Beta Radio

Beta Radio

Brent Holloman (right) and Ben Mabry of Beta Radio
Background information
Origin Wilmington, North Carolina
Genres Folk, indie folk, Americana, chamber pop, alt country, minimalism
Years active 2001–present
Website betaradio.com

Beta Radio is an American band from Wilmington, North Carolina. The group consists of Benjamin Mabry (vocals, guitar, piano glockenspiel and harmonium) and Brent Holloman (guitar, vocals, banjo, piano, glockenspiel, bass, and harmonium). Stylistically, their music features an amalgam of folk, indie, chamber pop, and Americana influences.

Recording history

Seven Sisters and holiday EPs

Beta Radio's self released debut Seven Sisters employs a combination of studio recorded material as well as home recorded tracks captured in guitarist Holloman's spare bedroom and living room.[1] Seven Sisters was originally conceived as an EP, but when Mabry and Holloman left the studio in the winter of 2009, they had more songs than the typical EP, but less than a standard release. Out of money, they made the decision to record more material on their own, despite the fact that neither knew how to properly engineer or produce. By the following spring they had an additional four songs recorded in “Holloman’s house with borrowed equipment” and released the debut in April 2010.[2] Much of the success Seven Sisters has achieved has come at a grassroots level and has largely built on exposure received from internet radio stations Spotify and Pandora Radio.[3]

Starting in 2011, the band released a series of three holiday EPs entitled, The Songs the Season Brings, Vol.1 (2011), Vol.2 (2012) & Vol.3 (2013), are "a collection of classic and original Christmas songs to help celebrate the holiday season [and were] made in various environments over the two months before Christmas - recorded in the studio, at home in bedrooms, and in closets of family members.”[4] Instead of selling the holiday releases, the band opted instead to give them away for free via their official Bandcamp and NoiseTrade sites.

Work in television and Seven Sisters deluxe release

In 2011, two Beta Radio songs were featured on the first two episodes of the American medical-drama television series Hart of Dixie.[5][6] The songs were written after the band was approached by the producers of the show who were looking for two waltzes that actress Jaime King and others would perform to on screen.[7][8] The band also appeared on screen performing in the pilot episode with Holloman's wife Amanda and friend David Pray backing. The two waltzes were subsequently included in a 2011 special edition vinyl release of Seven Sisters.

Colony of Bees

On November 18th 2014, Beta Radio released Colony of Bees, a record that was recorded over a span of two years and made in multiple recording studios.[9] The songs on Colony of Bees show a subtle stylistic departure from their previous work, they are more expansive and layered, as opposed to the more minimalistic arrangements found on Seven Sisters.[10]

Live and studio musicians

Although Mabry and Holloman write for and play many of the instruments themselves on Beta Radio recordings, the band also relies on a number of additional musicians to record with and play live. This list normally includes: Theo Milojevich, Amanda Holloman, Ed Sumpter, David Pray, Maura Kropke, Anna Griffith and Andy Stanfill.[11]

Discography

Studio albums and LPs

EPs

References

  1. ↑ Tucker, Brian (2010-09-15). "Beta Radio duo’s sound, writing has evolved for years". Star News Online. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Tucker, Brian (2010-09-15). "Beta Radio duo’s sound, writing has evolved for years". Star News Online. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  3. ↑ Beta Radio. "Colony of Bees". Beta Radio Discography. Beta Radio. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  4. ↑ Beta Radio. "The Songs the Season Brings". Beta Radio Discography. Beta Radio. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  5. ↑ The CW Television Network. "Hart Of Dixie Music - Episode 101". Hart Of Dixie Music. The CW Television Network. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  6. ↑ The CW Television Network. "Hart Of Dixie Music - Episode 102". Hart Of Dixie Music. The CW Television Network. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  7. ↑ Staton, John (July 4, 2011). "Wilmington band Beta Radio to be featured in TV show's first episode". Star News Online. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  8. ↑ Royal, Judy (Sep 25, 2011). "Local music group Beta Radio to be featured on CW's 'Hart of Dixie'". Star News. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  9. ↑ Tucker, Brian (2014-11-19). "Timeless, ambitious 'Bees' gets duo buzz". Star News Online.
  10. ↑ Beta Radio. "Colony of Bees". Beta Radio Discography. Beta Radio. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  11. ↑ Beta Radio. "Seven Sisters (Deluxe Edition)". Beta Radio Discography. Beta Radio. Retrieved 4 December 2011.

External links