I am hanging out today with an international should be super star. His sound belongs right next to the best in the business and gives me a Coldplay meets the Gin Blossoms sound. Hearing his honest and polished voice you would never think he was hailing from Wales. Matching a rugged rock star image with his experienced lyrics you have pretty much the whole package. Sit with me today, as I am happy to introduce to you BenSem.
Where does the name BenSem come from?
The name derives from the first bit of my surname Sem and Ben was a childhood alter ego, hence BenSem. We just say that BenSem means to find strength in yourself. Strange we know!
How long have you been playing?
Since I was 18.
Ever make it over here to the states?
We haven’t played there yet but I have been over there. Fingers crossed between you and I that should be changing soon.
If you could live anywhere else in the world than where you are currently living, where would you go?
Well it would have to be ether America or Japan! As a band we would love to be over in L.A.
Who did your MySpace design?
It was a joint effort between us and a great web designer.
Do you write all your own lyrics?
Yes I write all the music, and then take it to the band where all the magic happens.
Have you ever co-written with anyone?
No not yet. But I would have loved to collaborate with Kurt Cobain if he were still here.
Do you have any thoughts on a tour this year?
We are in the process of organizing a UK tour. And hopefully an American one in 2010 fingers crossed!
Where can I get some BenSem merchandise?
You can get all merchandise from www.bensem.com
Do you have an accent?
Well I m from Wales so I guess I have a welsh accent! Although Steve our drummer is from England so he has a very different accent! What’s your accent like?
Tell me about all the guys behind you.
They are my brothers from others mothers. We argue, we fight, we laugh, we cry; a typical band really. We help each other out I couldn’t do this without them. Everyone has the same goals and the same dreams, and when your going for a dream like ours its hard, because it falls down a lot, and we all pick each other back up.
How did you get connected with the Bloom Festival?
Our manager was looking for some cool festivals and landed us the gig. I’m really looking forward to it.
I see you have bitten the hook on social networking. What is your favorite networking tool?
MySpace is amazing for getting out to people you can meet allot of music lovers. We have a huge fan base on there from all around the world we are bigger in the states than Wales (Laughs). It’s a great place to meet friends.
What are your thoughts on MySpace?
MySpace is a blessing for bands if you know how to use it properly. I think there are so many bands on there it really helps get the music out there. People don’t have to wait for a big label to turn around and do it for you, now we can do it ourselves.
Do you think it has helped or hurt your career?
Helped no question it has got our music to thousands!
What would you be doing if you were not playing music?
Good question! I really don’t know i suppose if i didn’t have music i would like to be a games designer. I love games.
Do you have a job outside of music?
Music is full time we have no other time. (Laughs)
If you could go on tour with any band out there right now, whom would you choose?
We would love to tour with John Mayer and Pearl Jam. As a band we think our music is well suited to there styles.
PC or Mac?
PC any day. Macs are too complicated.
Where can I get a copy of Western Lights?
Amazon, Itunes, Napster, Rhapsody, www.bensem.com.
Where do you get inspiration for a new song?
Everywhere. My emotions play a big part how I feel is what the music says. I hope people can relate to them and enjoy them for there own reasons.
Are you a soccer fan? (Don’t yell, I know you call it football!)
Stevie loves Chelsea but that’s it. I used to support Aston Villa but i have no time now. Everyone should go and watch a live sports event the atmosphere is amazing.
Any thoughts on getting that hair cut? (Laughs)
I do get my hair cut sometimes. (Laughs) Maybe it would be like Samson if the hair goes the music might go with, so for the time being its staying.
Where did you record your album?
The album was recorded in twin peaks in Breacon South Wales. (Laughs) Its a beautiful place check out the pictures and videos on YouTube (bensem)
You have a lot of street teams. How do you go about forming one of those in a new city?
On MySpace there are some people that I talk to every single day, and they want to help so they usually start the street teams. We support all our street teams as much as possible, without them and the fans we would be nowhere right now.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Playing music and traveling the world.
What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?
We want people to connect with our music and create memories that will stick in peoples minds.
I always let the artist get the last word. Go.
Let it flow like a river!
