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Gimme Five! Ben of Ben Davis and the Jett$

‘Round about ten years ago, on the eve of welcoming a son into the world, Ben Davis happily decided to get down to the serious business of being an adult.

Ben Davis and the Jett$‘Round about ten years ago, on the eve of welcoming a son into the world, Ben Davis happily decided to get down to the serious business of being an adult.  Settling down theoretically meant packing up his belongings and hanging up his punk rock aspirations (and relentless touring schedule).  But, ten years, three records (2001’s The Hushed Patterns of Relief, 2003’s Aided & Abetted, and 2010’s Charge it Up!), and a split 7” (2007’s The Battle of the Beards) later, and if anything, Davis has happily discovered his family is just new inspiration for an even broader musical ambition.

First as a solo-project and then along with his backing band The Jett$ (Eric Wallen, Megan Culton, Andy Willard, and Benji Shirley), Davis has explored everything from sparse pop to punchy, anthemic rock.  Where the first release employed cello, piano, and a wash of guitars to moody ends, the latest release (Charge it Up!) plugs into a charging aesthetic, eschewing gauzy texture for straightforward, attacking guitars and melodies to match.  It’s a sound fostered thanks to a lot of energetic touring, and it’s a live show you can see for yourself this Friday August 27th at The Nightlight where they’ll be joined by Controlled Storms, Last Year’s Men, Pointless Forest.

Now just the five hardest questions in faux business:

1. If your band were an Elton John album, which would it be?
It would have to be Empty Sky…because the Jett$ need to fly free.

2. What first made you think music was something you’d like to try?
Both of my parents are musicians so it’s always been something I was around.  Of course, they all read music , teach, and are actually talented.  I’m the slacker of the family for sure.

3. Describe how your sons have influenced your music.
Well, when my first son was born I went through a phase of introspection and writing quieter stuff. I now have another son who is 2 and a half  and we are all ready to get loud and stupid 24/7.  My older son Rick is just turning 11 and plays drums and has his own bands.  He has been putting on his own shows and flyering and stuff since he was 5 without any push from me. He’s pretty amazing. I know a bunch of band parents with kids who have bands and are in 4th and 5th grade. The crop of young rockers in the Triangle is going to be insane.

4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that might really surprise people?
NPR. Audio books. Woody Durham. Sleep Deprivation. Coffee. –   Probably not that much of a surprise to anyone.

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How ’d that turn out?)
In third grade I had a serious air guitar full on band.  We would have practice every day after school and get really into it and get mad at each other if we messed up.  So mostly the dream worked out perfectly.  I’ve been lucky enough to hang out with a ton of awesome musicians, play great shows, but I’m mostly still faking my way through it all.

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Ben Davis and the Jett$ play The Nightlight this Friday day, August 27.  And please, by all means give Ben a high five when you see him!