BEN & DELON An Unstoppable Global Phenomena When and why did you start playing? Ben Anthony Lavoz: I sang in the church choir at a young age. As I entered production of my own material (urban music); I quickly hustled into Toronto’s Latin music scene. I handed out CD’s outside of clubs until I was finally picked up by key players in the scene. I was then given the opportunity to perform at club events at the ripe age of 16. Music has always called me and performing just came as a natural born talent. Delon Om: I started playing the guitar when I was in high school. It was all for the love of my high school crush (lol). I heard “Wonderwall” and I was hooked. I practiced that song until my fingers went numb and tried to impress her - only to find out she was dating the high school bully :( Which instruments do you play? Delon Om: I play the guitar, piano, cello and bass. Ben Anthony Lavoz: I focus more on vocals more than anything and creating the root melodies of the ma jority of my work. However, I do know how to play notes and chorus on the piano, guitar, ukulele, harmonica and most any instrument. I just personally
don’t have the patience to be playing an instrument whilst giving my 100 on stage…yet. What was the first tune(s) you learned? Delon Om: “Wonderwall” by Oasis Ben Anthony Lavoz: I always have been a huge advocate of learning and rehearsing my own music in addition to my renditions of songs. However, as a child I used to put on concerts for my family of Backstreet Boys, Eminem and limp bizkit. Is your family musical? Delon Om: My mother spontaneously bursts out into traditional Indo-Caribbean songs and my father idolizes Elvis Presley - so my upbringing was eclectic, at best. Ben Anthony Lavoz: No, I am the black sheep, but my family on my mother’s side disciplined me and raised me on other key morals and values that play a ma jor role in my work habits. My father did play the drums for a while and I do get a lot of my Salvadorian musical roots from listening to him growing up.
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