We were lucky to catch up with Ben Armstrong recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I remember writing a song when I was about 14, and at that time, I thought it was really great, even though it wasn’t. I was a big fan of The Beatles and The Who, and that’s what inspired me to start writing songs. Newspaper Taxis is actually the first band I’ve been a part of, and we’ve been playing in the Raleigh area for about two years.

When it comes to getting a band off the ground and thriving in the music scene, here’s what I think: First, play in front of an audience as much as you can. Second, go to other bands’ shows and support the music scene you want to be a part of. Making friends and discovering artists is what makes this whole thing worthwhile.

The biggest challenge in getting better at songwriting and performing has been the endurance it takes to be a local band playing our own material. It’s like running a marathon; it takes time to build up a repertoire and a fanbase. But I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with the time we’ve put in so far.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce the band to our readers.

Matios (on drums), Stephen (on bass), and I found our way into this band through the open mic circuit. We just clicked, sharing a love for the same kind of music. What sets Newspaper Taxis apart, in my opinion, is our knack for writing short, catchy songs that get stuck in your head. People often liken us to R.E.M. and The Replacements. But what I take pride in is the quality of our songs and our commitment to the DIY ethos.

Our debut album was made in Stephen and Matios’s living room, and for our recent singles, we’ve teamed up with our buddy JB for production. Even our band T-shirts, I’ve screen-printed in my garage. It’s all about that DIY spirit.

One thing we’re really proud of is the energy we bring to our live shows. We aim to give our audience an electrifying experience when they come to see us. That’s what Newspaper Taxis is all about.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When it comes to dealing with social media for Newspaper Taxis, I’ve learned that it’s all about live shows. So, before each gig, I snap my fair share of photos and videos, especially for the ever-demanding Instagram. People are more inclined to show up when they’ve seen something pop up on Instagram, thinking they’re missing out on a good time. Document those moments and hope someone out there notices.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I’m all about setting some small goals, both for myself and our band. Right now, my small goal is to get a slot at a music festival – play to a larger crowd. We’ve got a ton of songs waiting to be recorded, so another album is definitely in the cards. And for that extra dash of ambition, I’ve got my sights set on a TV show appearance or something like that.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nptaxis/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@newspapertaxis7487?si=RNHJ0_lI93mX6tqR

Image Credits
Emily Armstrong