Episode 296: Ben Carrey of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

This week’s episode features Ben Carrey of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share this with one with you!!  Pigeons is one of my favorite bands — I absolutely love their brand of rollicking, funky rock. Their jams are simply exquisite, and Ben drives this forward motion with his unique style on bass guitar.  Pigeons’ eighth album, Feed The Fire is out now, and they’re headed out on their Fall tour — catch them while you can!Ben is super thoughtful and a gentle and kind soul, and he talks to me about growing up a shy kid in Baltimore — and we discuss how Ben’s unique (some may say unorthodox) style of playing has shaped the Pigeons signature sound. Ben is quite literary and very well read and we go down that rabbit hole a bit… with his love of Physics mixed in just for fun.Ben also talks to me about mental health and some of the challenges he faces. He’s super open with a striking and honest self-awareness that is utterly refreshing.  This is an epic conversation with this talented artist, and I can’t wait to share this one with you.=======================================Chapters:00:00 Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg04:38  Introducing Ben Carrey07:17 Celebrating the New Album and Touring Experiences10:21 Collaboration with The Infamous Stringdusters13:15 Exploring Musical Influences and Techniques 16:08 Fretless Bass and Its Unique Qualities 19:10 Cultural Connections and Personal Reflections 22:11 Musical Relationships and Band Dynamics 25:03 The Science of Music and Connection 28:10 Growing Up and Family Ties 33:35 Nostalgia and Family Connections 35:39 The Power of Solitude and Self-Discovery 36:42 Literary Influences and Early Interests 39:38 The Fascination with Physics and Quantum Mechanics 43:49 The Intersection of Science and Spirituality 45:29 The Magic of Music and Sound 48:11 Musical Beginnings and the Journey to Bass 54:04 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Performance 55:46 Mental Health Challenges and the Music Industry 59:40 Finding Balance and Support in Music 01:04:03 Connecting with the Audience and Personal Growth 01:06:18 The Power of Connection and Community 01:08:36 Psychedelics and Mental Health 01:13:52 The Journey of Self-Discovery 01:17:31 The Significance of 'Hit the Ground Running' 01:20:27 Collaborative Evolution in Music 01:24:45 The Impact of Live Performances 01:27:51 Dome Fest and New Beginnings 01:31:32 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Festivals=======================================For more information on Roadcase:https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.comOr contact Roadcase by email:  [email protected] theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer