Bent Knee
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105631
Printed Date: May 29 2024 at 17:59
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Topic: Bent Knee
Posted By: rogerthat
Subject: Bent Knee
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 08:31
This wonderful new band from Boston needs an appreciation thread. I just recommended them in a watsapp group of music fans and dubbed them as "sort of like Mars Volta with a (better) female vocalist". That's a quick description but in reality, their sophomore album Shiny Babies is way more eclectic than Mars Volta with violins, saxophone and some very jazzy piano (then again, never heard much TMV beyond the first album). The similarity begins and ends with the punkish energy and wild, almost moody swings between hard, dissonant sections and soft, melodic ones. All eyes on the insanely talented vocalist Courtney Swain obviously, but the band overall is incredible. One of the best things to happen to prog in a long time, though, sadly, they choose not to call themselves that.  |
Replies:
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 08:32
| A warning, though, this is NOT for the faint of heart. Don't be deceived by Courtney's more melodic moments; the intensity of the music can be almost frightening at times. |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 08:34
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Another one and I will stop here as I don't want to go Svetty on this thread: |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 08:41
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Great band, one of my favorite modern bands, I discovered them a couple of years ago when they supported Mike Keneally at the Middle East. I've seen them twice since including a month ago when they were filming their new album in Jamaica Plain. They never fail to impress. Shiny Eyed Babies was a significant step up from the debut. Their third album will be released on Cuneiform in the next few months, the stuff I heard was excellent. Also check out the guitarist's solo band, The Ben Levin Group, most of Bent Knee are on it.
------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 08:42
Will do, thanks for the heads up! 
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 08:50
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Great band, though I believe they will go down like a lead balloon at ROSfest. I was one of the first people to discover them, when they were suggested for Crossover at the end of 2014. Looking forward to their new album! They would have been a great choice (and a much better fit) for ProgDay. |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 08:54
| Why so (go down at ROSfest)? Not the right venue for their kind of music, you mean? Indeed, I came to know of them when they had come up for evaluation at Crossover, one of the first bands I voted on, lol. But later couldn't find the time to listen intently to their music again. The female vocalists poll got me interested again. Bought the digital copy ASAP and now on a second run already, hopefully not the whole thing again. But it's addictive. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 09:01
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ROSfest is geared more towards "melodic" prog, with forays into AOR (this year's Sunday headliners will be Zebra). In the past few years the organizers have tried to inject more diversity, but I know that two years ago MoeTar did not go down very well. NEARfest managed to achieve a fine balance between tradition and cutting-edge, but unfortunately it folded because of the fans' attitude (and other factors as well). |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 09:04
Oh dear! Yeah, in that case, it won't go down well. More like, assault on melody and all that.  The way their music is organised - on Shiny Babies at least - is very interesting. None of the tracks are even longish, let alone long (by prog standards, i.e 12-15 min) and yet the music has a very loose feeling, as if taking its own sweet time. Also doesn't sound pop-y even though it's very contemporary.
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 09:17
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Love this band. Shiny Eyed Babies is one of a few rare rock albums this millennium to genuinely sound unique. It's going to be tough trumping it, but I am still very much looking forward to the new one. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 09:19
| Me too! Though I'd like to get my heart's content of Shiny Babies before that. Holy mother of God, even Toothsmile is brilliant. Better stop with this else wifey's gonna get bored (listening on headphones obviously!). Going from very classic prog-sounding organs to violins to very modern guitar in the space of 3 1/2 minutes. |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 09:41
I hadn't heard that MoeTar didn't get a great reaction at ROSfest, that's a pity and they are probably the nearest comparison to Bent Knee with their wonky pop style with strong female vocals. I'm wishing them good luck anyway, if nothing else it's good exposure. Having been to three of their gigs I can attest that the Prog Festival crowd is not their primary audience as most of the crowd has been 20's, 30's hipster. I'm sure they are looking for as broad a range of audience as possible. They would go down a storm at ProgDay given the success of bands like Thank You Scientist. Edit - just checked the 2013 ROSfest Review thread on PE, indeed the split is pretty much 50:50 between those who thought MoeTar were one of the top bands and those who hated them. Needless to say the anti's were the usual symph weenie suspects anti anything not melodic symphonic prog. If Bent Knee get the same 50:50 split they'll have had a great experience and gotten good exposure.
------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Raff wrote:Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 10:33
| Should check out MoeTar too, sounds interesting. Funny that I like what was once described colourfully by a PA-er as "butter melts in my mouth vicar's wife Annie Haslam" and then this kind of stuff too. I suppose I don't see it as an either-or, as a dichotomy, but just as the different flavours of music, of life. Bent Knee has both ends of the spectrum covered within the space of one track and that's amazing. Kind of what Jeff Buckley was going for but he sounds pretty soft next to Courtney Swain. And I don't say that lightly; Buckley is the one I'd pick in a heartbeat as my favourite singer of all. OK, there isn't nearly as much flavour in her soft singing as he could muster in just a couple of lines from say Lover You Should Have Come Over but it's early days yet and I am excited to hear what more this talented singer has to offer. |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 10:55
That is indeed this band's greatest feature - aside from the powerhouse vocals - it's ability to shift and turn on a dime, without ever sounding forced or overly ornamental. As an old drumming aficionado I personally can't stop listening to Gavin Walllace-Ailsworth. I just love the way he underlines the vocals and at times you really hear how the two feed off one another making for an astonishing outburst of musical energy. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 12:00
Zebra is playing ROSfest? As in Randy Jackson, Felix Hanemann and Guy Gelso? That Zebra? ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: January 24 2016 at 13:29
Yes, that one! |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 27 2016 at 20:36
Agreed! This and albums like maudlin of the Well's Part the Second, Proghma-C's Bar-do Travels, Domina Catrina Lee's Songs from the Breastbone Drum, Gabriel Riccio's Interior City, Five-Storey Ensemble's Not This City and Homunculus Res's two recent albums give me real hope for the future of progressive progressive rock music. Shiny Eyed Babies is the best album I've heard in the last 25 years! ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 27 2016 at 20:47
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Thanks for the heads up to this thread, rogerthat. I follow the band and its members on Facebook so I do keep up a little with their activities and interests. I, too, am quite excited for their May release on Cunieform. (Though I, too, find myself a bit anxious about having the hurdle of trying to top Shiny Eyed Babies.) The role of producer/onstage soundboard manipulator Vince Welch intrigues me, reminds me a bit of the impactful role of Pete Sinfield with King Crimson, Brian Eno with many bands (Talking Heads, U2), or Nektar's light man, Mick Brockett. And I love the democratic practice and implicit trust the band members have for one another's contributions and reservations. The YouTube video of The Ben Levin Band's Zappa-esque Freak Machine is quite interesting and entertaining--well worth watching . . . all four parts. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 27 2016 at 20:49
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^ and it's a live concert performance! ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 27 2016 at 21:14
| Keep 'em coming! Must check out those albums too as well as the Levin performance. Good to hear that it's a democratic band. |
Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: January 27 2016 at 22:28
| I agree Freak Machine is awesome! |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 28 2016 at 15:58
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You, I've listened to several multiple-hour long interviews with various band members and apparently the band makes ALL decisions by consensus: anyone doesn't like an idea and it's shelved or re-discussed until it fits everyone's comfort zone. Conversely, ANY idea proposed by ANY band member is tried out, discussed, tweaked until it is either worked into their music/stage and sound production or thrown out. Needless to say, songwriting is a very lengthy process. But they ALL LOVE this process, they all LOVE spending time together--hours upon hours--and they all love the end results of their efforts. On an incredibly interesting side-note: producer/sound board manipulator Vince Welch is given complete carte blanche final say over song and sound production and stage sound effects--the band don't always know what Vince might try (on stage) and never know precisely what they're going to get at the end of song mastering. What amazing trust! (What an amazing talent he is--and the rest of the band know it!) Needless to say, the band have an unique and refreshing approach to . . . being a band. Courtney's a classically trained pianist--since kindergarten--and have you heard violinist Chris Baum's contributions to other albums and bands? The Dear Hunter. Ben Levin Group. Qwill. Art Decade. Guy Mendilow. Symmetry. Matti Kovler. Thirty Seconds to Mars. Dropkick Murphys. EiderFlux. Amanda Palmer. Pyre Dove. Poorvah. Boston Opera Collaborative. Perhaps. Om Frequency. The Devil's Twins. Fox Harbor. Ouput. Jaggery. Wheat. The guy is amazing, prolific, and IN DEMAND! And then there's understated leader and musical genius Ben Levin--the guy who composes, fronts, and guitars for several bands while also scoring movie soundtracks and dropping music lessons on YouTube as "Fake Dr. Levin." Watch their concerts. The man is a master of control, cool, and simple perfection. Except when he's going ape-sh*t wild as a kind of M. Night Shyamalan Wild Man in his own band. And the most upfront dominant sound beneath Courtney's schizophrenic voice (and I mean that in a respectful, complimentary, amazed, awed, and blown away way) is the creative and yet never "over the top" drumming of Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth the Third (whose dad was apparently a prog and classic rock fan during Gavin's growing up). Bassist Jessica Kion band is so solid, so melodic, so tight with all of the music--and the funnest person to watch on stage cuz of her emotional support of everything else that is going on! If you're at all curious to see and hear the amazing spirit that is the essence of Bent Knee, check out any of the YouTube videos posted under "Live at Hand Forged Works." I am CERTAIN that you will be floored. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 28 2016 at 16:07
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Akbo0VEKw" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Akbo0VEKw Bent Knee "Battle Creek" Spare Room Sessions ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: January 28 2016 at 17:04
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Nice summary BrufordFreak, pretty much spot one. I had an itch to scratch today so listened to Shiny Eyed Babies again today, grinned the whole way through. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: January 28 2016 at 18:23
No, I haven't and needless to say that's one hell of a list. Wow, prolific isn't the word. Will check out Live at Hand Forged Works too.
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Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: February 06 2016 at 10:43
| *bump* One thing I don't understand is why they touch up their live recordings so much. I understand some amount of polishing, lots of bands do that. But the ones Bent Knee have put up are too good to believe they are authentic. When I say too good, I mean the quality of the sound output rather than technically. It's kind of too perfect sounding, can't describe it in words any better than that but basically a true live recording has a different ring about it. Doesn't help that there's a huge gulf between these recordings and the Berklee performances, though the latter are good, considering it's live. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: February 06 2016 at 19:37
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roger: My understanding is that the "live" performances from Hand Forge Works are staged to be very nearly "live studio" performances--almost like their versions of videos. They have some kind of private friend who owns the warehouse and its million square foot neighbor in which they do record a lot of their vocal and other overdub tracks, and that this friend gives them some kind of long-term access to the two sites. So, yes, the sound quality and production quality are way above any of the other concert recordings of the band. So, cut them a little slack. This is kind of like the cheap way for a not-yet-signed band to create public exposure. I've never paired up the album versions of the songs with those of the Hand Forge Works versions. They may be one and the same (as Prince did years ago for the Purple Rain movie soundtrack). Anyway, I'm not quite certain of your "complaint" as the only untampered, unedited, unadulterated live recordings I know of from the past 40 years are bootlegs--and these videos are not bootlegs. The band themselves are the ones posting these songs. Anyway, there are other versions coming out slowly. And, soon, the new songs from the upcoming May release will start getting public exposure. I'm excited. And I know they're going to do a European tour and, hopefully, an American tour to promote it. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: February 06 2016 at 20:17
| Yeah, well, as long as they stop it once they gain some traction on a nationwide basis, I am fine with it. More than a complaint, it's like I heard those band-edited clips first and found those performances to be an incredible level. I have heard bootleg versions of other bands - the greats, particularly - and they tend to compare favourably with official releases, is my point. There are some live solos of Gilmour's that he's never played on official PF releases. In that sense, I found the Berklee recordings a bit of a let down but in a way, it's good because I can reset expectations. In the Berklee recordings I saw a young band that is still finding its way into the music scene which is apt for where Bent Knee stand at the moment. I am sure the upcoming album plus tours will give them the 'seasoning' to rise to higher levels. I don't doubt their talent but I just generally have a thing against over-processing to make oneself sound more perfect than one really is. |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: February 06 2016 at 20:50
| Listening again, I thought Courtney was excellent on Good Girl but the very moment Being Human starts, her singing goes flat. It is what I suspected yesterday and it's confirmed: singing and playing keyboard over such heavy duty music is too much to ask. They could do with simply having another keyboardist who can also fill in on such tracks. The singers I've known to sing and play piano/keyboard on stage definitely don't attempt to do it over this kind of music and are also usually seated. Just looking at Courtney's fingers going over the keyboard, I reckon she's probably - if not definitely - a much better singer than a keyboardist so having somebody else play keyboards should help them. They don't want to put their main draw in difficulty in concert settings. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 10:03
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Drummer Gavin Ailsworth has told me that the band only started playing together as is since the week before recording their first album (which is rather raw and disorganized)--even though Ben and Courtney have been friends since the first day of freshman year at Berklee. They did their first tour outside of Boston last summer--to very small audiences. Again, I think it important to remember that they were flying under everybody's radar--even record companies--until this August when Steve Feigenbaum negotiated their contract with Cuneiform. RE Courtney's keyboard playing: I have a feeling that she may be a much more accomplished keyboard player (classical piano) than singer as she trained as a classical pianist in Japan (where she's from) from kindergarten to entrance to Berklee. She came to Berklee for training as a concert pianist. I think Ben's friendship--as well as the entire Berklee experience--lured her into listening, playing, and performing opportunities that she never dreamed would become her "wheelhouse." Though I may be wrong. I have a niece at Berklee right now. She went under the auspices of honing her vocal talents and pop music writing skills but has found a profound love for the engineering-production side of music--loving its very creative, collaborative, and experimental sides. So, Courtney may be adventuring into newly explored territory for herself. You might try checking out some of their interviews--Ian Beabout has had both Gavin and Courtney on his show "Prog Rock Deep Cuts" several times (episode #93 is a good one) and "Breakthru Radio" did an amazing piece on which Courtney performed some of here solo stuff. They also did a very telling live in the studio performance on Session from the Box on September 15, 2014 which displayed a lot of their immaturity when compared with more recent live recordings. I mentioned the band's producer, keyboard player and on-stage live sound manager, Vince Welch. He has such an unusual role in that he is constantly playing with the effects, volumes, and mix of the band's soundboard--especially the vocals--through out each song. The band give full reign to do whatever he feels compelled to do--even right in the middle of songs (which you hear A LOT with the changing effects on Courtney's singing voice). Again, the band members' implicit and complete trust with and for one another is amazing--so refreshing in this era of paranoia and competitiveness.
------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 10:10
| Yeah, maybe it's just about figuring herself out as an artist at the moment. But when I see a keyboard player look down frequently at the keys (in rock/pop music), then it tells me that they aren't feeling too comfortable/confident about it. Stevie Wonder is blind and he can play complex chords and sing over them. Those are high standards but I think Courtney can live up to them. :) She has the talent. But if she's going to sing and play keyboard at one and the same time, it's got to be that good. Else better to have another keyboardist in the band. In any case, instrumentally the band seems to be driven much more by guitar. While her keyboard tones are quite beautiful and unintrusive, she has a much more distinctive 'voice' as a singer. |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 10:12
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By the way, I know you have seen it already - from your comment there - but I am sharing this video of I'm Still Here. It's a poignant track as it is but the video was touching beyond words. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 10:23
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Yep, seen it. About Ben's Uncle--a hero of his. Quite an emotional tribute. Would that we all could/would feel that genuine love and respect for our elders. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 10:27
| My grandmum was a long suffering arthritis patient (I mean multiple decades) and a terrible fall left her crippled in one foot for twenty of those years. I could totally relate to that video. The part where he mimes the title was almost too much to bear. I know that she loved us all in her heart though the pain she went through made it appear otherwise at times. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 10:43
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Ben and the band would appreciate reading that^ ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 10:45
| Will post the same comment in that vid. |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: February 12 2016 at 10:35
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Strangely enough before seeing this thread, I started listening to their material this past week and am thoroughly impressed, and bought Shiny Eyed Babies as a digital download through their bandcamp site. Will have to explore the band member's other projects when I have a chance, but Shiny Eyed Babies has been on heavy rotation. Besides the incredible vocals, the overall sound and production is impressive. |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: February 12 2016 at 22:00
| Ditto, unable to move on from Shiny Eyed Babies to either the debut or the other projects. This album itself is so rich in emotion, details that it keeps drawing me back for more. |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: April 30 2016 at 01:05
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Anybody heard this yet? Sounds interesting: |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: April 30 2016 at 07:35
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I got the new album a couple of days ago, it's available at Wayside, it's outstanding, probably a step up from the great Shiny Eyed Babies. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: April 30 2016 at 07:49
Wow, so it's out already? Thought it was coming out in May.
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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: April 30 2016 at 08:05
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Wayside is the retail arm of Cuneiform who are releasing the album, typically all Cuneiform albums are available at Wayside 4 weeks ahead of the official release date http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Products/Bent-Knee-Say-So__Rune-spc-417.aspx" rel="nofollow - http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Products/Bent-Knee-Say-So__Rune-spc-417.aspx
------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: May 09 2016 at 20:42
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Been hearing reports that Bent Knee went over very well at ROSfest with two standing ovations, a long line for autographs & selling all their merch though some thought they were too RIO (?), great to hear, makes me happy, going to see them in Boston on the 19th for the album release party.
------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Bucklebutt
Date Posted: May 09 2016 at 21:52
| They were a breath of fresh air to say the least. Favorite show at RoSfest for both my wife and me. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: May 10 2016 at 05:09
So glad to hear it! I was worried they'd go down like a lead balloon, knowing the mindset of many of the ROSfest hard core of attendees. We'll be seeing them in two weeks at the Orion in Baltimore. Anyway, have you thought about attending ProgDay? My husband (aka Micky) and I have been going since 2010, and wouldn't miss it for anything in the world. The band announcements usually come a bit late, but the offer is always top notch, and the atmosphere is unique. |
Posted By: Bucklebutt
Date Posted: May 10 2016 at 19:19
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Sadly, there were a lot of people who weren't digging them, lots of people were leaving.. which surprised me (this was my first rosfest). I figured that most prog fans were fans of music in general, but many of them seem set in there ways.. but that's a conversation for another place. I'll be sure to check out ProgDay, first time I've heard about it, thanks! |
Posted By: Bucklebutt
Date Posted: May 10 2016 at 19:29
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They were also all super nice and funny. Got all of their albums autographed after the show. Ben Levin said something along the lines of "in case i ever happen to offend you in the future.. I'll apologize now" and he wrote 'sorry if I ever offend you - ben'. Then later when I was reading all their notes, I notice that the Jessica Kion wrote 'sorry if I ever fart - jessica'. I couldn't stop laughing, you could tell that they were having a ton of fun. Also, loving the new album. |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: May 10 2016 at 23:07
Nah, not a lot of people who didn't like them as far as I could see and hear. Some, of course, but at least from my place in the balcony I didn't see any major crowds leaving, and the greater majority of the people I spoke with and know reacted positively to them, many easily having them as the highlight of the festival. No band will ever be loved by everybody though, that is a fact, and some of the ardent fans of bands like, say, The Strawbs or Zebra, is probably among the ones who will feel Bent Knee to be a tad too challenging. Depending on both age and general taste in music. ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: Bucklebutt
Date Posted: May 10 2016 at 23:15
Not too sure about that, there were about 1/2 the amount of people there as there were during Spock's Beard... Many just didn't show and more decided to leave during the show. I definitely took notice of this and was particularly upset by it.
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Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: May 11 2016 at 00:01
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Ah, that some didn't show is another thing. That isn't just about the band though. Many regular attendees plan in advance on which bands they are going to see - or not. Especially those of us partying hard need a nap and a longer food break. For many, Bent Knee was that choice this time around. The people who had The Fringe, Strawbs and Comedy of Errors higher on their list of interest chose Bent Knee as the band to not see so that they could have a break. That's the way it is with all festivals, to my knowledge at least. When you party until 3, 4 or 5 am, a break and an additional nap is needed sometime during the day. Especially for those of us no longer young in body ;-) ------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 11 2016 at 17:16
yeah... Progday has been a critical success.. if not a financial one (small is beautiful is its unofficial motto) even in spite of itself. I lived for years 20 minutes south of it and had never heard of it till 2006 when I went to my first and fell in love with it. As Raff notes.. it is unique for a number of reasons. Mainly for being outdoor. It is like a mini Woodstock. Acid incense and balloons kind of stuff man.. lots of people bring their kids and it is a beautiful setting. It is like a bit of family reunion of friends and one hell of party as attendees and bands stay together, often eat together, and sure do party together. We've introduced and invited friends to come down and check Progday out.. and most have in turn become regulars. Again as Raff noted.. band annoucement are done much later than most festivals do. To most we go sight unseen. Michael has a 20 year+ track record of bringing in good interesting bands. Some well known.. most not but ALL highly interesting and fun to listen to. the only real negative can be the heat... sometimes it is nice... sometimes merely bearable.. some years it is f**king HELL  ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: pianoman
Date Posted: May 11 2016 at 17:44
They're playing at Orion with some good friends of mine, Time Columns (great band). The guitarist Kenny Eaton owns a recording studio in Maryland that I have put many studio hours into. Also, the guys (and gals) in Bent Knee are some of the nicest, approachable people ever. The Brooklyn show was a success to say the least. |
Posted By: Bucklebutt
Date Posted: May 11 2016 at 19:29
the real negative for me is a 7h drive, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I'll definitely keep an eye out for the line-up!
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Posted By: hellogoodbye
Date Posted: May 12 2016 at 01:55
 I didn't know them. Nice band and fantastic singer.
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: May 22 2016 at 08:28
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We saw Bent Knee at the Orion Studios yesterday. All I have to say is... WOW! My hands hurt at the end of the show because of all the enthusiastic clapping I did throughout their set. These guys are the future of progressive music (though not necessarily of prog), and all the accolades they are getting are highly deserved - and then some. Hope to see them again soon! |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 22 2016 at 08:36
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yeah.. I was thinking that last night. Didn't I hear or read the band sure doesn't consider themselves a prog band. One can hear that in their sound. Not prog.. not in a traditional sense at least...but they were terribly progressive.. and that is so refreshing and interesting. yeah my hands were a bit sore as well... probably would have hurt more if I had not been 2nd hand smoked into a painless state ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: May 22 2016 at 09:57
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Just listened to 'Leak water'....from 'Say So' on you tube...... Can't say it did that much for me though they are certainly talented,,, it was not my cup of tea. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 22 2016 at 10:57
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^ they didn't send some people running for the exits at Rosfest for no reason. The home of limp dick prog and fans of it. An acquired taste perhaps if not inclined to particularly adventurous... ie .. progressive.. music. I definitely want to hear the interview Rick did with the band yesterday... he told us they touched on something I do find particularly interesting. Women and progressive rock. From the musicians standpoint. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: progrockdeepcuts
Date Posted: May 22 2016 at 18:55
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Legendary performance last night! They threw it DOWN. ------------- Listen to older shows here: mixcloud.com/progrockdeepcuts/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: June 02 2016 at 11:29
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Gave Say So several digital 'spins' on the cell plus PC. Some amazing tracks, rising way above Shiny Eyed Babies, and some fairly middling ones. Here's my review: http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=1573899" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=1573899" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=1573899
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Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: June 05 2016 at 19:18
| The new album sounds really great!!! Just might have to buy it. |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: April 04 2017 at 19:45
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Saw the band on Saturday at a secret gig in Boston where they were filming the new album, same venue as I saw Gutbucket last year, only about 20 invited guests. They played the whole of the new album, sounds like really strong stuff, couple of really high energy bouncy tracks with the band going full tilt plus a couple of slower numbers, nice variety. Had to look round 4 cameramen who were in the bands faces all night but a really excellent night. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: April 04 2017 at 20:46
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They're kind of my "hey I know a famous person" band. I've been in casual contact with Ben over the last two years and I've met Courtney before. They're such a talented and unique band, such nice people too!
 ------------- Classical music isn't dead, it's more alive than it's ever been. It's just not on MTV. https://www.soundcloud.com/user-322914325 |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: April 04 2017 at 20:53
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I saw them at Rosfest. Good band. I met them also and they seemed pleasant enough.
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Posted By: Zugzwang
Date Posted: April 04 2017 at 22:46
New album as in an upcoming one, already? Very exciting if that's the case. Edit: Thanks. I'll definitely be looking forward to it.
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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: April 05 2017 at 10:24
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Ten new tracks for an album later in the year. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Dopeydoc
Date Posted: April 08 2017 at 15:32
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Posted By: Terra Australis
Date Posted: April 21 2017 at 17:43
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Haven't seen them live but live videos are fabulous! Really looking forward to the new album... Shiny Eyed Babies is my favourite so far. Annoyed that the video link above doesn't work anymore.  ------------- Allomerus. Music with progressive intent. http://allomerus.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - http://allomerus.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: Zugzwang
Date Posted: May 12 2017 at 16:08
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The band did an in-studio performance in Rochester for WAYO's "Show of Prague." It includes a ~15 minute interview, and a ~45 minute performance featuring 6 songs from their upcoming album. Setlist is: 1. Terror Bird 2. Leak Water 3. ? (I think it's Time Deer but I'm not sure) 4. Holy Ghost
5. Insides In 6. Being Human 7. Land Animal 8. The Well 9. Way Too Long So, in case anyone's curious about what the new album will sound like, you can listen here: https://www.mixcloud.com/show-of-prague/episode-of-bent-knee-may-10-2017/ |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: October 12 2017 at 09:19
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I have listened to Land Animal a few times by now and can't but agree with javajeff's review, sadly. But I don't think the problem is so much one of predictability or formula. It is that all the lovely tones and textures don't seem to add up to something in the way they did on Shiny Eyed Babies. This problem was there to some extent on Say So and it's gone even more in the direction of somewhat meandering compositions without enough of the heaviness that made them explosive. Anyway, I will wait some more time to see if the songs grow on me before reviewing but it is rather underwhelming. Not a bad album by any means but they got my hopes up so much after Shiny Eyed Babies that it feels disappointing. The thing is while the band say they are going for instant gratification this time, Shiny Eyed Babies had very catchy hooks and, as alluded to above, more flow. So it seems that their way of making the music accessible is to tone down the heaviness and darkness. The title track captures the quintessence of Bent Knee but elsewhere it's elusive.
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Posted By: Wounded Land
Date Posted: October 12 2017 at 09:21
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An amazing band live with some great material, but I agree that sometimes the "concept" takes over and doesn't let the songs shine through. Regardless, you will not be disappointed by their live set. See them if you can. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: October 12 2017 at 14:31
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I have to agree with Rogerthat, in that both Say So and Land Animal have found me slightly disappointed. The music, the moods, the sound production, the compositions, and the are still stellar--among the best of new artists in the world--but that the impact of each of their songs and these two albums as wholes has been far below that of Shiny Eyed Babies--which has been, to my ears and mind, one of the best albums released since the 1970s. I have, however, found greater connection and appreciation for the new album than than Say So. I've shirked at my two opportunities to see the band in my state cuz I still have to travel three to four hours to get there. Plus, their two Wisconsin visits have been during farming season. Hard to get away. (Hard to stay awake that late.) Maybe someday. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Zugzwang
Date Posted: October 12 2017 at 18:51
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My one petty criticism of Land Animal: there's a bit of a drop in intensity after the title track. The last four songs are good but I feel that Boxes would have a much larger impact if it was behind a song like These Hands or Land Animal instead of The Well, which to me sounds like an album closer itself. Otherwise I don't really view the new album as better or worse than Shiny Eyed Babies. Really depends on what you liked about SEB. The music in Land Animal is less exaggerated (for lack of a better word) than that of SEB, but it's still highly eclectic and dynamic and I don't find myself wanting any more heaviness than there already is. May just be my bias against heavier music. Related news: from what I've heard, Ben Levin has a bunch of material he's finishing up with. So there should be at least one Ben Levin Group album next year. Additionally, Courtney's solo EP is (finally) being released next month (Though I don't think Courtney's solo material would be much appreciated by the prog community). |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 12 2017 at 19:07
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Ben's pretty active, he has a bunch of material out there on bandcamp, I have the Freak Machine album. It's very good, like a darker edgier BK. https://benlevingroup.bandcamp.com/album/freak-machine" rel="nofollow - https://benlevingroup.bandcamp.com/album/freak-machine ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: October 12 2017 at 19:43
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I Love You Doggy (If anyone has been following him recent stuff) ------------- Classical music isn't dead, it's more alive than it's ever been. It's just not on MTV. https://www.soundcloud.com/user-322914325 |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 13 2017 at 03:30
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My fave is also the debut but the most recent Land Animal is slowly opening up to me in a way that Say So never managed to do. I like Say So when I first got it and span it occasionally which seems to be the same story regarding LA...but LA seems to drag me back for more spins. Unlike previous posters here I don't necessarily miss the heaviness of the debut. I think the novelty factor of it as well as it being the very first thing I heard from the group is part of why it still reigns supreme. Our favourites are often our first encounters with x band/artist. It'd be cool if the order of albums were reversed so as SEB was the new one. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 13 2017 at 05:53
I assume you're talking about Shiny Eyed Babies rather than the debut, SEB was their sophomore release and a big step up from the the debut. I live Say So & Land Animal but SEB may still be my favorite. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 13 2017 at 05:58
You assume right. Not sure why I always forget about their real debut ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 13 2017 at 08:19
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people whom like this might also find Major Parkinson, Gåte and Animal Alpha exieting. slight nod to System of a Down as well. -------------  
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Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: October 13 2017 at 09:13
At least for me, it's not just the novelty factor but that the melodic progressions on SEB were simpler and more accessible, which made it easier to get into the tracks. While I welcome the increased complexity on the next two albums, it hasn't yet crystallised into an approach where the melody still has a discernible arc while being complex. It probably will happen down the line and I am going to be very patient with a band as talented as Bent Knee.
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Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: October 19 2017 at 00:34
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I was a little bit disappointed by Say So, not that it's a bad album I do like it, but the songs seems to be harder to get into, less accessible and not so memorable. The ideas/compositions are a bit confused and so the album loses its punch. There are many good moments throughout but overall this is my least favorite album. Land Animal is better for me in any way, sounds to me like Bent Knee is back on track here, the songs works well and the band sounds much more focused, inspired and interesting. I'm not sure they can deliver another album as amazing as Shiny Eyed Babies though...
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