Garrin Benfield Returns to New York City for First Time in Two Years with a Debut Performance at the Celebrated Manhattan Music Club Joe’s Pub on August 10

In yet another sign of Garrin Benfield's rising success as a Singer Songwriter Guitarist, Benfield to perform at celebrated Manhatten music venue, Joe's Pub.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) July 14, 2006 -- Zacksongs Music is proud to announce that Garrin Benfield will return to New York City for the first time in two years for a show at Joe’s Pub on August 10th at 9:30 PM. Garrin Benfield is a nationally respected Guitarist and Singer Songwriter and a known perrenial touring act. Originally hailing from Westchester County, NY and currently based in San Francisco, CA, Benfield has made New York City a stop on his touring route for several years. Recently though, Benfield has been taking time to work on new material for an upcoming new release and performing regular engagements up and down the West Coast. This show at Joe’s Pub will serve as a testing ground for material for the new release as well as a debut at one of New York’s most respected music venues. Joining Benfield on the bill is Portland, Oregon based Singer Songwriter Holcombe Waller. This evening of music will be an extraordinary display of musical talent and is sure to attract the attention of Manhattan’s infamously particular music loving community. Tickets available at joespub.com

Though Benfield hasn’t been touring the Eastern Seabord much recently, it doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy. Benfield performed more than 100 show each year in 2004 and 2005. As well, Garrin was selected by Advocate Magazine as the “Number one Indie Artist of 2005.” The award provides further recognition of the openly gay artist as making world-class music with the GLBT community and the larger listening public in mind. In addition, his work as a singer, guitarist and songwriter have earned him praise in such diverse publications as Dirty Linen, Out Magazine (which also named him a ‘Top 5 Artist of ‘05’), Performing Songwriter, Music Connection, Relix Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine. He’s had two songs on Sirius Radio’s GLBT Channel “Out Q Hot 100 Musicians” list and was nominated for two Out Music Awards for his work on Where Joy Kills Sorrow, his most recent CD. His live performances led Jambase.com (the premier live and improvisational music magazine) to name him “One of the Bands You Must See Live in ’05” Currently, Benfield is being featured on ClearChannel’s ‘Hot Indie Artist’ promotion as well as PlanetOut.com and Gay.com’s “Rock Out Channel” as one of the ‘Top 12 New GLBT Artists”. The promotion has a potential audience of five million members.

Benfield’s latest CD includes cover photography by celebrated photographer Greg Gorman who has famously photographed Elton John, Leonardo DiCaprio, Grace Jones (and everybody else...) and co-production by esteemed producer Michael Rodriguez (who’s work with Boz Scaggs earned him a Grammy nomination). Still, it is Garrin’s efforts that are at the center of this work. Benfield writes all the lyrics, wrote virtually all of the music, played all electric and acoustic guitars, baritone guitar, mandolin and the bulk of the bass on the album. The results are outstanding. While recording this record at Different Fur Studios and Studio D in the Bay Area, California, Benfield and co-producer Michael Rodriguez set out to record Benfield’s songs in a way that were both innovative and radio friendly. Tracks like the Pink Floyd-ian opening number “The Loop”, the Beatle-esque “Answers”, the lilting “What you Wanted to Hear” and the hard-driving “Don’t Panic” are examples of the duo’s commitment to ingenuity in recording and songwriting as well as a consideration of the album’s accessibility. Each song is concisely crafted with irresistible pop melodies as well as open-ended bridges and secondary movements that yearn for the inevitable improvisation upon which Benfield has built his reputation.

Benfield’s live shows center on his quirky melodies but are stretched by Garrin into improvisational explorations into new territory each night. Familiar songs are often twisted and contorted into gorgeous new creations. Utilizing electronic effects and a loop station, audiences find themselves grooving to atmospheric rhythms and settling back into Benfield’s soothing vocal style. When he’s really cooking, Benfield seamlessly blends his compositional skills with his improvisational ones, making old songs seem new. His thought-provoking lyrics and orchestral arrangements are constantly refurbished and can move from plaintive balladry to dance inducing anthems on a dime. Benfield tours nationally and performs annually at music festivals and gay pride events.

Press Quotes for Garrin Benfield:
“THE NUMBER ONE INDIE ROCKER OF 2005”
“Benfield’s all-around talent includes a gift for beautiful songwriting on top of his prowess as a singer and musician” -- Advocate Magazine

“Jeff Buckley meets Steven Stills, meets Neil Young! Benfield’s guitar playing is phenomenal and his voice is that of a wounded angel projecting pain, alienation and anguish.” -- Music Connection Magazine

"I could make this short and simple: go buy this CD. Listen to it daily! This entire CD is wonderful. From the very opening notes, I fell in love with Garrin Benfield's sound.” -- Singer Magazine

“"Benfield's music is filled with passionate emotion, tales both painful and uplifting are conveyed with a style and spirit rarely found in contemporary young performers. He's incredibly talented..." -- QSF (Queer SF)

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