Among the many bands with connections to Austin’s New Music Co-op, Benko may be the most straightforwardly indie band, but the trio’s background in more experimental projects still shines through to enrich their songs with impressive, often subtle textures. Sarah Norris’ vibraphones compliment Erik Grostic’s mellow vocals with a delicate force, balancing the introverted, nasal croon with the lilt of late night melodies. The group recently brought aboard Aaron Dugan in replacement of Graham Reynolds on drums, and you have two chances to catch them this Saturday, June 23 in the new formation. Benko will be playing an acoustic set at 8:00 at Clementine Coffee Bar and later that night plugging in at the Carousel Lounge along with Parks & Wildlife and the Distant Seconds.
Profile: Benko
Year Formed:
2003
Members/Instruments played:
Aaron Dugan - Drums
Erik Grostic - Bass, Vocals
Sarah Norris - Vibraphone, Vocals
Former Bands/Side Projects:
Bee vs. Moth, Delicious Food, Gals Panic, Golden Arm Trio, MadamimadaM, My Education, New Music Co-Op, Plutonium Farmers, The Tosca Tango Orchestra.
Albums:
An International Affair EP (2005)
Upcoming LP (recording in August/September 2007)
Influences:
A couple years ago we took part in a Duran Duran hoot night, which was obscenely fun (for male models those dudes sure could play). We usually listen to other bands in town and try to rip them off gracefully.
Strangest comment or comparison ever made about your music:
“That third one you played sounded like a real song”, “awesome xylophone!” and a magical comparison with “Return to Forever”.
Favorite local bands:
Cue, The Ugly Beats, Midori Umi, Mistress Stephanie and Her Melodic Cat, Shearwater, Oh Beast!, ‘Til We’re Blue or Destroy, The Tosca Strings, The Octopus Project.
Favorite local venue:
The Chain Drive and the Longbranch Inn are superb. Emo’s because their shows run like clockwork, and the sound folks are very patient with instruments like vibraphones.
Upcoming shows scheduled:
Sarah is going away on a summer internship in Kansas City archiving Raymond Scott recordings, so we’ll likely do some shows beginning in late August.
Shows over the next month that you’re excited to see:
The Cue CD Release at Emo’s Lounge on the 29th, Radio Birdman at Emo’s on the 24th, My Brightest Diamond at the Parish on July 28th.
Some of your favorite albums from the past year:
Of Montreal’s “Hissing Fauna, Are you the Destroyer?” and Blonde Redhead’s “23”.
Ideal band (past or present) to open for on a national tour:
Bitches’ Brew era Miles Davis, back when he was opening for the Steve Miller Band, or a slot on the ill-fated Jimi Hendrix/Monkees tour.
Austin Sound questions:
Y’all recently brought in Aaron Dugan as the new drummer in place of Graham Reynolds. What prompted the change, and has it changed the shows or musical direction at all?
A lot of folks don’t realize that Graham is a fantastic drummer because he’s also an excellent composer, arranger, bandleader, and pianist. After a while we realized that any serious touring would be really hard on his other projects, so we reluctantly, amicably parted ways.
We were extremely fortunate to find someone of Aaron’s caliber to replace Graham. He has a wonderful feel for the material, and has undergone years of jazz training - the kind that has ruined us all as human beings. So it’s worked out well.
You all also have your hands in any number of other projects around town. Is it difficult balancing the demands of them all, and how do you see Benko in relation to those other groups?
It’s like those spinning plates from vaudeville. Except the bands are the plates. And they’re not really spinning, unless they happen to be on one of those “Evening in the Round” stages often used by Neil Diamond and Yes.
The nice thing is that, apart from the unusual instrumentation, Benko is pretty much a standard pop band. Most of the other projects we’re involved with are “weirdo jazz” or “weirdo classical”, so it’s a good contrast for us.
Song Introduction:
Engineer Greg Smelley’s favorite song on our first EP was “Bird in Hand”, a song we’ve played live a total of two times.
Sound Off:
A bunch of great bands have called it quits recently, or are on the verge of doing so, which is a total drag. Our first show was at Subset’s CD release, and we wouldn’t be a band if not for them; we already miss For Those Who Know’s great-wall-of-crunch; we’ve loved Midori Umi’s music from the get-go, and their recent shows have been badass; Hot Lava burned out; pity poor Pfretless Pfantasy, we never knew ye!
Don’t break up guys!! Get back together!! Please!!
Mp3 from An International Affair:
Bird In Hand
Websites:
www.benkotheband.com
Myspace
