In April of 2011, Esquire Magazine commissioned Brendan and Ben Blackwell  to compose songs about Detroit with the theme of “Last Night in Detroit.” The A-side is Brendan’s song with that title with Blackwell’ penning “Bury My Body at Elmwood” for the B-side.

The 7″ is now available through Brendan’s webstore!  It has individually hand-stamped paper sleeves and is limited to 100 copies through Brendan’s webstore and 1,000 worldwide. The digital files are exclusively available through Brendan’s webstore.

CHECK IT OUT HERE and ENJOY! 

For one week only, pay what you want to get Brendan’s beloved album Lapalco on Yawma.com. This sale will only last for a few days, and 10% of every donation will go to Brendan’s favorite charity, Best Buddies. Donate the highest amount during the flash sale and you’ll win the original test pressing of Lapalco on vinyl. The second place top donor will win 2 tickets to see any Brendan Benson show worldwide.*

As a special treat for all the fans, if we meet our goal of $1000, every donor at any level will receive a free download of “No One Else But You,” a demo from Brendan’s fifth solo album due in 2012: What Kind Of World. This demo is only being released through Yawma.com, so make sure to participate if you want to hear it.

We will also increase donations to Best Buddies to 50% for every dollar above the goal donated, so spread the word as much as possible to help support Brendan’s favorite cause.

Head to Yawma.com now to get your Lapalco bundle.

*Travel is not included. Headlining solo shows only. This excludes support shows and festivals.

Tune into WFUV this Saturday night at 10pm to hear Marshall Crenshaw‘s show, “The Bottomless Pit.” This week and next, Marshall will be recapping the June 17th Sounds of America: Detroit show that Brendan took part in at Chicago Symphony Hall. Alongside Marshall, BB performed with fellow guests Bettye Lavette, Wayne Kramer, Mick Collins, Amp Fiddler, and more.

Listen in to hear about Brendan’s part in the show and catch a few of his songs, on the air in New York on 90.7 FM and streaming online worldwide at WFUV.org

The Raconteurs have added another festival date for this fall at the inaugural Orlando Calling Festival in November. Alongside The Killers, The Pixies, The Avett Brothers and more, the band will play on Saturday, November 12th at the Citrus Bowl Park in Orlando.

Tickets and more info at OrlandoCalling.com.

Brendan, Jack White, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler are reuniting for The Raconteurs’ first show in 2 years this September in Brendan and Jack’s home state of Michigan. The band will headline the inaugural MI Fest, sharing the stage with Grammy Award-winning artist Sheryl Crow, The Romantics, Mark Farner, Ty Stone & the Truth, and many more.

Tickets and more info are available now at MI-Fest.com.

The wait’s finally over: Lapalco has been remastered and is now available on vinyl for the first time ever. Whether you’ve been dying to get your favorite BB album on your turntable, or you just want to hear “Metarie” cleaned up and sounding better than ever through your laptop speakers, we’ve got you covered with a range of options.

Take your pick & get anything from the $8 digital download (+ an exclusive bonus track), to $50 autographed vinyl copies (only 100 available!). Check out the options here, and for all you hardcore BB fans, make sure you don’t miss the chance to get every B-side from the Lapalco sessions at the $10 level and up.

This record is only being offered directly through BrendanBenson.com and in select independent record stores, so get yours now!

The Huffington Post published a piece by Brendan today on his experience revisiting his hometown of Detroit with Esquire for this month’s music issue. While BB left the then-dangerous climate of Detroit to move to Nashville several years ago, the visit back to his old city inspired new hope for its future, and he wants you to help.

Read Brendan’s case for Detroit and make a difference by buying his song, “Last Night in Detroit,” to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit.

For its May 2011 issue (on newsstands April 26), Esquire gathered Brendan Benson and four other amazing musicians in Detroit for a two-day fashion shoot with legendary photographer Danny Clinch. To make things interesting, Esquire also issued a challenge to each musician: create, perform, and record an original song inspired by the phrase “Last Night in Detroit.” Each musician rose to the challenge, and Esquire is now selling the songs (as well as a five-song EP) on iTunes to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit.

Check out Brendan’s story, hear a clip of his new song, “Last Night In Detroit,” and watch some behind the scenes video.

Click here to buy Brendan’s new song.

Curious about life in the studio with Brendan? Check out this footage shot by Sam Farrar (of Phantom Planet) around the studios of Welcome to 1979 in Nashville:

We’re thrilled to announce that Brendan will be joining an all-star lineup of world-class musicians to perform alongside Marshall Crenshaw at the United Sounds of America: Detroit concert this June 17th at the Chicago Symphony Hall. Alongside Brendan & Marshall will be the legendary lady of soul Bettye LaVette, guitarist Wayne Kramer of MC5, guitarist and vocalist Mick Collins of The Dirtbombs, drummer Karriem Riggins, and keyboardist and vocalist Amp Fiddler.

From CSO.org: While Detroit is synonymous with Motown Records, the city also boasts a rich history of jazz, rhythm & blues, gospel, rock & roll, hip-hop, and techno. With singer-songwriter and guitarist Marshall Crenshaw at the wheel, this concert focuses primarily on the rock, R&B and jazz scene of yesterday and today in Detroit…

It’s going to be a night of incredible music paying homage to Brendan’s home city, and no Detroit music fan should miss it. Get your tickets here!