| The Benefits Of Doubt ~ Biography ~ Mike Todd and Ben Rollo had no doubts when they took their vision from the hallways of Humber College's music program to the stage in the spring of 2002. Driven to write music between classes, Todd and Rollo blended their unique influences into a mixture that went down smooth for their growing audiences. They began gigging professionally that year as an acoustic duo and continue to do so commonly playing 6 or 7 nights each week. Drawing on that momentum, Mike and Ben were able to combine their distinctive sounds to form an original act called The Benefits of Doubt. With an uncompromising two-punch that blends strong melodies with storytelling reminiscent of John Mayer, Dave Matthews, and Train, they set out to record their own CD. Todd and Rollo took the reigns for their debut album as writers, arrangers, producers, and ultimately, performers. Preliminary tracks were recorded with long time friend, Jared Taylor. Next they enlisted the services of Brian Alexanian and Zane Studios to complete their vision. Brian engineered all the songs and also produced two of the tracks included in the CD which was released December 2004. The Benefits Of Doubt have enjoyed a string of successes since taking this next step. Since gaining the attention of KW’s 105.3 KoolFM programmer in January 2005, their first single "The Sun Is Gonna Shine" was put in regular rotation for four months, and is still in re-current rotation there. KoolFM has since added the band's second single, "In These Eyes" into regular rotation, where it currently resides. A national radio campaign for "The Sun Is Gonna Shine" followed, with 13 more Major Market Stations accross Canada adding the song, not a small feat for an independant act. They continue to lend their talents to many charitable events including Tsunami fundraisers in Hamilton & Kitchener, the 2004 Remissions Festival in support of cancer research and KoolFM’s Poster Boy Campaign, a fundraiser for United Way. They have shared the stage with such acts as Finger Eleven, The Miniatures, Junkhouse, Jerry Enns, Boy, jacksoul and David Usher. As showcase winners at the 2004 Songwriter's Festival in Kitchener-Waterloo, The Benefits Of Doubt will feature their track "Day By Day" on the festival's compilation CD. This thoughtful tune also appears in Jacque Torrosian's upcoming feature film "Notes from the Credit Office" (working title). Will the Benefits ever stop delivering their own brand of radio-savvy songwriting with an electric aftertaste to those who ask for them by name? We doubt it. |
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