Benedict Cork
{{short description|English singer-songwriter (born 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Benedict Cork
| image = Benedict_Cork_at_Tivoli_Utrecht_concert.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Benjamin Mark Cork
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|8|4|df=y}}
| origin = Bishop's Stortford, England
| genre =
| occupation = Singer-songwriter, musician
| instruments = Vocals, piano
| years_active = 2018–present
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|https://www.benedictcork.co.uk/}}
}}
Benjamin Mark Cork (born 4 August 1993), known professionally as Benedict Cork is an English singer-songwriter. He was raised in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.[https://coffeehousesessions.com/benedict-cork/ "Benedict Cork"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626123738/https://coffeehousesessions.com/benedict-cork/ |date=26 June 2021 }}. Coffee House Sessions, 2018. His debut album Notes On A Hopeless Romance was released May 2024.[https://www.facebook.com/BenedictCork/posts/pfbid0hKYwpGQ316mKyeJqYtzoeANPXKRWnfCpgvjeGeyTWJum8saqRFw29XiDPcsXr8Kgl "Benedict Cork's Facebook post"]. Facebook, 27 January 2024.
Early life
Cork was born Benjamin Mark Cork to Andrew Cork and Julia (née Kornberg). His maternal grandfather, Sir Hans Kornberg, was a German-born British-American biochemist whose parents were killed in the Holocaust. Cork has two older brothers and one older sister, SuRie, who represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3XGhtFP23dzKdXBg6RdnSSB/surie/ SuRie] Retrieved on 17 February 2018[https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=250687505641363 SuRie's Facebook post] Facebook, 21 September 2018
Cork was educated at The Bishop's Stortford High School and Hills Road Sixth Form College. He first started performing aged 8 and moved to London to take up work as a piano man in bars after finishing college.[https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/benedict-cork-interview-10-questions-adam-lambert-8502665/ "Pride Profile: 10 Questions With Singer, Songwriter & Adam Lambert Collaborator Benedict Cork"] Billboard, 15 March 2019.
Career
= 2018-2020 =
Cork's official recording career began with a collaboration with Simon Jefferis. Their single Easy was released March 2018[https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/premiere-simon-jefferis-makes-crafting-the "PREMIERE: Simon Jefferis Makes Crafting the Perfect Blend of Lo-Fi, Soul, and R&B Seem 'Easy'"]. Ones to Watch, 9 March 2018.
His first solo release was Piano Tapes in September 2018, a live five-track EP recorded at Red Gate Recorders in Eagle Rock, California.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20210627153642/https://www.creativecontentwire.com/pace-pictures-posts-live-video-series-for-benedict-cork/ "Pace Pictures Posts Live Video Series for Benedict Cork"]}}. Creative Content Wire, 2018. Elton John, on hearing the EP, referred to Cork as "sensational" and "a name to look out for".[https://www.facebook.com/BenedictCork/posts/one-year-ago-today-elton-john-called-me-sensational-a-name-to-look-out-for-my-li/2547790911909477/ "Benedict Cork's Facebook post"]. Facebook, 20 July 2019.[https://music.apple.com/us/station/introducing-benedict-cork/ra.1414673205 "Introducing Benedict Cork"]. Apple Music, 2018. The single Mama Said was described as "devastatingly beautiful" by Billboard.[https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/queer-necessities-august-2018-playlist-8468303/ "Queer Necessities: Billboard Pride's August 2018 Playlist"]. Billboard, 2 August 2018.
After launching a residency at London's Fiction Studios in 2019,[https://www.songkick.com/venues/4119639-fiction-studios/gigography "Fiction Studios gigography"]. Songkick, 2019. Cork supported Emily King and Tom Walker and appeared at British Summer Time in Hyde Park[https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/british-summer-time-hyde-park-line-up-dates-tickets-a4174856.html "British Summer Time at Hyde Park: Line-up, dates, tickets and more"]. Evening Standard, 3 July 2019. supporting Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie. This was followed by Cork's second EP, Letters To Strangers, in the summer of 2019.[https://attitude.co.uk/article/singersongwriter-benedict-cork-releases-new-single-therapy-and-its-fantastic-1/20270/ "Singer/songwriter Benedict Cork releases new single 'Therapy' and it's fantastic"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627153640/https://attitude.co.uk/article/singersongwriter-benedict-cork-releases-new-single-therapy-and-its-fantastic-1/20270/ |date=27 June 2021 }}. Attitude, 12 February 2019.
Cork supported Duncan Laurence on his European Tour[https://www.patronaat.nl/2-11-2019/duncan-laurence-%2B-benedict-cork-uk- "Dutch: Duncan Laurence - Benedict Cork (UK)"]. Patronaat, 3 October 2019. before recording Piano Tapes Volume II and releasing the EP over the summer of 2020. Cork also appeared in a campaign for French fashion house Mugler alongside English National Ballet dancer Precious Adams performing his song Wildfire.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GVK2v3XenI "Benedict Cork - Wildfire ft. Precious Adams (Live)"]. YouTube, 8 November 2020.
= 2021 =
Cork released his EP Secrets I’ll Never Tell June 2021. Themes of the EP include Cork's journey growing up as a gay man, heartbreak, sexual identity and the difficulties of being a musician in a largely digital world[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09k9st3 "Griff chats about her new mixtape, Benedict Cork in Session, L4 in the mix"]. BBC Three Counties Radio, 17 June 2021.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD_ix_Ten7Y "Benedict Cork interview (2021)"]. YouTube, 14 June 2021.
To coincide with the release of Secrets I’ll Never Tell, Cork released a series of podcasts by the same name.[https://open.spotify.com/show/4Cm4qIpRB2AZ9FSR4VVBYs?si=ewrI-fn1SRWvJfCGNNlC8g&dl_branch=1 "Secrets I’ll Never Tell"]. Spotify, 26 May 2021. These showcased frank and open conversations with several collaborators from the world of entertainment and literature including Adam Lambert, MNEK, Sophia Thakur, Duncan Laurence and Precious Adams. The guests came from various ethnic and social backgrounds, and discussed topics such as mental health, authenticity, gender and specific challenges for artists arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
= 2022 =
Cork released his fifth EP If These Walls Could Talk April 2022. During the If These Walls Could Talk Live tour in London and Utrecht,[https://www.facebook.com/BenedictCork/posts/pfbid0hWGayHxXQ1jV9E68ZzkBznzfGW28Hxr4cjBeLt8NsSwMmxzhDvGFjm7reQbKb3CHl "Benedict Cork's Facebook post, 11 February 2022"]. Facebook, 11 February 2022. he announced he would be taking time off to write and record his debut album.[https://www.facebook.com/BenedictCork/posts/pfbid02kkSJe2pwhpxdsvskLbbDWxsTxKD4HVKd18V8X1SnpdcyV82dMYnPm3YrqaakSgjpl "Benedict Cork's Facebook post, 31 May 2022"]. Facebook, 31 May 2022.
On 21 October 2022, Cork hosted an album preview show at London’s Collins Music Hall to preview tracks from his debut album.[https://www.instagram.com/p/CkBwCuljUd0/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 22 October 2022"]. Instagram, 22 October 2022. This included the single Dream Of You released on V2 Records November 2022[https://www.facebook.com/BenedictCork/videos/637168068133882/ "Benedict Cork's Facebook post, 29 October 2022"]. Facebook, 29 October 2022. to coincide with his Incase It Don’t Come True European Tour.[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjka4U7jkaW/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 11 October 2022"]. Instagram, 11 October 2022.
= 2023 =
Cork spent 2023 recording his debut album in London. During the summer of 2023, he supported Adam Lambert at the Royal Albert Hall[https://www.instagram.com/p/CtJWbs4I2_F/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 6 June 2023"]. Instagram, 6 June 2023. and Tors[https://www.instagram.com/p/CsT9lYIo0kU/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 16 May 2023"]. Instagram, 16 May 2023. on their UK tour before announcing his own European tour for October 2023.[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs5tseiI-2U/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 31 May 2023"]. Instagram, 31 May 2023.
Cork released the first single from his album, Soulmates,[https://www.instagram.com/p/CySpI3Wo7et/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 12 October 2023"]. Instagram, 12 October 2023. on Kartel Music Group before embarking on his We Coulda Been Soulmates tour.[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvco-6kIRlw/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 2 August 2023"]. Instagram, 2 August 2023. The single was supported by BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop show.[https://www.instagram.com/p/CymEZ1WInem/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 19 October 2023"] Instagram, 19 October 2023. Cork also announced his first US headline tour for February/March 2024.[https://www.instagram.com/p/C0uF4fKIFzx/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 11 December 2023"]. Instagram, 11 December 2023.
= 2024 =
The second single of Cork's upcoming album Reasons I Loved You (I Can't Think Of One) was released on January 26th.
[https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ahxhNoKl2/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 22 January 2024"]. Instagram, 22 January 2024. A few days later, Cork announced his debut album Notes On A Hopeless Romance[https://www.instagram.com/p/C2mYWOhIW0H/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 27 January 2024"]. Instagram, 27 January 2024. for release a few months later, accompanied by a live headline tour running through May/June of 2024.[https://www.instagram.com/p/C2rho8diGQQ/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 29 January 2024"]. Instagram, 29 January 2024.
Notes On A Hopeless Romance was released May 2024 previewed by the singles Nice Guy, Beauty Queen and God Damn. The album was supported by BBC Introducing 3CR and Spotify’s GLOW campaign[https://www.instagram.com/p/C90kzYhyerw/ "Spotify's Instagram post, 25 July 2024"]. Instagram, 25 July 2024. and Cork was featured by F Word Magazine as their first digital cover story.[https://www.fwordmag.com/single-post/benedict-cork-notes-on-a-hopeless-romance "Benedict Cork: Notes On A Hopeless Romance, 10 May 2024"]. F word Magazin, 10 May 2024. Benedict also supported Tors throughout their European tour September 2024.[https://www.instagram.com/p/DAJSUHiiA4e/ "Benedict Cork's Instagram post, 20 September 2024"]. Instagram, 20 September 2024.
Discography
=Album=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Details |
|---|
| scope="row"| Notes On A Hopeless Romance
|
|
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Details |
|---|
| scope="row"| Piano Tapes (Live at Red Gate Recorders)
|
|
| scope="row"| Letters To Strangers
|
|
| scope="row"| Piano Tapes, Volume II
|
|
| scope="row"| The Midnight Sessions
|
|
| scope="row"| Secrets I'll Never Tell
|
|
| scope="row"| If These Walls Could Talk
|
|
| scope="row"| Live From Collins Music Hall
|
|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col"| Album |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Easy (with Simon Jefferis)"
| 2018 | {{n/a|non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "Ghost"
| rowspan="5"| 2018 | rowspan="5"| Piano Tapes (Live at Red Gate Recorders) |
| scope="row"| "Mama Said" |
| scope="row"| "Down for Forever" |
| scope="row"| "Believe" |
| scope="row"| "Wildfire" |
| scope="row"| "Therapy"
| rowspan="6"| 2019 | rowspan="6"| Letters To Strangers |
| scope="row"| "Fear of Lonely" |
| scope="row"| "Funny How Things Change" |
| scope="row"| "Breaking Hearts" |
| scope="row"| "Pray No More" |
| scope="row"| "Boys Don’t Cry" |
| scope="row"| "Heaven Is a Place on Earth (Cover)"
| 2019 | {{n/a|non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "Hollywood"
| rowspan="5"| 2020 | rowspan="5"| Piano Tapes, Volume II |
| scope="row"| "One Last Song" |
| scope="row"| "Growing Pains" |
| scope="row"| "Choices" |
| scope="row"| "Wild One" |
| scope="row"| "All My Famous Friends"
| rowspan="5"| 2021 | rowspan="5"| Secrets I'll Never Tell |
| scope="row"| "Have A Good Life (See You Never)" |
| scope="row"| "Sick of the Parties" |
| scope="row"| "The Lucky Ones" |
| scope="row"| "At Least We Tried" |
| scope="row"| "The Life We Planned"
| 2021 | rowspan="5"| If These Walls Could Talk |
| scope="row"| "Miracle"
| rowspan="4"| 2022 |
| scope="row"| "If These Walls Could Talk" |
| scope="row"| "All The Love Songs Sound The Same" |
| scope="row"| "Where The Wild Things Go" |
| scope="row"| "Dream Of You"
| rowspan="2"| 2022 | {{n/a|non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart"
| {{n/a|non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "Soulmates"
| 2023 | rowspan="5"| Notes On A Hopeless Romance |
| scope="row"| "Reasons I Loved You (I Can't Think Of One)"
| rowspan="4"| 2024 |
| scope="row"| "Nice Guy" |
| scope="row"| "Beauty Queen" |
| scope="row"| "God Damn" |
=Songwriting credits=
- Auryn - "Right Thing To Do" on Ghost Town[https://genius.com/Auryn-was-it-the-right-thing-to-do-lyrics "Lyrics ‘Right Thing To Do’"]. Genius, 4 December 2015.
- Mark Feehily - "Love Me, Or Leave Me Alone" on Fire
- Adam Lambert - "Feel Something" on Velvet
- Ørjan Nilsen - "Hold me"[https://open.spotify.com/track/5sabpkcl01h9uyoHGcaePI?si=mU3a2xVCT3CIXBDF2z1miQ "Ørjan Nilsen - Hold me"]. Spotify, 19 March 2021.
=Performance credits=
- ORKID - "Hands" on I Don't Give A Damn (piano)[https://open.spotify.com/album/2YqBND8ghC9xfHGIsmfayJ?highlight=spotify:track:0qRNvB94BuJ7kS4q8BCaDf "ORKID - Hands"]. Spotify, 2018.[https://twitter.com/benedictcork/status/1071065324374671361 "Tweet played keys & sang some backing vocals’"]. Twitter, 7 December 2018.
- Angel Haze - "April's Fool" on Dirty Gold (vocals)[https://open.spotify.com/track/5mTp5dvlYZE54j1GnCTF0n?si=b_ewKLSDTUmeocb55V-hvA "Angel Haze - April’s Fool"]. Spotify, 2014.
- Adam Lambert - "Feel Something" on Velvet (piano/backing vocals)[https://open.spotify.com/album/5GSkLEqUxcEzDKWr4wMb9X?highlight=spotify:track:59hJIGEDNvXePcZjVWD4wM "Adam Lambert - Feel Something"]. Spotify, 2019.
- Ørjan Nilsen - "Hold me" (vocals)
- Adam Lambert - "I'm A Man" on High Drama (backing vocals)[https://open.spotify.com/track/2LopHGmDUDLm9sRtuNSRpv?si=0cb5e3d28a7046e4 "Adam Lambert - I'm A Man"]. Spotify, 2023.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- {{Official website|https://www.benedictcork.co.uk/}}
- {{Discogs artist|Benedict Cork}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cork, Benedict}}
Category:English LGBTQ singers
Category:English people of German-Jewish descent
Category:People from Bishop's Stortford
Category:21st-century English singers