Sydney-based composer Donny Benét has perfected a brand of uber cool funk – driven by his proficient bass playing – that has caught the world’s attention, with past albums stretching back to his 2011 debut ‘Don’t Hold Back’. COVID restrictions prevented Benét touring his last album ‘Mr Experience’ in 2020 but to salve the pain, he is back on the road with a new EP ‘Le Piano’ and the sinuous funky title track, out through Dot Dash Recordings and Remote Control Records.
The instrumental is suffuse with attitude: a funky, snaky bass prowls with lascivious intent and a piano filigree riff dances enticingly across the top. The video features Benét with his come-hither smouldering glances tackling the vintage instruments on the track with a nonchalant suaveness – utterly compelling and magnetic:
Composed and recorded entirely by himself at the renowned Donnyland Studios in 2021, ‘Le Piano’ sees Benét utilise vintage synthesisers and drum machines to present his views on life, love and relationships through the power of song. Of the project, Benét says:
I wanted to create a short EP of instrumentals reflective of the music that has helped me navigate touring life, and life at home for the past years. For me, I really enjoy the headspace that instrumental music can put you in. You can listen to it in any environment with any degree of commitment. It can be something you listen to on the train, plane, something to have on while you’re doing your chores, working from home, working out or just something to bop along to. As mentioned in past interviews I’m very taken by Japanese artists Hiroshi Yoshimura, Yoshio Suzuki and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Side B of the record is influenced by the effect that these artists have had on my musical approach. Side A is a tip of the hat my love of 12′ funk/city pop/disco instrumentals.
‘Le Piano’ the single is out now and you can pre-order/pre-save the EP here and though the link below:
Benét is touring extensively to make up for lost time – details of his tour are:
2022 AUSTRALIA DATES
Saturday 9 April – Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW – Tickets
Friday 29 April – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC – Tickets
2022 US & CANADA DATES
Friday 4 March – The Sinclair, Boston MA – Tickets
Saturday 5 March – Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY – Tickets
Sunday 6 March – Union Stage, Washington, D.C – Tickets
Tuesday 8 March – Lee’s Palace, Toronto, ON – Tickets
Thursday 10 March – Turf Club, Minneapolis, MN – Tickets
Friday 11 March – Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL – Tickets
Saturday 12 March – Globe Hall, Denver, CO – Tickets
Sunday 13 March – Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO – Tickets
Tuesday 15 March – Echoplex, Los Angeles, CA – Tickets
Wednesday 16 March – Independent, San Francisco, CA – Tickets
Friday 18 March – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR – Tickets
Saturday 19 March – The Crocodile, Seattle, WA – Tickets
Sunday 20 March – Imperial, Vancouver, BC – Tickets
2022 EUROPE & UK DATES
Tuesday 3 May – Nouveau Monde, Fribourg, CH – Tickets
Wednesday 4 May – Exil, Zurich, CH – Tickets
Thursday 5 May – Milla Club, Munich, DE – Tickets
Friday 6 May – Slovak Radio Building, Bratislava, SK – Free Show
Saturday 7 May – Futurum Music Bar, Prague, CZ – Tickets
Monday 9 May – Lido, Berlin, DE – Tickets
Tuesday 10 May – Loppen, Copenhagen, DK – Tickets
Wednesday 11 May – Musikens Hus, Goteborg, SW – Tickets
Thursday 12 May – Blaa, Oslo, NO – Tickets
Friday 13 May – Fasching, Stockholm, SW – Tickets
Saturday 14 May – Plan B, Malmo, SW – Tickets
Sunday 15 May – Hafenklang, Hamburg, DE – Tickets
Tuesday 17 May – Gebaude 9, Cologne, DE – Tickets
Thursday 19 May – The Hope And Ruin, Brighton, UK – Tickets
Friday 20 May – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham, UK – Tickets
Saturday 21 May – Yes, Manchester, UK – Tickets
Sunday 22 May – Opium, Dublin, IE – Tickets
Tuesday 24 May – Broadcast, Glasgow, UK – Tickets
Wednesday 25 May – Headrow House, Leeds, UK – Tickets
Thursday 26 May – The Dome, London, UK – Tickets
Friday 27 May – Botanique, Brussels, BE – Tickets
Saturday 28 May – Paradiso Noord, Amsterdam, NL – Tickets
Sunday 29 May – Badaboum, Paris, FR – Tickets
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