Ben DeHan creates a unique sound somewhere between Machine Gun Kelly and Angels & Airwaves, with an authenticity that can only be earned as a kid who saw the country through the window of a 15 passenger van and the urgency of a man who has seen the inside of a cubicle…
His meticulously programmed beats, LoFi keyboards, and singalong choruses have drawn comparisons to artists like the 1975 and The Band Camino, while the use of acoustic guitars and a “wear your heart on your sleeve” vocal performance will feel right at home for fans of 90’s pop/rock and New Alt in the vane of COIN or THE WLDLFE.
With the same cautious optimism as a child who has burned their hand on the stove, Ben approaches songwriting with a familiar yet new and weathered curiosity. The distorted guitars of his pop punk influences have been traded for atmospheric string arrangements. The intentional space left in the production is filled with a vocal performance oozing with pop sensibility. There is a warm sincerity in Ben’s voice, but he delivers his lyrics with an urgency that begs to be believed. His debut EP, New Nostalgia, is a set of songs that could easily be played with an acoustic guitar, but have been reconstructed and given a digital pulse.
Street Limes: 8:30 pm
Ben DeHan: 9:15 pm
Erin Coburn: 10:15 pm
Ben DeHan creates a unique sound somewhere between Machine Gun Kelly and Angels & Airwaves, with an authenticity that can only be earned as a kid who saw the country through the window of a 15 passenger van and the urgency of a man who has seen the inside of a cubicle…
His meticulously programmed beats, LoFi keyboards, and singalong choruses have drawn comparisons to artists like the 1975 and The Band Camino, while the use of acoustic guitars and a “wear your heart on your sleeve” vocal performance will feel right at home for fans of 90’s pop/rock and New Alt in the vane of COIN or THE WLDLFE.
With the same cautious optimism as a child who has burned their hand on the stove, Ben approaches songwriting with a familiar yet new and weathered curiosity. The distorted guitars of his pop punk influences have been traded for atmospheric string arrangements. The intentional space left in the production is filled with a vocal performance oozing with pop sensibility. There is a warm sincerity in Ben’s voice, but he delivers his lyrics with an urgency that begs to be believed. His debut EP, New Nostalgia, is a set of songs that could easily be played with an acoustic guitar, but have been reconstructed and given a digital pulse.
As a member of the Baltimore based pop punk band American Diary, Ben cut his teeth playing the 2008 Warped Tour. Feeling despondent in a broken scene, line up changes and upside down record deals, Ben took a hiatus from the music business before re-emerging as a solo artist. Equipped with a DIY work ethic and a decade more of life experiences, Ben came out the other side with a greater appreciation and love for the records he grew up with and the process it took to make them. What had started with an acoustic guitar and hundreds of voice memos became fleshed out arrangements with the help of girlfriend/collaborator/cellist Lauren White. Together they enlisted the help of producer Sam Pura (The Dangerous Summer, The Story So Far) to help find the sound that would bring their ideas to life. Littered with catharsis, joy, and introspection, his songs connect on an emotional level. Something nostalgic but new, his music becomes a life soundtrack.
Although, Erin has had a guitar in her hands since the age of 2, at age 7, is when she started playing the guitar seriously. At the age of 10, a guitar teacher told her she couldn’t play the guitar and sing, but with her hard work and sheer determination, she proved him wrong. By 11, she was going to every open mic around her home town where she honed her improvisation skills with several local bands. She formed her own band and earned her first paid gig at age 12. She recorded her first original album, Chaos Before Conformity (2015) at 13. These songs truly showed her young, unbridled creativity with catchy hooks and lyrics and placed in the top 100 on the Americana Radio Charts a few weeks after release. Erin's second album, Queen Of Nothing (2017), released at 16, is the expression of a woman coming of age in a confusing, mixed up, and often cruel world. The songs are easy to relate to, often hitting close to home. Fifteen tracks take the listener on a journey that is a little bit Alt Rock with a good dose of Blues. Currently being recorded is Erin's third album, which captures her natural progression to a more mature sound with edgier lyrics and a dash of humor.
Erin regularly performs across the U.S. at venues and festivals of all sizes. Erin has performed with Grammy award winning artists in Nashville, was nominated for the 2017 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards in the Best Blues artist category, the 2018 Josie Awards for "Young Adult Artist of the Year" award for independent artists, and has played several shows and festivals, including Summerfest in Milwaukee, BlissFest in Michigan, and the King Biscuit Festival in Arkansas. Some of Erin’s notable recent shows have been repeat performances at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago, the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis, and being the opening act for The Marcus King Band, Larry McCray, and Three Dog Night.
Be sure to keep up with what Erin has going on - join her mailing list, check out her show schedule, or join her on her social media where she frequently goes live to perform and interact with those wanting to know more about her and the music she creates.
