 |
Duke Special | |
|---|---|
 Duke Special performing in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Peter Wilson |
| Born | 4 January 1971 Lisburn, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Alternative rock, baroque pop, chamber pop, folk, soul |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Medieval Haircut, Hag, Izumi, V2, Universal Ireland, Reel to Reel, Adventures in Gramophone |
| Website | www |
Duke Special (born Peter Wilson; 4 January 1971)[citation needed] is a songwriter and performer based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A piano-based songwriter with a romantic style and a warm, distinctly accented voice, he was previously known for his distinctive long dreadlocks, eyeliner and outfits he describes as "hobo chic".[citation needed] Nowadays, he performs mostly out of makeup and desires to be more like his true self.[1] His live performances have a theatrical style inspired by Vaudeville and music hall, and often incorporate 78s played on an old-fashioned gramophone, or sound effects from a transistor radio. He is most often accompanied by percussionist "Temperance Society" Chip Bailey, who plays cheese graters and egg whisks, a Stumpf fiddle and a Shruti box, as well as the more typical drums and cymbals. Other musicians who perform with Wilson from time to time include Paul Pilot (guitar), Réa Curran (trumpet, backing vocals, accordion), Ben Castle (clarinet, saxophone), Ben Hales (bass guitar), Gareth Williams, "Professor" Ger Eaton (keyboards), Dan Donnelly (mandolin, backing vocals) and Serge Archibald III (saxophone, "ethereal background sounds", vibes).
His albums include Adventures in Gramophone (2005), Songs from the Deep Forest (2006),[2] both of which were nominated for the Choice Music Prize, I Never Thought This Day Would Come (2008),[3] Little Revolutions (2009), The Silent World of Hector Mann (2010), Mother Courage and Her Children (2010), Under the Dark Cloth (2011), Oh Pioneer (2012),[4] Look Out Machines! (2015)[5] and Hallow (2017).
- ^ "Duke Special feels more confident in his own skin these days… 'I don't have to hide behind a persona anymore'". 23 August 2021 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
- ^ Diver, Mike (27 October 2016). "Duke Special I Songs From The Deep Forest". drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ Cartwright, Garth (31 March 2009). "Duke Special I Never Thought This Day Would Come: Review". BBC Online. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ Diver, Mike (9 July 2012). "Duke Special Oh Pioneer Review". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ Burrows, Marc (15 April 2015). "Duke Special I Look Out Machines!". drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.