Kennedy Street

Benoit

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There are times we all feel a certain desire to move from some minimal experience to one of meaning. We believe and long for a reality of more worth than what our relatively short existence has shown us. The songs of Read more
There are times we all feel a certain desire to move from some minimal experience to one of meaning. We believe and long for a reality of more worth than what our relatively short existence has shown us.

The songs of Kennedy Street move from this point and circle back to it. It's like looking back to look forward, sideways to go backwards, upside down to get to where you are now.

Kennedy Street was recorded in single takes with the band, with only some occasional additions here and there. Therefore, what you will hear in this set of recordings is the movements and life of music in real time.

This is not the only way music should be, but there is certainly something special about feeling your way through a song as if you're in the room. You can sense the songs going somewhere and though there is a plan, you can't be sure how things will turn out. Risk and freedom weave together as if they were never apart.

These songs were presented to the band as they were, raw and archaic. Yet, each musician was able to bring their experience, flavour and personality to each of the songs, creating something that couldn't have been foreseen.

Kennedy Street is Benoit's first studio album recorded with his band, and will be formally launched at the Gemco Players Community Theatre on the 11th of April, 2026.
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    Kennedy Street 5:35
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    Through the Storm 4:32
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  3. 3
    The People Inside My Head 3:52
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    I Want You Now and Nothing More 5:17
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Where the Wild Things Bloom

Benoit

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Early in the year, Hayden Marie of New Wave Records reached out to me through a mutual connection after hearing me sing, excitedly exclaiming that I “would be perfect for this song” that he was developing in collaboration Read more
Early in the year, Hayden Marie of New Wave Records reached out to me through a mutual connection after hearing me sing, excitedly exclaiming that I “would be perfect for this song” that he was developing in collaboration with another writer, Cheriese Anderson.

Hayden sent me the track to listen to and I instantly really loved the feel of the song. It filled me with a kind of nostalgia of the early 2010's and the rising of a kind of “innocent” folk scene. During those years in my early 20's we would often trek along to see our friend's folk bands play at venues like the Northcote Social Club or the Toff in Town. These times reminded me of the simple freedoms of younger years. Our lives were care-free and the music of the time seemed to reflect this back on us.

But I digress…

As things are in this day and age, I was able to record my vocal tracks from my own home with my own recording gear (well past the bedtime of our two little boys) and send it off over the great web for Hayden to mix into the track. It has been a real pleasure to contribute to this song and to share it with the world.
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  1. Where the Wild Things Bloom

Live at Selby Folk Club

Benoit

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Benoit has found a home at Selby Folk Club since humbly performing over 6 years ago before the welcoming folkies, who took him in as their own. He owes much of musical journey to those volunteers, musicians and music Read more
Benoit has found a home at Selby Folk Club since humbly performing over 6 years ago before the welcoming folkies, who took him in as their own. He owes much of musical journey to those volunteers, musicians and music appreciators that keep the club rolling every month.

What was once known as "the best kept secret in the hills" (not anymore, as you know), Selby Folk Club has played a large part in building up local musicians by providing a platform for songwriters to play to one of the most attentive audiences in Melbourne. Benoit is one such musician, who has been continually encouraged and inspired by his experiences there. Like entering into another world, lost to the pace of modern culture, Selby Folk Club is a portal to reality as it truly exists, raw and beautiful.

Recorded on Wurundjeri land, at Selby Folk Club, this album showcases Benoit's most-loved songs, spanning writing from 2018. Producer and recording extraordinaire, David Miller, had the foresight to record these songs (unbeknown to Benoit and his band) during the launch of Benoit's third album, Mountain.

It turned out quite well.
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    All of my love is still for you 5:14
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Mountain

Benoit

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Mountain represents the second half of a number of songs recorded at Fret Wire Studio in 2020, in the beautiful surrounds of the Dandenong Ranges. The first half was released as Valley, Benoit's second album released in Read more
Mountain represents the second half of a number of songs recorded at Fret Wire Studio in 2020, in the beautiful surrounds of the Dandenong Ranges.

The first half was released as Valley, Benoit's second album released in 2021.

Producer David Miller did much of the heavy lifting for Mountain. Engaging a number of local heroes, David was able to ignite the songs of what has now become Benoit's third album release, giving them a sense of fullness and completion they would not have otherwise had.

Mountain includes songs of uncertainty, disenchantment and loss that seek to illuminate these experiences as necessary landscapes to traverse. Not understood as a wall to knock down or a lion to flee from, but as a friend that points to the soft golden autumn leaves falling on the dew capped grass.

It's morning and the feeling is new.
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    I've been stranded out on my own 3:04
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    My true love is found on this holy ground 2:41
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    It ain't my time now to go 3:06
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    I surely do miss him 3:09
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    Sometimes words, they're not even needed 3:20
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    I'm the boy who cried by the riverside 2:19
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    My Eastern side 2:03
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    What if we made a new road to take? 4:22
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    Watch for the break of dawn 3:17
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    My little lady love of mine 3:43
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Blue Bird

Benoit

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Benoit’s fourth release and debut album, Blue Bird, explores broken landscapes and barren backyards in a subtle and poetic fashion. In the hills of the Dandenong Ranges, the nine tracks of Blue Bird were recorded by Read more
Benoit’s fourth release and debut album, Blue Bird, explores broken landscapes and barren backyards in a subtle and poetic fashion.

In the hills of the Dandenong Ranges, the nine tracks of Blue Bird were recorded by Benoit within the space of a few days in single takes. Sound engineer, David Miller, managed to coax in some friends of his to lend a hand in filling out the sound of the recordings with vocals, banjos, slide guitars, piano and harmonicas. These additions helped to complete the songs to leave a sound that is real and intimate.
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    I thought that I would always have it all 3:48
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    Better head for higher ground 3:05
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    Familiar cliché 3:23
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    Lord I pray that they find a way back home 3:47
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    All I want is the simple love of thee 2:25
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    It's unclear where all this water flows 2:40
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    Would I go back to loving you? 4:59
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    You're the keeper of my time 2:24
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    Silver lining 5:12
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Interlude

Benoit

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Due to the unforeseen circumstances of 2020, Benoit's fifth album, 'Valley', is expected to be released slightly later than planned. The songs of 'Interlude' were written during Melbourne's extensive lockdown. In Read more
Due to the unforeseen circumstances of 2020, Benoit's fifth album, 'Valley', is expected to be released slightly later than planned.

The songs of 'Interlude' were written during Melbourne's extensive lockdown. In anticipation of the forthcoming release of 'Valley', 'Interlude' was released to satisfy the artistic urge to share and give, during a time of waiting and uncertainty.

These are love songs, mixed with quiet reflection and contentment.

See you on the other side.
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    I will love you most of all 4:11
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    The fault within me is mine to hold 4:52
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    If I make it down to that solid ground 3:48
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Fifty miles

Benoit

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Reflecting on his upcoming release of the five track EP, Fifty miles, Benoit remarks: "My latest collection of songs are much closer to my heart than I expected. Five songs that sum up a journey in reconstructing what I Read more
Reflecting on his upcoming release of the five track EP, Fifty miles, Benoit remarks:

"My latest collection of songs are much closer to my heart than I expected. Five songs that sum up a journey in reconstructing what I once knew to be so secure, but left me empty, scrambling for a new direction. It does not stop there, or maybe it never does stop, whatever I may mean by that. But one thing I have found and hindsight has shown that there is indeed peace in insecurity, wholeness in pain and hope in sorrow."

Fifty miles marks the third release of Benoit since his humble beginnings in 2016 with the four track EP, Beam.
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    I can feel it in the wind 3:00
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    Hollow of my soul 4:29
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    Long way from our home 2:49
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    Now that it's spring 3:14
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    I guess it's just goodbyes this time around 2:16
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