Time: 7 p.m.
Cover:
SEA + AIR are
Daniel Benjamin (vocals, concerto guitar, drums, cymbals, bells) &
Eleni (vocals, harpsichord, organ bass pedal, drums)
On the commercial peak of their commercial success in the music genre "Singer /
Songwriter" as well as "Indie Pop" the question arises "What could possibly come
next?"
A Greek folk dancer who had to sing in under-the-counter as a child, and a German
composer who cannot read sheet music?
A harpsichordist afraid of flying and a guitarist scared of the mysterious, unstable sea?
Or a bassist who plays the instrument with her feet and a drummer who would have
liked to stay with his Punk band?
All this is SEA + AIR.. and much more.
Ten years of trying things out, writing, recording as well as more than 1.200 concerts
worldwide as the band DANIEL BENJAMIN, this married couple had a key moment in
the summer or 2010:
When they performed live as the support act to WHITNEY HOUSTON at Stuttgart's
sold-out Schleyerhalle, they managed to get the audience totally quiet and in awe with
nothing but their two voices and they realized that they had reached their goal of
convincing a mainstream audience by just being themselves.
The decision to re-name their group seemed very much a logical, natural step for them
as the group DANIEL BENJAMIN had not been a solo project anymore for a long time
due to Eleni's strong musical and artistic influence. The most significant feature of their
music had been the supernatural harmony of their two voices together, but it was also
their growing conviction that the German and Greek cultural goods are strong enough
to create unique and timeless Pop music.
Inspired by the melodic beauty of the baroque style of J.S. Bach, the experimental and
deep era of German music back in the 70's with bands such as Popol Vuh, as well as
the architectural sound size of The Scoropions, the astonishingly catchy soundwriting
of SEA + AIR always returns to simple, yet pressing hymns typical for a nation
such as the Greek who have lived by the sea side for centuries and whose artistic
craft and melodies have been passed on from generation to generation.
With the awareness that their time has come, SEA + AIR recorded their debut album
"My Heart's Sick Chord" in the first half of 2011, notably a record dedicated to Bach's
favourite instrument, the harpsichord.
In October 2011, this duo embarked on a 2-year tour around the globe.
When performing live, they both play in a very artistic way - up to 5 instruments each
at a time - sounds coming from tapes or other band members are not necessary
to put across their message.
As DANIEL BENJAMIN, Daniel and Eleni have released three albums with renowned
"Haldern Pop Recordings": "Daniel Benjamin" (2006), "There's A Monster Under Your
Deathbed" (2009) and "There's A Deathbed For Your Monster" (2010).
Amongst many more, they have toured with artists such as SUFJAN STEVENS,
WHITE STRIPES, FLAMING LIPS, JOSE GONZALEZ, THE SOUNDTRACK OF
OUR LIVES, SPORTFREUNDE STILLER, WOVEN HAND, JOHN GRANT,
VILLAGERS, P.O.D. and THE DIVINE COMEDY.