Ben Kyle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Kyle
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Ben Kyle in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Born | 21 May 1981 (age 44) Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 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 |
Ben Kyle, born on May 21, 1981, is a talented musician. He is a singer, songwriter, and plays many instruments. He is from both Ireland and America. Ben is most famous as the lead singer and songwriter for the Americana band Romantica. People say his singing sounds like Tom Odell and Ryan Adams.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to America
Ben Kyle was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. When he was 13 years old, his family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States. Ben grew up in a family that loved music. He showed a strong interest in music from a very young age.
Ben Kyle's Music Career
Starting with Romantica (2002–2009)
In 2002, Ben Kyle started a band called Romantica. This band played alternative country music with an Irish twist. Romantica is based in Minneapolis. They became popular in the United States and released three albums during this time.
Their first album, It's Your Weakness That I Want, came out in 2004. It mixed Irish rock with Americana music. Their second album, America, helped the band become even more well-known. Ben's lyrics and poetic style received a lot of praise. Paste magazine even put America on its list of the Top 100 Albums of 2007. Ben won several awards for his songwriting on the America album in 2007. In 2009, Romantica released Control Alt Country Delete. This album was special because it was written and recorded in just one day in Austin, Texas.
Solo Work and Tours (2010–Present)
After Romantica's third album, Ben Kyle went on a tour in Europe in 2010. He toured with another musician named Carrie Rodriguez. They performed in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Ben and Carrie also recorded an album together called We Still Love Our Country. This album had two new songs. One was Your Lonely Heart by Ben. The other was Fire Alarm, which Ben and Carrie wrote together. The album also included six classic country songs that they covered. Both the tour and the album were very popular in Europe.
In 2012, Ben Kyle started his solo career. He released an album simply called Ben Kyle. The songs on this album were very personal to him. Ben said that while his Romantica songs were personal, this solo collection was "very autobiographical." This means the songs were about his own life story.
As of early 2013, Ben was busy with many music projects. He worked as a producer and arranger for other artists. He also planned to make more music for Romantica and for his solo career.
Working with Other Artists
Besides his work with Romantica and Carrie Rodriguez, Ben Kyle has also worked with many other famous musicians. These include Ryan Adams, Alejandro Escovedo, Lucinda Williams, Sara Watkins, and Dan Wilson.
Ben Kyle's Music Albums
Romantica Albums
- 2004: Its Your Weakness That I Want
- 2007: America
- 2009: Control Alt Country Delete
- 2016: Shadowlands
- 2018: Outlaws
Collaboration Albums
- 2011: We Still Love Our Country (with Carrie Rodriguez)
Solo Albums
- 2012: Ben Kyle
- 2015: MASSA
- 2015: MASSA Deux
