Duke really is the Special one

May 4 2009 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

DUKE Special doesn’t follow trends. He soaks up influences and delivers heartfelt songs that are uniquely him.

But there’s always the danger of getting stuck in a musical rut and to avoid this, Duke – aka Peter Wilson – brought in collaborators on his new album, I Never Thought This Day Would Come.

It was released on April 20, three years after his multi-platinum album Songs From The Deep Forest.

The new album still has beautiful melodies and lyrics and the trademark underlying brooding edge.

But there’s new and different influences to be found here too.

Duke said: “I didn’t want to make Songs From The Deep Forest part two.”

Duke wrote with artists including ex-Suede member Bernard Butler.

Duke said: “I had wanted to work with him since hearing McAlmont and Butler stuff.

“It was a wee bit weird because it feels like a blind date. But it’s a good learning experience.”

Duke is keen to collaborate more, in particular with American composer Van Dyke Parks, Magnetic Fields and Elvis Costello.

He added: “I’d also like to tour with Billy Bragg, because he’s such an interesting character.”

Duke made his name on the live circuit and touring is where he spends most of his time, when not writing or recording.

Now, he’s out on the road in the UK.

He said: “I do love performing live because I can give the full picture.

“Music was designed to be seen and heard to be fully appreciated.”

But being away from home and family takes its toll.

“Being on the road so much is something I am looking to change. It’s like oxygen in terms of creativity and live experience.

“But I find a real longing to be at home more as well now.”

After the UK tour, Duke will embark on festival dates and theatre projects.

He will also curate his own festival called Dukebox at Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, near his home city of Belfast, in August.

It will feature music, visual arts, theatre, spoken word and circus acts.

He said: “I am really interested in exploring that interface between music and theatre and other art forms.”

For more about Duke or his tour dates, visit www.dukespecial.com