COLUMN: Taking ‘Shuttles’ to a place beyond the normal singers
To say that The Shuttles, the performing name for local performer Ben Hibshman, is a typical singer/songwriter would be like calling Jack Black a typical a typical comic actor. He may be in the same genre, but his performance is unique.
While he is a singer/songwriter, Hibshman’s recording skills and onstage energy set his music apart from many other songwriters and performers.
His music is based on catchy guitar rhythms and melodies that make for engaging pop/rock tunes. However, his use of harmonies, trumpets, organs and percussion in the studio make Hibshman sound more like the Decemberists or Sufjan Stevens than traditional singer/songwriters like James Taylor.
Hibshman, a junior majoring in public relations, has been playing music for most of his life.
He began playing the piano at 5 years old, the trumpet at 11 and the guitar at 16 years old. Although he currently writes and performs mostly on guitar, being able to play multiple instruments has been very helpful during recordings – “When I get an idea in my head, I can go straight to the piano or trumpet myself and record it, instead of having to get someone else to come in.”
Although he has been writing for most of his life, it wasn’t until three years ago he began to write and record his own music. Now, he’s recorded 55 songs, written about twice that many, and is currently completing his fourth CD, titled “Speaking In Letters,” which he is planning to release at the beginning of December. He says that he loves the recording process and records most of his music in his own studio, which he says helps him to “hear what I’ve done and give ideas how to make it better.”
Hibshman says that his goal with his new CD was to create a more cohesive record “where you can push play and listen to the whole thing.” The Shuttles have a much more mature and fully realized sound than is usually heard in independent recordings. His songs flow from one to the next remarkably well and carry a general theme of driving and enjoying the simple images and pleasures of life.
Also, his recording skill and his ability to play multiple instruments is on full display throughout his recordings as he incorporates background vocals and a variety of instruments throughout, most of which are performed by Hibshman although some additional musicians also join him on some tracks.
On “Deep Blue,” one of the standout songs on his upcoming CD, he creates a slow melody with acoustic finger picking, but then incorporates multiple harmonies that changes the song from a melancholy soft-acoustic number to something much more epic sounding.
On another of his best songs, “The Long Road,” he has a full horn part on the chorus. These instrumental and vocal additions help to give the songs each a diverse and interesting sound and make the images he writes about more vivid.
In his live shows, Hibshman says he enjoys “watching people who … have smiles on their faces or are tapping toes.”
Libbie Linton, a junior biological engineering major, says that this “upbeat energy” that he has when he performs makes him unique.
Sean Spackman, a freshman history major, said that Hibshman interacts really well with the audience and, most importantly, “leaves you feeling good.”
You can hear three of the Shuttles’ songs and get information about upcoming performances as well as his new CD at The Shuttles online at myspace.com/theshuttles.
Tom Liljegren is a Statesman writer with his finger on the pulse of local music. Suggestions of bands to cover can be sent to him at tlilgegren@cc.usu.edu.