blog

One of the things that I have found most interesting since recently releasing my record is people's preferences about wanting a physical CD versus a digital download.

Most people will say "young people today don't care about CDs - they just want the music, and digital delivery appeals to their desire for immediate gratification." I am guessing though that this isn't totally true.

I would love to have your thoughts, as comments to this blog post.

Tell me:

• Do you prefer a CD or Digital download, and why?
• What is your feeling on buying as opposed to... "finding" music you want to listen to?
• How would you rate your comfort level (1-10) in buying something online, and why?

As you will notice, a lot has changed on the site to go along with the long-awaited release of my record "Start Again Tomorrow."

When I first created this blog, it was about the process of making the record. Then, I got kind of lazy and corrupted it into an easy way to share news. Well, that just kind of obfuscated the matter too much for my tastes, so from now on, this is reborn as an actual blog...

I want a place to talk about cool things that happen, thoughts about trying to somehow be heard in a music industry that I'm not part of, etc. -- that kind of thing. I'd love you guys to join the conversation (aka comment).

Time will tell - but for now, I will just say this: This process of making the record, and re-envisioning this site and myspace, and so many other things has been so emotionally stirring, and I am positive that I will never be the same again.

Thanks to everyone who provided support - in a thousand different ways - to get me here. I hope you like the record as much as I do.

I am super excited to be able to share with you a little preview of my forthcoming album "Start Again Tomorrow." I have uploaded a clip to YouTube which has all the song names associated. See the end of this post to watch it.

I am also just putting out some feelers regarding house concerts. I really think that with my music, the best venue is the most intimate one. Making connections and singing for a small group of people is my favorite kind of experience. Because of this, I am interested in doing some house concerts. Basically, you would have me perform in your living room or family room -- invite 10 or more friends (as long as they have a place to sit comfortably), and we'll do a small intimate 90-minute show. No loud amplifiers, just a down-to-earth real musical experience.

If you are at all interested in more details on how a house concert might work, or if you are interested in hosting a show, please contact me at benjamin@benjamincostello.com. Thanks!

Here is the album preview - Enjoy!

Hello friends!

I know that it has been a while since I have had an update.   I have been kind of disabled for the last several months by software incompatibilities -- Pro Tools essentially never supports new OS versions until 6 months after they are released (or something inane like that), but I had other reasons I needed to upgrade.   So, I couldn't record -- couldn't do bedtime melodies -- couldn't even use my piano software :-\

BUT - I decided to take my old machine and set it up as a recording-only machine.   Wow - it has been so nice to have it back, and nice to have it open and ready all the time for when I have a moment or a whim.   So, I am back in action - making progress on "Start Again Tomorrow."    I have done some exciting arranging and instrumentals, and I am very hopeful and invigorated.

I have added a bunch of new videos to youtube lately, so if you haven't been by there in a bit - I invite you to take a look.   A new installment of Bedtime Melodies is forthcoming, and I will be keeping you more up to date than before.

Thanks!
Benjamin

Blogged with Flock

Labels: youtubebedtime melodies album update

I wasn't sure I liked this song until I heard him do it live with just an acoustic - then I loved it. So, I figured it out. I hope you enjoy.

Hehe all through this recording my dog was doing the most ridiculous things to get my attention (I hid the squeakers), and it just kind of struck me as ironic how not alone I was singing this song. Good stuff :) I hope you enjoy.

This is me, and my two brothers and father and my nephew Sammy. This is what happens when my dorky (but lovely) family gets together. Thought I would share. Sammy was freaking out and totally cracking us up hehe.

For all of the hundreds of songs I have covered of other artists, I secretly wished for the day that the cycle would continue on from me forward - that day has come! You rock Vily! :)

Vily covers Childhood Places

Hello friends -- so, I have some good news finally about my album. After a pretty intensive process of going through many thousands of files, I was able to reconstruct a large majority of the work that I thought I had lost in the studio. Woo! :)

This means that I am back on track again, and in the next month or two, I plan to get back into the recording process. I am still as excited as ever about the album, and at this point I have more or less given up on guessing when it will be released hehe. But, when it is, it will be great, and I can't wait for you to hear it.

I recorded a new video for youtube today - a piano transcription I did of the song "The Countess Cathleen" from Riverdance. It's just piano, but I thought I would mix it up a little - enjoy :)

Hey friends -- I just wanted to update you all on how things are going. I have restored a lot of files from my studio hard-drive pain, and I am hoping to get back into the studio soon and get the ball rolling on Start Again Tomorrow -- I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I have been busy making friends and videos for YouTube, it's been a lot of fun - please check them out!

Peace friends!
Benjamin

The Scientist


No Surprises


Black Star


Somewhere Only We Know