Welcome to www.DeclanBennett.co.uk
Declan Bennett is a dynamic acoustic singer-songwriter with a hard-hitting, witty and poetic way with words, unique take on life and unashamed and honest tales of life, love and sexuality, which have already won him a diverse and devoted fan base around the UK, across the US and beyond...
Declan is no stranger to fame, with mainstream chart success by the age of 20 as part of a pop/rock outfit; a lead role in an award-winning West End show at 21; and most recently a starring role as Roger in cult rock opera RENT on an eight-month US tour and a seven-month run of the show on Broadway New York..
From the moment Declan began introducing his solo repertoire at intimate unplugged nights around London a few years ago under the pseudonym sumladfromcov, he began to get repeated requests for recorded material from a rapidly expanding fan base. Having already experienced the frustration that writing for a major label could entail, he decided to go it alone, and, in 2005, brought out his debut album, 'The Painters Ball', on his own label Covboy Records..
Declan has just released his second full-length album 'An Innocent Evening Of Drinking' which has already received a number of four-star reviews in the mainstream music press, and repeated radio airplay. Recorded in London and New York, the album, again on CovBoy, is available from record shops nationwide in the UK and worldwide through iTunes and online stores like amazon, hmv, etc.
Over the past few years Declan been playing numerous respected acoustic venues and festivals around the UK (as well as turning up in a few unexpected places, including a live set for the cool festival club favourite Silent Disco at Wychwood Festival), so gaining a solid UK fanbase. Since being spotted singing by an American casting director in 2006, which gave him the unmissable opportunity to venture Stateside, he has also been playing gigs in venues across the United States, as well as appearing on live TV and radio across America.
Now appearing under his own name - Declan Bennett - he has in the past few years in England supported at sell-out gigs for artists as diverse as Boy George, Seth Lakeman and Nizlopi, and has headlined his own packed gigs in places like London's Soho Revue Bar, gigs which have drawn fans from as far away as Switzerland, Germany and Norway. .
Declan is currently gigging around the States, and will return to the UK in July with a tour in August. .
Declan's myspace page is at http://www.myspace.com/declanbennett
And see videos of Declan on his youtube profile http://www.youtube.com/declanbennett
What they've said about Declan and his music...
Uncut **** (four-star review of 'An Innocent Evening of Drinking')
'Far more than a showbiz wannabe. Bennett has crafted some unusual variations on the acoustic singer-songwriter template... frequently gripping lyrics'
Adam Sweeting
GT**** (four-star review of 'An Innocent Evening of Drinking')
'Declan's soulful vocals glide through the chatty, reflective lyrics. His strong songwriting deserves a wider audience.'
(Review of 'An Innocent Evening of Drinking')
'A work of romantic and dramatic, emotionally expressive and very personal songcraft.'
Time Out.
'He has a voice full of emotion and yearning, his lyrics and melodies have a pop edge without being lazy or radio-desperate'
Boy George writing about Declan Bennett in Time Out London
'His are unusually honest, intelligent and subtle pieces of work. Openness and vulnerability are a running thread with him. There's a diversity of subjects but the recurrent theme is this desire for truth, integrity.'
Mercury Moon magazine 2007
'Dark and soulful, occasionally downright sinister. Deeply mature stuff'
Attitude
'Unlike many other peers swimming in the acoustic pool, Declan Bennett effortlessly stands apart. He's a confident and charismatic performer, with deliciously simple, welcoming melodies and captivating lyrical themes, his Midlands accent shining through to add colour and honesty to his performance. Delight in his music now before the media giants jump on board.'
Powpowpow
'I'm absolutely convinced that Declan Bennett is going to be massive. I have his album on constant repeat'
Little Britain's Matt Lucas
'Declan is the real thing. He sings from the heart, and I defy anyone not to be touched by his songs'
Award-winning songwriter Linda Thompson
'Acoustic soul and lyrical attack is embedded in the heart of his music'
bbc.co.uk
'A definite thumbs-up. A masterful but tasteful exposition on erotic longing and emotional turmoil'
The Orpheus, Virgin Megastore instore magazine
'As far from the world of boyband pop as the earth is from Pluto...'
Gay Times