A Chat with BendreTheGiant (29.07.26)
Binding elements of soul, power-pop and indie-pop, singer-songwriter Ben Estrada joins the musical stylings of Delos Erickson (keyboards), Avery Scanlon (guitar), Eli Hansen (bass guitar), Nate Hansen (drums) and Ben Harris (saxophone). We speak with the frontman about BendreTheGiant, their new album, memorable gigs, and much more.
OSR: In your biography, you mention that BendreTheGiant began as a solo project for Ben Estrada, then it grew to a full band in 2024. So, what inspired Estrada to create music, what inspired you to join as a band, and how did everything come together?
Estrada: Music has always been at the forefront of my life; everyone in my family is a musician in some way and a huge lover of music, so I was making music ever since I can remember. I met Delos Erickson when I was in high school, and we immediately became good friends and musical collaborators. After graduating, we moved to different cities, but whenever I was writing music and producing songs, I would send them to Delos to get his thoughts and just to show him what I was doing. After doing that for several years, in 2024 the opportunity presented itself for us to move in together and form a band around the music I had written.
OSR: Looking at the album, Swollen Eyes, you mention that the recording “unfolded across four studios over several months”. What were the benefits and drawbacks to recording across several studios? Also, what challenges did you face when recording and producing the album?
Estrada: We’re fortunate in that even with a small budget, we had the ability to record in amazing studio spaces and use instruments and recording equipment we didn’t have access to. The downside is that since those spaces cost a lot of money, and with us having a small budget, we had to choose exactly what we wanted to record and where we wanted it done very precisely. Balancing wanting to record in nice studios with a limited budget led to marathon multi-day sessions in some studios, or overnight sessions at another studio, so we could get everything we needed to make this album sound exactly how it’s supposed to sound.
OSR: Keeping with production: this album is your debut album, so how does it differ from recording and producing singles? What challenges did you face or experience?
Estrada: A lot of the recording process itself feels the same. But when you have an album in mind, and a group of songs you feel are cohesive, the amount of different parts and production processes happening all at once can feel a little overwhelming. That being said, because this album stretches across so many genres, it made every day in the studio feel fresh and exciting.
OSR: Looking at Swollen Eyes as an album, what can you tell us about it? Is there a backstory or particular theme?
Estrada: This album is about love, and loss, and being open with your feelings and emotions. This is an extremely personal album, and it feels like a direct reflection of my heart and experiences through life. I had the title Swollen Eyes in my mind since I made my first demos, and it felt especially fitting for the themes of this album.
OSR: If you were to introduce a new listener to your music, what song would you recommend?
Estrada: I would recommend the title track of this album, ‘Swollen Eyes’. It immediately throws you into my mental state and envelopes you in our musical style and voice.
OSR: What do you hope listeners take from the album, and what does it mean to you?
Estrada: I want people to love and grieve and dance and cry and laugh. I think this album encapsulates all of that. There are a lot of themes in this album, and I think anyone who listens to it will take away what they need from it. For me, this album has been my whole life for the last two years, and it’s created a musical family around me that will always be there, and I’m forever grateful for that.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Estrada: Music is my first language, and truly what I believe my purpose on earth is. I would not be alive if it weren’t for music and the community it has brought me.
OSR: You have numerous shows behind you, so what has been your most memorable performance to date? Also, why that particular gig?
Estrada: Our album release show at Mississippi Studios is what comes to mind as a memorable performance for me. There was so much love and support and magic in that room that night. I feel like as a band, we were so in the moment with each other and with the crowd; you could truly feel the energy in the room.
OSR: What can we expect from BendreTheGiant in the future? Any more releases or tours?
Estrada: We are already in the studio working on new music; we have a bunch of upcoming festivals we are stoked to be a part of, and we will continue to tour later in the year!
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Estrada: Support local music. And keep supporting sources like this that spotlight small artists like us. We put so much love and effort into this album, and we hope you fall in love with it like we did while making it.
Many thanks to Ben Estrada for speaking with us! Find out more about BendreTheGiant on their Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Xurban Music.
