we spoke to Ben Dehan of Free Friends about all of their released singles, what's to come, and what it's like being in a band with your better half.
We can hear plenty of influences in your recent music. Who would you say influenced the last string of singles?
For the latest string of songs that we just recorded (which will complete our full length), I leaned heavily into my 2000’s roots. I spent a lot of time listening to The Starting Line, Taking Back Sunday, and Brand New. There’s something really cool happening right now with that brand of emo coming back in bands like Hot Mulligan, Good Hangs, and Driveways and we’re here for it.
You are working with plenty of bands, and I won’t ask you to pick a favourite. But what is it like working with so many different people all the time? From legends such as hit the lights, to upcoming artists like Glimmers?
Honestly everyone we’ve worked with has been super professional and become fast friends. It’s cool getting to connect with other up and comers because they can relate with similar struggles and the bigger artists usually have some wisdom to drop.
Alongside that, you’re in the band with your better half! Surely that’s a dream?! How did you meet & decide that was the future for you?
Lauren and I met on hinge and it was never a plan to play music together. In fact, I didn’t know that she played cello for the first 6 months of our relationship and it wasn’t until her mom dropped it off during Covid that I found out. Of course we then proceeded to play our first cover - “I write sins not tragedies” (I mean she had a cello). From that point forward things just kept enfolding in a way that lead us to be in a band together and now I can’t see it any other way. We feel the same way about our drummer Gil.
You’ve released a string of singles, when will we see them turn into an EP/album? And in addition, when will more tracks be out?
We will be releasing a song every 8 weeks for the rest of the year. The next one drops March 27. Expect an EP this Summer and our full length early Fall!
What’s the plans for the next 12 months, album comes out? Then are we expecting some tours to follow and promote it?
As we continue to release singles into the summer we have tour dates (some posted some tba) and weekenders with the bands that we’ve worked with. Leading into Summer we’re ironing out a national tour and plan on continuing through 2024 in support of the album!
What’s your favourite single you’ve released so far?
Taking Time. It holds a special place in my heart for several reasons, making it my favorite track. Not only was it the debut release from Free Friends, marking a significant milestone for us, but the experience of working with Nick from Hit The Lights on this project was exceptional. Nick's professionalism, kindness, and genuine enthusiasm for the song made the process enjoyable and memorable.
On a personal note, the song resonates with me deeply as it reflects my battles with anxiety and depression, capturing the overwhelming need for a moment to pause and reset. Additionally, there's a nostalgic pull to the music that takes me back to the early 2000s, a formative time in my life. It stirs emotions within me, reminding me of my journey and growth both as an artist and an individual.
What do you tend to do when you aren’t musically involved?
This may sound trite but it’s true that I love to skate and have since I was a kid. I also enjoy reading and spending time with friends and family since we don’t have a ton of time for that right now.
With you collaborating with many artists, the last question begs, who is your dream artist to work with?
I’d love to work with Jim Adkins, mainly because Jimmy Eat World is one of my favorite bands and one of my biggest influences. I think he’s a masterful songwriter and good at compressing complex emotions into something relatable. I’d love to see what we might come up with together!
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