Benevento/Russo Duo: Play Pause Stop
Play Pause Stop, the latest disc by the Benevento/Russo Duo, is as much of an anomaly as the band that created it. Yes, it is a rock album - but there is no guitarist, no bassist, and you can sing along even though there are no words.

"The things we wanted to do on the last record we actually achieved on this new one," says drummer Joe Russo. "We're more confident in our instrumental rock songwriting than ever before."

After self-releasing a pair of albums, the Duo signed a one-album deal with Ropeadope Records in 2005 and dropped Best Reason To Buy The Sun. Generating rave reviews (Paste Magazine rightfully called it "one of the most exciting break-out discs" of the year); the album introduced the group to a rapidly growing national audience. A heavy year of touring followed, during which the Duo played everywhere from sweaty dives and smoky bars to Bonnaroo and Sasquatch.

In February of 2006, the Duo flew to LA to begin work on the follow-up to Best Reason to Buy the Sun. While that album featured multiple guest appearances, this time the pair wanted to prove that they didn't need any outside help - "We were happy to have the people that we had on the last record," says Russo, "but this one we wanted to just be the two of us. We've found a way for us to fill things out sonically where we don't need anybody else."

Far from its initiation, when the Duo was conceptualized for economy, these days the band remains a twosome out of pure artistic desire. "Limiting yourself leads to new discovery," says Benevento. As an example, he offers that the title track of Play Pause Stop was an exercise in stringing chords together from one single note. The restriction resulted in an incredibly creative and entertaining powerhouse of a song. Much like the idea of the Duo itself.

Play Pause Stop is the culmination of all these newly mastered techniques. Whereas the band once relied on improvisation as it worked through the mechanics of being two musicians emulating more, the band is now focused on its songwriting craft and composing concise rock instrumentals.

On the album, Benevento employs a wide array of instruments (including Mellotrons, a Wurlitzer, and circuit-benders) while Russo occasionally trades his drums for a guitar. Contextually, too, the album feels like a rock album, with meaningful songs despite the fact that there are no lyrics.

"When I write songs," says Russo, "it's usually through love or heartbreak, just like everybody else."

"Emotionally, it feels really good right now," says Russo. "If the Duo were to ever end, I'd be crushed to not have this sound happen. Other bands are great, but I can't imagine not going out and doing this. I can't do it with anybody else."

"And it all happened by accident," laughs Benevento.

learn more about Benevento/Russo Duo

Benevento/Russo Duo is:
Marco Benevento - Hammond B-3 organ, Mellotron, Wurlitzer, circuit bent toys
Joe Russo - drums, guitar, Hohner

Produced by Matt Chamberlain and Tom Biller
Chamberlain is a session drummer extraordinaire who has worked with everybody! From Morrisey to Dido to William Shatner to Pearl Jam to Fiona Apple and Tori Amos, and everybody else under the sun. And of course, Matt is the drummer of Critters Buggin’.

Tom Biller was Jon Brion’s engineer for the past 6 years, working with Artists ranging from Kanye West to Fiona Apple. In addition, Biller worked on the Soundtracks to “Magnolia” and “Punch Drunk Love” among others. Biller has also recently worked w/ LA buzz band, The Silversun Pickups.

The record was recorded at Biller’s studio in Echo Park, Beer Wine Fish and mixed at the Sound Factory in Hollywood.