CARLSBAD, Calif. – Taken By Canadians is a local alternative country rock band from Carlsbad! Only four months old and stirring up quite a buzz in the San Diego Music Scene. You can catch them playing in the North County area at many local lounge & dive bars! A very organic rock n roll cliche start to how the band formed. Volcalist and guitarist Ben Ambrosini was playing solo during open mic at “The Royal Dive” in Oceanside and came out to the patio for a quick smoke break and ran into Marco. “I knew he was an amazing bass player right when we spoke” says Ben. Soon after the two jammed together as a duo and were soon in need of a drummer. At the last moment when they thought all hope was gone, Thomas answered a craigslist ad for a drummer.

Not knowing it would be Thomas whom Marco played with years back in a different band, the two quickly became aquanited with Ben’s music and started to practice. The first song they ever played together was a Modest Mouse cover…….It sounded good, so they were like, “Let’s Do This” and that is where they are currently. Playing at many local North County dive bars and lounges such as The Royal Dive, Tin Can Ale House, Bor’s Cross’n, Flying Elephant and many more!

No canuks here, just a bunch of good ol’ american boys. The band started playing acousticly at friends parties, and at local farmer’s markets in town and when people asked what they were called, they all seemed to scratch there head in amazment like, hmmm that is a very good question. Ben quickly went home to do some research on all his favorite bluegrass and rock bands that he likes. They were all Canadian. So one night out over some drinks Ben told his goodfriend Nolan about his naming the band issue. Nolan came up with the concept, “Taken By Canadians” and it all went from there.

Ben gives credit to learning how to play guitar during his days as a student at Cal State Fullerton. Playing guitar since he was 17 and now for a little over 8 years. Ben ended up playing in dorms with buddies in college. After leaving Cal State Fullerton he finished up school as an Aztec at San Diego State University with a degree in Journalisim.

Being a singer songwriter is no easy task. Ben says, “I don’t normally sit down and write songs” they come to him spontaneously while playing guitar, over coffee, it just pops into his head and he jots it down. Taken By Canadians hit song, “Angels” was written about Ben’s ex-girlfriend and a less fourtunate man who lived in his van near his apartment that always asked him for a lighter. Things in life whether they are the good times or the bad times always teach us lessons, and it’s from those lessons we grow to better individuals. Individuals like Ben, Marco, Thomas are simply creative musicians reflecting there own life’s lessons in there music as they continue to play on a higher note. 

Taken By Canadians music is very captivating and gives a mellow vibe and has sort of a  good times feel to it. Next week they will be in the studio making their first CD. You can also check them out live in Mid April playing with “Trouble In The Wind” at the Bor’s Cross’n in The Carlsbad Village (The Carlsbad Crawl). The Cardiff Kook is honored to have interviewed Ben Ambrosini of “Taken By Canadians” and we look forward to hearing more good music!

Group Members:

Ben Ambrosini – Guitar/Vocals

Marco Savoia – Bass

Thomas Morales – Drummer/All Things Percussion

Facebook Page: Taken By Canadians