UTG PREMIERE: The Benjees – “Wonder City”

April 15th, 2015

Matthew Leimkuehler

the benjees wonder city alright alright alright 2015 song premiere

New York-based The Benjees bring nothing but pure energy into their music. “Wonder City,” the song exclusively premiering below, brings elements of jazz, soul, indie rock, and a little bit of punk rock to make for a totally unique and addictive combination.

The song comes directly off of the band’s newest record, ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT, which is due out later this year. Bassist and vocalist Joe Visconti and singer and guitarist Ben Roberts said the song’s influence comes from “the promise and the frustration of living and working in NYC.”

“The song swings with an uptempo shuffle and has feel of the high-paced life of the city. Like something is chasing you and you have to keep running faster but it is still right behind you.”

Follow the jump to stream “Wonder City” and to read a full quote from the band about the upcoming record, which is due out July 14.

Bassist and vocalist Joe Visconti and singer and guitarist Ben Roberts commenting on the band’s new record:

“The album, ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT, was recorded over two days and Joe was sick the second day, and he had to sing “Wonder City” with a sore throat and wanted to re-record them later but the band liked the way his voice sounded so they kept the raspier, sick vocal takes and that’s what’s on the record.

I think the fact that we recorded the album in two days gave the recordings more of an energetic feel because we never stopped moving. We were cruising, a few takes on a song and on to the next one. We were well prepared, but we were also broke and didn’t have the luxury of a lot of studio time. Not that I would have wanted to record a ton of takes on a song even if we could. If it’s not there after the first few takes, it’s probably not there at all and better to move on.

The first night we recorded was a full moon… I think that helped too. Full moons always feel like Halloween to me and it was just a fun night. Not to mention it was also our drummer’s birthday. Unfortunately, it was also the night that two police officers were shot, assassination style in Brooklyn, not far from where we were recording at Virtue and Vice Studios. There was a lot going on that night.

We wanted the album to feel like a party. It’s fast-paced and doesn’t really ever slow down once it starts — much like New York.”