mnartists.org: Ben Siems

Early Morning Blue

Ben Siems — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:11:23 GMT

This song is simple folk-blues composition. My first serious guitar training came in the form of learning old acoustic blues songs by ear, so this song represents a sort of return to my roots.

audio: Early Morning Blue

MP3 Player with multiple compositions

Ben Siems — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:08:50 GMT

If you would like to hear a cross section of compositions by Ben Siems, please use the Nimbit MP3 player, which you can find by following these links! The Nimbit MP3 player/seller, featuring a wide variety of my work, may be found at: http://WillieAugust.tripod.com/#MP3 or on MySpace, at http://www.myspace.com/WillieAugust (scroll down and look on the right hand side of the page). *Please be patient -- the player sometimes takes a few moments to load and start up. Thanks!*

Timescape

Ben Siems — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:32:46 GMT

Timescape was composed as the soundtrack for Deborah Jinza Thayer's haunting postmodern dance work, Fractal Scapes. It is a twenty-minute work for 2 cellos, guitar, vibraphone, electric keyboard, and four prerecorded sounds (glass noise + three samples of dancer footwork and breathing exercises). This sample is made up of excerpts from the second movement of Timescape, titled, The Isolation of the Ascendant. Timescape will be include on the compact disc Empire at Twilight. For more information, read the description of the work sample with that title. Copyright 2004 Bennett Siems and Thunder Cliff Music, ASCAP.

audio: Timescape (excerpts)

Threshold: Entrancending; Incantascence

Ben Siems — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:18:16 GMT

(Photo by Leslie Ostrander) Having written a lot of music for dance and film, I am interested in the way sound and visual image work together. "Threshold: Entrancending; Incantascence" is a cello duet played by two performers on a single instrument. Visually as well as aurally, it explores themes of intimacy, spiritual connection, and the possibility of transcending boundaries. "Threshold" received its premiere at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis in 2005. The video excerpts that make up this work sample are from that performance. The performers are Malina Rauschenfels and me. I apologize for the marginal video quality -- it is best viewed in a small window. It was necessary to substantially compress the file for uploading to MNArtists.org. Copyright 2005 Bennett Siems and Thunder Cliff Music, ASCAP.

video: Threshold: Entrancending; Incantascence (excerpts)

Empire at Twilight

Ben Siems — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 21:30:43 GMT

Presented here are three excerpts from EMPIRE AT TWILIGHT, a twenty-minute concert work for 3 cellos, flute, electric guitar, keyboards, vibraphone, miscellaneous percussion, and spoken text. The piece blends composed parts with improvised passages. I am the composer of the work, and also played guitar, cello, piano, and percussion. EMPIRE AT TWILIGHT was first performed at the Southern Theater on February 28 and March 1, 2005. The excerpts heard here are from a live recording of the March 1 performance. EMPIRE AT TWILIGHT was released on CD in October of 2007. You can find it on iTunes and CDBaby.com. (Search for "Ben Siems") Or, email me for more information--WillieAugust@hotmail.com. Copyright 2005 Bennett Siems and Thunder Cliff Music, ASCAP

audio: Empire at Twilight (excerpts)

Shadow Chasers

Ben Siems — Wed, 26 Mar 2003 03:18:01 GMT

This piece was originally a preliminary sketch for the FEMME FATALE project, a collaboration with Deborah Jinza Thayer in 2003. It eventually developed into a separate work. Performers: Ben Siems - acoustic/electric guitar, played with metal slide; percussive effects on guitar. Jeremy Hauer - digital drums Copyright 2002 Ben Siems; Thunder Cliff Music, ASCAP.

audio: Shadow Chasers.mp3

Jazz Compositions

Ben Siems — Tue, 24 Jul 2001 22:12:21 GMT

With my jazz trio, The Willie August Project, I have recorded over two dozen original jazz works. You can listen to and/or purchase a wide selection of these pieces, along with a variety of other compositions, by using the Nimbit MP3 player -- a link is provided below. In addition, my jazz compositions may be found at and at a wide variety of other internet music sites, including Rhapsody.com and iTunes (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=30522926). The Nimbit MP3 player/seller, featuring a wide variety of my work, may be found at: http://WillieAugust.tripod.com/#MP3 or on MySpace, at http://www.myspace.com/WillieAugust (scroll down and look on the right hand side of the page). *Please be patient -- the player sometimes takes a few moments to load and start up. Thanks!*