Irene & Reed

Rank #11 Indianapolis, IN Indie / Dark-Tinged Americana

50% of sales go to the charity Fender Music Foundation.

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About

Members: Jason Reed Milner: keyboards, piano, guitar; Leslie Benson: vocals, lyrics, flute, guitar

Sounds Like: Over the Rhine, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Florence and the Machine, Sara Bareilles

Label: Unsigned (Independent)

Manager: Mark Cline

Bio: IRENE AND REED -- Indie Rock / Dark-Tinged Americana. New album, “Struggle, Strength, Reclamation,” due out in 2013! Official website: IreneandReed.com. Also follow our new music project: TheSweetestCondition.com

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Status

We just joined Bandpage! Listen to music: http://fb.bandpage.com/ireneandreed

Press

“A guttural deep soul blues, reminding us of an old world flow that has evolved into a new world frontier.”

— Kabiri Jester, New Fan

“It’s a fantastic sound that has a unique rhythm and groove, a fluid timbre that flows within its own soul, its own sound, and its own sensation. ”

— Kabiri Jester, New Fan

“Late Period Steampunk: Blue Iron or Blue Steel. A jazz / blues / industrial revolution.”

— Kabiri Jester, New Fan

“It was only natural that these two crazy kids get together and form an acoustic piano/lounge singer act called Irene and Reed that itself is now evolving.”

— Darrin Snider, Host, Indy In-Tune, Internet radio podcast

“Indy's own Irene & Reed exist in that fedora-and-opera-gloves ideaspace that’s equal parts classy and seedy — the kind of band you might see at the beginning of a mob movie playing the high-end bar while the snitches are getting beat up out back.”

— Paul F.P. Pogue, Nuvo Newsweekly

“Irene and Reed — erstwhile NUVOite Leslie Benson and onetime Form 30/Nimbus member Jason Milner and friends — is very much a 1950s torch-song piano band. Milner keeps his head down, obscured by fedora, as he thunders away at the keyboard, while Benson plays the frontwoman, a femme fatale caressing the mike as she croons away soul-searching lyrics and weaves tales of loss and hope.”

— Paul F.P. Pogue, Nuvo Newsweekly

“Irene & Reed keep things a little cooler and close-mic'ed, with a torch song flavor.”

— Editor, Today's Top Picks, Nuvo Newsweekly

“In a nutshell: Vocalist Leslie Benson and keyboard player Jason Milner create a sonic playhouse for strong- willed love songs and dreams of better days.”

— David Lindquist, The Indianapolis Star

“The ethereal and theatrical sounds of Sarah McLachlan are echoed here, with lounge-friendly passages allowing Irene & Reed a connection to the real world.”

— David Lindquist, The Indianapolis Star

“Benson has combined the influences, skills and education she received over the years with a lifetime love of music, finding a partner and friend in the process. ”

— Porttia Portis, Editor-in-Chief, The Guardian

“[Leslie Benson of Irene & Reed] has strength in writing and journalism, but she has a long history with music and bands. She has her feet in the past, present, and future. She’s in three places at once and very comfortable so.”

— Jane Blakelock, Wright State University English professor , The Guardian

“Didn't see it coming: It's a rare treat to hear a music journalist take a commanding voice into the spotlight. (Benson helmed NUVO Newsweekly's music coverage in 2006 and 2007.)”

— David Lindquist, The Indianapolis Star

“That's a keeper: An engaging flurry of seasoned philosophy launches 'All Your Tomorrows,’ the album's opening track: ‘Home to me is not where I am, but where I've been. It's where I come from. How I've loved, and how I've left. Words I've said, and tears I've wept. Ones I've learned from.’ Intensifying the emotional wallop is the song's room-to-breathe spacing of piano, bass and drums.”

— David Lindquist, The Indianapolis Star

“The verdict: [Jason Reed] Milner has mastered a distinctive Irene & Reed sound, .... He's gifted enough to be inventive and embrace the moxie heard on ‘Small Miracles’ "You can't stop me, I'm unstoppable. I put my faith in small miracles.”

— David Lindquist, The Indianapolis Star

“Seven years of silence taught Midwest songwriter and Wright State alumna Leslie Irene Benson that stories really are worth telling.”

— Cory MacPherson, Public Relations Writer, Wright State News

“Fans of dark-tinged Americana need to make their way to this show. ”

— IndianapolisMusic.net, IndianapolisMusic.net, "On Track"

“Jason Reed Milner is a force to be reckoned with. …It is refreshing to hear a piano played by someone who not only has the talent to make it sing, but also uses it to convey a message… one that truly comes across as an artist. He also understands the fine art of allowing the song to breathe. He does not ‘showboat’ and undercut the message of the song or overrun the words.”

— Rue Volley, author of the Blood and Light Series, Fierce magazine

“They are classic versions of a time past, and they are humble. …[They are] two people willing to be vulnerable and expose themselves for exactly what they are.”

— Rue Volley, author of the Blood and Light Series, Fierce magazine

“The sultry, haunting lounge sound of their debut, 'Closer to Home,' comes naturally. Their optimistic lyrics speak of exploring your roots and the joys of home. Indeed, they do sound as hip and sexy as they look.”

— Matt Conner, Metromix, The Indianapolis Star

“Irene & Reed have a great sound and much talent. I get a vibe of early Fiona Apple — good and moody but not a copycat of anything. It's jazzy pop... Good, good stuff. I highly recommend catching them live and picking up their CD, 'Closer to Home.'”

— Jennie DeVoe, singer-songwriter

“You [Leslie Benson of Irene & Reed] have a gorgeous, smoky voice... really sultry and with a kind of classic edge. …You’re a kind of mix between Sara Bareilles and Greta Garbo—modern meets the Golden Age of Hollywood... Track 7 [‘Good Medicine’] is hands down my favorite [from 'Closer to Home']; it's the song I keep coming back to [for its] engaging lyrics and unexpected melodic and chordal movement.”

— Krista Detor, international folk singer-songwriter based in Bloomington, Indiana, Music Critique

“By releasing their inner superheroes, the musicians have constructed a creative outlet through their songs. This is true art.”

— Emily Thompson, Stereo Subversion

“Irene & Reed put their own sexy and sophisticated stamp on pop. ‘Closer to Home’ is full of impeccable arrangements and surprisingly sweet twists. ”

— Eric Brown, President, Audio Recon Digital and Jazz Meridian Records

“The lyrical depth of 'Closer to Home' is striking, catchy and accessible. Perhaps the aspect most endearing is the intimacy displayed throughout. A feeling of vulnerability permeates many of these songs.”

— Emily Thompson, Stereo Subversion

“'Closer to Home' has an antique ambiance.... The combination of the smooth, rich vocals and jazzy piano add to this old-time theme.”

— Emily Thompson, Stereo Subversion

“Joyous, refreshing, soulful and best of all, from the heart.”

— Chris Conner, Eden Promotions

“Irene & Reed create jazzy, piano-based songs fueled by Leslie Benson's powerful vocals. They do what Tori Amos hasn’t done in a decade and what Fiona Apple doesn’t do enough of. ”

— Josh Flynn, Nuvo and IndianaMusicProject.com

“Indianapolis resident and Terre Haute native Jason Reed Milner plays everything he knows by ear, almost effortlessly.”

— Editors, Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Indiana

“It’s a juxtaposition between playful banter and serious songwriting that keep the [songwriters] musically compatible.”

— Editors, Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Indiana

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Songs

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Play "When the Smoke Clears - Demo"

When the Smoke…

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Play "Familiar Feeling - Demo"

Familiar Feeli…

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Play "Not Lonely Anymore"

Not Lonely Any…

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Play "Small Miracles"

Small Miracles

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Play "Crucified"

Crucified

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Videos

Irene & Reed Perform Debut Concert at Birdy's 12-1-10, Playing "Crucified"

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Shows

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2012
Jun 16

Lazy Daze Coffeehouse
Indianapolis, IN, US | 7:00pm
Lazy Daze Coffeehouse
Indianapolis, IN, US
Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
2012
May 19

Scholars Inn Gourmet Ca…
Bloomington, IN, US | 8:00pm
Scholars Inn Gourmet Cafe...
Bloomington, IN, US
Sat May 19, 2012 8:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
2012
May 5

Rachael's Cafe
Bloomington, IN, US | 8:00pm
Rachael's Cafe
Bloomington, IN, US
Sat May 05, 2012 8:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
2012
Jan 21

The Charley Creek Inn
Wabash, IN, US | 8:30pm
The Charley Creek Inn
Wabash, IN, US
Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:30pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
2011
Oct 15

Indy CD & Vinyl
Indianapolis, IN, US | 7:30pm
Indy CD & Vinyl
Indianapolis, IN, US
Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:30pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Irene & Reed Play Indy CD & Vinyl for Broad Ripple Music Festival, Oct. 15, 7:30 PM www.indycdandvinyl.com/ http://www.broadripplemusicfest.com/ Part of the Broad Ripple Music Festival. Proceeds benefit Girls Rock! (a local educational music summer camp for teens) All Ages.

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Store

All Store Items

Closer to Home
MP3: $9.99 CD: $10.99
All Your Tomorrows
MP3: $0.99
Crucified
MP3: $0.99

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O'Keefe
YES!
DLS Beats
Hey there, how are you? I was wondering if you need beats/instrumentals, if so, please send me your email address. Peace. DLS
Catfish Hooker And T...
Indys finest.....
Irene & Reed
"Celebrated Sounds: Irene & Reed create sonic playhouse" - new Indy Star CD review: http://tinyurl.com/3o8elae
Irene & Reed
Next Irene & Reed shows: Fri. May 20 & Fri. June 3 at Scholar's Inn Gourmet Cafe and Wine Bar in Bloomington (8-11 PM, 21+); and Sun. June 5 at The Melody Inn in Indi...
Irene & Reed
Revised 2011 Summer Concert Schedule Announced - More dates to be added soon!: http://ireneandreed.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/2011irsummerschedule-680pixels.jpg