ben corrigan tour manager

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Jennifer Lopez grimaces during outing without Ben Affleck amid marital woes

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She’s “Real.”

Jennifer Lopez put her feelings on display while going for a drive with her longtime manager, Benny Medina, in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The “Selena” star pursed her lips while riding in the passenger seat as paparazzi caught a glimpse of the duo driving in Medina’s BMW convertible.

Lopez, 54, attempted to conceal her facial expressions with a pair of oversize sunglasses, but the lenses still captured her displeased look.

It’s unclear where the pair were headed, but Lopez’s husband, Ben Affleck, did not join them for the jaunt.

The sighting comes about a week after the “heartsick” multi-hyphenate canceled her tour , which was turning out to be a flop , to spend more time with her “children, family and close friends.”

“Please know that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel that it was absolutely necessary,” she wrote to fans in her “On the JLo” newsletter.

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The “Jenny From the Block” singer and “Argo” star, 51, have been the subject of divorce rumors for the past month in light of Affleck’s decision not to attend the Met Gala with Lopez, who served as one of the event’s co-chairs.

Sources then told us the Oscar winner had temporarily rented a house in Brentwood, Calif., while house-hunting for a new place. We also heard that Lopez was looking into purchasing a new house, but a source close to the pop star said she was merely interested in acquiring an investment property.

Eventually, a source told us Affleck came “to his senses” about his apparently failing marriage to Lopez.

“If there was a way to divorce on grounds of temporary insanity, he would,” our insider shared. “He feels like the  last two years  was just a fever dream, and he’s come to his senses now and understands there is just no way this is going to work.”

Neither Affleck nor Lopez has publicly commented on the speculation, though the latter shut down a reporter who dared to ask her about it.

Although the “Good Will Hunting” actor skipped all of Lopez’s “Atlas” promotional events, Bennifer 2.0 put on a united front for their blended family to celebrate Affleck’s daughter Violet’s graduation.

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Jennifer Lopez looks stern in car with manager just days after singer cancels tour during Ben Affleck divorce rumors

• Caitlyn Hitt , Entertainment reporter
• Published : 0:35 ET, Jun 5 2024
• Updated : 16:00 ET, Jun 5 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

JENNIFER Lopez has been spotted sporting a stern look while riding in the car without husband Ben Affleck amid split rumors.

The 54-year-old pop star appeared downcast from the passenger seat of a white BMW on Tuesday, just days after calling off her tour.

Jennifer Lopez claimed she would be using her time to focus on those closest to her, which only fueled speculation about her marriage.

And on Tuesday, the superstar mom appeared to have a stern look on her face as she sat in the passenger seat beside her manager, Benny Medina.

She wore a white turtle neck and accessorized with large sunglasses.

JLo, as she's known to fans, wore her hair in an updo with bangs hanging in front of her face.

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It's unclear where she was headed to or coming from but she was without her husband, Ben Affleck , 51.

The On the Floor singer canceled her This Is Me Tour on May 31.

She made the announcement amid rampant speculation that she and her Air star husband had called it quits.

STAYING HOME

Sources revealed that Jennifer made the difficult decision to cancel her tour due to a sensitive time in her personal life, according to Page Six .

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She shared a message with her fans , writing: "I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down."

"Please know that I wouldn't do this if I didn't feel that it was absolutely necessary," she continued.

"I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time..."

Live Nation reps announced that the summer tour, This Is Me...Live, set to kick off in Orlando , Florida , on June 26, was canceled in a statement to ticket buyers.

"Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family, and close friends," it read.

The musician shares twins Max and Emme , 16, with her ex-husband Marc Anthony , 55.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck relationship timeline

JLo and Ben were first linked together in 2002 and became engaged later that year. However, they called off the wedding just two years later. They rekindled their romance in 2021 and finally got hitched in 2022. Here is a timeline of their love story:

• June 2002 - Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck met on the set of Gigli and JLo divorced from her second husband Cris Judd
• November 2002 - Ben proposed to JLo with a six-carat pink diamond ring
• September 2003 - JLo and Ben called off their wedding and blamed it on 'excessive media attention'
• January 2004 - The celebrity couple announce they are heading separate ways
• July 2021 - JLo posts an intimate photo of herself beside Ben and they begin dating again
• April 2022 - Ben proposes to JLo for a second time
• July 2022 - The celebrity couple officially celebrated their nuptials in a Las Vegas, Nevada, ceremony
• August 2022 - Ben and JLo have a second A-list wedding at their $8.9million George estate

She is also a step-mom to Violet , 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12.

Sources added that the tour cancelation was for personal reasons, not because of poor ticket sales.

Jennifer previously canceled seven dates off the tour amid reports that ticket sales were low.

IS IT OVER?

Fans have been speculating that Ben and Jennifer are headed for divorce.

"If there was a way to divorce on grounds of temporary insanity, [Ben] would," an insider said.

"He feels like the last two years was just a fever dream and he's come to his senses now and understands there is just no way this is going to work."

Other sources echoed that sentiment, claiming that Ben and JLo can't work past their differences, of which there are reportedly many.

Tensions are said to have come to a head as Jennifer filmed her documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, which took fans insider her private life with the Gone Girl actor.

"Things that are private, I'd always felt are sacred and special. So this was something of an adjustment for me," Ben said of appearing in the Prime Video documentary .

The stress of the documentary reportedly led Ben to move out of their $47million mansion "several weeks ago," a celebrity insider claimed.

"They started having issues a few months ago as Jen had started ramping up work commitments and prepping for her tour," the source said.

An insider close to the couple said that they barely saw one another and divorce seemed inevitable .

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"It's over; they're headed for a divorce and for once [Ben's] not to blame. He's focusing on his work and kids now," the source said to InTouch .

"They'll never stop loving each other, but she can't control him, and he can't change her. There's no way it could have lasted."

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• Jennifer Lopez

Becoming a Tour Manager: Responsibilities, Skills, and Salary

Are you a recording artist looking to hit the road and embark on a successful tour? Or perhaps you’re simply curious about the role of a tour manager and what they bring to the table. Look no further, as this article is here to shed light on the world of tour managers and their invaluable contributions to the music industry. (Photo by Aleksandr Popov on Unsplash .)

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Tour managers are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, ensuring that every aspect of a tour runs smoothly. From planning and logistics to financial management and artist well-being, they wear multiple hats to ensure a seamless experience for both the artist and the audience. But what exactly does a tour manager do? And how can you find the right one for your needs? Join us as we delve into the world of tour managers and uncover the key qualities to look for when hiring one.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a curious music enthusiast, understanding the role of a tour manager is crucial in navigating the complex world of touring. So, let’s discover the essential tasks and responsibilities of tour managers, as well as where to find them and how much they typically cost. Get ready to unlock the secrets behind successful tours and the key players who make it all happen.

What Is A Tour Manager?

A tour manager is a crucial member of an artist’s team, especially when it comes to touring. Their role is to ensure that everything runs smoothly before, during, and after the show. From planning and logistics to financial management and artist well-being, tour managers handle a wide range of responsibilities to make the tour a success.

Tour managers serve as the lynchpin of the entire touring cycle. They travel alongside the artist and the crew, overseeing all aspects of the tour. They are responsible for coordinating venues, transportation, accommodations, and other logistical details. This ensures that the artist and their team can focus on their performances without distractions or disruptions.

In addition to the logistical aspects, tour managers also serve as a personal manager to the artist. They play a vital role in ensuring the artist’s overall well-being throughout the tour. This includes managing schedules, handling day-to-day tasks, and addressing any concerns or issues that may arise. A tour manager’s ultimate goal is to ensure that both the tour and the artist are successful and thriving.

It’s worth noting that tour managers often double as personal managers. This means that they not only oversee the logistics of the tour but also manage all aspects of an artist’s life. They are responsible for not only ensuring a smooth-running tour but also ensuring the artist’s happiness and well-being.

A tour manager is a highly skilled professional who plays a crucial role in the success of an artist’s tour. They handle everything from logistics to financial management and artist well-being. With their expertise and dedication, tour managers ensure that the tour runs smoothly, allowing the artist to focus on delivering outstanding performances.

What does a Tour Manager do?

Roles & responsibilities.

A tour manager plays a crucial role in the smooth running of a tour. They are responsible for managing all aspects of the tour, both before and during the shows. Here are some key roles and responsibilities of a tour manager:

• Logistics Management : A tour manager is in charge of coordinating all logistics related to the tour. This includes arranging travel accommodations, booking transportation, and ensuring that all equipment and merchandise needed for the shows are organized and ready.
• Financial Management : Tour managers work closely with artist management and business management to create a tour budget. This budget serves as a roadmap for all financial decisions during the tour, from choosing hotels to hiring crew members. They also handle various financial transactions throughout the tour, such as paying vendors and ensuring that everyone is paid correctly and on time.
• Artist Well-being : Alongside managing the tour, tour managers also serve as personal managers, taking care of all aspects of an artist’s life on the road. They ensure that the artist is comfortable, happy, and well taken care of. This can involve arranging for personal needs, such as dietary requirements or specific accommodations, and addressing any issues that may arise during the tour.
• Team Coordination : Tour managers are responsible for managing the entire crew involved in the tour, including band members, roadies, and technical staff. They ensure that everyone is working together cohesively and that tasks are being completed efficiently. This involves overseeing rehearsals, sound checks, and coordinating schedules.
• Problem Solving : In the fast-paced environment of a tour, unexpected challenges can arise. Tour managers are skilled problem solvers who handle any issues that may come up, whether it’s a technical glitch during a show or last-minute changes to the itinerary. They remain calm under pressure and find solutions quickly to keep the tour running smoothly.
• Tour Documentation : Tour managers also handle various administrative tasks, such as managing contracts and legal documents related to the tour. They keep detailed records of expenses, receipts, and other important documents to ensure a smooth reconciliation process after the tour.

Tour managers are the lynchpin of the entire touring cycle. They handle a wide range of responsibilities, from logistics management to financial and artist well-being. Their expertise and dedication ensure that the tour runs smoothly and that the artist can focus on delivering outstanding performances.

How To Become A Tour Manager

Qualifications & skills.

To become a tour manager, there are certain qualifications and skills that aspiring individuals should possess. While a bachelor’s degree is not always required, it can be helpful in gaining the necessary knowledge and skills for the role. Some relevant fields of study include music business, music industry studies, business management, marketing, or related areas.

In addition to formal education, practical experience in the music industry is highly valuable. Many tour managers start their career by working in various roles within the industry, such as live sound, venue management, or working closely with artists. This hands-on experience allows aspiring tour managers to learn the ins and outs of the industry and develop essential skills.

Some key skills that tour managers should possess include:

• Strong organizational and planning abilities are crucial for managing all aspects of a tour, including scheduling, logistics, and travel arrangements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are necessary for effectively coordinating with artists, crew members, venues, and other stakeholders.
• Problem-solving skills are essential for addressing any issues or challenges that may arise during the tour and finding effective solutions.
• Financial management skills are important for handling budgets, negotiating deals, and ensuring financial success of the tour.
• Attention to detail is vital for ensuring all necessary arrangements and requirements are met, such as visas, travel documentation, and equipment.

Schools & Degrees

While there is no specific degree required to become a tour manager, obtaining a degree in a music-related field can be beneficial. Many universities and music schools offer programs in music business, music industry studies, or related disciplines. These programs provide a solid foundation in the business and management aspects of the music industry.

Some recommended courses to take during the degree program include psychology, business law, logistics, accounting, or tourism and travel management. These courses can provide additional knowledge and skills that are applicable to the role of a tour manager.

In addition to formal education, seeking internships or entry-level positions with music promoters, record labels, or concert venues can provide valuable hands-on experience and networking opportunities. Learning directly from experienced tour managers can offer insights into the daily responsibilities and challenges of the role.

If you’re a tour manager aiming to enhance your market value by building your personal brand, consider enrolling in GRAMMY GO ‘s ‘ Building Your Audience for Music Professionals ‘ specialization on Coursera . This course provides essential insights into branding not only for creators but also for creative teams. In today’s industry, every professional stands to benefit from cultivating a strong personal brand. This specialization will equip you with the skills necessary to effectively promote and distinguish yourself in the competitive music business landscape.

Tour Manager Salary

One of the key factors that people consider when pursuing a career is the potential salary. For those interested in becoming tour managers in the music industry, it is important to understand the earning potential in this role.

According to Salary.com , In Los Angeles, CA, the average salary for a Tour Manager is $124,177. The salary range usually varies between $103,589 and $143,528 based on factors such as education, certifications, additional skills, and years of experience in the field.

$124.177K AVG

It is worth noting that these figures represent an average, and there are opportunities for higher salaries, especially for those who work with high-profile artists. Additionally, the length and frequency of tours can also impact the overall income of a tour manager.

While the salary range is important to consider, it is essential to remember that being a tour manager offers other benefits that go beyond monetary compensation. Here are some additional advantages that come with being a tour manager:

Challenges & Rewards

Advantages & disadvantages of being a tour manager.

While the salary range is important to consider, being a tour manager in the music industry comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a career as a tour manager.

Advantages:

• Travel Opportunities : One of the most exciting aspects of being a tour manager is the chance to travel to different cities and countries. Tour managers get to explore new places, experience different cultures, and create unforgettable memories along the way.
• Networking Opportunities : Tour managers have the opportunity to connect with various industry professionals, including artists, promoters, agents, and venue managers. These connections can open doors to future opportunities and collaborations.
• Job Security : The demand for talented and experienced tour managers is high in the music industry. With the continuous growth of live music events and tours, tour managers can enjoy a stable and secure career.
• Variety of Responsibilities : As a tour manager, no two days are the same. From coordinating logistics to managing finances and ensuring artist well-being, tour managers have a wide range of responsibilities that keep them engaged and challenged.

Disadvantages:

• Long Hours and Workloads : Tour managers often work long and irregular hours. They are responsible for overseeing every aspect of the tour, from planning and logistics to problem-solving and troubleshooting. This can result in extended workdays and periods of high stress.
• Constant Travel : While travel can be exciting, it can also be physically and mentally demanding for tour managers. Constantly being on the road and away from home can lead to fatigue and a lack of personal time.
• High-pressure Environment : Tour managers are responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly during the tour. From managing unexpected challenges to dealing with last-minute changes, tour managers need to thrive in a high-pressure environment and think quickly on their feet.
• Limited Personal Life : Due to the nature of their work, tour managers may have limited time for personal relationships and hobbies. The demanding schedule and constant travel can make it challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Overall, being a tour manager can offer a rewarding and fulfilling career in the music industry. However, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before pursuing this path. If you thrive in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment, enjoy traveling, and have a passion for music and live events, becoming a tour manager can be an exciting and fulfilling choice.

Tools & Equipment

Tour managers rely on a range of tools and equipment to effectively execute their responsibilities and ensure smooth operations during a tour. From planning and logistics to financial management and artist well-being, these tools help streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Here are some of the key tools and equipment that tour managers utilize:

• Project Management Software : Tour managers often use specialized software designed for collaboration and project management. These platforms offer features including budget tracking and task management. With these tools, tour managers can keep track of important details, communicate with team members, and stay organized throughout the tour.
• Communication Devices : Effective communication is crucial for a tour manager’s success. They rely on devices such as smartphones, walkie-talkies, and two-way radios to stay connected with the entire team, including crew members, artists, vendors, and venue staff. These tools enable quick and seamless communication, allowing tour managers to address issues promptly and coordinate operations effectively.
• Financial Management Tools : Managing budgets and expenses is an essential part of a tour manager’s role. They use financial management tools, such as accounting software or spreadsheets, to track costs, manage invoices, and evaluate financial performance. These tools help tour managers ensure that expenses are within the allocated budget and provide accurate financial reports to the artist and management team.
• Travel and Accommodation Resources : Tour managers and their teams handle the logistics of travel and accommodation for the entire touring party. They rely on online booking platforms, travel agencies, and hotel reservation systems to secure transportation arrangements, hotel accommodations, and other travel-related services. These resources help tour managers ensure that all logistical arrangements are in place, ensuring a comfortable and efficient experience for everyone involved.
• Emergency and Safety Equipment : Safety is a top priority for tour managers, and they are responsible for preparing for emergencies or unforeseen situations. They carry first aid kits, emergency contact lists, and other safety equipment to handle medical emergencies, accidents, or other crises that may arise during the tour. Having the necessary equipment readily available allows tour managers to respond promptly and effectively in challenging situations.

By leveraging these tools and equipment, tour managers can navigate the complexities of tour management with ease. These resources enable them to stay organized, communicate effectively, manage finances, and address any issues that may arise during the tour.

Famous Tour Managers

Frequently asked questions, who employs a tour manager.

Tour managers are hired by booking agents or artist managers to organize logistics, personnel, communications, and schedules for concert tours.

What is the difference between a manager and a tour manager?

A tour manager plans and ensures smooth tours, while a business manager handles overall career and business affairs of an artist or band.

What is the job outlook for a tour manager?

Tour manager jobs are in demand, with a projected 8% growth from 2018 to 2028 in the United States.

What is the daily life of a tour manager?

Tour managers handle travel plans, venue coordination, financial management, media interactions, and local services at each tour stop to ensure smooth operations.

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Rule of Three: Ben Corrigan on the Excuse the Mess podcast

Ahead of releasing a stunning collection of music created as part of his excuse the mess podcast, we speak to composer and podcast creator ben corrigan.

What if you could create a piece of music with one of your favourite musicians, but there are rules and limitations you have to stick to: no part of the music can be predetermined, you can only use one instrument or item to create that piece of music (electronic manipulation is allowed, however) and you only have one day to complete it. Sounds mad, right? But it’s a major component of composer Ben Corrigan’s award-winning Excuse the Mess podcast, which has now seen him collaborate with 17 of his favourite musicians and composers.

The first episode of the podcast aired in September 2017 featuring Austrian hang (handpan) player Manu Delago, who produced Anoushka Shankar’s 2016 album Land of Gold and has worked and toured extensively with Björk. An impressive first get. Following a 'getting to know you'-style discussion between Corrigan and Delago, the pair then set to work on creating a piece of music together, and you get to hear the process as part of the podcast before the composition is played in full.

Since that first episode, Corrigan has had everyone from Gold Panda and Hannah Peel to Oliver Coates and Anna Meredith as guests, and while a lot of artists chose to use instruments they’re used to working with, there are some unusual choices to be found too such as an ice rink (Mira Calix) and a pesto jar (Meredith) – sun-dried tomato in case you were wondering. This February, all 17 tracks created via the podcast are getting a two-part digital release with beautiful accompanying limited edition books, so we catch up with Corrigan over Zoom to find out more.

The Skinny: Can you give us a bit of background on yourself for our readers who might not be familiar with you and your podcast? Ben Corrigan: I am originally from Carlisle... I listened to metal and played in a metal band, I didn't grow up classically trained. But I ended up getting into film music and from there got really into classical music... I rustled up a portfolio and got a place at Trinity Laban to do composition. I didn't really have a clue about electronic music and there was an Introduction to Logic Pro class, and that became the thing I wanted to pursue the most. 

I finished my course and spent a while assisting various people and composers and doing sound engineering. I did a stint for [film composer] Patrick Doyle, and Anoushka Shankar, as her engineer. I was basically helping other people and thought it would be nice to have my own thing. 

I first got into podcasts because I was a Jonny Greenwood fan and he was doing an interview with Adam Buxton. I listened to that, loved it and really liked his style of podcasting. Then I listened to an Oliver Coates album where most of the sounds were made out of just a cello and warpings of cello. A few other factors brought together this whole concept... like Fact magazine's Against the Clock , that idea of quite a time pressured [scenario to] create something from scratch... The other limitation was no pre-planning, so it feels very spontaneous.

How did you turn the idea into a reality? I tentatively knew a few composers and there's people who were friends from uni; these people are busy, you know, they've probably got a waiting list of people wanting to make music with them. But I was thinking, how can I essentially lure them into a room to make a piece of music, people that I admire, and make it so that it doesn't feel too committed? [I said] we'll talk about you and your music, that's like a bit of promo, and then this idea of a very low stakes, music writing session, don't worry if it comes out crap at the end. Hence the name – Excuse the Mess . I kind of see my podcast as a reverse engineered Song Exploder .

Was it hard convincing people to get involved? Some people were admittedly difficult... Anna [Meredith], for example, she was supposed to be in the first series; it was great to get Anna in the second series. I'm also kind of amazed at the willingness in some ways. I would be terrified to do my podcast from the other side... I try to make the artist feel really comfortable, and it helps that I do either know them or have a tenuous link to them, a friend of a friend, that kind of thing.

Everybody sounds surprisingly calm during the process. Was it actually like that or was that just clever editing? I've done some edit wonders in the past, but you kind of picked up on something there that I hadn't really thought about. There is a lack of frantic pressure and stress even though it is really fast working, committing to ideas, trying to generate something stomachable... They're all kind of harmonious little writing sessions. I guess to have the conversation first puts people at ease, they're comfortable, I put shit loads of snacks out. People seem to really dig the snacks, it's almost the thing they remember the most.

I need to know about these snacks. There's these great crisps, like posh crisps, called Eaten Path, they're balsamic vinegar and made out of bean and pea. They've got a lovely crisp to them. They're not too greasy but they're really moreish.

You should use them as the 'item' for your next track. I like the idea of doing non-instrument instruments, like the pesto jar with Anna. I find them to be almost more exciting. But yeah, biscuits, biscuits, biscuits, lots of biscuits, tea, coffee, cakes, and then a bit of fruit... usually a grape.

Snacks aside, do you have a favourite finished track?  There's one that's really sweet and short and quite transportative from the first series with Mark Lockheart, a floaty saxophone thing. But I can't really say if there's a favourite, I get a rush off each writing session and the fun of the day really.

From Delago's hypnotic Collider and Mira Calix's glitchy Skating on Thin Ice to Gold Panda's vinyl sampling on Lanza and Meredith's hyperactive Oopsloops, as a collection of music, the Excuse the Mess compilations are remarkably cohesive. What was it like for you experiencing and working with everyone's different processes? It's amazing for me... I get a masterclass and I get to sit in the room with someone who's an absolute beast at what they do, and then get to share that. The beauty of the rules is that it can really focus us and stop us being too distracted and then you get quite a pure essence of the way they work and the way their mind works.

What was it like experiencing the Meredith map? Definitely a highlight. That's a great example of someone who's really found not only their voice but the process behind that voice as well. Some people have these almost routines like Anna and some people, they maybe have an instinct that leads them towards their sound... An example is Mira Calix's one. Quite quickly it started sounding like a Mira Calix tune, it was very choppy uppy... Everyone seems to have this little relationship with chaos where they can generate things... Mira's was just hacking at bits of audio and poking buttons.

Did you find it hard sticking to your three rules? Yeah, there's a few cheaty bits. For example, Hannah Peel was just like, 'Aw, it would be great to do some singing on this', and I was like, I can't say no to Hannah Peel!

The two digital compilation albums and limited edition books are out this month, was this always the end goal? Not at all. I thought I was just gonna quietly release them on Bandcamp. I did quietly release [volume one] to not much fanfare at the end of that series, but then for various reasons, COVID included, I've just been sitting on two complete series and luckily in the last year-and-a-half Hidden Note have had time to be thinking about their record label and what they want to do. They [suggested the] coffee table books... it's a nice way to put a very digital project into the physical world.

What can people get out of the books that they won’t get from the podcast or the music? Without retracing my steps, I’ve talked a little bit about each artist and the day, things that still resonate with me now. Hopefully people that like the podcast can flick through it and maybe discover some of the artists, get a sense of them, a sense of the day, a sense of the music. I see the book as CD liner notes on steroids, a beautifully made accompaniment for the music and the podcast.

The podcast stopped almost as soon as the pandemic started. Is there a plan for a third series? I think so, yeah. I've got a wishlist and at some point I'm gonna start making the gears turn again. It'd be nice to try and do some new things, I'd like to work with more electronic artists.

In keeping with this issue’s fantasy theme, who would your dream collaboration be, dead or alive? The whole 'alive or dead' makes it even more difficult, you know I like limitations! I think Ryuichi Sakamoto would be good, I've been really getting into Yellow Magic Orchestra. I'm also really into this band CHAI, they're amazing.

I do have a sort of fantasy with the podcast actually, to do a travelling one. It's a bit of an obvious choice, but I’d do an American series and I could do, you know, a couple of podcasts in various cities and that's the series, and it could almost be a sort of travel blog as well. I think the podcast would have to get more famous first. It's got a very niche audience, I would say.

Excuse the Mess volumes one and two, along with accompanying books, are released on 4 Feb via Hidden Note Records

Listen to the Excuse the Mess podcast in all the usual places

etmpodcast.com excusethemess.bandcamp.com

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CARBS [Robert Ames & Ben Corrigan] CARBS

When Robert Ames and Ben Corrigan started crafting the seven tracks on their debut album as CARBS, they were having fun. Corrigan, a composer and podcast host, and Ames, a conductor, composer and curator, are often the people who bring other artists’ music to life. On CARBS, they had the opportunity to explore their voices as music makers, taking inspiration from their robust history of collaborations and passion for electronic and classical music to create sound that’s both cinematic and danceable, built on lush harmony, catchy patterns and driving rhythms that form an outer space trance.

Corrigan and Ames first met three years ago when Ames was a guest on Corrigan’s podcast, excuse the mess. The podcast is a place for creative collaboration: When an artist comes on to be interviewed, they’re also challenged to write a piece in a day with Corrigan. For Corrigan and Ames, working together on that first song was easy. They shared interests in classical and electronic music and music that finds ways to bridge those genres. “I’ve always loved dance music,” Ames says. “I was growing up listening to the Warp artists and dancing to Drum and Bass when I was a student in London at a time where it was really at its peak, and that’s when I was studying at music college. So I had a very even love for both of those worlds.” “We were eating at the same buffet for a while” Corrigan continues “and that’s maybe why our tastes have a lot of similarities. There’s quite a nice crossover, a lot of the kind of darkness and some of the intricacy and that kind of thing can be found in both those worlds. And I was drawn to that.”

From there, they’d go on to work on other projects, like the Manchester Camerata’s performance of William Basinski’s seminal work The Disintegration Loops. Corrigan and Ames began to imagine CARBS while they worked on those other projects, coming up with bits and pieces of the album’s tracks in their spare time. Towards the end of 2019 they had time to focus solely on their duo work, hunkering down and shaping the threads of music into an album. The music the two artists made together seemed to grow from those outside collaborations: sweeping like the film music they compose and conduct, electronic-based like recent collaborations with artists like Actress and Rival Consoles. When writing music as CARBS, Ames and Corrigan complement each other. Ames finds himself drawn to glistening melodies and brilliant harmonies, while Corrigan enjoys working with intricate rhythms:

“I’ll geek out all day on snippets of harmony. I’ll go into the depths of time to pilfer stuff and rework it and play with it,” Ames says. “I rarely start with harmony or melody, I often start with something rhythmic or a sound design experiment,” Corrigan says. “There you can see a clear reason why [CARBS] works.” CARBS features both of these elements in spades, balancing reverberant, transportive harmony with crunchy beats and toe-tapping rhythms. The material on the album is all original, crafted using a mix of Logic and Ableton. On some tracks, like “Space Hopper,” Ames’ viola peeks out of the lush fold, echoing into cavernous electronics. Every track presents these kinds of sonic layers, letting meticulous details unfold across the music’s cinematic plane.

When writing the music on CARBS, Corrigan and Ames weren’t driven by an overarching narrative or theme. Instead, they were driven by spontaneity. “It was a very joyful, pure music making process. And it was just fun to, without any barriers, just make some music and see what came out of the other end,” Ames says. “We were just enjoying sound, just enjoying bouncing ideas back and forth,” Corrigan says. “It felt like a sanctuary, a little pocket to just have a good time and really get stuck into writing some original music.”

As the tracks came together, though, they started to hear it as some kind of otherworldly fantasy. (“We accidentally made a little bit of a sci-fi dance album,” Corrigan notes.) The eerie, wondrous quality of the music felt like roaming through outer space, and they started thinking about extraterrestrial travel and spaceships. There’s a starry-eyed feeling to the music, too, driven by it’s effervescent and sprawling atmospheres. “It ended up sounding, in my mind, like something kind of trippy,” Ames says. The feeling of joy and unbridled exploration are perhaps the strongest undercurrents of the album, all pulled together by its dreamy, psychedelic album cover by Filipino-Australian visual artist Mark Constantine Inducil. The cheeky song titles draw reference from everything from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Total Recall to the cosmos; the pulsing sound of the music instantly makes your head bob. There’s a lightness to the music, despite its full-bodied sound, that drives the album continuously forward. Ames and Corrigan set out to enjoy the music they made, and for us to enjoy it, too.

About the Artists (Read more)

About Robert Ames

Robert  Ames  is  a  conductor,  curator  and  composer.  As  a  conductor,  curator  and arranger, Robert Ames has been a key exchange agent between the classical tradition and contemporary music. Robert works closely with many of the leading figures in new music  including  Philip  Glass,  Hildur  Guðnadóttir,  Bryce  Dessner,  Mica  Levi,  Nico Muhly,  Richard  Reed  Parry,  Meredith  Monk,  Terry  Riley,  Jonny  Greenwood,  Anna Meredith and Steve Reich. Recent  collaborations  include  Vivienne  Westwood,  Nike  and  Alexander  McQueen from the world of Fashion and with musicians who inhabit the pop/ electronic and film music  world,  including  Taylor  Swift,  Actress,  Frank  Ocean,  Jonsi,  Little  Simz,  Alex Somers, Thom Yorke, Justice, Kelly Lee Owens, William Basinski, Jed Kurzel, Jamie XX, Olafur Arnalds, Owen Pallett, Darkstar, Radiohead, Rival Consoles and Labrinth. Recent  Conducting  engagements  include  performances  at  The  Royal  Festival  Hall, Barbican  Centre,  Royal  Opera  House,  De  Doelen,  The  Brooklyn  Academy  Of  Arts, Philharmonie De Paris and The Sydney Opera House, as well as four appearances at the BBC Proms in the last three years. Robert has worked with many of the world’s leading  orchestras  including  the  Rotterdam  Philharmonic  Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra,  BBC  Concert  Orchestra,  L’Orchestre  National  De  Lyon,  BBC  National Orchestra  of  Wales,  Scottish  National  Orchestra,  Royal  Liverpool  Philharmonic orchestra,   Manchester   Camerata,   Moscow   New   Music   Ensemble   and   Aarhus Symphony Orchestra.

About Ben Corrigan

Ben  hails  from    Carlisle,  Cumbria  in  the  North  West  of  England  at  the  foot  of  the Pennines.  A  teen  metalhead,  he  came  to  London  in  2010  to  study  composition  at Trinity Laban in Greenwich. At music college he discovered the joy of electronic music and  experimented  with  ways  to  combine that  with  acoustic  forces.  Ben  has  worked with  Robert  Ames  and  the  London  Contemporary  Orchestra,  orchestrating  and arranging  for  films  (Honeyboy,  True  History  of  Ned  Kelly  Gang),  concerts  (Riceboy Sleeps,  Erased  Tapes  X  LCO,  William  Basinski)  and  recordings. In TV, he’s done additional composition for Isobel Waller-Bridge, sound design and synth programming for her Black Mirror score, and more recently been the music editor for composer Anne Nikitin’s score on the BBC Pale Horse series. Ben has a music podcast called excuse the mess (which won Bronze in the Best Arts & Culture category at the British Podcast Awards  in  2019) -where  he  interviews  other  composers  and  then  writes  a  piece together  using  just  one  instrument  and  electronic  manipulation.  The  listener  follows the whole composition process.

Grammy Nominations

Modern Recordings is proud to announce 3 Grammy-nominations:

Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Pat Metheny - "Dream Box"

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Vince Mendoza & Metropol Orkest - "Olympians"

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Rickie Lee Jones - "Pieces of Treasure"

The Winners will be announced at the ceremony, February 4th 2024 in Los Angeles. More here!

BEN CORRIGAN // COMPOSING AND THAT

Photo credit Raphaël Neal

SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO

Excuse the mess – music podcast, etm on bandcamp, something else, contact me [email protected].

Ben Simmons Manager, Tax - ACA

Ben has been an essential member of the Corrigan team since joining as a trainee in 2016, prior to which he had worked with a FTSE 100 company. He completed his ACA qualification in 2019 and is now a manager within our tax department.

Ben's portfolio includes small and owner managed businesses within the technology, professional services, and leisure and hospitality sectors. He is particularly passionate about sustainability and enjoys working with science-based businesses that are committed to making a positive environmental impact.

Ben's specialisms include advising clients on research and development tax reliefs, capital allowances, share option schemes and tax efficient investment structures. He also assists Family Investment Companies, advising them of the potential tax implications of investment decisions in property and securities. Ben also manages a portfolio of personal tax clients, assisting individuals with their remuneration planning.

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