For nearly 20 years, Ben Musser has remained a steadfast presence in the Jackson music scene. Between his work with Young and Musser and Benyaro, creating genre-defying music is at the core of Musser’s creative output.
Musser first took the stage at age 15 and hasn’t looked back since. He has a diverse musical background – growing up in a family of musicians and honing his craft in various music hubs like Nashville, Tenn., Austin, and Brooklyn before settling in Jackson.
Over the last few months, Musser released a pair of singles: “The Way” and an accompanying “Reprise.” The former was written while Musser was on tour in Charleston, S.C.. Musser penned the instrumental reply while living in Austin during a self-proclaimed “electronic music phase,” but recorded the track recently.
“Creatively, I’m inclined to move forward and push boundaries,” Musser said. “But sometimes, creativity revisits the past and I try not to fight that. And sometimes you can get two songs out of one cool idea.”
“The Way (Reprise)” signals Musser’s transition away from writing for a full band to focusing on solo material. The track features Musser performing nylon string guitar, upright bass, drum kit, Wurlitzer piano, clavinet, farfisa organ, synthesizer, hammond organ, tambourine and ambient vocals. Self-described as “homemade rock techno,” Musser has worked on a full-length release since the pandemic. Initial tracking took place at a professional studio in Mill Valley, Calif., with overdubs completed at his home in Jackson.
Be on the lookout for Musser’s debut solo record, out later this year on Blackbird Record Label.
Support for Intermountain Best comes from Arts for All and the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund.
