The husband and wife duo of Ben + Vesper Stamper are a fresh, strange voice in the indie music world. Whether it's tattoo design, painting, film, video, illustration … and of course, music, Ben and Vesper are a wellspring of creative energy.
The duo was invited by Daniel Smith of the southern New Jersey band Danielson to record their new song “Hot Thunder.” In true Ben + Vesper style the recording was a family affair with Ben’s older brother, Joshua Stamper, playing guitar. His oddly cartoonish, impeccably executed orchestral arrangements add a touch of grace to a somewhat dark track.
There’s quirkiness in the play between Vespers dulcet tones and Ben’s lower register. Mix that with some violin, baritone sax, clarinet and you get something that sounds a bit like a traditional Hungarian folk song sung by Dracula and the girl he plans to bite. To download an MP3 of "Hot Thunder" and to see the new Shaking Through session videos click here.
Ben + Vesper recently released LuvInIdleness (Sounds Familyre, 2010), a five-song pop anthem produced, arranged and recorded by Sufjan Stevens. Drowned in Sound posted the title track in their “Singles of the Week” feature, saying "though it as a terror to type, it is heaven to listen to..." And Paste Magazine highlighted LuvInIdleness in their recent “Best of What's Next” interview with Ben + Vesper.
Their new album, Honors, will be released in January 2011.
The song was recorded at Philadelphia's Miner Street Recordings on June 10th and 11th. The track was produced by Daniel Smith. The exceptional video from Ben + Vesper’s ShakingThrough session was shot by DP Phil Bradshaw and edited by Bryan Baker. Peter English shot and edited additional photography and video.
