S03E09 - Benny's Muted Circus
In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Benny, a Brooklyn-based musician who performs under the name Muted Circus, shares his inspiring musical journey and reflective stories. Benny discusses his upbringing in Orange County, California, his time at Berklee College of Music, and his seven years in Tokyo, Japan. He also delves into his project Muted Circus, a 10 EP, 50 song venture, which he created to navigate and express his grief following his father's death, who was also a visual artist. Benny recounts attending his first concert, watching The Get Up Kids, and reflects on memorable concerts, including a mixed experience meeting Dave Mustaine of Megadeth. He details how music helped him through difficult times and previews one of his songs, "Disconnection." Join this heartfelt conversation exploring the intersections of life, loss, and music.
Seeing Them Live · Charles Zona, Benny
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Show Notes
This episode features Benny, a musician and producer who performs under the name Muted Circus. Benny, originally from Orange County, California, is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He spent seven years in Tokyo, Japan, and attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. The discussion starts with Benny sharing the story of his first rock concert at the age of 13, where he saw The Get Up Kids in a small, intimate venue in his hometown. This concert sparked his lifelong passion for live music, leading him to attend concerts frequently, including during his college years and time in Japan. Benny reminisces about the DIY music scene of Orange County in the '90s and shares anecdotes about attending shows with his older brother and friends. He also recalls a memorable yet disappointing encounter with Dave Mustaine from Megadeth during a concert in Tokyo, juxtaposing it with a positive experience meeting Marty Friedman, a former Megadeth guitarist.
The conversation then shifts towards Benny's musical project, Muted Circus, a deeply personal undertaking inspired by the death of his father. The project comprises 10 EPs with 50 songs, each featuring his father's visual artwork on the covers. Benny explains how creating this music helped him process his grief and reflect on his relationship with his father. He delves into the themes explored in his music, often revolving around the impact of his parents on his life. Benny shares the challenges and emotional journey of writing and recording these songs over several years. He also introspects on the nuances of live vs. recorded music and the emotional resonance that well-produced music can often deliver.
During the interview, Benny performs 'Disconnection,' a song from his final EP in the Muted Circus series. The song captures the sentiment of final phone calls with a loved one and reflects Benny's extensive relationship with his father through daily check-ins on the phone. The episode concludes with Benny discussing his future plans for more music releases under different projects and emphasizing the therapeutic power of music in processing complex emotions. Listeners can explore Benny's work on platforms like Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
BANDS: No Doubt, The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, Real Big Fish, Gwen and Eric Stefani, Megadeth, NSYNC, Metallica, Slayer, Marty Friedman, Dave Mustaine.
VENUES: Makuhari Messe (Japan), Koos Cafe, The Chain Reaction, Madison Square Garden.
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