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Equal parts country traditionalists and psychedelic explorers, Benson Highway Band bridges the gap between classic storytelling and modern-day sonic experimentation. Formed in late 2023, the band draws inspiration from the raw honesty of Tracy Lawrence, the hazy atmospherics of Galaxie 500, the poetic sorrow of Townes Van Zandt, and the lo-fi urgency of Guided By Voices.
The project came to life after longtime friends Sean Whalen and Lucas Steele reconnected—by chance—at a Mudhoney show. Whalen, having spent years in Brooklyn before returning to the Southwest, found himself bored at the gig, only to run into Steele after more than a decade apart. That meeting reignited a musical partnership that quickly found its footing in the Americana and alternative country scenes.
Their 2024 debut album, East Side Blues, was an autobiographical collection of songs steeped in grief, reflecting on Whalen’s post-pandemic life, divorce, and the passage of time. The album resonated with a growing audience, earning underground success and establishing Benson Highway Band as a fresh yet deeply rooted voice in the modern country-psych landscape.
Benson Highway Band has shared the stage with artists like Riley Downing of Deslondes fame and remains deeply connected to the Southwest Americana and alt-country scene. As they continue to push boundaries while honoring tradition, Benson Highway Band is carving out a space all their own.