Deeper Grooves Ahead: Houseplant Names Ben Atkind As New Drummer

After a run of shows as the band’s special guest, drummer Ben Atkind has now joined Houseplant. The Louisville-based outfit made it official this morning with an announcement on social media and press release.

“We’re beyond excited to welcome Ben Atkind as our new drummer! If you’ve seen him play, you know why we’re so jazzed. The groove is deeper than ever and we can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve been cooking up together,” wrote Houseplant on social media.

The Massachusetts-bred Ben Atkind co-founded Goose in 2014. Atkind split from Goose in December of 2023. The “amicable parting” was due to “a creative impasse that neither side could overcome,” according to a press release issued announcing Atkind’s departure. Ben has since devoted his time to performing with another band he created, ElephantProof, as well as spending time behind the kit with DJ Williams, Ari Joshua and more recently Houseplant.

Ben Atkind has joined a Houseplant lineup that also includes co-founders mandolinist Tavis Conley and bassist Tommy Arnspinger, along with more recent additions guitarist Chris “Roadie” Rodahoffer and keyboardist Sam Richardson. The band was formed during the COVID lockdown era in 2020 and has been steadily growing a devoted fanbase ever since thanks to strong songwriting and flowing improvisational abilities.

“Houseplant isn’t just another jam band—they truly have a special vibe,” explained Atkind in a press release. “Their songs are beautifully weird, shape-shifting stories. From poetic lyrics to tongue in cheek wordplay, and arrangements that let the music breathe, so much of what the band does is a vehicle for improvisation. Beyond the music, the family-like energy they’ve built and their amazing team makes this the exact creative space I’ve been looking for.”

Members of Houseplant are also excited for their next chapter. “With Ben being a Berklee guy and having a background in Jazz and improvisational music, our jams have been taken to a new level. He keeps them interesting. His drumming instincts are incredible, and he can just sense where he needs to be on songs that he hasn’t even learned yet,” noted Tavis Conley.

“From the downbeat of the first tune we played, it was clear Ben did his homework. I was struck by how open his playing is and how engaged he is in jams…it’s like we’re finishing each other’s sentences,” added Roadie.

Houseplant will showcase their new lineup at festivals this summer and a fall tour the band is planning. Watch the group perform “Country Mile” with Ben Atkind during a hometown show at Louisville’s Headliners Music Hall on March 15, 2025 via the pro-shot video below: