What Are The Songs About? "Benches"
This is a very special record to me because I had a lot of big, simple feelings about the universe. If you know me, you know I love my small talk. I could literally talk with you about the weather or what you are watching on Netfix for hours. To yap over a cup of coffee or a martini (okay, two martinis) is one of life’s true pleasures.
But I think about deep shit too. I am human, after all. And the way I was raised left with me as a person with many questions and no answers other than “that’s not for me.”
This record came about when I decided to become a Taoist. I had been a daily meditator for about ten years at this point, and always kind of dabbled in Buddhism but it all kinda crystallized at the time I wrote these tunes into something very deep, very easeful, and very strong.
Taoism, for me, isn’t about rules or beliefs. It’s about how life actually moves. It’s the idea that there’s a natural current to things, and most of our suffering comes from trying to force ourselves upstream. Taoism values simplicity, softness, patience, and responsiveness. Not passivity but this big idea of attunement. Acting when it’s time to act, resting when it’s time to rest, and trusting that small, honest actions are enough.
Benches was born in that space. The music doesn’t rush or try to impress. It listens. It waits. It allows silence, repetition, and gentle motion to do the work. Like sitting on a bench and watching the world pass by, Taoism reminds me that being present is already enough participation in this life. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stay still long enough to notice what’s already happening.
So let’s a short track by track breakdown. I do hope you check this album out and just take a moment in your life to be with things and to be with yourself.
All Things Share All Things: this is kind of the core belief that we share the flow of the natural world. It’s my belief that despite our differences (which is the title of a sickkk Índigo Girls album), we all want to be safe and secure and connected to something. I tried to put that generality into the music.
Don’t Be Afraid To Make A Gesture Against The Whole World: I’ve always wanted to be myself, and this seems to rub a lot of people the wrong way. People are constantly telling me I’m weird for being the person I am. Sure, it bothers me sometimes because I want to be appreciated, but I don’t fear trying to be myself even a little bit.
We Can Be Dragged Or We Can Let Go: this track is about not fighting the flow and not being carrying away with outcomes. The action is the resolution. That’s enough for me, but more importantly, it’s the right amount.
Getting Off On Giving Up: one of my all time favorite Benny tracks and titles. When I wrote this, I just thought back to how it felt so much better to give up on success as a musician, instead of being hungry for it. I’m not so passive. I still want you to listen to my music. But damn does it feel better not to live and die by the actions of others.
The Soft Confidence Of True Resilience: this one is about swaying through the air like the tree in my backyard. That tree actually fell on my house like a year after recording this haha! Life is like that sometimes. And even if we fall, that is meant to be. Trusttt I learned that so deeply over the past year.
Oatmeal, Texas: this is a REAL place y’all. I love my oatmeal (just had a bowl with an egg, roma tomatoes, red onion, cayenne pepper, kimchi, and some pumpkin seeds) and I love my Texas. So I imagined myself living there with a spacious peaceful life. This music came from there.
Don’t Believe Everything You Think: if you are like me, you think a lot of weird shit. “I’ll never be good enough.” “I’ll never feel connected again.” Etc. the most common one for me is “everyone loves me but nobody chooses me.” guess what is really powerful? Learning that these thoughts definitely aren’t true. In fact, they might not even be the way we actually feel. It’s just something our crazy brain spits out. That’s all it is.
Why Take By Force That Which You Can Have By Love: do not claw to get the things you want in this life. Do not devour other people. Do not let yourself be devoured. Make an effort with ambition, for sure, but then return to reality.
The Most Important Thing Is Making The Person By Your Side Happy: I wrote this for my girlfriend at the time who became my wife and then very very quickly became my ex wife (shoutout to my divorcés!). But I stand by this music, sentiment, and statement. I find too often we are so obsessed with BIG things (climate change, world hunger etc) that we forget how much of a difference we can make to those right in front of us. I’m not saying stop recycling or being vegan or whatever. I’m just saying be there for the people in your orbit.
Funny How Times Slips Away: this is a Willie Nelson cover. I love Willie and felt like this fit on the record, so I included it. I think I snapped on this one haha.
So that’s Benches. Have a seat and have a moment. I do hope you listen with soft attention to how you feel. Not even about my tunes, just yourself.
If you are interested in Taoism, I’m here to answer any questions. Basseverynight@gmail.com
For now, I have to go make the person (or dog actually) by my side happy. Chops is begging for belly rubs. I’m unsure if I can create the conditions for world peace this afternoon, but I know I can pet him.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished”-Laozi
With pace, not pressure,
Benny St. Peixe