Spring Break
REVIEW: Benjy Davis & co. keep it southern
3 and a half out of 5 stars
Emily Abbate
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Focus
There was a Britney Spears CD in the CD player of their van. A 25-year-old man listening to Britney Spears may not be exactly typical, but neither is putting out your first EP at 16 or dropping out of Louisiana State University after two weeks to pursue a career in music.
"The drummer and I started when I was 15," said Benjy Davis of the Benjy Davis Project. "I didn't know him; I was kind of just doing what I loved and playing the guitar at a party. He came up behind me and started beating on the guitar as I was playing. I thought it was weird, but who knew it would lead to where we are now?"
The Daily Campus was able to catch up with Davis on his way to Atlanta for a show. The BDP, signed to Rock Ridge Music, describes itself as a Louisiana rock-based group with a fresh sound. Reminiscent of Jason Mraz's tone and Bend Folds spunk, the BDP is a combination of southern talent and an honest sound.
The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Davis, drummer and vocalist Mic Capdevielle, electric lead guitarist and banjo player Jonathan Lawhun, bass guitarist Matt Rusnak and pianist, vocalist and harmonica player Michael Galasso.
Their newest of seven albums, "Dust" captures a raw acoustic feeling on a studio album.
Throughout the album, listeners can definitely tell the band has some southern roots, with the use of a banjo on tracks like "Sweet Southern Moon," and lyrics about sitting by the levee.
The album starts off calmly with "The Rain," a track that doesn't really showcase any of the group's talents. But luckily, the album picks right up with "Still Sweet."
"But I guess the truth of the matter / Is that I've been madder at you / Than you've been at me," Davis sings. "I'm still bitter / And you're still sweet."
The lyrics might not surprise you, but if you're looking for a song to roll down your windows and rock out to, then this is the right track for you.
Other songs that stand out on "Dust" include "I Love You," the band's current single.
"The drummer and I started when I was 15," said Benjy Davis of the Benjy Davis Project. "I didn't know him; I was kind of just doing what I loved and playing the guitar at a party. He came up behind me and started beating on the guitar as I was playing. I thought it was weird, but who knew it would lead to where we are now?"
The Daily Campus was able to catch up with Davis on his way to Atlanta for a show. The BDP, signed to Rock Ridge Music, describes itself as a Louisiana rock-based group with a fresh sound. Reminiscent of Jason Mraz's tone and Bend Folds spunk, the BDP is a combination of southern talent and an honest sound.
The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Davis, drummer and vocalist Mic Capdevielle, electric lead guitarist and banjo player Jonathan Lawhun, bass guitarist Matt Rusnak and pianist, vocalist and harmonica player Michael Galasso.
Their newest of seven albums, "Dust" captures a raw acoustic feeling on a studio album.
Throughout the album, listeners can definitely tell the band has some southern roots, with the use of a banjo on tracks like "Sweet Southern Moon," and lyrics about sitting by the levee.
The album starts off calmly with "The Rain," a track that doesn't really showcase any of the group's talents. But luckily, the album picks right up with "Still Sweet."
"But I guess the truth of the matter / Is that I've been madder at you / Than you've been at me," Davis sings. "I'm still bitter / And you're still sweet."
The lyrics might not surprise you, but if you're looking for a song to roll down your windows and rock out to, then this is the right track for you.
Other songs that stand out on "Dust" include "I Love You," the band's current single.
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