A core component of life is unpredictability. I have spent countless hours between learning and practicing mindfulness, Zen philosophy, improvisational comedy, and even a couple of years of kung fu to learn how to adapt and adjust to all of life’s changes. The result of embracing change and the unexpected is that you can take negative impacts in stride, feel more in touch with what is immediately happening and process it as it happens, and the best part, accepting new joys with surprise and excitement.
One of these surprises happened at the end of June. I put together a little show at a local venue. I mostly wanted my friends’ black metal band to play, but like DIY shows tend to go, it snowballed. Eventually, we had six bands on the bill, mostly metal, but the last minute additions were folky, indie groups. Upon listening to them, I immediately fell in love with Troy Bennett’s Graveyard Lips. I approached Troy after the show and thanked him for the set, bought a tape, and then (a few dad pops in) asked if he would like to be interviewed and featured for a Weekly Featured Artist segment here at Everything Is Noise.
He agreed and we went our separate ways until this opportunity presented itself. Over the last month and some change, I have found a lot of comfort in Troy’s music, helping me through mourning and grief and the ever callous world we navigate as a society. The manager of the venue we had the show at passed away, unexpectedly, the morning after the show. It sent a massive wave of sadness throughout our local art community, as he had hosted community theatre, improv, comedy, burlesque, dance, art shows, benefit shows, film festivals, and many concerts as well as being a long time friend to myself and many.
Troy Bennett’s Graveyard Lips provided a welcome dose of sad boi tunes with a hopeful air to get me through this rough patch. The Louisiana-based project is a, ‘rotating door of musicians,’ as Troy puts it, playing sweetly voiced singer/songwriter folk with a dose of electronics and a pop sensibility that is as catchy as it is tender, calling to mind Elliot Smith and Bon Iver.
‘The project started right at the end of 2019 which sucks because before I could do any real shows/touring COVID hit which derailed any live activity until the end of 2021 when I played my first show with a full band at The Goat in New Orleans which is a super cool Goth/Metal club owned by my homie Matt Checki,’ Troy says about the history of the band. After a series of demos and singles, Graveyard Lips released their debut record, (Bare)Ly Existing in 2023.
Troy is no stranger to the music scene, ‘I have been playing in metal bands for most of my adult life, but I would always be playing folk and softer stuff at the house and on my own time. I actually recorded a solo record back in 2013 under the moniker Broken Bird Call. This is more of that, but with more exploration and less ‘I just got dumped’ by a girlfriend angst.’ he says. This music is a far cry from his previous work with Baton Rouge black metal project Barghest, of which Troy handled bass and vocal duties. Though the cover of (Bare)Ly Existing could easily be mistaken for a metal album’s art, featuring a masked man in a leather jacket being strangled by someone’s hands.
Lyrically, Bennett employs metaphor, direct storytelling, and hooky refrains to send positive messages about growth and change. ‘Most of my lyrics from my last record (Bare)Ly Existing just come from my own personal battles with addiction, heartache, depression and a less-than-stellar childhood,’ he says. While these themes can be heavy, I found the overall message to be determination in the face of life’s complications. In “Root(ing For You)” he sings ‘I am just a simple root, trying to find the sun/and blossom with forgiveness of my past and what’s to come.’ That little line carries so much weight for me, and I imagine many, it its portrayal of growth and kindness to oneself and the others.
While Troy Bennett’s Graveyard Lips is uniquely its own sound, Troy says he takes inspiration from, ‘Justin Vernon of Bon Iver hands down. His experimentation and continued musical evolution continue to inspire me to keep trying different things and not get stuck with a formulaic approach to writing music.’ He is further influenced by, ‘Lately a lot of post punk/dark wave House of Harm, Drab Majesty, but also Keaton Henson, Anjimile, Phoebe Bridgers writes some killer hooks.‘ I greatly appreciate musical diversity, and these influences come through on (Bare)Ly Existing, in particular on opener “Dr(O)Ne” that displays some experimental touches to kick off the album. This experimentation is brought back in the lovely layered vocals on “You Were” featuring additional vocals from Silver Golding.
‘[…]Getting (Bare)Ly Exiting into the world and playing those songs at shows with some of my best friends in new placers and meeting new cool people,’ has been a highlight for Troy, so far, though this has been met with some challenges’ ‘The rotating door of musicians is tricky, but I’ve learned to just be flexible and try to make it work as best I can so you may never see the same ‘person configuration’ at any given show. Just depends on the circumstances and who is available,’ he says.
The collectivist approach to making and playing music is certainly a challenge on its own, but it is a community building endeavor that can produce marvelous results. Like theatre, bringing a diverse crew together to create something unique and in the moment has a resonating impact on the audience. The spirit of collaboration creates and builds a scene, something people can identify with and appreciate whether an insider or an outsider. Though that doesn’t take away from solo art. While we can expect ‘more shows and songs for the ears’ this year from Troy Bennett’s Graveyard Lips, he says ‘The next record I’m working on with be a little more minimalistic in approach to give it a more intimate feeling.’
I’m eager to hear new material from this talented songwriter, though this music has clashed and interrupted my summer of skramz and hip-hop, it has been a welcomed addition to my listening rotation. Sweet, calming, and thoughtful music always has a place in my collection, and I am very glad to have had the surprise of Troy Bennett’s Graveyard Lips enter that category. Follow TBGL on Facebook and pick up some tunes from their Bandcamp.
Troy Bennett’s Graveyard Lips is:
Troy Bennett with rotating assistance from Nat Heck, Ryan Church, Wade Hymel, Matt Strattman, AJ Martinez, and Marisa with additional collaborations from bands Wonder Kid and Silver Golding.
