There’s no cutoff date for launching a career in music. Ben Carr has been recording and performing for about two decades, but he believes his is just getting started in earnest.
As the mastermind producer and multi-instrumentalist operating the playfully titled project CARRTOONS, Carr’s a testament to steadfastness and fortitude. He quietly put together an impressive list of credits working with a bevy of stars and now, with his own catalogue and a collection of striking videos to accompany it, has a growing hoard of his own followers. Many of them recently showed up for a performance at Songbyrd Music House in DC.
Listen to the latest CARRTOONS album, Saturday Night, via Spotify:
The SUNY Purchase graduate is based in NYC, and he’s helped his cause with major exposure, as global brands like Nike and Peacock and others have used his music in commercials. Lately he’s attracted other influential artists who want to collaborate with him, including the likes of Reuben James, Mac Ayers and more.
Still feeling the love for 2022’s wildly popular Homegrown and promoting 2023’s Saturday Night, both albums released on Wichita Recordings, Carr brought a group of his favorite friends to the nation’s capital the night of April 24 for an anticipated sold-out show at Songbyrd Music House.
Hosting the celebration was a cast of all-stars or those soon to be considered such.
Watch the official music video for CARRTOONS’ hit track “Groceries” via the artist’s YouTube channel:
On keys was the LA-based artist known as Kiefer, who has his own impressive following and five albums under his belt. On drums was the talented Diego Joaquin Ramirez. Ensuring this as a truly rousing presentation, Julia Zivic and Joanna Teters thrilled the room with their elegant voices, both of which have appeared on CARRTOONS recordings. Zivic also played electric guitar, while Teeters swung and smacked the tambourine.
“These are some of my best friends,” said Carr, who flicked funky, rubbery lines on his bass during every track and controlled a variety of decks as well. Joining Zivic and Teters in harmony, he’d toss his head back, close his eyes and groove in place.
“We’ve been making music together for about 10 years,” he said. “We got a vibe on stage. I hope y’all can feel it.”
With a set pulling largely from the last two albums, the CARRTOONS squad led by demonstration — strutting, bouncing and laughing together — and a packed Songbyrd followed along for an unforgettable ride.
“These guys are pros, these guys are killin’ it,” Carr praised those on stage with him as he went.
Revisit CARRTOONS’ 2022 studio album, Homegrown, via Spotify:
Carr’s established himself as a rising force, and he’s not limited to one genre. With the help of an awesome team, his refined bass skills and his mastery of electronic passages, he’s leveraging a lifelong appreciation for jazz and soul to offer a fresh sound that should please anyone’s ears.
Below are home-rolled/developed/scanned 35mm film shots of CARRTOONS along with the night’s opener, Datsunn, performing at Songbyrd Music House on April 24, 2024. All images copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
DATSUNN
