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Pluto Revolts

with:
  • Northbound
  • Drugstore Audio
  • We Are Snapdragon
Pluto Revolts was conceived in early 2008, a time that marked a period of significant reawakening for Cincinnati, Ohio vocalist/songwriter Benjamin James. Up to that point, James spent a decade writing music for his previous 4-piece band, an experience which also afforded him the opportunity to perform as a touring musician in clubs as far away as Japan, and as high-profile as the Warped Tour, before he even graduated high school. But unfortunately, even with an eventual major-label contract (Maverick Records), and a soon-to-follow full-length album with a platinum producer, the path that once seemed so promising was beginning to reveal its pitfalls. James realized the music he'd worked so hard to create for the group was wrought with artistic compromises in the end. Worst of all, the group's final album was destined for release-date-limbo; bound for nothing more than to collect dust on a shelf, because of the same bureaucratic worst-case-scenarios every musician prays will not happen to them. James was understandably frustrated, but not yet prepared to let the failure of that group's journey deter him from his individual dream. He decided to reboot, and funnel the energy into an entirely new project, one that would appeal to the instincts he was previously forced to ignore. This time, he would be equipped with assets most new artists lack: experience, humility, purpose, and a brand new surge of determination. Even down to the name itself signifying “rebirth,” with Pluto Revolts, James set out to shed his proverbial old skin and reveal a rawer, more distinct version of himself.
The result of that initial effort was an entirely self-produced debut EP called Suffer No Delusions, comprised of five songs showcasing a variety of influences from pop to electronic and alternative rock. The eclectic EP included songs such as “Numb” and “Control Freak,” which showcased previously untapped honesty and vulnerability from the songwriter - while the title track, “Suffer No Delusions,” showcased the scope of his vision and the wide landscape of genre-combining styles this project was free to explore. Additionally, the EP was released only weeks after completion, and initially only available as a free download from his website, which at the time, was a stark contrast from the industry-standard “waiting game” he'd just left behind. James' mission in releasing the music in such a manner was to build a stronger, more visceral relationship with his fans.
Fast forward nearly two years and Pluto Revolts' second release, an even broader and more experimental EP simply titled, Collisions, hit iTunes in April 2010. James claims the gap between the two albums can simply be attributed to exploring various other styles of music, and styles of recording. James was unsatisfied with the results of nearly every demo that accumulated between EPs - mostly acoustic songs, and songs recorded with his live band members. So by the Fall of 2009, James scrapped everything and, once again, went back the drawing board. The song titled “Closure” soon emerged, with a more unconventional pop sound, and inspired the production of his first-ever music video, which he also co-directed. Quick to follow were the finishing touches to 5 more songs that accompanied the single and rounded out the EP. By early 2011, remix artists from around the globe – from Texas and Canada, all the way to South Africa, Israel and Europe - had put their own spin on “Closure,” which led to the release of a compilation entitled Feast Your Appetite: The Closure Remixes, as yet another free download via his website/Bandcamp. The music video for "Closure" was also picked up for FUSE Networks "On Demand" music video broadcasting service.
Now armed with a consistent group of players, James has spent the past few years building the strength of Pluto Revolts' live show, to the point where the band is now consistently headlining shows at many of the areas most reputable venues and coveted stages, including The Southgate House and Madison Theater. In 2012, a new single "Lightning" was released online via exclusive partnership with Cincymusic.com, and has since been broadcast on local FM stations WEBN, ClassX, theproject, and the short lived Cincy Rock 94.5. The band has earned the reputation from CincyMusic.com as "one of the most dedicated artists in the Cincinnati music scene", and ended the 2013 concert season with an appearance at Fountain Square for Cincy Beerfest. James has since been hard at work in the studio again, preparing for a release of several singles, and potentially another album in the Summer of 2014. While James isn't sure exactly what musical avenues his songs have yet to explore, he's happy to continue pushing himself and his band-mates to the limits of their abilities, and challenging himself with their upcoming release and live performances. He's committed to constantly learning from his experiences and from the artists that inspire him, and to also bring his fans music that, if nothing else, is a true, unadulterated portrait of himself.

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