Ben Sloan - muted colors live

Ben Sloan

Muted Colors Live

On Friday October 27, 2023, percussionist and producer Ben Sloan, who has performed and recorded with The National, Moses Sumney, Beth Orton, Mouse on Mars, Rozi Plain, Serengeti, and WHY?, releases muted colors live, an EP containing collaboratively-crafted live renditions of tracks taken from his acclaimed debut album muted colors released earlier this year on New Amsterdam Records.

On muted colors live, Sloan brings together an all-star line up (Brooklynn Rae, Brianna Kelly, Michael-Andrew Spalding, Darian Donovan Thomas, Mike Haldeman, and Stephen Patota) to reimagine three tracks from Muted Colors for a live performance video. “So much of the record ‘muted colors’ was created solo, so it felt especially exciting to open things up to a full ensemble” says Sloan. “Everyone involved brought a new dimension to the music.”

muted colors live by Ben Sloan brings together an all-star line up (Brooklynn Rae, Brianna Kelly, Michael-Andrew Spalding, Darian Donovan Thomas, Mike Haldeman, and Stephen Patot) to reimagine three tracks from Muted Colors for a live performance video.
“I decided to make this film just before moving from Cincinnati to Denver. It was a sort of ‘goodbye’ to my oldest home, and a last chance to collaborate with friends. Of course, those friends will still be around and I think / hope we will continue to collaborate, but it was more like the last chance to easily tap into my community and pull off a big production with people I love.
It was also really special to make this film with my partner, Biz Young, who directed and edited this piece. So much of the record ‘muted colors’ was created solo, so it felt especially exciting to open things up to a full ensemble. Everyone involved brought a new dimension to the music.
We wanted the film to feel connected to the record visually — so we folded in bits of animation and Super8 footage that felt a little collage / scrapbook-esque to match the visuals and feel of the record."

Track Listing
1. Philistine [live version]
2. Too Much Internet [live version]
3. 1e&a [live version]
Credits
Musicians:
Brooklynn Rae - Vocals
Brianna Kelly - Vocals
Michael-Andrew Spalding - Vocals
Darian Donovan Thomas - Violin + Electronics
Stephen Patota - Acoustic Guitar, Bass, and Synth
Mike Haldeman - Electric Guitar + Electronics
Ben Sloan - Drums + Sensory Percussion
Video:
Biz Young - Director and Editor
Jason Nix - Director of Photography
Asa Featherstone, IV - Camera Operator
Emily Ellicott - Camera Operator
Lizzy Duquette - 2nd AC
Brooke Sweeney - Colorist
Jon Delvaux - Audio Engineer
Corey Waddell - Audio Engineer