Benjy Ferree

Reclusive singer/songwriter Benjy Ferree cultivated a vocal approach reminiscent of Jack White’s more subdued moments, ultimately achieving recognition in his native Washington, D.C., once an earlier bid at acting in Los Angeles had collapsed. During shifts behind the bar at the Black Cat, he crossed paths with Fugazi’s Brendan Canty, whose urging prompted Ferree to turn toward music. Canty later handled mixing duties on the EP Leaving the Nest, issued jointly by Planaria and Box Theory Records; Domino expanded the release with extra tracks and put it out in November 2006. Ferree’s follow-up, the 2009 Domino album Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee, took the form of a concept piece centered on the troubled story of child star Bobby Driscoll.