Jay Bennett releases new disc

Monday, November 24, 2008 – Former Wilco member Jay Bennett's solo disc is now available. Bennett was slated to release "Kicking at the Perfumed Air," in October, but that was delayed because Bennett was working on what he described as "a very personal and concise 10-song album called 'Whatever Happened I Apologize.' After debating back and forth, I have decided to release 'Apologize' first. I am somewhat at a loss for words as to explain why I arrived at this decision, save to say it's just one of those lonely and private choices one sometimes has to make-in other words, it just felt more like the right album for the time."

Bennett described the new disc as "stark, stripped down and acoustic based-more so than any other record I have made. I really wanted to capture the simpler and more emotional nature of the songwriting, and I knew that the only way I could do this was to put it together quickly, with no second-guessing and no heavy deliberating about minor details. Consequently I would have to learn to embrace the resultant imperfections-and I have."

Vocals were all done live with Bennett accompanying on acoustic guitar. "So it has some 'warts,' but, in my effort to not forsake integrity for technical perfection, the album ended up feeling more honest, immediate, naked and cohesive to me. I am very proud of presenting myself without my typical voluminous bells and whistles. I am left wondering why I haven't done this more often in the past."

The music is available digitally through rockproper, a download record label at www.rockproper.com.

Bennett was a member of Wilco, but eventually left a contentious relationship with lead singer Jeff Tweedy.