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 Rosenberg 04:38  Introducing Ben Carrey 07:17 Celebrating the New Album and Touring Experiences 10:21 Collaboration with The Infamous Stringdusters 13:15 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.com Or contact Roadcase by email:  info@roadcasepod.com Roadcase theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer