Bio:

Cricket Spin is the songs and stories of Ben Yonda performed with the help of handful of sympathizers and well-wishers. For their latest effort, Yonda assembled a group of folk singers,punk rock kids and classical musicians in a secluded Brooklyn basement to create "Grains of Salt, Grains of Sand". Fueled by a mixture of red wine and brightly colored sweets, the group created lush arrangements, adorned with orchestral swells and thoughtful melodies. Each song is built upon humble and intimate folk structures but weaved with rock guitars, piano and woodwinds to create a symphony of bipolar pop music. Live performances range from an eight piece electric ensemble to two piece acoustic duo.

Booking:

cricketspin@gmail.com

High Resolution Photographs:

Group (vertical) - download 300dpi
Group (Horizontal) - download 300dpi

Photography by Josh Horowitz and Cara Brower.

Press:

"Time changes and drastic shifts in song structure make for a surprisingly unpredictable listen, all of which is raspily naviagated by the friendly voice of Ben Yonda. Moreover, it says a lot when all of the fickle BTR DJs play the same band after recieving 20 new albums."

--BreakThru Radio [visit]

"Right now I would love to be on my friend’s roof, listening to Grains of Salt, Grains of Sand out of a crappy boombox, and waiting for the sun to go down to see what colors the empire state building will be lit up with. A couple of bottles of red wine would keep the night’s chill at bay and as I would stare off across the East River at the mass of lights that become more and more visible as the horizon gets darker, I wouldn’t stop thinking about how fortunate I am to be able to live in this city."

--Lost At Sea Magazine EPMD #15 [visit]

"So I got this CD in the mail last week from Cricket Spin and after a few listens, I've decided that its pretty good. The CD is called Grains Of Salt, Grains Of Sand and the songs range from slower folkier numbers to faster more energetic tunes. The Brooklyn band employs up to six musicians at any one time and their vast array of instruments to create hazy lo-fi orchestral pop.
It is frontman Ben Yonda's distinctive vocals (however) that really set them apart. Imagine the crackly croak of J Mascis meeting Sufjan's hushed melodies. It sometimes sounds too deliberate, but I still like it. Their sound is warm and inviting like Bailey's and coffee on a cold winter morning. Check 'em out.

--Can You See the Sunset from the Southside [visit]

"They come about post-Arcade Fire, Polyphonic Spree, and Sufjan Stevens, and though their sound is indicative of this, it is in no way derivative. Instead, the group, led by cracked-voiced wünderkind Ben Yonda, creates delicately beautiful soundscapes that tell winsome stories and navigate various emotional experiences. Never above a flute solo or xylophonic backups, Cricket Spin nevertheless manage to form a sound that escapes the sticky gray area of preciousness. They are instead a wonderful band of musicians who are equally in touch with their craft and their emotions. I will be quite surprised if they do not land major deals and attention by the year's end. "

--Like a Rolling Stone [visit]

"I recently bought three bags of holiday candy-- hershey's kisses and peppermint balls-- and have been relentlessly eating all of them ever since. Cricket Spin some how reminds me of that. When you see those candy-daydreams in movie sequences where the characters are walking or floating through this magical land made only of candy and sugary goodness. It is painfully like the sweet high I obtain from each peppermint ball, and then the aching candy hangover the morning after."

-- Rubbed by the Rasberry Jam Jam [visit]

"...moments of Small Faces, Elliott Smith and a strong Beatles-esq. influence. It’s all warm. Like that blanket that sits on your parents couch. The one you love to wrap up in by the fire while sipping tea with old friends. That’s what Cricket Spin feels like….old friends…always wonderful to run into."

-- Myself Myself [read more]

Sample Music

Love it When You Call [mp3]
(Grains of Salt, Grains of Sand)

Last Night Lovers [mp3]
(Grains of Salt, Grains of Sand)

To Talk Like [mp3]
(Grains of Salt, Grains of Sand)

So So Cinema [mp3]
("You Are My Home")