Ben Sollee - Infowars (feat. Jordon Ellis) (2016)

In Ben Sollee’s first full-length studio record in four years, Infowars, the cellist teams up with his longtime collaborator, drummer Jordon Ellis. The two dive deep into heavy cello and drum grooves, adventurous instrumentals, and achingly beautiful songs. It is a record that both broadens and extends the songwriter’s already eclectic sound by incorporating electronics, field recordings, and samples to a create a cinematic quality that defies genre.

Sollee and Ellis were on a quest to capture the energy and dynamics that inhabits their live performances. “Together, Ben and I have been a part of countless shows and projects over the years, but have never had the chance to sit down in the studio, dig in, and create a new record as just a duo” says Ellis. “This record embodies a unique sonic and musical aesthetic that has been bouncing around in our brains for years, and that we have really wanted to get out and onto a project.”

In the spirit of power duos like The Black Keys and The Benevento/Russo Duo, Ben and Jordon combine their creativity and virtuosity to generate a sound that is much bigger than its individual parts. According to Sollee, “Listening to this record is like looking through a scrapbook or reading a diary. Jordon and I stitched together audio memories from our years on the road to inspire new sounds and ideas.”

Making appearances on the album via various field recordings is Alabama artist Joe Minter, various voices from Sollee’s East Kentucky family, and long time friend (featured on Bon Iver’s new record), American artist Lonnie Holley.