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Hometown: New York, NY
Label: Mohinga Music
Management: Drew Rosenfeld
Website: www.benyaro.com
Sounds Like: David Bowie (Official), The Avett Brothers, Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens), Neil Young, Mumford and Sons
Genre: Americana
Benyaro, Jackson Hole and New York City's indie acoustic soul and roots power duo, has a sound reminiscent of "early Tom Waits" (KBGA- Missoula, MT), "acoustic David Bowie" (WESU- Middletown, CT), and "if you’re a fan of The Band or their modern-day counterparts The Avett Brothers, there’s a good chance you’ll take a shine to Good Day Better" (NASHVILLE SCENE). According to RELIX magazine's Jan/Feb 2011 issue, Benyaro is "on the verge...indie acoustic soul power." Their 2 albums (Benyaro and Good Day Better) have spent time on the CMJ Top 200 and over 120 radio stations across the world spin the music. Lead singer Ben Musser's voice has been dubbed "a strange amalgamation of Cat Stevens and Axl Rose" (YES! WEEKLY). Knowing this, one can expect Benyaro to deliver an intense, emotional, and upbeat performance. Musser and upright bassist Bobby McCullough combine their voices and instruments with feeling and honesty, drawing audiences into their world of soul, folk, country, rock, blues, gospel and beatboxing/house. Though only two performers, one is treated to the sound of a full acoustic band as they play percussion with feet, nylon string guitar and upright bass with hands and sing together with conviction. PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS writes Good Day Better offers a "campfire hoot of a sound endowed with warm tunes and tight harmonies." Good Day Better, Benyaro's latest, explores and expands the boundaries of acoustic music and is available at Benyaro shows, iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and other fine online retailers.
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In 2012 Benyaro performed 4 showcases at Sundance Film Festival, 5 showcases at SXSW, at Big Sky Big Grass Festival and toured extensively in the west. Their music will be featured in the independent film Our Longest Drive (http://ourlongestdrive.com/) which will be released in summer 2012. This summer Benyaro will support Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers for multiple shows and Monophonics for multiple shows.
In 2011 Benyaro shared the stage with Anders Osborne twice, The Stone Foxes twice, Dangermuffin 3xs, Abigail Washburn and Kai Welch, Shovels and Rope, Tony Furtado, Sahara Smith, The Farewell Drifters, Reed Foehl, Monophonics and closed for Brett Dennen. In the past 3 years they have shared the stage with The Avett Brothers, Jill Andrews, Samantha Crain, Gregory Alan Isakov, Malcolm Holcombe, Michael Daves and many other great acts.
“If you're a fan of The Band or their modern-day counterparts The Avett Brothers, there's a good chance you'll take a shine to "Good Day Better"... Musser at times recalls David Bowie”
Jack Silverman - Nashville Scene
“Indie acoustic soul power. The group's soulful, honest songs explore such diverse styles as beat box sounds, "acoustic disco house," blues, soul and folk.”
Dana Sobel - Relix
"Big sound, power duo..."
David A. Maurer - The Daily Progress
“Minimalistic acoustic musings and interesting songwriting... More soulful than most acoustic singer-songwriters and more thoughtfully careful than indie-folk rockers, Benyaro occupy a unique and pleasing genre all their own.”
Stephen Perraud - What's Up? Annapolis and Eastern Shore Magazine
“Benyaro features guitar, harmonica and drum playing, whaling vocalist Ben Musser and upright bassist Bobby McCullough. Together, just these two alone are able to gloriously fill an entire room full of warm, beautiful sound. Each song these guys perform has a soul to it that resonates all around the room — any spectator simply can’t help but give undivided attention. No joke.”
Caroline Edgeton - Old Gold and Black (Wake Forest University;s Newspaper)
"An unsigned band with a self-released album that’s cracked national charts? That's something...a sweet, soulful sound."
Adam Rathe - music editor - New York Press
"Indie acoustic soul."
Dale Bridges - Boulder Weekly
"Musser, McCullough and Chamberlin deliver the folk gospel according to Benyaro, a crunchy granola, campfire hoot of a sound endowed with warm tunes and tight harmonies, launching instant sing-alongs. As their new album promises, makes a "Good Day Better.""
Jonathan Takiff - Philadelphia Daily News
"Thoughtful acoustic music...Musser’s voice is a strange amalgamation of Cat Stevens and Axl Rose, all quivery and emotive and gravely at once...[Musser's] throaty tenor dives right into the pseudo-scream without sacrificing a bit of clarity."
Ryan Snyder - music editor - Yes! Weekly (Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC)
"Soulful acoustic phenomenon..."
Amy Matzke - music writer - The Roanoke Times
“Brooklyn’s acoustic folk quartet Benyaro returns with Good Day Better, a strong collection of upbeat rootsy tunes. Ben Musser and Meg Chamberlin’s vocals drive the album forward behind a steady mix of some acoustic folk, blues and country influences. “Call off Forever” best demonstrates Benyaro’s blissful strumming and singing as Chamberlin sings, “Try to find yourself some soul brother / get on down and be someone”.”
Cole Stangler - "The Cosmic American Radio Music Hour" host - WGTB 92.3 FM - Washington, DC
"The album emanates a striking, authentic grace. Badass songs like the title track and "Dogs" make me feel like doing brave things... You can hear in his voice the same soulful, raspy confidence that makes [Malcolm] Holcombe so appealing."
Erika Fredrickson - A&E editor - Missoula Independent
"Benyaro's new album "Good Day Better" has the ability to do just that: put it on your car stereo, turn up the volume, roll down your windows, and it'll turn a mediocre day good, and a good day better. The band has that rare combination of comfy roots and fresh lyrics that make you want to listen closer. For an added treat, Benyaro's signature sound and strong vocals blend seamlessly with subtle shades of Doobie Brothers, Neil Young, and Alison Krauss."
David Ford - "Triad Arts Up Close" host - WFDD 88.5 FM - Winston-Salem, NC
"Acoustic soul-pop and folk come to mind on Benyaro’s energetic sophomore release, Good Day Better, which displays Musser’s unabashed, emotive vocal flights and a strong chemistry with Bobby McCullough"
Aaron Davis - music critic - Planet Jackson Hole Weekly
"Sounds like early-period acoustic David Bowie but with an Americana twang."
Bryan Skowera - WESU 88.1 FM - Middletown, CT
"Relaxed, peaceful, and largely acoustic, Benyaro sounds to be born less out of the smoggy subways and more out of the Smoky Mountains."
Ryan Muldoon - Richmond Times-Dispatch
"An incredibly warm album, enveloping the listener in nostalgic reminiscense, like everything that made early Tom Waits so good. Inflections of '60s country-rock, trip-hop, and broken-beat minimal techno combine in surprising ways."
Robert Parker - music director - KBGA 89.9 FM - Missoula, MT
"The upcoming studio album from this Brooklyn-based acoustic folk/rock/Americana act invites comparisons to the glory days of CSN&Y (mainly due to their heavenly vocal harmonies...)"
Jim Reed - Connect Savannah
"The not-so-secret weapon is the voice of multi-instrumentalist Ben Musser.....Musser sounds akin to a young Cat Stevens."
Rick de Yampert - The Daytona Beach News-Journal
““His (Ben’s) amazing voice is the calling card of Benyaro …acoustic roots/folk songs with much feel, soul and emotion…a comparison to Ray Lamontagne comes to mind…splendid album.””
Valère Sampermans - Rootstime (Belgium)
"New York City's Benyaro play the kind of introspective, deeply emotional acoustic music that fans of the form should swoon over. The harmonies are crystalline, the playing flawless, and the songs tight. In short it's an impeccable recording."
Chris La Tray - Missoula Independent
