Van Arlo’s Ben Marthey. Credit: Courtesy of Ben Marthey
A nurse at the Cleveland clinic by day, Ben Marthey moonlights as a local singer-songwriter with the local rock group Van Arlo. That band, which also features local singer-songwriter Jesse Hernadez, has just released a new single, “Slow It Down,” that features the Cleveland Orchestra’s Alan Harrell on cello.

The group recorded the tune at Superior Sound in Cleveland with Jim Wirt (incubus, Hoobastank, Fiona Apple).

“I am a songwriter at heart,” says Marthey in a press release about the new single.

His last band, Rosella, had some regional success and even opened for Creed at Blossom.

Hear the new track when Van Arlo performs at 9 p.m. on Saturday at the House of Blues restaurant stage.

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This article appears in Dec 28, 2022 – Jan 10, 2023.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.