The newest episode of Don’t Bother Wearing Seatbelts is out now!
Mathew Bell and I, sat down with Ben Crum of Great Lakes to talk about his beautiful new album, Fear of the Fear.. a semi-concept record inspired by a friend whose life was tragically taken by alcoholism. Somehow, out of something so heartbreaking, Ben has made a record that feels hopeful, inspiring, and incredibly alive.
One thing Ben talked about really stuck with me: don’t make demos.. just make records.
Growing up around the Elephant 6 world of home recording, Ben learned early on that instead of recording something with the idea that someday you’ll make the “real” "better," version of it, you can just start making the album. Capture the magic while it’s happening. I can’t help but think about how much more music gets made when you approach creativity that way.
I’d actually met Ben years ago when my old band played with Great Lakes at Pianos in New York City. But when you’re touring, those nights fly by, and you rarely get the chance to really sit down and talk. Especially when all your Iowa buds who live in NYC come out to see you play. So getting to have this conversation after enjoying Ben’s music for so many years was fantastic.
And, naturally, there was one thing I absolutely HAD to ask him about: his appearance in Belle and Sebastian “Dirty Dream #2” music video.
Directed by Lance Bangs and filled with familiar faces from the Elephant 6 universe and beyond, it’s one of my favorite music videos ever... it looks like it was made over a fall weekend in Athens, GA shot on film it has this timeless feel.. it's sweet, joyful, and so filled with human emotions and young faces staring strait into the camera.. that would be etched in my mind over the years... it's so perfect for this beautiful song and features no actual members of Belle and Sebastian... But just when you think it's all kissing and milk cartons being dump out on your own head... there’s Ben, looking so incredibly tense and tortured in the middle of it all. It almost changes to the whole dynamic to the video,.
So I asked him about his dramatic acting background. If he had one.. cause damn he looks so good and intense on camera...
His answer and the story of how that scene actually happened is worth hearing for yourself.
Maybe the lesson of this whole episode is this: Don’t make demos. Make records. Don’t wait until you’re an actor. Just show up. Make the thing. Cause life can be pretty short and may get taken away.. way too fast.
Our conversation with Ben Crum of Great Lakes is available now wherever you listen to podcasts.
