SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 // 17
Benyaro returns to Astoria with new tunes
Indie band takes
the stage at
Voodoo Room,
Brew Cup
By JANAE EASLON
FOR COAST WEEKEND
H
e plays a kick drum,
a high hat, a shaker, a
guitar and sings — all
at the same time.
Frontman Ben Musser
from Benyaro brings his
indie roots and punk-Ameri-
cana sound to Astoria 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 23, at The
Voodoo Room, and 3 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 24, at The Pa-
cific Northwest Brew Cup.
“A lot of calories are
burned on stage,” Musser
said.
Based in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming, Musser began
Benyaro in 2006. Benyaro
has played in Astoria before
at venues such as Fort
George Brewery.
Musser is joined by
Leif Routman, an upright
bassist and co-vocalist.
This month, they released
their new album and fourth
studio recording, “One Step
Ahead of Your Past,” which
includes 13 tracks written
by Musser.
“It’s about moving
forward and forging ahead.
Hopefully this is something
everyone can relate to,”
Musser said. “For me, it is
about embracing my past
and building on it.”
Musser wrote the songs
during the time he became a
husband and father, he said.
Over the band’s exis-
tence, Benyaro has moved
from a folk sound to rock
and blues.
“I am influenced by
several musicians and
genres, but I don’t try to
emulate anyone when
songwriting or performing,”
Musser said. “I come from
a background of doo-wop,
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SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Benyaro’s Ben Musser, right, and Leif Routman
Jamey Hendricks
African-American soul and
classic rock.”
Humor drives Musser’s
songwriting. A song of their
new album titled “Pimp
Wife” is Musser’s favorite
to play because it gives
people a good laugh if they
understand it, he said.
“Some people get con-
fused about the title and get
worked up,” Musser said.
“But it is actually a song
about strong women, and
them having the power.”
Benyaro’s music videos
can be found on YouTube,
with their song “Dogs,”
which has racked up 6,900
views.
Their recent music video
release for the song “Is It
Worth It” premiered on
Relix’s website, a promi-
nent music magazine out of
New York City.
“The song is about
in this day and age with
social media,” Musser said.
“There are repercussions
to speaking out, and this is
about speaking out despite
backlash of saying some-
thing outside the herd.”
Danny Kadar, who has
worked with artists such
as Iggy Pop, co-produced
the album. They recorded
in both Musser’s home
studio and Echo Mountain
Recording in Asheville,
North Carolina. Bands such
as Grammy-nominated The
Avett Brothers and Celtic
punk band Flogging Molly
have recorded at Echo
Mountain.
Other Oregon tour dates
include Portland on Sept.
30, Bend on Oct. 1 and
Eugene on Oct. 3. Other
musicians touring with Ben-
yaro include Brian Geltner
on drums and Jacob Rodri-
guez on tenor and baritone
saxophone.
Benyaro’s music can be
found on Apple Music and
Spotify, as well as their
website. CW
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