Search - Ben Ripani :: Hope Street

When rock and roll, country and western, rhythm and blues, and gospel collectively leave their footprints in song, it is affectionately called Americana. Embracing the classic yet contemporary sound of Americana in the tradition of artists like Ryan Adams and Wilco, a new voice is rising: Ben Ripani. Traveling the road that winds from the towering buildings of the metropolis to the rolling hills of the farmlands, Ben s songs tell stories of hope and love, of being lost and found; his music speaks of and to life s challenges and rewards. Hope Street is the debut solo album from Ben Ripani, who has previously released an EP with the San Diego band Down With Leo. The collection of songs written for Hope Street paint stories and pictures of life in transition, centered primarily on the American southwest, a place of discovery and renewal. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ben ventured west to San Diego where he formed the rock band Down With Leo. During his time with Down With Leo, Ben found his songwriting voice, stated to have perfected pace changes and sophisticated compositions to make every song interesting .Writing from a personal perspective about his life and his world, Lyrically, each track tells a story and the narrative is revealed as the song builds .(San Diego Reader Review) Ben s journey took him to Phoenix, Arizona where he continued pouring himself into song while learning about the recording process at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe. After finishing the Hope Street album, Ben returned to Chicago where he now delivers his Americana flavored messages of love, hope, and redemption to enthusiastic Windy City audiences.