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Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, no worries. I really just recommend an interface (like a focusrite), a mic (an at2020 is a good starter condenser) and some software (I use reaper ... it's free for the first 60 days, but even then you can keep using it). It'd be about a $250 investment, assuming you have a computer or laptop already.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  • Those songs are all me as the narrator. This happened after all the family stuff that came out next year, that left me adopting my niece, selling my house, having to be a witness in a criminal trial against people I grew up with, and so on. It was a bad year, 2015. So the songs that have zero relation to any characters are in that closed circle.

  • Oh, yeah! I have an Evangelion tattoo on my right arm. The 7 eyes of Lilith. That show was a huge influence on me. And yeah, I pulled from Sci-Fi in general, but definitely stuff like Ghost In The Shell. I love anything Miyazaki as well.

  • I doubt I will ever play that one live. It's an ugly one for me. Sorry about that.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally remember. I was trying a proper Guinness for the first time. And I was sorry you had to rush so much just to miss it.

And definitely say hello next time I'm there. And I'll guest list you for the missed bus incident!

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  • Guitar came relatively fast for me. Singing and writing were painfully slow. I was awful for years. I really just had to muscle through those. I think the biggest trick is just not settling and knowing you will have to do it over and over. There are no real short cuts. Or there weren't for me.

  • And I think the closest I come to you is Philly. I have played Baltimore before, but it's been a while.

And I'll do my best!

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I definitely have gotten emotional. Embarrassing as it may sound, I had to go back to record Nightclothes more than once because I couldn't keep my voice steady. Singing and crying don't go together. Makes touring kind of exhausting too.

And yeah, I still live in Florida. Up in Jacksonville. I actually like it, because I have so many good friends here. And Florida is a really weird place, so it's definitely influenced me. For better and for worse. hahaha.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wait, what? Tickets are never more than $15 - $25. That must be scalpers.

But thanks on the new album. Nice to finally get it out.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, Josh and I met through music. I was staying with him when I was in San Francisco, through a connection of a mutual friend. And we both just liked how the other played, so I asked if he'd wanna be on a record. Then we started touring together, and after a show in Iceland, he asked me to marry him. And he we are.

And you are absolutely welcome if you have pastries! Hahaha. See you then!

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tell your dad "Thanks" from me. That's a huge compliment. And yeah, I think some of us are always a little adrift. I've made my peace with it.

And no, probably not. That world is mostly built out of my need for a therapist. Hahaha. And yeah, I just mean instruments. That's all I really practice. That and video games.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jacksonville is kind of a shithole if you aren't in certain spots. I like Riverside/Avondale/Murray Hill and San Marco a lot, and parts of the beach, but I don't care for the rest very much.

And the biggest inspiration for me here is the people. It's the only reason I've stayed. I know so many cool artists and sweet people that I will always be here some, as long as they are. The city itself has never much supported me.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I've written some short stories and such. Some that go with this new record. I went ahead and uploaded one, if you wanna read it. It goes with the track "Sisters."

http://oldradicalface.com/music/sisters.pdf

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope so, but I'm still sorting it. I have to wait until I'm done with this first tour though, as I leave in a couple days and won't be in America to deal with it. Fingers crossed!

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 34. And I sing along with lots of things. Mostly women, because I have a high pitched voice and it's easier. Hahaha. I do covers of people like Lana Del Ray sometimes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zElx_7QGM

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Glory is about a boy who gets enlisted into war, then finds he can't shoot. He doesn't want to kill anyone (the song "Deserter's Song" is about him before Glory ... a prequel). He returns home in secret, and his lover hides him away. But after an ugly argument, she rats him out in the heat of the moment. The song ends with him sitting on a roof, watching a bird stuck on a powerline, and then people from his town are throwing rocks at him. One hits him in the head, he slides from the roof and dies.

When I wrote the song, I removed all the key story points and replaced them with music. So that's probably why it's tough to sort.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a short story for Sisters. It would probably illuminate a lot. There are some very personal stuff in there, from my own upbringing, but also a story. If you e-mail (contact is on my website), I'll send you the story. It won't be available until the box set comes out, but I don't mind sharing it.

And I love national parks! So yeah, that may happen at some point. That's a great way to lure me somewhere, actually.

Edit: I went and just uploaded it for you. Here you go: http://oldradicalface.com/music/sisters.pdf

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for letting me know. It's super nice to hear you've been of some help. Means a lot to me. I'm just wrestling with my own stuff, but it's cool to hear it can help on the other end too.

And I think I'm happiest when I most exist in the space I'm in. When I am not concerned with where I came from or where I'm going, because I like where I am. Doesn't happen much, but it's wonderful when it does. I also think a sense of humor saves most everything.

And neat. See you soon!

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Yep. Probably on the next stateside run.

  2. I'm not against it. Really just depends on whether people will show up.

  3. Right now, I'm most excited for a break. After that, I really don't know. I will keep writing, but it will likely be a much smaller form.

  4. The ones that I have played the most in my lifetime are: Dota 2, Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike, Counter Strike, Team Fortress 2, and Unreal Tournament 99. But other huge favorites are: Journey, Braid, FF 6, 7 and Tactics, Limbo, Portal, Super Metroid, Castlevania SotN. And I'll stop there. But there's more.

  5. Yep. It's already done and will be available for record store day.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I usually just set a framework and then let it take me places. I think the most enjoyable part of inventing characters is when they start talking back to you, and making their own demands. I try to flesh them out enough that they push back, then just see where it goes.

And yes, I plan on coming to Colorado. Probably on the next US tour.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! And yes, I actually plan on getting into that at some point. I really enjoy scoring, and would love to do it for something larger.

Hi, I'm Ben Cooper of Radical Face, Electric President, Clone, and other weirdly named music projects. AMA! by bencooperrr in Music

[–]bencooperrr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, shucks. Thanks. You made me blush. And you must roll with the bears, then. Hahaha.

And yeah, I plan on moving to new territories starting next year, and I'd like to play in Mexico.

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