Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-03-04
Photo by Willie Osterman
Benny Bleu, an old-time banjo player in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York, will self-release his bold new album When I Am a Fossil on June 5, 2026. The project will be officially announced on March 25, 2026 alongside the lead track and an accompanying music video. Rooted in old-time tradition while pushing into jazz and global rhythms, When I Am a Fossil explores humanity’s relationship with the natural world—and with one another—through original songs, carefully chosen covers, and meditative banjo instrumentals.
Working with Benny Bleu on his forthcoming release, When I Am a Fossil, is a very refreshing experience. Benny plays old time banjo in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York. You won’t find him on social media, and he doesn’t own a smart phone. A Renaissance man in his own right, Benny is a geologist, accomplished banjo player and singer-songwriter whose music explores our relationship with the natural world—and with one another.
Pairing timely songwriting with his distinctive instrumental banjo work, When I Am a Fossil is ten years in the making and informed by the artist’s prior decade working as a geologist. At its core, the album is a concept record that draws on geological time, offering multiple perspectives on a singular theme: what it means to live on—and within—a changing planet. Geologic ages are defined by their fossils—the preserved evidence of life—and often marked by mass extinctions. Looking ahead, future geologists examining the Anthropocene—the present age defined by human impact—will likely identify another mass extinction event, one humanity both caused (“When I am A Fossil”) and endured (“I’ve Endured”). The album meditates on this paradox while offering shimmers of hope and wonderment in the wistful “Serenity Song” and “All I Want to Be.”
Ultimately, the record suggests that while economies are human inventions sustained by belief, climate change will march on whether we believe in it or not (“March of the Mollusk”). As environmental pressures intensify, future generations may be compelled to live simpler lives with less consumption and greater locality. In that simpler, more grounded world, the album proposes, folk music will not only persist—it will belong.
When I Am a Fossil also stands as a session record captured live in the studio. Recorded direct to tape over four days in May 2025 at 145 Studio in Millheim, Pennsylvania, the sessions prioritized spontaneity and ensemble chemistry. Co-produced with multi-instrumentalist Gus Tritsch—who tours with Jake Blount and contributes fiddle and guitar to the album—the project brings together an ensemble rooted in old time music yet expansive in scope. Drummer Huck Tritsch shapes the rhythmic landscape in close interplay with bassist Eric Heveron-Smith, while Katie Martucci of The Ladles adds luminous backing vocals. The record was mixed by Joseph “joebass” DeJarnette, a GRAMMY-nominated engineer recognized for his work on Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson’s What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow?
Putumayo will also be releasing “All I Want to Be” as part of their American Roots compilation.
GENRES: Folk, Old Time, Instrumental, Americana, Jazz
RIYL: Paul Simon, Pharis and Jason Romero, Béla Fleck, Bill Frisell, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Pete Seeger, Sam Amidon
FORMAT: CD / LP / DIGITAL
LABEL: Self-release
ALBUM RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2026
ANNOUNCE + FIRST SINGLE: March 25, 2026
MAR 25: Album Announce and first single + music video, “When I Am a Fossil”
At one time I was an environmental geologist. If this conjures images of mountains and lakes, think instead of gas stations and factories. I witnessed the residue of man’s progress. The title track answers a question I was asked on an exam once: How might a scientist from the deep future know we were here? Surely any advanced being that finds evidence of our great experiment would be impressed by how much stuff we accumulated! And surely they would be confused why we needed it all.
APR 15: second single “I’ve Endured”
[Olla Belle Reed cover] The fact that Ola sang “How long can man endure?” on the last chorus always gave me chills. And it catalogued this song as an environmental anthem in my mind. How long can man endure? How long can the golden rule endure? I like how the verses start and end with the thunder and lightning. They seem so oppressive at first. But compared with the poverty of the second verse and working for the rich in the third verse, by the time we get to the end, the thunder and lightning are welcome friends. We gathered around an ancient RCA 44 ribbon and tracked this song live so we could feel the harmonies in our skulls.
MAY 13: third single + lyric video, “Serenity Song”
Originally released on Warm Prickly with a somber, desperate tone. Later it was picked up by Putumayo and released as a single, and also on their Folk Cafe release. Re-adapted for this album with a wistful yet forward-looking approach. This song, unexpectedly, has always been a favorite amongst my fans. Grief and guilt are heavy things we all carry.
JUN 5: street date
When I Am a Fossil
Fairy Shrimp
Serenity Song
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
All I Want to Be
Old Dog
March of the Mollusk
I’ve Endured
Abbey Lovely
Penny’s Farm
All songs written by Benny Bleu Turtletop Music, ASCAP Except:
“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” Josef Zawinul
“Old Dog,” Phil Rosenthal and Beth Sommers
“I’ve Endured,” Ola and David Reed
“Penny’s Farm,” Traditional
Benny Bleu: Banjo (2,3,4,5,7,8), Guitar (1,6,9,10), Harmonica (1, 10), Rhodes Piano (5), Lead Vocals (1,3,5,6,8,9,10)
Huck Tritsch: Drums (1-7, 9, 10), Rhodes Piano (8)
Eric Heveron-Smith: Bass (1-10), Vocals (5, 8)
Gus Tritsch: Fiddle (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10), Guitar (2, 3, 8), Mandolin (6, 9), Vocals (3, 6, 8, 10)
Katie Martucci: Vocals (1, 9)
Produced by Gus Tritsch and Benny Bleu
Recorded by McKinley Yarrington
Mixed by Joseph ‘joebass’ DeJarnette at Studio 808A, Brooklyn NY
Mastered by Tom Nunes at Atomic Disc, Salem OR
Album Cover Art: Sarah Gorry
Mar 6: Washington DC, Music on the Hill
Mar 7: Baltimore MD, Four Hour Day
Mar 8: Lancaster PA, West Art
Mar 12: Geneseo NY, Cosmic Charlies *w Ric Robertson
Apr 10: Rochester NY, Little Theatre
Apr 17: Frostburg MD, Clatter Cafe *w Dakota Karper
Apr 18: Westminster MD, Common Ground Downtown *w Dakota Karper
Apr 19: Naples NY, Hollerhorn Distilling
May 3: Saratoga Springs NY, Caffe Lena *full band performance
Jun 6: Rochester NY, Bop Shop Records *full band
Jun 13: Rochester NY, Abilene *full band
Jun 14: Naples NY, Hollerhorn Distilling *full band
Jun 26: Rochester NY, Skylark Lounge *full band square dance
Sep 20: Walton NY, Music on the Delaware
Nov 12: Soquel CA, Ugly Mug
Nov 16: Portland, OR Hostel Cafe
