Artist Website: dukespecial.com
About Duke Special
Duke Special is the stage name of highly acclaimed Belfast artist, Pete Wilson. His music is primarily piano based, sometimes colloured with various eclectic sounds and instruments. He often gets compared (favorably) with Badly Drawn Boy. Initially recognized for his dramatic "hobo chic" style, he now performs without makeup, focusing on authenticity. His theatrical live shows, influenced by Vaudeville and music hall, often feature unconventional instruments and sound effects.
Duke Special began his solo career in 2002 and gained recognition with his debut album Adventures in Gramophone (2005), which was nominated for the Choice Music Prize. His subsequent albums, including Songs from the Deep Forest (2006) and I Never Thought This Day Would Come (2008), further established his reputation. He has performed at major festivals and events, including Glastonbury and the Last Night of the Proms.
His work includes collaborations with various artists and appearances on television and radio. Notably, he composed music for Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children and released Under the Dark Cloth (2011) with The RTÉ Concert Orchestra. In 2017, he released Hallow, inspired by Michael Longley’s poetry. His 2023 album, Blood for Ghosts, features songs based on historical sheet music from the Princess Grace Irish Library.
Video
Duke Special - Freewheel
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