In support of his recent release Red Sunshine, Mississippi musician Ben Shea has just wrapped up a Southeast US tour with fellow southerners Baak Gwai. Written over the course of a five-year period, Shea describes the album as “more biographic about my REAL life. I did all the writing, art, recording, mixing, and most of the production on ‘Red Sunshine.’ I got 4 really good friends to sit in on the album, musicians I have played with in South Mississippi for the past 4 years.”
Featuring friends from his past bands such as Stale Fasion and Dark Knights of Camelot, Red Sunshine is a smart combination of psychedelic folk and southern charm, tossed together with a variety of pop and 60’s/70’s throwbacks. (Read our Review of Red Sunshine here)
At this point Shea’s focus lies in getting his music out to be heard, with plans for another Red Sunshine tour, this time spreading across the U.S. as a whole.
Ben Shea Online:
Myspace
Benshea.org
Ben’s Art
iTunes
CD Baby
Ben talked to us recently about his writing process, musical plans, and who would play his dream show.
Telegram Sam: What made you decide to go the musical direction you have?
Ben Shea: I have always loved music and art. I cannot imagine ever doing anything else.
T.S: Tell us the story behind Red Sunshine
Ben Shea: Most all these songs were written in my bedroom, apartment, rehab center, pretty much wherever I was. They are very simple representations of real emotion, mostly melancholy, apathy, regret, or anger with a tinge of hope scattered somewhere in the middle of all of it. All the songs started on acoustic guitar.
T.S: What is the most memorable show you have played to date?
Ben Shea: CD release of Stale Fashion a couple years ago. It was just magical… Packed out, great performance, beautiful sound, small venue.
T.S: What are you plans for the coming year?
Ben Shea: I plan on recording an album with Olympic Records with my good friend Misha Hercules, a very talented pianist, guitarist, and engineer based in Oxford, MS presently.
T.S: If you could book your “dream show” to see and/or play, who would be on the bill?
Ben Shea: It would be with a full band backing me up (preferably Simon Davenport of Dark Knights of Camelot or Chris Zeiler of Baak Gwai on drums). Baak Gwai and Smashing Pumpkins would be on the bill.
T.S: What are your top 3 musical influences?
Ben Shea: Smashing Pumpkins, Dave Grohl, Elliot Smith, Flaming Lips
T.S: What instruments do you play? Are there any specific ones you don’t and would like to learn?
Ben Shea: I mainly play guitar. I play bass and keys mainly on overdubs in a recording setting. I’d love to play drums WELL.
