Van Arlo trades polish for presence on new live album

Van Arlo’s latest record was captured live in a single, gritty listening room – no click tracks, no overdubs. Just acoustic instruments, real people and the type of quiet that says a lot.

“The room had this calm, focused energy, almost like everyone agreed to just be present for an hour,” said Medina’s Ben Marthey, who performs as Van Arlo. “People weren’t talking over the music or waiting for the next big moment. They were actually listening.”

Rather than chasing polish or perfection – and instead lamenting the increasingly rampant artificial automation in modern releases – this record leans into Marthey’s signature dynamic storytelling.

“That kind of environment forces you to slow down and mean what you say,” he said. “It pushed me to sit in the quiet parts instead of rushing through them. The performances reflect that there’s a purpose. It’s intentional.”

Recorded Oct. 25 inside the garage-like Jenks Building in Cuyahoga Falls, Van Arlo’s “Closed Corner Confessions” features Mary Bontrager on first violin, Anji Noh on second violin, Abigail Bontrager on cello and Jerri Lou on viola.

The eight-song release was recorded to audio and video by GoodSoundWaves.

“This record captures a turning point for me,” Marthey said. “The songs reflect someone trying to balance real life, work, family and responsibility with the part of me that still feels pulled toward music. There’s tension in that, but there’s also clarity.”

Marthey said he has no interest in chasing trends or trying to fit a specific format or medium.

“I’m just being honest about what I’m living through right now – real instruments played by real people.”

Rather than prioritizing DSPs – digital service providers like Spotify, Apple Music and others – the Van Arlo release will be distributed exclusively via email. Listeners can opt in at www.vanarlo.com/contact.

Fans will also have an opportunity to hear songs from “Closed Corner Confessions” when Van Arlo opens for famed ’90s rockers The Verve Pipe on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at the newly opened Celestia Theater in Wadsworth. The show is part of the venue’s continuing grand opening celebration.