Premiere: Betty Benedeadly ‘The Voice Of The Fire’ – From New EP That Releases 18th February

When Sheverb guitarist Betty Benedeadly’s solo debut EP From The Mesa landed at Shaman HQ twelve months ago, we were instantly hooked with her take on guitar-led instrumental surf rock, so you can only imagine the joy when we heard she was releasing a four-track follow up, The Adventures Of Mabel & Carter, next month.

Betty Benedeadly - Photo by Kelsey Elizabeth
Betty Benedeadly – Photo by Kelsey Elizabeth

Once again, it’s being ushered out into the world by New Mexico’s Desert Records, and today, prior to its official release on 18th February, we can bring you the Carter-scratchin’, psychedelic folk tune featuring fuzzed out guitars, spoons, and even a little accordion that is The Voice Of The Fire.

Benedeadly gives us the lowdown, ‘True to the ethos of this EP, The Voice Of The Fire is also a bit of a time capsule, a collage of the friends and experiences I had on the road while writing it. In Joshua Tree, I met fellow van-dwelling musician Heather Thomas, who is featured on the drums in this track. The song title came from Dusty Santamaria, who I was touring with in New Mexico while these songs were in post-production. And the songs themselves were recorded with road-tripping partner and musical collaborator Braden Guess, who not only taught me the Carter scratch, but also helped raise those two beautiful birds.’

Then concludes by adding, ‘I’m so proud of everything about this EP, and I love that this song will always remind me of the chance encounters that unfolded while hitting the dusty trail this past summer.’

Now click play below to be whisked away by The Voice Of The Fire

More On Betty Benedeadly & ‘The Adventures Of Mabel & Carter’

Betty Benedeadly’s second EP continues the solo musician’s sonic exploration of psychedelic folk, blending her signature cinematic, spaghetti western guitar riffs with surf, Americana and rock & roll. These desert-invoking instrumentals conjure images of dusty horse trails and the open road. They embody the expansive sense of freedom that the American Southwest and road trip adventures inspire, particularly in a civilization emerging from a global pandemic.

Betty Benedeadly with Mabel & Carter
Betty Benedeadly with Mabel & Carter her Polish chicks

As she left behind the solitude and dusty mesas of northern New Mexico, she headed to Joshua Tree, raising two baby Polish chicks in her van along the way. ‘At that time, I’d recently learned of Mother Maybelle Carter and began to understand that so many of the guitar lineages I aspire to uphold trace their roots back to this singular woman. She was a matriarch and architect of what eventually became rock & roll, and so few people know her name. Naturally, I named my new chicks Mabel and Carter in tribute.’

Living out of the van, and now raising Mabel and Carter, Benedeadly studied the style of guitar playing popularized by Maybelle Carter known as the Carter scratch. ‘While exploring Joshua Tree, picking my guitar on the porches of Pioneertown, practicing the Carter scratch, and playing with my chicks, these songs were born,’ says Benedeadly, adding ‘This album was truly made of chicken scratch and Carter scratch.’

Betty Benedeadly 'The Adventures Of Mabel Carter'
Betty Benedeadly ‘The Adventures Of Mabel Carter’ Artwork

The Adventures Of Mabel & Carter Tracklisting:
01. Rite Of The Dusty Trail
02. The Voice Of The Fire
03. Transmutation
04. Release The Reins

Playing on The Adventures Of Mabel & Carter is:
Betty Benedeadly – Guitar
Braden Guess – Guitar, Bass, Percussion
Heather Thomas – Drums on The Voice Of The Fire
Belle Cardinal – Vocals, Singing Bowls on Transmutation

The Adventures Of Mabel & Carter Credits:
Braden Guess – Music Director
Phil Kegley, The Oven – Recording, Mixing
Cris Burns, Ameripolitan Studios – Mixing, Mastering
Album Art by Betty Benedeadly
Executive Producer Tami B

Betty Benedeadly‘s sophomore EP The Adventures of Mabel & Carter releases on the 18th February through Desert Records, pre-orders for the CD and Digital Download are available over on Bandcamp.

Label: Desert Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram