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Bowl of Plums

by Ben Seretan

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thedavecollection
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thedavecollection Superb songwriting and wonderful emotionally rich performances. An album of outstanding quality throughout. Favorite track: Blood in the Muzzle.
MitchctiM
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MitchctiM I have been following Ben Seretan for a few years now. With each release he grows more as an artist, ever expanding while keeping a very familiar "Ben Seretan" vibe. It is hard to explain. I just know I feel good everytime I listen to his music. Nice work Ben! Favorite track: Cottonwood Tree.
Adam Koehler
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Adam Koehler Somehow introspective and widely joyous at the same time Favorite track: Bowl of Plums.
Josh Sharp
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Josh Sharp Ben seems like such a lovely, happy guy, and you can't help but feel the joy in this album. It takes my blues away. Favorite track: You Took My Blues Away.
brendi.online
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brendi.online I'm so happy I could cry
Alexander Stretton
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Alexander Stretton After listening to this a number of times on release day I suddenly realised what it is about Ben's music that resonates with me. He has an incredible ability to implant the listener into his story telling.

I've never danced below a cottonwood tree before, nor have I gazed lovingly at a bowl of plums on a table, or longed for the kudzu to wrap their vines around me, but after listening to this album these experiences are etched in my memory...as if they were real. Favorite track: Bowl of Plums.
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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    "Bowl of Plums" on high-quality, 150 gram, translucent red LPs - - featuring a risograph-printed insert and kitchen table graphic inner sleeve. Beautifully manufactured by Cascade Record Pressing in Washington state and elegantly designed by Alex Tatusian.

    FOR PEOPLE IN OR NEAR THE EU: Love Boat Records & Buttons from Torino, IT is pressing the European version! It's out July 8th. Much cheaper shipping to buy from them. Check their website for more info: www.love-boat.org

    Includes unlimited streaming of Bowl of Plums via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    edition of 500 

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1.
How'd my boots get so heavy? I prayed to anything out loud But you came and took my blues away You took my blues away
2.
Under the cottonwood tree My friend writes to me Falling
3.
My friends call me when they're feeling low We talk quietly for hours and walk the room Flowers growing in a coffee can Our lives are wonderful and sad sometimes I'm so happy I could cry A bowl of plums on the table I'd like someone's arms around me now Tell me that I'm pretty that my mouth is soft Flowers growing in the floorboards of your house Tell me that I'm worthy that my heart is good I'm so happy I could cry A bowl of plums on the table I dreamed I was in an empty field You slept soundly in a wooden boat Flowers growing all around me where I stepped Church bells ringing in the iron clouds I'm so happy I could cry A bowl of plums on the table
4.
I'm in love with you I thank my lucky stars for you
5.
I was on your side Nailing clouds to the sky In a twin bed
6.
Getting Out 03:12
I don't know about you Jelly stains on your lips and teeth But I'm getting out I'm getting out Butterflies alight on my arms Fireflies circle the graveyard I'm getting out I'm getting out I don't want to love this life No, I don't Oh, I'm awake and I'm sleeping
7.
I'm slow today The rad world is far away and gray Beetles in a bottle Our wings ring the glass When I'm down You come round And lift me up Blood in the muzzle Dead in the saddle Sunlight stings Ridgewood sings for marketing Buzzkills in the bushes Blowdarts in their mouths Put a cigarette Out in the eye Of bad vibes Blood in the muzzle Dead in the saddle Joy in the marrow Mud in the barrel
8.
Thommy 03:53
Thommy Fire of my heart Your long body Thommy Believe me When I call you over to me Thommy
9.
Kudzu 04:11
All for that we ran our paths Woke up happier than I've been Hold me close - no, closer than that Trees on the hill grew silently Take me to your house Put me on the couch And let me sleep all day Broken jelly jars and scars I flipped through your coffee table books Hold me close - no, closer than that Birds in the dirt chirped noiselessly Take me to your house Put me on the couch And let me sleep all day And let the kudzu Wrap around me As I sleep in the sun I needed someone That I could dream for Now my heart sings again
10.
Empty handed and on my way Summer cam girl on a bicycle Good morning You are on the water, oh Rhododendron and plumeria Dandelions and hyacinth Honeysuckle and lavender Wildflowers in Garden Grove You are on the water, oh You are on the water, oh And you're alive
11.
You told me And I heard you You told me And I heard you I want you Come in from the cold, my boy I want you and I like your size

about

"I’m really all flowers
inside and you can
really have them
I’ll name them
for you."
-Eileen Myles

A greatest hits collection
A beginner's guide to botany
The sound of one heart swelling
A book of hymns to joy
The clumsiest among us suddenly discovers grace
A bowl of plums on the table, peaceful and juicy in the afternoon sun
Rhododendron and plumeria
Dandelions and hyacinth
Honeysuckle and lavender

These songs were written on an island in Alaska, my mother's condo in California, a greeting card factory in Queens, a pharmaceutical factory in Brooklyn, and by the light of a miniature Christmas tree. They were recorded and mixed in 7 studios in 5 different states over the course of a year. They really mean a lot to me and I hope you enjoy.

Read on:
bser.tumblr.com/post/145218338360/press-release-bowl-of-plums

Thanks to Thommy - - I do enjoy hearing from you.
Many thanks to Andrea Pomini for pirating records
Thanks to Alex Lewis, Nico Hedley, and Ethan Meyer for all of the long hours recording and making it all sound so, so good.
Thanks to every other musician who gave me some of their time - I hope you think it sounds good, too.
Many thanks to Jamie Kaufman for listening
Thanks to Victor Nash for showing us a good time in Portland
Thanks to Stefano Scarafia for the video and for the shots of rum before Andrea's wedding

All of the recording engineers + studio people did insanely good work on this thing and you should all book time with them and make new recordings immediately.

"My Lucky Stars, part II" is dedicated to little Marion and my whole family - - the song I wrote on Grandma's guitar lives on.

credits

released June 24, 2016

All songs written by Ben Seretan

With performances by:
Alex Lewis, Nico Hedley, Ethan Meyer, Rose Blanshei, Alex Tatusian, Maia Friedman, Dave Lackner, Katie Von Schleicher, Jake Nussbaum, & Will Stratton

"Blues," "Cottwonwood Tree," "Bowl of Plums," "Blood in the Muzzle," "Kudzu," & "Thommy" recorded by Kyle Pulley at Headroom Studios, Philadelphia, PA
"My Lucky Stars, part II" recorded by Julian Fader and Carlos Hernandez at Gravesend Recordings, Brooklyn, NY
"In a Twin Bed," "Getting Out," and "You Are on the Water" recorded by Elio DeLuca at the Soul Shop, Medford, MA
Intro to "Bowl of Plums" and "I Like Your Size" recorded by JJ Beck at Akin Studios, Hoosick Falls, NY
Additional tracking recorded by Alex Mead-Fox at Spaceman Sound, Brooklyn, NY
Mixed by Victor Nash, Destination: Universe! Portland, OR
Additional mixing by Tim Shrout
Mastered by Gus Elg, Sky Onion, Portland, OR
Cover photo by Michele Mirisola
Design by Alex Tatusian

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Ben Seretan Climax, New York

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