Minneapolis based Ben Kyle is the Belfast born singer/songwriter and architect behind the Irish-Americana outfit Romantica, the self-titled album BEN KYLE and the award-winning songs Mercy and Don't Settle. American Songwriter described Mercy as "Perfect" and the Huffington Post has dubbed Kyle "A Sleeping Giant."
The recipient of 10 International Songwriting Competition awards, Ben has worked with Ringo Starr, Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams, Alejandro Escovedo, Sara Watkins and Dan Wilson and collaborated with Austin, TX roots sweetheart Carrie Rodriguez, on the duets album We Still Love Our Country; a subtle collection of country standards and sprightly originals that enjoyed radio success in the States, Europe and the UK.
Emigrating to Minnesota from Belfast, Northern Ireland with his family as a teen, Kyle synthesized the Roots sound he absorbed in midwestern America with his childhood steeped in Irish folk music and went on to release 5 heralded albums as the singer/songwriter and voice behind the Americana critical darlings Romantica. Paste Magazine named Romantica's 2007 release America "One of the Best Albums of 2007", although No Depression declared that their 2016 release Shadowlands was "Undeniably their best."
In early 2016, Ben fell ill with an acute expression of Lyme Disease. Five years and a deep healing journey later, he is overcoming and returning to the studio and stage with a new inspiration that promises beautiful things to come.
"Perfect" - American Songwriter
"Splendid. Tender and moving" - The Telegraph
"Amazingly good. Such a distinct voice and writing style, and arranged so perfectly.” - Michael McCall (Associated Press)
“A Sleeping Giant” - Huffington Post
"Sweet harmonies, delicate melodies, a warm intimate feel, everything judged to exquisite perfection; this is one of those rare albums where not a foot is put wrong." - Maverick
"Lithe, fanciful and obviously inspired" - Blurt
“TERRIFIC” - Fuel Friends
“Exquisite” - Twangville
“Mercy is a gorgeous, harmony-drenched track that...ended up perfect." - American Songwriter
“Sparkling and intimate” - ASCAP.com
"The album breathes with an openness and subtlety that nicely compliment the disc’s boldly personal themes." - UTNE Reader
"One of the best albums I’ve heard this year" - St Cloud Times
"This is a STUNNING record." - Courtney Gregg (Carnival Music)
“It sounds and feels great. Don't Settle is wonderful.” - Dan Wilson (Adele, Dixie Chicks)
"He has such a warm voice, it really draws me in. I like it very much." - Peter Jesperson (New West Records)
"Sneaking up as an Album of the Year. Subtle shifting melodies.. winsome voice and soul deep poetry… Beautiful!" - Steve Stockman (BBC Radio / Author of Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2)
"Immediately appealing. Ethereal and compelling. I recommend wholeheartedly." - Lonesome Highway
"Like an extended meditation, the emotional core of this album just keeps taking you deeper, without extraneous, or unnecessary variation. It is, at its best, profoundly moving." - Minor 7th
"The album sounds terrific: sweet melodies, honeyed harmonies, understated but infectious." - Tim Gihring (Minnesota Monthly)
“An elegant album” - Direct Current Music
“An excellent album” - Higher Plain Music
“Kyle has said he wants to write songs that are beautiful. Judging by the [new album] he is succeeding.” - Twin Cities Daily Planet