Donny Benét

Donny Benét (born Benjamin Waples) is an Australian recording artist, based in Sydney. In 2011, he released his debut studio album Don't Hold Back through indie label Rice is Nice. His fifth studio album, Mr Experience, reached #26 on the ARIA Charts in May 2020.

Biography Benét was born Benjamin Waples to an Italian mother and a father who, like Benét, is also a musician. According to an NME interview in 2020, Waples developed his Donny Benét persona when he watched an Italian accordionist perform in nursing homes.

Benét claims he was exposed to music from an early age as his father Antonio Giacomelli Benét was an Italian Disco accordionist and taught Donny to play the accordion and the electric bass. Benét played his first shows as an accordionist and synth player in Italian bands around Sydney until the mid-2000s.

In 2010, Benét played in Jack Ladder's band The Dreamlanders and began recording his own songs in his studio Donnyland Studios. In 2011 he signed with Rice is Nice records and released Don't Hold Back, which was received with interest from Australian music media publications praising Benét's sincere take on 80s pop music.

In March 2020, Benét's track "Konichiwa" was included on The Weeknd's 'Handpicked Playlist', which highlights 24 songs that inspired his album, After Hours.

In March 2020, Benét announced the release of his fifth studio album Mr. Experience as well as an accompanying tour of Europe and Australia. In April, many of these tour dates were postponed due to the effects of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.

Benét said Mr. Experience was inspired by the stylings of Bryan Ferry and Hiroshi Yoshimura, and to produce the record, he "envisioned the soundtrack to a dinner party set in the late 1980s".

In February 2022, Benét released his first new music in almost two years with the instrumental piece titled Le Piano and announced the release of his forthcoming EP of the same name, released on 1 April 2022.

In October 2022, Benét announced a 2023 North American tour for Le Piano from 22 February to 18 March 2023.

Influences and musical style

Benét's music mostly consists of synthesizers, but also features electronic drum machines, saxophone and electric bass, all of which (excluding saxophone) are played by Benét. Benét's influences includes Jan Hammer, Alan Vega, Prince, Eberhard Weber, Bernard Edwards, and Lou Reed, whom Benét credits as his inspiration to sing his own songs. Benét was described by KEXP as "a fun, baffling mystery of a performer, one who you’ll find yourself falling in love with from his charisma alone" on the debut of the single "Second Dinner" in August 2019. Following the release of the single "Girl of My Dreams" in January 2020 during the North American Donny Benét Live tour, it was reviewed by Chicago Reader as a single that "is a tender ballad" and "Anchored by a wistful whistle, it has a relaxing feel that makes it perfect for catching your breath with a slow dance."

Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions AUS Don't Hold Back Released: July 2011 Label: Rice Is Nice Records (RINCD012) Format: CD+ karaoke DVD, digital download —Electric Love Released: September 2012 Label: Rice Is Nice Records (RINCD018) Format: CD, digital download —Weekend at Donny's Released: September 2014 Label: Rice Is Nice Format: Digital download, streaming —The Don Released: 6 April 2018 Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming —Mr Experience Released: 22 May 2020 Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 26Infinite Desires Released: 29 February 2024 Label: Donnyland (DLAND002LP) Format: LP, digital download, streaming 46

Extended plays + List of EPs, with selected details Title EP details Peak chart positions AUS Label: Donnyland (DLAND006LP) Format: LP, streaming 85

Awards and nominations AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. 2021 Mr Experience Best Independent Pop Album or EP 2023 Le Piano Best Independent Jazz Album or EP APRA Awards The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). 2023 "Le Piano" Song of the Year

ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Donny Benét had received 2 nominations.

Mr Experience Best Adult Contemporary Album Tim Rogers for Mr Experience by Donny Benét Best Cover Art

National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016. 2016 Himself Live Bassist of the Year