Ik Ben

I really dug you guys - no joke. I signed up for your mailing list, but be sure to let me personally know when you're playing again. I really had a lot of fun. Ik Ben is a great addition to our music scene - I wish I still did the Local Buzz. You'll have to send some stuff over to the station as soon as you can. Anyway, it was awesome and I can't wait to see you play again!!!!!

Natalie :o)

Natalie Kilgore
- Gannett

Nashville. A visit to the “East Village on the Cumberland” that is The Basement yielded comfy surprises on an otherwise wet and dreary Monday night. Music Row hopeful Ana Owens performed to an intimate gathering of friends and label supporters while new-comers ik ben, playing their first Nashville show, followed with an electrifying and spirited set of beatle-esque contemporary pop.



Owens rewarded those in attendance with sneak peaks at the record Warner Nashville hopes will catch fire with its 2005 release. Backed by an able band, the 21 year old displayed Alison Kraus stylings on vocals and fiddle in songs rich in hooks and melodic texture. Alternating from country pop to bluegrass and world beat, the band had 50 or so toes tapping in the close setting.



“Ana is rehearsing her band to prepare for the spring release. Warners is excited about the record and we are in a great position to get out on the road to support it,” explained Manger Michael Cohen.



Ik ben, “I am” in Dutch we are told, took the evening in a rock-n-roll direction. Clad in the dandiest of attire, the four-piece group took the stage with their shaggy hair cuts and ready-for-the-magazine-spread poses. Looking like the Faces sans Rod Stewart, the band kicked off with a gentle Neil Young inspired number sung by brother one, and a more intense ballad sung by brother two which featured a droning box worn around the neck of bassist Josh Tyler. Ik ben then increased tempo with some radio friendly jangle pop and finally the manacing guitar rock that is sure to be their trademark. Drummer Cam Vandal seemed at times to be struggling to restrain himself from taking these latter selections over the top of the decibal chart.



“I think I speak for everyone in saying that these guys should move to Los Angeles, “stated presenter Mike Grimes. “The size of their amps, the armadillos in their trousers, the leg kicks…it’s all too much for this town.”



Notably, opener Ana Owens was seen helping drummer Vandal load his stick bag into an awaiting SUV after the show. According to Brother One, ik ben hopes to return to The Basement, “our favorite Nashville venue” towards the end of December for a holiday show if scheduling permits.



Joe Dee Messier, Gannett Publishing.

- The Weekender

Well done lads.



See you on the 27th.



(Long) Al
- A. Millar

heard you guys were great last nite, scott. grimey was impressed. i'll have to check it out next time. last nite was not good for me. I ended up blowing myself and crashing out. - The Daily Flange