Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
As far as local underground bands go, Ben Tyler Band happens to get around more than most. They've done Fall Fest at SUNY back in 2004 and opened for both Parkfest 2004 and 2005. They've formed and re-formed over the last two years, and now they're getting ready for a show in December at Savannah's downtown.
Where do they stand now?
Still unsigned, their sound is perfect for teen-drama TV shows and date movies. They pull around the typical indie-rock sound and have some fun with it along the way, but it's their lyrics and lead singer Ben Tyler's voice that pulls it together.
Radiant would be a good word for this band; their sound is warm without the cutting edge of rock, mellow and smooth where indie tends to drop-kick your ears, almost like an easy-listening experience. Even their strongest songs would fit well into a yoga routine.
That doesn't mean the band is weak. Quite the opposite: How many songs have you listened to recently that really touched you? Ben Tyler Band plays music that's almost soothing in nature while still clearly defining itself as "rock music."
A lot of their tracks also work well in the stereotypical Final Fantasy genre: They have a lot of soul and depth, sometimes playing simply without vocal accompaniment, lending the music easily to dramatic cinematography found mostly in RPG video games.
At the heart of this moving sound lies Ben Tyler, whose voice entrances and sets the mood above the accompaniment. His lyrics are enchanting and meaningful without being too heavy and hard to interpret. He plays both guitar and piano, giving the music a moodiness that first made the genre we like to call "emo."
Backup vocals and rhythm guitar come from Ben Uytiepo, whose voice compliments Tyler's perfectly. Other guitar performances are by Mike Ward, who shows over and over again his superb grasp of music and understanding of his artistic medium.
Of course, no band is complete without bass and drums, which are provided Chris Rilez and Stan Francois, who keep the songs from becoming too airy. Much of their work appears in songs like "Stranded" and "The Sailor."
The majority of Ben Tyler Band's music is still melodic and easy, featuring piano, cello, violin, and other instruments not usually associated with rock music. It works well, despite such curious inclusion, and creates a sound that's beautiful to listen to. - Albany Student Press- Lauren Levine
Discography
Ben Tyler
Looking Glass Self (2003)
The Red States vs The Blue States (2004)
Forget Everything You've Learned EP (2006)
Lock Up Your Daughters (Full Length- 2007/2008)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
[Start]
The one moment where you as a fan connect with the artist on stage- where you can FEEL the energy of the room breathe together- that is what the Ben Tyler Band, based out of Albany, NY strive to get out of its audience each and every show. Those handsome boys of the BTB are all about bringin' people together and maybe doing some pelvic guitar thrusts along the way.
The band was the only independent artist selected to perform at Albanys Parkfest 04 where they opened for Guster, Dropkick Murphys, Default, DMX and others. They have been melting faces ever since, just like every other band that says they melt faces, because let's face it, the sexy boys of the BTB are hot stuff. While pursuing their sure to be awesome musical career, they continue to play gigs and open mics at clubs in A-Town area and oddly enough can be easily tracked down if you listen for someone chanting D-M-X throughout the mean streets of Albany.
"Even their strongest songs would fit well into a yoga routine" says local press aficionado Lauren Levine. Many of their songs would "also work well in the stereotypical Final Fantasy genre... lending the music easily to dramatic cinematography found mostly in RPG video games." Those kind words don't even begin to sum up what the boys of the BTB are all about, which as I said before was about bringing people together. They have become what we like to refer to in the biz as a warm, cuddly blanket. Now here is how they met....
One day on Lollypop Lane, Benjamin Anderson was born. Forever after he became known as Ben Tyler- or more specifically, Ben Tyler Band. However with this name he needed a Tyler... I mean a Band, 'cause it just doesn't make sense to have your name be band and not have one. So anyway "There he was just a' walkin' down the street" and he met Ward(izzle). Ward had an axe to grind, and could play guitar pretty good (well).
Then there was this really annoying kid who writes blogs for a living (or so it seems). He also spends 26 hours a day thinking about creative ways to get the fools at Fueled by Ramen's attention- that ma' effa' is obsessed with them. And you know what else? His name was (is?-Man this tense is EFFED) rilez (or so he tricked everyone into thinking was his name). He was jumping around playing bass so Ben was like "I have a show in 4 days do you think you could learn 73 songs by tomorrow?" This kid was pretty sweet so he said "Hells yeah I can!" Then they had a drummer but just for one show, so they got a permanent one who breaks a lot of sticks. Man this kids name was Stan and he used to sell mortgages until he became a rock star. [/end]
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