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Singer/songwriter
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Wine for my weakness
(12T029 - 2006)

On his solo debut WINE FOR MY WEAKNESS, Icelandic Pétur Ben embraces the singer/songwriter genre as if he was raised with a guitar under his arm. His sound and temper vary from acoustic melancholy to up-tempo rock, with catchy guitar riffs taking you from one song to the next. Just like the album title, the songs give way for ambivalent emotions in the intimate lyrical universe of Pétur Ben. WINE FOR MY WEAKNESS is an album that immediately catches the listener with its sense of grand universal themes and minor bursts of emotion side by side.

Pétur Thór Benediktsson started his career when creating the band Tristan, but what gave him the necessary attention was his backing of notorious Mugison. For some years Pétur Ben toured with him, just like he arranged for and played on MUGIMAMA IS THIS MONKEYMUSIC? and co-wrote the song ”Murr Murr” and the soundtrack LITTLE TRIP. But Pétur Ben easily stands alone. Both with his band as heard on the debut album and as a solo performer, he has proved his unmistakable talent.

In 2006 he also wrote the original scores for the feature films ’Children’ and ’Parents’ by Icelandic Ragnar Bragason; he composed for two theatre productions, and he has arranged for other names such as Slowblow and Telepathetics.

Pétur Ben has received great reviews in both his home country and Denmark, and he was nominated in no less than 3 categories at the Icelandic Music Awards 2006 – Rock Album of the Year, Male Singer of the Year, and Most Promising Newcomer, winning Best Rock Album.

The aptly titled WINE FOR MY WEAKNESS is a somewhat self-help manual in tackling one's own demons, Pétur Ben explains. The album was recorded at The Swimming Pool; the studio owned by Sigur Rós. Pétur produced the album with the trusted help of audio engineer and friend Biggi Poolboy. Sigtryggur Baldursson (Sugarcubes) plays drums on the album and Anna Kristín Gudmundsdóttir sings backing vocals on several songs.

WINE FOR MY WEAKNESS was released in 2006 on 12 Tónar, and on Cargo in Europe, autumn 2007. It was chosen the best rock album at the Icelandic Music Awards 2006

Tour - Spring 2008

Belgium:
14th Feb Bruxelles (B) VUB Kultuurkaffee
15th Feb Saarbrücken Sparte 4
Switzerland:
16th Feb St.Gallen (CH) Nordklang Festival
17th Feb Winterthur (CH) Gaswerk
Germany: 12 Tonar & Cargo Tour
18th Feb Konstanz Kulturladen, w/ Gavin Portland + Jakobinarina
19th Feb Leipzig Panam, w/ Gavin Portland + Jakobinarina
20th Feb Dresden Star Club, w/ Gavin Portland + Jakobinarina
21st Feb Bielefeld Forum, w/ Gavin Portland + Jakobinarina
22nd Feb Köln Werkstatt, w/ Gavin Portland + Jakobinarina
23rd Feb Münster Gleis 22, Tour w/ Gavin Portland + Jakobinarina
24th Feb Berlin Knaack, w/ Gavin Portland + Jakobinarina
25th Feb Hamburg Grüner Jäger: Petur Ben

Press:

“On his first solo album, he steps out of Mugison’s shadow with his own songs and lyrics.”
3,5/5 Reykjavik Grapevine

“A minimalistic and intensely personal album reveals itself, occurring more and more diverse and inspiring… an exceptional talent.”
5/6 Politiken

”...a sparkling singer/songwriter talent”
5/6 Soundvenue

”...solo he is just too cool, so wonder how he is with a band...”
5/6 Gaffa, SPOT Festival ´07

”Withering heights and fragile intimacy”
8/10 Diskant.dk, Loppen DK ´07

Other Reviews:

Undertoner.dk live review