Celebrating 25 of my favorite musical people, places, and things from the last 25 years.

(All photos by CirdecSongs, except where indicated)

On rare occasion, the music gods bestow upon me one of “those” bands. You know … one of those game-changing bands that provides a fundamental shift in the way you hear music. It happened to me in a huge way in 2015. That was when I was introduced to Bent Knee.

Based in Boston, Bent Knee consisted of six top-tier musicians who met at the Berklee College of Music. What they produced is some of the most original music I had ever heard. While Berklee student’s are known for their individual expertise, this group wasn’t about chops. They were about songcraft. And what glorious soundcraft it was!

Many genre labels have been attached to Bent Knee, but they simply do not fit in a single box. For me, the best music defies definition. These guys were right up my alley. If a label must be assigned to them, avant-pop is about as close as anything I’ve heard.

The first Bent Knee song I ever heard was called “Being Human.” It took a long time for my jaw to reel itself in from the floor. The power coming from this sextet was obvious and nearly overwhelming. It don’t take long for me to obtain a copy of Shiny-Eyed Babies, the album where the song came from.

The band’s music even caught the attention of my daughter, who was about 12 at the time. Kids seem to go out of their way to ignore the music their parents enjoy. My daughter was no different. But one day, something magical happened. She had come to my den to let me know dinner was ready. But she stopped dead in her tracks while “Being Human” ripped through the room via my speakers.

She asked who the band was and I told her. “Wow,” she said, jaw somewhat open like mine had been. “She’s really powerful. Either she’s a really good writer or she’s got some serious problems!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. So did she. I’ve always believed the best songs come from the deepest and most personal places. Then my precious child asked to hear the song again. Just like that, she — like me — became a fan. I regret that we were never able to attend a show together.

The “she” my daughter was referring to is lead vocalist and keyboardist Courtney Swain, who possesses one of my two favorite singing voices of the last 25 years. Swain’s voice is no-nonsense powerful. You believe every word coming out of her mouth once you stand up from being knocked over. This is especially brilliant because she has to cut through keys, guitar, bass, violin, and drums, along with added production value. It makes for an intense musical din! But there Courtney was, up front and delightfully in your face. It’s positively mesmerizing!

Providing harmony vocals and playing bass was Jessica Kion, whose voice is also plenty powerful, providing a brilliant foil for Courtney. When the two of them sing harmonies on “Battle Creek,” everything else in the world comes to a standstill. All you hear is those voices reaching the heavens like angels amongst us mere mortals.

Jessica also provides a rock-solid low-end groove, giving the band a nice place to live while the whirling dervish of music whirls around them.

Manning the guitar station was Ben Levin (whom I’m proud to say hails from St. Louis like I do). His playing cuts through the high frequencies, piercing eardrums as he plays. He also represented the sextet’s drive, doing so mostly without the guitar solo pyrotechnics one might come to expect from a Berklee graduate. Ben is just as skilled at learning what not to play as he is otherwise. His playing is the epitome of tasteful.

Ben is a passionate musician who loves to keep things fun onstage. Once, he even chose to make me a part of the moment. I knew there were advantages to being upfront for a gig, but this moment was a bit beyond the pale.

Violinist/guitarist Chris Baum might have the toughest job in the band, as he must get his instrument to make its way through the his bandmate’s power. But he succeeds, in finding ways to bring a touch of delicacy to the proceedings around him. Chris is also a highly animated player, which no doubt helps him get his musical points across.

Vince Welch is the extremely low-key guitarist and production manager. His musical role is nearly as subtle as he is.^ Vince provides subtle added touches to Bent Knee’s music that could be missed if one doesn’t pay attention. The subtlety is what makes his contributions stronger. Ample evidence is provided by listening to Shiny-Eyed Babies’s original mix, then playing the recently released tenth anniversary remix, which Welch is responsible for. The additional found details can be astounding. Vince has a very talented ear, reminding me of what Steven Wilson has been doing to many classic albums.

Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth is a remarkably powered drummer. There is no mistaking who is taking care of Bent Knee’s rhythm. His kick drum will go straight through the chest as his snare provides a mighty crack. It would be easy for Gavin’s drums to take over the band’s mix, but taste and restraint prevail as he selectively chooses his spots to make the most impact.

Bent Knee is a high-energy band. The best way to capture that energy is when they’re onstage. When I watch the video for songs like “Catch Light,” it’s clear to me that they’re doing all they can to contain themselves.

There’s no need to worry about restraint in concert. One of the best shows I’ve ever attended was in 2022, when I caught Bent Knee in a small Chicago club called Scuba’s. A couple hundred people packed the room that night. I was at the very front, just stage right of Courtney’s keyboard riser. The stage itself was a little less than five feet high, making for a nice sightline for the fans in back.

That evening, energy was tangible. I could feel it flowing over me like a tidal wave. The band sent their energy out to the audience, who promptly returned it at a higher level. The band felt what was happening and raised its already high game. The energy coming back from the audience nearly blew a hole in the wall behind Gavin. It felt like I was in the wave’s way. No need to worry … the energy went right through me!

There was no way I could possibly be the only one feeling what was happening. And I wasn’t. At the end of a tune, I looked up and made eye contact with Courtney, who immediately smiled at me and mouthed the words “I KNOW” back to me. Her eyes were as wide as mine.

It was one of those unforgettable moments, reminding me why my favorite way to absorb music is, more often than not, in person. I myself have seen Bent Knee six or seven times in three states. It was worth the trip every time.

I have had the pleasure of interviewing Swain, Kion, and Wallace-Ailsworth over the past few years. Each chat puts on display the depth, passion, and thoughtfulness possessed by each of them as individuals and the band as a whole. And you’d be hard-pressed to meet better people. Their friendship is warm and genuine. When you speak to Bent Knee, you are the only person in the room to them.

The last time I saw Bent Knee was in 2024 at Reggie’s in Chicago. Courtney surprised me by shouting out my name to the audience as one of Bent Knee’s biggest supporters over the years. The audience may not have known me from a hole in the wall, but it’s a moment I will cherish forever all the same.

I asked Courtney about the importance of Bent Knee’s fanbase. She gave me an incredibly thoughtful answer with a personal touch that moved me. “Over the years, Bent Knee fans have fed us, housed us, given us rides, lent us gear, shared their creativity with us, and shown up in so many different ways that go far beyond buying a ticket or listening to our music,” she said. “We’ve never stopped being amazed by that kind of generosity, and it’s shaped who we are as a band and as humans. Cedric, you’re part of that community, and we’re so grateful to all of you!”

Sadly, Ben and Jessica (who are married) have left the band, as life on the road finally became too much of a grind. It’s a thought no doubt shared by the many musicians who spend hundreds of days away from home in order to get their music heard. Ben has developed several solo projects as has Kion, who works under the band name Justice Cow. Courtney has also released some quality work as a solo artist.

The remaining Bent Knee quartet, meanwhile, has chosen to soldier on and do so with enthusiasm. Their latest album, Twenty Pills Without Water, is ample proof. Seeing the band members take on slightly different roles (like Courtney moving between keys and bass) took a little getting used to, but there’s definitely no questioning where those Berklee skills come in handy. These guys will be just fine.

If there is one band I will never get tired of talking about, it’s Bent Knee. They display what is possible in music when you throw out the genre labels and just the music be whatever it’s going to be. You never know … you just might capture brilliance, as this group most certainly does.

^ — Vince Welch maintains a very stern and stoic look while performing onstage. I’ve told him I have a goal of making him laugh during a performance. Something tells me this will be a bit of a challenge.

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed or have your band photographed when performing in Chicago, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com