IMITATION FIELDS is a vivid dreamscape of acoustic immediacy and electronic fantasy, and the debut solo album by guitarist/composer Ben Garnett. Heartbreaking melodies feel like an outpouring; deep trancelike pulses and unintelligible “sounds” articulate the mood; and acoustic nuances wholly demonstrate the craft. The electronic manipulation is at times like the voice of a disarming narrator, turning momentarily from the live performance and speaking to you directly. Jazz-informed arrangements form the basis of an album you’d call “experimental string band” by any measure, and Ben’s ingenuity attracted the participation of some of the genre’s most acclaimed players. It’s refreshing to hear how Ben utilizes them. Produced by Chris Eldridge (Punch Brothers), the album features him on additional guitar, Brittany Haas and Billy Contreras (fiddles), Paul Kowert (bass), Matthew Davis (banjo), Dominick Leslie (mandolins), and a string quartet. Fans of progressive acoustic music will hear familiar sounds deployed in new ways, and all around music lovers will find themselves descending into a gorgeously unusual sonic naturescape. The music is new, relatable, and delivered with intent. Not short on ambition, IMITATION FIELDS culminates into a dense, beautiful debut that is self-assured and singular.

“Ben Garnett has made a beautiful record. Songs that are modern and musical, bringing out the best in every musician involved. I’ll be listening to this for a long time.”
—Bryan Sutton 

Producer, Guitar, Engineer / Chris Eldridge
Guitar, Electronics, Composer / Ben Garnett
Fiddle / Billy Contreras
Fiddle / Brittany Haas
Bass / Paul Kowert
Banjo / Matthew Davis
Mandolin, Mandola / Dominick Leslie
Violin / Annaliese Kowert
Cello / Joshua Dent
Snare Drum, Glockenspiel / Matt Young
Engineer / Ben Surratt
Engineer / Joe Pisapia
Mixing / Tomek Miernowski
Mastering / Gavin Lurssen
Album Artwork / Santiago Perez
Design / Loren Witcher