Down With Leo
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
This band has no press
Discography
Down With Leo has released one three song demo and one ten song debut album called "The Shaking Ground". Our demo was recorded at Big Rock Studios in Escondido California and two of the songs on it are on our album. The two songs "In The Middle" and "Divided Whole" were re-recorded for the album with a different rhythm section. Our debut album "The Shaking Ground" was recorded by Shawn Lawson at his home studio in Mira Mesa CA. and mastered by Mike Kamoo at Earthling Studios in El Cajon CA. The album was released in august of 2006. The song "On Valuable Thinking" and "In The Middle" have got some radio airplay on the local 94.9 radio station. We plan to go into the studio soon to record an EP of our new material.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Embracing the classic yet contemporary sound of Americana in the
tradition of artists like Ryan Adams and Wilco, a new voice is rising:
Ben Ripani. Traveling the road that winds from the towering buildings
of the metropolis to the rolling hills of the farmlands, Ben's songs
tell stories of hope and love, of being lost and found; his music
speaks of and to life's challenges and rewards. The journey would
begin after college, having realized music was the only path for him,
the Chicago native, self taught singer songwriter moved to San Diego
and formed the rock band "Down With Leo". With them he recorded a 3
song demo in 2004, a full length album called "The Shaking Ground" in
2006, and 5 song EP in 2007. During his time with Down With Leo, Ben
found his songwriting voice, stated to "have perfected pace changes
and sophisticated compositions to make every song interesting".Writing
from a personal perspective about his life and his world, "Lyrically,
each track tells a story and the narrative is revealed as the song
builds".(San Diego Reader Review)
Ben's desire for learning music would then take him from San Diego to
Phoenix where he attended the Conservatory of Recording Arts and
Sciences. While at school Ben worked with producer Paul Ricahards and
Bert Stone to record his debut solo album "Hope Street" which was
released in December 2008. The album is diverse and honest,
passionate "with rich instrumentation and soulful vocals. Some songs
here are stripped to only the acoustic guitar to showcase Ripani's
poetics, which certainly hold up." (Max Herman: Illinois Entertainer)
Each track is " a cut that soothes but pulls at the borders of the
heart, briefly mounting passionately in the refrains. Slowly, your
dragged beneath in his understated gems, fascinated, realizing just
how compelling Ripani's music is, how subtly it works its way into odd
Angles and unruffled pleasure." (Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange by
Mark S. Tucker)
Upon Ben's return to Chicago he formed his new band the Ben Ripani
Music Co. This 5 piece band is comprised of Patrick Benson
(percussion, vocals), Dave Marshall (bass, vocals), Chris Nakielski
(keyboards, vocals), and Chris Lambert (guitar). The style of the
band is that of Indie/Folk/Alt.Country/Americana with lyric based
songs, involved texture and sound. It is hard not to engage in the
honesty, moments of vulnerability and truth that is laid on the stage
during live shows. Ben Ripani Music Co. recorded a two song demo in
October 2009 featuring "East Side Train" and "Open Mile", and is in
the studio now recording a full length album with an expected release
date of October 2010. The band will continue to tour, travel and is
looking forward to playing in a city near you.
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