It's been a while since I've blogged on here. So I figured I'd put some pics up of the past few months since the time we spent a month in NYC this past July recording our record. Basically... We recorded our first record. We hung out with Taking Back Sunday, and Adam Lazzara sang on "Where The Heart Is" on our album. Joel Madden sent me a myspace message. I met an amazing girl that I've now been dating for almost 9 months. Came home, hung out with my best friends. Recorded a song with Kyle Lucas and producer Simon Illa, two amazing people I'm lucky to know. Our record (so this is progress) came out in stores and on itunes and all that exciting stuff on November 6th, 2008. Something I've been working on since I was oh 17 maybe? I turned 26 last month for all those wondering:) We then toured with some amazing bands all of the USA. A 6 week adventure that was incredible to say the least. We played the troubadour in hollywood, CA. I saw Ryan Phillipe on the street.
We also played the Filmore East in New York City in front of 1200 people, and Anthony Raneri came out and sung "So This Is Progress" with us. Made some more amazing friends (way more than I could name) that keep up with me, and I with them. Came home and again remembered how blessed I am with the people I have at home in my life as well as the road. My family is so supportive, my girlfriend is so supportive, my friends are so supportive. It keeps me extremely humble, thankful, and grounded. We spent the holidays at home. Then hit the road again in February for a 5 week midwest/east coast tour with our good friends in Barely Blind. This tour we both booked ourselves. It was a lot of work, but one of the most rewarding tours we've ever been a part of (not that we've toured THAT long), but the people we met and hung out with were incredible. I think I got four birthday cakes on this tour. I guess I'm saying all this to just say, life is beautiful, and most precious when you share it with people. I feel extremely lucky to have met so many of you in the past few years, that no matter whatever happens with our band, it's been more than worth it to have met everyone, and experienced the little bit of life that we have. Be thankful, and enjoy life, and enjoy the people around you, that's what is most important:) You never know when things are going to look up for you, or change for the better, you just have to keep fighting day to day and I'm then convinced you can do anything, even change the world.

I have recently been pretty discouraged by the state of music, and I won't go into it now, but thank you for those that support music and each other the way you do. It's what keeps me and so many other artists going. It's all about people. People, people, people and relationships. Here's some photos from the past 8 months, enjoy, and stay in touch, I love each and everyone of you that reads this:)
-ben

the studio with everyone responsible for so this is progress





Alternative Press





The Trocadero in Philadelphia, PA



State Theater in St. Pete, FL





Niagara Falls, NY



Atlantis Music Conference with the guys



My Family.





First Headlining Show @ the Masquerade in the heaven room.








Barack N' Roll Stimulus Tour '09









get pumped









I got really, really lucky with this one

humans are capable of the most amazing things. the capacity to love, to hate, to save, and to break. We are given freedom within our brains, a choice. to be strong and to really live and experience life. or to run away from our fears and pain, to merely cope and allow our circumstances to sink our hearts. I think I'd like to live again.

There's something beautiful about being broken. Though one would never just choose that. We'd all rather be comfortable, it's far easier to be distracted, to let yourself think you're "ok" or even "happy". There is beauty in brokenness, there is beauty in being crippled with nowhere to escape, the beauty is this: you're forced to find yourself, to look in the mirror and make that decision to be better, to be strong. You find out who your friends are, those that believe in you and who would pick you up when legs are far too tired of running. You find the strength you didn't know you still had. You remember that your heart is in fact still beating, you're still breathing, and then remember where you're hope is found, and for this you become; better, stronger, wiser, and in time unstoppable.

"it is important to test your strength at least once in your life. to not necessarily be strong, but to feel strong" -chris mccandless

I am strong. I am alive. Don't give up on people. Don't run away in the face of fear or doubt or failure. Don't let your heart grow cold or hard. THERE IS HOPE. Even in the darkest of hours. So be honest, be courageous, believe in the impossible, dream bigger than your heart and mind allow, never, ever stop. make it happen. Give yourself up for someone else that might not even deserve it, at all. Believe in that person. Change the world. Please don't give up on people. don't walk out. Just don't. When you get walked out on, forgive. Love. Believe that tomorrow can be better than today was, or last week, last month, or last year was. Hold on hour by hour, day by day, let your heart heal.

I am strong. I am alive.
I've found myself, even when I tried to lose myself.
Now I've never been so inspired. Never felt so strong. I've worked hard the last ten years and my dreams are coming true. Nothing could make me change my thankfulness for that. I've realized that I have people, not just a few, but a lot that love me, care about me and my life, and believe in me and my ambitions. My life has been like a movie lately. All the ups and downs, the love, the loss, the good, and the bad, but the impossible has been overcome. I'm blessed for what I have. life. My band has taken me so many new places, I've made so many new friends, had new experiences, and shared these with my best friends. The crazy part of it is, this is just the beginning. I couldn't have picked a better start even if I was in control. I believe. My heart is strong. My dreams are bigger than ever.

So dear friends,
take heart. don't lose sight of hope. love people, and let people love you. love well. give your all, your everything. don't be afraid to get a little burned. remember there is beauty in brokenness and refinement. SO CHOOSE TO BE STRONG, TO GET BACK UP, AND LIVE, REALLY, TRULY LIVE.

much love, and hope, and strength
ben

part 1. the beginning

I haven't blogged on here in a while. I've been meaning to for months. so much has happened in the last half year. so many great things, i've met so many great people. my band got to tour the united states. we signed a record deal, and right now i'm in nyc working on our first record. i'm very blessed. and lucky. i'm watching my dreams come true. yet i'm struggling. i'd rather not open my heart on myspace but i've found these lyrics constantly flowing in my head over the past few nights and days and i thought i'd share a glimpse of where i'm at. the next blog will be soon, and more than just random. this blog is more than just about a situation, it's about the state of me. don't be discouraged if you're reading this, and sad that I seem sad. be strong, so strong, you never know who might need your strength. there will be victory one way or the other. THANK YOU so much for believing in me and loving me friends, it means more than I could say. much love, beng

Explore the cave that is my chest
A torch reveals there's nothing left
Your whispers echo off the walls
And you can hear my distant calls
The voice of who I used to be
Screaming out "someone, someone please
Please shine a light into the black
Wade through the depths and bring me back

I have not been abandoned, no I have not been
Deserted and I have not been forgotten

I need you
I need you here
I need you now
I need security somehow

I need you like you would not believe
You're the only thing I want
Cause you're everything, everything I need

Hey everyone..
just wanted to let you know what I've been up to lately. I have recorded 25 or so demos in the past two weeks. Most of the songs are just acoustic songs that I'm working on for a possible future release. I will be posting some of them on this page in the next few weeks... and as always I'll appreciate your feedback!! The band I'm in "the status", (myspace.com/thestatus) has been working really hard rehearsing everyday, in hopes of some regional touring this fall and year to come. We're looking at releasing our EP this september, and then hopefully a full release sometime next year. Things have been developing slow, but I'm feeling confident about the progress we're making as a band. We're still writing a lot, and working on getting better in every way. I hope you guys will be excited as we will be to get this release out!! I'll have a new acoustic demo up here in a few minutes.. so show some love!! I'll have more to come soon.. I really do love and appreciate you who have taken the time to see what's up!

take care friends,
ben.grant.

Today I turn 23. I'm very thankful to be alive and well. I'm thankful that it's beautiful outside today. I'm thankful for all the new and old friends I got to hang out with yesterday and last night. I'm thankful for the place I live and the people I live with. I'm thankful that I have people that believe in me. I'm thankful I get to play and write music and get to play with so many talented people. I'm thankful to God for the freedom to do just about anything we can dream of... I think I'll change the world. life's too short don't wait to start living friends;) it's too good not to be alive and enjoying it!! love you all ben.grant