Today we’d like to introduce you to T’Ben Alleman.
Hi T’Ben, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Los Angeles based session musician and producer specializing in pianos, organs, and synthesizers. I also play keys and sing background vocals on tour with Jenny Lewis. In the past, I’ve toured extensively with Dr. John and Grace Potter. I’m a member of the band Pet Fangs.
I grew up in South Louisiana directly across the lake from New Orleans. Much of what has informed my life comes from the culture and landscape of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. I was born into a musical family where music was always happening around me. It was only a matter of time until I found music, and it came in the form of a piano. My parents recognized my interest in music and started me in piano lessons when I was 5. I studied classical music and spent a lot of time using my ear to improvise, composing my own pieces, and learning songs I liked. As a teen, I became transfixed by rock, jazz, and funk music. I was heavily influenced by the music of Neil Young, The Band, Nirvana, Tears For Fears, Bill Evans, Brian Blade, and The Meters. I learned guitar, bass, and drums and played them in various local bands to satiate my desire for the new music I was interested in. During that time, I was playing piano in my high school jazz ensemble where I focused on furthering my improvisation and reading charts. I also began playing gigs and recording with my dad and uncle who are both lifelong musicians. Looking back, all of this was so important in laying the groundwork for what I do now.
After graduating from Berklee College of Music, I began touring with the late Dr. John playing Hammond organ, which was an incredibly special period of my life. Dr. John gave me my nickname, T’Ben, which is a Cajun-French way of saying “Little Ben”. I learned so much from him and his band and I’m eternally grateful for that experience, this set off an eight years period of touring internationally in different bands. With Grace Potter, I played keys and sang backgrounds, at different times playing guitar, drums, and bass in her band. I toured with Sean McConnell and Better Than Ezra, both have turned into great collaborative relationships where I’ve now played on their records. Around this time, I started working in studios with different bands and producers. The last three years have allowed me to transition to mostly creating in studios around the country both as a musician and producer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like anyone in a life-long creative pursuit, I’ve experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. A life in music doesn’t make for much balance unless you attempt to make peace with the instability. This is much easier said than done and I consider finding that balance to be a part of my journey as a creative person. It’s something I’m always working on.
As creative people, a lot of our self-worth is wrapped up in our work. That’s because it takes everything and more to be in a creative field and make a living at it. The business side of music is fickle, full of rejection, and difficult to form healthy routines and habits. This can lead down a road of negativity and exhaustion which breeds anxiety and depression.
I get better at finding balance each time I overcome an obstacle and come out on the other side of it. Usually, I can look back and find that obstacle to be an incredible teacher. It doesn’t feel good in the moment, but there’s opportunity for growth if you’re willing to find it.
Expanding my understanding of myself and the world around me with a therapist has been a crucial part of my growth. When I need a spiritual boost, I enjoy reading passages of the Tao Te Ching and experiencing nature to feel more connected.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m extremely passionate about helping musicians get the sound they’ve been hearing in their heads. I love taking those ideas and building on them to make really special moments in a recording. I also love developing or pushing the edges of a new sound. Being a keys player and producer, I get to create an atmosphere for the song to reside in. I make musical decisions regarding which combination of sounds heighten how the song feels emotionally. You can hear my work on records by Cape Weather, Madi Diaz, Sean McConnell, Kevin Griffin, Marc Broussard, Maggie Rose, Motel Radio, The Prescriptions, C’est Claire, and Americo.
As a member of Pet Fangs, in addition to the release of our debut LP “Ultra Deluxe” our music has been used in fashion campaigns by Halston X Netflix, Krewe, Billy Reid, Material Girl X Umbro, and Amiri. Our music has been featured in multiple episodes of Showtime’s “Shameless”. Working out of my own studio for much of 2020 gave me an opportunity to explore new areas – I produce the charting podcast “Your Woo Woo Best Friend”, composed music for Gimlet Media podcasts, and I’m actively producing and recording with different artists and producers.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
In my humble opinion, taking risks is crucial if you’re doing something different from what’s culturally normal. In music, setting yourself apart will inherently require some kind of risk, from deciding to pursue a creative career to making forward-thinking decisions in your work. At some point, you’ll be diving into the unknown. It’s all a bit risky isn’t it?
I’ve moved to cities where I didn’t know many people, committed time and resources to projects without knowing what would happen, turned down or left opportunities that weren’t right, and I’ve taken musical risks when I could’ve played it safe. Those risks have led me to have many fulfilling experiences from my work. Some didn’t turn out how I expected, but my commitment to music allowed me to pick myself back up and try again. I often say to myself, “If I don’t try this, I’ll never know.”
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.benalleman.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benalleman
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_4AdU8HJyQ
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3hevbOCWD88UscMiTkdxk6?si=3a8e0749a411456a
Image Credits:
Zeek Yan, Mary Katherine Leslie, Steven Taylor, NOCOAST, Joel Nefph
