Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Masters.
Hi Ben, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Hi! Here it goes. I was born in Baltimore and raised just outside of Chicago; My musical journey really started at the age of three or four when my parents took me to see The Beach Boys. From there I played drums on pots and pans and listened to Blondie, and ABBA, and Queen, and Billy Idol when my parents would drop me off at my cousins for babysitting.
Once I hit the 5th grade, they put a clarinet in my hand because thats what the band director needed. I didn’t mind that much, I kind of liked it and was good at it, but I was bullied for it and wanted to quit. In 7th grade my mother came to school and convinced the band director to let me play drums. A few years later I played the concert bass drum at Carnegie Hall with my towns youth symphony. Pretty Funny.
I was in high school band as well, and marching Band. I also had a few different projects with my friends and we played around at the local VFW halls. Was going to lots of shows and what not. Fallout boy was big and the emo, punk, hardcore music scene was easy to belong to. I wore the tight pants and bleached my hair blonde. Back then, I’d have my mom go into the woman’s section and find the perfect pair. I also listen to a lot of different stuff back then, from Ace of Base, to The Notorious B.I.G and everything in between.
When it came time to go to college, I went to school for international business. After a year and a half of feeling more lost than I ever had, I moved back in with my parents and went to community college while “finding myself.” I started another band with a few of my friends who took similar paths back home. We played at the local bar and it was too much fun. I found a drum teacher in Chicago to get more serious. Paul Wertico was his name, and he had played with the jazz legend Pat Methany, among many others. Eventually Paul got me into the Jazz program at a school called Roosevelt University in Chicago. That’s where I learned about Charlie Parker, and Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter, and of course Miles Davis, to name a few.
I met my long time friend Max Benson there who was a bass player and we played around Chicago, going from gig to gig. Through Max, I met another long time friend, Neal Daniels at a party in Chicago. He was living in LA at the time and told me to “find him on Facebook” if I ever visited SoCal. Well, months later, I did. My first night in LA I met McLovin from Superbad at a bar in Woodland Hills. I knew LA was where I wanted to be after that. So on my 22nd birthday I packed my grandpas 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee that he had given me with a set of drums and clothes and drove cross country with a man named Chicago Mike Beck. We “toured” through the Grand Canyon and Colorado until we reached LA where I then slept on Neals couch and we ended up living together for a whole year.
Thats how I’m here today, quite literally. Since then I’ve lived in Burbank, North Hollywood, K-Town, and Highland Park, and now I live in Echo Park with my girlfriend and my dog. A decade and some change later.
Where to begin? Theres too many challenges. It was not easy, and is still not easy. But it’s been very rewarding. I like the word delusion lately. Who have to be a bit delusional to do this sort of thing. Being broke, getting gigs, dressing the part, being good, knowing when to say what, knowing when to say nothing, knowing when to ask for more money, knowing when to say no. Have a drink, but don’t drink too much, on and on. Keeping in touch with family and friends from back home, getting off tour and re adjusting to the “normal” life. Maintaining
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a songwriter, a music producer, and a drummer.
As far as music production and songwriting goes, I have sessions 3 to 4 times a week at my home studio in Echo Park. I’ve worked on songs for many, including Nicky Youre, Free Arlo, Jacob Brown, Zealyn, Jef Villaluna, Brian Brundage, Ayoni, Byrnes, Savannah Outen, Riley Biederer, Celeste Scott, Alexia Anne, Jack Rourke, and so many more.
I have an original project called YESICAN. (all one word) there is one song on Spotify called YESICAN (also all one word). (more to come!!!)
I work with a band called My Heart, Your Collarbones and just wrapped making their record.
What matters most to you? Why?
The relationships I continue to build with my family and friends matter to me the most because I truly wouldn’t be anywhere in this life without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: benmastersmusic.com
- Instagram: @benmastersmusic
Image Credits
Austin Cieszko
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