Alan Bonner is vocalist, songwriter and musician based in London.
After leaving his small village in Suffolk for the bright lights of London at 18, he spent the last few years writing, recording and playing London's acoustic venues, Honing his craft- Writing lyrics on beer mats in the bars of Soho and bashing out chords on a beaten Piano in Camden Town. With more than thirty songs under his belt has written over two albums worth of material, his music has appeared on a number of independent label compilations, the first of which being the original demo of "Narcissist's Wet Dream' on the Chromium Records compilation "Unsung Heroes" in 2005. Alan also flirted with dance music, writing and recording with electro brakes outfit FLATLIGHT
After graduating from The Powerhouse Music School's Vocaltech in 2002 (Foundation Popular Music Vocals) and Middlesex University (BA Hons Drama & Performing Arts) in 2006, Alan re-located to Brighton where he has spent the last couple of years writing songs and wistfully looking out to sea for inspiration. He graduated with flying colours from the HND Professional Development course in Popular Music Vocals and Songwriting at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music.
Over the last two years Alan and his band mates have been making taking Brighton's indie acoustic scene by storm, having supported esteemed acts such as DAVID FORD(a musical hero of Alan's) and RICHARD WALTERS (who is famed for making beautiful EPs with producer Guy Sigworth of IMOGEN HEAP and MADONNA fame). Throughout 2007 and 2008 worked hard to build his presence on the live music scene and to build a following, putting on his own events, and with self promoted gigs, festivals (OXJAM and BRIGHTON LIVE), radio and press apperances and through internet sites Myspace, Facebook and YouTube. From gigs at prestigious music venues including BARFLY, PURPLE TURTLE, HANBURY BALLROOM and KOMEDIA to more obscure settings, even appearing on stage during drag shows in cabaret bars in Brighton to fill the gaps in the program, while the drag queens did a costume change! Alan's emotionally charged live shows in Brighton and London have left audiences stunned, not only by the intensity of his performances but by the sometimes brutal honesty and confessional nature of his songs.It was during this time that Alan recorded his Debut Album "Songs for the Heart Shaped". Recorded independently in studios in loft studios in London and Brighton, the album is a collection of sonic polaroids from his own life. From tales of the decadence and isolation of London's nightclub creatures (Narcissist's Wet Dream) to tales of child abuse (Daddy's Boy) and from his ode to innocence lost (Ice Cream) to the wonderfully hopeful title track, "Songs for the Heartshaped" is a record that takes the listener on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. Painting a picture of a young man who has lived a lot, loved a lot and lost a lot, but has come out the other side with his faith in life and sense of humour still intact. With confessional lyrics, big choruses and theatrical flare reflecting influences including Rufus Wainwright, Bowie, Regina Spektor, Patrick Wolf, Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and David Ford but with a voice and a style that is all his own.
"Songs for the Heartshaped" was self released in August 2008 with a sell out launch show at the KOMEDIA, Brighton and was released in digital format on ITUNES in November. Physical copies are available at ROUNDER RECORDS and selected branches of ZAVVI. The albums availability in other stores and download outlets will follow in early 2009, with a UK tour and single release planned for the spring.
Now living back in London, Alan is seeking management, publishing and record label backing and with the album and the tour his music will be making it's way out to the Heart Shaped ones in the not so distant future. He knows they are out there, he's seen them at his live shows. Until then keep checking this page for Album news, gigs, blogs and info on all things Al.
Patrick Withnail, collabarator and pianist in his live band once described Alan in described Alan in his blog as "a musical and lyrical genius". Alan himself would never dare be so ordatious. He says in his song "Heartshaped" he's "just a boy who plays piano badly." You decide...
LIVE REVIEW- SURFACE UNSIGNED FESTIVAL- THE PURPLE TURTLE, LONDON, JUNE 2008"There's not many people brave enough to make the music Alan Bonner makes any more. Because here is a man who came to bear his soul. With muted and subtle support from his surrounding band the spotlight was firmly on Mr Bonner as he sought both cathartic redemption and simply to entertain. There's that giant voice for starters then comes the many layers of precise and entirely heartfelt material. Here is a man in complete comfort and control of his sound. Soaring, seething and free wheeling his way through every note that graces his vivid narratives."ALBUM REVIEWS:"Blown us all away. The album to have." LATEST 7 MAGAZINE"Shamelessly romantic. An album of intense beauty." ONE80 NEWS
All Songs (c) 2008 Alan Bonner
