Back in June, producer Ben Shirken aka Beshken shared his debut album ‘Aisle of Palm‘ via his new electronic focused record label 29 Speedway. Now, Beshken returns with the official remix package for ‘Aisle of Palm’ including re-interpretations of some of the best tunes from the original LP by underground favorites Samo DJ, Lurka, M James, Jackie Mendoza, Kid Smpl and more. Listen to the remix package in full here.
A highly personal testament to Beshkens chameleonic dance between genres, ‘Aisle of Palm’ explores the point where acoustic recording and digital rendering meet. It is an effective lesson in how field recordings, synthesizers, and introspective lyrics can fuse into a musically complex, yet sonically accessible format. Beshken wrote the LP in late 2017 while living in Berlin, influenced by an existential chapter adapting to a foreign place and ruminating on sleepless nights. These periods of transition from place to place or wakefulness to sleep can be vulnerable and isolating–the first step in letting ones unconscious have agency. Beshken is content at this hypnagogic junction, seeing it as fertile ground for meditation and new Beginnings.
Beshken explains, “’Aisle of Palm’ explores the feelings of delirious happiness, vitality, and anxiety brought on by transitional states existing in both perceived reality and dream states. The songs are a product of his own unnerving experiences with sleep paralysis, and on the contrary, the exhilaration felt from many late nights fueled by self exploration. Manic behavior can be brought on by lack of sleep while often thought loops pervade the mind and prevent one from sleeping. Some people who have restless sleep can feel like they are floating, falling, and separating from their bodies before slumber. Others claim that they hear strange noises, voices and music as well as weird mechanistic sounds like beeps and boops during these liminal states. What would these noises sound like if they were to be captured and recorded during these so-called hypnagogic states, and what feelings would they evoke? Aisle of Palm reckons with transitional states, not just between wakefulness and sleep, but between places and within the self. In these moments there exists beauty, levity, melancholy, and hysteria.”
Stream ‘Aisle of Palm’ via beshken.lnk.to/AisleOfPalm
Stream ‘Aisle of Palm’ Remixes via beshken.lnk.to/AisleofPalmRemixes
Ben Shirken (a.k.a. Beshken) grew up in Los Angeles, where artists like Shlohmo, Teebs, Flying Lotus and iconic evenings like The Low End Theory created a musical foundation to which he was drawn. In L.A., Shirken was part of the group Partytime, remixing Corbin (Spooky Black) and Ryan Hemsworth. The duo performed with artists like Suicideyear, Karman, Girl Pool, and Groundislava at The Smell, Pehrspace, and other art spaces around the city.
In 2015, Shirken moved to New York and began performing in the citys D.I.Y. scene, where his multi-instrumental and ever-evolving live shows brought him to hallowed venues like Palisades, Elsewhere, and the now-closed Cameo Gallery. While he shared bills with electronic musicians like Macintosh Plus and XXYYXX, Shirken also played with bands like Men I Trust, Crumb, and recently toured with Gus Dapperton. Additionally, Ben established himself as a DJ in New York, spinning eclectic sets of house and techno at The Lot Radio, Good Room and NTS Radio. Aisle of Palm signifies an exciting stage in Beshkens career that underscores his versatility as a producer and honesty as a songwriter.
‘Aisle of Palm’ Remixes track listing
1. Cursed (Jackie Mendoza Remix)
2. Golden Sun (Yonsei Remix)
3. Passion (Falls Remix)
4. Relaxx (Kid Smpl Remix)
5. White Gemini (Lurka Remix)
6. Know Your Name (Samo DJ Remix)
7. Light of Love (M. James Remix)
8. Focus On (Bad Tuner Remix)
Additionally, Beshken will be joining Com Truise on a full US tour this fall.
Upcoming Beshken US tour dates in support of Com Truise
Tue, Sept 17 – Ashbury Park, NJ – Ashbury Lanes
Wed, Sept 18 – Hamden, CTL – Space Ballroom
Fri, Sept 20 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
Sat, Sept 21 – South Burlington, VT – High Ground Ballroom
Tue, Sept 24 – Syracuse, NY – Westcoff Theater
Wed, Sept 25 – Buffalo, NY – Rec Room
Thu, Sept 26 – Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater
Fri, Sept 27 – Detroit, MI – The Shelter
Sat, Sept 28 – Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop
Thu, Oct 24 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo
Fri, Oct 25 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
Sat, Oct 26 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
Sun, Oct 27 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
Wed, Oct 30 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theater
Fri, Nov 1 – Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep
Sat, Nov 2 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
Mon, Nov 4 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar
Tue, Nov 5 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
Wed, Nov 6 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
Fri, Nov 8 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
Sat, Nov 9 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn
Sun, Nov 10 – New Orleans, LA – Hi-Ho Lounge
Tue, Nov 12 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
Thu, Nov 14 – Orlando, FL – The Social
Fri, Nov 15 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
Sat, Nov 16 – Tampa, FL – The Crowbar
Sun, Nov 17 – Tallahassee, FL – The Wilbury
Wed, Nov 20 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House
Thu, Nov 21 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
Fri, Nov 22 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
Sat, Nov 23 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
