» Indie in Design

On the surface, Ben Godfrey seems like he’s just your above-average rock star Adceteran. Turns out, he’s an above-average rock star rock star Adceteran.

When he’s not creating ultra-cool design, Godfrey spends his time on his real passion—music. The frontman of alt-folk band listen!listen! for almost seven years, Godfrey writes, performs and produces with his bandmates in Houston. They have two full-length albums, Dog and Hymns from Rhodesia, and although they have taken time off from performing, they are working on new material which Godfrey speculates will be released online or in a small run soon. 

Godfrey also writes and performs under the name B.E. Godfrey, giving him an outlet for music that wouldn’t necessarily fit with the band’s style. He says, “I have these songs I’m happy with … I want to do something with them.” Described as “a short poem to listen!listen!’s grand epic,” Godfrey’s solo work has a more intimate feel, and it allows him to continue to do live performances when he can.

With influences ranging from the contemporary to the classic, from Bon Iver to Leonard Cohen, the band’s style is unlike any other. For example, while most bands feature only a few instruments, listen!listen! incorporates everything from banjos to euphoniums, as well as unorthodox “instruments” like heavy chains and hammers. This eclectic sound serves to create a decidedly dark, yet surprisingly fresh perspective on the shadows of human existence.

But it’s more about good music than death and loss. Caught somewhere between what Godfrey describes as “impending doom and impending hope,” the music creates a sense of urgency to examine where you are and where you’re going.

Laid-back and cool, Godfrey himself is far from dark. His favorite Saturday pastime is visiting garage sales for vintage finds, and his eyes light up when he describes one of his favorite performances—an intimate, low-key show at a warehouse in Brooklyn. For Godfrey, music is what makes everything else make sense.

As for us, we’re just glad to have him creating great design.