A couple of shots of the Benson Highway Band last weekend!

 

Top photo from Time Out Lounge in Tempe. There were some people in the bar, not too many, and it felt to me as if they were not really interested in our music for the most part. I recorded this set and it shows the band's dipping into new textures through Sean Whalen's pedal board. An exciting development. The bottom shot is at Che's Lounge in Tucson. It looks as though there are no people but we did have some kind of an audience to play to. The night air was pretty cold by the time that we played but I think that we played well. 

Absolutely fun to share a bill with Barefoot on Bumblebees. Stryker and Gianna are true independent music producers and it's flattering to be involved with them in any way. They are the good guys if you get my drift. Terlingua do all of the Rock Star stuff that I never really evinced (not capable) or understood but that's their way I guess. 

A fun couple of shows, albeit somewhat manic for me by the time that they were concluded. I'm alright though.

Two Benson Highway Band shows this weekend!

 

Fri., 1/16/26

Che's Lounge

350 N 4th Ave.

Tucson 85705

Barefoot on Bumblebees

Sean Whalen and the Benson Highway Band

Terlingua

9PM

Free

Sat., 1/17/26

Time Out Lounge

3129 S Mill Ave.

Tempe 85282

Barefoot on Bumblebees

Sean Whalen and the Benson Highway Band

Terlingua

Free

Warmer weather coming into Arizona, go out and experience some live music! 

A couple of shots of Benson Highway Band playing at the Smell in downtown Los Angeles.

 

 

This morning I find myself back in Tucson after playing two shows in Los Angeles. As mentioned, we played at the Smell in downtown and at the Harvard Yard Bar right outside of Korea Town. The former is really wonderful and we had a fine time playing. The latter is a very strange place that could do better in regards to their treatment of people but it was clear that that sort of thing doesn't really matter to their owner and staff. So yeah fuck the Harvard Yard Bar. As always it was great fun to play the music of the Benson Highway Band! Thanks to Danny for taking these photos and sharing them with me! Los Angeles is a total trip and pretty bonkers! 

Below: a shot from Baldwin Hills Park after a really nice hike to its topmost point. 

Benson Highway Band in Los Angeles this week! Plus a bonus set as a backing band!

 

 

Wed. 1/7/26

The Smell 

247 Main St.

Los Angeles 90012

8PM

Terlingua

Buddzerro

Sean Whalen & the Benson Highway Band

$15 at door

Fri. 1/9/26

Harvard Yard Bar

1400 S Western Ave.

Los Angeles 90006

8PM

Terlingua

Spencer Someday

Sean Whalen & the Benson Highway Band

Hayboy 

$10

Benson Highway Band will be backing Hayboy

 

Looking forward to playing some music in Los Angeles! 

Benson HIghway Band-Machine shop in Tucson, 12/6/25

 

A super good time was had by Benson Highway Band at a machine shop on 37th St. in southeast Tucson last night. Some people listened and moved, delicious frybread was consumed, the vibes were happy and cool. Just an awesome way to round out the group's 2025 run I'd say. It's been really fun, jamming with Sean, Kevin, and Lucas. Guess we'll see what things transpire in '26. 

Below: Sean Whalen contemplates the fire.

 

Above: backline drums, courtesy of Gianna Purcell. 

Below: live shot by Zaida, thanks Zaida. 

Benson Highway Band plays this Saturday in Tucson!

Our last show of the year. It's been a really interesting band-based experience. The show will occur at a sculpture's work space, which sounds fricken incredible to me. This could be a really neat-o show. Hopefully I'll see some familiar faces. 

Saturday 12/6/25

3828 E. 37th St. 

Tucson 85713

6PM-11PM

Barefoot On Bumblebees 

CU Soon

Sean Whalen & the Benson Highway Band

Food By Rocky's Frybread

$5

BYOB
 

Group Improvisation/Film Score-Golden Saguaro, Tucson 11/19/25

 

As advertised, last night I participated in a live film score for two pieces: An American In the Making (1913) and Aleita: Queen of Mars (1924). The group ended up consisting of six players. Certain members of this ad hoc sextet had seen and studied the films, certain had not. I was in the latter category and that's probably not for the best. With hindsight, I should have been a bit more familiar with them in order to sync up musically with their celluloid natures. Soundtracks require subtleties, much more than demonstrative utterances, and I think that my playing lacked some of that. Probably could have tried to integrate more with the rest of the ensemble too. It wasn't an "all bad" type of playing experience, it was just one that left me feeling confused and maybe even a tad depressed.  One thing for certain is that my improvising chops are in a weird place. The experience left me wondering if I can even attempt to do that type of music with any credibility at all. It happens I guess. On the bright side it was cool to make sounds with a lot of interesting sound artists/musicians/improvisors, and to see Golden Saguaro and its wonderful people after months of having not done so, along with having had a few of those "bright moments" within which I performed genuine acts of improvisation. The kind where you know you're skating along on the thinnest, most sublime ice. Working with the materials as would an absolute beginner. Additionally it was very funny to me to see some seriously ham fisted Socialist Realism during one climatic scene in the Soviet Union-produced Aleita. Hysterical in fact.  

Practicing piano today, I sang away the blockages and vowed to carry on. 

Below: my rig next to an interesting eleven string fretless electric guitar.