Benjamin Loewe | 2025 Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant Recipient

Benjamin Loewe accepting his award at the Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant Recipient Ceremony in August 2025.

In August, The Sunset project was honored to announce Benjamin Loewe of Alpena, Michigan, as one of five Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant Recipients for 2025!

Benjamin is a musician, singer, and lead guitarist for the band Mercíer, as well as the founder of ThreadBox Records, where he focuses on preserving the authenticity and emotion of music over heavy studio production.

We recently sat down with Benjamin to discuss his unique story, why he applied, and what he hopes to utilize the funding for. Check it out below!

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Hi Benjamin, can you introduce yourself quickly to those who may not know you already?

My name is Benjamin Loewe and I am an artist based out of Presque Isle, Michigan with a focus in music and audio engineering.

How would you describe your creative interest to someone unfamiliar with it?

I have been orchestrating and performing music for over a decade, playing as often as I can in and around Michigan. I am the singer and lead guitarist for my band Mercíer, and I have my own recording label under ThreadBox Records. All of my recording equipment has been collected over the years using funds from performances. I not only record and produce my own music, but I have begun to do so for other musicians as well, alongside giving insight on how they could be doing the same to save on the long term costs of renting production spaces.

What initially inspired your interest in this space?

When I was very young, my family noticed I would pluck out notes and chords on an old organ at my grandmother's house. Together, they pitched in and bought me my first guitar. From there my uncle would stop by every few weeks to give me a lesson, teaching me the basics and showing me new music to listen to for inspiration. My family saw my passion for music and chose to foster it. I am able to pursue this because of their support from the beginning.

What's one of your most memorable experiences or milestones from your creative journey?

I was recently approached by a person asking where our online recordings went. I had removed the old albums and singles off of streaming services after realizing how little the services actually paid the performers for their art. It made quite an impact on me, and I was flattered to say the least.

Being told my music was missed and had been reaching people shifted my view of the band quite a bit. I made up a Google Drive file of all my old recordings and shared it with him, and assured him I was putting everything back online over the winter as soon as we had an opportunity to refurbish and plan out a better way to distribute the music.

Benjamin, and his family pose for a photo together at the Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant Recipient Ceremony in August 2025.

How have challenges or setbacks helped shape your creative process?

I have often found an appreciation for setbacks and challenges. Each one shows me an area where I need to improve, or a piece of equipment I lack. I believe a mistake made once isn't a mistake. The gift of a new path to take is often interpreted the wrong way, and I strive to see the bigger picture as often as I can.

The honesty and raw emotion of live performances are often lost when confined to a sound booth. This has led me to create a space where live performance can be left untouched by the digital interfaces used in production. Freeing the art and artists from the cookie cutter techniques used by the studios I've encountered. Leaving the feeling, tempo, and expression up to the creators themselves.

How do you envision your creative interest evolving over the next year?

I am hoping to refine my studio space by improving the equipment, making it easier to achieve the quality and quantity of music made for everyone involved. Throughout the winter, I am aiming to record a full-length album with my band Mercíer. I am also looking to improve my own band's functionality through organization, booking ahead, and media marketing with the assistance of my bassist, Angelina Burcar, and my drummer, Oliver Van Assche.

How do you plan to utilize your grant funding to further your creative interest, journey, and process?

With the funds received from this grant, I am planning on acquiring better microphones, cables, and other equipment to improve the overall quality of performances and recordings.

Do you have any advice to share with someone looking to pursue their own creative interests?

‘Tis a lesson you should heed,

Try, try, try again;

If at first you don’t succeed,

Try, try, try again.

By William Hickson in his book “The Singing Master” published 1836

Are there any social media profiles, websites, or other resources where our readers can follow your journey and support your work?

Please like and follow my band Mercíer!

Instagram - @mercier.music

Facebook - Mercíer on Facebook

Email for booking: Officialmerciermusic@gmail.com

Is there anything else you'd like to share about The Sunset Project, or your experience in the Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant program thus far?

A huge thank you to The Sunset Project for selecting me for this opportunity! The growth and guidance they provide to the community is irreplaceable.