Local musician and composer Ben Sloan joined Indra Raj live in the KGNU studio for a conversation and performance ahead of his March 7 show at the Glob DIY space in Denver. Sloan discussed his creative process blending drums, electronics, and sampled sounds, as well as his work in film scoring and animation. He shared stories about his musical influences, including Tony Allen and Kassa Overall, and reflected on finding inspiration across sound and visual art. The Glob performance will feature experimental live visuals and benefit the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. (Air date: 2/10/2025)
Indra Raj: I’m going to welcome Ben Sloan into our studio. He’s a local musician who’ll be performing on March 7 at the Glob DIY space in Denver. It’s a fundraiser, and we’ll hear all about it. Welcome, Ben.
Ben Sloan: Hi, thank you for having me.
Indra Raj: You’re a drummer, so you probably appreciate Tony Allen.
Ben Sloan: Tony Allen all day. And Kassa—just incredible.
Indra Raj: I went to college with him!
Ben Sloan: What? I just saw him live for the first time at Big Ears Festival. It was amazing.
Indra Raj: I used to see him play all the time at Oberlin. He commands the space and is so talented—as a producer, rapper, and more.
Ben Sloan: Yeah, he’s killing it.
Indra Raj: Let’s get into your music and the show you’re playing. Why don’t we start with some music?
[Ben Sloan performs live in the KGNU studio.]
Indra Raj: You’re listening to KGNU. Thank you, Ben, for that wonderful first piece.
Ben Sloan: Thanks for having me. I hope that translated.
Indra Raj: It sounded great. For listeners who might imagine a full band, it’s just you with your drum set and electronics. Tell us how that track came together.
Ben Sloan: That one actually started as a score for a coffee grinder commercial. I decided it was too cool for that, so I kept it for myself. I use an array of electronics—trigger pads and sensory percussion—which map the drums so I can control effects like delays and reverbs depending on where and how I’m hitting.
Indra Raj: And the piano and saxophone sounds—did you record those?
Ben Sloan: The piano is me, though I cheated a bit with the system. Some of the saxophone parts are samples from friends or things I’ve collected. The big solo you heard is from Sam Gendel. I ripped it offline because I love his music and hope to collaborate with him someday.
Indra Raj: He’s so wonderful.
Ben Sloan: Yeah, and sampling like that feels like part of the modern art lineage. You can grab sounds from YouTube, and that’s just part of how we create now.
Indra Raj: Exactly. Technology lets us experiment and make new art. So, you have this deep background in composition—did you start there?
Ben Sloan: Not really. I started with drums. My stepdad’s a drummer, and some of this kit was his. My dad got me into early audio programs like Pro Tools and Reason when I was a kid. That’s how I started making sounds and tracks. I think a lot of percussionists become composers or engineers—Kassa is a great example. I’ve always loved editing, found sounds, and manipulating recordings. Over time, that evolved into composing for film and scoring work.
Indra Raj: And that’s led you to linking visuals and sound. I’d love to hear more, but first, maybe another performance?
Ben Sloan: Sure. I’ll play two more—one is fast drumming, and one’s more experimental.
[Ben Sloan performs live.]
Indra Raj: You’re tuned into the Afternoon Sound Alternative with Ben Sloan live in the studio. This is all so interesting.
Ben Sloan: That last one’s still an experiment—I’m figuring out what it is.
Indra Raj: You’ve done so much—played with Moses Sumney, The National, Madeline Kenney, and more. You have a solo album, do sound design and production, and compose film scores. Your release Muted Colors has a visual component too, right?
Ben Sloan: Yeah. I love animation. During the pandemic, my partner got an iPad, and I started teaching myself animation frame by frame in Procreate. It became an obsession, and those experiments turned into visualizers for the record.
Indra Raj: Have you always been a visual artist?
Ben Sloan: Kind of. I used to paint Dungeons & Dragons figurines and build dioramas. My mom ran an arts organization, my stepdad’s a sculptor, and my dad was a woodworker—so I grew up surrounded by art.
Indra Raj: That’s great. Kids often get pigeonholed into one thing, so it’s cool that you’ve kept both music and visual art in your life.
Ben Sloan: Yeah, though I’m very self-critical. You see so much amazing art out there and it’s easy to feel like you’re not measuring up.
Indra Raj: Definitely. Most artists feel that way—it’s easy to be your own worst critic.
Ben Sloan: Totally.
Indra Raj: Well, I’m really enjoying your work. Tell us more about your March 7 show at Glob.
Ben Sloan: A friend, Sean Makau—who DJs here at KGNU—helped make it happen. He’s such a great connector in the local scene. I’ll be performing with Stevie, who does experimental, dancey music, and Luke, who’s performing as Dub Harp. I’ll open with some of what you’re hearing today and some harder, dance-focused stuff. The show’s a fundraiser for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, supporting folks affected by ICE. It’s a great cause, and yes, there’ll be a smoke machine.
Indra Raj: Amazing. Any visuals during your set?
Ben Sloan: Yeah, I’m working on projections that’ll respond to my playing, plus some of my own animation. And, of course, the fog machine.
Indra Raj: Perfect. How can people find out more?
Ben Sloan: Follow Glob’s Instagram at @glob_underscore. You can also find me at @bendylansloan on Instagram—I’ll post clips and updates there.
Indra Raj: You spend a lot of time on tour too, right?
Ben Sloan: Yeah, I recently toured with Daniel Noah Miller, and I play with Beth Orton a lot. I just finished a record with Madeline Kenney—we’re planning a summer tour. I’m proud of that one.
Indra Raj: We’re so lucky to have you here in Denver.
Ben Sloan: I’m lucky to be here. Thanks for having me.
Indra Raj: Shout out to Sean Makau, aka Bob Cosmo, for helping make this performance happen. Before we wrap up, can we hear one more tune?
Ben Sloan: Sure. This one’s called Muted Colors. It features my friend Liz Wolf. It feels a little immature to me now, but I still love it.
[Ben Sloan performs “Muted Colors.”]
Indra Raj: You’re listening to the Afternoon Sound Alternative on KGNU. Ben, it’s been such a pleasure having you.
Ben Sloan: Thank you so much, Indra. It’s been an honor.
Indra Raj: Listeners can find more about Ben at @bendylansloan or on his website. Again, his show is March 7 at the Glob DIY space in Denver, a fundraiser for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. Thanks so much, Ben.
Ben Sloan: Thank you.
Indra Raj: We’ll have you back again soon.
Ben Sloan: Woohoo! Thanks, KGNU.
