Ben Rothermel

Every so often we like to catch up with artists that, in one way or another, walked the halls of Visible School and really made an impact during their time here. Despite only being in Memphis for a year in the songwriting department, this talented singer/songwriter honed his craft and has already been applying his teachings to his daily life. After completing his certificate in songwriting in in the 2008-09 school year, Ben Rothermel made the 15 hour trek back home to Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he married his high-school sweetheart Amber and began playing in the local coffeehouses and venues. We caught up with him over email to discuss his first full-length album and his upcoming plans. Check out the interview with Ben after the jump.

VMG Interviews Ben Rothermel

Who did you work with on the upcoming record?

BR: I wanted to work with friends so I hired all of my studio musicians from my alma mater, Visible School in Memphis, TN. They all did a wonderful job and I highly recommend them! Here?s their names so you can find them when you need a project finished: Corey Yoder (drums), Jan Kristof (electric guitar), and Zac Goraczewski (bass). Local Lancaster musicians also included Taylor Brandt on the violin and Allison Farris on the cello. I also will be using Simon Lloyd, who is a sound engineer in training at Visible School, to mix and master the album.

What was the inspiration for this record? Like why did you want to do this kind of recording?

BR: The whole record started as a dream I had in February 2010. I wrote a list of resolutions I wanted to see accomplished in 2010 (A little late for New Years but the same idea!) One of the items on that list was to record an EP. But as the year went on, the idea grew into a full-fledged album!

I?ve been writing and recording songs for the past 7 years, but have never recorded a full length album. My desire for this album is that it will represent who I?ve been, who I am, and a little bit of who I will be.

What are some of your favorite songs that will be featured on the record?

BR: Each song is like a child to me – I?ve seen them from birth as they grow up into full, mature songs. So, it?s quite difficult to choose a favorite from the album! However, like any proud parent, I am very excited to show them off to anyone who?ll listen! From the violin and cello on Let Me Go to the swelling anthems in A Place Near You to the intimate guitar and vocals found on Inside the whole album is a collage of love and soul- searching! I guess you could say I?m pretty happy with this album!

Do you have a title and release date in mind?

BR: The title will be Blue or Green and will be tentatively released in January 2011.

Any unique experiences you could share from the studio?

BR: Absolutely! Recording with the guys was a lot like going to summer camp. One intense week spent sweating it out upstairs at my house. Two rooms, three 12 hour days, and ten songs learned and recorded! One of the most memorable experiences happened before anyone even arrived at my house. Zac and Jan started out from Memphis at 2 AM Monday morning and were supposed to arrive 16 hours later at 6 PM. They called me around 5 PM and the conversation went something like this…

Zac: ”Umm…Hey man. We..kinda got lost and ended up in Alabama.”

Me: ”What??! Alabama is South! You guys were supposed to drive North to PA not North to Alabama!”

I love those guys! After that little stint, our mutual friend Ben Roberts (of Carolina Story) suggested a rather apt band name that stuck – Ben Rothermel and the Open Road Amateurs. Hopefully we?ll get to see them again (that is, if they don?t get lost…)

Where did you record?

BR: It?s been a rather unconventional blend of recording methods so far. We did the first part of recording where we tracked the drums, bass, and electric guitar all at my house in Pennsylvania. The second part is not done yet but includes me laying down my acoustic guitar and vocal tracks and will most likely be done at my house as well. After that, I ship the songs off to my friend Simon Lloyd for his professional mixing and mastering!

I had an offer from a local record label to produce and record this album back in March but turned it down for various reasons. I felt that I had always preached Indie music and thought it was really time for me to put my money where my mouth is. It?s been a pleasure recording this album in a totally indie manner. I was “allowed” to work with my friends (since I work for myself) and have been able to make my own schedule for this album. There are still times that I wish I was on a label (mostly because of my own laziness) but I feel most definitely that releasing this album independently was the right thing to do.

What were some of your influences during this record, musically?

BR: Mat Kearney, Jon Foreman, Coldplay, and Switchfoot are all musicians you could find on my iPod “Now Playing” page at any given time. I actually had the opportunity to meet Mat Kearney and have coffee with him while he was in town on tour. I was in the planning phases of this album and he gave me some fantastic advice on choosing track listings.

What are your favorite songs to play live?

BR: I enjoy playing songs that mean a lot to me live. To invite people into an emotional experience I had is a special moment that I?m always chasing after during a show. And when my wife Amber is able to be in the audience, I particularly enjoy singing love songs! It means so much to be able to sing them to her and the audience at the same time!

What are your plans after the record is released?

BR: The record in tentatively set to release in January 2011 and I plan to continue performing anywhere and everywhere people let me! I don?t have any grand ideas that this album will make me into a super star or a professional Nashville recording artist. I just want this album to be me.

Ben Rothermel is currently touring around Lancaster and the southern Pennsylvania area. Click the image above for his website and ways to hear his music and see him live. - Visible Media Group