Taking cues from 60s and 70s musical influences such as John Prine, Leonard Cohen, Warren Zevon, Todd Snider, Willie Nelson, and even Prince, Toledo native Ben Stalets addresses the thorns in his side on upcoming record, Everybody’s Laughing, both personal and worldly. The songs were not written with an overarching theme in mind, but when it came time for the album art concept, it was the “cult leader” vibe that gave him a sense of what the underlying vision is: Collective suffering allows us to collectively suffer less.
The album is a reference to a quote from Mark Twain’s social commentary book, Following the Equator: “The secret source of humor itself is not joy but sorrow. There is no humor in heaven.”
“The way I look at it,” says Stalets, “everybody is laughing, which means everyone is suffering— we’re all in this together.”
Stalets’ medley of soundscape has allowed him to open for a diverse collection of critically acclaimed acts, such as; Justin Townes Earle, Damien Jurado, Cory Branan, Daniel Romano, Valerie June, Whitey Morgan, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Local H, and Icarus Account. He’s also been a staple at classic music destinations like Nelsonville Music Festival, and as a return guest on Knoxville’s Blue Plate Special. It’s these live shows that has gained him a rabid following and made him known for his country-tinged, folk-soaked, lyrically driven songs and sweaty, rock n’roll rooted performances.
Stalets and his band holed up in Detroit with producer Bunky Hunt, of WhistlePig Records, who called the sessions, “Mystifying….a cross between John Lennon’s Double Fantasy album and fellow Ohioan Aaron Lee Tasjan.”
He enlisted his live band for the recording sessions giving the record some emotional fluidity from stage to studio. Stalets backing band includes long-time members Will Doremus and drummer Mark Poseler along with new-comers guitarist Justin Frey and Drew Rochette on the keyboard and harmony vocals.
“The songs on this album are lyrically less cryptic,” Stalets explains, and yet another departure from the previous albums. “I feel more articulate in calling a spade a spade. I’m a lyricist first and foremost, and I had a bit of a breakthrough in how I feel about what I’m trying to communicate.” Thorns of love, acceptance, and participation are sometimes seen as sticky and bloody but can always be worked out through communication.
These new feelings came after some personal struggles within the legal system. Between the consequences of that and lots of therapy, Stalets reached a turning point in both his life and his writing. The sessions became a way to dig deeper into who he was and who he wants to be.
“I’m most proud of the certain effects I’ve had on people with the very deliberate messages I’m trying to get across. I’ve purposely offered myself up as an example, so I didn’t seem like a holier than thou preacher. I’m in this for myself, but I’m trying to not do all my selfish work in vain.”
Previous Press
“In the case of Ben Stalets, that bowl of soup combines equal parts John Prine and Bob Dylan with a dash of Jeff Tweedy and splash of The Jayhawks. The Toledo, OH native’s latest release “Country Midwestern” blends 90’s alt-country seeped in traditional rhythm and melodies.” – Midwestern Gentleman
“Ben Stalets has a time out of mind quality about him, sidestepping of contemporary musical trends.” – PopMatters