The Bad Wolf Team
- Mar 19
- 5 min read

Benton Crane unveils "Living Outstretched" - An incredible auditory experience that explores liminality in the quest for purpose and meaning.

Dynamism and creativity are characteristics that are increasingly valued as they are precisely difficult to find. It seems that the advancement of technology and the democratization of art, instead of delivering the musical paradise that any music enthusiast could dream of, has only brought about a growing general disinterest from the audience in response to a saturated musical catalog where much of the music we encounter seems to be simply packaged.

That's why at Bad Wolf Records, we constantly emphasize why independent music has that distinctive essence; that unique flavor that those artists who are driven by the love to create are capable of bringing in their compositions. Under this premise, it is coherent to recognize that it is in independent art where we can find those true "gems" of music, and who better to demonstrate this than our special guest today, Benton Crane, who has kindly shared with us today his latest creation; "Living Outstretched," a captivating and dynamic three-part composition that manages to take the listener through various intense emotions throughout what will surely be the best 8 minutes of your day.

But... wait a moment. Who is Benton Crane? Join us in this article to learn more about this talented artist.

About Benton Crane

Benton Crane is a talented and experienced musician and composer hailing from Boulder, Colorado. With a spectacular discography that began in 2021 with his album "Welcome to Paradise," which also includes numerous promotional singles, he has managed to carve out a place for his name in the independent rock scene.

His characteristic approach to musical composition is precisely what sets him apart from the rest, as his music is full of authenticity not only through each note but also in his incredible and palpable ability to tell stories while freely blending different musical styles, thus giving rise to a genre that belongs exclusively to him and his inexhaustible creativity.

Exploring Benton Crane's latest work: "Living Outstretched"

Following the success of his previous release, "Invisible Child," which undoubtedly caught the attention not only of numerous listeners worldwide but also of prominent music press outlets, today the young American artist returns with full force and vigor to once again surprise us with what is surely one of his most outstanding and ambitious releases to date.

>Listen to "Living Outstretched" on Spotify<

"Living Outstretched" is an exquisite and immersive composition that delves into that well-known sensation of 'emptiness' that knocks on your door during our teenage years, or in some cases, returns to pay us an unfortunate visit near our 30s. You probably know what we're talking about at this point; colors start to fade, the sun's brightness seems to dull among the clouds, and the path we must follow becomes increasingly blurred. Benton Crane, through captivating lyrical work, manages to portray this feeling incredibly vividly, bringing that situation to the forefront and combining it with an intricate structure that accompanies his narrative.

One of the aspects that predominantly stands out in this song from a technical perspective is how the sounds, beyond presenting themselves with incredible depth and definition, are perceived more as auditory layers. They are true sonic blankets that embrace the listener and draw them into the music inevitably, only to release them once the song concludes.

Part I: Lost in the existential void.

During the first section of "Living Outstretched," the listener will feel how the reverberant sound of the guitar in the hands of Andrew Krist, Crane's long-time musical collaborator, a relaxed tempo executed by impeccable percussion work, and the skillful combination of softly positioned vocal lines over synthesizers suggest a feeling of suffocation and desolation. The 'Rotary' effect accompanying the keyboards propels this sensation as if we were underwater, struggling to get a breath of air.

However, Crane hasn't brought us this piece for us to sink into that abyss of mental confusion that overwhelms us when we are in complete solitude. But remember, it's always darkest before the dawn. Rather, his well-known mission to serve as a beacon in the midst of despair for those who listen to him is once again present in this wonderful composition. Starting from the 2:00 mark, he gifts us one of the best-executed musical transitions in the contemporary indie rock scene.

From this point on, both the instrumental background and Crane's emotional vocal interpretation take on a warm and welcoming tone. The lyrics, singing phrases like "So you can see outside we're alive, and look out your window, see the sun still shines," extend that helping hand that we often hope for, but sometimes never reaches our cry. In this way, Crane's nostalgic narrative takes on significant importance, even changing the perspective through which we see things while we are engulfed in the midst of chaos.

Part II: When life changes, everything begins to look and sound different.

When we experience positive changes in our lives, they require time for us to adapt to our new reality. Generally, we start to perceive even the smallest details differently, and time itself seems to pass more slowly, with more calmness. Crane clearly understands this very well, as from the 2:40 mark, he delivers a wonderful instrumental section that is a true delight for the ears. It allows us to enjoy this sort of reinvention and self-discovery, giving us enough space to digest this new paradigm shift.

Part 3: The Captivating Finale

Crane, as the skilled storyteller he is, not only manages to convey his message through his words but is also a master of the art of composition. He closes this captivating musical experience with an epic finale, revealing magnificent compositional cohesion on his part. Through a spectacular synthesizer melody that emerges like a post-credit scene from the finest gems of classic cinema, Benton Crane gifts us with a captivating melodic sequence that could easily be part of the soundtrack of "2001: A Space Odyssey" for its entrancing and circular essence. It evokes the cyclical nature of life itself and its ups and downs in the pursuit of purpose and meaning, suggesting subjectively that life continues far beyond what our despairing souls can see in the midst of the storm.

The Music Video:

Benton Crane is always willing to raise the stakes, and "Living Outstretched" not only boasts unparalleled musical depth but its visual accompaniment is a true masterpiece that transcends the conventional. The music video, with its VHS-style aesthetics and lo-fi quality, not only transports us to a bygone era but also immerses us in the liminal, that intermediate space between the known and the unknown, where blurry images and screen static seem to reflect the moments of transition and search for meaning that the song evokes. Through this fusion of visual and auditory elements, the music video for "Living Outstretched" manages to capture the very essence of the song, inviting us to reflect on the limits of our own perception and experience.

If you've enjoyed this gem, we invite you to explore more of Benton Crane's discography, which is undoubtedly worth exploring, and you can find it at the following >link<

Additionally, don't forget to follow Benton Crane on his social media channels to stay updated on his latest news and upcoming releases!