Ben Stalets

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“The single, aptly titled Lost, has a somber but rich texture, sparsely layered with ivory and fiddle. And the unpretentious Dylanesque nature of his vocals is ever present.” – Toledo.com

From the Western bank of the Maumee river lies Toledo, Ohio, a factory town that laid the groundwork for Ben Stalets’ blue collar mixture of traditional country, blues and folk. His shit-eating grin gives way to a Hank Williams howl, a knack for storytelling reminiscent of your grand pappy, and a level of honesty only shared amongst life-long friends. Rough around the edges like your favorite pair of dungarees, he’s comfortable enough to joke, but close enough to tell the brutal morning-after truth. Finger picking and a dose of the truth set up an endearing sound that reminds one of the pain, but gives way to the nice buzz that makes them feel comfortable enough to talk about it.

“Toledo, Ohio’s Ben Stalets has a time out of mind quality about him, of sidestepping from contemporary musical trends. Rough and rustic, his new single “Lost” is built around a soft chugging rhythm and gritty harmonies. A bit of ragtime piano flares up unexpectedly, setting up the light ivory twinkling and an antique fiddle that winds its way through the dense backdrop. Thick with an Appalachian folksiness, it has that aura of soaking under a grey rain. Despite the autumnal feel, “Lost” still laced with a whimsical perspective.” – Pop Matters