Ben Kyle
Ben Kyle | |
---|---|
Born | 21 May 1981 Belfast, Northern Ireland | (age 40)
Origin | Gilnahirk, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
Genres | Americana, folk, rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, producer |
Instruments | Guitar, piano, vocals, harmonica, percussion |
Years active | 2002– Present |
Associated acts | Romantica |
Website | www |
Ben Kyle (born 21 May 1981) is an Irish-American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the Americana band Romantica. Kyle's singing style has been compared to those of Tom Odell and Ryan Adams.[1][2]
Early life[]
Ben Kyle was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland but moved with his family to Minneapolis, Minnesota at age 13.[3] Kyle grew up in a family of musicians and showed an interest in music from an early age.[4]
Career[]
2002–2009: early career[]
In 2002, Kyle formed Romantica, an alternative country band with an Irish influence. Based in Minneapolis, Romantica has acquired a following in the United States while releasing three albums.[5] Their first, It's Your Weakness That I Want, came out in 2004, bringing an Irish rock approach to the Americana genre of music.[6] Their second album, America, brought the band more widespread recognition as Kyle's lyrics and poetic approach earned enthusiastic praise.[7] Paste magazine ranked the album 58th on its Top 100 Albums of 2007 list.[8] As the songwriter of the America album, Kyle won several awards at the 2007 International Songwriting Competition.[9] In 2009, Romantica released Control Alt Country Delete which was written and recorded in a single day in Austin, Texas.
2010–present[]
After the release of Romantica's third album, Kyle went on tour in Europe with Carrie Rodriguez in 2010. They performed in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom.[10] Kyle and Rodriguez also recorded a duet album, We Still Love Our Country. The album has two original songs: Your Lonely Heart, by Kyle, and Fire Alarm, co-written by Kyle and Rodriguez. The other six tracks are covers of classic country songs. Both the tour and the album were well received in Europe.[11]
In 2012, Kyle began his solo career with the release of Ben Kyle, a compilation of songs of a more personal nature. Commenting on the solo album's name, Kyle stated, "It's not like the Romantica songs were not personal, but this collection is definitely very autobiographical...."[12] As of early 2013, Kyle was working on several musical projects as producer and arranger while also developing future Romantica and solo recordings.[13]
Collaborations[]
In addition to his work with Romantica and Carrie Rodriguez, Ben Kyle has worked with Ryan Adams, Alejandro Escovedo, Lucinda Williams, Sara Watkins, and Dan Wilson.
Discography[]
Romantica[]
- 2004: Its Your Weakness That I Want[14]
- 2007: America[15]
- 2009: Control Alt Country Delete[16]
- 2016: Shadowlands[17]
Collaboration[]
- 2011: We Still Love Our Country (Duet album with Carrie Rodriguez)[18]
Solo[]
- 2012: Ben Kyle[19]
References[]
- ^ Mead, David (30 June 2008). "Romantica: America". Paste. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Romantica: 'I Need You Tonight'". NPR.org. National Public Radio.
- ^ Weber, Tom. "Romantica's Ben Kyle goes solo". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Bialas, Michael (14 November 2012). "After Sleeping on It, Ben Kyle Gets His Solo Act Together". Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ "Romantica: 'I Need You Tonight'". NPR.org. National Public Radio. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ Christman, Philip (30 June 2008). "Romantica – It's Your Weakness That I Want". Paste. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Riemenschneider, Chri. "Top Local Albums of 07". Star Tribune. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Signs of Life 2007: Best Music". Paste. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ "2007 Winners". International Songwriters Competition. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Swensson, Andrea. "Romantica's Ben Kyle: The extended interview". City Pages. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Chilton, Martin. "Carrie Rodriguez and Ben Kyle: We Still Love Our Country, CD review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Swensson, Andrea. "Ben Kyle breaks from Romantica to release personal, pensive solo album". the Current. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Weber, Tom. "Romantica's Ben Kyle goes solo". Minnesota Public Radio.
- ^ "It's Your Weakness That I Want". Apple. 9 March 2004. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "America". Apple. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Control Alt Country Delete". Bandcamp. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Shadowlands". Pledgemusic.
- ^ "We Still Love Our Country". Ninth Street Opus. Archived from the original on 22 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Ben Kyle". Apple. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
External links[]
![]() | This article needs additional or more specific categories. (July 2021) |
- 1981 births
- Living people
- American country singer-songwriters
- Irish emigrants to the United States
- 21st-century American singers