Studio and Matt Gerhardt of Undertow.
Ben Hammond and Matt Gerhardt and Ben's Moustache Rockin Out!
Ben Hammond Band with Jefe and JW rockin' at the North Bridge Tavern
My good buddy Matt Gerhardt has just finished up in the studio on his debut album, and I was invited to sing and jam the nylon string on one of the tunes. Our mutual friend slash rockstar Cort Farris also joined us on Steel Pan. Check it out! I’ll post a link once his record is up on Itunes, etc.
3 Different Styles, Tons of Bright Colors!
YAY! New shirts are in, and awaiting your order. Show off your love of independent music to the world! When people look at it and say “Who?” you tell em! 3 different styles available: Guys/Girls Tees for only 15$, Girls/Hipsters V-Necks for 20$, and Girls Racerback Tanks for 20$. Lots of bright, vibrant colors, these will be awesome whether you’re rocking it down here in Florida with me now, or up North somewhere cold pretending you are 
Click on the pic above or visit benhammondmusic.com to place your order! Or save the shipping charges and pick one up at a live show! Logo: Kyle Cross / Printing: Koala Tee / Model: Kristen Rouse
AHHH! tUnE-yArDs!!! This album w h o k i l l is SO good. And WTF she has played with ?uestlove and Black Thought?!?! This tune is killer, click to watch her performing “Gangsta” with the Roots live on Jimmy Fallon. She is the lead singer of Sister Suvi as well, whose drummer Nico Dann you just might recognize from my 2008 release “[Reasonably] Honest”. Is it weird that right now I’m more excited to be 2 degrees from Merrill than I am 3 degrees from the Roots?
