Ben Crane

This semester, Ben Anshutz is a name that has been tossed around quite a bit as his songs have spread like butter across the Internet. The sophomore's mission is simple: "I'm bringing my folk-fried, jazz-dipped, pop rock to the streets of California, Boston and everywhere in between. Spread the madness," he says on his Web site. And since adopting his simpler stage name, "Ben Crane," it seems that the troubadour, poet and astronomy expert has been doing just that -- spreading the proverbial madness.
He was raised in Newport Beach, Calif., where his mom, a piano teacher, taught him how to play at three years old. Before school every morning, Ben would practice his classical piano until his interest later shifted to jazz and then to the rock/pop genre, where most of his musical endeavors now take shape.
At lunch, Ben told me about attending high school in California and reminisced on his frustration with the limited music scene and the rigid school rules concerning how opposite-sex students could interact, proclaiming that he's glad that Tufts hasn't adopted his high school's motto: "Doors open, lights on." Listening to Ben's music, there's no denying that these rules might have been blessings in disguise, forcing him to develop his romantic imagination.
As in most music, romance and love are dominant themes in Ben's repertoire. A combination of a callow attraction to the ideal of romance and a more experienced understanding of the shortcomings of such an attraction pervade his songs; he is at once wistful and hopeful, reflecting on love lost and love renewed with lofty lyrics filled with metaphors and sublime space imagery.
Now, considering the present musical context in which a number of bands and amateur YouTube.com artists have made names for themselves through parody and humor, it's easy to see how someone might mistake Ben's music for a lampoon against over-wrought, emotionally candid and verbose indie/folk-rock performers. I have to admit, when I first heard Ben's song "Mind Trick," I wasn't sure whether I was listening to the work of a genius musical satirist or Ben Folds on psychedelics.
But after meeting Ben, I think the latter interpretation fits best. In "Mind Trick," he describes his overwhelming emotions for a girl with grandiose galactic language, as if the limited space on earth simply isn't adequate for his infinite scope of feeling: "I get dizzy whenever you walk by/ Cause neon lights/ Explode in the sky/ And I wonder if you're an illusion/ Or curious cosmic fusion." Ben's lyrics shed new light on universal feelings; I too have wondered if a girl I once met was not a "curious cosmic fusion." And who hasn't, really?
In my favorite verse, Ben sings: "We could step out into the sky/ You'd gasp as worlds passed us by/ Drift through the galactic air/ Hypnotized by solar flares/ Drift through the Milky Way/ And kiss above a supernova." Something about these lines reminds me of a PG-13 version of Disney's "Fantasia." I can even see Ben in a blue robe and Mickey Mouse ears conducting the whole thing as stars erupt into myriad specks of dust and the sun's surface rips and twirls around like the stuff in a lava lamp.
As you can probably tell, Ben's music defies simple categorization. In fact, I don't even think his own "folk-fried, jazzed dipped, pop rock" description quite covers it -- which goes to show you that, in the creative process, sometimes the creation eludes even the creator. And I guess that's what keeps it interesting. - The Tufts Daily

Ben Crane makes music that music lovers will fall in love with especially when they hear his wonderful sound that fuses elements of Folk and Acoustic into melodious tunes. Crane's angelic voice is another strong point to his music along with his amazing songwriting craftsmanship. When you add all of these formulas together, fans are going to be treated to something special. In this special spotlight with our Webzine, Ben speaks candidly about this music.

Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?

Ben: My mother is a piano teacher and started me playing when I was three so I got into music at a very young age. Starting with classical music, I eventually moved into jazz, rock, and pop and picked up other instruments along the way (guitar, bass, drums etc). My uncle is a professional musician and my grandfather also played a pretty mean piano back in his hey-day.

Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?

Ben: Well, like I said, it was mother's orders to play piano. But, freshman year of high school I wanted something more portable so I bought a guitar to try and teach myself how to play. I also got pretty into buying and learning to play world instruments that I picked up when traveling (ocarinas, panflutes, and the like).

Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?

Ben: It was last year; my sophomore year of college, that I really realized that music is what I wanted to do for a living. My band played a show on campus that a lot of people ended up coming to and I had never felt so sublimely happy. Right then it became clear that I was going to be stuck trying to be a musician, almost as if I had no choice in the matter.

Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?

Ben: I really idolize Devendra Banhart. Sadly, I am not intrinsically weird enough to write music like his. It's just a wonderful marriage of eccentricity and simplicity; he's digging on ground that a lot of musicians don't even know exist, I think. I would love to sit down with him sometime just to talk about music and what it means to him and even just observe his creative process.

Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?

Ben: Well, aside from being a huge Beatles nut; I've recently gotten really into The Fruit Bats. It's sun-soaked folk music for your soul, and I was lucky enough to see them live a few weeks ago. The concert was honestly a healing experience; I had a big dopey grin on my face the entire time.

Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?

Ben: Well, for me, music is all about human connection- it's why music matters so much to the world. The main reason why I love playing live is looking out at the audience during a show and seeing a smile on someone's face. It lets me know they're into what I'm playing, because my songwriting is really personal so when I spill myself on the stage it's just a really great feeling to know that someone cared about it. Ultimately, I'd love to share my songs with as many people who want to hear them. If enough people like what I'm doing that it allows me to make a living at it, all the better.

Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?

Ben: Well, as a full-time student money is hard to come by. It's the biggest joke on musicians that we get paid next to nothing and all our equipment is so expensive. Aside from that though, it's really been tough to find enough venues that will book indie talent. Club/venue promoters tend to respond to email once every blue never.

Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?

Ben: It really depends on what you want out of "the field". For me, it's the most important thing in my life. Nothing else makes so much cosmic sense than to pursue a career in music. You have to go into it, though, with the knowledge that it's not a downhill road and a whole lot of people are going to say no to you. But, then again, it only takes one "yes".

Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.

Ben: "There are no wrong notes. None. It only matters where you resolve the music to." That really opened up my mind and made me realize that you shouldn't be constrained by convention because it'll weigh you down and keep your music in the mundane.

Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?

Ben: Well it really depends what I'm playing. This recent release "Almost to a Halfway House" is definitely a folk record. They're songs meant for the front porch.

Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?

Ben: My debut EP - Junior's Cave Magazine

Ben Crane is a California-born singer/songwriter who really hit his stride while a student at Tuft’s University. Known for a highly emotive performance style, Crane strives to make a connection with his audiences. Crane’s debut EP, Almost To A Halfway House, seeks to capture his highly personal style blended with a unique songwriting perspective.

Almost To A Halfway House opens with the catchy acoustic folk of "Fake British Accent". The song is a bit of a laugher, but the minimalist arrangement is a serious highlight. Crane is appropriately obscure on "Shades Of Warhol" before taking an atypical path on "Mr. B-Side"; a song about wanting to make music out of the limelight. The cutesy feel of the lyrics and easy-going style speaks of a pop sensibility that runs much deeper than you might suspect on first listen. "Siberia, I'm Calling" is another acoustic gem, with Crane relying on voice, guitar, percussion and hand-claps to create an ultimately listenable tune. "Gemini Woman" may scare the single fellas away from dating for awhile; it's a great tune full of serious dysfunction. Almost To A Halfway House closes with the atypically bland "Eden".

Ben Crane is a character; mining an obscure but powerful pop sensibility out of rough-shod acoustic musical style that's refreshing. Almost To A Halfway House is likely to incite visceral reactions; love or hate will rule the day without a lot of middle ground. But for those who get Ben Crane the payoff will be well worth the effort.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5) - Wildy's World Blog

We have a real mix of artists lingering in the SonicBids Lounge. All of them are from the US, with the exception of two Canadians and an English band. There are a couple of singer/songwriters, some really great soul, jazz, and R&B voices, an Electronic/Dance/DJ group, and some terrific bands, including one from my neighbor state of Minnesota. So, come in where it’s always warm and cozy, grab something at the bar, and follow me while we get up close and personal with SonicBids artists.

Right by the bar here is Ben Crane, a new singer/songwriter from Boston. He starting writing when he was in high school in California and kept it up when he came to Tufts University. He has on EP out,
Almost to a Halfway House, and he’s offering a free download to fans here:
http://bencrane.bandcamp.com/album/almost-to-a-halfway-house
What a deal! Thanks, Ben. - Skope Magazine

We have a real mix of artists lingering in the SonicBids Lounge. All of them are from the US, with the exception of two Canadians and an English band. There are a couple of singer/songwriters, some really great soul, jazz, and R&B voices, an Electronic/Dance/DJ group, and some terrific bands, including one from my neighbor state of Minnesota. So, come in where it’s always warm and cozy, grab something at the bar, and follow me while we get up close and personal with SonicBids artists.

Right by the bar here is Ben Crane, a new singer/songwriter from Boston. He starting writing when he was in high school in California and kept it up when he came to Tufts University. He has on EP out,
Almost to a Halfway House, and he’s offering a free download to fans here:
http://bencrane.bandcamp.com/album/almost-to-a-halfway-house
What a deal! Thanks, Ben. - Skope Magazine