“It’s important to preserve the blues for its history for its raw emotion that crosses over into many different genres. Without blues as a foundation many of these styles would not exist today. I feel that it’s important to understand where the roots came from.”

Ben Brandt: Progressive Blues Rock 

Ben Brandt released his new single, "Parasite Blues." Ben is no stranger to the stage — or to reinvention. The award-winning Nashville guitarist-singer-songwriter has spent years exploring the sweet spot where indie meets the grit of blues rock. With his debut solo album Solid Groundslated for March 2026, Brandt has distilled that sound into its purest form yet — and in the process, found something deeply personal. The forthcoming LP, Solid Ground, is Brandt’s most explicit musical statement to date, it's an album that channels the free-spirited energy of 1970s rock while speaking to the anxieties of modern life. He navigates love, loss, resilience, and the daily fight to find balance, pairing them with inspired guitar work and hooks that linger long after the final chord. 

(Ben Brandt / Photo by Vince Distefano)

The album was recorded live at Nashville’s Greasy Time Studio, helmed by producer J.D. Simo (Bruce Springsteen, Jack White, Phil Lesh). Alongside Brandt (lead vocals, lead guitar), the sessions featured Simo on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, bassist Ted Pecchio, and drummer Adam Abrashoff. Vintage gear and a no-frills, organic approach gave the record its warmth and immediacy — the feeling of a band locked in and chasing a moment together.

Interview by Michael Limnios            Special Thanks: Pati deVries | devious planet

How has the Blues / Rock music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

Blues rock has influenced my life and works in significant ways shaping the way initially wrote a lot of my songs early on. It also significantly influenced a lot of the sounds I went for. Players like Robin Trower, Michael Bloomfield, Robben Ford and many more were big inspirations for me early on and still are to this day.  

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What musicians have continued to inspire your music? How does your hometown that affect your music? 

I would describe my sound as progressive blues rock. Meaning it’s blues rock with influences coming from progressive rock, R&B, funk and much more. Especially with my approach to writing and the focus on lyrics.  I honestly can’t say my hometown is influenced my sound very much. I have not lived in my hometown for many decades and the town I was previously living in prior to Nashville had a very eclectic music scene with a big focus on jam bands. 

Currently you’ve one single release (‘Parasite Blues”) from your forthcoming album “Solid Ground”. How did that idea come about?

New single “Parasite Blues” is about the people who feed on your energy, ignore your boundaries, and force you to cut them loose before they drain you dry. The forthcoming LP, Solid Ground is rock-based with touches of blues and prog — somewhere between Queens of the Stone Age and Robin Trower — but filtered through my own lens.

“I hope Music can return to its pure form, but with the invention of AI it seems like people are trying to please the masses and writing songs with less in inner perspective and emotion. More of the focuses on the production of the song rather than the song. I’m afraid that music will continue to become diluted, but I’m hopeful that there are people that will continue to be inspired old music and where things were done and bring it to the forefront.” (Ben Brandt / Photo by Natasha Cornblatt)

Why do you think that Nashville music scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

A big part of that has to do with the large variety of musical styles outside of country as well as world class players, songwriters, producers and studios. This town is a constant place for inspiration   

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us? 

Yeah I would say some of my greatest memories performing have been sharing the stage with acts such as Greg Koch, Joe Bonamassa in my adopted home town of Harrisburg Pa, opening for Kim Simmons with Savoy Brown when I was 10 with my dad. Touring with Blackberry Smoke, sessions that I’ve done with JD Simo and Josh Smith all rank the highest in my mind are memories, I will not forget. 

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of? 

I would say organic growth. Both from the fans and the way that bands grew as well as the songwriting and intention behind those songs. I hope Music can return to its pure form, but with the invention of AI it seems like people are trying to please the masses and writing songs with less in inner perspective and emotion. More of the focuses on the production of the song rather than the song. I’m afraid that music will continue to become diluted, but I’m hopeful that there are people that will continue to be inspired old music and where things were done and bring it to the forefront.  

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths? 

Consistency is key and nothing happens overnight. It’s all about doing your best with the pure intention. I feel like these are constants.

“Blues rock has influenced my life and works in significant ways shaping the way initially wrote a lot of my songs early on. It also significantly influenced a lot of the sounds I went for. Players like Robin Trower, Michael Bloomfield, Robben Ford and many more were big inspirations for me early on and still are to this day.”

(Photo: Ben Brandt)

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society? 

It’s important to preserve the blues for its history for its raw emotion that crosses over into many different genres. Without blues as a foundation many of these styles would not exist today. I feel that it’s important to understand where the roots came from. To me Music today feels like the last pure art form of raw emotion especially by those playing styles like blues, blues rock, funk and soul. In a world so influenced by technology and trends music and its form is something that still transcends the human experience. 

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