Justin Ng of Entertainment Focus, a UK entertainment website, took some great photos on stage with Ben and the band at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. Ben wanted the photogs at the show to come up and get better shots than they could from the front of the stage, and Justin’s pictures show the up-close experience.
Tulsa show to be rescheduled
Ben announces in a Tweet that the February 1 show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been cancelled due to the impending major snowstorm expected to affect the area. The show will be rescheduled at a date to be announced. Cain’s Ballroom says tickets will be good for the replacement show. It’s not so much that the band can’t get there, but many fans wouldn’t be able to make it and Ben didn’t want people to have to miss the show and waste a ticket. We’ll have information on the rescheduled show as soon as it’s available.
Ryan Lerman on new Lauren O’Connell song
Singer-songwriter Lauren O’Connell has a new song up on her MySpace and on YouTube. I Belong to You features Ben’s touring bassist Ryan Lerman, whom Lauren describes as “stupid talented,” on guitar, bass, piano, assorted percussion, and accompanying vocals. From the small world department, Lauren, who hails from the Napa Valley area of California, has a project with Nataly from Pomplamoose as well.
Crowdsourcing a cappella
Never one to be lacking new ideas, Ben’s latest is to assemble an a cappella performance piece with parts recorded by the audience at the midwestern US shows this month and next, in the manner of the vocal chorus to Army or Not the Same that’s become a staple.  Ben says it’s a fairly involved arrangement in the VideoSong style (as pioneered by groups such as Pomplamoose), meant to work together after recording the parts at eight different shows.  He plans to edit it after the US tour leg finishes up in February, and hopes to release it before beginning the Europe tour in mid-February. The first part, comprising the bass and vocal percussion parts to Working Day, was recorded at the Minneapolis show Sunday night (January 23, 2011). Check his YouTube channel to see how the audience did as performers.
Lonely Avenue songbook available
Our partner in published music, Sheet Music Plus, now has the songbook for Ben’s album Lonely Avenue available. The book, published by Alfred Music Publishing, is the officially-licensed piano and vocal sheet music transcription from the 2010 album that combined Nick Hornby’s lyrics with music by Ben. Order your copy and learn to play and sing along.
