What started as three students crossing paths in a first-year music class has grown into one of the most active bands on Grinnell’s campus. This spring, “My Best Friend” members Frannie Crego, Maya Llewellyn and Ben Curran, all `25, celebrated the release of their self-titled debut EP with a packed performance in Gardner Lounge, a moment four years in the making.
The band said that their name, “My Best Friend,” is more than a quirky label — that it reflects the genuine connection that blossomed between the three musicians as they found not only their sound but also a deep friendship.
“We met in Intro to Music Studies, fall of our first year,” said Llewellyn. “Back in the day.”
Curran added, “I think we just kind of hit it off, musically, pretty early.”
All three students brought different instruments to the table, including keys, guitar and drums, and even more different musical influences. Still, they said something about their collaboration worked. They described how a shared language began to form, built through countless rehearsals, writing sessions and on-campus gigs.
“I feel like ideas come together really quickly because we have almost our own musical language with each other,” Crego said. “It’s not like any other group I’ve been part of.”
They said that the release of their EP this spring wasn’t just about putting songs into the world — it was a celebration of their growth as artists and friends. With the help of a Wilson Center Catalyst grant and two days spent recording in northern Minnesota over spring break, the trio laid down six original tracks.
“It just feels like a nice culmination,” said Curran. “We’ve been playing some of these songs live since our second year.”
The release show on campus, entirely student-organized, celebrated the EP and brought together Grinnell’s musical community.
“People have been so supportive and excited about the EP, and I think that sentiment was carried over to wanting to make this show happen,” said Curran.
“We’ve all become really embedded in the music scene, and it’s really the community effort and the support of our friends that helped make it happen,” said Crego.
Though their sound blends folk and rock with a distinctly Midwest flavor, the band says that their bond offstage is what defines “My Best Friend.” The band, before performing, has a ritual of sipping Baileys, hugging backstage and grounding themselves in the Freesound space.
A standout moment for them was after they finished recording their EP. Driving away from the studio with the sun setting and their fresh demo playing through the car speakers, the band said they felt a sense of accomplishment.
“We got to the third or fourth track on the EP. And I was just like, ‘Yeah, we did it,’” said Llewellyn. “To all be there together and listen to it in that moment and be like, ‘We did it’ was satisfying.”
As graduation nears, the future of “My Best Friend” is open-ended. The trio will perform at this year’s Grinnellian festival and have dreams of playing shows in each other’s hometowns. While post-grad plans are still coming together, all three say the music will continue.
“I’m confident even after Grinnellian performance, or whatever our last performance is at Grinnell, that won’t be our last show,” said Curran.
