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Loading...Leslie Benson
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| Location: | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Year(s): | 1995 - 2017 |
| Categorized as: | Alt-Rock, New Wave |
| Members: | Leslie Irene Benson, singer-songwriter |
| Website: | about.me/lesliebenson |
| Label: | Unsigned - Independent Artist |
| Total Request: | 361 (320 downloads, 41 plays) |
| Total Request: | 361 (320 downloads, 41 plays) |
| About: | Leslie Irene Benson (ASCAP) began her career as an Ohio-based journalist in 1999 while freelancing as a music critic for Impact Weekly (now the Dayton City Paper) and various music magazines and websites like ReGenMag.com. After receiving a master's degree in journalism from Ball State University and a bachelor's in English, she worked as the Music Editor for Nuvo Newsweekly in Indianapolis, IN, from 2006-2007 before continuing her career in magazine journalism, public relations and ... read more |
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9 requests
2016, Independent / Self-Released on Bandcamp,
“We Defy Oblivion” blends The Sweetest Condition’s signature synthpop sound with electrorock and industrial influences, paired with thought-provoking lyrics. The album is the follow-up to the duo’s 2015 debut self-release, “Edge of the World.” For the new album, Leslie I. Benson (lyrics vocals) and Jason Reed Milner (music synths guitars) welcomed back sound engineer Joel Lauver of Burning Bridge Recordings in Nashville, TN, to produce the album.
Lyrically, the new album explores personal struggles, as well as overarching themes of love vs. lust, sin vs. salvation, and obsession vs. control. At its core, the music serves to inspire others to feel empowered.
PRESS REVIEWS:
“’We Defy Oblivion' is a strong second album that is heavy, catchy, and full of surprises. It will instantly find favour with fans of Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Kidneythieves, and Godhead.” – Intravenous Magazine
“‘We Defy Oblivion’ is a MUST HAVE album for any and all Alternative music fans. It's astonishing to see the hairs standing erect on the first-time listeners. It gives you a sense of the ‘Welcome to the Real World, Neo’ vibe. It's an eye and ear opener.” – Brutal Resonance
“Undoubtedly, this band is heading big and the album shows the path of their artistic evolution. If you’re a fan of industrial and synth music that speaks directly without any hidden agendas, ‘We Defy Oblivion’ should be on your wish list.” – ALTvenger Magazine
- Deconstructing
- Faithless
- Knock Us Down
- Keep Turning Me On
- Vices
- Depths of Hell
- Burn This City
- Nein Nein Nein
- Unforgiven
2 requests
2016, E-Con Records,
The song, “Heal Me,” by The Sweetest Condition tells a story of giving into something when you know it’s wrong. Like a snake coiling around and devouring its prey, it becomes a part of you. It’s an intimate vulnerability where one plays the role of master, and the other gives up control. But in that release, we find our own power.
“Heal Me,” Track No. 4 on the “Love Hertz” (2016) international compilation album from E-Con Records, was written, arranged, performed and produced by Jason Reed Milner and Leslie Irene Benson. Lyrics and vocals by Leslie Irene Benson. Music and keys by Jason Reed Milner. Mixed and mastered by Joel Lauver, Burning Bridge Records, Nashville, TN. Published by E-Con Records, Australia.
- Heal Me
20 requests
2015, Independent / Self-Released on Bandcamp,
“Edge of the World” follows The Sweetest Condition’s 2013 EP, “Truth & Light.” Dual-parts sinful and sensual, hopeful and bleak, “Edge of the World” is an 11-song commentary on humanity, anti-conformity, self-loathing, and dream chasing — a danceable catalyst for transformation. The album reveals visceral stories, lashing synth riffs, chorus hooks, and stabbing guitars, paying tribute to iconic sounds of the ’80s and industrial muscle of the ’90s. At its core, the music is raw, unforgiving emotion.
PRESS REVIEWS:
"From start to finish, 'Edge of the World' tugs at the heartstrings for those with a love for the dance-friendly, sing-along synthpop of the ‘80s, toughened up with a hint of ‘90s industrial/rock tinges and darkwave atmosphere. … Comparisons to the electrified goth/rock of The Birthday Massacre mixed with the darkly engaging electro-pop of The Azoic or Collide are sure to resound.” – ReGen Magazine
“Music that uses hooks to sneak into your psyche before making it’s home in your head and your heart. Sweetly seductive and seriously sinister. It’s an iron fist in a velvet glove.” – Alternate Parallel Reality
- Beyond the Blue
- Control
- Fall in Line
- Miles Away
- Now
- Secret
- The War is Over
- This Poison
- Try
- Watch You Fall
- Without You
8 requests
2013, Independent / Self-Released on Bandcamp,
“Truth & Light,” the debut EP by the female-fronted, industrial synthpop band The Sweetest Condition features sinister, soulful alto vocals over dark, floor-shaking synth soundscapes. Confessional songs pulsate throughout the EP, describing the nightmare—and the art—of letting go.
PRESS REVIEWS:
“The genre-blurring tunes are dark and brooding, drawing on muses like Nine Inch Nails.” – Current in Fishers
“Musical chameleons.” – Indy InTune
- Give Me the World
- You Don't Know Me
- The Ghost and the Girl
- Where is the Light?
- The Wound
0 requests
Independent / Self-Released,
"The Wound (Bishop Mix)" was a collaboration in 2013 between The Sweetest Condition and Von Stultz (Bishop). The original track is available on The Sweetest Condition's debut "Truth & Light" EP.
“Knock Us Down (Dystopia Remix)” was a collaboration between The Sweetest Condition and The Static Architect, the musical endeavor of long-time San Diego-based electrorock musician Nick McLaren. The remix was released exclusively on Bandcamp in 2016 to promote The Sweetest Condition's album, "We Defy Oblivion."
“Electropop Vol. 11” by Germany’s Conzoom Records was an electro-pop compilation album released in 2017, featuring 14 international electronic music tracks, including "Control (Extended Remix)" by The Sweetest Condition. The original track is available on "Edge of the World" (2015).
- Knock Us Down (Dystopia remix)
- Control (Extended Remix)
- The Wound (Bishop remix) 256kbps
0 requests
"Struggle, Strength, Reclamation" was Irene & Reed's second full-length album, which was recorded at Sony Tree Studios in Nashville, TN, in 2013 but then unexpectedly shelved before it could be released due to the floods and various technical issues.
Performing on the album were Leslie Irene Benson (vocals), Jason Reed Milner (piano, organ), Eddie Venable (drums) and Eric Latham (bass guitar). The music was produced by Brad Milner of LEF TON Studios in Indianapolis, IN.
The sophomore album is a bittersweet reclamation of Benson's self-identity after surviving years of domestic violence. The album can be summed up in its lyrics.
“I am filled with love stories and inconsistence. I am a free spirit tied to indecision. I don’t come with instructions. I move in all directions. I may make bad decisions, but I’m on a mission.”
"You can't break me."
- Break Me - Demo
- Hardened Hands - Demo
- High Roller - Demo
- Intuition - Demo
- Mission - Demo
- Not Lonely Anymore - Demo
- Not Supposed to Happen - Demo
- Pieces of the Girl - Demo
- Purge - Demo
- The Price of Love - Demo
- The Swan - Demo
- Tochter von Berlin - Demo
7 requests
2010, Independent / Self-Released on Bandcamp,
Irene & Reed (indie rock/dark-tinged Americana) released its debut album, "Closer to Home," in March of 2010. Interweaving a raw American folk vibe with sultry blues/jazz vocals, a hint of pop sensibility and a playful blend of melodic rock, ragtime and classical piano, the album takes listeners on an emotional ride of aural storytelling.
With music and lyrics inspired by vocalist Leslie Benson’s poetic works, Jason Reed Milner showcasing his skills on piano, organ, strings and guitar, and Milner’s brother, Brad, a former sound engineer from Sony Tree Studios in Nashville, TN, guest-performing on bass and percussion, the songwriters present a humble first-take glimpse of pure Midwestern culture. It’s about reclaiming the dreams you once had and remembering what you love most and the things that make you who you are — your home, your experiences and your family.
PRESS REVIEWS:
“The sultry, haunting lounge sound comes naturally.” – Metromix
“A sonic playhouse for strong-willed love songs and dreams of better days.” – IndyStar.com
“Close-mic’ed, with a torch song flavor.” – NUVO Newsweekly
“Sultry with a classic edge … a mix between Sara Bareilles and Greta Garbo …Modern meets the Golden Age of Hollywood.” — Krista Detor, singer-songwriter
“With an antique ambiance, there’s an ‘old-time’ theme. By releasing their inner superheroes, these musicians have constructed a creative outlet through their songs. This is true art.” – Stereo Subversion
“For fans of dark-tinged Americana.” – IndianapolisMusic.net
- All Your Tomorrows
- Small Miracles
- Crucified
- In Your Arms
- Wine and Whiskey
- Don't Want to Sleep Alone
- Good Medicine
- Lose Myself
- Someday
- Melt Me
- Fragile
- Even with Closed Eyes
301 requests
2002, Independent / Self-Released,
Midwest-based singer-songwriter Leslie Benson fronted the poetic rock band Burning Veda in Dayton, Ohio (2001-2002), releasing "The Campfire EP" in 2002. The band performed in the Wright State University Battle of the Bands, as well as the Canal Street Tavern Battle of the Bands, before calling it quits. Other band members included Michael St. Christopher McLain on lead guitar, Zach Hohenstein on rhythm guitar, Mandy Jewell on bass guitar, and Tim Amrhein on drums.
PRESS REVIEW:
“While Burning Veda’s sound draws to mind the contemporary sounds of 10,000 Maniacs, Lucinda Williams and The Cowboy Junkies, there’s a lot of old-time wisdom in it as well. It’s an emphatic departure from the nouveau garage-rock ‘flavor of the moment.’” – Impact Weekly
- Fallen
- Sensation
- Calico
- I Want to Lose Myself
- Don't Want to Sleep Alone
- 3 Nights and 2 Days
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