Behind the Scenes with Thérèse LaGamma: On Tour by Bike, Cellist and Songwriter Ben Sollee
During our conversation he cites influences as diverse as M.Ward (whom he considers to be a wonderful composer), Q-Tip (calling him an amazing rhythmic artist) and jazz pianist, Brad Mehldau. The first Saturday in August, he will ride into town to perform a show at The Music Hall Loft. The ride originates from Newport, RI following his performance at the Newport Folk Festival and extends up the coast ending in Portland, ME. I recently spoke with Ben about why he launched his “ditch the van” tours, and where he finds inspiration. Here is a snippet of that conversation.
TL: You’re bicycling directly from The Newport Folk Festival up to Portsmouth. Fill us in on the details of your “Ditch the Van” tour this summer.
BS: This is the fourth iteration of our ‘ditch the van’ style of touring, based around traveling by bicycle. Everyone holds their own gear on their own bike. This tour is about 240 miles—in 2010, we traveled 1,800 miles by bicycle and that was epic. I ride a heavy, extended frame utility bike—a Surly Big Dummy—that has cargo area for my cello and other gear. My percussionist and tour manager will also be riding, and a few other friends. Sixty percent of our route is on the east coast greenway, an in-progress 2,500 mile traffic-free path linking east coast cities from Maine to Florida.
TL: Is the idea to promote green sustainability?
BS: Not really. This show is not about being car-free, but about our pace on the road and connecting with community.
TL: Can you elaborate on how your bicycle tour gives you a different perspective, and how it influences your music?
BS: What the bicycle does for me, is that it keeps me healthy artistically and physically and gives me a connection to the stories of the road. It enables me to slow down and recoup. There’s also a connection to the way transportation works—we need to find a way to travel economically, not just sustainably. My goal is to establish a bike route that makes sense economically, socially, and artistically.
TL: How would you describe your music to those who are not familiar with you?
BS: At the end of the day my music is a mix of the classical training I had on the cello, and my growing up in Kentucky. My influence range was also expanded by being a child of the internet. If I’m pressed, I say folk R&B.
TL: Tell us more about your musical roots and mentors.
BS: My grandfather was a fiddle player in Appalachia, my dad was a guitar player, and my mother sang—no one was professional, it was just about fun. I picked up the cello in fourth grade, when I was about 9 years old. I would take the cello over to my grandfather’s after school and we’d play together. He taught me some tunes. I was influenced by a diverse collection of mentors – many for whom I’ve had the good fortune of working with including Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn and Turtle Island String Quartet. Blues musician Otis Taylor was one of the first guys to take me out on the road. I love Nina Simone as well!